If I had to choose one couple to lose power on their wedding day… Alissa & Michael would be my number one pick!

Lake Tyler Petroleum Club always looks amazing.  A bit of La Tee Da Flowers never hurts though…

I once wrote a post called I Don’t Care About Your Beautiful Wedding.  This kids gets it.

One of my favorite things about Alissa & Michael is how present they were with everyone, but especially their younger guests.  They always seem to find time to bend over, acknowledge, and have little encounters with them.

True Story: There was a STUPID crazy storm that blew in right as their day was getting started.  Knocked out power across the entire lake area.  Buildings lost power, no juice anywhere, and this was just as Alissa was about to get her hair done.  That led to her totally melting down and causing a scene.  In moments like that, I never really know if I should document it or not, but the way I look at it… I’m just kidding.  Alissa was like… “Oh well, what can you do?” And she waited for the Lake Tyler staff to get a generator set up. And then got her hair done via multiple extension cords and battery operated lights.

It’s about 80 degrees in this room, and you can see the box fan we had going.  Still though.  This woman was unfazed.  MVP Bride right here folks.

Because First Looks never disappoint.

While we were knocking out some portraits of the two of them, Michael’s brother in law stumbled into the shot.

So I shifted the focus and captured what was really important.

A few gorgeous images of a few gorgeous ladies.

A few average images of a few average dudes.

30 minutes till ceremony time.

3 minutes till ceremony time.

I mean, not every flower girl is thrilled to be at this wedding.

The rest of the night was filled with lots of eating, dancing, and super sweet toasts.

And cake.  Delicious cake baked by Design’s By D’Anne.

I took entirely too many photos of Alissa’s niece. But I will never apologize for that.

Some of my favorites from The Mug Machine.

Every single time I have been around Alissa & Michael, I left feeling better about their future.  Their wedding day was no different.  They were faced with challenge, after challenge and didn’t once let it affect their outlook on the day.  I adore couples who have the wisdom to look past the moment and see the big picture.  On “the biggest day of their life”, Alissa & Michael did that flawlessly. And I know that with that mindset, the two of them are going to crush this little thing called marriage that they signed up for.

Disclaimer: I use any excuse I can to post a photo of my bride and I on our wedding day.  Today is no exception.

Because today’s bride….

Wait for it…..

Today’s bride’s mom…….

Wait for it…….

Today’s Bride’s Mom was MY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER!!!!!

(Rare behind the scenes, archived photograph of said wedding.)

Give it up for Mrs. Mosley who photographed my wedding for a grand total of about $300 way back in 2002.

That’s like 8,475 dollars in today’s money, kids. Don’t skimp on the photos.

Elyse and Jack are my favorite type of people. They are the type that after spending 15 minutes with them, you feel like you want to be their best friend. We started their session at the coffee shop where they met. Jack was working at The Tipsy Bean, and after seeing Elyse come in a few times, he told her she should apply for a job there. She did, and soon he became her boss.

“Technically he was my boss, but everyone knows I was in charge.” – Elyse.

There is something timeless about being able to document a couple’s story at the exact place it began. The Tipsy Bean is the best, and you should all go drink coffee and wine there.

Spoiler Alert: Jack is a bit taller. He kisses her head a lot.

Of COURSE, Elyse has been training to be a yoga instructor since she was like 17.

My favorite thing about Jack was how he talked about not taking Time for granted. A few months ago, he unplugged his Xbox, and ever since then has had so much more free time. “It’s amazing how much free time you have if you really are intentional about things,” he told me. I asked, “What do you do with all your free time now?”

“I guess I’m a wedding planner.”

Which led to him and I spending the next 10 minutes talking about our favorite romantic comedies. I mentioned The Wedding Planner, he mentioned Return to Me. I said My Best Friend’s Wedding, he said The Princess Bride.

It’s obvious Elyse knows how to pick them.

You two are the best. Thanks for a great afternoon.

One last thing… If anyone is wondering what the cool kids are wearing for their engagement sessions in 2019…

It’s the same thing the cool kids were wearing for their engagement sessions back in 2002.

Hey hey, the people have spoken and here are the winners for this years contests.

Crystal & Todd (Castle on the Lake)

Kylee

Aaron & Eric (Heather’s Glen)

Malory & Adam (El Cerrito Lodge)

Lauren & Sean (The Ashton Depot)

It’s that time again. It’s time to look back at some of the best photos from 2018. Everyday we’ll be taking a look at a new category. Voting is open till 8am tomorrow and the winners will be announced Monday. The winning entries will each receive a 16×20 print.

Today’s category: Random

Sometimes it’s the unexpected moment that stand out the most to me from a wedding day. The things you don’t plan for, the tiny details that bubble up to the surface and make your day that much more unique. Here are a few of my favorites from this past year.

1: Mule
That moment when it starts to drizzle and your nephew comes to your rescue on your wedding day.

2: Kicks
I love when a bride rocks some bling sneakers.

3: Working Mom
Breast. Makeup Artist. Ever.

4: Privacy
The thing about getting married in a rodeo area… there are not to many places to have a quiet moment alone. Tiffany decided to cowgirl up and make it work.

5: Pants
Getting ready for the big day is a process.

6: Shots
Shots shots shots shots shots shots
Shots shots shots shots shots
Shots shots shots shots shots

7: Paparazzi
Bridesmaids who don’t want to be photographed crying are the best.

8: Gotta-go
Weddings may be formal affairs, but you still gotta take a break.

9: Tinkle
If you think I would pass up a chance to include a penis in your First Dance photos… I may not be the best photographer for your day.

10: Drums
Halfway through the reception when Mariana got ont he drums I almost fell over.

It’s that time again. It’s time to look back at some of the best photos from 2018. Everyday we’ll be taking a look at a new category. Voting is open till 8am tomorrow and the winners will be announced Monday. The winning entry will each receive a 16×20 print.

Today’s category: Wedding Rings

I love trying to capture what is unique about a couple and work that into a photo of their wedding rings. Here are some of my favorites from this past year.

Take a look at the entries then vote at the bottom of this post.

1: Wood

2: NES


3: Dirt


4: Bling


5: Horn


6: Nature


7: 60/40


8: Scrabble


9: Hogwarts


10: Money