Christina & Josh | The Mug Machine
Christina & Josh | The Mug Machine

I LOVE when a couple booked The Mug Machine for their wedding reception.  I love it even more that Christina & Josh spent the month leading up to their wedding telling everyone about it. :)  I had guests asking me about it right before the ceremony.  Everyone was looking forward to it and they did not disappoint.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Wardrobe Malfunction


I still have a few of you June brides who have not added this to your package. :)  You know you want too.  It’s not too late. :)

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Lydia Covey: Performing Harpist | Vendor Interview
Lydia Covey: Performing Harpist | Vendor Interview

I love when brides choose to have live music at their wedding.  Receptions are the “typical” time when brides hire a band.  But, one thing you may not have considered is some live ceremony music.  Lydia is by far be the best harpist I have ever met.  (She is the only harpist I have ever met.)  Regardless,  she is a wonderfully talented musician and I love when brides choose to have tasty live music rather than that “canned” stuff that sometimes skips or lasts too long or not long enough.  Lydia is such a nice person and her music is great.  Call her ASAP and see if she is still available for your date!

As luck would have it, we were both at the I Do Bridal Show in Longview.  So, I had both her and her harp get into The Mug Machine. :)

Enjoy the photos.  Then enjoy the interview.


How did you get started, how long have you been doing this?

I had the dream to play the harp ever since I can remember.  I started my musical education on piano before I convinced my parents that my love was for the harp.  I began harp studies in 2004 and it was a perfect match.  When I discovered that my harp music could be involved with weddings I was thrilled!  I have now been playing for weddings professionally for about 3 years.

What is your favorite part about your job?
Oh so many favorites, where to begin?!  First, I love people.  My job involves many people. I love getting to know my brides, their fiance, mother, friends, etc.  I have the privilege to be a part of the happiest day of a couples life.  It is wonderful to share my music, knowing that I am adding to their day and bringing joy to people.  I love that the harp is so unique and I get to share it’s music.

And, I love weddings.  It’s amazing that they are my job, I love hearing all the stories of planning and then arriving on the big day seeing all the loveliness.

Why should a bride hire a live musician?  Can’t the venue just play a cd while the guests are arriving?
Yes, any venue can play any cd and no one will notice.  But, you can be sure that with the beauty of the harp and it’s lovely music being played, your guests will notice.  Any sort of live music for your ceremony is wonderful, but (in my humble opinion :) the harp is the perfect wedding instrument, it will create the perfect ambiance.

The biggest plus to having live musicians is how smooth the ceremony will go.  A professional musician will be watching for just the right moment when the ceremony is to start, can easily continue a song if the flower girls take those extra 2 minutes to shyly make their way down the aisle.  And most important, a musician will be able to beautifully end the song once the bride has reached her to-be-husband.  No awkward waiting for the recorded song to end or be suddenly turned off.  Live music is that extra special touch.

What is something unique to your service that you are extra proud of?
I am very easy going about music selections!  This is your wedding, you pick any special song you want and I will search high and low to play it.  Or, if you have no clue about songs that’s fine, I have lots of wedding experience and can recommend the best songs.

And, you may be surprised at how amazing “Here Comes the Bride” sounds on harp!  It’s nothing like you’ve heard it before.

Anything else you wanna say?
Enjoy this time of planning your wedding.  It is a very special part of your life, and while it may involve stress, take the time to have fun planning and make the wedding your own.  But remember, the wedding is one day, your marriage will prayerfully be lifelong.  Focus on your relationship as a couple soon to be husband and wife.  It is a joyful union you are preparing for!

“Love never fails… but it’s something worth fighting for.”

Lydia Covey | Performing Harpist
903-261-3097
Web | lydiaharpist@gmail.com | Twitter

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4 Sisters and a Stalker
4 Sisters and a Stalker

The last time I photographed 4 sisters, I ended up marrying one of them.

This is a photo I took about 10 years ago, and Danielle is the one on the far right.

When Kristin & I started chatting about shooting her and her sisters, I got all excited.  This session was a blast, so let’s jump right to the images.

I LOVE this shot of them in the field.

Guess who showed up while we were out there?

That’s right ladies and gentlemen.  A little bit of Zac Effron never hurt a photograph.  He must have heard these beautiful single ladies were in town and came by for a visit.

I still had The Mug Machine in my car from Heather & Blake’s wedding, and I figured it was just what these girls needed. So we drove over to the church where their mom works and set it up for a few shots.

At this point Zac became a bit of a stalker.  He must have somehow followed us back because he showed up out of nowhere and insisted on getting in on a few more shots.

Once their mom came out, Zac split.  (I think he was intimidated.)

Seriously, how gorgeous are all 5 of these ladies?!

Thanks for a great session!

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Heather & Blake (The Mug Machine)
Heather & Blake (The Mug Machine)

Well, The Mug Machine has made it to 3 out of the 4 weddings I have shot this year and I’ll be honest, you HAVE to have this at your wedding. :) Heather called me a few weeks before her wedding to check on adding it and I was so glad she did. They have a great group of friends and it really let’s everyone get in on the photo fun.

If you are interested in having The Mug Machine at your wedding shoot me an E-mail and we’ll make it happen.

Here are a few of my favorites.

After their first shot. This guy asked for a “Prom pose” because they never got a prom photo done. How awesome is that? I kept having to re-shoot this. The bottle was full when we started. :) Mothers of the Bride & Groom.

I think Heather may have had the most fun in The Mug Machine. She kept coming back for more.
And finally, one more family portrait.

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The Mug Machine (Jamie & David) | Wedding Photography Tyler, TX
The Mug Machine (Jamie & David) | Wedding Photography Tyler, TX

I’m guessing most of you read about The Mug Machine last week. But, for those of you just joining us here on the blog, here is a little recap. The Mug Machine is a little photo station I set up at your reception to photograph you and your guests. It’s not a push a button and say cheese on 3 booth. It IS a spot for your friends and family to relax, hang out, be entertained. I have a blast shooting these and everyone else has a blast joining in on the fun. Need proof? Here’s about 15 images of Mug Machine goodness.

(Don’t forget, if you add The Mug Machine to your package before the end of the month you’ll save $250.00.)

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

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