One of the easiest ways to make your wedding day a bit less stressful is by choosing to have your ceremony at a wedding venue.  These places are built to and designed with your wedding in mind.  I was super pumped when I heard a new one was popping up near me here in Palestine and a week or so ago Bella Sera Ranch had their open house.  I had a wedding that day so I was not able to attend but I did stop by and kick the tires around a bit before I rolled out of town.  Here are a few images I snapped.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this area in the back for ceremonies.  You and your wedding party will LOVE LOVE LOVE the giant shade the tree and porch provide. :)

This is a view of the back porch.

Bridal room.

Check out this huge reception hall.
La Tee Da brought their flowery goodness and dropped some everywhere.
Check out the cool vintage buttons.  (25 cool points for Barbra and the gang.)

Also if outdoor ceremonies are not your thing, or if rain is not your thing, they have this great chapel on site.  It totally reminds me of the chapel in Runaway Bride.  In a good way. :)
Well, there you have it.  A mini tour.  Now I just need a bride to book me to shoot her wedding there. :)  Lets get to it ladies.  Operators are standing by.  903.480.4011. :)  But, before you call me you’ll want to call them and see if they are available as well.

Bella Sera Ranch
http://www.bellaseraranch.com
903.723.0900

Here are a few of my favorites form May of last year.  I can’t believe you people have been married 1 year!  Congrats to Kenzie, Kasey, Christina, Katherine, Jean, & Kristen!  (And to your husbands.) :)

Jessica may have put more thought into every little part of her wedding than any bride I’ve had in recent memory.  Everywhere you looked there were little elements that just made you smile.  She hired the ladies at Not So Shabby Interiors to help her pull this off and I can assure you it was totally worth it.  Visit their site.  Book them to help you with your wedding.

A few days ago I got this perfect E-mail from Lindsey.  She sent it to me about a week after her wedding when she saw her album sneak peek.  Take a look.

“You know, I have to admit, I was VERY nervous that I would not like ANY of the pictures of me.  I am SUPER self conscious, and pretty much hate every picture I see of myself.  However, I am not claiming that I now think I am a super model or anything, but, I do love how you captured the way I felt in each picture you took.  Thank you! ” – Lindsey

E-mails like this totally  make my job worth doing.  I love that I was able to make her feel that way, but even more I love that Lindsey “gets” it.  My photos are not designed to make you look like a Cosmo cover.  They are not retouched to the point that you confuse them with something form glamor shots.  They are a reflection of who you are right now.  Of course I try to capture and document you from flattering angles and in ways that make you look your best, but at the same time as a bride, you need to come at this expecting realistic results.

You are are who you are and that’s fantastic.

The most ironic part is this whole day is about someone committing to you and saying I choose you above all else. But even then in the midst of all this, for many girls the insecurity about how they look still make them feel “ugly” or “not perfect”.   Your groom is choosing YOU.  He is standing up in front of everyone, in an uncomfortable suit you have chosen no less, and declaring YOU as his most favorite girl in the planet.  Stop and think about that.

You have being chosen.

You have been declared a perfect fit.

You are his super model. :)

Jessica & Jason had the perfect country / home / farm wedding this past weekend.  Much blog love will be bestowed on it later this week.  These will have to hold you over for now. :)