Gina & Kevin had an incredible wedding at Metro Church in Longview, TX. Here are a some of my favorite shots from the day.

The more weddings I work, the more I realize a bride’s shoes are almost as important to her as the groom. :)

These two had a killer First Look.

Casa Flora Flowers did an amazing job with the arrangements. You should book them.

Casa Flora Flowers
903-753-4492
314 Magnolia Lane
Longview, Texas 75605
http://www.casafloraflowers.com/

Carrie Alexander did Gina’s make-up. (auntharry@hotmail.com | 903-261-2428)

This is Kevin’s daughter. I let her sneak into the balcony to watch their First Look. She started tearing up. Then I started crying. Then my photos were out of focus. It’s OK though. Right? :)

Tasty and delicious cakes from Chez Bazan. You should also book them. :)

Chez Bazan
(903) 561-9644
5930 Old Bullard
Tyler, TX 75703
http://www.chezbazan.com

You can’t really see her in this shot, but Lydia Covey was also at the wedding rockin’ her harp. If you are looking for a harp at your wedding, she is your girl. :)
903-261-3097 | Web | lydiaharpist@gmail.com

The whole family.

Gina & her dad had a great father daughter dance.

The Chad Evans Band did an AMAZING job at the reception. If you are in need of band you should really check them out. (903.736.6868)

The Mug Machine was also there. Those will be posted later this week.

Hey, remember back in 2002 when Spider-Man  & A Walk to Remember came out?

Or when Avril Lavigne was singing Complicated & Eminem was cool because he had that song Lose Yourself?

You remember when iPods looked like this and were HUGE!

You remember when Alex & Danielle got married at 10:00 AM on June 22, 2002?

I do.

A few of my favorite shots from June 2009.  Come on past brides, you know you wanna leave some comment love!!!

Wedding photography is kinda a funny thing.  When brides book me, they are not really quite sure what they are paying for.  If you book a great florist like La Tee Da Flowers, they can point to a photo or show you a real bouquet that will look exactly like your wedding flowers.  You can go to Edible Art to taste and see the actual cake you will eat on your wedding day.  But, photography is different.  I can’t show you your wedding photos.  I can show you other photos I have shot, but the actual photos from your wedding have never been created before.  You are booking the PROMISE of beautiful photography.

You are booking me based on trust that I will deliver something unique.

When Lauren booked me, this shot of Drew was on the front of my site.

When Lilli booked me, this shot of Lauren was on the front of my site.

When Angela booked me, this shot of Lilli was on the front of my site.

When Nakitha booked me, this shot of Angela was on the front of my site.

(Nakitha’s getting married in October 2010 so you’ll have to wait to see her photo.)

Each of these shots is different.  These brides didn’t book because they wanted the exact photo they saw on my website.
They booked because they trusted me to capture a shot that had never happened at their wedding.

Booking a wedding photographer is more about trust than a package price or actual photography.

You are booking me believing that I will show up 1 year from our meeting date and capture something never captured before.

You are booking me because you believe I understand what your day means to you.

You are booking me knowing that I’ll see something on your day that no one else can see or document.

You are booking me because I promise to give the memories you have yet to make a photo that matches.

It’s a trust and promise that I am honored to have.

To all my past and future brides, thanks for trusting me.

Maybe it’s because Sara is starting to grow up.

Maybe it’s because I’ve seen too many weddings where brides rush through the day.

I’m not sure what it is, but lately brides and fathers have been on my mind at weddings.

I have a fantastic tip for you brides on your wedding day: Spend time with your dad.

This is the thing with most dads, they are kinda numb to the whole wedding thing.  You and your mom or friends have planned the day.  As guys, we clearly have little or no opinion on the colors you choose or the type of flowers you use in your bouquet.  The whole process is by women and for women.  There is one part of the day however that Dads are very, very clued into.  The part where they “give you away”.

Some dads joke about it, others cry through it, but all of them have a feeling about it.  Here is my tip to you: find a way to honor and thank your dad sometime the week you get married.  Maybe it’s by having that super traditional Father-Daughter dance.  But guess what, some dad’s don’t like to dance.  Especially with 283 people watching them.  Some dads like iHop.  How about taking him to breakfast the day of your wedding.  That’s right.  The morning you get married you CAN spend 30 minutes with your dad.  Trust me when I say that nothing will make him feel more honored and loved than you spending a few moments alone with him.

Here are a few things I’ve seen brides do.

It’s amazing how a simple 3 minute chat at the candy table before the day gets going can mean so much.

Lauren’s dad kicked everyone out of the bride’s room to spend a few moments alone with her and give her a gift.

I loved this moment between Amy and her dad.

Erika actually called her dad and talked to him for about 5 minutes before he came to walk her down the aisle.

And, if the only thing you can do with your dad is the Father/Daughter dance, dancing to “Thriller” is the way to go.  (Happy Anniversary Kim & Josh)

Here’s the deal, I WANT Sara to get married.  I’m sure that I’ll love the guy she is choosing and be thrilled to see her find happiness in him.  My “fear” is that I’ll be forgotten.  I see this in dads in many of the weddings I shoot.  They don’t want to take over the day.  They just want 10 minutes with their daughter to hug them and tell them how proud they are.  Give your dad time on your wedding day.  Even though he’s not your number 1 man anymore, he desperately needs to be reminded that he’s number 2.