OK. It’s time again for that killer blog series: My Favorite Part of A Wedding.

One of the reasons I love shooting weddings so much is because of all the relationships involved. The longer you have known those people, the deeper the interactions with them will be on your wedding day. That’s part of why I am a sucker for the Father-Daughter dance. I know, I know. Typically, the bride and groom sharing their FIRST dance together as husband and wife is supposed to be the headliner. But let me tell you a little secret: that’s not the dance to watch.

A bride & groom’s first dance is just more of what you’ve already seen that day. It’s two people giddy, in love, and just smiling at each other because their happily ever after is just getting started. That’s great. Sunshine, rainbows, unicorns, everybody loves it. But, a good Father-Daughter dance is so much more. It’s 25 years of living and raising a human. There is so much going on just below the surface. I love seeing how they unfold. Sometimes they are full of laughter, and memories, and chatter. Sometimes they are planned out choreography and even though it’s a struggle, you know they had so much fun practicing. And every now and then, you get the full on melt down. Two people just laughing and crying for 3 minutes while they take in what the last quarter of a century was like.

Here are a few of my favorites:

So next time you go to a wedding, don’t just walk over to the punch bowl when they call for the Bride & her Father to share a “special dance.”

Stop what you are doing.
Soak it in.
Be present.

It’s not just 3 minutes of swaying to “I Loved Her First.”

It’s softball practices, and dance recitals, and driving lessons, and prom dresses, and butterfly kisses, and coke dates, and science projects, and Disney movies, and painted toes, and boyfriend breakups, and fishing trips, and tea parties.
It’s knowing that it will never be like it was.

And starting to be OK with that.

But, it’s also knowing that it will never be like it was.

And getting excited about that.

Oh, one last thing about Father-Daughter dances… sometimes they don’t have to be a dance at all.  Because as dads, all we really want, is one last moment with our little girl.

Because you enjoyed this, I know you’ll want to see more in this series. Click here for more words and pretty pictures.

I totally love me some Jessica and Austin.  these two had an epic wedding at Bella Sera Ranch in Palestine and I was just giddy that they let me in on all the fun.

Check out all these tiny little details and touches.
Wedding Tip 639: If you are giving your groomsmen a gift….

… make sure they are old enough to use it without cutting themselves.

I LOVE this shot of Jessica screaming at her girls on her way to her First Look.
Keep Austin Weird.

Petal’s Florist did such a great job with all the arrangements.

Lots and lots of dancing and mucis thanks to P3 Pro Sound.

Aggies doin’ what they do.

Here’s my number… so call me maybe.

Thanks again for trusting me with your day.  You two were terrific.

Chesley & Andy are one of my most favorite couples I have ever photographed.  They are super kind and have such great hearts I loved being there with them on their 1st day of their marriage.

Bella Sera Ranch, a terrific place to get married.

If you remember their engagement session you know these two love food.  I was not surprised to find a nice little table of sweets.

Custom root beer bottles?  Of course.  (Get your own here.)

Pennies are a big deal to Chesley & Andy.  They have collected them, traded them and even have a fireplace decorated with them.  I knew I wanted to work them into their ring shot somehow.

A rainy First Look.
Loved the different dresses and shoes.

One of the guys forgot his shoes so he had to go buy some last minute.  We all pointed and made fun of him.

Loved this moment between Andy & Chesley’s niece.

Speaking of the little people.  How off the wall cute are these two.  (She kept showing me her grapes.)

Lots and lots of dancing thanks to CMB DJs.

The Mug Machine was also there in full force.  Check back Monday for those photos.

Chesley & Andy just got married at Bella Sera Ranch. It was awesome. They are totally into each other and during the reception people danced to Michael Jackson music. Many many more images to come later this week. :)

This past Sunday I shot my first wedding at Bella Sera Ranch and I loved it.  I can’t wait to get back there.  (Yes, I’m looking at you Chesley & Andy).  Anyway, all you brides out there in the Palestine/East Texas area really should go out and take a look.  They have an amazing venue.  Here is a shot of their historic style Chapel.

Christa brought plenty of blingdom to the day.

A few from their First Look.

They read their vows off their phones & after the minister pronounced them man and wife they updated their Facebook status to married. :)

As always, CMB DJs did an amazing job.

You two were so much fun.  Thanks for trusting me with your day.