Just because you are getting married in “East Texas” does not mean you are limited to 1 of the 4,283 tiny Baptist churches in the area. There are some AMAZING venus around and they offer a lot of advantages when planning your wedding. They have a staff that takes care of little details, they typically have 1-2 sometimes 3 weddings per week so they know the ins and outs of a wedding day, and many of these places provide an on-site coordinator that help your day run smooth and let your mom/aunt/sister just enjoy the day rather than plan and worry up to the last minute. Anyway, here is a little info on one of my favorites, Elmwood Gardens.

This place is out of a fairy tale. Seriously, it’s like an enchanted garden that you could spend a month at and still not explore every place.  

Finally, a little Q & A with the owner Dee Dee Turnage.

How did you guys get started, How long have you been doing this?
My son and his fiancee were the first wedding and gave us the idea. Since 2001. 

What is your favorite part about your job?
Being able to be creative.

What is the craziest thing that has ever happened at your venue? (This of course does not mean that you were responsible for the crazy.)
Groom arrived by helicopter while a gunfight was taking place.  (call for details) 

What are some things brides should look for when looking for a venue?
A manager and staff that are professional, courteous, and put the bride’s needs first. 

What is something unique to your venue that you are extra proud of?
The natural layout of our beautiful gardens and statuary, and the way they blend with the architecture of our buildings.

Website: http://www.elmwoodgardens.com/
Phone: 903.724.5619

Oh, and in case you need any more convincing, take a look at this smoking hot couple who choose to get married there way back in 2002. :)  

Davi and her mom were an absolute blast to work with. It’s funny because they kept telling me they wanted to do whatever I said, but then kept suggesting poses and then apologizing for it after. :) We had so much fun driving around town and I’m so stoked about so many of the shots we got.

Davi is getting married out at Elmwood Gardens but wanted a few shots at a church looking all fancy and bride-ly. I think she pulled it off.  

This next shot may be one of my favorite bridal session moments of all time. She is super close to her Great Aunt, but she will not be able to come to the wedding so Davi asked if we could stop by her home and do a few shots of the two of them together and let her see her in the dress. Apparently Davi did not get the memo that brides are supposed to be into themselves and their day and everyone else is supposed to revolve around them. I’m not quite sure why she is thinking of others but I went along with it.  

She will be wearing these on the wedding day. Ingram will be her new last name. (They are also doubling as her “something blue”.)  

Both her fiance’ and her dad served in the armed forces so a tank was a natural fit.  

Also, for all of you looking at this picture and freaking out about things getting dirty, don’t worry.  We kept the tank clean.
 

With her wedding only a couple weeks away Polly and I squeezed in a quick bridal session at Elmwood. You’ll be seeing more of her later this month, but here are a few to hold you off till then.