One of the best things about weddings here in the East Texas area is just how many great venues there are for brides to choose from.  Most of these places were build from the ground up with weddings in mind.  They have plenty of rooms to get ready in, multiple locations for you to have your ceremony and reception and some even offer a place for you to stay the night.  Many will offer catering and provide you with packages that include a few other wedding vendors as well.  A good wedding venue is totally worth the money once you factor in all these things.  Here are the 10 best East Texas wedding venues. (In alphabetical order.)

The Arbor
2215 Roy Rd.
Tyler, TX
903-534-4997
www.arborvenue.com

The Belgium House
Longview, TX
903-720-6414
www.thebelgiumhouse.com

Bella Sera Ranch
286 ACR 1400
Palestine, TX
903-723-0900
www.bellaseraranch.com

Castle on the Lake
9110 US Hwy. 79 W.
Jacksonville, TX
903-721-3593
www.jacksonvillecastle.com

Elmwood Gardens
680 ACR 446
Palestine, TX
903-549-2716
www.elmwoodgardens.com

Lake Tyler Petroleum Club
15898 Eastside Dr.
Tyler, TX
903-566-4444
www.laketylerpetroleumclub.com

The Legacy
Jacksonville, TX
903-571-9644
www.thelegacy-venue.com

The Reserve
7725 Hwy. 259
Longview, TX
903-431-3496
www.bookthereserve.com

Stone Oak Ranch
Murchison, TX
903-530-4201
www.stoneoakranch.com

Villa di Felicitá
7891 Hwy. 110
Tyler, TX
903-597-0002
villadifelicita.com

Every time I’m fortunate enough to shoot out at Elmwood Gardens, I love it even more. :)

Calley had all types of shiny pretty things.  Petal’s Florist did a great job and I LOVE that she wore her grandmother’s jewelry.

Calley told me she has been “playing with this jewelry” since she was a little girl.  How awesome is that?  And, how crazy are these screw on earrings.  :)

Calley & William had an amazing First Look.  William kept spinning her around and looking at all the details of her dress.

If you remember their engagement session you know that these two love them some triathlons.  Their ring bearer must be in training because this little man sprinted down the aisle.  Big, long strides.  About a 5 minute mile pace.

As they were finishing up their ceremony it started to drizzle a bit.

Calley actually stopped her vows, turned to the crowd and said, “You all can head inside, we are going to finish up.”  They then shouted back at her, “Keep going!” “We’re fine!” “We are staying!”

That is what every marriage needs.  When the hard times come,

You need a group of friends that will cheer you on.
You need couples who will sit in the rain with you.
You need friends who will say “We are with you through all of it, good and bad.”

When planning your wedding and marriage make sure you have those.  They are super important.
You can’t find them on Pinterest or Style Me Pretty.
The Knot does not have a checkbox that looks like this: [  ] Friends as committed to our marriage as we are.

Those are the types of things that will make your marriage stand up to all types of weather.

So, Calley & Will continued, while family and friends were rained on a bit, they committed to each other regardless of what life brought their way.  They said I do. They kissed. And we were all witnesses.  (With a few raindrops to prove it.)

Just when I thought I could not love them any more, Will stepped up to the mic and sang “Forever and Ever Amen”.  Will’s vocal talents are…. how can I put this… uh… less stellar than his triathlon skills.  :)  It was totally out of a movie.  So so great.  Calley could not stop laughing and everyone else enjoyed it quite a bit as well.

Thank you two for trusting me with your day.  Thank you for not letting a bit of rain dampen your spirits.  (Get it. Ha Ha)

I hope you two have many many years and miles of marriage together.

am i allowed to love everything about lisa & rory’s day?  i hope so.  i connected with these two instantly  on their engagement session and knew their wedding day would be super swell.  they did not disappoint.

la tee da flowers doin’ what they do so well.

they met at the hospital where they work.  their hearts beat for each other. (get it?  ha ha!)

a little bit of first look magic.

i love wedding parties that laugh.

cmb djs always make a wedding reception more cooler. :)

thank you two for trusting me with the launch of your marriage.  i had a blast.

i can’t tell you how excited i am for lisa and rory’s wedding.  i love love love this couple and everything they stand for.  the wedding is just around the corner so you know what that means… bridal session time!  check out lisa, her amazing flowers by la tee da, and her dress all below. :)

well done la tee da.  well done.

whoop.

oh you know… just the flowers rory used when he proposed a few months ago.  no big deal. :)

Amy and Casey were married last August.  They had a gorgeous wedding and I loved shooting every little detail of it.  There was so so much eye candy at their wedding it was almost hard for me to pick what to shoot. :)  Like most couples they had a great/tough 1st year.  Amy was kind and honest enough to share with you all what that has been like.  Enjoy a few images from her big day then listen to a bit of their story from their first year of marriage.

What do you miss most about the single life?
-probably not having to worry about anyone but myself and what i need to do.

What have you liked most about your first year being married?
-spending time with my new family (husband and two step sons) and im currently pregnant with my first!!! Soooo exciting!

Any advice for couples blending a family?
-well i have two new stepsons that live with us and its hard at times but it definitely is fun and you learn a lot about each other.

What’s been the hardest part about being married?
-the hardest part has been adjusting to automatically living with not only your husband but his two children right away. we have all had to learn to share with each other and not be selfish.

What surprised you the most? (Either good or bad.)
-taking on an extended family has surpassed my expectations of how easy it woud be…..it definately takes village!!!

What have you fought about most and why?
-probably saving money and putting it to the best use possible for our growning family.

What was the biggest thing you were nervous about? How has it turned out?
-raising stepkids probably the most. but i have realized i am doing whats right for them and taking care of them like a great mom does…..its been a learning experience for all of us. A GOOD ONE!

Do you have any advice for couples about to take the plunge?
-life is a journey with ups and downs…..so live it everyday and enjoy each others company!!!

Thank you Amy for being so open about your marriage.  What about the rest of you out there?
What tips or advice do you have for anyone blending a family in that first year?