Lauren & Blaine were married at The Belgium House just outside of Longview exactly 1 year ago today.  Word.  Let’s check in on them and what the first 366 days of marriage was like for them.  BUT, before we do… how about a few of my favorites from their wedding.

What do you miss most about the single life?
-We honestly decided we don’t miss the single life – can you say cliche’? yet true!

Give us your best cheapo/fun married date idea.
-Four wheeling/back roading & star gazing in the piney woods of East Texas!

What have you liked most about your first year being married?
-A year of “firsts” in our first year of marriage!…first married christmas, our birthdays as husband and wife, etc..we try to commemorate them with a picture or a new tradition!

What’s been the hardest part about being married?
-Getting used to each others quirks and mannerisms, like leaving bobby pins in the shower or leaving the kitchen cabinets ALL open.

What surprised you the most? (Either good or bad.)
-In a good sense, what a great team we make! Whether its splitting up at the grocery store to get out quickly, or taking turns folding laundry. There’s never a “point” system with us.

What have you fought about most and why?
-Co-managing our finances, which we knew in advance. Women and men have such different buying patterns, so some advice: Sit down and talk over bill distribution, financial goals, and budget expectations. Save, save, save!

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.

crystal and robin had a great wedding at castle on the lake in jacksonville.  it was super chill and a heck of a party.  here are some of my favorites starting with some of the great work the flower girl did.

how crystal greeted robin for their first look.

my most favorite part about first looks are that it gives couples a chance to be themselves.  to be alone and really experience their wedding day and the emotions they have.  some couples cry, some laugh.  some do both.  :)

a little shoe change before the reception.

i’ll leave you with a peek at this image from the mug machine.  best. photo. ever?

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.

Ruth & Steve had a super chilled wedding at the Vista on Seward Hill in Austin, TX.  The whole day was about them, their friends, and having fun.  We started the day at the Aloft Hotel.  An uber cool spot to get ready.

On to the Vista for their First Look.
Did I mention The Mug Machine was also there in full force?

Ruth & Steve had plenty of “coverage” at their wedding.  Here I am shooting them along with the guys from Altered Weddings.  (The super talented video crew they had there)