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

Today’s topic: Bouquet Toss

Ah, yes. That moment in every wedding, where single ladies either get way too excited about it or vomit at the shear thought of it.

Quick history lesson:
Tossing the bouquet is a tradition that stems from England. Women used to try to rip pieces of the bride’s dress and flowers in order to obtain some of her good luck. To escape from the crowd, the bride would toss her bouquet and run away.

First of all, this sounds AMAZING! More like this please.

Somehow, the toss has evolved into this thing that now guarantees that the lucky lady who catches it will be the next one married. Because you know… magic.

So even though it’s a bit corny, I do love this little moment when your girlfriends get a chance to go all Hunger Games during your reception.

I love when there are literally dozens of competitors.

I love when they stretch their arms like NFL wide receivers.

I love when the girl that does NOT catch it is more excited than the girl that does.

I love when the girl you think is going to catch it does not.

I love the taunting that is often performed by the victor.

I love when the girls trip over themselves trying to catch it.

I love it most of all, when a girl falls to the floor, and a bride is willing to meet her down there for their photo together.

I also love when a lady has so much swag and confidence, that she knows she can jump, hold her red solo cup in one hand, and snag the bouquet with the other.

But seriously. Here is the key that I have found after shooting hundreds of weddings: some people love it, some people don’t. But you know your girls better than most. If you think they will enjoy it, then by all means, go for it. If you know they hate the idea… punt it. Sure it’s your wedding, but these are your closest friends. The goal isn’t to embarrass or shame them because they haven’t found someone to file taxes with jointly.

And, sure it’s a glorious moment for the winning lady, but it’s not like catching your flowers actually empowers the girl with the ability to become the next one married.

Or does it?

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

Hey hey, the people have spoken and here are the winners for this years contests.

1. Cassi & Justin: I love how competitive these two are. I also love how Justin beat her at basically every contest they had that day.

2. Rings: Erin & Aaron
This little catchphrase these two had is my favorite. They worked it into their vows and my wife and I have since worked it into our lexicon as well.

3. Bridal: Rebekah
Rebekah was a stunning bride and so so full of joy. So easy to photograph.

4. Mug Machine: Circle of Life.
I’ve been doing The Mug Machine for 7 years. I’ve never seen anyone come up with this.

5. Random: $100
Grandparents are the best. Full stop.

6. Wedding: Katherine & Josh
How amazing is it that these two had a Texas wedding in December where it was like 70 degrees and it managed to snow?

Each year it’s so hard for me to narrow down the categories and pick only 10 photos per section. Here are 100 more of my favorite images that were not able to make the cut into the top 10.

Lots and lots of eye candy below. Enjoy.

Thanks to everyone who voted and a HUGE thanks to all my 2016 couples. You guys are super generous to allow me into your lives on these intimate days. You are the best.

It’s that time again. It’s time to look back at some of the best photos from 2016. Everyday we’ll be taking a look at a new category. Voting is open till 8am MONDAY morning. ALL the contest winners will be announced Monday at 10:00am. The winning entries will each receive a 16×20 print.

Today’s category: Wedding

All the other stuff is great, but really, when you get to the bottom of it, weddings are all about two people getting married. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of photographing couples on their day. Here are a few of my favorites form the past year.

1. Beach (Key Largo Lighthouse)
All Ali & Greg wanted was a wedding on the beach. They nailed it.

2. Dance (The SPRINGS Event Venue)
First dances are one of those moments in your wedding day where it really does feel like a movie.

3. Ring (East Texas Arboretum)
I always love snagging that moment when a couple realizes this is legit and really happening.

4. Walk (Wildcatter Ranch)
I mean… I’ve seen a lot of wedding walks. It’s tough to top this location.

5. Lanterns (The Landing at Joshua Farms)
Thank you Rebekah & Matt for allowing me to feel like I was in the movie Tangled.

6. Verse
Cassi & Justin come from a long line of strong marriages. This arch made such a great anchor for the whole day and ceremony.

7. Dino (Houston Museum of Natural Science)
Come on. Seriously. Dinosaurs. Rebecca & Tony took the “something old” to a whole other level.

8. Alone (Bella Sera Ranch)
There are few things I enjoy more than a bride and groom alone on their wedding day. (#FirstLook)

9. Snow (Harmony Chapel)
Of course it snowed for Katherine & Josh’s December wedding. That’s snow. Real snow.

10. Fireworks (Bella Sera Ranch)
I love how the fog caused the whole sky to light up for Morgan & Trevor’s New Year’s Eve wedding.

It’s that time again. It’s time to look back at some of the best photos from 2016. Everyday we’ll be taking a look at a new category. Voting is open till 10am and the winners will be announced Monday. The winning entries will each receive a 16×20 print.

Today’s category: Random

Sometimes it’s the unexpected moment that stand out the most to me from a wedding day. The things you don’t plan for, the tiny details that bubble up to the surface and make your day that much more unique. Here are a few of my favorites from this past year

1.  Run!
(This little man made a run for it. Thought he could get out of the group photo. He was wrong.)

2. Pits
(The best part about getting married is when your sister rubs in your deodorant for you.)

3. Fall
(Sometimes brides fall on the dance floor. Sometimes I take photos of it.)

4. Aunts
(When your Aunts wear this to your rehearsal dinner.  You know you have a great family.)

5. Head
(I LOVE this photo.  Who gets married in a museum full of stuff like this?  Get married where YOU want to.  Tony & Rebecca sure did.)

6. Young & Old
(Sometimes the people watching the dancing are more interesting than the people dancing.)

7. $100
(That moment when during your family photos your grandfather remembers he wanted to give you 100 dollars.)

8. Powder Room
(Sometimes I wait outside the bathroom for the bride to walk out so I can get an awkward photo of her. That’s not creepy right?)

9. Drops
(Erin truly was a beautiful bride. Stunning.)

10. 2075
(Sarah’s grandparents have been married for 59 years. When I mentioned to her and Thomas that they won’t reach that milestone till the year 2075, she closed her eyes in amazement, and Thomas wiped his brow.)

It’s that time again. It’s time to look back at some of the best photos from 2016. Everyday we’ll be taking a look at a new category. Voting is open till 10am and the winners will be announced Monday. The winning entries will each receive a 16×20 print.

Today’s category: Bridal Sessions

Here’s what’s great about bridal sessions, you get to have all kinds of fun in your dress and we get photos that we probably could not get on the wedding day.

Take a look at the entries then vote at the bottom of this post.

1. Lacey (The SPRINGS Event Venue)

2. Amanda (Castle on the Lake)

3. Rebekah

4. Cassi (Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens)

5. Alex (Elmwood Gardens)

6. Sarah (Cedar Croft Plantation)

7. Leah (Lake Tyler Petroleum Club)

8. Paige (The Landing at Joshua Farms)

9. Ashley (Goodman Museum)

10. Kathrine (Harmony Chapel)