Wow, last weeks Top 10 contest was the biggest ever. There were over 4,400 votes cast. (You people have a lot of friends.) The bridal category had close to 600 votes and was decided by only 1 vote. Anyway, here are the winners for this past year. Be sure and shake hands and say good game before you walk off the field. You couples that won, you can go to bed tonight knowing you are champions. You couples that lost…. you can go to bed tonight complain about the officials.

Engagement: Band
Marriage is tough.
Balancing marriage and work is tougher.
Balancing marriage and work when you work at the same high school is tougher-er.
Balancing marriage and work when you work at the same high school and both your jobs depending on how well the halftime performance goes is the toughest.

So glad that Katie & Joe trusted me to pull of this shot. I love it.

Rings: Tweet
Nicole and Tyson met on Twitter. Yeah. Twitter. 140 characters at a time they fell in love. I would love to be there when one day they have to explain to their grandkids what Twitter was.

Brides: Emily
I’m sure many an Aggie bride has dreamed of drinking a pitcher of beer at the Dixi Chicken in a wedding dress. Emily actually pulled it off.

Mug Machine: Hair
Amanda and her friend had a KILLER wedding reception. It only makes sense that one of their Mug Machine images won.

Random: Flower
This may honestly be my favorite “lucky” photo I’ve taken this past year. You can never predict what little kids will do. I never expected her to jump in the air as she tossed petals left and right.

Wedding: Hug
It’s a bit ironic, but last year’s winning wedding image was also a hug that took place shortly after the ceremony. That’s such an unscripted time. It’s always full of so much emotion. I saw this moment unfolding and was so so glad that I was able to do it justice. Anytime part of your day involves the rebuilding of a family, I’m all in. Thank you Caleb & Sarah for trusting me with your wedding.

Thanks again to everyone who voted. It was fun. Let’s do it again next year.

Get Excited! It’s your chance to help someone win a 16×20 print! Voting is open till midnight. Tell your friends.

Today’s category: Weddings

Bridals, engagements, photo booths, they are all fun, but this is why we are here,  to witness the union of two people. Here are some of my favorite photos from weddings in 2013.

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

1. Ashley & Blake: I loved this moment from their First Look.  Just the two of them sharing one of many many laughs on their wedding day.

2. Gabrielle & Kendal: I’m a bit partial to this photo.  The little man is my oldest son.  He got a bit embarrassed when the bridesmaids commented on how handsome he was.  (Also, how hot is that bridesmaid on the left?)

3. Angela & BJ:  When BJ had Angela’s daughter come up so he could give her a necklace and promise to love her forever.  Everyone teared up.

4. Jaimie & Nolan: Jaimie had been feeling bad all day and was not up to a big first dance grand entrance.  So Nolan did the next best thing.  He danced with her in the kitchen in a back room before they made their entrance.

5. Heather & Travis: All Heather & Travis wanted was a wedding out in a big open field.  I think they managed to find one. :)

6. Dee & Dustin: As a general rule, if you get married in a red dress, you are gonna make the top 10.

7. Amanda & Clayton:  I always love it when couples do a get away that involves people throwing things at their face.

8. Jennifer & Jonathan:  This military couple was up for anything.  Including jumping up on a big hay bail.

9. Meagan & Joe: Most brides know in advance they are gonna get popped on the way out.  Most brides still forget. :)

10. Natalie & Jason: I’m not exaggerating when I say that Jason must have repeated the words “you are so beautiful.” about 30 times during their First Look.

The best thing about my job is the people.  I love how different and unique each couple is.  Sure some of them get married at the same place and others have dresses that look similar.  Most of the dudes wear black but the reality is those “details” make up so little of the day, I rarely even think about them when I’m remembering a couple.

Lauren & Brent had flair.
Angela & Spencer were super lovey-dovey.
Jennifer & Brian were determined.
Ashley & Blake loved to laugh.

That is what I remember.  Not the tiny details that you picked out and I photographed.  Not the dress that someone spent an hour steaming right before you walked down the aisle.  Can I be super honest?  Sometimes I even forget what your “colors” were. (GASP!)

When I think back on Krystle & Kevin’s day, I know the only thing I’ll be able to remember is how much fun they had at their reception.   The whole day was pretty “normal”.  Girl gets fancy, walks down aisle, boy says yes, people clap, off to reception, people eat…. But then… POW!  Like a punch in the face, their reception took off and there was no stopping it.  I should have seen it coming…

Sometime during “dinner,” this couple just decided to jump out onto the dance floor.  All alone.  51 years of marriage strong.

People mingled and talked for a little bit longer then… around 9:21 CMB DJs started and didn’t stop until their 11:30 getaway.  Casey was a machine and the crowd loved it & kept wanting more.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  CMB DJs are the best around.  It’s not even close.  In honor of the best reception I’ve been to in a long time, I’m only posting dance floor photos.  Give it up for Krystle, Kevin, & their amazing group of family and friends.

Some of you are wondering… How do you keep the dance floor packed for 2 solid hours?  It’s easy…

I Gotta Feeling Sexy And I Know It Love Shack Twist and Shout Stayin’ Alive Lose Yourself To Dance When the Right One Comes Along One More Night The Humpty Dance Yeah Walk This Way Jump Around Blurred Lines Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough Get Lucky Ice Ice Baby Hollaback Girl Don’t Stop Believin’ Friends In Low Places One Woman Just Dance I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) Paper Planes Teach Me How To Dougie In Da Club Thrift Shop Funky Cold Medina Knockin On Heaven’s Door Cheese Burger Paradise Shout Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Another One Bites The Dust Aggie War Hymn Stanky Legg We Can’t Stop Baby Got Back When the Right One Comes Along Goodnight Moon

This is how you photo bomb.

Aggie War Hymn.

So technically this next image was not on the dance floor.  But come on… How could I not include it. ;)

Thank you guys for a great day and a heck of a party.

One more thing… If you don’t call and book CMB DJs right now, you’ll only have yourself to blame. 903-724-3192