Can I tell you a secret about your wedding?  On your wedding day, there will actually be two weddings taking place.  The one you planned for, and the one you may not even notice.

The one you plan for will be easy to spot.  It’s the one that looks like a real live Pinterest board.  Perfection will be everywhere you look.

Time after time, it will feel like you are in a movie and you won’t believe that it’s actually real life.  I mean seriously… did you notice that field just above?

As great as the wedding you planned is, sometimes there is even more fun and life to be had in the wedding you may not notice.

Like…. How adorable the little flower girls are as they wait while watching shows with matching headphones.

How your groom and his aunt photo bomb your formal photos.

That little moment of reflection as you film a message to your husband to be.

How about that time your dad trips while walking you down the aisle, catches himself, and then you share a giggle over it.

It only lasts 5 seconds, but when the minister tells you to turn and look at all the friends and family you have, soak it up.

If it feels like everyone is watching you…. it’s because they are.  Every little girl is kinda dreaming she was you.

And some little boys are trying to figure out what every older girl wants.

Of course you want a photo with your sorority sisters.  You never figured your dad would want to jump in too though.  Right?

Soak up every strange and awkward dance move your new husband has.  (And make sure it gets captured on film.)

Rent the best getaway car you can.  But if it does not crank, don’t sweat it.  You’ve got plenty of muscle standing by.

Plan your day, enjoy your day, just don’t miss the day happening behind the scenes.  You never know when lightning might strike.

(You see what I did there?)

I LOVE when couples get their wedding filmed! My favorite film makers The McKellars are doing a giveaway to celebrate 10 years in the world of weddings! This is great news for you. If you are getting married, you can enter to win a Love Story. (Super Super Cool.) If you are not getting married, you can enter to win all other type of great things. If you don’t win, it’s ok. I’m sure they will be happy to take your money if you want them at your wedding. It’s worth it. I promise. This contest ends tomorrow so jump on it!

Watch this trailer from a wedding we did together a little while back.

Now that you totally love them and need them at your wedding keep reading…

The McKellars have been filming weddings, events, and families for 10 years! To celebrate this milestone, we’re doing a fantastic giveaway worth $1200-$2500. If you’re engaged, a small business owner, or a parent, this is for you. If you’re not, you can give it to someone who is! Just share this image on your Facebook page, “like” our Facebook page if you haven’t already (www.facebook.com/TheMcKellars), and leave a comment on any of our blog posts (find the blog at www.TheMcKellars.com). The winner will be announced on our Facebook page on April 15th, so be sure to check back then.

Here are examples of the films:

Love Story

Family Film

Promo Film

The fine print: Must be redeemed within one year. Travel fees apply for shoots over 60 miles from Tyler, TX. Prize is transferable.

so last week danielle and i had a little vow renewal ceremony at elmwood gardens.  (that place we were married 10 years ago.)  for the past 5-6 years we have held a little ceremony in our backyard with just our kids and it’s always been a blast so this year we decided to go all out. well, as all out as our budget would allow.  rule number one was pay cash.  after all it’s only 1 day. right. (more on that later.)

the main reason we wanted to do this was to give our kids a tangible memory/moment to look back on so they know that we are committed to each other till death do us part.  (that’s code for when danielle kills me.)  so, in keeping with that theme we really let them decide on most of details of the day.

HUGE HUGE props to elmwood for making the day run smooth, brandi burkett for all the wonderful images, and vanessa mckellar for a killer video that you’ll want to view at the end of this post.

on to the images.

this was danielle’s bouquet from our wedding day and it made for great potpourri flower girl basket toss dealy boppers

this is as dressy as jo gets.  (all our kids selected their own outfits)
luke and eli at almost 2 years apart but they look close enough to where people always ask them if they are twin.  lately they ave decided to start saying yes.  the latest part of this phase has involved matching outfits.

you can’t get married without a ring bear.

sara was totally into the vows.  including creeping on what i had to say before i said it.

we are not too big on jewelry over here.  i ditched my ring for a tattoo and danielle has only ever had a $300 band.  so far so good.

awesome tasting cookie/cake thing from edible art. (i may have eaten 6 pieces of leftover in one sitting later in the week.)

why get boring monogramed napkins when you can blow all your money on fancy plates?

we had 2 options for cool getaway photos.

1. give lots of little people fire stick to hold.
2. come up with something better.

we went with option 2.

i’m not gonna lie.  it was super fun to get married all over again.  need more proof?  watch this 3 minute trailer.

Denise first came across my photography when hunting for a photographer for her sister in law.  She then convinced Mellisa & Ross to use me for their wedding. (I think she just wanted to see me in action before booking.)  So, when she got engaged I was super pumped that she gave me a call to come tell her story.  I love this family and feel totally at home when I’m around them.  Lots and lots of images to follow from their wedding at Amber Springs near Houston.

Her dad spent so much time working on his speech for the reception.  I love this frame of him.

Good times at their First Look.
Josh is s total natural with kids.

Party bus heading towards the reception.

I’m pretty sure there is an Aggie joke somewhere in this frame.

Whoop.

If you look towards the lower right of this image you can see Brent McKellar of McKellar Productions creeping in the darkness.  I can’t wait to see all the video goodness they got.

I don’t shoot maternity sessions.  I think I have shot 5 in my whole life and 4 of those were for my wife.  But when my friends Vanessa & Brent McKellar became pregnant I knew I would be shooting a session.  We decided to go the cheesy route and I totally LOVE what we got.  I’ll explain a few along the way but for the most part these images should stand on their own.

Sometimes couples ask me “Why don’t we get every single image you shot at our session?”
Answer:  Because sometimes you both are talking and you look like this.

Selective Color For The Win!

Photoshop effects are fun!

Nothing says professional maternity photography quite like dressing a man up in a matching shirt and making him hold his wife uncomfortably.

Their hands make a heart.  Because they love the baby so much.

It’s like a Where’s Waldo game.

More awkward kissing and hugging.

For realz though these two are some of my favorite people ever.  They are having a baby next week and I can’t wait to see them be parents.  Go team McKellar!

So, to all you past brides out there who want a maternity shoot feel free to give me call.  Just be ready for the results. :)