Maybe it’s because Sara is starting to grow up.

Maybe it’s because I’ve seen too many weddings where brides rush through the day.

I’m not sure what it is, but lately brides and fathers have been on my mind at weddings.

I have a fantastic tip for you brides on your wedding day: Spend time with your dad.

This is the thing with most dads, they are kinda numb to the whole wedding thing.  You and your mom or friends have planned the day.  As guys, we clearly have little or no opinion on the colors you choose or the type of flowers you use in your bouquet.  The whole process is by women and for women.  There is one part of the day however that Dads are very, very clued into.  The part where they “give you away”.

Some dads joke about it, others cry through it, but all of them have a feeling about it.  Here is my tip to you: find a way to honor and thank your dad sometime the week you get married.  Maybe it’s by having that super traditional Father-Daughter dance.  But guess what, some dad’s don’t like to dance.  Especially with 283 people watching them.  Some dads like iHop.  How about taking him to breakfast the day of your wedding.  That’s right.  The morning you get married you CAN spend 30 minutes with your dad.  Trust me when I say that nothing will make him feel more honored and loved than you spending a few moments alone with him.

Here are a few things I’ve seen brides do.

It’s amazing how a simple 3 minute chat at the candy table before the day gets going can mean so much.

Lauren’s dad kicked everyone out of the bride’s room to spend a few moments alone with her and give her a gift.

I loved this moment between Amy and her dad.

Erika actually called her dad and talked to him for about 5 minutes before he came to walk her down the aisle.

And, if the only thing you can do with your dad is the Father/Daughter dance, dancing to “Thriller” is the way to go.  (Happy Anniversary Kim & Josh)

Here’s the deal, I WANT Sara to get married.  I’m sure that I’ll love the guy she is choosing and be thrilled to see her find happiness in him.  My “fear” is that I’ll be forgotten.  I see this in dads in many of the weddings I shoot.  They don’t want to take over the day.  They just want 10 minutes with their daughter to hug them and tell them how proud they are.  Give your dad time on your wedding day.  Even though he’s not your number 1 man anymore, he desperately needs to be reminded that he’s number 2.

I had so much fun with the guests at Kristen & Brandon’s wedding.  Here are some of my favorites.

You may remember from their engagement session that they are both big baseball fans.
Family Christmas card coming soon.

Jeff from JMH Pro getting his Mug on.

Grandparents are awesome!

Mother & Father of the bride.

If you have ever been to the Villa di Felicita then you probably have seen Joe.  He’s security and he’s really really mean. :)

A quick behind the scenes look at The Mug Machine.

Lisa is moving so this was her last wedding.  :(
If you have been married at the Villa di Felicita then odds are you were helped by Lisa.
She is super friendly and her wedding day planning magic will be missed.

A few of my favorites from Kristen & Brandon’s wedding at the Villa di Felicita in Tyler, TX.

Another tasty cake from Designs by D’Anne

These two came ready to work.

La Tee Da Flowers did their magic.  I always love getting to work with them.

Every time I mentioned having a First Look to these two they were opposed to it.  About 3 weeks before the wedding Kristen said they had changed there mind and wanted to do one.  Once they saw each other both of them really seemed to “settle down” and they kept mentioning how glad they were they decided to do one. :)

I like to keep my couples alone for a few minute after their First Look, but these two were too cute to shoo away. :)

We went outside for a few shots with the wedding party.  We looked at the back of Kristen’s dress & found some grasshoppers who were also celebrating their wedding day.  I joined the groomsmen in photographing them proving that all males, regardless of age, are just 6th grade boys when it comes to humor.

A quick action shot of Thomas taking care of the wedding walk.  This is just one example of why I love La Tee Da so much.  He waited till the last possible minute to set out these flowers because he didn’t want the wind to blow them to the side.

Thankfully Thomas had left by this point or I’m afraid the ring bearer would have gotten in trouble. :)

Two things I love about this photo.
1. A Seriously good “You may kiss the bride”.
2. Jeff Heimer from JMH Pro peaking around the back.
(I love working with talented videographers and Jeff is one of the best in the area.)

Come back tomorrow for some fantastic-ly delicious Mug Machine photos!

I had a crazy Saturday/Sunday schedule.  I spent about 10 hours with Jean & James at their wedding.  Came home, crashed, woke up and drove to Tyler to hang with Kristen & Brandon at their smokin’ hot Villa di Felicita wedding for about 12 hours.  Here are a few quick images from each with tons of blog love to come later this week.

Kristen & Brandon also had plenty of Mug Machine goodness happening at their wedding.

The guest at Katherine & Sean’s wedding may have enjoyed The Mug Machine more than any so far.  Everyone kept coming back through for another set of images.  I had a blast shooting these and loved seeing the combinations and ideas that everyone came up with.

The preacher man.  Follow him on twitter
The grandparents ROCKED the Mug Machine.

Another fantastic shot of the grandparents.

There were a TON of Aggies at this wedding.  I found a few of the Longhorn faithful and we had fun.

There were FIVE past AlexM couples at this wedding. Some of them left the wedding early.  Those who stayed late get some blog love. :)  Here are Davi & Marcie.  Marcie is great with child.