If you have ever bought property, you know the most important rule.

Location. Location. Location.

Rebecca & Tony work in the medical & finance field. But if they ever decide to switch careers, I think real estate is their true calling.

Let’s start with our getting ready location.  Hotel Zaza. (yes, please.)

I still don’t understand why people pay me to do this job.  It’s the best.

I would like to take this moment to publicly shame Tony for telling his sister that she had to have her kids ready for photos a full FIVE hours before the actual time.  What kind of brother does that?  Boo, Tony.  Boo.

(Also, props to his sister for actually pulling it off and KEEPING her kids happy and dressed until photo time eventually rolled around.)

First Look magic at Hotel Zaza

Bridal party photos location.  (not bad)

Not bad at all.

Rebecca loves to kiss Tony.  Tony loves to shy away from her kisses.  I see this trend continuing well into their 70’s when she eventually breaks him.

Wait… what’s that on the wall?  Could it be?

DINOSAURS!!!!!!

Of course they are getting married at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.  Why wouldn’t they?

Typically I walk around getting photos of the decorations a couple has selected for their wedding.

This was what I got to take pictures of instead.

Of course this guy was part of their wedding day.

I LOVE when couples share a private meal together.

I think it’s like 1 out of every 5 weddings where the ring has trouble going on the guy.

Tony said some of the sweetest vows to his bride.

That moment just after you are married.  (With dinosaur.)

Couples are always asking me how the family formals can look better.  Easy.  Add dinosaurs.

I tried so hard to think of a funny joke about rings and teeth but could not come up with one.

You know what makes feeding each other cake better?

Feeding each other cake in front of a triceratops butt.

Thank you guys for a great day.  As AMAZING as your locations were, I know your story will be better.

Niki & Jeremy were so, so chill on their wedding day.  Even the threat of rain didn’t phase them.  These two wanted nothing more than to hang out, get married, and maybe have a little fun at the reception.

Hey, if you are looking for a pretty great place to get married… Wildcatter Ranch in Graham, TX is your jam.

Niki’s “something old” was her grandmother’s wedding ring. She passed away just shy of 50 years of marriage. Could this ring be any simpler?

Nothing about it says “look at me”.

All it really says is “Don’t bother looking. I’m taken. I’m committed.

‘Til death do us part.”

This is what people pay me for.

Jeremy and his son were getting ready together.  I loved how inclusive both Jeremy and Niki were to him the whole day.

I love when a First Look goes from the first reaction being a smile to everyone tearing up within 4 seconds.

One of my favorite family photo moments ever.  Of COURSE her grandfather said “hang on a minute” after their picture and gave Niki a 100 dollar bill. :)  Because that’s what grandfathers do.

Their reception was what every wedding reception should be: laughter, dancing, family, & friends.

Did I mention fireworks?

And… what do you do if it’s raining when you are done with the party and need to walk back to your cabin?

You put a trash bag over your wedding dress.

Thank you for being so relaxed.

Thank you for not stressing about rain.

Thank you for including your son every step of the way.

Thank you for leaving in a trash bag.

Natalie & Jason had such a chill wedding at Noah’s Event Center in Plano on a cold cold day in December.

I promise I’m not exaggerating when I say that during their First Look Jason kept repeating the this phrase over and over.

“You are so beautiful.”

He must have said it 20 times.

I may have teared up.

The guys took their portrait time very very seriously.

Some people spend months and dozens of Pinterest hours looking for the perfect cake toppers.

Natalie told me they got theirs from a toy store about a week before the wedding.

I love smaller weddings because it really does feel like everyone is family.  This is them with all the “guests” from the day.

How should we end the day?
Last dance?
Flower petal exit?
Fireworks?

All too boring.

80’s movie High Five?  Yes!  Roll Credits!

Meagan & Joe had such a fantastic wedding day at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock, AR.

They had such a great time during their First Look; we are gonna jump straight to those photos. :)

I love when couples have a chance to just sit and talk before their day gets rolling.  Joe said “I can’t believe people get married without seeing each other.”  Meagan kept going on and on about how he helps calm her down.  And now that she had seen him, she finally was able to settle down a bit.

Pop.

Most brides know it’s coming… most forget.  I love the giggle they always let out right after.

Reception was at the Little Rock Club.   30 floors up. :)

After the toast when the party was about to start, the guys took off their jackets to reveal theses amazing shirts.  They are their “Party Shirts.”

And party we did.

Meagan & Joe, thank you for sharing your day with me.
Joe, thank you for your service.
Meagan, thank you for sharing your husband with our country.

Candace & Covy were married a little over a year ago.  I asked her to drop some dimes of knowledge on us about what that first year has been like for them.  (And, as a bonus, her wedding day gets one more blaze of glory on the blog.)

Q: What do you miss most about the single life?
A: I don’t!

Q: Give us your best cheapo/fun married date idea.
A: Anything outdoors – fishing, working out, beach, picnic, gardening, playing with Rex, etc. There’s something about just the solitude in nature and making your own fun without cell phones, laptops, television interruptions. “Just you and me, enjoying us”

Q: What have you like most about being married?
A: Being a team, having someone else’s support and love to come home to everyday

Q: Whats the hardest part about being married?
A: We both work full time so finding the middle ground on the dreaded chores!  (I’m more of a deep clean while Covy is a surface clean.)

Q: What was the biggest thing you were nervous about? How has it turned out?
A: Buying our first home, one that we can start a family in, and that it would feel like “home” to us. It was meant for us, we are such homebodies now!

Q: Do you have any advice for couples about to take the plunge?
A: Enjoy every single second, and let loose! Those memories you will look back on and will smile ear-to-ear. And write notes to each other the day of, exchange, save and open on a special anniversary – it will be so special to look back on how you were feeling, and what you projected.