It seems like every time I look up there is a new wedding venue in East Texas.  (We already have The Villa di Felicita, Elmwood Gardens, The Belgium House, Castle on the Lake, Roseland Plantation, Hunt Villa, and The Legacy Venue.)  I have not had a chance to shoot at all the new ones but still wanted to make you aware of them.  Here are just a few of the newer places.  Most are already open, some are opening soon.  The good news for brides is you should be able to find a place to get married practically any day you want. :)

Arabella Manor (Gilmer, TX)
http://arabellamanorevents.com/
903.746.5461

Bella Sera Ranch (Palestine, TX)
http://www.bellaseraranch.com/
903.723.0900

Centaur Arabian Farms (Flint, TX)
http://www.centaurarabianfarms.com/
903.561.6926

Kiepersol Estates Bushman’s (Bullard, TX)
http://www.kiepersol.com/bushmans/index.html
903.894.7505

Stone Oak Ranch (Athens, TX)
http://www.stoneoakranch.com/main/
903.530.7947

While shooting my past two engagement sessions both brides commented to me how they are tired and slightly overwhelmed by everything they have been reading on the wedding blogs the frequent.

One bride mentioned that she can’t wait for “a stamp to just be a stamp again.”  (Rather than something she has to pick out, plan colors for, order hundreds of, and stick on envelopes.)  The other said she can’t wait for her wedding to be over so she does not have to keep checking them. :)

I have never planned a big wedding and I’m sure these sites contain a wealth of knowledge.  There really are so many little things that go into a wedding that it’s nice to get advice from those who have been there before.  Having said that, let me give you one tip.

Stop reading wedding blogs.

Even this one.

Seriously.  Take a step back.  Just be engaged.  It’s supposed to be fun.

There is a season and time for everything.  There is a time to plan and a time to enjoy.  I know that planning can be enjoyable, but if you find yourself getting frustrated of overwhelmed by what you “should” be doing then maybe it’s time to take a little break.  Try this.  Take a week off.  For one whole week don’t visit a wedding related site for any reason.  If and only if the world continues to spin, feel free to check back in after 7 days. :)

Happy planning and I’ll see you tomorrow. :)

Castle on the Lake is one of my favorite venues in the area and it’s located just outside of Jacksonville, Tx.  I love when brides choose to get married at wedding venues because they are well… wedding venues.  They are built and put together to help your day go smoothly and their on site staff help take care of so many things you did not plan for or expect.  Here are a few shots of it as well as a new promo video Vanessa McKellar just put together for them.

One of the coolest things about Castle is their HUGE bridal suite.  This thing just blows away every other location.  If you have ever been a bridesmaid you know just how crowded these “prep” rooms can get.  Not the case with castle.  I shot a wedding with 10 bridesmaids getting ready in this room and there was still plenty of room for moms, aunts, and grandparents to come in and visit.  It’s awesome.

They have a couple of options for your ceremony.  One is a big a big tree.

The second is a cool rock wall they just built.

Finally, here is a video that Vanessa McKellar just shot.  Brittan is the bride you’ll see.  (La Tee Da Flowers did the flowers.)She’s also the owner and runs this place day in and day out.  She is super nice and will totally become your BFF as she helps you put together your wedding day.  Give her a call and get this placed booked! 903.721.3593.

Castle on the Lake
http://www.jacksonvillecastle.com/
903.721.3593.

We had all kids of fun exploring around Melissa’s home.  I am so looking forward to this wedding.  We’ll start off with a strange shot.

This patch of dirt is where their wedding reception is going to be. :)  They are having their ceremony at a church and then we are all heading over to her home for a laid back intimate reception. (Including Mug Machine!)  In the next few months a pavilion is going to be built in this spot and I hope to be able to re-shot this with them in their wedding clothes and all kinds of fun wedding stuff happening around them. :)

We also explored the hay barn.  I almost sat Melissa in raccoon poop. :)

Can’t wait for your wedding!  Thanks for a great session.

It is with great pleasure and much fanfare that I am proud to introduce you to the….. SuperSquare!

Just what is the SuperSquare you ask?  Well, think of it this way; it’s like a wedding album that hangs on your wall.  You just spent like 1.3 million dollars on that wedding.  You booked a talented and good looking photographer.  You have amazing wedding photos.  Who wants to keep them hiding in a album on a bookshelf?  Not you.  No, you want them hanging on a wall, impressing all your friends.  That’s where the SuperSquare comes in.

It’s a way of displaying your wedding day from beginning to end in a stylish and classy way.  Your images are printed on a crisp, white canvas that wraps around the frame and is ready to hang on your wall.  Seriously, check this thing out.

The SuperSquare comes in three sizes. 40×40, 30×30, & 20×20.  (Warning: I only let my cool brides order the 40×40)

A few close-up shots.

I added the boys for scale… and cuteness.

The SuperSquare is now included in most of my packages.  If you have already booked and are interested in one, then have your people call my people and we’ll work out the details.