Haley & Devin’s Ashelynn Manor was may be the most joy-fill wedding I have ever attended.
(Because of course you can accurately measure joy and I keep track of such things.)

Haley’s bridesmaids were a fierce bunch.  I loved them to pieces.

True story: while putting on her jewelry someone asked where she got the pearl bracelet and Haley blushed a bit and said it was a gift form an old boyfriend.  Everyone laughed and Haley’s mother said “You don’t get rid of pearls.”

Gypsy Blooms made everything look super pretty.

Devin’s connection with his family was incredible to watch.  the way he interacted with his brother and honored his mother gives me so much hope for their marriage.

I LOVED this groomsman.  For the first 2 hours he was either napping, or having someone trim his beard.  Either way… he was not going to exert himself.

Of course they all had themed socks.

Shout out to the groomsman with the slightly too tight pants. (You know who you are.)

Devin lasted about .0001 second before the tears came out.

There’s always one.  Also, make a mental note of this iPad.

We spent about 10 minutes in song.  It was pretty great.

So… about 75% of the time, the ring never quit fits the guy’s finger.  I always wait for that face from the bride.

That giddy moment right before you are about to be married when you arch you back to express the pure joy and anticipation of two becoming one.

A lot of couples raise their hands in celebration.

Most don’t actually skip and jump down the aisle.

Seriously, the wave of joy, emotion, cheering, and clapping that this crowd of people let out almost knocked me over.

Hey hey, look at all the beautiful people looking beautiful.

This was actually the THIRD wedding I have photographed for this family.  Haley is a cousin to Hilary & Blake.
You remember Hilary right?  Hilary of Hilary & Kirk fame.
And I know you could never forget Blake.  Form that one time Ashley & Blake got married.

The cheering continued.

The best man and maid of honor gave the sweetest speeches.

Despite not wearing shoes.

I love a good first dance.

And I also love a Mother/Son dance.

And of course I love a Father/Daughter dance.

But sometimes my favorite is to capture other fathers and daughters during the Father/Daughter dance.

Anniversary dance.  And…. when you’ve been married 52 years… you are allowed to take an iPad out into the dance floor with your lady.

The dance floor was on fire.  Seriously.  On. Fire.

I told you the bridesmaids knew what they were doing.

Lipsync battle.

Bye Bye Bye was good.

But the guys managed to come up with choreography for Man! I Feel Like a Woman on the spot.  It was epic.

My top 10 Mug Machine photos from the night.

To Haley & Devin: Thank you two for letting me share in your day.  Your energy, excitement, and love for each other is so contagious.  I can’t tell you how full my heart was when I left your wedding.  You guys are a joy to be around and I can’t wait to see what you build your marriage into.

It’s that time again. It’s time to look back at some of the best photos from 2014. Everyday we’ll be taking a look at a new category. Voting is open till midnight and the winners will be announced Monday. The winning entries will each receive a 16×20 print.

Today’s category: Random

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

Let’s be honest. Wedding days are long and strange. Sometimes odd things happen. Here are some of my favorite random moments from the past year.

1. Jogger: That moment when you just got married in the park and are having a romantic moment and some dude just jogs over near you.  Because physical fitness is important.

2. Bored:  The reason kids are so great at wedding is because they will do and say the thing that most adults are thinking.  This guys is wondering is there is any possible way this could take any longer.

3. Drink:  When you are thirsty, you’ll drink anything.

4. Dance: The first of 9,532 times that a woman will drag this dude out onto the dance floor over the course of his life.

5. Dino: You spent 3 millions hours on etsy finding the perfect program, but one thing you didn’t count on is how it would look next to your guest’s dinosaurs.

6. iPhone: That moment you realize you and all your bridesmaids are iPhone users.

7. Bite:  I think I could take this photo at almost every wedding.  No matter how proper you ladies are…. there is always that moment where you break and say; “Screw it, I’m starving.  I’m shoving food into my mouth right now.”

8. Ink: You planned on having fun,  you never planned on your buddy getting a tramp stamp at your reception.

9.  Click: I love watching kids watch their parent get married.  I love it even more when they decide they should be documenting their first dance.

10. Flowers: The reason this moment is random is because it rarely rarely happens.  Little girls typically just walk quickly down to the front, barely remembering to drop a handful of flowers.  This one was fully engaged, in the air, smiling, and jumping the whole way down.  I’ve never seen a better flower girl.  She should be giving lessons.

I love meeting couples where they are.  Shooting in a field, alley, and on railroad tracks is super overdone, trust me, I’ve done it.  That’s part of the reason I’m willing to drive 3 hours to a location if I kow it means something to my couple.  I want your photos to be unique to you and be unlike any I have taken before.  I was so pumped when Christen & Brandon agreed to shooting at the location they had their first date.  It’s a place called the Whisky River in Houston.

So after a few months of hanging out at the Whisky River Brandon decided it was time to propose.  He did this at Hermann Park.  (Our second location.)

Ashley & Chase started dating in high school.  They are all grown up and getting married in a few months at the Villa di Felicita and I can not wait for their wedding.  These two were so much fun to hang out with.  We started at the Saint Arnold Brewing Company in Houston. (They like beer.) :)

I have to say, for being the patron saint of beer this Arnold guy sure seems to not be having a good time.

I have no idea why Chase tried to bite her nose off.

We finished the session over at Brix Wine Cellars.  (They like wine too.)

A HUGE thanks to the two drinking establishments for opening early and letting us crash their place.  Chase & Ashely, you guys were a-freaking-mazing.  See you soon!

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.