Denise & Nathan: Texas Wedding

Denise & Nathan Knebel, of Pearl Harbor Hawaii invited me to come shoot their Texas wedding last year, and of course I said "Yeeehaw....uh..I mean YES!!!".  This vintage circus themed wedding tucked into a tiny town called Smithville, was right up my alley.  Denise was a planner.  She had every detail planned so perfectly. It seemed like this wedding went off without a hitch, and it was planned from hundreds and hundreds of miles away from it's Texas location.

Upon my arrival to the Austin airport, one of Nathan's family members picked me up. We talked the whole way to the rehearsal dinner. I have to admit I was a little scared of her fast "texas style" driving but wow, this was an adventure!  Along the way she told me that the small town we were heading to was the original place the movie Texas Chainsaw Massacre was filmed.   I was like holy moly, where in the world is she taking me!!!?  Hahaha. We pulled up to a park where the rehearsal was taking place and it was everything but scary lol.   I couldn't wait to have my first Texas wedding!

Several of us stayed in an amazing riverside home where I realized the saying "everything is bigger in Texas" is indeed true. It was 3 floors of amazingness, with the most ginormous aloe plant I've ever laid eyes on.  It was literally like a tree (I'm easily impressed lol)!  I slept in a bunk bed that weekend, and felt like a kid having a sleep over at camp.  Seriously, my job is like a dream come true for a social butterfly like myself.  It was fun...30 years old and sleeping in a bunk bed at a river house in Texas? Loved every second of it.

The day of the wedding we used the backyard of the river house as our beautiful backdrop.  It's country style presence was an absolute dream for  photos, not to mention we had 2 horses for our shoot.  Denise went out in the field next to the river and stood between two very large trees with a white horse. Yes, she literally had a white horse! Tell me if that's not romantic? She waited in the field for Nathan to see her for the first time.  She was stunning, like a character from an old time movie.  Her lace gown, purple shoes, and parasol added a soft vintage feeling to this already dreamlike scene.  The maid of honor assisted Nathan to the spot where she was waiting, covering his eyes so he wouldn't see his beautiful bride.  Of course he was stunned when he laid eyes on his beauty.

Everything about this wedding was amazing.  The small details that Denise had made by hand really made this wedding have a personal feel. Everything had a her little touch to it, from the candy buffet, hand made streamers, striped straws, to the hand made ribbon flowers.  I could honestly go on and on about how awesome this wedding really was, but I think I'll let the photos tell the rest of this beautiful story.  Thank you Denise and Nathan for an adventure I'll never forget!

Jennifer & Joseph say "I Do": Their Enchanted Fairytale

When Jennifer Griffis of Daytona Beach originally contacted me a while back to ask about wedding packages I could feel her excitement through the phone. Literally.  Her theme was one I had been waiting for, for quite sometime.  Working with  Disney weddings so long you would think that I had plenty of fairytale themed weddings, but this one was different. This one was "dark enchanted".  Of course me being the artist I am, got super super excited and started to visualize just exactly what this title meant.

Jennifer and I texted back and forth the months leading up to her wedding, I think we both screamed like girls through text a few times in excitement haha!  The planning for this shoot was very simple. I'm not sure why I could see it so clearly but it was probably the easiest vision for me to see in my mind. Having never met Jen in person I had to base the plan off of photos she had sent of she and Joe as a couple.  Ummm....hello...this a a great looking duo. With a great theme, great personalities, and a great location.

On Oct 4, 2014 (Wedding day!)  Coral and I were warmly greeted into Jen's parents home where she was finishing up her hair and makeup.  Jen welcomed us with the biggest smile and hug...I knew I was in the right place! Finally, I was getting to meet the person behind the voice that was filled with excitement from day one. Jennifer was even more stunning in person than the photos she had sent me.  She wore a small black birdcage veil that fit perfectly with the dark theme of her wedding, along with black lace heels and a blood red bouquet of roses wrapped in black lace.  We took some shots of Jen and her beautiful sisters as they laced her gown and helped her put her jewelry on. These shots are amazing! (See below)

Let's get to the venue.  As we walked to the location spot within the Ormond Memorial Gardens my heart started to pump harder. Holy wow, this place was amazing!  We walked down a tree covered path leading to a small open area that was beautifully landscaped with blooming flowers, gazebo, bridge, and even moss covered steps leading up to the alter. To top it off Collete of Vows and Views and her team added some amazing finishing touches to this already stunning spot. Everything from the white chairs, flower covered arch, hanging black decor, and a candle lit aisle, made this wedding a dark enchanted fairytale only fit for a princess.

Their wedding was followed by a beautifully decorated reception at The Venue at D.B. Pickles in Ormond Beach. 

Thank you Jennifer and Joe for an amazing experience!  I feel so blessed to have been a part of such a special day for you. You two really made me happy, and reminded me that this "job" isn't a job at all. It's my passion. 

*My favorite moment of the day was when Joe picked up Jennifer during their first dance

 and twirled her around in his arms....*sigh* how dreamy! I cried a little on that one!

Emily and Tyler say "I Do" beach style

Emily and Tyler of Orlando, promised each other a lifetime of love on May 16, 2014 at Paradise Cove in Lake Buena Vista Florida.

The name of their venue really does perfectly sum up this hidden property that overflows with amazingness.  It's truly paradise hiding next to one of America's largest tourist attractions, Disney World.  As you drive into Paradise Cove's long entrance you really begin to wonder if you are at the right place being that you are in a very busy tourist zone, but surprise!  Right there in the middle of it all sits this little gem.  This venue will make you want to kick your shoes off, grab a drink and turn up "Margaritaville" as you sit and look out at the lake view from their white sand beach.

Tyler and Emily decided to do a first look to help ease the stress of wedding photos and it couldn't have been sweeter! Tyler nervously stood on a long walkway that leads to the dock over the lake as Emily walked up behind him tapping him on the shoulder. As a photographer, this is one of the most exciting moments for me.  Surprises have always been so fun to me, and to get to see the facial expressions of the groom when he sees his bride is one of my favorite moments during a wedding.  Emily wore an  A-line cut wedding gown with a sweetheart top made of lace.  Her jeweled ribbon sash, and vibrant orange and blue bouquet were perfect finishing touches. I'm pretty sure Tyler's heart skipped a beat or two when he first saw her in her wedding attire, but I think Emily felt the same as she walked the long walkway to see her prince charming all decked out in a grey suit and tie.

The tall cypress trees and lake view made a perfect backdrop for their wedding.  It couldn't have been prettier if you ask me.  Everything from the huge hut the receptions are held under, to the tiki bars and the chairs that sit in the sand. Paradise Cove, gets an A rating on my list of top wedding venues in Orlando.

The day after their wedding we met again to capture some family photos.  It was such a pleasure to work with people as kind hearted and genuine as Emily and Tyler.  Tyer's family traveled from Oregon and Colorado to be a part of this special time, so they wanted to make sure to get some great family photos in while they were all together.  Honestly I don't know if this family could be any more attractive than they are now. Everyone from Grandma and Grandpa, mom and dad, kids, spouses, all the way down to the little ones seemed to be blessed with good looks and sweet personalities ( as you'll see in the photos below).

***Tyler and Emily, thank you so much for choosing me to be your photographer!  I'm so happy I could be a part of such a special time in your lives.  I'm ready to go line dancing with you both, but you may have to teach this country girl a step or two!  We will definitely have to hang out soon.  ***

(photos by Cassie & Cami)