Sometimes I wish I could just deliver one image from each wedding.  It’d make getting images to clients a LOT faster, don’t you think?  :)  Just kidding!  I love giving my clients a ton of images to love!  But, sometimes, while I’m getting caught up and neglecting my blog, I feel the need to refresh it with some updated content in the form of previews.  So here are a couple!

This first one is from Jerri Ann and Anthony’s wedding at the Crow Collection of Asian Art Museum in the Dallas arts district.  They shared a private kiss right after their ceremony and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time!

Following is Ann and Daniel’s wedding preview from Lakeway Resort and Spa in Austin.  During the day, Ann mentioned (probably jokingly) that she and Daniel were thinking about jumping into the pool after the reception so I excitedly yelled at her, “DO IT!”  So after very little persuasion and all their friends watching, they did it. Worth it?  I’d say so. (yes, I was in the water with them as well!)

Here’s one from Gloria and Jon’s engagement session in Austin.  They took me out to the greenbelt which was awesome despite the bugs and incredible Texas heat.

This last preview is from an engagement session I shot in Dallas for Sapna and Sangheev.  They’ve both got a fun and edgy personal style so shooting them was just so fun!

I have to say this has been one of the most difficult blog posts for me to write.  There’s so much to say and so little room for which to say it.  When Celine asked me to photograph her wedding in France back in December of 2008, I almost went crazy from excitement.  We instantly kicked things off with emails regarding football, food, and wedding plans.  6 months later, we meet over coffee in Houston to talk face to face and figure out if we were a good fit for each other.  After that, I knew she and  Justin had an unrehearsed kind of love and believed hopelessly in the romance of their relationship.

I recall Celine describing her wedding to me, all the events, the close family and friends, the French chateau nestled in the wine country of Bordeaux; one word kept coming up: Romance. Not only did she want the wedding to be romantic, but the entire week to be as well.  She dreamed of a week where people from both sides of their lives became friends and congregated to celebrate their wedding with them.  That by the time their wedding ceremony took place, they had not just their approval, but the united support from their families and friends.  They extended that invitation to me and welcomed me into their intimate circle of friends and family, inviting me to join them for an entire week of festivities and a celebration of romance.

So, I’m going start backwards with this post.  At the end of these images is a link to a slideshow summarizing the entire week. (There’s some French music to accompany the images, so if you’re at work, I’d suggest turning off your speakers.) Between you and me, I’d like to post 200 images from their wedding, but I think most people would not appreciate that.  So, it pains me to just show 20 right now, but hopefully the slideshow will help you see the complete story.

Celine and Justin planned a week long of activities starting with a welcome party on Sunday, a winery tour on Monday, a tour of the famous St. Emilion on Tuesday, and a river boat rehearsal dinner on Wednesday, all before their wedding at Chateau Lagorce on Thursday.  We also spent a day in Paris on Friday before they left for their honeymoon.

Celine and Justin, I don’t know how else to say this. Thank you.  Thank you for welcoming me and befriending me. Thank you for getting to know me, sharing your lives with me, and laughing at my jokes. Thank you for taking such good care of me and for being so comfortable with me to share your intimate relationship with me and my camera.  I have no idea how I am so lucky to call you friends.

Last but not least, I’d like to thank my close friends Aric and Casey for coming on this trip and capturing this wedding with me. The trip wouldn’t have been the same without you guys and I’m so thankful I was able to enjoy my first time in Europe with good friends.

While I sit here in the Cabo San Jose International airport waiting to board my delayed flight back to Dallas, I thought I’d take some lemons (the delay) and make some lemonade (time to edit previews!).  So, here are two previews from my recent weddings. One from Ngan and Michael’s wedding last weekend and then one from Nancy and Guy’s day after session on Lover’s Beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  If you’ve never been to Lover’s Beach in Cabo, it’s a must-see.  The water is clear and blue, the sand is clean, and the beach is charming and quaint.  You can only get there by water taxi so it’s not too packed, but it’s worth taking a trip.  I’d also suggest going during non-peak months or during the week so there are less tourists!

Above: Watters and Watters.

This is Ted. Ted looks dapper. Ted feels dapper.

This is Melody. Melody is gorgeous. Melody feels gorgeous.

First Looks are the best looks.

Gorgeous bouquet by Bella Flora.

The.best.bridal.party.ever.

And the best looking.

Thanks Liz Leighton for shooting with me again! What a great capture of the rings!

The team at AK Event Design did an incredible job transforming the Crescent Club into a beautiful reception.

The Cake Guys creations.

DFW Photobooths provided some fun ring backdrops.

The Crescent Club bar was pretty empty that night, but the jazz duo that played during the cocktail hour was still on so we went in for a few intimate pictures. Since Melody and Ted didn’t have an official first dance, the jazz duo played “The Way You Look Tonight” as their unofficial first dance song.

And then, Lady in Red.

Melody, I’m so glad to have joined you and Ted on your wedding day! I can’t believe I’ve known this girl for over 10 years! Congrats on a beautiful wedding and I hope you and Ted have a lifetime of joy.

P.S. The rest of the pictures will be edited and online in couple weeks!

Finally back from my travels and getting caught up with all the work I had waiting for me!  So, for now, just one image from Paris.  There are so many emotions tied into this wedding that I can’t wait to share!  Thanks to Celine and Justin for being so dang awesome.

More to come…soon.