There's A Rumor Going 'Round

“We fell in love, despite our differences, and once we did, something rare and beautiful was created.”

— The Notebook

On a serendipitous day in 2020, Elizabeth and Aram's love story began when they connected through a TikTok message. Their virtual sparks ignited into a deep connection, ultimately leading to a heartfelt proposal in the Valentine aisle at a local Wal-Mart. Aram was dressed in his finest camouflage attire as Elizabeth’s best friend, Kristy, was in tow.

October 14, 2023, was the perfect date for the two of them to become Mr. and Mrs. George! Afterall, it was the third anniversary of Elizabeth sending Aram that very first message on TikTok. Surrounded by the rustic charm of The Barn in Lorena, Texas, they celebrated their love with an intimate ceremony.

Against the backdrop of the rustic decor found within The Barn, which was sprinkled with pumpkins and other fall foliage, Elizabeth and Aram exchanged heartfelt vows, solidifying their commitment to a lifetime of love and happiness. It was a day filled with laughter, tears, and an abundance of love, marking the beginning of a beautiful new chapter as they embarked on the journey of marriage together.

vendor credits

Venue: The Barn

Cake Artist: Nothing Bundt Cakes

Catering: Tony’s Taste of Texas

Bridal Gown: David’s Bridal

Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal

Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Cavenders

Make-Up Artist: Taryn Abel

Hair Artist: Taryn Abel

Invitations: Etsy

Officiant: John Ledbetter

Me Before You

“You only get one life. It’s actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.”

— Jojo Moyes, Me Before You

Ashley and Oscar exchanged vows at Deerfield Estates in Waco, Texas on February 12, 2022. It was extremely cold that day - freezing as a matter of fact! There were even reports of nearby sightings of snow flurries! But this was not going to change Ashley’s mind about having an outdoor wedding.

Where It All Began…

Ashley and Oscar met online where they frequently talked and got to know each other. Eventually they went on their first date which consisted of watching a movie and then going out to dinner. They continued learning about each other as they fell deeper in love with one another. One day, Oscar and Ashley were visiting a park when “IT” happened - Oscar PROPOSED!!

Oscar’s proposal to Ashley (screenshot of the video)

From the moment these met, it was nothing short of amazing. They both say that the first meeting was truly “just love at first sight.”

A typical date night for Ashley and Oscar involve spending time together watching a movie and enjoying dinner afterwards. These two are definitely meant for each other and compliment each other perfectly! I was fortunate enough to spend time with Ashley on a few occasions before her wedding day. We first met at her brother’s wedding and then later I was able to get to know her more during her senior photo session. I love spending time with Ashley! She is gorgeous, extremely genuine and adventurous - and full of smiles! When she asked me to be the photographer for her wedding, I couldn’t wait to spend time with her again. But I also wanted to meet her fiancé. If Ashley fell in love with him, he must be a great guy that makes her an even better person.

In October the two of them had their engagement session so I was able to get to spend time with them and watch them interact with one another. It was obvious the two were smitten with one another, but it was deeper than that. They truly care for one another. Oscar is incredibly kind and caring and puts others first. He makes sure Ashley, as well as others, are taken care of. He is a hard worker and is passionate about his job within the military. He makes sure he is showing Ashley just how much he loves her through his calm, gentle demeanor. Ashley knows how important his job is and is able to work around that part of Oscar’s life. She admires him for all he does for her, as well as others. She loves how selfless he is. Oscar says Ashley is amazing and so funny. He loves how Ashley loves him and wants him to succeed in all that he does.

October 2021 - Ashley and Oscar during their engagement session

The Wedding…

Oscar and Ashley’s dream vacation is a cozy cabin in the woods with snow falling outside as they’re snuggled up under cozy blankets enjoying a cup of hot chocolate. Knowing this makes so much about their wedding day on February 12th make sense!

The temperature outside was literally freezing and Ashley wanted to be barefoot during the ceremony - which was outside. It was so cold as we waited for the ceremony to begin, however after Ashley and Oscar were in place at the altar it suddenly didn’t feel quite as cold outside. Witnessing the two of them promise to love each other forever took your mind off the weather. What was happening right in front of us was certainly heartwarming!

Ashley and Oscar are truly blessed to have such a strong family support system behind them. Oscar’s parents are divorced, but have remarried. His parents both remarried wonderful people who care deeply for Oscar and Ashley. They sit together, talk together, and just enjoy being around each other. You’d never know they went through a divorce. The amount of respect they all have for one another is breathtaking.

As the day progressed, everyone on both sides of the family just intermingled as if they were one big family celebrating Ashley and Oscar. It was truly amazing to witness. The two of them are definitely made for each other ❤

“A family that supports one another thrives.”

— unknown

Vendors

Venue: Deerfield Estates

Coordinator: Karla McNeil

DJ/Entertainment: Make it Kount

Make-Up Artist: Sam

Hair Artist: Déjà Vu

Bridal Gown: David’s Bridal

Officiant: Pastor George

Other Vendors: Common Grounds

Love at First Sight

“Imagine finding both love and friendship in one person.”

— unknown

Where it all began…

Friend request sent. Friend request accepted.

Tiffany and Jacob originally became friends through Facebook. Jacob liked Tiffany’s photos. Tiffany liked Jacob’s photos. Jacob remained silent, saying nothing at all. Tiffany decided to message Jacob first.

Eventually the two would meet on Sunday, June 28, 2019 at an Applebee’s near Somerville, Texas. Jacob drove from Deer Park and Tiffany drove from Temple, Texas. Tiffany made sure to arrive first so she would have time to make sure her hair and makeup was absolutely perfect. She remembers thinking to herself, “Lord, please let this first meeting go well.”

Soon after Tiffany’s arrival, Jacob arrived. He opened the door, got out of his truck and walked around to Tiffany’s car to meet her. She remembers thinking, “Oh man, he’s so hot!”

Their lunch date lasted for hours! Tiffany just kept talking! She wanted Jacob to know her entire life story. Jacob barely ate or spoke throughout the entire lunch. Eventually the two decided to continue the date by getting into Jacob’s truck and driving to Somerville Lake. The date would last five more hours! From that very day, the two of them found a way to be together every chance they could get.

The proposal…

Saturday, May 1, 2020 was the day Jacob would propose to Tiffany. He had a plan that began with having his parents babysit the kids the two of them could have a date night. They went to 1424 Bistro in Waco, Texas. The setting was so romantic! They enjoyed a delicious dinner and as their meal came to an end the waitstaff asked if they’d like dessert. Tiffany always gets chocolate so she placed her order for dessert. Earlier Jacob had the waitstaff write, “Tiffany, will you marry me?” on the plate along with the chocolate cake she would order. The waitstaff brought out the chocolate cake and Tiffany noticed everyone standing around with their cellphones recording. She assumed it was someone’s birthday that was seated near them. Jacob stood up and walked around to Tiffany’s side of the table. He had Tiffany stand up and he proceeded to get down on one knee as he asked her to marry him. She then realized that the entire restaurant was in on the whole thing!

The wedding…

Tiffany and Jacob exchanged vows on November 20, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West, Texas. This church holds a special meaning for the two of them. Jacob’s parents and grandparents were also married in that very church.

November 20, 2021 was a gorgeous day for a wedding complete with bright blue skies, blustery winds and warm sunshine! Their wedding was complete with a traditional Catholic ceremony followed by a reception with their closest family and friends celebrating alongside them. They enjoyed dinner followed by cake and LOTS of dancing! Everyone was genuinely happy for the lovely couple. They have an incredible amount of love for each other, their children and their family and friends. They are truly blessed.

“Blessed are the ones who have friends like family and family like friends.”

— Kef Amaya

Vendors

Ceremony Venue: St. Mary’s Church of the Assumption, West, Texas

Reception Venue: Holiday Inn, West, Texas

Florist: Shelly Harwell

Cake Artist: HEB

Catering: The Chicken Place

Band/DJ: Azbell Electronics

Make-Up Artist: Marissa Sauceda

Hair Artist: Christi Wilson, Salon on Main

Bridal Gown: Joann’s Bridal

Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal

Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse

Officiant: Father Timothy Vaverek

Stationary/Invitations: Zazzle

Best Friends Live In Concert

“Funny how a melody sounds like a memory.”

— Eric Church

The skies were a solid blue during the day and the sunset was as golden as they come. May 8, 2021 was an extremely windy day at Blue Hills Ranch in McGregor, Texas, where Kassandra and Tyler would say, “I do,” surrounded by family and friends.

August 2009…

Music. Kassandra and Tyler’s love story began with music. The two met at Connally Junior High School in August of 2009. Kassandra was in seventh grade and Tyler was in eighth grade. They were in band together where they sat side by side a majority of the time since they both played the alto saxophone. Kassandra and Tyler formed a friendship over the years as they teased each other and laughed together. Four years later, on November 16, 2013, they began dating.

Kassandra and Tyler’s first “official” boyfriend/girlfriend photo

Their first dates consisted of hanging out at Veterans Park near the high school. There they talked about how they both like each other in junior high and how teenage drama got in the way of them being together at that time. Fortunately, that’s not where their story ended.

Since they met in junior high, the two experienced so many “first moments” as they grew up together. Kassandra experienced her first concert with Tyler. Tyler went to his first Dallas Mavericks game with Kassandra. They both attempted ice skating for the first time. The two learned a lot about each other as they enjoyed their time together traveling with family, attending concerts and sporting events.

After five years of dating, Kassandra had lost hope in Tyler asking for her hand. She would frequently ask him when she would get an engagement ring. On June 15, 2019 at 9:45 pm, Tyler set a plan into motion. Tyler took Kassandra to Veterans Park to meet their friends - Ethan and Destiny. Tyler asked Ethan to take a “picture” of him and Kassandra. At that moment, Tyler asked Kassandra if she really lost hope in him asking for her hand. He got down on one knee as Kassandra was crying while asking Tyler, “When did you buy a ring?” Destiny fell to her knees crying of excitement for her best friend. Of course, Kassandra said, “YES!”

Today their dates involve enjoying take out while watching their favorite shows. Tyler loves Kassandra’s positive energy while Kassandra loves Tyler’s ability to make her laugh. Together they continue to enjoy each other’s company - and sense of humor - just like they did at the very beginning of their friendship in junior high.

March 31, 2021…

Kassandra and Tyler are perfect together. They are both so relaxed and definitely have the ability to “just roll with it..” I noticed that about them at their engagement session on March 31, 2021. We had the session planned for weeks! We were going to meet at the wedding venue, Blue Hills Ranch, for the session so Kassandra and Tyler could take photos with the giraffe and piglets. We were all looking forward to it! The day finally arrived and it was a gorgeous sunny day with a bright blue sky - and LOTS of wind! I asked Kassandra if she wanted to go ahead with the session or reschedule in hopes of a less windy day. She decided to just go for it in the wind. We had to fight her long hair blowing around and Tyler’s hat kept trying to fly away, but the two of them had smiles on their faces the entire time. The wind didn’t even phase them. At that moment I realized they were an amazing couple. So much of life is about learning how to see the silver lining in things that are less than “ideal.”

Kassandra and Tyler’s engagement session

May 8, 2021…

Music. Since Kassandra and Tyler’s love story started with music, it only makes sense that their wedding was full of music. And their wedding day was definitely full of music! The invitations were handmade to resemble a record with the sleeve. The sleeve had their “cover” on it with a map to the venue on the back. The record found inside the sleeve had two sides - one with the basic wedding information on it, such as the date and time, while the other side had a timeline of the events of the day corresponding to a specific song title.

Kassandra and Tyler’s invitations

The back of the “record” with the timeline and the thank you card

So much of the decor was all music themed, much of which included the artist Eric Church - a favorite of the couples. After all, their dream vacation is enjoying an Eric Church concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado!

Groom’s Cake, table decor, photo booth, guest “book,” etc…all music themed

The DJ, Freddy, made sure the guests all enjoyed the music was well by playing a large array of music in various genres. The guests definitely had a great time dancing the night away!

May 8, 2021 - Mr. and Mrs. Walker

“I find pieces of you in every song I listen to.”

— unknown

Vendors

Venue: Blue Hills Ranch, McGregor, Texas

Cake Artist: Simply Delicious Bakery

Bridal Gown: Pat’s Gowns

Groomsmen and Groom Attire: Men’s Wearhouse

DJ/Entertainment Services: Freddy (Fernando Vigil)

Bartender: Haley’s Happy Hour

Special thanks to Kaitlyn Pagel with Kaitlyn Pagel Photography for assisting me in capturing the memories for Kassandra and Tyler!

Signed. Sealed. Delivered. I'm Yours.

“As long as everything goes exactly the way I want it, I’m totally flexible.”

— unknown

April 10, 2021 was everything it was meant to be, although it was nothing like it was originally planned to be. And yet somehow, it turned out to be so much better than imagined!

Cheyenne and Steven - June 2020

I first met Cheyenne and Steven at their engagement session in June of 2020. They were so excited for their upcoming wedding on October 10, 2020. This date was chosen deliberately. They chose the 10th day of the 10th month in the year ending in 20 - 10 plus 10 equals 20. As the days went by, COVID was only getting worse and their were more and more restrictions. The two began to wonder what their perfect wedding day in October was going to look like. They eventually decided to elope to Colorado and enjoy their honeymoon while continuing to plan for a reception on April 10, 2021.

These two love are so much fun to be around! They’re definitely carefree and playful!

Where It All Began…

Cheyenne and Steven originally met at Midway High School and then later reconnected while Cheyenne was employed as a waitress at George’s in Waco. Their first date was dinner at Texas Roadhouse. Cheyenne says it was the first real date she had ever been on and definitely noticed every time Steven opened all of the doors for her, listened to her all night and even paid for dinner! He was truly a gentleman.

The two continued dating and enjoyed learning more about each other. They eventually went to the West Coast for Steven’s job and they ended up in Canada. They were staying in a beautiful hotel that was connected to a mall. There was an escape room inside the mall that they decided to enter, as they were very confident that they would be able to escape. They came very close to completing it so the attendant walked them through the rest of the room and at the very end there was a treasure box filled with lots of fake gold which surrounded a little box. As Cheyenne opened the little box, Steven hit a knee and popped the question!

Still to this day, the two love going to Grand Station to play arcade games, mini golf or games at their house. They are both incredibly carefree, adventurous and playful - all while enjoying lots of laughter!

The Party!

The two celebrated becoming one at Tucker Hall in Waco, Texas on April 10, 2021. The two were a bit nervous before the ceremony, but said they were so glad they eloped because it was so stress-free. Throughout the day the two were seen with smiles on their faces as they interacted with each other, as well as their family and friends. They are not only genuine, but incredibly kind and loving. As I captured moments of their day as the events unfolded, you could truly see those qualities shine through.

Steven and Cheyenne smiling as they exited the ceremony on April 10, 2021.

First Dance - still smiling!

Garter Toss - laughing while Steven was making moves on his scooter!

Cake Cutting - there were lots of laughs after her dad photobombed the moment in an amazing way!

The happy couple smiling as they exit the reception!

Vendor Credits

Venue: Tucker Hall, Waco, Texas

Florist: Denise Bagby

Cake: Charnel Vanous

DJ: Stage Volume, LLC

Catering: Smokey Bear’s BBQ

Make-Up Artist: Alexandria Vasquez

Hair Artist: Heather Toten

Bridal Gown: David’s Bridal

Officiant: Mallory Cortinas

Invitations: Smith Family Photography

Love In the Time of COVID

January 30th, 2021 was a windy day in downtown Waco, Texas at the First Baptist Church. The sun was shining brightly through the stained glass windows and dome on the ceiling. It was beautiful! As I continued down the hall to the bride’s room, I entered and saw a stunning bride. I knew this day was going to be spectacular! The day Sami and Steve became Mr. and Mrs. Tyra.

“Grow old along with me. The best is yet to be.”

— unknown

The Love Story

Dating during COVID can be tricky with all the social distancing, mask wearing, sanitizing and time in quarantine. None of this stopped Sami and Steve!

On January 24, 2020, Sami and Steve had their first date at Moroso’s and they both had a great time! Steve asked Sami if she’d like to continue the date. Sami agreed and they went to Heritage Creamery for ice cream. Sami thought Steve was funny and interesting and hoped to spend more time with Steve. Steve must have felt the same way because he asked her on a second date a few days later.

Valentine’s Day arrived and the two enjoyed dinner at 1424 Bistro. This place would later be the location of the proposal…and Sami had NO idea! After flying to California to meet Steve’s family, they once again enjoyed dinner at 1424 Bistro. This time Steve handed Sami the sweetest card with the proposal inside! She said, “YES!”

Love In the Time of COVID. Quarantine Romance. Call it what you want, but COVID helped these two become a close, strong couple. After all, there is no way they could be this close without spending almost every day together in quarantine! They met and dated less than 2 months before COVID hit. Steve and his daughter, Meli, were the only two people in Sami’s bubble. They fell in love. Meli and Sami created a strong relationship during quarantine as well.

During this time they enjoyed dinners, desserts, talking, laughing and planning their future together. They had lots of time to enjoy each other’s company during times of quarantine. This time together helped them form a strong and caring relationship full of understanding, forgiving and communication.

Steve says that he loves Sami because she’s so nice and she’s great with Meli. Sami says she loves Steve because he is calm, thoughtful and an amazing father to Meli. Their dream vacation would be having fun as a family (#teamtyra) and they’d love to take Meli to Disney one day.

The Wedding

Sami and Steve planned a simple, yet thoughtful, wedding. Sami and Steve asked to do a First Look before the ceremony and requested that this time was only for the two of them. It was so sweet to see them interact with each other without distractions of the buzz of the wedding circling them.

Sami also asked to do a First Look with her father. Again, this was a private time for Sami and her father with no spectators. The look on her dad’s face was priceless as he admired his daughter as a beautiful bride. Such a special time for the both of them.

It was finally time for the ceremony! Meli is such an integral part of the relationship so it was only fitting that they included her in the ceremony with a candle lighting ceremony.

After the ceremony, the guests - along with Mr. and Mrs. Tyra - would enjoy a simple reception with some of the most delicious cupcakes ever! The highlight of the reception was the slideshow and words spoken by their family members.

The send off was breathtaking! Flower petals were tossed in the air and the circled around the newlyweds! Meli was so excited for this part of the day!

“Take my hand, take my whole life too. For I can’t help falling in love with you.”

— Elvis Presley

Vendor Credits

Venue: First Baptist Church Waco

Florist: Wolfe Florist

Cake: Simply Delicious

Bridal Gown: David’s Bridal

Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal

Groomsmen and Groom Attire: Men’s Wearhouse

Wedding Planner: Lois Ferguson

Music Services: Andy Muskrat (pianist)

Hair Artist: Sonya Guerrero

Invitations: Minted

Officiant: Matt Snowden

Special thanks to Kaitlyn Pagel with Kaitlyn Pagel Photography for assisting me in capturing the memories for Sami and Steve!

Just the Two of Us

Sarah and Antone became Mr. and Mrs. Portillo on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at Leatherberry Oaks Weddings on a sunny day in Aquilla, Texas. The weather was so amazing - especially since Central Texas has recently had record breaking high temperatures and inches upon inches of rain!

These two are always fun to be around as they have so much love to give each other and genuinely enjoy each other’s company. During their engagement session, the love these two have for one another was contagious. They both have gorgeous smiles that can light up a room and bring a smile to all those around them. Their wedding day was full of love and support from their family and friends. Everyone enjoyed the wedding festivities!

I loved every bit of their wedding day, but my favorite part was the first look. Sarah really wanted to have a first look portion of the day and felt strongly that it was going to be just the two of them enjoying each other for a brief moment during their busy day. We decided that Sarah would be in the barn and Antone would be on the front step just outside the front door. Sarah would slowly push the doors open and walk up to Antone, cover his eyes and slowly turn him around so he could see her in the dress as his gorgeous bride. As she slowly spun him around and he looked at her, his eyes began to swell with tears. It was truly an emotional moment shared between the two of them.

Afterwards they moved onto family and bridal party portraits before the ceremony. This would allow them to be a part of their reception from the very beginning. These two put so much thought into the flow of the day. Everything was planned with intention.

I have no doubt that these two will live a life of happiness with one another. They truly put each other’s needs before their own and understand the importance of taking time for just the two of them - especially when things get busy.

Vendor Credits

Venue: Leatherberry Oaks Weddings

Florist: Texas Sun Weddings

Cake Artist: Antonieta Gonzalez

Catering: Eddie Ray’s Smokehouse

Band/DJ: Wall of Sound Productions

Make-Up Artist: La Bella Salon

Hair Artist: La Bella Salon

Bridesmaids Dresses: Kennedy Blue

Bridal Gown: Terry Costa

Groomsmen and Groom Attire: National Tuxedo Rental

Officiant: Ray Jones

Stationary/Invitations: Vista Print

Photobooth: Priceless Events

Special thanks to Kaitlyn Pagel with Kaitlyn Pagel Photography for assisting me in capturing the memories for Sarah and Antone!