On Saturday, May 26, 2018, Brooke and James made each other a promise in front of their family and friends - a promise to love each other forever.

lloyd-davey-wedding-smith-family-photography

Brooke and James were married on a rather warm and sunny day in Thornton, Texas at the new Thornton Civic Center. Their wedding was actually the first wedding to take place there and everything was absolutely perfect! Brooke stated that the venue was so much better than she expected and I must say that I completely agree with her. The lighting in the building is incredible! There is so much natural light that pours in through the windows and completely fills the very neutral colored space. I LOVE the way the city of Thornton used parts from the old Thornton School building in their new civic center!

James and Brooke first met when they were high school students at Groesbeck High School in Groesbeck, Texas. James was a junior and Brooke was a freshman. Brooke was dating James's best friend when they first met, however after a few months that high school relationship ended. James and Brooke soon began dating. Their first "official" date was going to a high school play that school year. This date led to many more wonderful dates over the years.

Eventually, James decided to propose to Brooke in the driveway of the house he grew up in at Old Fort Parker State Park. But this wasn't his original plan. His plan was to actually propose to Brooke down by the water at the lake, but there was a problem. There was construction going on at the state park and they were in the process of building a new boat ramp at this time so James had to improvise. The driveway would have to do!

James had a white Chevrolet pickup truck in high school and still to this day he owns and drives this truck. After all, it is his baby! James picked up Brooke on this particular day and drove to the driveway. He got out of the truck, ran to the front of the truck and opened the hood. Brooke had no idea what he was doing so she waiting in the truck patiently for James to finish looking at this truck. He finally walked back to the driver's side of the truck and leaned over to kiss Brooke...and then proposed! Brooke was completely surprised and answered, "YES," without hesitation!

From the minute I met Brooke and James, I could tell they loved each other and were completely comfortable around each other. They were both very laid back and nothing seemed to stress them out at all. After years of high school and the years after high school, they are still so in love and respect each other. The way they look at each other is truly breathtaking!

“Love is when you look into someone’s eyes, and suddenly, you go all the way inside, to their soul...and you both know, instantly.”

— unknown

Family is very important to both Brooke and James and so it was vital that they were included in the details of the wedding day. Brooke's mom and cousins made the cakes and cupcakes. The cake stand was truly unique! It was a custom, one of a kind, cake stand made from pieces of wood that was built by Brooke's cousin. All of the wood that was used throughout the wedding (cake stand, guest book, table decor, etc) came from their family land near Bremond and Kosse. They will truly be keepsakes for generations to come!

Custom wood pieces built by family using wood on their family land.

“Do what you want. Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to do this or that. It is your wedding day and you can do what you want.””

— James and Brooke Davey

Brooke and James, I have a wedding wish for you. Love is best when shared. Together you are stronger because together you are ONE. Here's to a happily every after! Thank you for allowing me to capture some of the memories from your beautiful wedding day!

Special thanks to Angela Bailey and Angela Bailey Photography for assisting me in capturing the beautiful memories from Brooke and James's wedding day!

Vendor Credits

Venue: City of Thornton - Thornton Civic Center, Thornton, Texas - Kenny and Pam Capps
Cake Artist: Jennifer Lloyd (mom) and Jamie McCaleb (cousin)
Make-up and Hair Artist: Vanessa Coatney (sister)
Bridesmaids Dresses: Pat's Gowns, Waco, Texas
Bridal Gown: David's Bridal, Waco, Texas
Officiant: Ricky Joe Waller, First Baptist Church, Kosse, Texas

#HappilyEverMasters

That was the catch phrase for a beautiful day in September.

On September 30, 2017 McKenzie and Harlie were married at the Thornton Rodeo Grounds in Thornton, Texas. Everything about their wedding was GORGEOUS! I heard SO many guests compliment her dress, which was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

Harlie received so many compliments on her stunning wedding dress!

When I meet engaged couples I like to hear "THEIR" story - how did they meet, what was the first date, how did he propose, etc. I first met Harlie and McKenzie at their engagement session in February of 2017. At that moment I just knew their wedding was going to be spectacular! They just had a chemistry together that others can see and feel. It's difficult to explain, but can definitely be experienced.

At their engagement session I learned that they were high school sweethearts and both attended Groesbeck High School. McKenzie was one grade above Harlie, but they were both in the same Spanish class while she was a freshman and he was a sophomore. While they knew each other at this time, they weren't dating. However, just as the summer began they did start dating. One of their most memorable early dates was after Harlie's sister's softball game. McKenzie picked Harlie up so they could hang out. McKenzie was driving his 1992 Ford single cab pickup with a standard transmission. While they were on the way back to Harlie's house, McKenzie said he wanted her to try to drive his truck. Harlie, being the go-getter she is, jumped at the chance. She stalled the truck about four times and blinded herself when she accidentally turned on the bright LED lights on the gear shifter! She jumped out of the pickup and said she would never drive that truck again and they laughed the rest of the way to her house!

Nearly six years later, McKenzie proposed to Harlie in their living room just a few days before Christmas in 2016. It was a quiet proposal with just the two of them in the living room. Harlie said is was sweet and romantic. Just the two of them. In their living room. With their ugly oversized Christmas tree they chopped down a few days earlier. It was definitely not the envisioned proposal (public with someone photographing the event), but it was definitely the perfect proposal!

This Christmas tree was the perfect backdrop for the proposal!

Harlie and McKenzie informed me that it was great being high school sweethearts for a lot of reasons, but mainly because they learned so much about each other through those high school years. They never had to introduce those awkward puberty days to each other because they were experiencing them together! They went on to say that it makes them feel accomplished in their relationship when they look back and see how far they've come in relation to all their friends' relationships that have ended. They've made it this far because they communicate with each other. COMMUNICATION IS KEY! Harlie explained that McKenzie is terrible at communicating at times so she has to make sure she is asking questions and updating him throughout the day to keep the line of communication open.

As I write this at the age of 39, Harlie's words are running through my mind, "Communication is key." When McKenize is not communicating as well as she'd like, she picks up the slack and makes sure she takes the active role of initiating the conversation. This is so important! It's so easy to sit back when your partner is sitting back. But we all know when both people in a relationship sit back and no one takes the wheel, a wreck is inevitable.

So today I challenge you to take the active role in your relationship and COMMUNICATE!

Special thanks to Angela Bailey with Angela Bailey Photography for assisting with capturing the memories from this special day.

You're Still the One

Vendor Credits

Happily Every Masters