Diamonds or Twine...or Paper?

September 9, 2022

The day Alexis and Wesley would say, “I Do” under chandeliers in Calvert, Texas at Under the Chandelier with their family and friends as witnesses.

Where It All Began…

Alexis and Wesley met nine years ago while attending a church camp. The were “together” for two years before they could have their first date. Her parents had a rule that Alexis could go on a date until she turned eighteen years old. Wesley waited patiently for that birthday. When Alexis’s birthday arrived, the two of them went out to their favorite place to eat and then rushed back to make sure Alexis didn’t miss curfew.

They would often visit their favorite park and during one visit they discovered a trail that went to a lake and had a small “island” in the middle. During one such visit to this park, Wesley asked Alexis if she remembered when she said she would marry him with paper rings. She said, “Yes!” He then gave her a paper ring and placed in on her ring finger. She thought it was so cute! Wesley then asked her if she was going to take a picture of the paper ring. Alexis remembers thinking that the question was a bit strange, but she replied, “Of course.” She turned around to snap a cute picture of the ring and when she turned back around to face Wesley she noticed he was opening a small box. He then said, “Well, then would you marry me with this one?”

Alexis and Wesley…

The two of them truly enjoy spending time with one another. Their typical date includes going to Sapporo and eating way too much followed by taking a nap! Their dream vacation includes staying a small cabin in the mountains of Colorado in the fall surrounded by the beautiful views as the colorful leaves dance in the cool breeze as they take hikes everyday - followed by a nap.

Their relationship can be summed up in five words - “Always there for each other.” They are truly best friends. Alexis says she loves that Wesley thinks about others before himself. Wesley says he loves that Alexis is always there for him.

Alexis and Wesley, you two are surrounded by so much love from your family and friends. I am honored you asked me to capture memories from your wedding day. The love that everyone has for you two is literally indescribable and I am beyond blessed that I was able to witness that and capture that for you on your wedding day.

Vendors

Venue: Under the Chandelier

Bridal Gown: Misora Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie

Cake: Nothing Bundt Cakes

Invitations: Zazzle

Officiant: Nick Schroder

Trash That Dress!

In December of 2018, Mike wanted to propose to Mysti, but not in an ordinary way - he wanted to do something REALLY special for her! At the time I was searching for one guy that was about to pop the question so I could document it for them through photographs. Mike reached out to me and we set the plan in motion.

Mike proposed!!

Fast forward a couple of months when the wedding plans are beginning to take shape…

Mysti contacted me asking if I would photograph their wedding. Of course I said I would love to! During 2019 the plan took off in many directions as they explored all the awesome venues - one was even an old caboose! At one point they decided on an elopement on a cruise trip, but Mike’s family would not be thrilled about missing their big day. As their plans changed so did their family’s plans. One of the daughter’s was going to join the navy after graduation and they definitely wanted her to be in the bridal party so they made plans for a backyard wedding in Mexia, Texas before she left for the military. But then the completely unexpected happen…COVID - 19!

Texas was suddenly under a shelter in place order and no one knew how long that would last. The days turned into weeks. The weeks turned into months. How much longer could this possibly go on?? Slowly the state began to reopen, but there were still restrictions in place. One such restriction was the amount of people in one gathering. That definitely put a damper on wedding plans!

One day Mysti messaged me and said she was so over all the planning and waiting on restrictions to lift that her and Mike decided to have a simple family wedding before her daughter left to the navy so instead of the typical wedding photograph she wanted to trash her dress. And that is exactly what we planned - complete with a cake fight (after sanitizing hands) and lots of toilet paper!

Spending this time with this family was so refreshing and carefree, especially during a time of quarantine. It was amazing to see the entire family having so much fun with each other creating crazy memories their cherish forever!

“Because when you stop and look around, this life is pretty amazing.”

— unknown

Trash THAT Dress!!

Crazy Like You

March 14th, 2020 was a gloomy day in Ben Hur, Texas with rain chances coming and going…basically a typical Texas day in the spring. This was anything but a typical day however! This was the day Matthew and Jennifer would say, “I Do,” in front of family and friends.

Matthew and Jennifer met a couple of years ago through a mutual friend. There was a near instant connection between them. Their first date was dinner at Jennifer’s favorite restaurant, Texas Roadhouse, followed by dancing. Eventually Matthew knew what he needed to do. Propose.

One night they had some family visiting from out of state and everyone went out to dinner. Afterwards, Jennifer and Matthew went on a walk to the Waco Suspension Bridge. At some point, Jennifer turns around to look at Matthew and he is on one knee with a ring. Of course, she said…”YES!”

She said, “YES!” Matthew wrote, “Well it happened! After keeping this in for I don't even know how long! I got the chance to ask my best friend to spend the rest of our days together and she said yes! I'm so excited to see what the future holds for us! I love you.”

As they continued to grow as a couple during this engagement, they continued dating and getting to know each other even more. Their perfect date night includes dinner followed by watching a movie from the $5 bin at Wal-Mart at home snuggled up on the couch. They have developed a strong relationship that is wild and suspenseful, yet loving and beautiful. Their life together can be compared to the movie Starsky and Hutch - Matthew gets into trouble and Jennifer gets him out of it!

Jennifer loves the way Matthew smiles at her and their son with his amazing blue eyes. Matthew is an amazing father to their son. Matthew loves Jennifer’s hair, eyes and how Jennifer makes him feel so loved.

Jennifer and Matthew’s Engagement Session

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Craven

Mr. and Mrs. Craven - March 14, 2020

Vendor Credits

Venue: family property near Ben Hur, Texas

Coordinator: Shannon Craven

Cake: Vickie Roberts

All dresses: David’s Bridal

Groomsmen and Groom Attire: Ritchie’s Western Wear

Officiant: John Clyne

Invitations: Smith Family Photography

Mike and Mysti: A Wedding Proposal

For years now I have wanted to photograph a wedding proposal! And I finally had the opportunity to do so on December 22, 2018 in Mexia, Texas.

“Any day spent with you is my favorite day. So, today is my new favorite day.”

— unknown

One day I decided to post a simple ad on Facebook that stated I was looking for someone that would be proposing to the love of their life within the coming weeks. Within a very short amount of time I was contacted by one of my favorite client’s that informed me that her daughter’s boyfriend was going to propose to her daughter on December 22nd and asked if she could pass my information along to him. Of course I said she could! A few minutes went by and my phone rang. It was Mike, the daughter’s boyfriend! He was very interested in working together to create a unforgettable proposal that would be recorded in still photographs, as well as captured on video. Through these still photographs and video clips a slideshow would be produced for them to keep forever.

Mike informed me that Mysti really wanted professional portraits taken of them with holiday decorations in the background. That is where I came into the plan! We had a beautiful location chosen by the river, however Mysti had to work late that day. In fact, she didn’t get off work until nearly 5:30! By the time she would be ready for a portrait session it would be pitch black outside. We decided the river would not work due to the absence of light and decided to find a location in downtown Mexia. As I drove around I discovered a street that was super cute and had holiday decorations, with one storefront (Sassy Sisters, a boutique store) particularly decorated AND they even had a porch light turned on! I snapped a few photos and sent them to Mike for his approval. He thought it was perfect and then brought the ring to me so I could put it in it’s secret place.

The secret place was on a Christmas tree in plain sight near a peppermint ornament that was hanging on the tree. I figured Mysti wouldn’t notice it since she would be facing my way for the portraits and she was a tad irritated having to work so late. I made sure to snap a photo with the ring behind them in plain sight and then it was time to put the plan into place. I looked at Mike and he slowly stepped away from Mysti and got down on one knee as she was turning around to look at the tree after I asked her, “What is that in the tree?” She didn’t notice the ring right away and needed a bit more pointing from me, but she still did not notice Mike on his knee either! Suddenly, she noticed the ring and was so elated!

This experience was so much fun! In fact, I think I’m addicted! I’m a sucker for a good love story and Mike and Mysti’s love story is definitely one of my all time favorites!

Special thanks to Sassy Sisters Boutique in downtown Mexia, Texas for the use of your front porch and holiday decorations!