Throwback Thursday! This zombie engagement shoot will always be one of my favorites - Nate & Kelsey have a great group of friends and family. You know someone loves you when they're willing to slather fake blood and dirt all over themselves for the sake of a photo.
The premise behind the shoot was to answer the question "What is dating like during the zombie apocalypse?" Click to enlarge!
I am generally a punctual person, but the first time I met Marshall & Katie, I was an hour and a half late. I arrived at the coffee shop that served as our meeting place after trying to navigate icy highway roads with hundreds of Texas drivers that aren't used to wintery conditions. Turns out, I was late for a meeting with two people who would quickly become some of my favorite clients.
After being incredibly chill about my tardiness, we talked about their upcoming wedding and I realized that I was talking to two of the most genuine people I've ever met. Marshall & Katie are unashamedly, unabashedly in love - with each other, with their passions, and with Doctor Who. I thought I couldn't be more excited to photograph their Whovian wedding, but totally geeked when I heard it was being held in the San Antonio library! Check out some of the photos from their day - click to enlarge.
Katie got ready in The Menger Hotel, a famous hotel across the street from the Alamo in San Antonio. The hotel is gorgeous, and Katie provided Lindsay - my second shooter - and I with many facts and stories about the hotel and surrounding city. Fun fact about her dress - it has POCKETS. Perfect for fitting a flask into.
After Katie was ready, we decided to head to the library to do a first look and get some photos before the ceremony. Katie decided to drive over to the library with Lindsay and I - little did we know we'd be stuck in the parking garage for an hour! Unbeknownst to us, there was a parade and art festival going on nearby, making travel nearly impossible. Katie, one of the chillest brides I've ever met, passed the time by catching up on the latest Doctor Who episodes (what else?!). When we finally made it to the library, it was time to start the ceremony.
After the ceremony, we took family and bridal party photos and then headed upstairs to take some photographs in the library stacks. The central San Antonio library features a large sculpture by one of my favorite glass artists, Dale Chihuly.
After some portraits, we rejoined the party. I loved all of the Doctor Who details - the tiny figurines that guests were able to take home (customized with Marshall & Katie's favorite Dr. Who quotes!), River Song and the 11th Doctor on the wedding cheesecake, the Tardis blue bridesmaid dresses - all of it! I especially loved the jar full of notes and well-wishes for the newlyweds.
There were heartfelt toasts, dancing, and general merriment. One of the guests brought a Silence mask - so of course we had to have some fun with that! We ended the night with a few more portraits around the library.
One of my friends, a photographer herself, came down from the cold north to visit me in Austin. While she was here, I couldn't help but introduce her to a great Texas tradition - Whataburger. Of course we documented the occasion - click to enlarge!
I met Sasha just a few weeks after I moved to Austin when I started working at Anthropologie for the holidays. I met Tyler just a few weeks after that when they got engaged. It was pretty clear from the moment I saw them together that they were meant to be, but their wedding, held at the Umaluf Sculpture Garden in Austin, was the frosting on top of the already perfect cake! Here's a just a quick look at their day. Click to enlarge.
My second shooter, Lindsay, and I met up with Sasha at a rental house where she was getting ready, just down the road from the sculpture garden. Her bridesmaids joined us at Umlauf to finish getting ready. Check out the adorable bridesmaid gifts Sasha crafted!
Meanwhile, as Sasha was getting ready, Lindsay went to find Tyler to capture some pre-wedding portraits. His groomsmen kept him company until we were ready to for Tyler & Sasha's first look!
After their first look, we joined the rest of the bridal party for some quick portraits before the ceremony began. We also took some time for portraits of just the two of them bathed in that terrific golden hour light!
There was a special moment when Tyler gave Sasha a card he had written before the wedding. Neither of them could stop smiling!
The ceremony began at sunset, with Sasha's uncle as the officiant. Their vows were sweet and personal, and Tyler surprised Sasha with her ring! Their excitement was infectious as they high-fived their way down the aisle.
The reception was also held at the sculpture garden. Bristol Lane not only created Sasha's bouquet, but also all of the gorgeous centerpieces! The desserts - including mini pies, cookies, and cake - came from Sugar Mama's Bakeshop.
Tyler & Sasha took to the floor for their first dance, followed by Sasha and her papa. After dancing and dinner, they cut the cake and and then Tyler and his mom shared a dance.
After the official dances were done, the DJ opened the dance floor up to everyone - and Sasha & Tyler's friends and family took advantage of it! Some other guests took advantage of the lawn games, including giant Jenga, that Sasha's papa made.
I knew Sasha & Tyler were in sync, but when they busted out the exact same dance moves from across the dance floor when Jason DeRulo's Trumpets came on, I realized they were made for each other.
They night came to and end, and Tyler & Sasha exited among a flutter of glow sticks to head to their honeymoon in Disneyland!
On a recent trip to San Antonio, I made a point to stop at the city's botanical garden on the recommendation of a friend. It was beautiful, and easily one of the nicest botanical gardens I've ever visited. I spent at least 2 hours wandering around admiring the flora and I still don't think I saw everything! If you happen to be in the area, I whole heartedly recommend stopping in. One of the highlights of the visit was the Lego exhibit scattered throughout the garden. Click to enlarge.