Congratulations Carolyn & Eric / June 14, 2016 by Melanie Grizzel

These are personal favorites from Carolyn & Eric’s Wedding Collection, enjoy!

The Details

Venue: Montesino Ranch, Floral: Wild Bunches, DJ: Penguin Entertainment, Catering: Chef Jay Events, Cakes: Bird Bakery, Ceremony Musicians: Montevista Strings and Jazz, Officiant: Rev. Lorelei Starbuck, Event Rentals: Whim Event Rentals, Bride's Hair: Chairish the Day, Day of Planner: Kelly Palella

The Bride’s Thoughts

"Our wedding was April 2, 2016 at Montesino Ranch in Wimberley, Texas. We had approximately 140 guests. We fell in love with Montesino when we first visited in 2015 when we started our wedding venue search. We wanted the style of the wedding to fit the venue and because Montesino itself is so beautiful very little decorations were needed. As far as wedding planning, our engagement was a little over a year. However, in that year I moved back from Seattle, we bought a house, I started a new job, and we started renovating the house. Needless to say, it was a busy year but we just chipped away at the wedding planning a little at a time and it all came together quite nicely at the end. The most important thing to both Eric and me was that we wanted it to be a fun weekend for all of our friends and family. I think we were both extremely calm on the day of the wedding because we had talked about how it didn't matter if we got off of our timeline or if some small detail went wrong. At the end of the day, we wanted it to be a laid back celebration and fun party." - Carolyn

Ask M: To shot list or not to shot list, that is the question! / May 24, 2016 by Melanie Grizzel

Photographer Shot List To shot list or not to shot list, that is the question! And it's one that's answer is strictly opinion and preference. So, here it goes... I don't like shot lists.

It's so easy to get lost in "Pinterest-worthy" shots that you've been collecting on your wedding board since the day you got engaged (if not before - you know who you are ;) ). You've meticulously mapped out a shot list 100 shots deep that you're certain your photographer will be grateful for.

Eh. Wrong.

With a list that long, your photographer misses out on beautiful, candid moments because they're too busy looking at a piece of paper making sure they have all the shots you're requesting - that's no fun. This is YOUR real life wedding. You want to remember Aunt Sue gettin' down on the dance floor and Cousin Dan singing Frank Sinatra to your Memaw. These memories are priceless and definitely not ones you've found scrolling through Pinterest.

Now, I know there are some pictures you just HAVE to have. I send a questionnaire to all of my brides so I can get a feel for what's important to them. I ask for 10 shots they can't live without. Yes, 10. The rest is left to me to be creative and identify the moments you won't want to forget. This is where all that "trust" and "liking your photographer" stuff I write about comes in. It's so important that you believe your photographer knows what they're doing so that you can enjoy the best day of your life.

Just a few of our fav candids:

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This is our series, Ask M, where we take YOUR questions and answer them with honesty, love and care. Have any photography questions you’ve been dying to ask? We’re an open book! Shoot us a note on our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or just leave us a comment below!

How to Find the Perfect Wedding Photographer for You / May 17, 2016 by Melanie Grizzel

Okay, okay, we know there's no such thing as perfection but when you're planning a wedding you want to get as close as possible! Finding the (almost) perfect wedding photographer isn't an easy task but so worth it in the end. Below are three tips to help determine whether or not your candidate should even be in the running.

1. Consistency is Key

This isn't the first time I've said it and it won't be the last - review your potential photographer's website and confirm that all the images being showcased are theirs. Some photographers may use stock imagery, you want to know if they do. Once you've confirmed that the images are originals, look for consistency in style. Where no two couples are alike, the style should be clear. You're unique and you want your photographer to capture your individuality in the beautiful ways that they've done for others.

2. Get to Know Them

I can not stress how important it is that you mesh with your wedding photographer. You'll be spending A LOT of time together with pre-wedding shoots, not to mention your entire wedding day. I've had great relationships with most of my clients but some weren't a fit and we determined that early on. That's okay! Wouldn't you rather make that call when you have time to find another, better fitting option?

Not sure how to figure out if you and your potential photographer are a good fit? You can find five of my favorite questions to ask when making your decision in this Ask M post.

3. Get Open & Honest

Find out everything that your wedding photographer is going to bring to the table. What does your package include? Will they be providing any prints? Do you own the rights to your photos? These are all necessary evils that need to be discussed in the beginning. There is no room nor time for misunderstanding, you don't want to be disappointed after everything is said and done. If there is something you need that isn't being listed in the package or mentioned in receivables - ask! Many photographers are flexible and want to be sure you're going to be completely satisfied in the end.

Have any other advice? Post in the comments below! Have a question? Ask it! Odds are someone else is wondering the same thing.

She-N-He Top 3: Austin Wedding Florists / May 10, 2016 by Melanie Grizzel

Ah, flowers, they have the ability to bring life to a room! I always say love is in the details and your florist should feel exactly the same way. Here are a few of our favorite Austin Wedding Florists.

STEMS Floral

I love the work that STEMS does. Their designs are clever, using not only flowers to create gorgeous arrangements but different props to help continue telling a story. They work with their brides & grooms on a full design concept, not just what flowers can be thrown into a centerpiece. Their care and creativity is what saves them a place on my favorites list!

RoseHip Flora

When you think of Austin Florists, you should think Rosehip. They are the epitome of the Austin vibe - free-spirited and creative, not to mention they've been serving the city for over 13 years. The ladies at Rosehip have a very clear vision and bold style that exudes from their designs.

Verbena Floral Design

Verbena is a classic and the perfect match for a traditional bride. Their designs are incredibly romantic with soft, subtle details. The Verbana team can make a simple design look so elegant. They too have been long-time Austinites, serving ATX for over 12 years.

Have a florist that you LOVE? Let us know! We'd love to check them out.

Congratulations Alex & Bonner / May 3, 2016 by Melanie Grizzel

These are personal favorites from Alex & Bonner's Wedding Collection, hope you enjoy!

The Details

Venue: Pearl Events +Ilios Lighting, Floral: Bouquets of Austin for bridal party flowers/pew markers + DIY table flowers/arrangements with wholesale flowers/vintage bottles from mother of the groom, DJ: Live Oak DJ, Catering: Dagars + Marquee Rentals, Invitation design/printing by Native Factories.

The Bride's Thoughts

"I had a lot of time to plan the wedding (16 months) so I tried to really enjoy the process. I am very organized so I made myself a to do list and tried to complete one task per month (venue selection, caterer, dj etc.). I wanted the event to feel like family and have everyone we love feel included. We were able to incorporate skills that our friends/family already had and involve them in the wedding. My uncle and Bonner's grandfather were our pastors. Bonner's mom helped find old glass bottles to make the table arrangements. My mom made the groom's tie, all of the pocket squares for the groomsmen and the usher's bow tie from fabric I picked out and shipped to her house. My Aunt has great handwriting and addressed all of our invitations. Bonner's screen print shop (Native Factories) designed and printed our invitations. (They even had a drawing of our dog on them.)

My most cherished memory from the day was our first look. There were so many nerves associated with the day and it's expectations. It was such a relief once we could finally be together and get the party started." - Alex

Ask M: What are the top five questions to ask a potential wedding photographer? / April 26, 2016 by Melanie Grizzel

First, I want to introduce you to our newest series, Ask M, where we take YOUR questions and answer them with honesty, love and care. Have any photography questions you've been dying to ask? We're an open book! Shoot us a note on our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or just leave us a comment below! Now on with the show...

We stressed how important your photographer is in our last blog post with a few tips on planning. Now the next step, insuring that the photographer you pick is the best fit for you! Check out five questions to ask when interviewing a photographer:

How long have you been a wedding photographer?

Just like with any other profession, experience matters. There are a lot of unknowns at people’s weddings and being able to navigate appropriately through each situation is important. An experienced wedding photographer has been there, done that and knows how to handle it. They’re also able to provide the bride and groom guidance on photography decisions as well as vendor info and more.

Are all of the photos on your site yours?

This is always a tricky one. While most photographers use their work on their website, there’s always the possibility that the images they’re using are stock, stolen or just the work of a second shooter. You want to be sure whatever photos are winning you over are the same level of work the photographer will deliver after your big day.

Will you be THE photographer on my wedding day?

You might be thinking, “Well duh!” but that’s not always the case. There are some photography businesses who have a star photographer, or the owner of the company, but send alternate photographers out to different gigs. There’s nothing wrong with this and if the photographer is willing to send someone out in his/her place, they must be of a certain caliber, but it’s important that you know this information ahead of time so you’re not caught off-guard the day of your wedding.

Can you send me a link to 3 full wedding collections?

So important! You have a vision for your special day and you want to be sure that the photographer you choose is able to capture the entire experience, not just bits and pieces.Every couples wedding is different and while you can expect to see the best of the very best on a photographers website or blog, it's important to view the rest of their work to make sure the consistency is there and that what you see will truly be, what you get.

Do you have any references?

We're not saying you need to call up past clients and play this out like a job interview BUT it is important that a photographer has people who will vouch for them. Usually this question is taken care of by testimonials on the photographer’s website or portfolio but if it's not, this isn't a crazy request to make. It'll give you the chance to ask the real questions.

Have a question we didn't include that you think is important to ask? Leave us a comment below!

The Ideal Wedding Photography Timeline / April 19, 2016 by Melanie Grizzel

Ideal Photography Timeline

A photography timeline is fluid, but the priority of the photographer is not. Finding a photographer should be one of the first things on the wedding planning “To Do” list. Why? Well, a few reasons:

Is there a photographer you REALLY want to work with? Chances are, so does someone else. Photographer schedules fill up fast! You want to be sure to secure your date ASAP so you don’t miss out.
Are you being realistic with your photography budget? You’ll find out pretty quickly the ball park you should be playing in. Each photographer’s pricing and packages are different, but you’ll get a sense of how much of your wedding budget you should allocate towards photography.
Do you want the whole kit and caboodle - Engagement photos, Bridal portraits, Budoir session and Wedding coverage? Try to use the same photographer for it all. Working together before the wedding, if only on engagement photos, allows for the photographer to get to know you and your significant other. Building a relationship and being comfortable with your photographer is key because, well, you want to like the person who will be capturing one of the most important days of your life, right?
Do you plan to use an engagement photo for your Save the Dates or a Bridal portrait to adorn the guest sign-in? Be sure to schedule those shoots accordingly! It takes time to edit and process photos. Check with your photographer to see how long their production time is so you can plan ahead.

Have any tips, tricks or experiences about a photography timeline you'd like to share? Post in the comments below!

She-N-He Top 3: Austin Wedding Venues / April 12, 2016 by Melanie Grizzel

As photographers, a good venue makes us giddy! It sets the scene for a great event which, in turn, means great photos. We’ve been around a ton of weddings, so naturally we have favorites. Check out our top three favorite Austin wedding venues.

Barr Mansion

This space is so intriguing. It’s the first certified organic special-events facility - yes, the venue itself is organic. The floor-to-ceiling windows invite gorgeous natural light to flow in, allowing for beautiful photos. The natural elements throughout the venue highlight the thought and care that was put into creating such a space. Plus, it’s close to town which is always a positive for guests. And as pure as the venue, so is the staff. They’re a great set of people and lovely to work with.

Stonehouse Villa

This venue was destined for beauty, considering it was created by interior designers. The Villa is smack dab in the center of a plush green landscape right outside of Austin, in Driftwood, which allows for fantastic Hill Country views. The natural limestone house has so many intricacies which makes for a great back splash. Not only is the venue beautiful, so are those working within the space. Photographers are flies on the wall in many situations and the staff is always professional and caring in their duties.

Hummingbird House

Minimal decorating is needed at the Hummingbird House since the natural botanical setting has flowers and luscious greenery everywhere, Year round, they always have something blooming - Gorg! This is such a fun place to photograph because there are details waiting around every corner, its truly something out of a fairytale. I also can’t rave enough about the staff. They are SO gracious and accommodating to their couples.

There’s an obvious common thread in all of our picks (besides beauty) - a great staff. The staff is such an important component to consider when deciding on a venue. They will be providing support to you and your vendors throughout one of the most important days of your life. Be sure you mesh with the space as well as the people working in it.

Have a favorite venue we should check out? Leave us a comment below!

Emily -N- Casey / A New Years Eve Prospect House Wedding in Austin, Tx / April 4, 2016 by Melanie Grizzel

Emily -N- Casey A New Years Eve Prospect House Wedding in Austin, Tx

Our favorite memory from the wedding was seeing all of our loved ones have such a great time. We wanted to throw a fun party and from what everyone has told us, we succeeded! My happiest moments were both spending time in the bridal suite with my parents and best friends but also when I saw Casey for the first time. It was such an emotional moment for me to see him and hug him for the first time on our wedding day. Another favorite moment was seeing the ceremony space, the breezeway and the reception hall once all of the vendors had finished setting up. It's challenging to envision what the space is going to look like while you are planning, but seeing all of the lighting and decor put in place was so much more beautiful than I ever could have imagined.

I think our 8 month engagement was the perfect amount of time to be able to plan everything but not feel like the planning went on forever. The hardest part was locking down a location and a date as this town books up quickly! We were really pleased to find the Prospect House, the owners are fantastic and it allowed us to have a more modern wedding in the hill country. And having our wedding on New Year's Eve took it to another level of fun because everyone was in the spirit to celebrate and have a good time! The wedding and reception go by in a blur, so our best advice is to take the time that night look around and soak it all in.

And of course hire a fantastic photographer that works her butt off to not miss a moment!

Wedding Venue - Prospect House Dripping Spring, Tx /Wedding Coordinator - Pearl Events / WeddingPhotography – She-N-He Photography and Design / Catering - Royal Fig / Cake – Simon Lee Bakery / Flowers – Bouquets of Austin / DJ – Greenbelt DJ / Photo Booth - Pixter / Videographer - ATX Wedding Films / Hair & Make-up–Adore Salon / Bridal Gown - Blush Bridal / Alterations - Kira Kouture / Men’s Wear - Jos A. Bank / Officient - Sam Riccobene Austin Weddings Unlimited / Guitarist - Aaron Goldfarb/ Elvis Impersonator - Michael McMullen / Lighting - Ilios Lighting / Invitations - T he Inviting Pear / Limo - R&R Limo and Bus Austin original, husband and wife wedding photography team based in Central Tx. We specialize in documentary style wedding photography for couples who seek a unique, colorful and timeless look for their wedding photos. With experience in Advertising and Editorial Photography and Design we bring a unique perspective to Wedding Photography, Bridal Photography, Engagement Photography, and Boudoir Photography as well as Custom Wedding Invitation Design. If you’re looking for the bold, fearless and the Best Wedding Photographer in Austin Tx, you found the right team! Available for destination wedding photography worldwide.

Aly -N- Cece Moody Engagement session at Austin's own Mohawk. / March 15, 2016 by Melanie Grizzel

Aly -N- Cece Moody Engagement session at Austin's own Mohawk.

Aly and Cece met almost six years ago when Cece was feeling a little squirrely (and a little sauced) and made a fated prank phone call to Aly. What was supposed to be a quick fun little chat turned into a two hour conversation, which became a two week conversation. They decided to meet up and thus began their journey, together. A beginning as friends is how I met my better half too. When these guys tell me they want to see themselves having fun in their wedding photos, I understand completely and I can relate!

Fast forward five years, Aly and Cece have endured a big move and a five year relationship, that's huge. Cece asked Aly's family for her hand in marriage and they said yes, and Aly said yes too at Universal Studios Harry Potter World. #nerds. Their wedding is coming soon, in fact they will be wed on my 10 year wedding anniversary with Steve. What a fitting celebration for us and a tribute to love itself. #loveislove

Aly -N- Cece in love at the Mohawk in Austin, Tx

Austin original, husband and wife wedding photography team based in Central Tx. We specialize in documentary style wedding photography for couples who seek a unique, colorful and timeless look for their wedding photos. With experience in Advertising and Editorial Photography and Design we bring a unique perspective to Wedding Photography, Bridal Photography, Engagement Photography, and Boudoir Photography as well as Custom Wedding Invitation Design. If you’re looking for the bold, fearless and the Best Wedding Photographer in Austin Tx, you found the right team! Available for destination wedding photography worldwide.

Brooke and Nick's rainy day Mercury Hall Wedding. Austin, Tx / February 8, 2016 by Melanie Grizzel

Brooke and Nick rainy day Mercury Hall Wedding, Austin, Tx.

From Brooke:

Planning: The planning went well, I’m glad we gave ourselves a long engagement to think about things we wanted and to shop around. We did a good job sharing responsibilities, in fact I have to credit Nick with moving things along, I am really thankful that he wanted to be involved and help coordinate things. We’re both thankful for Rachelle, our 30-day coordinator at Mercury Hall. She did a great job answering our questions and helping us figure out last minute items, and on the day of the wedding it was such a relief knowing she was there to make it all run smoothly!

Favorite Memory: So many highlights come to mind, for both of us! For Nick, his highlights were seeing me for the first time in my dress, and giving his toast. For me, it was walking down the aisle with my dad and seeing Nick in front of me, and hearing all the loving remarks from my sister Kate, brother-in-law Peter, dad Rolfe, and of course Nick!

Wish you knew then: For Nick, the décor details are things you shouldn’t waste a lot of time or money on, most people don’t remember those things anyway. For me, I wish I hadn’t worried so much about how everyone was going to get along. Everyone there showed me so much love and support.

Wedding Venue/Coordinator - Rachelle Shuttlesworth, Mercury Hall / WeddingPhotography – She-N-He Photography and Design / Catering - Pink Avocado / Cake – Sweetish Hill / Flowers – Arthouse Floral Design / Band - The Royal Dukes / Photo Booth - Live Oak Photo Booth / Hair & Make-up– Hint of Shimmer / Bridal Gown - Blush Bridal / Alterations - Olga European Fashion / Men’s Wear - Al’s Formal Wear / Officient - Sarah Reed / Tent Rentals - Premier Events / Limo - Limos of Austin

Ask The Expert: Make-up and Hair Stylist Erica Gray brings us her top picks for Bridal Style in 2016. / January 26, 2016 by Melanie Grizzel

Make-up and Hair Stylist Erica Gray brings us her top picks for Bridal Style in 2016.

For spring 2016 bridal hair, think volume, texture and accessories! Inspired by runway looks from designers like Rodarte, Miu Miu, Monique Lhuillier, and Reem Acra, I created three looks on our model, Morgan, an Austin bride to be. The makeup for these three looks was kept the same except for the lip color.

For spring weddings, clients should look fresh and glowing. Loose pigment eyeshadows in shimmering gold, bronze and copper emphasized Morgan’s deep blue eyes (the gold pigment was also lightly swept along her lower lashline.)

Eyeliner was skipped altogether, and I chose a volumizing mascara, since her lashes are naturally long. I used a deep shade of bronzer to contour her beautiful bone structure under her cheekbones and along the sides of her forehead, temples and chin. A soft pop of peach blush on her cheeks was used to brighten her face and balance the contouring.

Look 1: The textured, low boho

Boho looks will continue to be popular this spring, but runways this season traded in braids for a different take on bohemian. Models wore their hair parted in the middle, and hair was either left down or pulled back low on the neck (fastened behind their ears or pulled into a low ponytail.) The key to this look is texture (and a lot of it!). Designers such as Rodarte and Miu Miu showed hair that was loosely crimped, which is a little too edgy for bridal hair. Instead, I focused on creating a lot of “roughed up,” textured volume with hair spray and light backcombing. Matte metallic accessories often accompanied these looks, so when I fastened the front part of Morgan’s hair tightly behind her ears, I did it with oversized matte gold bobby pins (found at Target from Goody for only $3.99!). This hairstyle is perfect for brides who like the boho look but want to keep their hair modern, sophisticated, and sexy

Look 2: The accessory factor Brides have been ditching the veil for years, but this season, hair accessories, especially headbands, were everywhere. For Morgan’s second look, her hair was kept parted in the middle but, but I added a lot of volume on the crown of her head for a vintage, 1950s vibe. I pulled the rest of her hair into a low, centered ponytail full of loose curls. A delicate, wrapstyle silk headband was placed an inch behind her hairline to frame her pretty face. Metal headbands or cut flowers would also look beautiful used with this style. This look is dreamy and romantic. This hairstyle is also great for brides who want to show off their long hair while keeping it out of their face.

Look 3: Sleek volume Inspired by the simple elegance of Monique Lhullier’s bridal collection, the third look used volume in a completely different way. Morgan’s hair was parted to the side and brushed sleek with a little pomade to eliminate any frizz. I added a lot of volume to a low side ponytail in order to create a bun worthy of even the fanciest of wedding dresses. I finished the hairstyle with a light mist of shine spray to accentuate the sleekness of the updo. This look is perfect for both a classic and a modern bride, but it would look best worn at a more formal wedding. This updo was finished in ten minutes, so it would be a great style for a bride who wants to change looks between the ceremony and the reception.

Q&A From

Angela S: I want my bridesmaids to be happy, but I would also like their hair and makeup to look cohesive. What should I do?

EG: I am a big fan of giving the bridesmaids a few options of hairstyles to choose from. That way, the girls can choose something that makes them feel pretty but also gives you some control over it. In terms of makeup, if you have one artist in charge of makeup, the look will naturally be pretty cohesive, but there will naturally also be some variation from girl to girl.

Sarah W: I think I want false lashes, but I don’t want my lashes to look really fake. What do you recommend?

EG: Talk to your makeup artist about using individual lashes or demi lashes. You can enhance your lashes as subtly as you’d like!

Morgan P: How do I know what jewelry and accessories go with my dress?

EG: This is a little beyond the scope of hair and makeup, butusually, makeup artists and hair stylists have a good eye for these things. A good place to look for inspiration is on your wedding dress designer’s website or catalog. Another great place is Pinterest. There are so many pictures catalogued on Pinterest now that you might find pictures of the way your gown was styled by other brides. A general rule of thumb for accessories is to determine the focal point of your dress and don’t use any accessories that compete with that detail.

If you have any question about hair, make-up or accessorizing, please leave them in the comments and we'll get you some answers.

Erica Gray has been a makeup artist and hairstylist for 15 years. She started her career in NYC, where she worked backstage at Fashion Week for designers such as Marc Jacobs and Mara Hoffman. Her work has been featured in W, Maxim and Lucky Magazines, and her clients have included Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz. Erica also offers wardrobe styling and personal shopping. Her work can be seen on her website ericagray.com on Instagram at @ericagraybeauty and on Facebook at /ericagraybeauty.

The Caldwell Family celebrates Fin! He's one year old! / January 24, 2016 by Melanie Grizzel

Sweet little Fin Fin turned one in December. He loves to get down and dance, playing in fall leaves, to feeding his the minpin purple cookies. He's precious and patient. and just adores being hung upside down or otherwise tossed about. So basically, he's 2.

North Austin Family Photography Session

Stonehouse Villa Open House - Tour 6 Hill Country wedding venue at the annual "Hill Country Open House Tour." / January 18, 2016 by Melanie Grizzel

This Sunday January 24, 2016 from 3 to 6pm, I will join Stonehouse Villas as we welcome couples and vendors to their open house at the Hill Country Open House Tour.

Come see them all if you have the time

if not, just come see me at Stonehouse Villa.

Pecan Springs Ranch 11-2pm - 10601 Derecho Drive -512-632-1046

The Inn at Wild Rose Hall 11-2pm - 11110 Fitzhugh Road - 512-380-5683

Memory Lane Event Center 1-4pm - 403 KC Memory Lane - 512-894-0700

Thurman Mansion - 1-4pm - 17900 FM 1826 - 512-894-3117

The Duchman Family Winery - 3-6pm - 13309 FM150 - 512-858-1470

Stonehouse Villa 3-6pm - 15110 FM 150 - 512-608-3166

Jacqueline -N- Raymond's lovely fall wedding at the Humminbird House, Austin, Tx / December 15, 2015 by Melanie Grizzel

Jacqueline -N- Raymond's lovely fall wedding at the Hummingbird House, Austin, Tx

From Jacqueline - Wedding planning was a matter of project management for me until I realized the gravity of the even about 3 weeks from the date. It’s not that I wasn’t excited at the thought of throwing a wedding, I’m just great at compartmentalizing which was kind of necessary for me to do to get through planning and all the DIY projects myself. Something I didn’t expect was that my emotions got the best of me at the end of the project planning phase and that led to many complex emotions in the 2 weeks before the wedding. The nail biting excitement that I was going to marry my best friend, have everyone both he & I loved in one room, and enjoy a kick-a$$ party all at the same time got to me! Each time I went down the guest list for invitation follow-ups, I reminisced about moments & events either I shared with each guest, heard about (as retold by Raymond), or Raymond and I shared with that guest together. The culmination of each of those loving memories and how they impacted each of us as people, in and outside our relationship, was positively overwhelming. All of those loving memories compounded on the fact that a marriage, had been 14 years coming, was about to occur; and each guest was partially responsible for getting us there!

On the Wedding Day - I don’t know why I had the illusion that everything would loosely go as planned timeline-wise, but it didn’t. The hours before the wedding, I wished so hard to be the bubbly bride that everyone, including myself, wanted me to be, but instead I was driven to hyperventilate several times. Between family members who made the event about themselves rather than Ray & I and timetables being blown out of the water, expectation after expectation was completely crushed. I was convinced I was going to throw up on myself as my dad and I walked out into the damp lawn, not because things didn’t go according to my schedule, but more because my plans had allowed plenty of time for my family who was helping to be comfortable and prepared, but instead I lead them into chaos! Then I saw the grounds & heard the processional music I’d picked 12 months prior for the first time. It was still overcast after the rain, but the flowers were gorgeous, so many friends and family were in the crowd, none of my kind helpers looked as if they’d broken a sweat just 30 minutes prior and my best friend was waiting for me at the front of the aisle. In that moment all of the anxiety melted away and I was so content and at peace. Our officiant led a wonderful service and kept everyone’s attention even though there was the distant sounds of 90’s rock playing at a neighboring property. Raymond & I were looking at each other trying to stop one another from not cracking up that “Bad to the Bone” was playing during our ceremony. Everything from then on out went well, Raymond and I pulled off our first dance and got tons of kudos on it, which was a huge relief because Raymond cannot dance to save his life. Raymond and I couldn’t believe who wonderful the toasts were, my sisters and Raymond’s best friend and brother did great – and pulled together the best speech’s we could ask for.

After that the rest of the evening was one huge blur, honestly! But here are the top 10 memories that Raymond and I have of the night:

DJ Jeff from Spacecraft Entertainment was amazing and definitely knew how to work the crowd.
Our friend Jim Chambers literally made me dance every salsa song that came on with him – he’s a very intense dancer!
Several family members came up to Raymond and I saying “I had no idea you were dancers”, which was hysterical because we really aren’t.
Raymond’s grandpa even said, “We saw the wild side of Jackie tonight.”
At one point I believe I acted the words of NSync “tearing up my heart” out, which came up on the playlist as a total surprise!
We stole each other away for about 10 minutes to walk around the grounds and take everything in.
Raymond surprised me with a vocal performance of “at last” by his cousin Robby
There was an attempt at a Boys vs. Girls dance off
My mom’s whole squad had a blast at the DIY photo booth we set out!
The night ended somehow with Raymond and I being surrounded by people on the dance floor cheering us on while dancing “Last Dance” – it was both terrifying and awesome J

Then we ran off into the night and were married!

Wedding Venue/Coordinator - Hummingbird House / WeddingPhotography – She-N-He Photography and Design / Catering/Bar- Pascal's Catering / Alcohol - Spec's / Cake - Sweet Stuff in Kyle, Tx / Flowers – Wild Bunches Floral / Strings – Terra Vista Strings / DJ - Josh with Penguin Entertainment / Photo Booth - Let’s Booth It / Hair - Leidi Like Hair Houston / Make-up - Hint of Shimmer / Bridal Gown - Leila gown by Jenny Yoo, exclusively at BHLDN boutique / Bridal Jewels - Necklace & Pearl Bracelet - Jacquemar Gems Chloe & Isabel Boutique, Earrings - Kate Spade New York, Gold/Sapphire/Diamond Bracelet – “Something Borrowed” from friend, purchased at The Three Graces Antiques, Bride's Ring The Three Graces Antiques, Tiara – Great Gatsby Headpiece from Stoney Creek Boutiques (Etsy Shop)/ Men’s Wear - Al’s Formal Wear / Menswear - Joseph Abboud Two-Button Navy Super 120’s Framed Notch Lapel via Men’s Warehouse, Groom's Shoes - Mercanti Fiorentini Wingtip Oxford in Black, Grooms Ring - Zales /

Emily's Austin Engagement Photography Session at Laguna Gloria / December 14, 2015 by Melanie Grizzel

Emily was married at Prospect House on New Years Eve! Here is her extraordinary bridal photo session at Laguna Gloria in Austin, Tx.

Emily's Lovely traditional bridal session at dusk at Laguna Gloria in Austin, Tx

Megan and Adam Engaged! Austin Engagement Photography / December 14, 2015 by Melanie Grizzel

Megan and Adam Austin transplants from Chicago. hitting a few of Austin's best landmarks before their big day next summer! Austin original, husband and wife wedding photography team based in Central Tx. We specialize in documentary style wedding photography for couples who seek a unique, colorful and timeless look for their wedding photos. With experience in Advertising and Editorial Photography and Design we bring a unique perspective to Wedding Photography, Bridal Photography, Engagement Photography, and Boudoir Photography as well as Custom Wedding Invitation Design. If you’re looking for the bold, fearless and the Best Wedding Photographer in Austin Tx, you found the right team! Available for destination wedding photography worldwide.

Randi and Josh engaged! Austin Engagement Photography. / December 14, 2015 by Melanie Grizzel

Randi and Josh wanted to retrace old steps through their first neighborhood and Saturday morning haunts. Breakfast tacos at Con Madre Taco Truck and bike ride through Stacy Park. It was a welcome afternon for these lovebirds as they travers a short time of long distance before their wedding next year.

Cooper Family Amity's first year pictures / Austin Family Photographer / December 8, 2015 by Melanie Grizzel

Cooper Family - Amity's first year pictures / Austin Family Photographer

Shameem's peaceful and loving - Austin Maternity Photography Session / November 17, 2015 by Melanie Grizzel

Shameem and Amaar met on a blind date years ago and the couple had to date long distance fora long time while Shameem worked for her residency in New England. The couple married in the California wine country with an intimate group of family before they threw a blow out wedding reception in Austin in December 2012 click here to see their gorgeous wedding reception at Barton Creek Resort. They bought a house in the sweetest little neighborhood (perfect for thier coming family) in South austin while she wrapped up her time in Bostom. They finally get to be together all the time when she took a position near San Antonio and moved to Austin full time. We had such a wonderful time together for their wedding that they vowed to always keep me in the loop when their family had milestones and here we are. We haven't seen each other much since then, just casual conversation (and recipe exchanges) on social media, until now. The incredibly lovely, and almost sticky sweet, Shameem is expecting their first child. A baby girl coming soon. My all time favorite thing about this session is the second shot in the collection. I asked Shameem what kind of a husband Amaar is turning out to be and and her smile was so rich and spoke volumes about their happiness. I am so thrilled to follow my couple's (new family's) paths as they go through life reaching goals and hitting milestones. It's more rewarding than I ever imagined.