Wedding, Family, & Engagement Photography Blog

University of Texas Bridal Pictures

08.08.23

I may be a bit biased but these University of Texas bridal pictures are to die for!

Since meeting Shelby prior to her engagement session, she’s always had a vision. From her Laguna Gloria engagement session to her bridals at UTexas (and I can’t help but mention her upcoming San Francisco wedding). And I’ve been so honored to have brought and to be bringing her dreamy visions to life!

University of Texas Bridal Pictures

Shelby arrived at UT with her best friend, a wagon, and a portable tent. It was super early in the morning and all of us were awake, but just barely.

The early morning wasn’t going to slow us down though. We quickly got to work: The tent was set up and this bride-to-be proceeded to get dressed inside, while her bestie, Eden, and I dried off her bouquet.

When she stepped out, we were just in awe! Shelby was quite a vision in her Alyssa Kristin gown, which fit her like a glove:

One of Shelby’s visions for her University of Texas bridal pictures session was to have a lot of greenery and flowers:

University of Texas Bridal Pictures | ATX Photographer

And we can’t have a gorgeous, long train and not play with it:

Her other vision for this shoot was to incorporate UT’s beautiful architecture:

I love how Shelby can go from classic beauty to adorably cute to sultry all in a matter of seconds!

Engagement session ☑️ Bridal portraits ☑️ Next up: their wedding day!

HMUA: BettyBeaute

Wedding Dress Boutique: AandBé Bridal

Wedding Dress Designer: Alyssa Kristin

Terrace at Highland Lakes Wedding: Rachael and Anthony

07.26.23

Rachael and Tony had an intimate Terrace at Highland Lakes wedding in Lago Vista. Although it was a small wedding, it was a BIG celebration!

About the Couple

This adventurous, outdoorsy, sarcastic, and goofy couple first met on Rachael’s birthday at iFly in 2013. There was automatic chemistry and the two started dating right away.

After years of traveling, experiencing new cultures, and raising two fur-babies together, Tony proposed on a secluded beach in Roatan.

9 Years Later …

Nine years of dating and their big day is finally here! Rachael and Tony are ready to say “I do” at their intimate wedding in Lago Vista with their closest friends and family!

Terrace at Highland Lakes Wedding | Austin Wedding Venue

The bridal area at the Terrace at Highland Lakes is beautiful, large, and consists of two smaller rooms and one large, theater-like open area. It was the perfect private space for all the ladies to get ready:

Rachael’s Баба arrived and it was obvious just how close the two are …

Putting on the finishing touches before her first look with Tony:

First Look

In our original timeline, Rachael and Tony didn’t include their first look. It was so important to them to have their moment between just the two of them.

Because I arrived a bit earlier than planned, I asked if they wanted me to photograph it. Rachael agreed she wanted it documented but from a distance. So I stayed by the entrance to the venue capturing it from afar, while the two shared their intimate first look under this gorgeous tree:

“I Do”

Rachael’s brother played crucial roles in their ceremony, from playing the ceremonial music to officiating their wedding. This added to the intimate, personal, and sweet touches that the couple included in their special day. And he looked so stylish doing it!

First look or not, seeing his bride walk down the aisle was still an emotional moment for Tony …

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the views from the Terrace at Highland Lakes!?!

Their personal vows had the two cracking up!

And after nine years, Rachael and Tony are married!!!

Formal Photos

Post-ceremony, we gathered the wedding party and family for some formal portraits:

Before I stole the newlyweds for some intimate portraits:

And, of course, it’s not official until it’s official! Before heading into their reception, Rachael and Tony signed their marriage license and celebrated with a high-five!

Did Someone Say “Party?!”

The flower girl had a big job: to announce the now-husband and wife!

It was important to the couple to incorporate tradition into their day. One of the most fun traditions was the Bulgarian tradition of breaking the bread.

“The bride and groom stand with their backs towards one another and hold the bread over their heads. Once signaled, they both try to break the bigger piece of bread, which is supposed to symbolize who will be “the head of the house.”

Tony bowed down graciously and accepted defeat 😂

Lucky for him, Rachael not only accepted her role as “head of the house,” but was also willing to share the bread with him 😆

Before the dancing commenced, Rachael and Tony’s mothers, best man, and maid of honor toasted the happy couple:

Tony had written a song specially for Rachael.

This song was performed by Tony’s sister and good friend, Gerard, for their first dance.

Which was then followed by a special dance with their mothers:

I couldn’t help but sneak the two out for some sunset photos …

And then it was time to partyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

Another tradition incorporated into their wedding day was Bulgarian folk dancing, which had everyone on the floor, having a great time!

Rachael snuck off for an outfit change:

Congratulations to this beautiful couple! And cheers to your nine years together and to 100 more to come!

Wedding Vendors:

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Terrace at Highland Lakes ♥ Wedding Planner: Touch of Green ♥ Wedding Dress Boutique: Blue Bridal ♥ Wedding Dress Designer: Willow by Watters ♥ Photographer: Sweet Memories Photography ♥ Officiant: Bride’s Brother ♥ Ceremony Music: Bride’s Brother ♥ Cakes: 85°C Bakery ♥ Catering: Terrace at Highland Lakes ♥ DJ: Bride’s Brother

A Baby Announcement at Camino Real Ranch

06.07.23

Things don’t always go as planned, but they always seem to end up the way they were meant to be. Such was the case with this Camino Real Ranch baby announcement!

The Plan

Originally this was supposed to be a post-wedding session with Payge and Pablo’s dogs. Because their furbabies were unable to be a part of their December wedding, Payge and Pablo were going to wear their wedding attire and have a whole shoot focused on them and their pups.

It was not meant to be. Drama ensued and Payge’s dress, which was sent out to be cleaned, was nowhere to be found. The cleaning company lost the gown 😡, forcing us to pivot.

Camino Real Ranch Session

Shortly after booking Camino Real Ranch for a session with their dogs, they got some exciting news: they are expecting! So what was once supposed to be a post-wedding session focused on their dogs, became a baby announcement session!

Seeing that the couple just found out at the time, we had to keep these photos under wraps. But now that the cat (or should I say dog) is out of the bag, I can now share one of the cutest sessions EVER at one of my favorite venues:

Camino Real Ranch session | Austin TX photographer

My absolute favorite photo of Loki and Tucker:

I’d say that Loki and Tucker are very excited to be big brothers, and they’re going to be the very best ones ever! What a lucky baby to have two amazing parents and fur-siblings!

Congratulations to my favorite couple! I cannot wait to meet your little one!!!

St. Anthony Hotel Wedding: Monica and Steven

05.15.23

The words that come to mind when I think about this St. Anthony Hotel wedding are:

Glamorous

Full of Surprises

Party Extravaganza

Love, love, LOVE!

Monica and Steven

I had the pleasure of meeting these two at a wedding. My couple, Kelli and James, got married in April of 2022, in which Steven was a groomsman. After seeing Kelli and James’ photos, Monica and Steven reached out to me about photographing their wedding. Of course, I was elated! I remembered these two partying it up at that wedding and knew it was going to be another AMAZING celebration!

Their Love Story

February 8th, 2019, Steven waited in the cold at Calle Onze for Monica to meet him for dinner. Little did he know, she was nervously driving loops around the block working up the confidence to meet him for their blind date.

After a great night of endless conversation, Steven invited Monica to watch a play on Sunday. That night, they bonded over a comedically underwhelming dinner with an eccentric cast and a play that was equally as entertaining. It was also the night they shared their first kiss.

Their third date was supposed to be a quick brunch. Steven was in the thick of training for his second Ironman and Monica was finishing a marathon of her own after.

But fate had other plans. Neither of them wanted the date to end. So brunch turned into lunch. Lunch turned into happy hour. Happy hour turned into dinner. Then dinner turned into three years of friendship, love, and happiness.

St. Anthony Hotel Wedding in San Antonio

From start to finish, this wedding truly had it all:

Beautiful details, lots of decor, pure emotions, and so much love and happiness!

St. Anthony Hotel Wedding | San Antonio Photographer

Monica wore her mom’s veil as her ‘something borrowed.’

The flower girls were treated like royalty, and they were soaking it up!

Meanwhile, the bride continues to get ready …

Before heading outside to do a first-look with her ladies!

How stunning is Monica?! With a dress that fit her to the T, the wind blowing her veil, her bold red lipstick, and those flowers, she was perfect!

Meanwhile, the boys are …

His suit though 😍

Ceremony in the Peraux Room

It’s time for Monica and Steven to officially become husband and wife!

Steven teared up just a bit when he saw his bride coming down the aisle.

“During the lasso ritual, the godparents, family members or whoever is facilitating the ceremony will place the rosary or rope around the couple in a figure-eight formation. Placing the cord around the bride and groom’s shoulders to resemble the infinity symbol is a nod to the infinite nature of their bond before the eyes of God.”

With the blessing from their family and friends, they are now MARRIED!!!! Let’s cue the first kiss as husband and wife, please!

The happy couple

She Did Whaaaaaaaaaat?!

Monica is not a fan of having long hair. However, like most brides, she grew hers out for her wedding day. But, as a surprise for her now-husband, she went to the bridal suite and had her best friend chop it off!

And just like that, her hair is back to normal and manageable!

After Monica’s hair was styled and makeup reapplied, she headed downstairs to surprise Steven. I believe his face says it all!

Of course, he absolutely loved it!

St. Anthony Hotel Wedding Reception

A mariachi band surprised Monica and Steven’s guests and started the party:

Their first dance as husband and wife …

Leading up to the parent dances that had us all tearing up:

That is, until Monica and her father broke out some moves on the dance floor!

As if the wedding cake wasn’t enough …

Steven had his own cake (can you guess he’s favorite hobby?!).

Once the dance party got started, we snuck off for a few more bride and groom portraits:

Which we made quick because who wants to miss out on their own party?!

The bride and groom took the stage to serenade their guests:

And to help keep the party going their had a little late night snack for everyone …

Little did Monica know ….

That Steven also had a surprise up his sleeve. While she had been planning to reveal her new haircut to him, Steven had been planning to play his saxophone for her:

Needless to say it was a huge hit!

What’s a party without a smoke gun, followed by their good friends assembling their band together?!

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end …

But not without a grand exit!!!!

Congratulations to the most fun pair! Wishing you all greatest adventures on your honeymoon and life together!

Wedding Dream Team:

Ceremony and Reception Venue: St. Anthony Hotel ♥ Wedding Planner: Water to Wine Hospitality ♥ Wedding Dress Boutique: Brick House Bridal ♥ Hair and Makeup: Madame Makeup ♥ Photographer: Sweet Memories Photography ♥ Florals: Evember ♥ Officiant: Dr. Doug Cassady ♥ Ceremony Music: Terra Vista Strings ♥ Cocktail Hour Music: Bernie Martini ♥ Cake: 2 Tarts Bakery ♥ Band: Manhattan Band – Jordan Kahn Music Company ♥ Photobooth: MBP Photo Booth

Sekrit Theater Secret Proposal

05.03.23

A spontaneous trip that lead to a Sekrit Theater secret proposal? Sounds like the perfect start to a new life journey!

Meet the Happy Couple

Living in Minnesota, Jason and Emily met during Covid times. And it’s been an amazing whirlwind romance ever since.

Emily loves to travel. Jason is not a planner. But Jason decided to plan a spontaneous trip to Austin, Texas. Then, he decided this was the perfect opportunity to propose to Emily.

A week prior to proposing, Jason reached out to me to help plan and organize the proposal. He originally wanted to propose in front of an Austin TX mural (like the “I Love You So Much” or “You’re my Butter Half” walls), but after chatting a bit, he fell in love with the idea of the Sekrit Theater and how “Austin-like” it is. Plus, logistically, it was a lot more simple and less crowded!

Sekrit Theater Secret Proposal

The time finally came for Jason’s Sekrit Theater secret proposal. As I sat, drinking my coffee, pretending to just be enjoying the “museum” (that’s what Jason told Emily they were going to visit), they arrived.

With their backs turned, I pulled out my camera from under my coat and began shooting:

Jason took a minute to find the ring that was hidden inside his coat …

Out came out the signature Tiffany box!

The ring didn’t quite fit Emily’s ring finger. That’s how you know it was a real surprise! Luckily, it fit on her pinky so we were still able to take photos of her with her ring!

The right photo: when Jason told Emily that I was there specifically for their proposal! One of my favorite pictures ever!

After allowing a few moments for them to enjoy their new relationship status, we began shooting the engagement portion of their session:

Still in disbelief, Emily couldn’t contain her excitement for both the proposal and her new Tiffany ring!

The moment when Jason tells Emily how he took her parents to the restaurant where he and Emily had their first date to ask for her hand:

Before these two arrived, my Jason and I were able to gather the letters to spell out their names:

I absolutely adore how much they love each other and how playful they are!

Congratulations!

A huge cheers to this fun couple on their engagement! And a huge congrats to Jason for being able to pull off this epic Sekrit Theater secret proposal!

I’ll be out of the country when they say their “I do’s” in Minnesota but I look forward to seeing all their beautiful wedding photos when I return!

« Older posts

University of Texas Bridal Pictures

University of Texas Bridal Pictures

Terrace at Highland Lakes Wedding: Rachael and Anthony

About the Couple

9 Years Later …

First Look

“I Do”

Formal Photos

Did Someone Say “Party?!”

Wedding Vendors:

A Baby Announcement at Camino Real Ranch

The Plan

Camino Real Ranch Session

St. Anthony Hotel Wedding: Monica and Steven

Monica and Steven

Their Love Story

St. Anthony Hotel Wedding in San Antonio

Ceremony in the Peraux Room

She Did Whaaaaaaaaaat?!

St. Anthony Hotel Wedding Reception

Wedding Dream Team:

Sekrit Theater Secret Proposal

Meet the Happy Couple

Sekrit Theater Secret Proposal

Congratulations!

FEATURED POSTS