Pies. Vintage dresses and shoes. An incredible chapel.  And a gorgeous couple in love.  I could go on and on about this wedding, but since I’ve already done that in photographic form – I’ll let the pictures do the talking for me…

My brides are brilliant. That’s all I can say! Remember Kelsey, who absolutely rocked her bridal session with that birdcage veil? Her wedding was just as full of fun suprises… The bridesmaid’s bouquets had succulents in them! Anyone that can combine apples, wooden crates, succulents, birdcage veils, and turn them into an elegant event gets an A+ in my book.  Stephen & Kelsey, it’s been such a pleasure getting to know you too – many blessings on your life together!

I’ve been anxious to post Kelsey’s bridal portraits since the day that we took them, but I controlled myself and kept them hidden until Stephen saw his bride walk down the aisle.  McKinney’s Cotton Mill was the perfect backdrop for Kelsey’s style.  When she walked out with that birdcage veil, I was positively giddy.

You know how they say when you find “the dress” you just know by the way it makes you feel?  Well this was Kelsey’s dress  - no question about it.  That girl rocked that dress!

So without further ado… just a handful of favorites from Kelsey’s session.

So yeah, this is a little out of order.  Typically I would blog a couple’s engagement photos when – well – they’re still engaged… But you’ll recognize these two from their wedding sneak peek fresh off the press!  You may even remember their “Snow Day” engagement mini-session a few months back.  We met up just days before the wedding to finish up with these fun shots…

And now for the final installment of Thao & Singkham’s wedding!  Their wedding ceremony was intimate and sweet – even having pledged themselves to one another twice before, their vows were full of love and devotion.  It was a joy to witness.

…and then it was time to be whisked away in style to go celebrate the newlyweds!

It was truly a celebration!  I loved the color combinations and the cake was to die for.  There was so much laughter and joy in the room, it was contagious.

Thao & Singkham, it was such a pleasure to follow you through these events – I wish you all the best in the years ahead.  Congratulations!

Having begun the festivities on Friday, I arrived Saturday morning to see Thao preparing for the day ahead.  Two wedding ceremonies and a beautiful reception would fill the day with celebration and love.  Thao was a perfectly calm bride, and a wonderful hostess as well!  She was constantly checking on everyone, myself included, to see if she could get us anything.

For the Vietnamese ceremony, the groom arrives with his groomsmen all bearing bouquets for the ladies.  Singkham was all smiles to see his bride.

The groom must bring 10 friends bearing 10 red trays to be given to 10 friends of the bride before entering the home and beginning the ceremony.  Then the bride and groom’s parents present each of them with a gift to welcome them to the family.

At the end of this ceremony, the bride and groom served tea to each of their parents and then to all of the guests.  I loved how much personal interaction between the bride and groom with their guests was involved in each of those ceremonies!  After a traditional meal was served, it was off to the church for the next ceremony…

Thao & Singkham kicked off my own personal “wedding season” with a bang!  When Thao explained at our consultation that they were planning to have traditional Thai and Vietnamese ceremonies prior to their Catholic ceremony – I was over the moon…  Years ago, I traveled to both Thailand and Vietnam on the same trip and just adored both cultures.  The festivities began Friday morning with a Thai wedding ceremony.  I think what I loved most here was the mix of solemnity and joy that mingled throughout the morning.

During this ceremony, there was a portion that involved everyone in the room surrounding the bride and groom and holding onto strings that were attached to the centerpieces in front of them.  Then everyone took a small portion of string and tied them around their wrists one at a time.  It was beautiful to see so much personal involvement from each guest in wishing the new couple well.

Much more to come from this gorgeous couple!  Up next – the traditional Vietnamese ceremony…

Wedding season is upon us, my friends!  Save the dates are hanging on your fridge, invitations are in your mailbox, and you’ve been secretly practicing the Electric Slide in your bathroom… ok, maybe not.  But a good number of weddings on my calendar are swiftly approaching.  And this stunning bride helped me kick things off right with an amazing bridal session inside the NYLO Hotel in Plano.

I’ve really been spoiled with amazing clients lately.  Like this couple, who told me that they were really into records and old books and coffee.  And didn’t think twice when I asked them to pack all that stuff up and drag it into the woods.  I’m totally jealous of Kristiane’s vintage camera too!

And I talked them into meeting me at the parking garage I used recently for a promotional shoot.  Coffee and donuts?  Yes please!

Kristiane and Nathan, thanks for being awesome!  Your entire set is going to be gorgeous!