Wedding Chicks Hand-Picked Vendor

I’m incredibly grateful to have recently be chosen as a Hand-Picked Vendor by the talented ladies who run The Wedding Chicks, (a fabulous resource for all newly engaged brides out there)! A portfolio of our work can now be viewed on their site here. I never forget that it takes a team of talent to execute the beautiful events that are featured, and I’m blessed & humbled to be featured alongside some other top-notch Texas talent!

Joyful Couples :: Emily + Brian

Brian and Emily, so much to say about these two! I’ve never seen a couple more relaxed in every phase of the planning process! They are so in love, and so gracious and thoughtful towards everyone around them. It was such a privilege to be part of their family-style celebration, and I’m so glad to call them friends! 

Wedding Details::
Highlights :: blush bridal gown, handmade red bridesmaid dresses, DIY dance floor, antique window archway, BHLDN decor elements, yellow vintage curtain panels on the cake backdrop. The red, yellow, blush color palette transitions summer into fall while still being light and sweet.

The Inspiration ::
The inspiration behind Brian and Emily’s wedding day was vintage Anthropologie with an elegant yet laid back spin, and was truly the epitome of a DIY wedding. A perfect blend of timeless and trend. Almost everything was DIY from the officiant (a friend of the family) to catering (the groom’s family!) to the many creative details. A few of the decor elements included an antique window archway and a “Let The Celebration Begin” banner to welcome guests, custom drink boxes, dance floor (yes, we built a dance floor!), signs, fence panel backdrops with BHLDN paper decor, cake stands, and all of the flowers (done by the bride herself with her bridesmaids and close friends) . The bride’s dress was a pretty pale blush, her veil was handmade from vintage lace, and even the bridesmaid dresses were handmade! The old wood was sourced from the bride’s brother’s fence that had blown over during a hail storm, and the cake and cupcakes were made by dear friends. The bride’s dad and friends put together the drink boxes, photobooth, signs and panels. The bride collected vintage cake stands and created her own with glass candle holders and vintage plates glued together. A longtime friend of the family officiated the ceremony, and the groom’s family catered the reception, and still found time to enjoy time with the guests!

From The Bride ::
“The fun thing about doing a DIYwedding besides saving a lot of money is that everyone gets to be together days before the wedding putting everything together. I loved being able to spend time with the people that Brian and I love and putting together a dream I had. It was such a special week not only because I married my best friend and love of my life but also because of all the ways I got to see my Heavenly Father provide through the help of so many amazing friends and family!”

Brian and Emily are full of joy, faith, devotion to family, and love for each other, and they were able to pull of a gorgeous DIY wedding for 300 guests, without the stress and anxiety that often accompanies DIY weddings – because of their ability to relax, to trust the people around them, and excellent preparation and planning!

Thank you so much to the lovely Wedding Chicks ladies for featuring their wedding today!

–
Photographer: Half Orange Photography, LLC
Ceremony Venue: Trinity Baptist Church
Reception Venue: Sullivant Retreat Center
Hair: Take 5 Salon
Dress Designer: Reem Acra
Groom’s Attire: JJ Kelly’s
Rentals: Marianne’s Rentals
Tent Rental: Oklahoma City Party Tent & Event

Linda + Richie :: Bikes, Boats, & Balloons

“By bike, boat, or balloon…by any means, we’ll see you soon!”
Linda + Richie had this fun and creative concept for their save-the-dates, and we put together a travel-inspired 3-part engagement shoot to bring their vision to life! The way these two look at each other and laugh with each other is just fabulous!

Photography :: Ryan Ray
Concept Development & Styling :: Lavender Joy Weddings
Vintage Bike :: Rent My Dust
Calligraphy :: The Left-Handed Calligrapher

Industry Events :: September Thursday Therapy

Thursday Therapy September images are up on the Thursday Therapy blog. Many, many thanks to Times Ten Cellars (an amazing intimate wedding venue) for hosting and super-sweet and stylish Amanda Marie Portraits for capturing the fun!

Joyful Couples :: Josh + Valerie

Love these two, and their love for each other – they have the sweetest way of interacting, and I love when he makes her laugh! They are committing their lives to each other today and I couldn’t be more thankful to be part of their celebration! The best is truly still to come!

Photography :: Kristin Shyla

Joyful Couples :: Carrie + David’s Ranch Wedding

So very thankful to have been featured by the ladies at Junebug Weddings last week! Junebug is a savvy wedding planning  and style resource and they make it really easy for brides to find great wedding professionals to work with for their wedding.

Carrie and David had a rustic ranch wedding weekend full of creative details! I was particularly delighted by the ways they chose to host their guests for the weekend…a welcome bag full of goodies awaiting the guests when they arrived…dinner, dancing at Gruene Hall, and s’mores by the campfire!

Click here and here for the two-part feature on Junebug Weddings, and I’ll be sharing more of my favorite images and details soon!

Joyful Couples :: Linda + Richie, Engaged

One of my favorites from a recent 3-part engagement session.

Images :: Ryan Ray  Styling :: Lavender Joy Weddings

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

When I slow down the pace of life enough to truly consider…the willingness to sacrifice one life for another never ceases to amaze me. Remembering today the lives that were lost 10 years ago, as well as the hundreds of men and women who sacrifice and serve quietly and without recognition.

Let them all be truly honored today as we remember 9-11.

Image :: Ryan Ray & Lavender Joy Weddings

Industry Events :: Thursday Therapy Launch

Kate Foley Designs and I are excited to bring Thursday Therapy to Fort Worth! We’ve both enjoyed attending Thursday Therapy in Dallas, but we know it can be difficult for many Fort Worth pros to make the drive over to Dallas.  So to us, it just makes sense to bring Thursday Therapy over to Fort Worth!  Many thanks to Michelle and Kelly for sharing our Meet the Hosts Interview on the Sage Wedding Pros blog last week!

Thursday Therapy is a relaxed and casual networking event for all wedding pros, and our kick-off event is going to be on September 29, 2011 at Times Ten Cellars! We’re so thankful to Times Ten for opening up their space for us! We’ll be there from 6-9pm, and a cash bar will be available.

To attend, just RSVP on the Thursday Therapy Fort Worth website here and be sure to bring plenty of business cards to share!

Joyful Couples :: Brian & Emily, Engaged

Meet Emily & Brian, our wonderful July couple! What a pure delight these two are, and so very much in love! They chose to have a meaningful, faith-filled church ceremony and then a gorgeous tented outdoor reception. They were such a joy to work with – more pictures to come from this family-style celebration!

I just love their photographers, Stancy and Katie of Half Orange Photography, and these talented ladies are hosting a ‘Summer Lovin’ Contest Series’ for their couples. The winning bride and groom will receive a stunning 8×8 album from Cypress Albums!

Each of the following counts as one vote:

-’like’ the Brian and Emily in the Half Orange Summer Lovin’ album on facebook
-comment on your favorite image in the Half Orange Summer Lovin’ album on facebook
-comment on the ‘Summer Lovin’ Giveaway Finale!’ blog post, and include the names of the couple you’re voting for – Brian and Emily!

Comments on the Half Orange Photography fan page wall will not be counted and voting ends at 2:00 PM on September 6th.

Show this sweet couple some love, and go vote for their album!