Jessica and Dan in downtown Austin

Jessica and Dan will be married this weekend, so the energy for this shoot was high. They live in downtown in one of Austin's many new buildings. Jessica says, " I fall in love with my city every morning as I drink my coffee and watch the sunrise over Austin." We wanted to capture some of what they love best about the city, so we wandered around back alleys, visited bars and music venues, and even ran out into the middle of the Congress street bridge. We are looking forward to the wedding and their flower dog!...photos coming soon.

Allison at Green Pastures

I think by viewing the photos below you will be able to tell that we had a good time photographing Allison. She was beautiful and graceful, with a brilliant laugh. We explored Green Pastures fully, shooting in almost every room, (including the tiny bar on the half floor) and outside as well. Craig Fuller of Photosynthesis did a great job on her bouquet and I loved the peacock feathered hair piece you can see in the last photo.

Allyson and Ryan's wedding

Allyson and Ryan were married this past weekend at the Westlake Presbyterian Church. It was beautiful from the moment you walked in the doors at the church. Coby Neal of The Flower Studio, had set all the bridesmaids bouquets out on a table at the entrance. The color and scent were dazzling.

The flowers continued to amaze me throughout the day. The brides cascading bouquet of white orchids and the ring bearers pillow made of tiny green flowers were simply beautiful.

The reception was held just down the road from the church at the Barton Creek Country Club in the Darrell Royal Ballroom. I couldn't include all the beautiful images we captured there, but take my word for it the room was fantastic, all pink and sparkling.

I did include a photo of the grooms cake here. The brides cake was gorgeous, and both were delicious, but the grooms cake was incredible. The screen you see placed in this edible stadium was actually playing a Gators game, so cool! Big woo hoo to Simon Lee Bakery.

Now that I have given all my shout outs to all the wonderful vendors we had the opportunity to work with, I want to say thank you to Ryan and Allyson, and their friends and family, who made our job so easy and gratifying.

Congratulations Ryan and Allyson! Wishing you all the best.

Allyson's portrait sitting

Allyson will be married at the end of March, so we were right on schedule when we photographed her at Laguna Gloria's Driscoll villa earlier this week. The weather kept us inside, but that did not keep us from getting beautiful photos. Below are just a few of my favorites.

Josh and Franny's Barr Mansion wedding

Franny and Josh were married on a chilly December day. The bride wore a victorian-era styled dress and the groom wore a custom-made suit. They both looked great. The ceremony and reception took place within the cozy confines of the Barr "barn" which looked perfect decked out with holiday flowers and lights.

Congratulations Franny and Josh!

Lauren and Jarrod's One World Theater wedding

Lauren and Jarrod were married 2 weeks ago at the One World Theater. It was a beautiful event from beginning to end, every detail perfect. It began with the tish and bedecken, full of emotion and tradition and moved to the ceremony, performed under the chuppah, in the theater proper.
The guests then moved downstairs to the celebration room and tent for the reception where they were greeted by mariachis. Both the Celebration Room and the tent, a term I use loosely because it was completely transformed, were furnished, lit and decorated for optimum partying.
I loved the long high tables, the black and white dance floor, the comfortable couches and the many shaped plates and bowls the food was served in. Skyrocket! provided the entertainment and they were amazing. The dance floor was never empty. Lastly I need to mention the little cotton candy desserts, so sweet!

Congratulations Lauren and Jarrod!

flowers by Verbena
cake by Matty Cakes
catering by Word of Mouth
event design and coordinating by Entertainment Design Events

Gabrielle and Joe's San Marcos wedding

Gabrielle and Joe were married at St. Mark's Episcopal church in San Marcos. The reception was held at the bride's parents home. A beautiful home I might add, complete with a well loved family horse. We had an advantage at this wedding as we knew the brides family pretty well. We photographed Rachel's wedding, Gabrielle's sister, just about a year ago. I loved the bride's dress, it fit her personality perfectly. It was graceful and contemporary without being fussy.

Congratulations Gabrielle and Joe!

Ryan and Allyson

Earlier this week Ryan and Allyson met us at our place for an engagement session and together we explored South Congress Avenue, downtown Austin and more. Our first bit of business was the "Greetings from Austin" mural. We live right around the corner from the mural, so how could we pass it up.
Next we dropped into the fabulous Big Top Candy Store on South Congress, where the two tasted their first ever Egg Cream together. So sweet!
And as with many Austinites, the Frost building is a favorite of theirs, so downtown we traveled to get the best views. I think it worked great as a dramatic back drop for these two love birds.

Angela and Tom's Four Seasons Wedding

Beautiful days like today are one of the big reasons we choose to live in Austin, and although it was a bit warmer last weekend, it was still simply beautiful on the lawn of the Four Seasons Hotel downtown. This was the location for Angela and Tom's wedding and cocktail reception, green green grass, a big shade tree, good friends and cocktails, all overlooking the lovely Lady Bird Lake.

Oh and I loved the cake topper too!

Ian and Chris's wedding at the Barr Mansion

Have I mentioned lately how much I love it at the Barr Mansion? The location, the staff, the food, all amazing. As well the people who choose to be married there, some of my favorites.
Ian and Chris fit right in. Their wedding last weekend was simply beautiful. I especially loved the flower arrangements. The bride went all over Austin searching out the various glass jars, vases and pitchers for the tables. And Chris's bow tie, a real one, he came prepared with directions on how to tie it.
Oh and I can't forget the groomsmen and their surprise toast in Zoot suits. So fun!

Jennifer and Cody's Fredericksburg wedding

Jennifer and Cody, along with their family and friends, headed out to the historic German town of Fredericksburg, Texas for their wedding last weekend. It was a wonderful event held at the Hoffman Haus, a lovely bed and breakfast styled lodge tucked away right off of Main Street.

The day started with a bridal blessing and brunch for the ladies and a hike up the near by Enchanted Rock for the groom and his entourage. Then, after we all took a break to get cleaned up and ready for the rest of the days big events, we gathered back together for family photos. My favorite of these were the ones of Jen and Cody in the kitchen of their cottage. Such a beautiful setting.

The ceremony took place at Fredericksburg's historic Lutheran Church, and afterward the bride and groom were picked up by a horse drawn carriage. The reception was full of good food, music and dancing. With help from The Doug Moreland Show and a DJ friend the party lasted late into the night.

Jessie and Tyler's Barr Mansion wedding

This has been a spring of awesome weddings, so Jessie and Tyler's wedding at the Barr Mansion fit right in. Besides the ever so beautiful gardens, the expanse of green grass, and the magical evening light of the Barr Mansion, the bride sparkled with each dimpled smile. Practical and stylish in her gold Manolo Blahnik flats, she seemed perfectly at home in her mothers 70's era wedding gown. I loved it.

It was fun right from the start. We did all the family and wedding party photos before the ceremony and as you can see in just the few photos below, they knew how to have a good time. Friends served as DJ's, bringing along their record collections and their good taste in music. Sparklers, cigars and a little karaoke made for a great night.

Mieke and Mark at Three Points Ranch

Wow, this wedding was a blast. It took place out in the hill country of Texas at Three Points Ranch. TPR is a new events venue and damn it is a scenic place for a wedding. It is only an hours drive out of Austin but you are certainly a world away.

The groom, Mark, is a director/cinematographer/owner at Action Figure, and a recent pick to Austin's Most Eligible Bachelors by Austin Monthly magazine. The bride, Mieke, is a Speech Therapist and plays a kick-ass air guitar.

In addition to our still photography, a friend of Mieke and Mark's filmed the entire event. Not video, film! Some film friends of the couple also compiled a surprise slide show that had everyone oohing and aahing.

The ceremony was beautiful and infused with a sense of the surroundings, with mariachi's and a reading from The Tao of Willie by Willie Nelson. The cocktail hour, in a courtyard surrounded by Airstreams, loosened everyone up for the music of LC Rocks , who kicked off the evening with The Scorpions "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and never let down the momentum. Quite possibly the most fun I have seen people have dancing. When Mieke jumped on stage and strapped on a guitar, the crowd roar was deafening. One for the books.

Michelle's bridal at Laguna Gloria

Michelle's wedding will take place at the Bob Bullock museum in June, so we were right on time with her bridal sitting this past week at Laguna Gloria. In the first shots we played with her dramatic mantilla styled veil. After, we shot some without the veil which showed off her tiara and up do. Verbena Floral Designs did an outstanding job with her bouquet.

Amy's bridal at Laguna Gloria

Here is just a couple of the beautiful images we captured of Amy at Laguna Gloria for her bridal sitting last week. Her red hair and amazing eyes just knocked me out every time I looked through the lens. We are looking forward to the wedding that will take place at the Driskill Hotel later this spring.

Megan and Greg's Wedding

Megan and Greg's wedding took place on a beautiful spring day in happening downtown Austin. Between the annual art fair, a fund raising walk and theater goers, the streets were bustling. Amy and Scott of Amy's Platinum Weddings and Events navigated us through it all without a hitch.
The ceremony took place in one of downtowns' most treasured buildings, the historic St. Mary's Catholic church. From there we grabbed the wedding party and visited Austin's newest pride and joy, the Long Center for the Performing Arts, for a few shots with a great view and amazing architecture.
Next it was dinner and dancing at the swanky Stephen F. Austin Hotel. First a few drinks in the bar, cocktail hour with the guests and then into the ballroom, set elegantly with long tables and flower arrangements by Stacey Hogge of Petal Pushers. We worked alongside Jeff Marrow, I would love to see his video footage of the best man singing his toast. And to top it all off the cake was so delicious and the band had the guests jumping all night.

Gena and Chad's wedding at the Barr Mansion

This past Sunday at the Barr Mansion Gena and Chad were married. The wedding party and guests were as beautiful as the day and the gardens. Chad, a metal worker, crafted a wonderful arch for them to be married under. Gena, a lover of plants, chose potted orchids for the tables.

The Barr Mansion, the only certified organic events venue in Austin, provided a delicious vegetarian feast. Gena and Chad made the wonderfully unusual choice of a reggae band, The Stingers, for the reception, and they kept the party jamming.

Leslie's bridal portrait at Laguna Gloria

We shot Leslie's bridal portrait on the beautiful grounds of Laguna Gloria. Leslie was a perfect bride and was awesome to work with. Her simplicity and classic beauty translated perfectly with this museum setting.

More of Jessica at the Barr Mansion

Here are a couple of additional images of Jessica at the Barr Mansion.

Jessica's Bridal at the Barr Mansion

A few from Jessica's bridal at the Barr Mansion.

o.k., this one got me, I'm a romantic -stella

We've been chosen by The Knot for its Best of Weddings 2008

We've been chosen as an editors pick for The Knot's "Best of Weddings 2008" issue. Here is what they had to say about us. "With an artistic sensibility to documenting your wedding day, this husband-and-wife team works in both color and black-and-white. Work together before the wedding to get a sense of what you want, and you'll be able to maximize their stylish portraiture and photojournalistic shots."

Leticia and Simon's Barr Mansion wedding

March 8th at the Barr Mansion was a beautiful day for a wedding. With hot pink flowers for the bridesmaids and Texas belt buckles for the guys, they did it in style.

Paula and Jeremy's wedding

Paula and Jeremy were married on February 23rd at Mercury Hall. They had the most beautiful day for their outdoor ceremony. Exquisite Petals did a great job with the flowers.

Jeb and Jennifer's wedding at Green Pastures in Austin

We shot Jeb and Jennifer's wedding at Green Pastures this past weekend. They decided to see each other before the wedding which helped us get some great pictures of them in the daylight and made everything more relaxed after the ceremony. It turned out to be a beautiful day and the peacocks, who live on the premises, made an appearance for the pictures. As usual, The Green Pastures staff kept everything running smoothly and beautifully. Here are some of our favorites.

Caleb and Martha's wedding at the Barr Mansion

We shot Caleb and Martha's wedding last weekend at the Barr Mansion. We had such a great time. What a fun bunch of people! There was hardly an image where someone wasn't smiling. The ceremony took place in the barn where the chairs were set up in a semi-circle. This ended up making the setting very intimate with the bride and groom literally being surrounded by family and friends. There were many beautiful readings and musicians, who were friends, played. Here are some of our favorites photos from the day.

Bonny and Theo's Austin wedding

Bonny and Theo had their wedding at the American Legion Hall in Austin, Texas. The threat of rain forced the couple to make a last minute ceremony spot change. They decided to do it on the covered porch of the hall and it provided for a very intimate setting with all the guests gathered close together. It really turned out perfectly. The beautiful flower arrangements were designed by Big Red Sun and The White Ghost Shivers kept everyone dancing crazily all night.