New Trend

Amber and Matt followed a new trend we are seeing which is to marry on a non-weekend day. They chose a Monday for their intimate family ceremony at Angel Springs in Georgetown, Texas. They are a loving and fun couple who went for comfort in their choice of footwear for the wedding party. Groom and groomsmen all wore new "formal" Adidas sneakers while the bridesmaids wore matching silver sparkle flip flops. Matt told us that he had a sure way to remember his anniversary as he and Amber planned on getting new tattoos with the date. Pink was the color of the day as the tablecloths were of the palest pink as well as the groomsmen's vests while the bridesmaids were in a darker pink. Amber's strapless dress incorporated pale pink in the stunning embroidered flowers and vines pattern. Matt and Amber even toasted with pink champagne before going on to cut their silver on white wedding cake. They ended the night under a shower of best wishes and birdseed on their way to their new life together as husband and wife.

Monograms in the wedding

Carlo and Shannon were very much into details for their lovely outdoor wedding at Angel Springs in Georgetown, Texas. Shannon had gotten custom monogrammed hankerchiefs for each of her bridesmaids to wrap their flowers and for the Mom's to carry as well. The couple's new monogram was also included on the programs and even on the cake which was topped by some truly amazing red icing roses (kudos Simon Lee Bakery) Shannon wore an off the shoulder wrap waisted A line white gown which she had accessorized with a feathered pin to match the one she placed in her dark hair. These little touches are what make a wedding unique. Carlo had chosen pearl grey for the men's tuxes which contrasted wonderfully with the bridesmaids deep pink tea length dresses. One of the first formal photos we took after the ceremony was Carlo and Shannon with the Mariachi band who had played their wedding music. Once formals were done they were announced into the reception and went right into their first dance surrounded by their wedding party. After some outstanding BBQ from Dagar's catering they stopped for homemade jello shots before the toasting began. Laughter was heard by all as Shannon's stepdad presented Carlo with "The Groom's Book of Wisdom" which it turns out had just a single page which stated "She is Always Right". Hey, what more does a groom need to remember, right? After that, the dancing started and though the night wore down they did not and even extended their time a little to keep on dancing. They ended the night with bubbles and headed off in a long white limo.

As the sun sets

We took Lauren's bridal portraits just a week before her wedding. Truly not due to planning but due to delays with her dress. Lauren was our 4th bride this year to have dress issues though hers were the most challenging. Things like the wrong dress, wrong size and even the dress being sent to the wrong state were among the delays that Lauren seemed to take in stride. Lauren was well prepared for her bridal portrait and had even watched a few episodes of "Americas Next Top Model". It definitely showed in her posing and expressions as we took stunning images of her at Zilker Botanical Gardens. Lauren & TJ's wedding day was out at Vintage Villas on a hot Austin Texas summer Day. The bridesmaids were in a beautiful and unusual combination of moss colored dresses with aubergine (a shade of purple) sashes. Lauren's dress was one of the most unusual dresses we have seen and she told us during the bridals that she had originally tried it on as kind of a joke but then loved it. A strapless ivory gown with a lace up back and raised ivory flowers among an ivory floral pattern on the sheer organza overlay. When I say raised flowers I mean about an inch high. Just beautiful. Her hair was done in a retro style with a smooth side-parted classic front and then large curls at the base of her neck. A couple of gardenias were pinned on one side by the curls. The men were all in rich chocolate brown tuxes. The lakeside ceremony was lovely and serene. And then the party started. Both are from large families so the toasts were emotional and heartfelt. The dancing was fun/great/youthful. Everyone that danced was having a great time. There was even a special "girls" dance where the bride, bridesmaids and family got on stage in front of the crowd to dance as a group. One of TJ's brothers jumped and caught the garter. As the night wound down... or the morning arrived, everyone lined the walkway out of the event center and tossed rose petals at Lauren & TJ as they headed to the bridal suite. Their honeymoon plans were a fun filled trip to Costa Rica....

White Dove Release

As white doves take flight at Michelle and Paul's Vintage Villas wedding in Austin Texas - EverafterImages photographer Steven Martin captures a "mini" motor drive sequence leaving the bride and grooms hands. Michelle & Paul released doves as a symbolic announcement of their love, hope, faith and fidelity. The LoneStar White Dove Release company handles special ceremonies like this. Their slogan "Make if memorable!" For more information - please contact Rebecca at http://www.lonestardoves.com

Military Wedding

Last November we photographed Kristin's brother Jerry's wedding to Alexis and were thrilled to be selected for Kristin & Cesar's rousing military wedding out at Angel Springs in Georgetown, Texas. Army, to be exact. Cesar and his groomsmen wore dress uniforms and he and Kristin exited the bi-lingual (English/Spanish) wedding ceremony by walking through the "arch of Sabers". That passage is meant to ensure the couple's safe transition into their new life together. The arch of swords is formed by an honor guard made up of members of the military who would normally wear a sword or saber when in dress uniform. Kristin's lovely v-neck white dress sported a cathedral train nearly 7 feet long with lace inlays. The catering by Dagar's was outstanding as usual and the mother of the bride helped Kristin to eat so that she would not get anything on her dress. Kristin was teary eyed dancing with her Dad after she and Cesar performed their 1st dance as Man and wife. Cesar and Kristin used a sword to cut their wedding cake which had a design of cherry blossom branches. Interestingly enough, both Cesar & Kristin have the same nickname; Monkey that was reflected in their fun groom's cake which depicted a bride & groom monkeys playing poker. Lots of beer flowed and the dance floor was full to the point that the reception ran over by a half hour as they were having so much fun. But sparklers were the order of the end of the day to see Cesar and Kristin off on their way to their new life together. Congratulations you two.

Reunion Ranch Wedding

Whitney and Jeremy have known each other over 7 years prior to tying the proverbial knot out at Reunion Ranch in Georgetown. We have known them almost as long as Everafter Images photographed Whitney's high school senior photos back in 2004 and Jeremy was her boyfriend at the time. They were a little disappointed at having to change their wedding day plans at the last minute due to rain but had a lovely candlelit ceremony inside. Whitney looked stunning in her strapless white, wrap waisted dress with its silvered lace overlay. Her Dad kept saying "you just dont look like my Daughter tonight" and "Baby, you look fantastic". They had decided on a non-standard color theme of moss green and silver which was very nice with Jeremy and all of the men in silver tuxes with green vests and ties and the ladies in tea length green dresses. Whitney & Jeremy's monogram was in lights on the stage curtains and on the top layer of their pale green, silver leaf covered wedding cake. The groom's cake was a rectangular sheet cake decorated as a racetrack with a 12 inch long plastic nascar on top. And one of the gifts they received was a portable car lift....do I sense a theme here :) They even had dance instructions for the guests while we took formal family photos after the ceremony. And boy, did that get them all out on the dance floor for some fun dancing....even the smallest guests were out there shaking their booties and having a great time. A sparkler exit out to their truck and off they went to a Honeymoon in Mexico.... enjoy the sun and sand, we wish this new family the best and look forward to new additions to photograph.

Tango for Two

Vintage Villas in Austin Texas was the venue of choice for Paul and Michelle's carefully orchestrated wedding. They are an eclectic and exacting couple who are well traveled and enjoy new experiences and yet know exactly what they want. Their engagement portraits had been an urban session ranging from areas by the Shoreline Grill, through downtown Austin and near Lady Bird Lake. For an entirely different feel we went for a fashion style Bridal portrait session out at the Rough Hollow Yacht Club. Michelle's stunning drop waisted, strapless, crystal studded princess style gown was perfectly contrasted with the stone and wrought iron fixtures of this venue. Both Michelle and Paul had male and female wedding party attendants. This made for some unique wedding party photo opportunities. The groom, groomspeople and bridesman wore white while the bridesmaids were in red for stunning visuals against the blue Texas sky. At the end of the ceremony Michelle & Paul released doves as a symbolic announcement of their love, hope, faith and fidelity. Their first dance was an amazing tango complete with special clothes. All in all a spectacular night for all. Congratulations Michelle & Paul.