Jose and Laura at the Austin Club

The couple was married at the beautiful St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Pflugerville. The mass and gathering of family and friends created an exceptional way to start their marriage. Following formal portraits at the church, we headed to Lady Bird Lake for a few pictures along the hike and bike trail. (Yes, there was some photo bombing going on) The colors are always lush and the temperature was perfect. We were excited to be able to photograph their reception at the historic Austin Club. The Millett Opera House, at 110 East Ninth Street, has been the home of The Austin Club since 1981. Built by city father Captain Charles F. Millett in 1878, the building was designed by leading architect Frederick E. Ruffini. When completed, the opera house was second in size and grandeur only to the Galveston Opera House. The building, place settings and up lighting created such an elegant atmosphere. The couple and their guests enjoyed a wonderful dinner,  terrific service by attentive staff, a lovely toast, a mariachi band, yummy cake and a bit of craziness in the live photo booth. The couple left for their much deserved European honeymoon!

Allison and Ross - Engagement Session in Round Rock

Mark went to high school in Manassas, VA and went to high school with Ross's mom. Through Facebook we got a message that her son had moved to Round Rock to be near his girlfriend and a short time later that they were engaged. What a small world. We were thrilled when we met with this super sweet couple and they selected us as their wedding photographers. Speaking of high school Allison and Ross went to school together and they didn't see each other for three years. They reconnected and all sorts of fireworks went off. They will get married next February at the Plantation House in Pflugerville. Allison is finishing up college. Ross moved from the nippy northeast and is totally enjoying the Austin weather and outside activities. We roamed around our favorite park for their engagement session. Enjoy.

Photo Guest Book 101

There is no better use of “all” of your engagement pictures than a Photo Guest Book. You can make one using any number of on-line sources or ask us and we are happy to make one for you. You will treasure your guest book long after the wedding and remember all the guests who shared in your special day. Here are our pointers for a successful photo guest book!  

 

 #1: Hidden Book

Guests can’t sign it if they can’t find it! Make sure your guest book is placed on its own table clearly labeled “Please leave us a message and sign”. (PS – if you don’t have a house party attendant telling people to leave a message, have an example or you will have names on a few pages and the rest will be blank.) It is helpful to place the guest book near your reception entrance to ensure guests find it right away. Draw attention to your table with décor in your wedding’s color palette.

#2: Not-Enough-Pens or Wrong Pens!

Make sure there are several pens available and test your pen on a back page. Make sure the pen writes and does not bleed or smudge.

#3: Your Pictures

Fill at least half of each page with your favorite pictures. Leave enough white for messages but too much. Have your guest book attendant turn to clean pages after a few messages to make sure each page is filled.

#4 Leave-Without-Signing

Don’t let guests leave without signing! Have your bridal party take the book around to the tables during your reception and have the DJ announce that you would like everyone to leave a message in your guest book.

#5: Never-Reading-Again

Make sure your guest book is enjoyed for years to come and not stashed away in a box in the attic. If guests are signing a traditional guest book, place it on a bookshelf in your home that is easily seen so you can flip through it at any time.

#6:  Doesn't have to be a book

There are so many options for your guests to sign. Our photo books are great options but you could do a photo frame and sign the matte. The photo frame could have a metal matte and the guests can etch their names. We have seen couple have guests sign benches, guitars and quilts. The sky is the limit. 

 

The Harris Family

The first time we met Brayden he was 5 days old. Now, he is two and a half. How time flies. Mom, Stacy, said he is smack in the middle of his terrible two's but we saw no evidence of that during this session. He was happy and cooperative. With one exception, he didn't want to have his picture taken without Mom and Dad, Chris. No worries, we will catch him again when he is an independent three year old!

Megan - Bridal Portrait Session at the Texas Capitol

We met Megan, her mom and a bridesmaid at the Capitol for her bridal portrait session. Megan was cutting this session a bit close, as her wedding is just 14 days away at Villa St. Clair. Megan was simply stunning in her lace gown with gray sash. I bet JD will be speechless when he sees her walk down the aisle. Mark and I love photographing in the capitol. The light in the extension is awesome. We can't wait to see which picture she selects for her reception. It is hard to believe that the capitol was almost lost in 1983 to a fire. As a bit of a history lesson, the capitol construction began 1876 and is famed for being the largest barter transactions of recorded history, the builders of the capitol were paid with more than three-million acres of public land in the Panhandle region of Texas. This tract later became the largest cattle ranch in the world, the XIT Ranch.