Christmas Minis 2019
It’s the most wonderful timeeee of the yearrrr…
Of course, we are referring to CHRISTMAS! Our Christmas mini sessions have come and gone, but we are pumped about how everyone’s sessions went, and the fact that we 100% sold out of our available times! (We may have to add more days next year- don’t tell Josh!)
Minis days are long, but totally rewarding to see so many adorable families, and to think of our families sharing their Christmas cards with loved ones❤️
It’s the most wonderful timeeee of the yearrrr…
Of course, we are referring to CHRISTMAS! Our Christmas mini sessions have come and gone, but we are pumped about how everyone’s sessions went, and the fact that we 100% sold out of our available times! (We may have to add more days next year- don’t tell Josh!)
Minis days are long, but totally rewarding to see so many adorable families, and to think of our families sharing their Christmas cards with loved ones❤️
Anyway, here are some highlights from our two days of minis! Enjoy! (Click the images to see the full size!)
Ashelynn Manor Wedding: Courtney + McCae
Courtney and McCae are a dream couple, you guys! *insert heart eyes here*
Courtney and McCae are a dream couple, you guys! *insert heart eyes here*
Their Ashelynn Manor wedding day was absolutely the sweetest, most joy-filled day, and we were elated to be part of this magical day. Not only were the bride and groom GORGEOUS (as I believe that we have mentioned in one of their previous posts), but Courtney’s girls were the sweetest, McCae’s guys were the most helpful, and everyone was so ready and truly happy for the union of this amazing couple.
Ashelynn Manor was the perfect backdrop for their beautiful October wedding day. The white chapel wedding, the red barn reception- it was all a perfect reflection of the Southern charm and grace that this couple and their family radiated.
To this Aggie couple, we wish you a million years of blessings and happiness, and can’t wait to see your family grow in the coming years! <3
Citadel Houston Wedding: Karla + Jared
The Gartner girls know how to PARTY, Y’ALL!
We had the great pleasure of meeting Karla and Jared last fall at Karla’s sister, Kelley’s, epic wedding, and Karla’s was just as incredible! Karla and Jared are a dynamic duo, and their love for each other and for having a great time is undeniable!
The Gartner girls know how to PARTY, Y’ALL!
We had the great pleasure of meeting Karla and Jared last fall at Karla’s sister, Kelley’s, epic wedding, and Karla’s was just as incredible! Karla and Jared are a dynamic duo, and their love for each other and for having a great time is undeniable!
From the moment we stepped on the scene, everyone was calm, cool, and collected, and giddy for their big day. You could tell that Karla was ready to marry the man of her dreams, and Jared was ready to sweep his princess off her feet and be able to give her his name.
Karla chose St. Christopher’s Catholic Church as their ceremony location, and not only was it colorful and unique, it also has sentimental value to the family. When I asked how the church was chosen, I was told that this was the same church that Karla and Kelley’s parents were married in nearly 30 years before. What a way to start your marriage, and a legacy to step into!
We followed the beautiful ceremony to the dream-like castle, Citadel Houston, where the day continued. And you guys, the place was immaculate. The Perfect Touch did an outstanding job with decor, Cakes by Gina killed it on the 5-tier, white and ornately decorated gold bride’s cake and creative groom’s cake, and everything just came together like it was a fairytale. And like I said, the Gartner girls know how to throw a party! The dance floor was never empty, and you can’t top breakfast tacos as a late night snack. :)
What I said in 2018 about Kelley’s wedding day also applies to Karla’s big day: “Everything was gorgeous, the party never died, and most importantly, the fairytale princess married her Prince Charming in a wedding that only dreams can imagine. <3”
Congratulations to Karla and Jared! May you enjoy decades of a God-blessed marriage ahead of you!
Much love,
Mikala & Josh
Downtown Houston Engagements: Samantha + Jimbo
Samantha and Jimbo have been together for TEN YEARS! We are so excited for them to be officially tying the knot and living their lives as husband and wife.
Samantha and Jimbo have been together for TEN YEARS! We are so excited for them to be officially tying the knot and living their lives as husband and wife.
When Samantha was trying to plan her session, we wanted to find somewhere that looked a little Houston, but also somewhere that wasn’t just concrete buildings. We settled on Sam Houston Park downtown, and it was so beautiful. This secluded, green, park-paradise is in the middle of downtown, surrounded by the sky scrapers and highways, but you feel as though you aren’t even in the city anymore! We wanted to incorporate the skyline into some of the photos to give a more urban vibe, since Sam said that previously their photos had all been more forest-y. After Sam Houston Park, we made our way to a rooftop, where we were able to get more of the skyline and truly rep Houston in their Astros jerseys.
All-in-all, everyone had a great time, and we were glad that Sam reached out so that we could meet this fun couple!
Oyster Creek Sugarland Engagement: Ariel + Mat
It was so cool to meet up with Ariel after like, what, 12 years?! Ariel and I (Mikala) went to middle and high school together! After graduation, I moved to Houston, and you know how that goes. BUT, when Ariel reached out to us to do some fun/casual engagements for them, we were thrilled and gave a resounding “Absolutely!”
It was so cool to meet up with Ariel after like, what, 12 years?! Ariel and I (Mikala) went to middle and high school together! After graduation, I moved to Houston, and you know how that goes. BUT, when Ariel reached out to us to do some fun/casual engagements for them, we were thrilled and gave a resounding “Absolutely!” Ariel chose Oyster Creek Park in Sugarland, and we all braved the Texas summer heat like troopers to get these gorgeous photos of them both. :)
We are excited for them and their future together, and can’t wait to see photos from their destination wedding in Mexico this fall! (PS- if the hotel’s photographer somehow goes MIA, call us, we’ll be there on the next flight!)
Enjoy!
Antique Rose Emporium Wedding: Whitney + Kanaan
Whitney & Kanaan had one of the sweetest wedding days of all time.
I’m truly not kidding when I say this!
Whitney & Kanaan had one of the sweetest wedding days of all time.
I’m truly not kidding when I say this!
From the time we walked out of the car, I could feel that it would be a perfect and peace filled day. There are some wedding days that feel rushed with a hint of anxious energy, and this was just not one of them! Everyone was so calm and happy, not once did I see anyone frantically rushing to get dressed or to get the reception area set up!
Whitney & Kanaan chose the Antique Rose Emporium as their venue, and it absolutely floored us with its charm. If you are looking for a classic chapel or a garden style wedding, this is 100% the place for you! The Rose Emporium was so unique and unlike any other venue we had seen or been to before, and a photographer’s dream! So many areas to take gorgeous portraits, and we did our best to hit as many gorgeous spots as possible. So glad Whitney & Kanaan were willing to take extra time to enjoy golden hour and the sun setting to get in some extra portraits! They were so natural with one another, and it really allowed their personalities to shine through and add extra beauty to an already perfect scene. :)
On top of the adorable venue (and couple), some of our favorite elements were the personal touches that the couple added to their day. Whitney’s dress, for example, was actually her mother’s vintage wedding dress. The first look with dad was so sweet, as she said, “look familiar?” as dad walked her way! Kanaan also went the extra mile with the cake toppers! At first look, one would think that the bride’s cake topper is just an adorable wooden bride and groom, but Kanaan actually had the toppers made custom to be replications of himself and Whitney! And I can’t forget the groom’s cake! Kanaan hand created the topper to be a wedding ceremony with comic book character guests. And of course, Stan Lee was officiating. ;)
They ended their day with a fun sparkler exit, and we didn’t even have to prompt him to dip and kiss his new bride before they drove off!
All in all, Mr. & Mrs. Windham, your day was perfect and we wish you decades of happiness, centered around Jesus. <3
The Meekermark Houston Wedding: Shannon + Andres
Shannon and Andy had such a wonderful wedding day!
Shannon, being a former photographer, chose The Meekermark as her venue because of all the beautiful natural lighting, large windows, and the gorgeous outdoor chapel for the ceremony. And boy, it is stunning!
Shannon and Andy had such a wonderful wedding day!
Shannon, being a former photographer, chose The Meekermark as her venue because of all the beautiful natural lighting, large windows, and the gorgeous outdoor chapel for the ceremony. And boy, it is stunning!
But we live in Houston, the town of unpredictable weather (Houstonians, you know!), and it rained. It rained all morning and afternoon; we held out hope that it would clear up, but it rained until after the ceremony began. Where some brides may have had a meltdown, Shannon did not let this weather nuisance phase her and ruin her special day. She took the rain with stride, and calmly had her wedding party move the ceremony indoors! Although it was not her ideal situation, nobody would have ever known by her smile and bright demeanor.
Shannon and Andy had a ceremony centered around their relationship with Jesus, and you could tell that they have a plan to keep Him the center of their marriage. As their family and Lakewood family surrounded them, they worshiped, prayed, and smiled their way to being pronounced man & wife. The love in the room was thick, and we could tell that Shannon & Andy have such a magnificent future ahead of them!
Shannon & Andy, keep your marriage centered on the one that IS love, and you will have years of goodness ahead of you! We hope we can keep in touch, and see ya at Lakewood soon! ;)
Northgate Country Club Houston Winter Wedding: Kathleen + Waylon
I could tell before the wedding day that Kathleen was going to be so much fun when she told me that she had lined up a few surprises for her husband-to-be. Her surprises did not disappoint!
We were so happy to have been able to be part of Kathleen' & Waylon’s wedding day!
I must say, Kathleen’s wedding photographer story started out as a tragic one. She and Waylon had a photographer lined up and paid the deposit, and the month before the wedding, for one reason or another, the photographer backed out. (PS- It wasn’t us!) She reached out asking if we were available for her holiday season wedding, and lo and behold, we were!
I could tell before the wedding day that Kathleen was going to be so much fun when she told me that she had lined up a few surprises for her husband-to-be. Her surprises did not disappoint! First, she planned a “fake first look”. If you haven’t seen one of these before, it’s basically when you trick your fiance into believing that they will do a first look with you, then you dress up their best man in a wedding dress. You’ll have to look at the pictures to really see how ridiculous Waylon’s best friend looked in a wedding dress! Secondly, Waylon is a HUGE LSU fan, so naturally, she had to prank him a little, being an Aggie fan, herself. Though the cake looked unsuspecting at first glance, Waylon was in for a surprise when he cut into his cake. Kudos, Kathleen, for pulling off these little pranks!
All in all, Kathleen & Waylon had a wonderful wedding day, and we wish them many years of happiness ahead!
