el paso wedding photographer – Jess Jones Photos Blog

Nancy + Andy

The vibe of this wedding definitely didn’t start like it ended! And it ended with a bang!

I began the day at Nancy’s house as she got ready for the day without all the hustle and bustle that normally occurs during wedding prepping. It was just Nancy, her mother, father, brother and niece that helped her get ready. Her mother, Gracie, helped the beautiful bride put on her wedding dress from White Lace Bridal Boutique in El Paso. Her train was long and the top of her dress was full of rhinestones and sparkles. She wore beautiful blue shoes with a crystal pendant on the tops.

The first time her father, Jose Silva, stepped into the room to see his daughter after she was dressed was full of quiet emotion. There wasn’t a huge outburst but you could tell by the look on his face that he was holding back tears. Nancy hugged her father as Nancy’s brother entered to see the final results.

The finishing touches were applied when her father and brother put on Nancy’s earring and her mother helped with her beautiful diamond bracelet.

Nancy’s niece, Naomi, helped Nancy put on her sparkly white flats so that she could comfortably and stylishly, walk around. Then she helped her put on her garter that was adorned with a blue flower.

A few of Nancy’s bridesmaids showed up at the house to help with last minute details. After everyone was prepped and ready to go, Jose, Nancy’s father, helped her into the black Charger that was waiting to take her to the ceremony.

We caravanned to San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church, where Andy and the groomsmen were already waiting. Another wedding had just finished up and that party was right outside the church taking pictures and and mingling. The priest was preparing for Nancy and Andy’s ceremony.

Their ceremony quickly got underway not long after we arrived. It was a traditional catholic ceremony. There was a simple guitar player at the side of the sanctuary playing soft music between prayers. Both Nancy and Andy’s parents along with the wedding party sat in the the front rows behind the couple as they prayed and took communion. A couple of members in the wedding party participated in the ceremony by reading scriptures. The maid of honor, draped the ceremonial lasso around the couple for unity and the best man presented coins to the bride and groom for good luck.

The newly-weds completed their prayers and were announced husband and wife. They marched out of the sanctuary followed by their family and friends. I caught Andy as he wiped his brow as they exited the church. Following the ceremony they spent some time in the church’s foyer greeting friends and family.

After the ceremony, it was time to load up and head to take pictures of the wedding party. We went to Memorial Park and I began lining up the bridesmaids in their blue lace dresses. The groomsmen arrived and made a bee-line for the snack truck. Andy was kind enough to bring Nancy and bite of hamburger and a blue slushee to re-energize. I managed to squeeze the whole wedding party under some shade and snapped a few fun pictures of them before everyone melted in the heat.

I took Nancy and Andy to their own photo spot at the El Paso Rose garden. As we walked through the garden, I snapped pictures of them dancing and enjoying each other’s company among the pink roses with the appropriate titles.

It was time for us to head to the reception, the Mariachi trio was playing at the door as Andy and Nancy entered the EPIC rail yard. The reception area didn’t need much decorating, because the place is so awesome already, but they had some roses and succulents scattered throughout and painted blue vases on tables that tied the decor together. There were beautiful carved wooden elephants that greeted everyone as they signed the guest canvas. Trains were passing by the windows right out side the receptions room. They weren’t loud, I don’t even remember hearing them over the DJ’s music.

Dinner was served and it was the groom, Chef Andy’s, own recipes. A delicious herbed chicken served with perfectly seasoned veggies and mashed potatoes. People lined up to be served and then hit the bar for refreshments.

After the announcing of the wedding party, I quickly grabbed Nancy and Andy and ran up to the rooftop and took a few more awesome pictures of the couple in the setting sun. The buildings of downtown El Paso stood off in the distance and the Franklin Mountains were directly behind them.

Nancy and Andy shared their first dance, followed by heartfelt father/daughter dance and Andy’s dance with his mother, Gloria who cried as she danced with her son.

I think the coolest part of the night was when the DJ pulled out a huge bin of those long colored balloons. Almost everyone was out of their chairs swinging balloons in the air to the music. The colors of the lights and the balloons accompanied by the awesome music really got the party started! (I’m sure the open bar helped too 😉 )

I had never seen a reception with such a cool party atmosphere. It was definitely REALLY fun. Young and old alike had a blast dancing and swinging the balloons through the air.

I have to give the DJ, Rhythm and Dance Factory D.J. Service, some props because they did an amazing job keeping the party going and their lights were amazing! They were an awesome team.

Another part of the reception that I thought was really cool, was when the DJ had Nancy and Andy make a bridge with their hands as they stood high up above their guests in chairs. The party single-filed under the Diaz bridge and snaked around the room until the song ended.

After the dance train, it was time for the garter and bouquet toss. The bride tossed the bouquet from high up on her chair to her single ladies and the groom flung the garter into the small crowd of single gents, but not before he wore the garter on his head.

At midnight, it was Nancy and Andy’s actual 10 year anniversary of being together, so they shared that moment together dancing and then invited the other couples to join them on the dance floor. Everyone had some dance skills. Must be in the El Paso water.

I left the reception with everyone still partying into the night.

Cheers to Andy and Nancy!

Vendors
Flowers: Angie’s Flower-Erika Pegueros-dreamweddingselpaso@gmail.com
Cake: Angie’s Flower-Erika Pegueros- dreamweddingselpaso@gmail.com
Hair: Sol Hair Illusions, Lupe Solis, https://www.facebook.com/solhair.illusions
Wedding Dress: White Lace Bridal Boutique, http://whitelaceboutique.com
Bridesmaid dresses: Bridal-Novas, Silvia, https://www.facebook.com/Novas-Bridal-Wear-Evening-Wear-Collections-165539690153896/
Tuxes: The Tux Shoppe, Chito Aguilar, www.elpasotuxshoppe.com
Mariachi: Mariachi Trio-Los Aventureros, David Martinez, www.facebook.com/triolosaventureros.com
DJ: Rhythm & Dance Factory DJ’s / Pro DJ Rentals, https://www.facebook.com/RDFactory/?surface=rese

Marfa, TX Elopement (Sneak Peek)

Zach and Sara are like one of those gorgeous couples that every photographer dreams of shooting and I was lucky enough to be the one to capture their amazing day!

Makes me want to forget the big wedding and run off to get eloped in the magical land of Marfa, TX.

Enjoy these sneak peeks, because I can’t get enough!

Justin+Alicia+White Sands

I couldn’t be more pumped to shoot Alicia and Justin’s wedding at White Sands, NM. White Sands is one of the coolest places that I’ve visited since being in the Southwest and I was thrilled when the opportunity came up to shoot a wedding there.

This wedding was unique, because of a couple reasons:
1. Alicia and Justin
2. It was on June 20th (the first day of the Summer Solstice)
3. It was also the night of the full Strawberry moon

I thought it was super cool that Justin and Alicia came down from Washington state to have their wedding ceremony in White Sands. They’re a unique couple who have been together for a long time and finally decide to tie the knot. They reside in Tacoma, WA and are a fun, laid back adventurous couple.

They rented gorgeous house in Las Cruces, NM and stayed their for the long weekend with their closest friends and family. I arrived to the smell of some delicious looking food and celebratory tequila shots being thrown back. Everyone was super cool and it looked like they were having a really chill day.

Alicia’s best friends helped with her hair and makeup which turned out beautifully. Her blond hair was curled and her friend’s braided a few tiny braids throughout for a boho accent. Her makeup was very natural and true to Alicia’s non-fussy personality.

The bride’s mother, Flora, help lace up the beautiful white, lace dress the was made by the ahhh-mazing designer, Grace Loves Lace. Alicia looked like a boho princess as she danced and flipped her skirt around the room. Her mother in law, Pamela, gave her a gorgeous turquoise statement necklace to wear with her dress.

When it was time to head to the ceremony, we all hopped in the car and caravanned about an hour to White Sands. The Organ mountains were a beautiful site along the way.

The ceremony was as unique as the couple. It took place on top of a giant soft, white, sand dune under the bright blue sky. Their family and friends circled up and joined hands and their friend performed the non-religious ceremony. There was a tribal drum, family in a circle and there was supposed to be sage lit to cleanse the ceremony, but alas, it was too windy. It was a sweet ceremony. Alicia and Justin held hands in the sunset and shed a few tears throughout the ceremony.

Afterwards, friends and family shared hugs and well-wishes for Alicia and Justin. We took a few more pictures as the sun was setting over the sands. I couldn’t let them leave without grabbing a silhouette shot of the newly wed couple on top of a sand dune in the orange and blue dusk light. And it turned out to be one of my favorite shots ever!

We headed back to the house to catch the after party celebration. I had to stop along the way to take some shots of the Strawberry moon that was rising from behind the mountains. It looked larger than your typical moon and it was bright orange!

Back at the house, the newly-weds started off the celebration right by, what else? But jumping in the pool…wedding gear clad, of course!

After they dried off, it was time to toss the bouquet and garter, Justin tossed the garter in living room as the single men gathered and scrambled for the garter behind him. Alicia, took to the balcony to toss her bouquet from the second floor to her bridesmaids down below.

The guests casually dined on a delicious steak dinner. And just before I left, they group popped the champagne as parents of both the bride and the groom shared toasts to the new couple.

What are awesome and laid back wedding it was and I’m so glad Alicia and Justin chose me to be their photographer.

Here’s a couple shots from the day. Cheers!

Matt + Maegan

This is a special wedding to me, because it was the first wedding that I booked in El Paso. It actually kind of fell into my lap. It happened when I was out with some girlfriends for dinner. {Bear with me, I’m throwing out a couple names} Our waiter, Josh, was the bride’s brother-in-law and he mentioned that his wife (Cassandra) and her sister (Maegan) were opening Small Cakes, a cupcake shop in El Paso. So, naturally, I asked if they catered to weddings and gave him my card…just in case. He replied saying that his sister-in-law, Maegan was recently engaged and in need of a wedding photographer herself.

She contacted me not long after and soon Maegan and Matt were set on June 11, 2016. I was ecstatic and not only, because cupcakes were going to be involved, but more so, because I felt like I was getting back into my groove of what I gave up to move here. It was at least a step in the right direction.

When the wedding day finally arrived, my awesome second shooter (Megan) and I met Maegan [lots of Maegans] and her bridesmaids at the Hotel Indigo where the hair and make up team was already at work beautifying the ladies. The room was bright and full of love from her best friends and family. I began photographing the details from the dress to the shoes to the jewelry. Megan, went to photograph the guys, who were mostly busy trying to remove gobs of hair gel from the groom’s son, Jordan’s hair. ha-ha!

Maegan and Matt both spent some time through out the day to write a letter to each other that they would only open if times got tough and I hope they never have to open it! They also spent time finalizing their vows that they would read to each other later in the day.

Megan photographed the guys in front of this awesome mural behind the Hotel Indigo as they took turns zipping around the parking lot on a motorized scooter.

Back in the bride’s suite, the bride’s daughter, Olivia, had just arrived and was so thrilled to see her mom. “You look so pretty, mommy!” Olivia exclaimed when she saw Maegan in the make-up chair. It was so sweet, it made my eyes get a little misty. (It never fails, I always cry at weddings.)

More tears were caused by Maegan’s mother, Sandra’s, reaction to her gift which was an embroidered handkerchief that read, “Mom, to dry your happy tears on my wedding day…” I guess I needed one too! Her mother’s reaction was so sweet. I knew that gift meant a lot to her. I even got emotional looking back at the photos as I was editing.

Maegan’s beautiful best friend gave her a tiny little book on a keychain with quotes for a happy marriage inside. She had everyone in tears with her speech and surprise gift.

My second shooter, captured Matt’s sweet reaction as he opened his boutonnière. Maegan surprised him by attached a picture of his parents who had recently passed away. Even though Matt wasn’t one to really show his emotions in front of everyone, looking back through the images, I could see that he was really touched by the gesture. His parents were definitely felt throughout the day.

After everyone was finished prepping, we all headed to the beautiful, Ardovino’s Desert Crossing for the ceremony and reception. It was a gorgeous ceremony that was set up on the back patio of the venue. The ceremony overlooked the surrounding desert and mountains. Trains were passing back and forth in the distance.

The wedding party entered the ceremony followed by the beautiful bride who was escorted by her father, John Hurst. Matt beamed as he watched his gorgeous bride walk down the aisle. The groom’s sister lead with a few words in memory of their parents. And under the beautiful green vines and bright orange flowers the couple read their sweet vows to each other. After exchanging rings and sealing the deal with a kiss and slightly battling the wind. Maegan and Matt were wed and waltzed out of the ceremony on cloud 9!

After, shooting the rest of the wedding party and some family pictures. I quickly grabbed the couple and we shot their portraits in the desert as the sun was setting. It was a really gorgeous moment. The light was perfect.

Finally, it was party time. The wedding party entered into the reception area of Ardovino’s and the newly wed couple impressed the whole room with their choreographed first dance. Followed by the sweet dance with her father. And, I think everyone had tears in their eyes when Matt and his sister danced to “Hey Brother”.

After the delicious dinner was served the party really got started. People were dancing, taking pictures in the photo booth and having a blast! Heartfelt toasts to the newly wed couple from friends and family lead to more happy tears and plenty of laughs from the whole room. Maegan and Matt cut their gorgeous (and delicious) wedding cake made by the very talented Honey Bee Cakes.

The wedding party ended the night on a high note with an awesome fun group dance… turned dance battle with several wedding guests to the 90s hip hop jam, “My Boo”. That dance perfectly summed up the mood of the whole night.

There was plenty of love felt throughout that whole wedding day and I’m very glad that I was chosen to be a part of it! I won’t forget that as I was telling Matt and Maegan goodbye at the end of the night she said it felt like fate that we met, because everything just fell into place beautifully.

I couldn’t agree more. Wishing Maegan and Matt a long and very happy marriage!

Enjoy these beautiful pictures from The Roger’s wedding.

Cheers!

Enrique + Mary

I thought Mary and Enrique would be getting married in Vegas, so when she contacted me to shoot the wedding I was thrilled that they thought of me again. I photographed their engagement session last year in the unbloomed cotton fields of Santa Teresa, NM.

At 107 degrees, Mary and Henry’s wedding day was definitely one of the hottest days of the summer! And for that reason, most of the photos were taken inside of the El Paso Country Club. Mary arrived and put her dress on shortly before the ceremony as her bridesmaids helped her get ready. We briefly took some bridal photos around the clubhouse and out on the golf course. Mary carried a gorgeous rhinestone bouquet and wore the cutest sparkly Betsy Johnson wedding heels. Her hair piece and make up were perfect. She truly looked stunning.

Enrique and some of his groomsmen arrived to the venue. Enrique surprised Mary with a new Pandora charm as she greeted him. A couple of the bridesmaids helped the groomsmen pin on their boutonnieres, which were of course flower brooches with rhinestones.

All of the gorgeous bridesmaids looked super cute in their gold toned short bridesmaid dresses and sky-high heels!

The theme of the wedding must have been “Bling”! And that theme continued throughout the reception area where the tables were covered with beautiful silver and sparkly center pieces. Oh and they had an ice sculpture with their initials “M+E” carved into it!!

Guests arrived and took their seats as the wedding party waited to enter the ceremony. The ceremony was conducted in both spanish and english for all guests to understand. The mothers of both the bride and groom lit the candles to start off the ceremony. The bride’s son Ossie, was a big part of the ceremony. He didn’t want to leave Enrique’s side…that is until he got antsy and wanted to sit with his grandparents.

The beautiful ceremony included a string quartet which performed classical music throughout the ceremony and into the cocktail hour. Guests mingled with delicious looking cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in hand. The bride and groom bounced around from guest to guest chatting and hearing from friends and family their blessings for the future.

As sunset approached (and the day had finally cooled down), I took Mary and Enrique outside to the beautifully manicured golf course to shoot some portraits of the couple. The light from the setting sun was just perfect. The couple showed off their comfy converse sneakers! (Mary’s were bedazzled with beautiful crystals!) The couple looked happy in a quiet moment together and teased each other as I captured their moments around the course.

Mary’s son, Ossie, caught up when he saw that mom and Enrique were leaving him out of all the pictures! He sat still for a moment to take a couple cute pictures and then resumed playing in the sand trap of the golf course.

Back inside, the guests were entering the beautifully decorated reception area. Mary changed into her goddess-like reception dress with head piece to match. The DJ announced the newly wed couple’s entrance and they were seated at their own table complete with a “Mr. and Mrs.” sign and their initials projected over head in the beautiful lights. The DJ did a wonderful job with the lighting and the fun atmosphere that was starting to elevate the party. Mary’s father said grace over the meal and the Mexican Trio band played festive, but romantic tunes as dinner is served.

Please enjoy the pictures from Mary and Enrique’s gorgeous wedding.

The Wrights (sneak peek)

What a gorgeous wedding tucked into the Pine Mountain, Georgia country side. The wedding took place at the Mountain Top Inn on a beautiful Georgia spring day. Megan looked gorgeous in her lace white wedding dress and cowboy boots and Davis looked dapper in his sandy suit and navy vest! The bridesmaids looked fantastic in their lavender flow gowns. More on the way, but for now enjoy this sneak peak of the Wright’s wedding!

Jess

Gina + Bryan (sneak peek)

I had the pleasure of photographing Gina and Bryan’s beautiful wedding this past Sunday at the beautiful Standing Boy Creek Farms. It was a chill, early Sunday wedding with a mimosa bar! Here’s a few shots of the happy couple enjoying a few moments together before the reception entrance. Full post coming soon!

Jess

Megan + Davis

Not quite an engagement session since they’d be married in 3 days! But it kinda was, because the only session they had for their engagement was taken by Megan’s 12 year old brother, JP. (Who actually did a pretty good job!) Haha!

This was actually the first time I had met Megan and Davis in person before I shot their wedding! They booked me while I was in El Paso and it unfortunately didn’t work out to where we could meet I flew into town for the big day. Despite the distance, it all worked out.

After being in the brown/orange sand box of El Paso (Just kidding! I love you, El Paso, but let’s be honest its not green like Georgia!) It was really nice driving through the winding green canopy roads through Harris County to her parents house.

I found them out in a field by this awesome old horse barn that her parents, Mark and Debbie, own. Mark and Debbie were actually just about to take two of the horses for a little trail ride as I got there.

So, we began shooting and getting to know each other a bit. The old barn was just the kind of thing I love to shoot in. Old, dirty, worn down, well loved. It made the perfect background for a country engagement session.

Megan wore and beautiful lace cream colored dress with cowboy boots of course! And Davis, looked like a true Southern gentleman in his jeans and laid back, white linen shirt. The setting sunlight, overgrown super green grass and laid back atmosphere all came together perfectly.

No country session would be complete without sitting on the front porch of a log cabin, swinging in a tire swing or climbing a tree! Luckily, we had three!

Enjoy!

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