Vanessa and Andi’s marriage was blessed by a Shaman under a beautiful tree at the Rancho Santa Maria Polo club in El Paso, Texas. I loved every mintue of shooting this beautiful celebration of love. Please enjoy these sneak peeks from their awesome day!
More to come!!!
Valerie and Andy are the sweetest couple who shared a beautiful wedding ceremony at the Shalom Christian Church in El Paso, Texas surrounded by their friends and family.
Valerie started her day at Xtremes Salon along with her sister and mother. They had a chill morning as the stylists pampered the ladies for the special day ahead. Valerie’s long dark hair was curled and her make up carefully applied. She’s a natural beauty who looked stunning after Ana, the stylist, had finished. Her sister, Brenda, and their mother, Lucy, posed for a cute picture under the hair dryers before we headed to Valerie’s house to step into her dress and add the finishing touches.
The bride’s mother helped her get dressed and pinned her “something old” to her dress for safe keeping. Valerie looked stunning in her wedding dress. The dress was unique with beautiful lace overlay and layers soft tulle fell to the floor. The silver beaded belt added a little bling to the already beautiful dress.
When she was dressed and ready her father, Jerry, got the see her for the first time. These are always such special moments. I love to see the dad’s reaction to seeing their daughters for the first time in their wedding dresses. It never disappoints!
It was a rainy wedding day for Valerie and Andy, but that didn’t stop them from having a beautiful celebration. We arrived at the Shalom Christian Church and everything was set up and ready for the vows to be exchanged. The handsome groom beamed as he waited for his bride to join him at the altar. The bride made her way down the aisle to meet Andy. They walked hand in hand up to the stage where the minister lead a God-filled ceremony. Andy and Val’s relationship is one that is centered around Jesus and their church family. They have strong family and church family realtionships that will be ready to lend support whenever its needed.
After the ceremony the rain was still falling in Fabens. So, we had to get creative with the photo locations. We decided on The Fountains because we knew it wouldn’t be muddy! So we could keep the brides dress as clean as possible. This place actually worked out really well and miraculously it was not raining when we started shooting!
Later in the evening, wedding party and guests began arriving to the Castle Ballroom in El Paso. The room was beautifully decorated to kick off the celebration for these newly weds! I was super impressed with the milk and cookie bar that was the bride’s brilliant idea. They had all kinds of cookies and every kind of milk in cute little glasses! It was a lot of fun for both the kids and the adults at the party.
After dinner was served, the DJ turned up the music and the party kicked off with the first dance for the new husband and wife. Both the bride and groom shared special dances with their parents. Afterwards, the guests had a blast dancing and partying the night away. Everyone you and old was on the dance floor! El Paso really does now how to party.
Take a look at some of my faves from Val and Andy’s day!
Venues: Shalom Christian Church, Castle Ballroom
Hair & Make Up: Xtremes West Salon, Ana
Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal, Vera Wang, White Collection
Florist: Angie’s Flowers
Tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse
Cakes: The Cake Lady, Irma Holder
DJ: DJ Munchies (Luis)
Milk & Cookie Bar: Elegance by Susy
Stephanie and Stephen had such a amazing and intimate wedding at the International Museum of Art in El Paso, Texas. Take a look at some of my favorite images from their day.
Stephanie and Stephen are both doctors who have been transplanted to El Paso. Stephanie has a Phd in Art History and Stephen is a medical doctor, so these two are quite a team! They have been dating since college and they decided to tie the knot in El Paso. I was so thrilled to meet them. I just felt good vibes immediately when we sat down at Trade Craft for coffee. They also let me know that one of the groomsmen was also from Georgia like me! Even further evidence that this was going to be a great wedding fit!
I met Stephanie and the bridesmaids at the Foilage Salon in El Paso. They all laughed and chatted in various stages of hair and make up. The styilists worked on styling applying make up to the ladies to prep them for a day full of photos.
Stephanie’s theme for the wedding was art deco style which I love! The little touches from her rhinestone shoes to her finger waved hair were just perfect.
The three tiered art deco style cake was made by her talented mother and I cannot rave enough about it. The details were everything and it was delicious! If I ever get married, I’m seriously calling her mom for this cake!
The ceremony and reception area was decorated with beakers, test tubes, old science and history books and other science things that I don’t remember from chemistry class! I loved photographing them. What a unique way to decorate a wedding. I loved all the little touches representing both their passions and personalities that they thought to include.
Stephanie’s dress fit her like a glove. She looked so glamorous when everything finally came together. The bridesmaids dressed were all different shades of gold and added a beautiful texture and color to the bridal party line up.
Stephanie’s mother helped her make a few final touches to her bouquet by added her family’s heirloom jewelry. The bridesmaids gathered all around Stephanie to get her looking perfect before she met her groom.
Stephen and his groomsmen dressed handsomely in traditional black suits pinned with white roses dipped in gold glitter. The were all ready to go when they arrived at the venue for the ceremony.
Before the ceremony began, Stepanie opted for a first look with her father who looked so happy to see his beautiful daughter all glammed up and ready to walk down the aisle.
Guests rose from their seats as the bride and her father appeared at the top of the steps. Escorted by her father down the steps of the museum, she met her groom as he beamed at her from the altar. They had a sweet and emotional ceremony. They both wiped away tears as they read their vows to one another. They exchanged rings and kisses and were pronounced husband and wife. They seemed to skip back down the aisle as they made their way outside for the pictures.
Husband and wife ventured around the museum with me as I photographed them enjoying each other’s company in the after ceremony glow.
The new husband and wife rejoined their guests the same way Stephanie had entered the ceremony. Hand in hand they made their way down the stairs to greet their eagerly awaiting family and friends. They held their sweet first dance to Shining Star by The Manhattans. They both looked so happy and relieved to enjoy the party!
Beautiful toasts were made by the maid of honor, best man and the bride’s father. The bride’s father handed a special lock and key to the groom that he held onto for Stephanie for this special day. Details like that special token from her father made this whole day so special.
The guests and newly weds mixed and mingled and shared blesssings and well wishes. When it was time to part for the day, the guests lined up outside of the museum steps with bubbles in hand.
As the guests starting blowing their bubbles and the Wattys ran hand in hand through the bubbles grinning from ear to ear.
And they were off to their Hawaiian honeymoon!
Wishing this awesome couple a life time of happiness!
Makeup and Hair: Foliage Hair Salon and Day Spa
Venue: The International Museum of Art
Cake Artist: My Sister’s Bakery (Mother of the bride: Debbie Strauss)
Wedding Dress: Absolute Bridal (Midland, Texas) | Essence of Australia
Bridesmaid Dresses: Lulu’s Fashion Lounge
Tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse
Catering: Around the World Catering
Officiant: Minister Barbara Perez
I was so thrilled when Krystina and Anthony wanted me to photograph their Hollywood wedding. I’ve known Krystina since my days serving at Houlihans in Columbus, Ga. She was the manager at Houlihans for a while until she moved on to other adventures within the same company. What always stood out to me about Krystina is that she truly lights up the room. She has this wonderful presence and its hard not to have a smile when she is around. Also, she had this amazing pair of lace up boots that I’ll never forget! Ha-ha! She loves Dr. Who, Disney princesses and all things cosplay. She’s a kid at heart and I know Anthony will never have a dull moment with Krystina by his side.
I had not met Anthony before, but had seen the happy pictures of him with Krystina. What I did know about him was that he was a magician and a member of the Magic Castle in Hollywood. I immediately pictured card tricks, top hats and doves flying out of hats! And secretly really hoped all those things would be part of the wedding. 🙂 I was a slightly off with all my preconceived ideas of a magicians wedding. There were no doves or bunnies. When I met Anthony, the first thing I noticed was his huge smile. He was friendly and had a welcoming disposition about him. He also didn’t have a dove in his pocket…I don’t think.
The morning of the wedding, I flew into LAX very early from El Paso and ubered to Krystina and Anthony’s apartment. I waited for the wedding party to get prepped for the day and admired the neighbor’s prized “Sprite tree” in the yard. And by sprite tree, I mean the lady had hybrid lemon limes growing on her tree, but I digress.
We headed to the wedding venue, Wattles Mansion, in Hollywood. The giant house was a beautiful, Spanish style home that sat on top of a hill overlooking downtown Los Angeles. The front of the house was lovely, but the real beauty of the mansion was the stunning backyard. The back side of the mansion was slowly being overtaken by creeping green ivy. Three tiers of brick steps lead up the rose garden on the top level. The symmetry of the place was a photographer’s dream. Tall palm trees lined the aisle and string lights hung from the balcony.
I found, the bride and the bridesmaids had begun hair and make-up in one of the sun filled upstairs rooms. The bride started out the day wearing one of her favorite outfits…her Star Trek uniform. As fun as the Star Trek was, her second outfit change was the real show stopper. Her wedding gift from Anthony was a stunning white floor length Catherine D’Lish gown. The gown was made of delicate sheer white fabric and had long bell sleeves with ostrich feathers embellishing the ends. All you can do in a gown like that is just be fabulous and twirl around the room. Check and check.
Anthony and his son, Luke, arrived and they were dressed and ready to go in their tuxes. Luke was too cute in his mini tux and Anthony was all smiles ready to marry Krystina. As soon as Luke and Anthony arrived, Luke wanted to run upstairs and see Krystina. He gave her a big hug when he found her. Melt!
When the rest of the groomsmen arrived, they met Anthony upstairs. They finished tying bowties, fastening cuff links and buttoning vests. The men shared some whiskey on the rocks as they waited for the ceremony to begin. Even little Luke got a toast in for the big day. (water of course).
Meanwhile, the bride and bridesmaids were having pizza delivered a couple rooms down. The bride loves Anthony, but the side love story of the day here is really pizza. I mean everyone loves pizza. I can’t recall a time where pizza has broken any hearts…Unless you went to get a slice and the box was empty. J
The bridesmaids finished getting ready in their blush pink dresses. And then helped Krystina get her La Soie wedding dress on. The dress was perfect. The sweet heart neckline and the light and airy delicate fabric of the skirt looked stunning and fit her perfectly. The bride’s mother helped zip her up and place the long veil just right.
Shortly before the ceremony the bride’s father stepped in to see his daughter for the first time in her wedding dress. He looked genuinely proud of her and gave her a big hug and kiss before he walked her down the aisle.
The wedding guests had taken their seats and the ceremony was getting started. The bride’s step father, Ellis played and sang some jazz tunes while the guests were being seated. He was definitely a crowd favorite and received much praise at the reception for his talent.
The groom’s father was officiating the ceremony. He and Anthony made their way up the steps to the front of the gardens to wait for Krystina’s entrance. Two by two the wedding party entered and made their way up the steps of the gardens.
When the wedding party was in place, a song was heard from an unknown location. The guests looked around to see who and where the singing was coming from. They found the bride in the second-floor window looking out and singing Can’t Help Falling in Love to Anthony before she walked down the aisle.
Krystina made her way up the steps of the gardens with her father to meet her groom who wiped away tears as he watched his bride join him at the altar. The bride’s father and mother gave her a kiss and took their seats. Anthony’s father proceeded with the ceremony. The couple read their own vows to each other and Anthony had his bride in stitches with laughter.
As Mr. Tigner was about to announce them man and wife we looked to the right of the couple to find one of the groomsmen was fainting! Fortunately, there was a doctor on the guest list and she rushed to his aid. He seemed to be ok and possibly had just over heated from standing in the hot sun. He was a good sport about it and later feigned fainting as the wedding party was announced at the reception.
The ceremony resumed and finally Krystina and Anthony were announced husband and wife!
A delicious dinner was served at the reception as the wedding party was announced and took their seats. Disney theme songs played softly in the background. The bride and groom sat slightly above the guests as they listened to their friends and family make both hilarious and heartfelt toasts to the newlyweds.
After dinner, the party moved into the Mansion where the Tigners shared their first dance as a married couple. They had a blast dancing to Flight of the Conchords and to me, it looked slightly choreographed, but maybe they just got skills like that! They ended the dance with a perfect dip! The bride followed with a sweet dance with her father. And Anthony and his mother kicked it up a notch with an impressive swing dance! Definitely, a talented family on both sides!
Next, it was time to toss that bouquet to the all single ladies. The bride took to the front balcony and tossed it from high above the guests. After a scramble, one lucky lady was the victor. As for the garter, I’d say that Anthony was very polite in removing it from under all those layers of white fabric. The single guys clustered up behind him, but in the end, it was a young man that won the title of garter catcher.
The dance floor opened, the wine flowed and people were having a blast mingling, dancing and taking photos in the photo booth.
Cutting the cake was tragic for Krystina, because she had to destroy her beautiful Dr. Who telephone booth! The pain on her face was visible as she sliced into the blue phone booth. They didn’t hold back in smashing the cake in each other’s faces which always is more fun than being gentle with it!
The party continued into the night. As I was leaving, one of the last images I captured was of the new little family taking a picture together in the photo booth. It was a sweet moment and they seemed to have tuned out the party breifly and just enjoyed the present and their new journey together.
I’m sure that they’ll live happily ever after. Wishing this new couple, a long and happy marriage.
Please enjoy some of my favorite shots of the Tigner’s day.
Venue: Wattles Manison
Cake: Rai Antoinette Cakes
Dress: La Soie
Bridal Shoes: Steve Madden
DJ: Vox DJS
From Las Cruces to Los Angeles.
7 hours before I began shooting this wedding I was in Las Cruces New Mexico photographing another wedding! It was a crazy weekend, but I’m blessed to be able to travel and see new places and do a job that I love. It’s even more special when I get to photograph the wedding of a friend!
This beautiful wedding took place at Wattles Mansion in Beverly Hills and it was absolutely stunning. The grounds of this venue are impeccably groomed and it was the perfect back drop to Krystina and Anthony’s nuptials.
Take a look at these sneak peeks from the Tigner’s wedding.
Way more to come!
Once the photos are complete, you can find the images here.
It’s been a whirlwind week in wedding photography land. From Las Cruces to Los Angeles all in the same weekend!
I photographed Brittany and Jordan’s wedding last Saturday and then 6 hours later I was on a flight to Los Angeles for a wedding the next day. I’m a little behind this week, but I’m excited to share a couple highlights with you from last Saturday’s wedding in Las Cruces, NM.
Once they’re completed, you’ll be able to find the full gallery of photos here.
Jess Jones Photos Blog 