Stella began her day with mimosas and makeup with the artists at On Stage here in Beaumont:

A Beaumont native with many ties in the community, Stella works in the medical community in Baltimore and had friends and family from all over the US in town to see how “we do weddings in Beaumont, Texas!” – and yes, we do weddings right

While Stella and her girls hopped into their chartered bus to ride over to Wesley, Brian began getting ready at the Holiday Inn Atrium before going to the church – Marius was on the scene as Brian adjusted his son’s tie:

Something old, something new…

Stella’s bridesmaids see to her looking amazing as she steps into her dress:

They exchange gifts and after opening her Tiffany gift, she reads his wedding day love letter – “I can smell his cologne”.

Brian calms nerves by playing a few rounds of his favorite game, backgammon:

…something borrowed, something blue:

At last! After a whirlwind of activity, the moment is here! I love this series of Stella’s dad placing the veil, her excitement, his proudness:

The symphony crescendos as Stella steps into view of her beau:

Yay!   It’s on to the Beaumont Event Center:

Where Heather of Simply Jubilee Events out of Houston had done a spectacular job of creating a gorgeous, elegant, fun atmosphere:

Toasts, a Methuselah bottle of champagne being passed around, cake cutting and dancing to the funky sounds of DysFunkshun Junkshun, an amazing dance band out of Austin:

The reception flew by and around midnight we were treated to a HUGE fireworks display by The Phoenix Design Group out of Houston, a perfect end to a perfect day

The look on their faces says it all, great great day

Venues: (church) Wesley United Methodist Church Beaumont | (reception) The Beaumont Event Center
Wedding Planner: Heather with Simply Jubilee Events
Floral: Bevils
Catering: Bandos
Music: The Symphony of Southeast Texas
Entertainment: DysFunkshun Junkshun
Videography: 31 Films
Fireworks: The Phoenix Design Group
Dress: Janell Berte’ Couture
Veil: Bridal Veils of Ellicott City
Cake: Cakes So Special
Classic Car: Antoine Leblanc

Ginni and Chris were married recently in a gorgeous wedding hosted at Ethridge Farms in Kountze!

Outdoor weddings in Southeast Texas aren’t all that common – we get ~2 weeks of Spring and ~7 minutes of Fall – otherwise it’s either 30 degrees, 110 degrees or raining. Ginni timed this one perfectly. Kind of out in the middle of no-where, Ethridge Farms’ log cabins and pergola is perfect for outdoor rustic weddings and receptions. Enhanced by the fine talents of Lauren, Kathy and Carmen with K&K Designs, Ginni’s wedding was truly one of the more beautiful outdoor weddings I’ve ever attended.

Ginni began bright and early with her girls in the “cabin on blueberry hill”:

Chris and his men were holed up nearby in the suite attached to the barn – great venue

The *cutest* flowergirl and ringbearer:

The excitement is building as the wedding march nears:

The stage is set:

Great day! Wishing you and Chris well in your future together Ginni!

Brittany and Kevin will be getting married next Spring in what’s to be the event of the year at the Beaumont Event Center!

Laid back and cool, we spent the afternoon in and around downtown Beaumont getting some amazing relaxed portraits

It’s going to be a looong summer, fall and winter, waiting for their wedding – worth the wait!

Lauren and Chris were married recently in a fun wedding ceremony at FUMC-Nederland. Their engagement photos are just a little South of here, here are just a few of my favorite bridal portraits from our session at the Brown Estate in Orange, the Neches Room in Beaumont and a little extra fun in Crockett Street’s Vain nightclub

Chris “SubTraxz” is a DJ in his spare time and Lauren thought it would be a lot of fun to “borrow” some of his prized possessions and give him a surprise portrait on the groom’s cake table The Crockett Street staff were too nice in letting us use the shadow box area in Vain to take a few fun portraits. Her wedding colors include red, so we set the stage lights to red and had at it – probably not for everyone, but Chris loved it

Wedding photos coming soon!

Toula was married recently in a beautiful wedding ceremony at St Michaels, so I get to post a few of my favorite bridal portraits from in and around Beaumont.

A gorgeous unique wedding dress, Jimmy Choo shoes and a bouquet by the always great Daryl and Co from Houston, Toula looked radiant!

Toula and Mike are honeymooning in the Caribbean, stay tuned for their wedding photos soon!

Jacqueline and Josh were recently married at the First Baptist Church at Bridge City with the reception held at the Sunset Grove Country Club at Orange. I’ve had so many favorite images from that day it took me a while to narrow it down. Check it out and see for yourself.

Here’s what Jacqueline had to say about her special day:

What was your favorite memory of the day?
When Josh and I had our first look. I walked down the church aisle to him with his back turned, met him there as he turned around, and shared in such a joyous exciting moment with him! Then he prayed for us and for the day ahead to go well.

(just a side note! my other two favorite moments were when I went to put on my dress with my mom helping me and we both paused at the same moment just to embrace and thank the Lord for such a memory we have both looked forward to; then with my dad, when I got to dance with him to “The One You Need” by Shane and Shane, my heart was so full having been loved and protected by dad all my life and how he’s pointed me to God.)

Do you have any advice for future brides and grooms on the big day?

My advice is- Remember that “the big day” is a celebration of what you have each chosen to enter into for the rest of your lives! It is wonderful, but don’t obsess over all the details or get upset if little things go awry- it’s more about the marriage than “the big day” anyway. And be sure you’re ready for such a commitment as this where husbands love, lead, protect, and provide, and wives love, respect, appreciate, and respond.

Funniest moment from your wedding day?

Watching Dad Toups and Dad Elliff take solo dance acts down the soul train line when everyone lined up and took turns dancing down the aisle. I think we saw moves that hadn’t been pulled out in awhile! It was so great to see them cut loose!

Would you change anything if you could do it all over again?

I’m tempted to say I would have done a few little things differently, but truly, I think the day was perfect with it’s tiny imperfections. The most important things worked together beautifully! I do wish I would have remembered to unhook the train of my dress while it was hanging up for the pictures.

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

We went to The Royal Cancun of Real Resorts.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

It was absolutely the BEST day of my life! The day I received salvation in Jesus was incredible, and on my wedding day I felt I was seeing fruit of the decision to follow Christ, as well as the uncommon raising and amazing faith of two families now joined. My cup overflows with joy!!!! So blessed. I am a married woman! Hallelujah!! The Lord is faithful- Answering so many many prayers Josh and I prayed before we even knew each other and how we saved ourselves for one another

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Venue: First Baptist Church – Bridge City, TX
Wedding Reception: Sunset Grove Country Club – Orange, TX
DJ: Jonathan Martin

We began by Rice University and the fountains, strolled over to the Museum of Fine Art, then down to Hermann Park – gorgeous light and they were especially comfortable once we met our banjo-playing pan handler

A quick stroll over to a little more comfy spot

Beautiful day!

Wedding photos soon!

Valerie and Nathan were married recently in a gorgeous ceremony and reception at First United Methodist Church Beaumont and the Julie Rogers Theater!

Getting the required mani-pedi at a local nail salon began our day – swarms of staff buffed and shined until it was time to head to the church

Valerie and Nathan take a few moments before the whirlwind begins – this hand-holding around the door gave them peace and still allowed them to not see each other prior to the ceremony

Yay!

We’re on to Julie Rogers Theater, where Stephanie from La Belle Fleur has the upstairs and downstairs looking amazing!

Valerie begins the reception dancing with her newly-minted husband and her dad. The Still Cruisin Band played and sang the night away!

This kid can dance!

Some great cake was shared, then it was off to Happily Ever After!

Venue: First United Methodist Church – Beaumont
Wedding Reception: The Julie Rogers Theater – Beaumont
Floral and Decor: La Belle Fleur Wedding Designs and Events
Catering: Beaumont Catering Company
Cake: Debbie’s Delights
Entertainment: Still Cruising Band

We started the day with something subdued. We were trying to locate her inner diva!

And indeed we found it. As we started to feel the groove. Her inner Sassyness started to show too! Yup, Sassy with a capital S and exclamation point.

Midway through the session she brought along her dog, Annie. I loved how Annie was so into the whole bridal session. She gamely posed with Jacqueline without any reservations. As we were about to move on, as if on cue, she started playing with Jacqueline. That was precious, I just had to photograph that. This right here, is that moment.

If you’ll notice, it’s not so obvious that Jacqueline was having fun, no?! She was such a joy to photograph. I was totally pumped to photograph her big day. And I was not disappointed. I can’t wait to share those images with you next time.

We end the day with the “bridal leap”! I can’t reiterate how fun it was to photograph Jacqueline. Despite the windy cold weather she still managed to smile and actually enjoy the session.

Stella was married recently, so I get to post a few of my favorite bridal portraits from in and around Beaumont.

Although living and working in the medical field in Baltimore, Stella grew up in Beaumont and her family still lives and plays in the local community. We began the day with photos next to her childhood home, the Mildred Building at Calder and 11th:

Before moving on to some of our other ornate locations around the city

For someone who works with a stethoscope around her neck all day, she could have a career in modeling too – she makes me look good

The last few are a series that shows more of Stella’s personality. Her wedding was just too fun, I can’t wait to show you more from then!

More from her gorgeous wedding at Wesley United Methodist Church and reception at the Beaumont Event Center soon!