Wedding of Amy and Craig

May 7, 2009 in Events, Weddings | Leave a comment

Amy and Craig – March 2009 – Austin TX

This wedding was recently featured on Style Me Pretty.  Style Me Pretty is one of the best resources for wedding planning, inspiration,  ideas and references for vendors (check out the Little Black Book of wedding vendors, too).   Thanks again to Abby, the site creator and a friend of mine from younger years, for introducing me to the readers of Style Me Pretty.  I visit the site daily to see what’s new.   The Real Weddings posts on the blog are my absolute favorite because they tell a story.  To see my work on Style Me Pretty was a thrill. 

On to Amy and Craig’s wedding…..

Both the outdoor ceremony and reception took place at Starhill Ranch in South Austin.  The ranch consists of several re-stored buildings which have been re-located to the site, including a house for the bride and bridesmaids to relax and get ready, a “saloon” for the groomsmen, a chapel perfect for small weddings, a barber shop which serves as an office for the ranch owners, a large house with a porch overlooking rolling hills where dinner was served and a dance hall with old wooden floors for perfect dancing.  Essentially the wedding took place in a charming little town where everyone knew one another.  As the night wore on guests were outside under string lights enjoying the beautiful night, chatting on the porches of the buildings, ringing the bell in the chapel (a favorite for younger guests) or inside on the dance floor.

Craig wore a beige linen suit and groomsmen wore brown suspenders and boots.  The bride, Amy, is very laid-back – she wore a gorgeous, floor length empire waisted gown with cowboy boots underneath and her hair down and loose with a single flower on one side.  Throughout the day she looked relaxed and absolutely stunning.  I’ve honestly never seen a dress like hers and the jewelry she chose made it even more unique.  The bridesmaids bouquets were bright wildflowers of different shapes and heights and really popped against their blue dresses.

The groom, Craig, is a musician, evident by the amazing Bluegrass band which performed at the reception and had everyone up on their feet, dancing and having a great time.  Dinner tables were decorated with wildflowers in glass cola bottles and a packet of seeds guests could take home and plant in the garden.  In one of the bridal party photos, everyone is holding a glass bottle full of homebrew made by the groom’s family especially for the wedding.  In place of a bride or groom’s cake, guests enjoyed delicate pink and cream cupcakes.

Copyright EverAfter Images, all rights reserved.  All photographs by Heather Wendling, as an assistant for EverAfter Images. 

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Wedding of Don and Zoraida

April 30, 2009 in Weddings | Leave a comment

Don and Zoraida – September 2008 – Austin TX

Don and Zoraida were married on a sunny summer day, perfect for the setting overlooking the lake and Austin’s rolling hills.  A small group of family and friends gathered for an outdoor ceremony, which really took advantage of the beautiful 360 degree views.  Two close friends walked the bride down the aisle, at the start Zoraida’s shoe slipped off and the matron of honor knelt down to attend to the issue.  I just love candid moments like this – especially the huge smile on Zoraida’s face as all eyes were on her.  Her wedding gown was stunning, her hair falling naturally to frame her face. 

Don and Zoraida are completely laid back and chose one of their favorite foods for dinner at the reception – fajitas and of course, at the bar, margaritas made especially for the event.  Don and Zoraida took photos with each guest at their wedding, it was very important to them that each guest was part of the celebration.  After dinner, guests were led from the reception hall to the large deck overlooking the lake for dancing and toasts.  This wedding was intimate and fun and a beautiful celebration of a couple head-over-heels in love. 

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Hayride

April 14, 2009 in Events | Leave a comment

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  I’m so grateful to have a big, loving family who gathers for holidays to share a great meal and laughter and create memories year after year.  My parents house has lots of room for their grandchildren to run around (including our pup Boston) and in the past couple of years Dad has started a tradition of a Thanksgiving Hayride. 

The best part about the hayride, besides the thrill associated with your siblings hanging on for dear life as Dad rolls over bumpy patches, is the opportunity for great, candid photos of family members.  Dad hooks a trailer to the car with four-wheel drive, fills it with hay and we all pile on for a scenic country drive.  Younger hay-ride attendees cuddle up on someones lap, blankets and stories and cups of hot chocolate are shared since it’s usually pretty cold outside and everyone is having a great time. 

No one has fallen out of the trailer yet but anything can happen on a hayride.  In one of the photos below, my sister Tasha is doing “the wave” with cute green mittens on.  Last year, the hayride stopped near some cattle grazing the field.  The cows were curious and came over to see what was going on.  After the hayride resumed the cows began chasing the trailer…..because we were sitting on hay which of course cows love to eat.  Exciting at first, things got really interesting when we realized the hayride was approaching a closed gate and the cows would catch up with us.  

If you’ve never been on a hay-ride, I definitely recommend one or starting a Thanksgiving tradition. 

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Wedding of Valerie and Ryan

March 31, 2009 in Events, Weddings | Leave a comment

Valerie and Ryan - March 2009 - Georgetown, Texas

 The first wedding I shot as an assistant for Ever After Images was held at Angel Springs Ranch in Georgetown.  The venue is great with a large outdoor area covered by oak trees  and surrounded by rolling hills and a reception hall just steps away.  All-in-one venues are completely stress-free for the bride, groom and their families and guests.  The weather was chilly and clouds threatened rain but held off for the outdoor ceremony.  I love overcast skies because they provide perfect light for photographs and clouds add drama and texture to scenes. 

I spent most of time time prior to the ceremony with the groom and groomsmen.  This group was very relaxed and ready for the ceremony to begin well in advance, so there was plenty of time for candid photos and group portraits.  Ryan gave each his friends a beautiful beer glass engraved with their name, of course the glasses found their way into the photos. The colors for the wedding were bright pink and chocolate brown and the sweet fragrance of lilies from the bouquets and decorations filled the air of the reception hall and seating area for the ceremony.  I didn’t catch a glimpse of Valerie until she walked down the aisle with her charming father and couldn’t help but smile – the happiness in her heart shone straight through and she was absolutely beautiful. 

One favorite images from this wedding was taken seconds after Valerie and Ryan walked down the aisle to conclude the ceremony.  Valerie and Ryan are gazing at one another in that sweet, loving, excited way which is a trademark for newlyweds.  Some of my other favorite images are from the dance floor – the bride and groom took many spins and many of the guests were celebrating and dancing the night away.  This wedding was a wonderful celebration – the happiness and love shared by friends and family just filled the air. 

Copyright EverAfter Images, all rights reserved.  All photographs by Heather Wendling, as an assistant for EverAfter Images. 

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Wedding of Joy and Eric

March 10, 2009 in Weddings | Leave a comment

Joy and Eric - April 2004 - Austin, Texas

The bride and groom featured in this post are friends of mine and sweet as pie.  The weather on their wedding day was gorgeous with clear blue skies and cool Spring-time temperatures.  The floral arrangements of pale pink roses and white lilies added a fresh, soft feel to the event. 

Eric’s brother served as Best Man and Joy’s sister was the Matron of  Honor, their thoughtful toasts moved the bride and groom and many of the guests to laughter and tears.  One of my favorite details from the reception was the mini Jeep Wrangler on top of a decadent chocolate Groom’s cake, a small but personal detail since Eric drives a jeep.  I can imagine this couple driving off into the sunset in the jeep, living happily-ever-after! 

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Brady’s 1st Birthday

March 5, 2009 in Birthdays | Leave a comment

Brady’s 1st Birthday Party – June 2008 – Temple TX

Last summer I photographed an incredibly bright and fun birthday party.  Having nine nieces and nephews of my own, I’ve attended many (well, at least 9!) of these occasions and thought I knew what to expect.  As soon as I arrived, I knew this party would be extra special.  Brady’s parents, Rebecca and Clay, thought out all the details and incorporated so many great ideas into the party.  I estimated about 20 or so guests – crawling toddlers, Moms, Dads and neighbors – and I underestimated by at least 50%. 

First – the cake, because a great birthday party starts with the cake, right?  The cake was decorated as a fishbowl and was absolutely adorable.  Rebecca also had cupcakes on-hand which is a great way to ensure everyone gets a little piece of dessert for the celebration.  Clay and some of his best buddies prepared a fish fry and all the fixings for lunch which was served buffet style in the backyard.  Small portable pools were filled with cool water and toys for little swimmers and a huge, inflatable, double-water slide was set-up for the older kids to enjoy. 

The weather, naturally, was hot, hot but the party took place in the backyard which was shaded by large trees.  The house is surrounded by acres of open fields which allowed a nice breeze to keep things surprisingly cool. 

And the guest of honor, Brady?  Had a blast.  He swam, played with toys, was hugged and kissed and cuddled by every one at the party and had a great time opening presents and making a complete mess of his first piece of cake.  The party was a complete success – Happy Birthday Brady!

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I Heart NY

March 5, 2009 in Places | Leave a comment

New York, New York – October 2008

Luke and I were in New York last Fall for my birthday and to visit dear friends of ours.  It was our first trip to the Big Apple so we filled each day with sight-seeing but left plenty of time to relax and soak-in one of the most exciting cities in the world. 

Our first day was spent with friends, walking through Greenwich Village, the Meat Packing District and SOHO and dinner at the Fig and the Olive that evening.  On our first full day, Luke and I visited the Statue of Liberty which is an indescribable site.  We took-in the views at the observation deck of the Empire State building and Rockefeller Center, enjoyed cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery (for breakfast!) then went ice-skating at “30 Rock”, spent an entire day in Central Park including the Met and lunch at Tavern on the Green, went to the theater (twice – amazing), rode the subway including a stop at the bustling Grand Central Station and walked across the Brooklyn bridge. 

New York is truly a special place where anything is possible and the excitement of the city fills the air.  Here are the photos from our adventures in the Manhattan. 

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The Windy City

February 28, 2009 in Places | Leave a comment

Chicago Illinois – January 2008

Last winter, Luke and I spent a long weekend in Chicago.  It doesn’t snow very often in our home in Austin and a huge winter storm hit as soon as our plane landed – over the next 4 days we were in for a lot of snow.  The architecture, parks, lake and skyline of Chicago are breath-taking and with light snow falling from the sky and draping the city in a field of white, it’s even more beautiful. 

We spent our first day in the city with my Aunt Audrey and Uncle Al.  Audrey and Al have lived in Chicago for a lifetime and are the perfect tour guides.  We started out at the Cultural Center to take in the gorgeous Tiffany glass rotunda, walked down Michigan Avenue to spend a few hours at Art Institute and had a lovely lunch together at The Berghoffon West Adams street.  Uncle Al worked at Leo Burnett advertising agency his entire career and dined with colleagues at The Berghoff for years, so it was a real treat for Luke and I to share the experience.  We parted ways, my aunt and uncle back to their home in the suburbs and Luke and I to our dear friends home in the heart of downtown Chicago.

Staying downtown was a luxury, despite the continued snowfall, Luke and I walked everywhere.  We walked through Grant Park to the Field Museum of Natural History,  the Shedd Aquarium, Soldier Field, the Financial District and Board of Trade and Rookery Building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and to the Cloud Gate in Millennium Park.  Luke and I went to our 4th museum in 3 days, the Museum of Science and Industry, with our friends and their young daughter. 

Photos below, starting from top left:

Lunch at The Berghoff, Calder Flamingo Sculpture at the Federal Center Plaza, Sue the T-Rex at the Field, view of the Sears Tower through the snowfall in the Financial District, interior of the Rookery Building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, frozen ice on Lake Michigan and the Lighthouse, a portrait of Luke as we walked through the city in the snow, exterior of the Art Institute of Chicago and snowfall covering the grounds around the Art Institute, Luke and I in the reflection of “The Bean” at Millennium Park and some younger tourists mesmerized by the reflection of the skyline in the sculpture. 

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