Tools!

Love the armor ring!Mini boudoir (for Brad’s eyes only!)Every bride cries, so we had to stage that shot…I believe her. Brad and the guys!The gloves (are just one of the things that) make Amanda beautiful! She’s a vision!She’s started somethin’ with them there eyes!
Amanda and her sis were at one time conjoined, few know!Who let this bridesmaid past security?
They adore one another!  <3
Blessed!Artspace 111
This is for Pete!Remember these commercials?Brad hired artists to sketch guests portraits!A bridal sculpture of foil!Artspace 111
A canopy of light!Catered by…Bendy forks and vintage toast!
Of course he sang to her!They love one another. <3
Happily ever after!  <3
Tools!

“Jessica and I have a proposal for you that is out of the ordinary. We met in Antigua, Guatemala five years ago and we were wondering whether you would be open to the idea of traveling to Antigua with us this Fall in order to do our engagement photos. I know the idea is crazy, but would you be open to the idea? Oh, we are keeping this a secret from our family and friends.
Regards,
James Skinner”

 
So here is my challenge. I am to write a few words here, words to precede these photos, blog post style. Maybe something like “oh, what an incredibly beautiful place.” Or, “thanks to James and Jess for taking me to Antigua, and best wishes in your marriage.” But this won’t do. This has never happened to me before. Thoughts and feelings rest in my heart, but they don’t find their way with words. I’ve wanted to tell anyone who would care to know just every detail about Antigua, one of the most beautiful places on earth. But it’s clear to me now, I will never be able to do it. And more than that, I will never be able to express how blessed I am to know James and Jessica Skinner.

So instead I decided to write keywords, phrases, kind of picture words here. These are impressions I have of beautiful Antigua, and the special times shared with James and Jess that stay with me.  These are treasures to me.

Coffee trees over a balcony
Wooden Shutters opening to a garden
Cobblestone streets and carrying heels
Children extending baskets of beaded jewelry
Vibrant rows of color at sundown
Bonnie walking beside me
Smoky volcano tops
Simon in a hammock
Suzette’s crackly meow
James’ one shot leap over Jess
Rofolfo saying “I love it!”
Baroque door knobs and doorways
Seasoned brussel sprouts and guacamole
A still life of yellow fruit
Bonnie and James both behind me at Reds
Jess’s ‘cute voice’
Blooming rooftops
A personalized coffee recipe
Jake, just Jake
A morning talk with James
A giant casket “too good for photography”
A yellow church, a red rosary
A nacho mountain
An awakened flight home

 
Jess has gorgeous, long brown hair and thoughtful, smart eyes. James is tall, handsome and articulate. Both are academically accomplished and razor sharp. Together they will make a legal team that will be a force to be reckoned with. And such a beautiful bride and groom they made; so comfortable together, happy, and an extraordinary and unique sense of humor shared. They are for keeps. Their wedding ceremony was held at First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, and by glass candlelight (which can be loud when bumped) they made promises to one another. They were surrounded by a wonderful, loving family and many friends. Their wedding colors were perfect, Dallas Cowboys blue and silver (good one Jess.) A beautiful celebration afterwards was held in the tallest skyscraper in downtown Dallas, at City Club. Every detail was perfectly planned by Bricker Bruner. More wedding images will be added soon, but for now here’s a start.

I send heartfelt thanks to James, Jess, Bonnie, Rodolfo, Brook, Dwight, Kristen, Simon, and to the Casenave and Skinner families.

Dear James and Jess, may God bless you both with all that heaven can send – long life, long love, long health, and wonderful friends. And may every happiness be yours together always. You two are the sweetest of the sweet.

This is one of my favorite photos ever ever!

This is sweet Suzette.

This is Simon, the best assistant and traveling friend anyone could have.  He said to me, “no one else will ever see what we just did.”

Rodolfo, Bonnie and Jake, who shared their beautiful home with Simon and I. <3James and Jess are part of the Antigua architecture.  

This was our last night in Guatemala ~ Jess, Simon and me.

The beauty in the middle is my wonderful friend, Brook.  This is my favorite rehearsal dinner photo.
Jess at the Arboretum.

This was after our bridal at the Arboretum ~ Jess, Brook, Kristen and me.

Wedding day!

My wonderful friends.  <3

They began dating in high school, when Stephanie was a junior and Cody was a sophomore.  I don’t know if they knew then that they would spend the rest of their lives together, but I do know that they spent the next seven years showing each other and everyone else just what they are made of.  The commitment they have shown is a kind that is truly amazing to see – solid, strong, determined and on top of that, especially sweet.  It truly is distinct.  Because not only have they honored their commitment to each other, they have honored themselves as individuals, persevering in their personal and educational goals and not taking an easy route.  It couldn’t have been a breeze to push through times of being apart to achieve this, but they did it, and their love for each other stayed strong.  Everyone watched and admired that – and so did Jim and I.  Stephanie attended college at Texas A&M where she earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 2009, and a M.E. in Structural Engineering in 2010.  Cody attended Grayson Community College for two years, earning an Associates Degree, then finished his B.S. in Kinesiology at Texas A&M in 2010.  He will become a Physician Assistant.  Cody is interested in all things outdoors – soccer, tennis, basketball, and is especially interested in healthy eating habits, exercise, and healthy lifestyle.  He is also an Eagle Scout.  In addition to all these things, he looks good in front of a camera.

I saved the very most important thing to tell you about Cody and Stephanie until just now.  It’s just the thing that everyone knows about them.  It’s the thing that comes easily to the minds of those who know them, especially when they think about their very wonderful future ahead.  It’s the thing that makes everyone know that this couple is for keeps and forever.  It is that together, Cody and Stephanie share a very strong faith in Christ.  They love Him very much and it really shows.  He is first in their lives and will be the cornerstone of their marriage, their hearts and remembrances.

Our final assertion:  Cody is cool, and Stephanie is beautiful.  We hope you enjoy the solid evidence of this as shown in the engagement photos we loved shooting.

Kellan and Becky moved to Australia for six months from January through June last year.  They stayed in Sydney with Kellan’s best friend, Alexander Smith.  Alexander was to be a groomsman in the wedding but couldn’t make it to America because of the professional soccer season in Australia, but Alexander’s parents were able to attend and it meant a lot to the couple.  While in Australia, Becky did a lot of online research and found the perfect touches for the wedding.  Kellan’s mom made red and brown pinwheel carousels that gently blew from a stately oak tree that canopied the guests and celebration.  The centerpieces were simple wheat stalks, white hydrangeas and tulips in milk and mason jars.  Casual red buttons on white ribbons flowed from the garden-style bouquets, and I loved the hand-torn, red fabric banners that surrounded the white gazebo, creating a beautiful back drop for the ceremony.

At the reception, twinkle lights and vine entwined hearts filled a big red barn.  For supper, Texas Bar-B-Que and Shiner Bock Beer were a hit.  Outside was a campfire and a table with all the fixins for smores.  Becky’s cake was both simple and elegant – a white button-up dress cake that called for a lot of attention. Kellan’s cake was Texas shaped, of course!  There were lots of cowboys dancing, everyone sang and had a wonderful time, and there were more boots and hats there than a Cavenders store.  Those who know Kellan and Becky well know that their wedding fit them perfectly, and was an ideal reflection of their personalities.

It was a sharing wedding.  Because for sure, everyone felt the love that Kellan and Becky have for each other.  But I think as much, the guests felt the love that Kellan and Becky have for them.