OKAY HERE COMES A FUN *LONG* STORY but hey, life’s a rollercoaster and we’re all here for the ride… right? ;) Let me start by sharing how I know Becca. My high school best friend, Katherine, went to Baylor University. Our senior year of college I decided to visit Katherine at Baylor. Over the years, I would always hear Katherine rave about her Baylor friends and their adventures. So when the time finally came that I visited Baylor, it was like I had known everyone already (from Katherine’s stories) and I finally got to put a face to the names/stories. When I met Becca, I had literally the biggest girl crush on her (lol she knows this). I mean this girl is GORGEOUS and just the SWEETEST SOUL. I remember walking around Downtown Dallas with her and chatting thinking, wooooah. She’s incredible. Meanwhile, I also thought, “wow I want to shoot this girl’s wedding one day” (such a Saige comment LOL). Of course I told Katherine that too and she laughed and said “I hope you do too!!!” *keep in mind at this time Becca was single*
LETS FAST FORWARD A YEAR OR SO… Becca is in a relationship. I am stalking her cute relationship on Instagram and fangirling over it all (again, such a Saige thing to do). I was talking to Katherine about them and she told me how they were gonna get engaged soon. Anyways, chatted with Becca and one convo led to another…. We’re chatting about the ~possibility~ of me photographing her wedding!!! :O but pause. She’s not engaged…. yet. Little does she know she is ABOUT TO BE. Soooooooo I CASUALLY message her (at the time) boyfriend, Ryan, and I’m like HEY so like…. What’s up…. When you proposing? Can I document this moment for y’all?!?! Like… GIMME THE DEETS. YOU GUYS. Ryan and I (with the help of Annie, Becca’s mom), plan out a proposal + engagement shoot weekend in California. Becca had nooooo idea this entire plan was about to unravel in a few short months. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, those plans got altered. California got cancelled but Ryan didn’t let that stop him from proposing to his best friend. He did it in the most intimate way in Texas and all that mattered at the end of the day was that these cuties were ENGAGED!!!!!
Okay so now they’re engaged. What about their engagement shoot?! The pandemic through us in for a loop, especially since this all was happening in the early stages of covid and everything was a learn-as-you-go situation. I am so excited to share what happened next. While the pandemic took a toll on the wedding industry (and travel), those in the community were SO WILLING to help one another. I posted in a Facebook group my dilemma: I have a couple in Texas, I can’t travel there, anyone have any Texas photographer connections that may be willing to help a sister out?! THE WORLD IS SO SMALL. I got connected with Madeline Shae Photography and Madeline SAVED THE DAY. When I connected with her and shared my situation, she was more than willing to help. She associate shot Becca and Ryan’s engagement shoot for me and I edited the images. I was living ~vicariously~ through Madeline and was still able to be a part of Becca and Ryan’s engagement, though it may have looked different.
Now comes their wedding. I basically knew all of Becca’s bridesmaid squad from Baylor. I landed, went straight to their airbnb, and just HUNG OUT! I always try to learn everyone’s names by the end of the wedding day but to know almost everyone’s name BEFORE THE WEDDING was AWESOME. By the end of the weekend it was like I had a new little friend group of amazing women.
Ah, Becca and Ryan …. your wedding was so special. It was all about your relationship, love for one another, commitment to your faith, and your MARRIAGE, not just the wedding. You were prioritizing the RIGHT things. My TWO favorite parts of your wedding day were 1. Your “first touch” and 2. Your CEREMONY. Specifically, your walk down the aisle and your first kiss + exit that followed. YOUR FIRST TOUCH — what a MOMENT. Those photos don’t even do that moment justice. It was a beautiful few moments where you could connect, reflect, and pray. I will forever advocate that moment to my couples because that first touch can be SO POWERFUL. Definitely a great alternative to a “first look” :) Okay I lied I have another moment I absolutely LOVED. Becca’s first look with her dad. This moment left me (AND EVERYONE ELSE) in TEARS. Photos speak louder than words. Just check out those images. Oof. *Goosebumps* ALSOOOO that’s an epic example showcasing the value of having a second shooter there on a wedding day.
I remember Becca telling me how Texas receptions are different. I didn’t really understand what she meant by that. Like, how ‘different’ can a reception be??? SHE WAS NOT KIDDING. TEXAS KNOWS HOW TO PARTY. I have never seen a wedding party so HYPE. I have also never seen so many people dancing WITHOUT A BREAK. Hahahahha I couldn’t believe it. These guys were going ALL NIGHT LONG. Honestly, props to y’all…. I want ALL my weddings to be like this one ;)
