FINALLY we are able to share Johnny and Sarah’s wedding! We’ve had a huge portrait and wedding queue lately, but now it is back to sharing time, especially since the blog works today! Remember when I said there would be a new post every day this week? Well…starting today. So check back tomorrow and the next day; same place, same time.
If you’ve been watching our blog for very long, you may have noticed that over the past year we have really been honing in on what we consider to be the most important part of capturing relationships: the feeling behind the moment. And Johnny and Sarah have that feeling for each other. The way that he looks at her in total adoration, the way she pulls him close as if there were no safer arms to be entangled in; their love is completely tangible. The fact that they let us in on their bond was, well, the reason that we love weddings. As trite as that may sound, it is the truth. So when we get images like these from a wedding, I get to feel that new wave of happiness every time. It never fades.
They are finally home.
It was the fourth weekend in October, and the warm oranges, browns, and golds were the perfect backdrop for a day like today. Random cowboys roamed the Fort Worth Stockyards, no doubt flirting with Sarah and all of her bridesmaids without any shame. The day was already starting to take shape.
The candles hung from long birch branches in tall vases, leaving twinkly lights throughout the ceremony in the Lonestar Room. Candles are always a favorite detail of mine. The pumpkins were everywhere, and looked so perfect placed on the uneven bricks of the stockyards with their twisty stems.
Kristen, Sarah’s Matron of Honor, fastens her dress.
Johnny waits for Sarah to come out of hiding. They’ll get to see each other, have a moment of “this is it” excitement, and then we’ll get to get to start their “snuggly” pictures :) Yay!
He turns and sees his almost-wife beaming at him. It is finally happening; they are just an hour away from one of the biggest moments they’ll have as a couple.
THIS is the gorgeous light I was talking about.
There are so many of these that I love that were taken in the streaming sunlight. We’re putting extras on our facebook page.
The breeze came at a really good time.
The feeling is there.
I. Love. This. Her expression is beautiful. Who else can wear their hair down on their wedding day and have it look so amazing?
This was an in-between moment that really struck me. Johnny is reading the card Sarah hid in his jacket pocket, and she’s laughing that he hadn’t found it until now.
Seriously gorgeous. Look at all of their hair and skin. It looks amazing.
This one is another favorite. You can tell why.
The ring-bearer puppy ACTUALLY carried the rings during the ceremony. Being the best behaved and one of the CUTEST puppies of all time, you can see why he was chosen to be in the wedding.
Awwww! I loved these the moment the shutter clicked.
Sweeeeet buddy boy!
Best wedding party picture. These guys were all relaxed, making jokes throughout the afternoon, and having a great time all around. Which is probably why Johnny and Sarah chose them.
I love the casual look of this one. And yes, her shoes are ORANGE. Sarah’s favorite color. Love it.
Taking the walk to the ceremony.
Johnny’s ring is tied to the ring bearer’s collar.
Sarah’s Mom and Grandfather start to walk her down the aisle, and her Mom bites her lip and looks at her only daughter as they take their first steps. I love this moment. It is so much more than our usual down-the-aisle photographs because it is a quick almost-accident. It is the moment that they squeezed hands and that their hearts skipped a beat.
Johnny’s heart was beating pretty hard.
…and the music’s still playing….
Johnny kneels for his vows. Everyone stands up and takes pictures because it is so sweet. He is unabashedly smitten.
After walking out to Barry White, the giddy realization sets in and the tears well up.
I love that the birch branches and candles were also on the tables, along with the pumpkins.
This is my absolute favorite image of the candles. And more pretty details.
Their first dance as husband and wife begins.
Taken in by the moment, Sarah hugs him in the middle of the dance.
Sarah and her Grandfather.
Johnny and his Mom.
Sarah’s Mom gives an amazing toast.
There were some funny comments, too.
I love to catch these when they think no one is watching that closely! Heeheee…my watchful eye is always lurking.
I thought it would be fun to show our process on getting the perfect sparkler heart. They don’t just get it in one try, you know! My fav is the one on the left, although I don’t think it was actually the one we did first.
Here it is up close.
Sarah told me over a year ago that she wasn’t hiring us just because she knew us when Will and I were first a couple, or even because we were friends in high school, but that she truly loved the way we saw things. After I got over my huge ego from hearing that :), it really stuck with me and made me want to capture her wedding in a way that she’d look at her images and remember the way she felt on her first day as Johnny’s wife. Those feelings were real, and it wasn’t just a fairy tale.
Sarah and Johnny, thank you for choosing us as your wedding photographers. Will and I truly loved being a part of your wedding, and we know that you deserve a wonderful and love-filled life together.
by Lauren Aves
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