Vanessa La Munequita Ranch Bridal Session | Mission, Texas

When I shared Vanessa and her fiancé John's engagement photos a few months ago, I mentioned how Vanessa had promised to one day hire me for her wedding when she was engaged. Fast forward a few years later and graduation, Vanessa became engaged to her college sweetheart last year and married this summer. As promised, I was hired to photograph the beautiful wedding. Early this summer, I had the pleasure of finally seeing Vanessa in all her bridal glory. 

We decided on La Munequita Ranch as a backdrop for her bridal portraits. A country girl at heart, La Munequita Ranch provided a subtle rustiness to her portraits. We were joined by her mother and maid of honor as well as my momma and baby girl. The best part of this career, I'll say again and again, is being able to stay close to my babies. But I digress...

Vanessa, you looked absolutely beautiful and truly have worn one of my favorite wedding gowns to date. You oozed romantic-ness and look flawless. I hope marriage is treating you well sister!

2014 © Marisol Izaguirre

2014 © Marisol Izaguirre

2014 © Marisol Izaguirre

2014 © Marisol Izaguirre

2014 © Marisol Izaguirre

2014 © Marisol Izaguirre

2014 © Marisol Izaguirre

2014 © Marisol Izaguirre

2014 © Marisol Izaguirre

Beautiful portraits and compliments aside, thank you from the bottom of my heart for choosing me as your photographer Vanessa. You are kind and understanding and it was a pleasure photographing you while I waddled with my big baby belly. I am beyond happy for you and wish you and your husband a beautiful life full of love, happiness, and health. Be blessed my friends!

Location: La Munequita Ranch in Mission, Texas (www.lamunequitaranch.com)

Hair & Make Up: Truly You Makeup Artistry (www.trulyyou.squarespace.com)

Cynthia + Juan Carlos Azteca Ballroom Wedding | Donna, Texas

Cynthia and her sister Alejandra met with me in the early part of 2013 to discuss her summer 2014 wedding. After an early morning conversation, Cynthia and Juan Carlos decided to hire me for their wedding. I was so excited to have earned their trust and business and anxiously awaited their engagement session, Cynthia's bridal session, and wedding day. While it was not the earliest someone had hired me for their wedding date, (someone once hired me two years in advance!!) it did feel like the Ruiz's wedding date would take a while to arrive. We scheduled their engagement session in the early summer of 2013 and Cynthia's bridal's for the spring right before the wedding. It was so difficult having to wait about three months before sharing her bridals! 

Juan Carlos and Cynthia are so genuinely in love with each other. While they seem timid at first, once you gain their trust you meet two incredibly sweet human beings. Both educators, they each worked with me diligently during their sessions, anytime I had questions getting to know them, and on their wedding day. I am so excited they have wed this past summer and I am sure they will be blessed with a healthy, beautiful, and loving marriage. 

Congratulations Cynthia and Juan Carlos. Be blessed in every step of your new journey! Hugs.

Cecilia + Carlos | Guerra's Ballroom Wedding | Elsa, Texas

Cecilia and Carlos were wed on the last day of May this year and I had the pleasure of spending the day documenting their celebration. After their engagement session early in January, I was eager to see what Cecilia had planned for her special day. I knew the theme and direction in which she wanted to take the design elements of her wedding. During many of our consultations, Cecilia and her mom mentioned a few of the details they were eagerly planning. It was awesome to see so many of the ideas she had come to life!

Cecilia had an absolutely beautiful dress, with beautiful long sleeves. She looked every bit the demure bride in it. It looked absolutely appropriate for her beautiful church wedding. Once at the reception venue, I excitedly wandered around the rustic themed dance hall and admired all of the little country details I found. It was absolutely cool and very rustic. 

Carlos and Cecilias love boots, hats and big trucks. Their wedding reception was very much all about their love of the outdoor country lifestyle. It was awesome!

Cecilia and Carlos, it was an honor to document your wedding day. It was lovely to see Carlos so excited as his bride walked towards him down the aisle. Sweet glances and giggles during the ceremony only portrayed how ready they were to be married. So in love, congratulations!!!

Liliana Maternity Session | San Juan, Texas

My friend Liliana and her husband recently welcomed their first baby, a healthy and handsome son, a few weeks ago. Their baby was actually born a mere few days after the birth of my husband and I's son. Lilly, as I have known her over the years, and her husband Erik are have a lovely fairy tale love story. When I first heard about the boy Erik that she was dating a few years ago, he sounded unbelievable. The manner in which she described him was astonishing for us girls wishing for our prince charming. Then we met him; and he was indeed everything Lilly described Erik to be. It was lovely to watch them grow together in their relationship. 

Then they got engaged and eventually married. I had the pleasure of photographing them when I first ventured out into photography. I wanted to practice and they were happy to offer. We spent an afternoon in McAllen photographing them and then they treated me to dinner as a thank you. I was a bridesmaid in their wedding and have very fond memories of the celebration. More importantly, it is an honor to have the pleasure of photographing them once more a few years later as they embark on the journey of parenthood.

I have known Lilly since second grade. Oh so many years later, it is beautiful to see her glowing in there maternal instinct. While baby has since been born, I am honored to share with you a few quick portraits I snapped of them during their recent trip to South Texas in June. 

So happy for you Lilly! Congratulations to you and Erik! 

All my best, 
Marisol