Nadya + Alex The Hoffman Ranch Wedding | Castroville, Texas

Marisol Roten May 10, 2016

Last summer I photographed one of the sweetest couples I have come across in my wedding photography career. Nadia and Alex met in Texas and planned a wedding in a city that would bring their families from California and Ohio together to celebrate. Their San Antonio wedding was an absolute joy to be a part of and took me to The Hoffman Ranch in Castroville, Texas, a short drive out of the city of San Antonio, for their reception.

The drive to the reception ranch, the first time I actually rode with a bride and groom and their bridal party, was a lot of fun. I think aside from one groomsman, I was the only Texan in the bus along with the driver! I heard people say things like, "Look! It's a cow!" and "Is that a sheep or a goat?" as we drove through the country roads of Texas.

Nadia is such a sweetheart and made an absolutely beautiful bride. More importantly, she simply exudes kindness and love. It's easy to see how Alex fell in love. The two of them are so sweet together and I wish them nothing but the best in marriage as they near their first anniversary this summer.

Thank you Nadia and Alex for hiring me to document such a joyous occasion and for making me feel part of your family on your wedding day.

Jimena + Randy Hidalgo Pumphouse Engagement | Hidalgo, Texas

Marisol Roten May 9, 2016

Last month I attended my first wedding as a guest. Jimena and Randy were married after a few years of dating and I couldn't be more honored to have shared in their celebration. A few months after they became engaged, I photographed their engagement session back in the fall of 2015. I have known Jimena for quite a few years now so it has been really nice to see her as she entered college, photograph her as she graduated nursing school, and see her marry her soulmate. Congrats Randy!

Hugs and congratulations to you both Jimena and Randy. I am delighted to have shared in your celebration of marriage as a guest and had an amazing time enjoying the wedding. Best wishes and all the blessings in the world for a long, healthy, and loving marriage.

Elizabeth + Noel Hidalgo Pumphouse Engagement | Hidalgo, Texas

Marisol Roten March 29, 2016

I think I was 20 when I met Elizabeth. She was a few years younger than I and we had some mutual friends. I recall she was wearing bright red lipstick and rocking some winged black eyeliner. She, I later learned, wondered if my Louis Vuitton hand bag was a knock-off or authentic. We smiled and said hello after being introduced to each other and went about our separate ways. A few weeks later, our mutual friend suggested I help Elizabeth with some runway walking and communication skills for an upcoming pageant she'd be participating in. It was only suggested I help because I had previous experience and while I hesitated at first, I thankfully agreed because our late night walking in heels session turned into a long and lovely friendship.

It should be noted that, yes, my LV handbag was authentic, and, more importantly, that Elizabeth went on to win that and many, many more pageants. Our friendship also blossomed. The two of us are very different from one another. I am timid and quiet. Elizabeth draws the attention of those around her naturally. We made an unique blend of personalities for a unique friendship. As we grew older and stepped into new seasons of our lives, the underlying basis of our friendship never ended. Elizabeth has traveled the world, gained many awards and recognitions, and still she always came back, remembered me and made time for tacos!

Anyway, Elizabeth became engaged to her longtime boyfriend a while back and when she called me last year to say she finally had a wedding date, I was both elated and disappointed. She was calling to let me know of her upcoming nuptials date and I was on the other line excited and bummed that I'd have to miss the wedding because I was pregnant. Ha! I would be nine months pregnant and two weeks away from my due date on her wedding date. There was no way I'd be able to fly to her beloved island of Puerto Rico for the celebration. But aside from missing the big day, I was able to be a bridesmaid in theory and share in the celebration by creating some beautiful engagement photographs for them. As a prized pageant winner, previous model, and current television weather anchor, I was honored and humbled that Elizabeth would grant me the honor of taking her and Noel's engagement portraits.

Lizzie, thank you my dear friend! You an Noel (Ibra) make a beautiful couple and I can't wait to see you both flourish in the next season of your lives together.

Elizabeth and Noel have since married and should be celebrating their one month wedding anniversary today. I am terribly sad that I was unable to attend the wedding but I am incredibly happy that one of my best friends has joined the Mrs. club and married the man of her dreams. Congratulations Elizabeth and Noel, all the blessings in the world for you!

Happy Tuesday friends!

Laura Villa de Cortez Bridal Session | Weslaco, Texas

Marisol Roten October 22, 2015

I have meant to share Laura's bridal session months and months ago! She and Paul were married earlier this summer and I can't believe I have not blogged any new material since April. Wow! Well, what better way to get back into the groove of sharing some of my favorite work than sharing with you a beautiful bride.

Laura picked the lovely Villa de Cortez Ballroom in Weslaco, Texas as the location for her bridal session. The locale worked out perfect in more ways than one. It is a lovely place with an authentic old world charm and, most importantly, it provides both an outdoor and indoor location for photographs. This was very important because the only day and time she was in town for her session was the day South Texas decided to have an amazingly epic thunderstorm. Dark grey skies and bright flashes of thunder kept us indoors and the photographs could not have turned out any better. But enough of my writing, how about some photos.

You are beautiful Laura!

Over the next few days I'll share the images from her wedding day. Thank you Laura!

Have a great day friends!

Nadya + Alex The Hoffman Ranch Wedding | Castroville, Texas

Jimena + Randy Hidalgo Pumphouse Engagement | Hidalgo, Texas

Elizabeth + Noel Hidalgo Pumphouse Engagement | Hidalgo, Texas

Laura Villa de Cortez Bridal Session | Weslaco, Texas

Serving the Dallas, Forth Worth and East Texas Area

Kilgore, Texas | All Photographs © Marisol Izaguirre