Mariel. South Padre Island, Texas

I turned 26 years old this past December and spent my birthday in the most subtle form I could have ever imagined... celebrating the engagement and upcoming wedding of two random people I had never previously met. 

Let me preface.

Succumbing into my late twenties had me tip-toeing around the topic of birthday celebrations. Quite frankly, I did not want to do anything fancy. I wanted to turn a year older and nothing else. So when my sorority sister Sofia suggested traveling to Austin for a road trip I happily agreed. On my birthday, I woke up away from home and subtly began a chilly day as if it was any other day. 

I had lunch and played games all while getting to know two beautiful people who were celebrating their engagement... Sofia introduced me to her best friend Mariel and she and her fiance welcomed me with open arms into their celebration, literally. Only such a sweet couple would remind me how special birthdays at their engagement party... thank you!

I have known Mariel for a short a amount of time now, just a few months actually, but I think I was destined to meet her because she is an absolute gem. Beautiful, intelligent and quite a special lady, Mariel is truly a smile on a rainy day. 

She and Nick, her husband, have just wed this past February and I can finally share with you Mariel's bridal session images. I was not her wedding photographer, I was merely blessed to be a guest. But after having met each other, Mariel opted to hire me for a bridal session. 

Their wedding was an absolute blast and I am delighted to have been allowed to share with them. Mariel, you are gorgeous!!!

We spent a lovely afternoon in January photographing along with the help of Yva, Sofia and Marie's amazing wedding planner Valerie from Bridal Trends Weddings at South Padre Island. We began at the actual wedding day venue, the Namar Event Center, and transitioned into the SPI World Birding Center. Both locations were absolutely beautiful... 

Mariel, the adjective beautiful does you no justice... you are absolutely gorgeous!!!

Mariel, thank you for choosing me to photograph you in the most beautiful gown you'll wear. I am delighted to have met you back in December and, even more-so, to be able to continue to learn about you. You are such a kind, caring and lovely soul trapped inside a petite being. I congratulate you and Nick on your recent nuptials and wish you every happiness in a very blessed marriage! Congratulations again!!!

Xoxo :)

Christina's Bridal Session - Los Fresnos, Texas

Blonde. Icy blue eyes. Height for miles. Photographing Christina is like photographing my very own Barbie doll... she is absolutely gorgeous!!! Christina and Marco's November wedding finally took me to the beautiful and much talked about Inn at Chachalaca Bend in Los Fresnos, Texas. Much to my little heart's content, I had the opportunity to visit the location with Christina and her wedding planner prior to the wedding date and for Christina's bridal session. Yay!

Christina is quiet, subdued and kind. She is also absolutely beautiful. When I say photographing her was like photographing a Barbie doll I mean it. She was up for anything and such a trooper. I think I may have at some point jokingly ask her to jump into the lake for some photos and she actually contemplated it... ha! Okay, so I would never do that to my brides but you get the point.

She made my job so effortlessly easy. 

I, on the other hand, made Yva's job quite hefty... Christina is tall. And, granted most people are taller than me, I needed my little ladder for many of the looks I wanted to achieve. This is where Yva's skills came in hand... she was an amazing assistant throughout the session carrying not only the gear but the ladder as well. {Thanks Yva!}

Christina, as I have previously mentioned, I am delighted that you chose me as your wedding photographer! I can't wait to share your wedding pictures with the world... but for now how about her bridal beauty.

Christina you are beautiful! 

Have a great weekend friends :).

Bridal - Leslie... Harlingen, Texas

Yesterday I photographed an amazing wedding. Trust me, the Kardashian wedding must have been fun but Leslie and Rick's wedding celebration is one I'll definitely remember...

Fast forward a 12 hour day and I awoke extremely exhausted. Hungry and exhausted.

But before I share with you their wedding photos I am excited to {finally!!!} blog Leslie's bridal session. The vows have been said. The cake has been eaten. And the Mr. and Mrs. Zuniga are well on their way to their romantic honeymoon. 

Leslie is an amazingly caring person, a loving individual. She truly embodies the definition of sweet... she is a wonderfully sweet human being. I met her almost a year ago and she has always been so kind and caring towards me. I'm only her photographer so I can only infer how special her loved ones feel around her. 

And guess what, she is absolutely beautiful!!!

I couldn't decide between color or black in white... so I'll share both :) 

My dear friends, I hope you are having an amazingly fun weekend!!! 

Beautiful.

Truly, photographing women in their bridal gowns is one of my favorite perks of the job.  A woman waits her whole life for the moment when her prince charming asks her to marry him. Then she says yes. And a beautiful process begins. Every bride I see, dressed in her beautiful wedding, attire is breathtaking. Every single one. And my brides, my brides are beyond amazingly beautiful! They exude confidence, beauty and, above all, love.

Che l'amore è tutto è tutto cio' che sappiamo dell'amore. 

                                                 - Emily Dickinson 

I hope you are having a fun-filled-extended weekend!!! Be blessed my friends :)

Bridal - Virginia :) Mission, Texas

Wowzers! One of my favorite parts of photographing weddings is definitely seeing the beautiful wedding dresses all of my brides choose to wear... they are a-m-a-z-i-n-g!!! And Virginia is no exception. 

I can finally share with you some of my favorite images from Virginia's bridal session back in May. We headed to the Lomita Chapel in Mission, Texas and I have to admit it has become one of my favorite places to photograph brides over the past year. It is a popular location for many of my beautiful brides and, well, I can certainly see why. 

The little chapel is so quaint and somewhat ethereal. Plus, when you add a beautiful woman in a gorgeous gown, the ambiance definitely screams love... at least in my view it does :)

Virginia and Omar just recently wed and Omar has finally realized Virginia's gown does not include poofy sleeves and a turtleneck... ha ha! So without further ado, I share with you Virginia's Bridals...

As usual, I had a lovely time spending an afternoon with Virginia, her mother and maid of honor. This is also a perk of the job... making new friends :)

Virginia, you are beautiful!!! While Omar and Virginia are in Jamaica on their honeymoon, I invite you to come back tomorrow to view their wedding photos.

Have a good night!

Bridal - Itzel :) Weslaco, Texas

Oh-my-gosh! I have been anxiously waiting to post Itzel's photos from her bridal session back in May. Gosh, I can't believe I actually held out and did not even post a mini-peek. Nothing. Zilch. Nada.

But, alas, Itzel and Nathan have wed and before I share with you their wedding photos, I can FINALLY share Itzel's bridals - wohoooo!!!!

It was a lovely afternoon and I had a great time hanging out with Itzel, her mom, sister and aunt. We literally explored the location as if we were taking a little promenade. It was hot but breezy. Itzel looked every bit the perfect bride in her beautiful wedding gown and not one, but two, beautiful bridal bouquets.  

She is simply stunning. Take a look for yourself...

We were done with her session by this time and Itzel had already taken off jewelry, hairpieces, veil and shoes. She was getting ready to change out of her gown but I noticed how beautiful she looked and just couldn't help snapping a few more. Ultimately, these are my favorites from the entire day. There is just something so relaxing and natural about these...

Itzel, thank you for being a tough bride and making it through the day. I am delighted to have been your photographer and truly enjoyed conversing with the important women in your family. Most importantly, I had so much fun at your wedding yesterday!!! Those photos coming real soon ;)

Have a beautiful and blessed Sunday my friends. Enjoy the day!!!