Real Deal Wedding: Tonya and Andrew

When I left my house to head to Tonya and Andrew's wedding, it was pouring rain.  In fact, when I arrived at the wedding venue, it was pouring rain.  And when we started with photos, it was pouring rain.  Believe me when I say there were a lot of prayers being sent up for just a 30 minute break in the rain to have the planned outdoor wedding.  While getting ready, Tonya constantly was checking her phone for the most up to date forecast.  

Because of the rain, we had to take all of the pre-wedding photos on the front porch of the lodge.  After seeing how the photos turned out......I'd say it was a blessing in disguise.  The gorgeous lighting natural lighting from the cloud covered sky mixed with the dark wood of the lodge made for the perfect back drop for the most gorgeous bride.  Tonya was simply stunning!

 

It's amazing all the beautiful photos you can get without hardly moving out of a 10x10 area.  By keeping it simple, I fully believe that it left room to capture the raw emotion of the day. 

 

Had we been running all over the beautiful landscape of the venue, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have captured these photos of Tonya and her sister.  They describe their relationship perfectly and show their love and connection with one another. 

 

As luck would have it, prayers were answered, it quit raining!  At the very last minute possible chairs were quickly set up and dried off, it was Wedding Time!

 

Tonya and Andrew are such a beautiful couple.  They have known each other for the majority of their lives and have shared many memories together as friends, and when the time was right they connected on a much deeper level to form a true and lasting love that is guided with God's influence, friendship, laughter, family, and togetherness.

 

Did I mention laughter?  If you can laugh together during your wedding, you've hit the jackpot!

 

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Deal!  AKA - the Real Deal

 

I think I can honestly say that this wedding turned into one of my most favorite weddings of all time.  From the bride and groom, to the wedding party and families, to the photo opportunities.......I don't think I could have asked for more.

 

I'm pretty sure this is photo could be considered.....EPIC!  A special thanks to the entire wedding party, you guys made the day super fun and enjoyable. 

Thank you Tonya and Andrew for asking me to capture your wedding day.  I am honored to have been part of it and I wish you the best of luck and much love in your marriage.

Many blessings,

MW

Venue - Lakeside Cedar Lodge - Cherryvale, Kansas 

Flowers - Cactus Hill Flower Company - Nowata, Oklahoma

Giant Yellow Birds and a Bridal Show

Wow!  What and amazing day!  Cassey (my awesome 2nd shooter and PR Guru) and I had so much fun at the Bartlesville Spring and Bridal Show today.  The Bridal Show was held at the Hilton Garden Inn in historic downtown Bartlesville, Oklahoma.  We met with some adorable brides-to-be and look forward to working with them in the near future!

Here's the slideshow we featured at our booth, to show our photographic voice.

So let's get to the matter of the Giant Yellow Birds...........Cassey and I thought it would be so neat if we dressed alike to look like the perfect "TEAM".  Cassey found these matching shirts and they worked perfectly with our booth's color scheme.  After setting our booth up we hustled to the bathroom to get dressed up for the show.  We thought we looked awesome......and then we saw this photo.  EPIC FAIL! 

Lesson learned......don't pose for a photo with your hand on your hip, if it's going to make you look like you have "Big Bird's" wings.  UGH!

 

Until next time,

MW

Tulsa Wedding: Abby and Brandon

One year ago to the day Abby and Brandon said "I do."  And now they decided to have a beautiful ceremony and renew their vows on their one year anniversary.  Awww!  With close friends and family Abby and Brandon looked into each others eyes and announced their love for each other, again.

With both the ceremony and reception at the beautiful IDL Ballroom in Downtown Tulsa, we had more than enough spots to take photos.

I love the rustic/urban/industrial feel of downtown Tulsa.

Abby and Brandon opted to see each other prior to the wedding.  I actually found a beautiful indoor spot that had plenty of natural light from a whole wall of windows.  (Lovvvvved it!) We decided to take quite a few of the photos there, because it was so stinking cold out!

Such a gorgeous couple!

Thank you so much for including me in your special day!  You are such a wonderful couple with a beautiful family and friends.  We had a great time!

Until next time,

MW

Weddings: Same Day Slideshows

I just love doing same day slideshows for my wonderful couples! 

What's a Same Day Slideshow?

The slideshow is a sneak peek of the wedding day for the wedding party and guest. While guests are eating dinner during the reception, I quickly grab 30-40 of my favorite images of the wedding day and put together a slideshow to be displayed on my laptop.  I love putting together a slideshow because it acts as a conversation piece on the wedding day and encourages guests to have a discussion about the bride and groom.  ex.  Oh my goodness Jessie looked so beautiful on her horse, Terry and Lisa look so much in love....I'm so happy for them!

The results of these conversations are priceless. When guests see the photos displayed the same day, most often they respond by complimenting the newly married couple on how beautiful their day was and/or how lovely they look together. With technology being as quick as it is, the first wedding photos the bride sees are those she's been tagged in Facebook. And let's be real...dancing photos sometimes aren't the best reflection of a beaming bride. I, instead, offer the opportunity for her to see photos the night of her wedding and know everything came together the way it was supposed to.

No, the photos that are in the slideshows aren't edited.  But that's not the most important factor to me.....it's the experience.  Why wait a month to see a preview of your professional photos.....when you can see them the same day they were taken!  Experience!

Below are a few of my same day slideshows that were actually viewed at the receptions......no editing and no changing.  This is what I like to call "Same Day SlideShows in the RAW!"

Lisa and Terry's Same Day Slide Show

Tanna and Ty's Same Day Slideshow

Jessie and Mike's Same Day Slideshow

Until next time,

MW

An Oklahoma Bridle Creek Wedding: Lisa + Terry

One year ago he asked and she said "yes".  Yes!

And now they've said "I do."

Lisa and Terry's wedding was held on a beautiful Oklahoma winter day, a little windy but we found plenty of wind breaks at the beautiful Bridle Creek Resort near Sperry, Oklahoma.

The lodge provided a beautiful country backdrop for this cute couple and their country chic decor.

Lisa and Terry opted to see each other before the wedding and it was perfect!  I love it when my couples choose to see each other prior to the wedding, it allows for such a special moment between the two of them that they will cherish forever.

One of the neatest things I've seen in a long time were Lisa's boots.  She had them painted for her special day.

Lisa looked like a barbie doll, pure perfection.  Hair and makeup were done by Faccia Bella

As I said earlier, it was a very windy day, but we managed to find some wind blocks that turned out to be great!  Love the sun glares!

We also took advantage of the wind and captured this beautiful moment!

Normally, I wouldn't have attempted to take any photos without good natural lighting.  But when there is a sunset this beautiful.......you just don't miss the opportunity.  Directly after the ceremony, we quickly ran outside to catch the beautiful Oklahoma sunset.  Priceless.

Lisa and Terry were one of the most fun and loving couples I've worked with this year.  They were so happily emotional on their special day, but were also ready to party into the night.

The food was catered by Country Inn Catering and the cake was made by Sherry Hinds.

And a wedding just isn't a wedding with out the Father of the Bride doing a lil' Hokey Pokey!

Thank you, Lisa and Terry, for choosing me to photograph your special day.  I can't express how appreciative I am for your beautiful friends and family that helped make the day run so smoothly.  Enjoy your honeymoon in San Antonio and be sure to take lots of pictures to remember it by!

MW

Family Session: The York Family

Our good friends, Stephen and Nancy, got married in Las Vegas a few months ago.  Kyle and I were unable to go due to the upcoming arrival of our perfect little boy, Hayes.........and I do mean perfect!  Many other friends and family joined them in their festivities, however one very important member of the family was unable to attend.

Cowboy!!!!!!

So, when Nancy set an appointment to take new family photos, she asked if we could take a few bridal photos with her and cowboy.  Absolutely!

Cowboy was a great model....most of the time.........well......when we could get his attention.......well.......when he wasn't looking at the great big pasture he could run in..........well......when he wasn't jumping and playing..........well......when he wasn't rolling in the layers of Nancy's dress.......well......good grief!  He's a dog that want's to run and play not take photos!  Of course he did act better then some children and husbands that I've taken photos of!  LOL.

See my point?!?!

Such a beautiful family!

I love capturing raw/natural moments!

Having my studio on our ranch has it's advantages......especially if you're a Texas Longhorns fan.

A few years ago, Nancy and Stephen brought Cheyenne to a rodeo to watch my Cowboy rope.  That night Cheyenne met Rio.  Chey has been in love with this horse ever since and wanted to make sure I got to take a few snapshots of her and Rio.

It made her day when my Cowboy let her take a quick ride!

All smiles from ear to ear with dimples.  That's like adding a cherry on top!

Until next time,

MW