the one where Grant + Lexi get married

WEDDINGS

Jan 13

Just look at that ring? HELLO! Wouldn't you have said yes? I mean, come on! That sure is a pretty diamond. LOVE! I'm late to the blogging game, but here's Grant + Lexi's fabulous Catholic Wedding!!! They were married back in January, so I'm about 4 months late blogging these, but I'm committed to blogging more and more each day. And why not start with this fabulous wedding! I love looking back through old blog posts and pictures and realized I didn't blog near enough in 2017, so get ready for it folks! I'm throwing a massive amount of kick ass pictures your way today!!!

A little back story about why I love Grant + Lexi so much. For one, Grant is family. We have a lot of family in these here parts and his dad and my husband are cousins. But that's not why I love them. I love them because we all spent one night in the freezing cold after Steven Hart married Haley Ritchie (also Cooper classmates) talking for a good hour or two. We discussed everything from Religion to money to food, etc. and I quickly realized that these two kids were seriously getting their crap together and taking on the world. And the funny thing about that is, no one thought Grant could do it! I mean, he's super fun and crazy and yes a hard worker, but come on! Grant has LIVED and LIVED and LIVED some more and almost everyone I know has a Grant story or two. And they don't all involve the thought, "getting his crap together". You know? But that night I saw them in a different light and got to know Lexi more as well. She's strong, not the mention beautiful and if anyone can handle crazy loveable Grant, it's her. It's definitely her. (I love you Lexi!)

They were married at Grant's childhood church, Christ the King in Lubbock with the reception at Kitalou Gin. There was so issues the week before due to a priest's funeral and it could have thrown a major hitch in our photography plans, but we worked it out and now looking back? It was no big deal. I mean just look at all the wonderful memories we captured!

There was a moment during the ceremony, when the priest was blessing the couple and Grant just has the most serious expression on his face. He was taking all of this very seriously and was definitely having a conversation with God at that moment. I could literally feel it through my camera. This boy lives hard, loves hard and feels deeply. (I love you Grant! ) It's one of my favorite pictures I've made at a wedding and probably why I didn't blog immediately. Sometimes you like to keep something to yourself because you are worried if you share it with everyone it will get diluted and not be understood. Does that make sense?

Once the celebration moved to Kitkalou, it got LOUD and PROUD. They had a Grand March to kick off the dancing and the party just kept rolling and rolling from there!! I had so much fun making photos with their family and friends!!! Serious Fun! Enjoy this sneak peek and see if you can spot Lexi's gorgeous, expressive momma! She was so much fun and I can see where Lexi gets that witty personality from.

Best wishes to these two humans. I'm so happy for them both!!!

Love Does,
Kristin

the Overton hotel

This is where all the lovely ladies got ready that morning! So much laughter in this room!

See how fun her momma is? HELLO! I kept thinking this lady needs to be on stage.

Even before full face makeup and hair, this bride is gorgeous!

two of my favorite humans in existence. LOVE THEM!!! Katie, facebook tells me, is expecting another baby!

Pretty gorgeous herself…

funny moment that Lexi handled like a champ…hives! She broke out and turned RED all over, but she laughed it off and cooled herself down. Giggled a bit and then it was over. BRAVO!

She had the BEST group of girlfriends! They are the kind of girls that clean up very well, yet, you want with you when there’s a muddy, beer driven, West Texas adventure. I just feel like they could handle anything.

All the pretty ladies!

Gorgeous hair! It held up through a grand march, some crazy dancing AND a sunset portrait session with lots of kissing! Oh, and a veil during a Catholic Mass. BRAVO!

a few tears, lots of laughter and still some are wearing those annoying hair bands on their wrists. (insert red face emoji here)

That lace with momma’s hands…LOVE!

I can’t remember what Ashley said, but it was delivered so well, everyone laughed. See? Just the type of girls you want with you on your wedding day!

Those faces…

no crochet hook was needed or harmed in the buttoning up of this gown.

why hello there cute fella!

Okay, this is black and white, so you can’t see the blood, but who shaves at the church ON THE WEDDING DAY? Well, Bradley, that’s who.

no explanation is necessary.

Grant had all the help he needed. Some good, some not so good. As in the case of Ky, this is his “ride or die” and at times? I’m sure their mommas prayed them through the latter. I love that I knew them both since birth, yet these two? Didn’t know each other until college. AND they grew up just about 2 miles from each other, if that. CRAZY world we live in!

Guys, check everything before heading down the altar. Talk about embarrassing. You don’t want a priest pointing out a zipper EVER.

How’s it going handsome?

Lexi and Grant opted for a “first look”. Some serious nerves were flying, let me tell you! And they each had written a letter to each other. Super cool! I loved this time they spent together.

His face means business. I wonder if he’s thinking…I shall not cry. I shall not cry.

It was at this moment that these two realized the front row had no room for the groom’s. I think Grant went over and requested for the guests to move. Funny moment for sure!

I LOVE this moment!!!

They was just so much joy!!!

and what a gorgeous space to get married!!!!

Slide that puppy on, Lexi!!! Slide it on!!!

Check out how serious Grant is?!?! INTENSE!!!

Married and dang proud too!!!

and the bride wore…

back to momma…

Now I would like to say that I didn’t try a cupcake out ahead of time. I’d like to. These were some mighty fine cupcakes. Mighty fine…

Why, hello there Kitalou Chandelier!!!

No rehearsal necessary for this grand entrance. These boys work best in the RAW. LOL

the toasts were great! Just the right amount of love and laughter!

and they played a quick shoe game to let the crowd know a thing or two about them.

Kitalou has a seed barn that works great for food area and for a space to sit and visit without all the madness of the crowd.

But the main gin is the showcase space. Just check out how gorgeous it is!!!!

I need to find out who did that cheese sculpture. HELLO! So cool!

we skipped outside for some sunset pictures in that pretty light. I love how relaxed these two were! And hello! Kissing galore! They were both pretty reserved during the wedding kiss and during other parts of the day. But get them alone and it’s LIP LOCK TIME!!!

gotta get a picture of the cake! In this business, we photogs call this the “cake hole” shot. LOVE IT!

It takes a while to get the crowd organized and together, but once you do and the Grand March proceeds, it’s AWESOME!!!

I love how eager everyone was to celebrate with this couple!!!!

You have to have a Grand March Navigator. It’s like landing airplanes on an airstrip.

The march ends with the couple in the middle and everyone gathered in a circle around them. They then start their first dance and it’s such a great way to move into that! So much LOVE in this space!!!

I LOVE this picture of Lexi and her Daddy. He looks so proud!!!

Same with this one…

and then? THE PARTY really got started!!!

DJ brought some lights to this party…

and white boys can dance!!!!

and white mommas can as well!

Did someone say bouquet?

Okay, it was loud. And I was confused. But there’s a tradition they do in Canyon where if you find the Zima/Wine cooler, you must DRINK IT. Well, look what Grant found under Lexi’s gown! LOL