the one where Payton + Hunter get married in Crossroads, Texas
These two tied the knot at the gorgeous Hill Side Estates over the July 4th weekend. Such a fabulous black tie affair! I realize on the invitation it was “optional” and we all know that I’m not photographing in anything but black, no dress EVER, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy photographing a “black tie affair” and seeing all the gorgeous gowns! It’s like the Academy Awards for a wedding photographer! It truly is. And not that I don’t love this wedding more than any other wedding I’ve photographed, because I don’t. I truly don’t. I just love about ANY wedding I photograph! LOL.
Payton’s mom and dad are long time friends of mine. I should say “ours” as in my family. They raised their family here in Slaton, USA and we’ve watched each other’s kids grow. Their girls attended school with my girls. In fact, Taylor, Payton’s older sister was in her momma’s belly when I got married! Gosh, that’s crazy when I think about it. All of us have even spend Labor Day weekends together riding 4 wheelers in the mountains. SO MUCH FUN! In other words, they are dear to our hearts. And when they asked me to photograph Payton’s wedding, I was so happy. One, because I love weddings, and two, because it’s like we came full circle. I photographed this girl in pigtails, cheer leading skirts, even a prom dress or three. Photographing her wedding was simply the icing on the cake! And what a cake! Just look at it!
The details at this wedding were simply P E R F E C T. From the fantastic florists to the custom dance floor and even down to her sweet fur baby being dressed up and included for the events! This wedding had a definite DREAM TEAM ON BOARD! That’s for sure! Let me grab the list.
PLANNER ONE FAT DOVE
VENUE: THE HILLSIDE ESTATES
FLORIST: BEHOLD FLORAL DESIGN
HMUA: ETOILLY ARTISTRY
DANCE FLOOR & VINYL: INKREDIBLE DANCEFLOORS
MARQUEE LETTERS: ALPHA-LIT DALLAS
VIDEOGRAPHER: 613WEDDINGS
BARTENDING: MOMMAS MEDICINE COCKTAILS
DJ: ADAM MORGAN
BAKERY: BUTTERFLY CAKERY
CATERING: VESTALS CATERING
FIREWORKS: PYROTEXUS
GRAND EXIT VEHICLE: DFW VINTAGE CARS
GUEST TRANSPORTATION: PERMIER OF DALLAS
Just a few of my notes before you really start to scroll.
the moms. STUNNING. Payton’s mom, Hunter’s mom, both looked AMAZEBALLS. It was so much fun seeing them all dressed up and celebrating the night away! One cried much more than the other and I won’t name any names, but see for yourself in the pictures below.
when Dad saw Payton in her gown? That was such a great moment! He waved! He seriously waved! That was a great ice breaker!
when Payton + Hunter had their big exit? SILVER STREAMERS everywhere! Cavendar, the AMAZING florist was handing out the streamer poppers and folks just weren’t sure how to do them and they were stopping at the door in the dark on the way out, asking him for instructions. You know, like “what is this?” “How do we do this?” and he kept repeating in his snarky yet FAB voice, They are drugs, take them and go. I was DYING. Never had an exit quite like this one. We were sooooo WRAPPED up in streamers I couldn’t walk! Crazy fun and crazy hard to make photographs. But I think we pulled it off!
special thanks to Nathan for 2nd shooting with me on this one. He’s always a treat to have on board and it’s fun to have someone to bounce ideas off of and try new things. Plus he’s tall. And we shoot the same gear. And I learn each and every time he’s shooting.
Katie, the planner? She was a smooth operator. This was not an easy day for anyone involved. The heat was intense and a lot of people involved in the wedding party. A dog. Did I mention a DOG? Little ones, and a loud venue for family formals, and she handled it all with grace and helped anyone and everyone that day. If you are in the Dallas area, give her a call. Heck, I think she travels, so give her a call.
custom cocktails are all the RAGE at weddings recently and I’m here for them! Payton + Hunter’s wedding was no exception! Such a fun thing for her guests and this girl knows her audience. Big hit! And of course, folks want to try them all! Along with the custom cocktails, there was some homemade moonshine under a table or two. Don’t ask me how I know, but you are welcome to ask my opinion.
during the ceremony, I tried to stash myself on the stage behind the florals. Wasn’t easy. I shared the space with the videographer, who was the bomb.com to work with! (see you at Brooke’s wedding in January) and I think I made them wiggle a time or two? Gosh! Couldn’t be helped, but golly I gotta work on my cat like ninja skills. They have been suffering as of late. Less wedding cake and more working out needs to be done.
Talk about a funny ceremony. HELLO! I sometimes zone out on words and pay attention to faces and expressions and people. My brain is thinking about composition and moments more than anything and I heard everyone laughing. I really did. I think it had something to do with Payton’s vows? I thought I heard Hunter mention something about keeping the doors shut, as he didn’t want her to run. I just remember LOTS of laughter!
These two were a dream to photograph. I had so much fun with them during their couple’s portrait time. You know that line from Usher about a Freak? Yep. Let’s just say we worked that joke all night long.
When I look back through these images and write this blog post, all I think about is how much joy and laughter there was this day! The way everyone just shared and danced and loved on each other was wonderful to witness and you could feel the love in the room. BRAVO to the two of you for hosting everyone and making everyone feel so welcome. BRAVO!
to see other FABULOUS weddings, CLICK HERE.
to see Payton’s GORGEOUS bridal photos, CLICK HERE.
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My goal is to create memories from the REAL you in love. In love with each other. In love with your life, your family, your friends. I am a Lubbock wedding photographer and I love documenting life + love for kick ass humans. And yes, I travel. I’ve photographed weddings in Jamaica and all over the USA! If you are getting married in Kentucky or California, let me know. My family lives in those states and I’d love an excuse to stay with them for a while.