How do I even start to describe how awesome this experience was? I really have no idea where to even start… First of all, getting to shoot a wedding on Carnival’s biggest and best ship The Magic was one thing. But getting to go on the 8 day cruise and shoot Bride and Groom portraits in Grand Cayman, (the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen) too? I have all of the photos and the memories, and I still have a hard time convincing myself it actually happened. It was spectacular!

I do have to admit… shooting a wedding on a cruise ship is pretty stressful. They normally only give you a couple of hours for the ceremony and reception. So what normally takes 6-10 hours to do, we have to cram into 2. Not to mention, at the end of the ceremony, everyone not sailing had to be escorted back off of the ship, while the crew is letting new guests onto the ship… I do not envy the job of the carnival cruise wedding planners! Crazy stressful! But also, a ton of fun!

Matt and Nikki are such an awesome duo. Throughout the whole process, they were on the ball! I even called Matt one day (pre-cruise) to let him know that we were thinking about bringing my parents along to celebrate my dad’s retirement, and to check to make sure that was alright with them. Not only were they totally cool with it, they called the travel agent and made all of the arrangements for us! Throughout the entire cruise, they were checking in on us to make sure we were doing good, and I’m like, “Guys! This is your wedding/honeymoon! Don’t worry about how we’re doing!”. haha. Just crazy nice people! Oh… and Matt is kinda royalty in Grand Cayman. I’ll explain below…

So remember how I said Matt is kinda like Royalty in Grand Cayman? Well that is because his grandfather is one of the main reasons the Cayman Islands are what they are today. There are roads, monuments, a statue… all named after Thomas William “Willie” Farrington. Our taxi driver took us all over the island showing us different landmarks, houses and buildings where Mr. Farrington had lived or worked. She also took us to some amazing photo spots…

I met up with Bill and Melanie one afternoon at Prather Park in Highland Park to shoot some engagement photos. They brought their pup along too, and he was a handful. I love Weimaraners though, so we had a good time with him! We walked around Prather for a minute before heading to Deep Ellum to finish up. Here is a sneak…
 

Grant and Yasmin got married outside in the Japanese Gardens at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens on a scorching day in June of last year… a day in which I decided to dress in black pants, black shoes and a black long sleeve shirt. Not my smartest moment, I assure you. But other than all of the sweat I inflicted on myself, this was an amazing wedding. Grant and Yasmin are both so much fun to be around that I never really felt like I was working… just hanging out with friends. And I mentioned in their engagement session post that Grant meets no stranger. Well up until this point, Jessica hadn’t met Grant yet and before he got to the gardens I warned her… I said something like, “get ready, because Grant is your new best friend”. Sure enough, Grant rolls in with some groomsmen and before I even get a chance to introduce Jess, he’s giving her a huge hug and introducing himself! Here are some highlights…

So these definitely turned out to be some of my favorite ever bridal portraits. Nicole knows how to work it behind the camera! We started out in the Arts District near the Dallas Museum of Art, and then headed to Arlington Hall to finish up. The lighting and weather could not have been more perfect for this shoot! Check it out…

It’s about time I posted this awesome wedding! So I have 3 words for you… Derek… Cameron… aLoft. How could this be anything but awesome, right? I am a huge aLoft fan, due to the brightly colored walls, exposed brick vintage feel and super helpful staff. Mixed with these 2, holy cow! This wedding was so much fun! Crazy awesome couple, crazy fun bridal party, coolest grooms cake ever, a “Fresh Prince” style best man toast and an exit on a NYC style rickshaw. Too much coolness. (p.s. Cameron is Donovan’s cousin from the last wedding we posted)

This was a fun day for Jessica and me! We got to go back and shoot a wedding at the same place where we said our own “I do’s” just 4 years ago. The memories started to flood back into my mind the minute we pulled up. The look, smell and feel of the Rockwall Wedding Chapel hadn’t changed (with the exception of a paved road in the front). I just wish we would’ve done what these 2 did and had a “First Look” when we got married here. Speaking of which… their first look yielded one of my favorite photos to date…