San Antonio Super 8 Wedding at Hotel Valencia - Kristen & David

Kristin and David live and work in Washington D.C. and they came on down to have a San Antonio wedding at the Mission San Jose with reception at the Hotel Valencia.  Intimate and celebratory, the event was full of lively friends and familial personalities.

Kristin seemed so relaxed the whole day, due in part to "Whose Wedding is it Anyway" tv personality Tracy French of French Connection Events keeping all the trolleys rolling on time.

Crazy story...

When I received their itinerary, the officiant, whom they were bringing with them, was the Curate, Fr. Samuel Wood, from their church in Washington, the Church of the Ascension and Saint Agnes.

I thought, "I know a 'Sammy Wood' from back at Ole Miss around '95 or '96, but he sings too rousing a gospel rendition of 'Amen' to be Episcopal Clergy. :->

But as coincidence would have it, it was the same old chum.  We hadn't seen one another in about 10 years.  It took an engaged couple out of the nation's capitol searching online for wedding vendors to create the reunion.  Hotty Toddy!

Kristin and David, thanks for finding me.  Enjoy your super 8 wedding preview, and I look forward to showing you more of your wedding video.  Have a happy Valentine's Day!

jones

Heather and Mike, Intro

All the while I was shooting Heather and Mike's wedding in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, I kept wondering, "am I really here?"  It seemed like a dream.  Not just because of the beautiful beach location, but because of all the familiar people.

Heather is the talent behind Eclectic Images in Austin, and she is one amazing photographer...for that reason, it meant alot to be chosen by her to document her wedding to Mike.

I had not Mike before, only read about him in Heather's engagement post, but I gathered that he was going to be the life of the party!  Friendly, loyal, generous...I knew it in a moment.

But it's hard to be the life of the party when surrounded by Heather's friends, many of whom happen to be immensely talented photographers as well.  While Gia Pham was the official photographer, Ashley Garmon, Stacy Sodolak, Jennifer Lindberg, and Diana M. Lott couldn't resist breaking out their cameras.  You can see Gia's official pics here, along with Stacy's pics, Diana's pics, Jennifer's pics, and Ashley's pics.

As you can see, Heather is as fabulous in front of the camera as she is behind it!

Ashley also took some great photos of Gia's adorable daughter Evie.  If you aren't smiling after looking at those, you aren't alive.

Gina from [clink] events performed the ceremony - as a wedding planner, she has the proper licensing just in case the officiant doesn't show up!

Heather put us up in the Playa Palms, and while I wanted to spend the rest of my life in my balcony hammock that overlooked the ocean, the crew was able to rescue me from my cave to go and eat in a cave - yes, this restaurant is built into an underground cavern.

Also enjoyed some Mayan cuisine Saturday before the wedding.  Tasty and cheap!

Heather and Mike, it is truly an honor to be your pick.  Thanks for the love!

jones

Hair and Makeup: Mandy Hernandez
Photography: Gia Pham
Event Planner/Officiant: Gina Whittington

Abbi and Ben, Intro

Abbi and Ben were married at the Palm Valley Lutheran Church in RoundRock and had their reception at the Coupland Dance Hall, giving their friends from Princeton quite the taste of rural Texas.  But I felt like a city slicker as well, almost getting lost while riding with photographer/portrait artist Gabriel Alonso back to Austin. 

But it was all meant to be.

Abbi caught me right before Christmas to see if I was available for her wedding less than one month away.  She is friends with Brooke and James, and after seeing their preview, she knew that she had make the call.  Fortunately, my calendar was blank!  My life would be less.

Happy Valentine's Day Abbi and Ben.  Enjoy your preview!  I look forward to showing you more.

jones

Mason Jar Featured on Wedding Bee

Many of you brides know about the website Weddingbee.  It's such a great resource for inspiration by brides who are in the process of planning their weddings.  Such a unique approach!

Weddingbee has found another way to pile on the inspiration with Weddingbee Pro - they've taken professional vendors and made them contributors.

Filmmaking contributor (and friend of the Mason Jar) William Gaff of Humanstoryfilms featured me today, so check out the write up by clicking HERE!

jones

Morgan and Dustin, Intro

My couples are awesome...and so great looking - it's a wonder I don't turn all these little snippets into commercials - my couples could sell anything!

Meet Morgan and Dustin.  They've been together for quite a few years and made it official at the Smith Family Chapel in Austin with reception following at The Mansion at Judges Hill.

There's something about couples from Waco - they know how to throw a party.  Morgan picked The Pictures to entertain their guests, and believe me when I say this - they can cover more bands sounding just like the originals than anybody in town.  Michael Jackson - check.  Rick Springfield - check.  Journey - check.  Let me just put down my camera and join in the fun!

Morgan and Dustin, thanks for having us to document your wedding on the windy fall afternoon.  Y'all literally blew us away!

jones