San Antonio Country Club | "Deep In the Heart of Texas"; Rebecca & Scott, Part 1 of 2

Rebecca's dad unashamedly admitted to being an emotional guy in his speech--his description of a young Rebecca sitting in her high chair eating cheerios reminds us how quickly time can pass.  This Father of the Bride is in the same boat as us here at Mason Jar Films--we are always chatting about how the blessing of family relationships seems to blur the passage of time.  That's one of the reasons we love filming your families and capturing your special life events on video.

San Antonio Country Club Wedding Pic 01 father daughter dance

One of my favorite quotes about the value of memories is in an often unread novel--it was said by a character to his dearest friend, “A pleasure is full grown only when it is remembered. .… when you and I met, the meeting was over very shortly, it was nothing. Now it is growing something as we remember it. But still we know very little about it. What it will be when I remember it as I lie down to die, what it makes in me all my days till then - that is the real meeting. The other is only the beginning of it. “ (by C.S. Lewis, from Out Of The Silent Planet)

Rebecca's dad reminded us that each fleeting moment in life can be enjoyed forever as we watch new moments unfold, just as his memories of his baby girl are made even sweeter by his new memories of her as a "very grown up" bride.

San Antonio Country Club Jewish Wedding Pic 02

If you'd like to visit, you can locate the San Antonio Country Club here:

4100 N. New Braunfels Avenue

San Antonio, TX 78209

Event Planner: Betty Parish

Photographer: Catherine Hornberger with Peacock Photography

Catering: San Antonio Country Club

Florist: Trinity Flowers with Danny Cuellar

Reception Entertainment: Matchmaker Band

Officiant: Rabbi Barry Block

Dress: Julian Gold

Cakes: Cathy Young

Invitations: Invitations, etc.

Tuxedos: Heights Tuxedo

Linens/Rentals: Illusions Rentals & Design

Hair: Veronica Hughes

Make up: Jena Massarello-Obregon

Escondido | "God is bringing the hidden to light" Laura & Marcus, Part 1 of 2

The day began grey, cool, and very, very cheerful.  Laura & Marcus brought a lot of the Baylor community together for their wedding--and everyone was so pleased to be celebrating the bride and groom that no one minded pouring rain on the wedding day.  Although the Christian ceremony had been planned for outdoors, the crowd of family members and friends happily snuggled in tight in a gorgeous naturally-lit hall with a cathedral ceiling for the ceremony.  The rain was soft as the ceremony hymns began, as often do most obstacles seem diminished when you're with dear ones and friends.

Marcus, the groom, is so visibly mesmerized with Laura during their first dance--you can easily see his awe at her beauty as he twirls her around the dance floor,  her lace dress swishing.  We truly enjoy moments like these.

Escondido, the location, means "hidden" in Spanish.  Laura and Marcus both love being outdoors, and their family felt it was fitting that, since guests would have to travel from all over the Texas map, they chose a venue for the wedding that is so beautifully tucked away into the Texas Hill Country. Although traveling isn't always easy for an event, everyone agreed that the treasured celebration was worth it.

Marcus' brother, the officiant, pointed out that life can be like that--although we may have to work harder for something that seems hidden, the gem that you will find is worth it.

Escondido Horseshoe Bay Wedding Pic 01 rustic reception

Laura's natural sense of style is evident in the watercolor signs, peonies in coral, blush, and citron, and naturally textured succulents, birch, and "lace" icing on the cake.

Escondido Horseshoe Bay Wedding Pic 23

Visit Escondido:

9090 Farm to Market 2147

Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657

(830) 598-6311

Event Planning and Design: DFW Events

Ceremony and Reception: Escondido

Photography: Taylor Lord

Makeup: Rochelle Rae

Reception Entertainment: Top

Floral: Petal Pushers

Lighting: FILO

Bride's Cake: Cocoa Paloma Desserts

Groom's Cake: Creme de la Cookie

Linens: BBJ

Rentals: Outback Rentals

Ceremony Sound: Groove Labs

Cocktail Musician: Danny Shoemaker

Transportation: R&R Limousine and Bus

Barton Creek Resort | "Now, THAT'S a Tribute" Kristy & David, Part 1 of 2

 Kristy & David's first dance at their wedding was over-the-moon high energy and FUN.   Up til then, the day had been relaxed and low-key----girls getting ready and laughing, family visiting at the Barton Creek bar, and children skipping around.  All of that quietness changed after the ceremony and vows, when everyone hit the dance floor with energy and tons of smiles.  Kristy's colors of pale pinks, creams, and white were a lovely contrast with her bridesmaids in blue and the cool lighting on the dance floor.

Barton Creek Lizze Belle Austin Wedding Video Pic 09 Table Decor

Barton Creek's grand ballroom is fitted with perfect details for an elegant wedding reception--crystal chandeliers, damask wallpaper in blush & gold hues, and gorgeous wainscoting.  The resort is filled with Historic Texas decor, and so the classic feel of the ballroom really set the tone for the punching rhythm jazz tune that David and Kristy chose for their traditional entrance and first dance. 

Barton Creek Lizze Belle Austin Wedding Video Pic 04 First Dance

Kristy and David found a wonderful way to make their first dance even more memorable than most--David's  father played the trumpet to in the original recording of a soulful blues band hit in the 60s.  David's parents have both passed away, and so David & Kristy chose to dance to that song in remembrance of them. As Kristy's father said in his toast, "now, that's a tribute." 

We are also big fans of Kristy's accessory style--- the gorgeous silk ribbon belt with rhinestone accents is a stunning addition to her ivory gown.

Wedding Band Set of Bride's Engagement ring and band plus Groom's wedding ring.

Kristy and David's rings together on the big day.  The bride and groom were so sweet and treated us like visiting dignitaries.  We were honored by their compliments of our work, and even more humbled to watch the way their love for each other and for their families was so evident.  When we post their full film, you'll see hearts so big, it is a wonder that they fit in the Texas borders at all.

Barton Creek Resort & Spa:

8212 Barton Club Dr

Austin, TX 78735

If you're planning on hiring  a wedding planner, Austin photographer, or any other kind of vendor, you'd be working with some upstanding folks if you hired any of the companies listed below. It was a true pleasure working with them.

Ceremony and Reception: Barton Creek

Event Planning: Aimee Villa, Lizze Belle Events

Photography: InTandem

Ceremony Music: Barton Strings

Reception Entertainment: Professor D

Lighting: Ilios

Floral: Bouquets of Austin

Getaway Car: Antique Limousines

Laguna Gloria (AMOA) | "A Perfect Day" Jen & Matt, the full film

You've just watched Jen & Matt's full film.  Matt and Jen are the greatest kind of gushy lovers--they were trembly, tearful, weak in the knees with excitement at their first look--Passionate embrace at their first kiss--Grinning from ear-to-ear with pride during their first dance--Triumphantly leading their second-line parade as they exited the reception.  The visible expression of their heartfelt passion is an example to us all-- to cherish, to delight in each other, and to fully enjoy each moment.

Austin Museum of Art Laguna Gloria Wedding Pic

laguna gloria wedding pic Walking after first look

Jennifer is also a great example of a bride who made sure her husband really enjoyed the wedding day festivities--she let the groomsmen wear trendy sunglasses during their entrance to a rock song at the reception, and she selected a really rockin' band that would keep the party rolling.  She also had the groom's cake made in the shape of their dog.

jen and matt 06

jen and matt 05

Their classic and cool colors of lavender and silver perfectly contrasted with the natural greens and yellows in the landscape.  The Austin Museum of Art is set within the most luscious gardens in Austin, so it was a perfect outdoor setting for this wedding.

laguna gloria amoa wedding pic cowboy

Jen and Matt's friends and family dressed in cowboy chic, an outdoor Austinite wedding tradition.  It wouldn't be a truly formal outdoor affair if cowboys weren't wearing their finest hats, which is one of the reasons we love working in this city. 

laguna gloria wedding pic

By the way, we were so impressed with the casual cool performance of The Argyles.  They are talented and fun people, and we look forward to filming another wedding where they are performing.

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Want to read more about Jen & Matt? If you didn't see our first post after their wedding, you should definitely check it out.

Also, please join us on facebook--we'd love to hear from you.

Ceremony and Reception: AMOA Laguna Gloria  3809 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703

Event Planner: Aimee Villa, Lizze Belle Events

Photographers: The Nichols

Makeup: Maris Malone Calderon

Ceremony Music: Barton Strings

Reception Entertainment: The Argyles

Catering: Primizie

Cakes: Simon Lee Bakery

Floral: Last Petal

Lighting: Ilios

Tent, Generators, and A/C: J Squared and Marquee Tents 

Getaway Vehicle: Antique Limousines of Austin

laguna gloria wedding pic classic car limo exit

Dallas Union Station || The Gift of Another Sister || Ann + Andrew, the full film

The opening shots of this film really highlight the beauty of First United Methodist Church Dallas.  Nestled into the heart of urbanite downtown Dallas,  The bell-filled steeple juts into the skyline with gothic-influenced mini-spires at each corner.   Inside, the green and golden stained glass windows create a warm glow for the golden organ that fills the entire sanctuary. This is where Ann and Andrew chose to have their wedding ceremony.  

While Jones had communicated with the couple before the wedding, I met Ann just as she was putting the finishing touches on her gown and jewelry.   Although she was calm and quiet while she put her earrings on in just the company of her mother, her hilarious personality immediately peeked through as she paraded out into the room where her bridesmaids sat.  They began to cheer as they saw her in her wedding gown for the first time, and Ann, without missing a beat, began to smile and wave like a debutant or queen, graciously greeting each one of them in an imaginary parade right there in the room.  It was so funny.  From that moment I knew that while that night would be emotional (as all weddings are), it would also be an evening filled with humor, kindness,  and the kind of family goofiness that makes kids say "ta-dah!" when they show their parents what they've done.

If you didn't read our post with Ann & Andrew's preview, you need to know how the couple met.  In college, Ann became best friends with Andrew's sister, and everytime Andrew's sister would return home from the dorms she told her brother, "you have to meet my new friend, she is just like you."  What a fairy-tale, to have a best friend become your family member. 

While the night was filled with cheerful toasts, and hilarious dance moves, certain moments really stick out in my mind:

Andrew's brother gave a toast thanking Andrew for bringing Ann into their lives, bringing "the gift of another sister."

Ann and Andrew had a surprise birthday cake for Ann's mom, and had the entire crowd sing happy birthday to her!

Ann's dad not only blessed Andrew as a part of their family, but he told Ann that no one could have ever been a better daughter than what she'd been.

...and that, my dear friends and readers, is why we love making wedding films.  These are the moments of  your life, carefully captured and lovingly pressed for you into an artistic video, so that you can enjoy those looks, the sounds, and the kindest words from your dearest loved ones over and over and over again.

Ann & Andrew, it was truly a treat to watch your family enjoy themselves on such an important day.  Thanks for choosing us as your dallas wedding videographer!

-kourtney amelia

Ceremony: First United Methodist Church, Dallas
Reception: Union Station
Event Planner: Caroline Fair, Caroline Events
Photographer: Lauren Larsen
Reception Entertainment: Professor D
Floral: Garden Gate
Cake: Jackie Spratt
Dress: Stanley Korshak
Lighting: Beyond