HIDDEN RIVER RANCH, LAMPASAS TEXAS
What a beautiful day it turned out to be. On my way to the wedding, I hit rain and there were ominous clouds. It rained briefly at the venue during the wedding, but it cleared up and we were able to go outside to get a pictures of the bride and groom after the wedding. The day turned out pretty amazing with weather. As photographers, we don’t mind clouds for pictures as they act like a giant soft box like we use in the portrait studio. The first thing I did when I arrived was to take some detail photos of the amazing venue.
The Venue, called Hidden River Ranch in Lampasas, Texas, was probably the best wedding venue I have ever photographed at and been to. I liked it because there was a real chapel for the wedding and then next to it was the Wedding Barn for the reception. The bride and groom were able to stay under cover to and from the wedding. This venue also has the only sweetheart stair case in all of texas, which made for great photos of hanging the bride’s dress for pre-pictures, as well as having them come down the stairs from the balcony when being announced. After taking venue pictures, i concentrated on details of flowers and rings and met up with the wedding coordinator, Tanya Hartsfield.
I got to talk with and meet the Make-up artist before she left and she did a great job on Brittney’s make up, the matron of honor, and the bride’s mom. We began the day with pre pictures of the bride getting ready and the groomsmen. Then, Brittney’s dad came in to see her for a first look at how beautiful she looked in her wedding gown and the grooms mom came in with Edgar and the best man. One thing I loved was that every generation female had used the white Bible as part of their ceremony. So I arranged the veil, rings, Bible, etc. for a picture as a great memory for future generations.
I always love the first look that the dad gives when he sees his beautiful daughter in her wedding dress. This family is close knit and they love the Lord and it shows in their joy for each other.
Before the ceremony, the Bride wanted to see the groom, but did not want the groom to see her. So, we blind folded him and led (and we tested it out so truly he could not see anything past the blind fold) to Brittany. It was beautiful to see the touch of hands, the sweet smiles and to watch the two of them pray together. What a special moment that was for them and us a photographers to see.
The ceremony was beautiful and Pastor Stu Smithson did a great job performing the ceremony. This was the first wedding I have seen where the bride and groom did a unity cross as an alternative to sand and candles. I loved it. I love to capture different angles to see the responses of the attendees besides the close ups of the bride and groom. I still like looking at my own wedding album from many years ago to see who attended our special day. So, capturing a wide angle is also important to me.
Once the ceremony was over, the bride and groom had Pastor Stu Smithson sign the marriage certificate. It’s official!
Due to a brief shower, we took family photos inside the beautiful chapel. After that, we were able to go outside next to the pond and capture the love Brittany and Edgar have for each other.
After the ceremony, the bride, groom, best man, and matron of honor were all announced and came down the curved stairs. Prayer was offered and a true Texas BBQ (which was amazing) was served buffet style. After that Toasts were made and a First Dance. Something that I have seen before and loved was where everyone danced and then the announced that if you have been married so many years to stay on the dance floor. They peeled layers of people away according to their years married until the last couple that was married the longest stayed on the dance floor and took a bow. That was very special and encouraging to others out there that marriage takes work and staying married is worth it.
The bride and groom had a first dance. The bride and her dad danced together and then the groom and his mom had a special dance together. Their dance was a fun dance and had everyone watching (I wish I could dance like that).
The bride’s matron of honor and the groom’s best man both gave great toasts.
The cake was beautiful. I was able to get a piece and taste it and it was delicious.
Next there was a garter toss and a bouquet toss. I loved that the girl who caught the bouquet danced the rest of the night holding the bouquet. It was a beautiful bouquet.
The evening was filled with lots of people dancing to the DJ. They all looked like they had fun. from age 4 to much older. One dance I loved was when they called all the married couples to the dance floor. Then they dismissed people based on the number of years married. The last couple to remain took a bow. It was great to show other couples that marriage is worth fighting for and it takes patience and love and forgiveness.
The night ended with a last dance and the bride and groom exiting to their vehicle to leave with coach t-shirts and jeans and everyone blowing whistles. That is the first time I have seen that and it was fun. No mess to clean up and fun to see everyone blowing whistles to celebrate their marriage. They chose this because he is a coach to students in the Bryan/College station area.
Congratulations the Brittany and Edgar. Thank you for allowing Jordan Ashley Photography to be a part of your special day.
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