molly + steven (the wedding)

WHEW!  What a weekend!  I'm incredibly sore from doing my first wedding of the year.  But that's probably because I wouldn't stay off the dance floor!  LOL  The music at the reception was beat enticing and you just couldn't help but shake your booty!

The wedding was held at HPUMC in Dallas right next to the stadium I watched many a games in.  SMU.  My BIL played football there and we went to every game we could.  But I had never been in this church.  

Beatiful.

Scaffolding and all.  Yes.  They informed the bride of the scaffolding the week before.  They are repairing the organ at the church and it was dragging on for weeks, and even though it was supposed to be finished before Molly's wedding, it wasn't.  YIPES.  But because of this, a church that is normally "hands off to photographers", meaning we camp out in the balcony, gave me a bit of freedom to move around and get the best angles to avoid the scaffolding.   It really wasn't hard to avoid after Junior (florist) decorated this place.  HELLO!  Can you say AMAZING?  

Emily Alexander helped me out tremendously during the day and I'm so thankful.  She's posted some of her favorites she took on her facebook page.  Go and check her out.  Mine are up too, as well.  :)

Of course, MORE on the Owen Soper Wedding Gallery.  You will be prompted for a passcode.  It's the bride and groom's last names, lowercase, smushed together.  :)

Special thanks to Ginna McLanahan for keeping things organized and on time.  YOU were AWESOME!

Wedding Day Brunch:  Mattio's 

Bride's Preparations:  Stoneleigh Hotel

Church:  Highland Park United Methodist

Officiant:  Bill Smith

Florist:  Garden Gate (ask for Junior)

Reception:  Brook Hollow Golf Club

Band/DJ:  Bulletproof Bass Band, Brent Boyd

I love this shot of Molly just waiting to put on that dress!

Steven and Molly exchanged gifts ahead of time and he gave her earrings that matched this broach on her dress.  AMAZING!

Molly did not have a Bridal Portrait done ahead of time, but if you get ready just a few minutes early, you can have your "mini-vogue" time and get those shots just fine. 

The flowers were perfect.  This is the flower girl's bouquet.  

and Molly's.  

Walking with her Dad into the church.

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Soper!

After exiting the church, Steven kissed her.  I didn't even have to tell him.  LOVE THAT!

Now for the fabulous reception!

I would so desperately love to tell you that this cake was amazing, but it is Lent and we gave up sweets.

darn

Wonderful dad/daughter dance.  

He's not Jewish and there was no chair, but that didn't stop his Chicago Buddies!  

a moment before leaving

Congratulations you two.  It was simply wonderful.. 

molly + steven (the rehearsal)

Last night was so much fun!  I was so glad to be "back in the game" and enjoying my craft.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE girl's basketball, but I absolutely adore weddings and everything that goes along with them.

After having lunch with friends, (see previous post), I got a quick hug from Brooks

and then checked into my way cool hotel, the aloft, and then, drove to the church.  It was a bit chilly and they sky was grey, but the mood inside?  Just wonderful.  

After spending the evening with Molly and Steven's family and friends, you get a feeling this couple is well loved, well celebrated and just plain good folk.  :)

Stay tuned for more on Monday!  I'm flying out early tomorrow and have plans most of Sunday, so the wedding sneak peek will be a day delayed.

Highland Park First United Methodist Church

YO Steakhouse

old friends

I'm in Dallas this weekend photographing Molly and Stephen's BIG DAY, and my flight was early.  I hate EARLY, but when you get the chance to have lunch with old friends you find on Facebook, it's so worth it!

This is Tami and Krystal.  They used to be "Geralds" and I lived with their family every weekend my freshman year in college.  And then some!  They graciously opened their homes and rooms when my mom moved to California my Senior Year in high school.  

It was so much fun seeing them again and getting caught up!  Next time girls?  MORE TIME!

Love you!!!

Ida Lee's 94!

And we celebrated at Rodney and Barbara's house.  It was great to get together and see Dalton and Kate and spend some time with IdaLee.  We all chipped in, and brought some grub, even though Barbara did most of the work.  :)

Happy Birthday, Ida Lee!  We LOVE you!

Her and the boys.  Devin's dad is on the right.  

Kalyn and IdaLee.

Summer and Ida Lee.

And she blows!