The Wilson wedding in December of 2020 was a sweet day I won’t soon forget! Addison and Leighton tied the know on December 10th, 2020. I admire them for being so laid back and getting married in such a crazy and unpredictable year! Addison and Leighton held their wedding at the Magnolia Grace Ranch in Leonard, Texas. This venue was perfect for them and photographed so beautifully! I love the wooded areas and incredible natural light in the reception hall. The Wilson wedding was intimate, with around 120 of their favorite people in attendance. I truly enjoy photographing intimate wedding days! Their color scheme of rust, olive green and tan was perfect for a winter wedding. They had so many unique and sweet details throughout their wedding day!
Addison and Leighton
The Wilsons met through Addison’s sister and Leighton’s friend. Leighton proposed to Addison in August of 2020 at his parents house with the whole family present. It is always fun to learn about how a couple got engaged! Addison loves to read and spend time with her family, while Leighton enjoys hunting and working out. Addison and Leighton are such a good match for each other! Their favorite thing to do is spend quality time together.
Addison chose a classic, form fitted gown for her wedding day. The silhouette and style of this dress are timeless. Paired with an elegant updo and a pearl necklace, she looked amazing! I think it is really cool when a dress fits a brides personal style so well. I also can’t get enough of the bridesmaids dresses she chose! Rust colored velvet gowns are a great contrast to her white dress. Velvet is a fabric that always photographs well, I love how it reflects light.
I can’t wait for all of my 2021 weddings! Reach out today to inquire about your wedding date for this year and next.
A Dallas bridal photography session at this stunning chapel was a dream come true! The high wooden beams throughout and the floor to ceiling windows are a huge bonus. The windows facing out to the woods really creates a surreal feeling in the chapel. Bringing the best of both worlds, nature and architecture. Soft greens behind a bride creates really pretty contrast in images. The architecture in chapels can really help bring some drama to bridal photography. I am especially fond of getting wide shots where the bride is centered in the shot.
There are so many benefits to booking a bridal session! I really enjoy when a bride wants to shoot her bridal session in the same venue that the wedding will be taking place. Booking a bridal photography session is a blessing to your photographer! They give us the chance to master our settings based on the venue before the wedding. I also really enjoy the consistent loo it brings to all of your wedding day related galleries.
Benefits of a bridal session
Having a bridal session is a great way to really cherish the moments you get to wear your wedding dress! The actual wedding day can go by so quickly, it is worth it to have an entire session dedicated to the dress of your dreams. Many little girls dream of their wedding dress and wonder what it will look like, it just isn’t fair to only wear it on one day. A bridal session can also be a great opportunity for a final hair and makeup trial before the big day. It is so helpful to be able to see the hair and makeup as it appears on camera ahead of time!
Megan and Christian’s Bishop Arts engagement session in Dallas was a total blast! Megan and Christian knew they wanted to shoot in the Bishop Arts District since it was where they had their very first date. I loved this idea and was so stoked to shoot in this eclectic area of Dallas. Megan and Christian are the sweetest couple! They will be getting married in Puerto Rico this June, which sounds absolutely incredible!
why bishop arts is so great for sessions
The Bishop Arts District in Dallas is a unique place! Several streets of fun bars, unique shops and picture perfect sidewalks. This area is booming during the weekend. I would definitely suggest shooting here on weekdays when possible. There are several insta-famous spots in Bishop Arts for photos. We had to shoot at a few of these spots! One of the best known spots in the Bishop Arts District is the “me + you = love” wall. I cannot express how perfect this spot is for engagement photos! This wall is always my go to for a fun loving couple. Especially if they are looking for something that will stand out and screams Dallas.
Nothing can beat the sidewalks in this district, each of the buildings is so picturesque and make for great backdrops without being too distracting. We got lucky with a gorgeous sunset for Megan and Christian’s engagement session, I love how well the sun comes through in this area! Sunsets can be hard to really get the best of in some urban environments, this area allows it to really shine through.
A small detail that I love about shooting in this part of Dallas is the trees lined with twinkle lights on the Main Street. When the sun starts to set and we move into blue hour, they make for the prettiest backdrop in images.
The Flores Fort Worth wedding at Four Eleven wedding Venue was one for the books! I really enjoy shooting at this venue as it is perfect for couples who want a one stop shop for their big day. Four Eleven has space for the ceremony and reception all in one. This venue has a unique vibe that couples and vendors alike fall in love with.
Christopher and Desiree
Christopher and Desiree got engaged in Rome, Italy in December of 2018. Talk about an absolute dream proposal! Desiree had been learning Italian prior to their Italy trip, so Christopher knew this would be a memorable place to ask her to be his forever. Christopher and Desiree had been out sightseeing and after getting a bit carried away wine tasting, headed to a romantic dinner. Christopher had placed coasters on the table that said “Desiree will you marry me!” in Italian! I think their proposal story is just the cutest, what a creative move on Christopher’s part!
Desiree and Christopher love soccer, true crime, Scotch, bowling, breweries and traveling together. I love that they are a couple that shares their passions with each other! This close bond is obvious to everyone around them and makes them such an easy couple to love.
For their wedding day, they chose a color scheme of black and navy with gold accents. Such a unique and stunning combination of colors for their decor! It is fun for me when I get to document a wedding day with so many special details. One of my favorite details from the Flores wedding are Desiree sparkly wedding shoes! These shoes were such a playful touch and not to mention so much more comfortable than traditional heels. I also really loved the embroidered handkerchief with their initials and wedding date.
Desiree and Christopher did a phenomenal job making their wedding day one to remember!
Mrs. Fender’s bridal session took place at Rosewood Mansion at Turtle Creek in Dallas. The Rosewood Mansion is a breathtaking space with incredible floor to ceiling windows, and timeless charm. With a huge variety of areas to take photos, from gorgeous hallways to the outdoor spaces, Mrs. Fender’s bridal session was a photographers dream come true! The mansion was an amazing spot for Sara’s bridal session to take place, she radiates classic beauty and is the sweetest southern belle. With her simple and stunning bridal gown, Sara looked like an old Hollywood movie star in her wedding dress. I couldn’t think of a more fitting venue for Sara’s bridal session and wedding. I have to admit, I felt a little under dressed showing up in my normal photographer attire of leggings and nikes haha!
The proposal
I love learning about my couples and how they got engaged! Sara and Nick’s engagement story is a cute one! Nick proposed to Sara at Branch and Bird in Downtown Fort Worth in late June of 2019. The proposal itself wasn’t a surprise, but the timing of it was! Sara had planned to have a group date night at Bass Hall with her friends, where vendors were to be serving all kinds of unlimited desserts. Nick asked Sara out to get appetizers before her friend date, and when it was just about time for them to leave the restaurant, Nick asked Sara to go check out the views. Branch and Bird is on the 12th floor of Frost Tower in downtown Fort Worth, so there are so great views! Nick then knelt down on one knee and asked the question! Sara said yes, and she told me she knew she would be happy when it happened, but had no idea the extent of the joy that she would feel!
I just love their proposal story, it fits them and you can tell how much they adore each other. I cannot wait to share more about Sara and Nick’s love story when I post their wedding blog soon!
Amanda and I had so much fun together for her Dallas, Texas bridal photography session. Amanda wanted a natural feel for her bridal session. The natural vibes of her bouquet went perfectly with this location. I adore the classic look and feel of her bouquet, the greens and whites couldn’t be more timeless. Amanda looks so incredibly stunning in her wedding gown! A lace bodice and tulle skirt will never go out of style. This style of dress is perfect for brides who want to be able to dance into the night, while feeling comfortable and beautiful.
I could not have been more excited when Amanda decided to bring her dog Brady along to be in some of her bridal photos! He was such a good boy and looked so handsome standing next to his mom in her bridal photos. I am always down to include fur babies in your sessions, just reach out so we can choose a dog friendly location. This spot was ideal to bring Brady along for some photos.
I love learning about my couples and how they met! Amanda and Ryan met by chance on a study abroad trip in South Africa. Amanda describes it as Ryan seeing her from across the room during a pre-trip meeting, and they connected immediately. Fast forward a bit, and Ryan proposed to Amanda at home. Ryan popped the question by writing it out on a letter board and placing the ring on top. This proposal matched their personalities so well and was so sweet!
I will be sharing Amanda’s bridals for a long time! Some of my favorites images from her bridal session are the under the veil shots. I love unique perspectives in my images. I also love the fun spinning photos in Amanda’s gallery, such a whimsical feel with the wooded location. This was one of my favorite Dallas Texas bridal photography sessions.
Jordyn and Joe’s Dallas, Texas summer wedding was an incredibly beautiful day to be a part of! Jordyn and Joe got married at Ashton Gardens Venue in Corinth. Ashton Gardens is the perfect venue for couples who want their ceremony and reception to take place in the same location. I can’t get over how elegant the decorations for this wedding day were. Every little detail of their wedding day was so fun to document.
Jordyn and Joe’s Engagement Story
Jordyn and Joe have been together for five years and Joe proposed in May of 2019 over Memorial Day weekend. Jordyn’s family has a tradition of going to her cousin’s lake house over the holiday weekend. Joe knew this would be the perfect opportunity to pop the question. Jordyn was so surprised and so overjoyed that Joe invited their closest friends and family to be there to celebrate their special moment! She said yes to spending her life with him. I adore hearing my couples engagement stories and learning all about the things that make them the couple that they are together.
Jordyn and Joe are super outdoorsy and both have an artistic side! Jordyn loves watercolor painting and Joe is a talented cinematographer. He even worked on the set of Bachelor in Paradise for two years! I get to meet the coolest and kindest people through my job. Photographing a couple’s biggest day brings me so much joy. I am so glad that Jordyn and Joe chose me to document their wedding day!
I think it’s clear from the photos how in love these two are, and how much fun their wedding day was! Surrounded by their friends in family, these two said “I do”. One of my favorite photos from their day is of Jordyn and Joe running through a tunnel of their bridal party. The expressions on their faces are pure joy!
Jordyn and Joe’s summer Dallas wedding was an incredibly beautiful day to be a part of! Jordyn and Joe got married at Ashton Gardens Venue in Corinth. Ashton Gardens is the perfect venue for couples who want their ceremony and reception to take place in the same location. I can’t get over how elegant the decorations for this wedding day were, every little detail was so fun to document.
Jordyn and Joe have been together for five years and Joe proposed in May of 2019 over Memorial Day weekend. Jordyn’s family has a tradition of going to her cousin’s lake house over the holiday weekend, so Joe knew this would be the perfect opportunity to pop the question. Jordyn was so surprised and so overjoyed that Joe invited their closest friends and family to be there for to celebrate their special moment after she said yes to spending her life with him. I adore hearing my couples engagement stories and learning all about the things that make them the couple that they are together.
Jordyn and Joe are super outdoorsy and both have an artistic side! Jordyn loves watercolor painting and Joe is a talented cinematographer. He even worked on the set of Bachelor in Paradise for two years! I get to meet the coolest and kindest people through my job. Photographing a couple’s biggest day brings me so much joy and I am so glad that Jordyn and Joe chose me to document their wedding day!
I think it’s clear from the photos how in love these two are, and how much fun their wedding day was! Surrounded by their friends in family, these two said “I do”. One of my favorite photos from their day is of Jordyn and Joe running through a tunnel of their bridal party, the expressions on their faces are pure joy!
I have been waiting on pins and needles to share sweet Kenzie’s bridal session. I knew from her adorable personality and love for details that she would pick an amazing dress and have a few extra things to make her bridals super special. I definitely wasn’t disappointed! Her gorgeous, lace, fitted gown from Providence Place fit her like a glove. She also brought along the perfect boho hat and cathedral veil. I added the peacock chair and we were good to go.
The woodsy park complimented her session beautifully and even went perfectly with the theme of her wedding (it was yesterday and utterly gorgeous, I can’t wait to share).
I always recommend bridal sessions to my future brides! I love them! I know it’s more of a southern thing and sometime we don’t always want all the attention on just us but it’s so magical being able to get all dolled up in your gown more than once and feel like a princess.
Here are a few of my favorite photos from the session.
I shot a wedding in Cancun, Mexico. That’s a real thing I get to say now y’all and I never thought it would be possible, to be quite honest with you. It was a real life dream come true and I knew from the second I walked into my hotel room, with the cheesiest smile on my face, that it would be on my blog FOR SURE.
This summer I needed to do something creative. I needed to stretch my wings a little and just shoot for fun. I picked a super cute, super in love couple off of my Facebook newsfeed and there was Cody and Brandon. They were affectionate, romantic, slightly inappropriate but hey, who in love isn’t? We made a little magic together that evening and it’s still one of my favorite sessions.
Not very long after I got a message from Cody asking if I might be interested in shooting their wedding in Mexico. UM, YEAH! Up to this point I avoided anything with travel because of my youngest daughter but she’s a bit older now and daddy can get her to sleep better than I can most nights so I was so on board for this adventure.
Five months later my passport was acquired, bags packed, and I was on my way to Cancun all on my own. I had so many butterflies traveling to another country by myself but hey what’s a little nervousness when you’re on your way to paradise right? I managed to survive the shuttle to the resort and I put that loosely because if you’ve ever experience a shuttle or taxi driver in Mexico then you know that the speed limits are mere suggestions there.
We pulled up to the breathtaking TRS Coral resort and from the second I arrived, I was spoiled and, again, cheesing like a kid on her way to Disneyland for the first time. It was amazing! If you don’t believe me, see below.
I was lucky enough to spend the entire weekend there in a room bigger than my first apartment! The first day I spent half of my time exploring, then eating, and finally laying on the beach working on my tan as you can see here…
The second day was wedding day. I ate a delicious breakfast at one of their many fancy restaurants. Is eating alone on a resort full of couples and families a little weird? Yeah honestly, but I was pretending I was some rich lady getting away from the hubbub of regular life and I was fine. Photo of deliciousness here…
After that it was beach time because I’m dangerously low on Vitamin D, probably. Two short hours later and RAIN! Now normally, when you live in Texas, rain means oh no it’s going to be muddy, humid, and awful all day long. Not in Mexico! It actually rained like three times on wedding day. Once on our way to the ceremony. True story. Everything was fine. You’ll see soon.
After the rain, time for room service and getting myself all pretty for the wedding. I try to look my best for y’all. You’re welcome, lol. No photos of that lunch because it’s really embarrassing how much room service I ordered the entire weekend.
Finally it’s time for the wedding! Prep in the bridal suit then prep in the grooms suite. Golf cart to the ceremony, pause for rain, and here we go. Until you’ve seen a beach with bleach white sand and water so blue it rivals our bluebonnets it’s hard to imagine it. I couldn’t have chosen a better ceremony location. There were crowds of people watching from the water and all along the beach side but it didn’t seem to bother our sweet bride and groom. There was plenty of laughter, tears, and a little making out. It was perfect. Afterwards there was a lively celebration, drinks flowing, and cake smashing of course. All in all, the best day ever mixed with the best vacation ever.
Shooting a destination wedding was on my “Maybe It’ll Happen One Day” Bucket List, right along with LEARN HOW TO SHOOT MANUAL when I got my first camera. Being able to mark it off is a real life dream come true. I can’t thank the new Mr. and Mrs Davis enough for bringing me along on this trip of a lifetime. I wish you two a lifetime of happiness and make out sessions.
I hope this brings so many more wonderful adventurous couples who would love for me to tag along. I’m game if you are!
Here are some of my favorite moments of my first destination wedding in Cancun, Mexico.
Amanda Raylee Photography | Dallas Fort Worth Wedding + Portrait Photographer 