Alyse French Photography | Houston-Based Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer

Last weekend I had the absolute honor of documenting Laura and Nick’s wedding day. In front of 100 of their closest family and friends, and under the most perfectly overcast sky, the two who’d once met in film class at Texas A&M… The two whose assigned seats were right next to each other. And the two whose six-year-relationship had spanned two cities and multiple dreams come true.. Well? The two promised to love (and like) each other. Forever.

L & N – You two are. the. BEST. Whenever we’ve worked together, I’ve felt in the company of not just clients, but good friends. For that, I say that you are AWESOME, and THANK YOU. :) Thanks also for the sweetest opportunity to capture the most important (and perfectly beautiful) day of your lives. I hope you’re enjoying your honeymoon… And I hope you have Internet access so you can check out your sneak peek!! ;) XOXO!!

I just can’t get enough of the beautiful architecture and surroundings of Ashelynn Manor.

Laura’s gorgeous dress is by Allure Bridals. And the shoes are from BHLDN. (Ahhh!! LOVE.) The Blooming Idea got so creative with all the PERFECT florals. I could almost eat that bouquet… Have you ever seen a more lovely boutonniere? Here’s where I really died and went to Heaven… Laura just so happens to work alongside an INCREDIBLE graphic designer, Julie of Love, Jules Stationery. Julie also handcrafted these ceremony programs. AKA, one of my favorite details ever. Many thanks to Exquisite Reflections for glamming all the girls up! Oh Laura. I LOVE your smile!!
Time to get dressed! All of Laura’s bridesmaids were so awesomely helpful. The groom, Mr. Nick Seeley. Have I mentioned lately how much I love it when couples choose to have a First Look? The resulting timeline eases nerves, slows down the day with some quality one-on-one time, and enables all portraits to be taken BEFORE the ceremony so you’re not scrambling to fit them in during cocktail hour!  This might be my favorite shot of the day. :) They’re just so happy. Gahh, looking. SO. good. Laura, you’re beautiful… Legit. Nick looking all handsome, and wooorkin’ it. Ah, that sweet light. It was a dream… This one on the left? Possible new fave of all time. Just looove you two. :) And I just had to let the bride’s twin sister Julia in on the blog love! We’re shooting HER wedding in March! :) The guys, looking oh-so-dapper. This bride left no detail un-detailed. The guest book was a dictionary in which guests would circle a word that reminded them of marriage and then write their names next to it. Genius. Below, “laughter” is circled. I definitely agree! It was an absolute thrill working alongside my girls at Recollection Vintage Rentals, who made Laura’s vision come to life in so many ways.
Ceremony time. :) And the bride’s mom looking on… A definite favorite part of this ceremony was the SWEETEST reading of I Like You by Sandol Stoddard Warburg. Laura said “I will” about one line into her vows. This moment was captured after the officiant said, “Not yet!!” ;) MARRIED.
The Carriage House, and the getaway car. Most creative idea for wedding favors ever. Delicious cake by Lisa Barcelona Cake Design. And such lovely table numbers. Dancing, as husband and wife. :) Special shout-out to Michelle and Ivan of Grasshopper Productions and Johnny Grams of All Time DJ. You were a pleasure to work with!  And they’re off!

Happy Friday!!

I was in the 7th grade… An awkwardly-tall 13-year-old who won the middle school science fair by creating a topographic “map in a pan.” (Before you begin to question… I promise you I was cooler than I sound.) But she. She was a senior in high school. The most popular and GORGEOUS girl at SSCS, to be precise. She was Lindsay Fields. And she possessed more grace and beauty in her pinky toe than I had in my entire body. Fast forward…

When Lindsay began working at a new company in the heart of NYC, she met Jared – the talk, dark and handsome to her blonde hair and blue eyes. Similar interests brought them together as friends. JUST friends.. But on an evening full of pizza and Role Models, she could feel him staring at her. Lindsay was determined to appear too enamored by one of the worst movies she’d ever seen to notice. But oh, did she notice. And Jared? He kissed her… After which it was agreed: They’d go into this – whatever “this” was – with no expectations. “Nonchalant,” if you will. It didn’t take longer than a week for Lindsay to know… She’d marry that man some day. Fast forward..

It was the 29th of October, 2011. I, Alyse French, shot the wedding of Lindsay Fields. But this time, she wasn’t just a girl five grades ahead of me. She was my friend. And one of the most gorgeous brides I’ve ever seen… The excitement leading up to this day had manifested itself in hundreds of exclamation points in more exchanged emails than I can count. And the excitement OF this day was purely magical. On the 29th of October, 2011, Lindsay Fields became Lindsay Lanzetta. Jared became one of the luckiest men on the planet. And I was reminded, again, how truly grateful I am for this dream-job-come-true.

L & J – Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the confidence and enthusiasm with which you’ve chosen us as your photographers. And thank you for welcoming us with such love and excitement. You are an inspiration in what it means to love wholly. And we hope you enjoy your sneak peek! XOXO!!

Over the year that Lindsay and I emailed back and forth about her wedding day, I formed this vision in my head. Vintage glam. And it totally came to life. Big thanks goes out to my oft-second-shooter/always-friend, Amber Jacoby, for allowing me to be in two places at once. And capturing some sweet photographs. Lindsay’s hair was soo perfect. With many thanks to the ever-fabulous Devon from Riah in NYC. I love this moment. Lindsay, putting on her mother’s ring. :) And in the most beautiful Maggie Sottero dress… I’d swear it was made for her. If you know Lindsay, then you know she is one of the KINDEST, happiest, and smiliest people you will ever meet. I think the picture on the right sums that up. Here she is reading a card from her husband-to-be… Amber was able to shoot the guys while I shot with the girls. Love how stoic Matt (left) and Jared (right) are in these frames. This handsome groom’s wedding ring was once his grandfather’s. Love that his name is now etched right next to the original. Ceremony time. With the cutest flower girls ever, miss Katie, Lina, and Gianna. Have you ever seen a bride so radiant? As I overheard Lindsay telling Jared later that night, “I’m going to remember THAT moment forever.” :)
The beautiful gravity of this day was written all over their faces. Love this shot. After L & J presented gifts to their families, Amber captured these two moments, which get me every time. Married!!! And happier than ever. About a week before the big day, Lindsay emailed me about the ALL-rain forecast in the works. But thankfully, Dolce Seaview has a myriad of covered backdrops with beautiful light. And I like to think this wedding party proves it! Linds… You’re breathtaking. And yes, even during a mid-portrait session makeup touchup! P.S.!! Linds and I worked together to create a KILLER timeline for her wedding day. Complete with 45 minutes of portrait taking! All I can do is smile. :)
Thanks guys. For bearing the cold and the wind. You rocked it like no thaaang. Galloway Florist did an amazing job with Lindsay’s bouquet. Love this perspective from Amber. We then brought the fun inside for a bit. And then right back outside with one of the ten umbrellas Lindsay ordered in the 100%-chance event of rain. :) Also, the shot on the right… I think you two might make the most gorgeous couple on the planet with those smiles. And I’m so not kidding. It would be completely remiss of us not to mention Videoccasions. SO fabulous to work with!
Favorite, favorite. I love, love, love when brides share the details of their day with me ahead of time. When Linds found these adorable mini-chair cardholders, I was completely smitten. Vintage details everywhere! Many thanks to the coordinators and crew at Dolce Seaview, for the impeccable set-up and for making sure we were always taken care of.
DJ entertainment by Premier Entertainment! And cake by Lindsay’s aunt Barb, with Randolph’s Bakery & Fine Confections! It was GORGE. As if the whole day wasn’t emotional enough, these two had to be completely adorable and in love for the WHOLE reception. ;) Jen and Matt, your toasts were fabulous. Clearly… :) The father/daughter dance, to the sweetest doo-wop tune… If I haven’t already said it, Amber and I would like to thank both the Lanzetta and Fields families for being so welcoming and sweet to us. We miss you all already. That goes for you too, Mrs. Lanzetta. Looking all amazing during your mother/son dance… :) Sometimes you don’t mean to catch a moment that literally happens for one solitary split-second… But then you do. And you’re just thankful. Linds dancing with her brother Steven to the song Sister by Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds. It set waterworks in motion for sure. And they danced – and kissed – the night away. :)

Happy Friday! Leave them some love and congratulations!!