Alyse French Photography | Houston-Based Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer

Emily and Rob…. They’re just plain sweet. The second you meet them, you feel as though you’ve known them forever. It’s weird.. But in the best possible way. :) Two weeks ago I had the honor of documenting Emily and Rob’s wedding day at Ashton Gardens. And although the rain was unlike anything Houston’s seen in a long while, it could not deter this beautiful day from unfolding perfectly in front of 160 of their most loved family and friends. E & R – I hope you enjoy this sneak peek at your wedding day images as much as I enjoyed spending it with you. All my love! XOXO!!

Emily and her girls did some final primping right at Ashton Gardens, which is always so lovely and accommodating. A huge thank you to the AG staff, and namely our coordinator for the day, Katelyn Kohli. Also, check out Em’s phenomenally gorgeous dress below! Pause. Rewind… I am pumped to fiiinally be able to show off some of Emily’s bridal images! E.. Seriously. Look at you!
Pause. Fastforward… Emily’s heart races in preparation for the first look. I think this picture is so sweet. :) Rob completing some finishing touches. I was so thrilled Rob and Emily chose to have a first look! You can read more about why I feel it’s the best decision you can make for your wedding day HERE. And while you’re at it, check out THIS post on creating the perfect wedding day timeline. :) I told you! They’re SWEET!! Take this, rain. Ain’t no thang you can do to stop E & R from bringing it with the cuteness… Thankfully, the bigger drops let up for a bit. And we were able to capture this set that makes me smile with every glance. So this is love… Rob and his team. :) Striking Stems created the most gorgeous bouquets for Em and her girls. And a ceremony by candle light was about to begin! The exchanging of rings. And in case your eye isn’t immediately drawn to him, check out this little man on the right. He was HYSTERICAL during the ceremony. All sorts of cute smiles. :) The kiss. As I always tell my brides and grooms… TAKE YOUR TIME with this kiss. ;) They did. Gahhh. Joy! Some reception details! Sort of stoked about this perspective… The first dance. Followed by all sorts of craziness! And they’re off! As Mr. and Mrs. Keener!!

Happy Friday, friends!!

Making friends with our brides and grooms is definitely one of my favorite perks of the job. We’ve known Michelle and J’Max for about a year now and can testify to their great taste in pizza, friends (clearly..) and each other. ;) Dylan and I were so grateful to be able to capture their long-awaited wedding day on New Year’s Eve and are pretty proud and excited about these images! M & J – We love you. No, really. We love you… And we THANK YOU for the opportunity to document your new beginning. We are pumped to see the life God has for you, together, to unfold. AND, we hope you enjoy this sneak peek!! XOXO!! :)

A little hint of New Year’s Eve decor, and the most gorgeous Vera Wang gown for the most gorgeous bride.

It was love at first sight for these Carlos Santana’s. Every girl loves her sparkle! Michelle… I hope you know how beautiful you are. (Shout out to the lovely ladies of Blush & Co.!) LOVE how simplistic the florals were. Simple makes for lovely. Thanks to FiftyFlowers.com and the bride herself!
Not going to lie.. I kinda want to make this picture on the left my OWN profile picture. ;) Such a sweet and fun group of girls. Thank you for everything, ladies!! The gentlemen were looking extra sharp that day. Also… I could have shot in this light foreverrr. J’Max is by far one of the most personable, friendly guys we know. And I think it shows on the bottom right. :) The groomsmen gifts were definitely befitting for a New Year’s Eve wedding. And waaay dapper. After first shooting the girls and then the guys, it was time for the first look! Michelle and J’Max were actually the couple I wrote about in THIS post on why I believe a first look is the BEST choice a bride and groom can make for their wedding. I’m glad I could convince them. Because it got me this sweet shot. :) Planning for a first look within M and J’s wedding day timeline allowed for the following series of portraits to be shot in natural light. With their ceremony starting at 7:30PM, it was definitely the way to go! Plus, I’m kinda’ giddy about them… I. Cannot. Take. The. Fierceness. AND! Many thanks goes out to POP Video, for being so easy to work with and capturing the fierceness right alongside us! We can’t WAIT to see your marvelous work!! J’Max sure knows how to turn on the GQ-smolder just like THAT. Have I mentioned that I love Crystal Springs? If one thing is true, we did not want for beautiful scenery. Give it up for the most punctual and well-dressed wedding party EVER! ALSO – do you SEE that adorable 2012 top-hat? Michelle went all out. ;) Upon arrival, guests were greeted by the most fabulous display of old clocks alongside M and J’s guestbook. Oh, and I swear I asked Dylan what time it was about three times before realizing I could look in ANY direction and find out for myself. ;) A ribbon backdrop for the altar, and one breath-taking Michelle, flashing us a smile.
The image on the right? I think J’Max was happy or something… ;) My favorite part about a wedding ceremony is right after the vows have been made. No one really celebrates until the pronouncement of “husband and wife” or the kiss… But after those vows? That’s it! You’re MARRIED!!! BAM. This setup… The tables, the chairs, the centerpieces with baby’s breath and clocks and gold-colored ornaments. It was all too perfect. Special thanks to All Star Catering as well. The food was DE-LISH. You know what they say.. Ranunculus are a girl’s best friend. Unless those aren’t ranunculus. :) Guests absolutely ate up these photo booth props. And I assure you, there was glitter everywheeere. Frost Bake Shoppe changed my life with these cupcakes. Tastes like MORE. Time for the first dance. These two spared no fancy-ness with their moves! Also, a big shout out to our DJ friends at Rock N’ Robin. It’s moments like these that validate why I do what I do. You can read the emotion so clearly. Just LOVE these two!!

Happy Friday!! Leave Michelle and J’Max some love and congratulations! :)