Shooting a bridal portrait session is such an honor!! I get to be one of the very first few people to witness all the beauty and happiness, AND I get to memorialize all the excitement and anticipation in my images! These images of Vanessa, who is GORGEOUS by the way, will live on for just about ever! These images will serve to document her love, her beauty and her family’s legacy. I love my job!!

Who says waking up at 4:00am for a sunrise bridal portrait session can’t be fun? It can!! Even if it means sleeping the last few hours after another event in the venue’s parking lot (Stephanie) or not going to sleep at all (Tina)! We were all up before the crack of dawn to make sure that Vanessa’s bridal session was the absolute best it could be! And besides, the temperature at sunrise is a lot more tolerable than the temperature at sunset in Texas. Right, y’all?

I have to brag a minute on this annual event that Tina organizes called Badges & Bouquets. This year’s wedding giveaway was the sixth annual event. Tina organizes, coordinates, orchestrates, and  oversees all the details and volunteers that make this free wedding possible for a local firefighter, EMT or policeman. This event is currently limited to residents of Bexar and all surrounding, contiguous counties (Atascosa, Kendall, Wilson, Guadalupe, Comal, Medina and Bandera). Tina starts accepting applications January 1st and announces the winners on February 14th. The wedding date is always set somewhere around the anniversary of September 11th.

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Each participating vendor donates something towards the lucky winners’ wedding. It might be the boudoir session, the catering services or even the dress. Everything… I repeat, everything gets donated to the lucky couple. I donated the bridal session and a 16×20 canvas gallery wrap. I am beyond elated to have had the opportunity to continue to participate in the Badges & Bouquets wedding giveaway. All of Tina’s couples are so deserving of this distinction.

Here are a few of my favorite images from Vanessa’s session. This one had “magazine cover” written all over it! I love her playful expression in this image!

This image required us to spill a little water on the floor… before Mary, from Park 31, could catch us. We were not successful, but at least we had the mop ready to clean up our spill.

I love this image of Vanessa from above! No ladder is required at Park 31; there are lots of catwalks!!

Have you ever seen a more relaxed bride than this? Even though we started super early in the day and the session went passed schedule, I just had so much fun photographing Vanessa. She is a stunning, ravishing knockout! Don’t you agree? 

But don’t let Vanessa’s beauty and feminine side confuse you. She’s also tough as nails! She is a firefighter!! 

Here are a few more of my favorite images from the shoot:

Bridal Portrait Session at Park 31, Spring Branch

I will try to list all the great vendors who helped put this event together, but please forgive me if I accidentally omit someone.

Venue: Park 31 
Planner/Coordinator: Tina Humphrey, Diamonds and Dreams
Engagement & Wedding Photographer: Joshua Michael Photography
Boudoir Photographer: Dos Kiwis
Bridal Photographer: Ata-Girl Photography Co.
Wedding Videographer: Mark Thomas Films
Love Story Videographer: Stella Haus Films
Officiant: Rev. Carol Garner
Gown: Celebrations Bridal and Prom
HMUA and Cocktail Hour Entertainment: Pineapple House Platforms
DJ: Future Sounds DJ Service
Decor: Luxe Events
Caterer: Smoke in the Hills BBQ
Wedding Day Bartending Service: Bartender 4 You
Rehearsal Day Bartending Service: SassTass & The Pour Horse, Mobile Bar 
Cake Designer: Cakes & More Bake Shop
Cake Designer: Cakes by Cathy Young
Dinner/Dessert for Rehearsal Night: The Bread Box
Custom Cookies: The Flour Patch
Popcorn Bar: Pinks Popcorn
Reception Flowers: Evember Floral & Event Design
Paper Flowers: Forever Petals
Rental Furniture: Rustic Romance Rentals
Rental Furniture: Cru Vintage Rentals
Stationery Design: Aly Am Paperie Invitations & Gifts

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