The Houstonian Hotel /// #MiAmorMiVida /// Christina + Sudan, the Locket

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Mi Amor, Mi Vida

Christina and Sudan have the kind of relationship that values both adventures and everyday routines -- they're happy whether they are skiing together in the mountains or lounging around watching Netflix. Christina is kind, faithful, and introspective, while Sudan is outgoing, joy-filled, and optimistic. When we asked what they were most looking forward to on their wedding day, they told us, "celebrating with our friends and family." And celebrate they did.

The dance floor at the reception was never empty! Although the energy at this party was absolutely incredible, we have to admit--the moments that touched our hearts the most occurred mostly behind the scenes, with only a few people there to experience them: the quiet moments. One such moment happened when the bridal party had gathered outside the sanctuary, just after the ceremony, cheering and hugging one another. It was then that Sudan proclaimed to everyone how "Tina looked like Cinderella!" Doesn't every girl want to look like a princess on their wedding day?

Enjoy their film! [vimeo]https://vimeo.com/128509335[/vimeo] Musical Soundtrack: Ryan Taubert: "Soul Birds"  and The Echelon Effect: "Your First Light My Eventide" licensed through Musicbed

Their ceremony was held at the Cathedral of St. John in Houston. Christina told us that one of her favorite things about the church is the bell tower and the beautiful music that would be playing from the tower during the day. As candles flickered in the sanctuary before the ceremony, we couldn't help feeling overwhelmed by the beauty of the angular architecture and the wooden beams that glowed gold, drawing our eyes toward heaven during the ceremony.

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The reception took place at the Houstonian Hotel in downtown Houston. As the party gained momentum, guests were given all kinds of hilarious props and hats to celebrate "La Hora Loca" on the dance floor. Between the conga line and the limbo, it was a fun, wonderful time, and no one danced more than the bride and groom. Their joy was so expressive and apparent, manifesting in every smile and in every dance step.

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The Proposal:

Christina shared the sweet story of the proposal with us: "Saturday morning, August 23rd. Sudan and I had his kids (Gabriela and Daniel) that weekend. The kids and Sudan woke up early, as did I. Sudan and I planned to go on a walk, and the kids were allegedly going to ride their bikes. They started off ahead of us. Sudan and I walked hand in hand to the lake in his neighborhood. As we crossed a bridge, he pointed out the turtles in the water below on either side of the bridge. I went side to side, peering over the edge at the turtles. He said, "Mi amor." I turned around. He said, "I don't want it to be hypothetical anymore. Would you marry me?" I screamed "Mi viiiiiiida!!!!" The kids came running out from behind the bushes at the end of the bridge, where they had been hiding and filming the whole thing. A very sweet moment."

Ceremony Venue: The Church of St. John the Divine 2450 River Oaks Boulevard Houston, Texas 77098 Ceremony Coordinator: Debra Lazarine Reception Venue: The Houstonian  @thehoustonianhotel Photographer: Philip Thomas Studios Caterer: The Houstonian Florist: Scott McCool/In Bloom Inc. Reception Entertainment: Yelba Hair + Makeup: Ovations Hair Studio 2410 Quenby, Houston, Texas 77005

Rustic Wedding at The Orchard || #becomingabeneski || Tyler + David, the full film

stefanie miles event ft worth rustic wedding photo 25When Tyler and David met in middle school, they probably never imagined that their once a month, adult-chaperoned dates to the mall would end up here almost a decade later--with a crowd of doting grandparents, family and friends all speaking words of tribute to their steadfastness and to the maturity of their love.   Even David's brother remarked that the real reason their friends "set them up" together was because they both happened to be short (which neither of them are now).

Because it's not how you start in a relationship--it's how you grow.

As you watch their film, we hope you enjoy the emotional speech given by Tyler's father, the nostalgic, romantic design created by planner Stefanie Miles, and Tyler & David's seriously sweet first look before the ceremony.

wedding video package memory tin[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/98161328[/vimeo] Musical Soundtrack: Instrumental version of  "The Last Piece of Pecan Pie" by Josh Woodward, licensed through Creative Commons "Forever Like That" by Ben Rector,  licensed through The Music Bed "Best Day of Your Life" by Katie Herzig, licensed through The Music Bed

stefanie miles event ft worth rustic wedding photo 02Warm and gentle, the sun filtered through the leaves of the wild oaks scattered throughout the lawn of the Orchard in Azle, TX as David waited to see Tyler for the first time.   When he finally saw her, he hugged his bride so tightly and whispered into her ear, "I'm gonna kiss all your makeup off!"

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stefanie miles event ft worth rustic wedding photo 07stefanie miles event ft worth rustic wedding photo 01Father of the bride dancing with his daughter.

stefanie miles event ft worth rustic wedding photo 03 stefanie miles event ft worth rustic wedding photo 09We simply love this gorgeous "Just Married" sign for the back of their classic getaway car, a 1941 Packard.  The typography style has a very 1940s or 1950s illustrative feel to it.

stefanie miles event ft worth rustic wedding photo 14The bridesmaids all wore blushing tints of pinks and greens in cocktail length dresses for this garden-themed outdoor wedding.

stefanie miles event ft worth rustic wedding photo 15All kinds of mint lemonades and refreshing drinks were available to drink as guests gathered for the ceremony on the lawn.

stefanie miles event ft worth rustic wedding photo 19 stefanie miles event ft worth rustic wedding photo 20This hesitant little ring bearer stole everyone's hearts with this move!  Don't fret, all this tiny gentleman needed was a guiding hand, and he happily walked down the rest of the aisle.

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stefanie miles event ft worth rustic wedding photo 38 stefanie miles event ft worth rustic wedding photo 30One of the highlights of the evening was a very rambunctious toast from the bridesmaids. Their hip-hop styled speech was set to the tune of the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and told the love story from beginning to end: from the awkward moment Tyler and David met in middle school all the way to David's proposal at the beach! The girls also boldly busted some crazy dance moves that had the crowd roaring!

stefanie miles event ft worth rustic wedding photo 36WEDDING VENDORS: Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Orchard 100 Orchard Ln, Azle, TX 76020 (817) 270-4555 Event Planning + Design:  Stefanie Miles Videographer:  Mason Jar Films Photographer: Ryan Ray Photography Floral: Bows & Arrows Cakes: Cakewalk Late Night Desserts: Melt Ice Creams Catering: Tastefully Yours Officiant: Drew Sherman Rentals: Posh Couture Rentals, Classic Event Rentals, Suite 206 Rentals Lounge/décor: AFR Furniture Rentals Styling: Perch Decor Linens: La Tavola and BBJ Linens Ceremony music: Vocalist Heidi Roush Reception Entertainment: Colby with Astounding Sounds Additional Team: Dovetail Logistics Getaway car: 1941 Packard provided by My Vintage Limo Illustration, Lettering & Calligraphy: Julie Song Ink on Etsy Hair & Makeup: Amy Clarke

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Escondido Golf and Lake Club | "High Expectations" - Lindsay + Steven, the full film

If I could sum up Lindsey and Steven's wedding video in one word, that word would be "adoration."  Every moment is filled with meaningful facial expressions and stories that show how much this group adores each other.   Those moments of sincerity--as Lindsay's mom talks about picking out her dress, as her father gives a speech expressing hope, and as Steven beams with smiles during the first dance--those moments are filled with pure love.

wedding video package heirloom
wedding video package heirloom
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blog_escondido golf dfw events wedding video pic 13

Not many of our films have cameo appearances made by a dinosaur.  In fact, only this one does.  Apparently, one of the bridesmaid's young daughters was a little distraught to not be along for the day with her mother, and so the entire group of bridesmaids were consoling her by taking her plastic toy dinosaur on an adventure, and texting pictures back all day long.  Like the gnome in the movie Amelie, P. Rex had quite an adventure at Lindsay and Steven's event, but you'll have to watch the film to find out what he was up to before the wedding.

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blog_escondido golf dfw events wedding video pic 02

Steven's family and friends had quite an adventure themselves, too.  Traveling all the way from Canada, many of them experienced Texas for the first time, and I'm glad that Austin and the hill country where Escondido rests was their first taste of Texas. Escondido is gorgeous, in rain or sunshine, and we definitely had both on the wedding day! 

Lindsay wore a stunning beaded lace wedding gown with a scalloped edging, and her cathedral length veil had lace trim as well.  Her 'something old' and 'something borrowed' was the same item--a gorgeous bracelet that her father had given to her mother.  

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blog_escondido golf dfw events wedding video pic 27
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blog_escondido golf dfw events wedding video pic 56

As the party carried into the night, fresh cigars were being hand-rolled right there on site next to a toasty fire pit on the back porch.  Guests who weren't dancing out on the dance floor set up on the golf green could relax in the rocking chairs surrounding the fire.

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blog_escondido golf dfw events wedding video pic 36

While their wedding cake was very classical, with tiers of white scrollwork and blue ribbon, Lindsay & Steven also had a pretty unique groom's cake.  It was topped by two little elephants leaning back and enjoying margaritas in a tropical paradise.  Well, let's be honest, what little elephant wouldn't enjoy living on an island made of of chocolate-covered strawberries?

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blog_escondido golf dfw events wedding video pic 14
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blog_escondido golf dfw events wedding video pic 40
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blog_escondido golf dfw events wedding video pic 78

The song we selected to end their film is definitely a favorite of mine--called "Fly On" by Humming House, it reminds me of Mumford and Sons with its soaring melody, folksy instrumentation, driving drum beat, and echoing chorus of singers that gives the song a bigger feel.  The father of the bride ended his toast by talking about all of the people that would be there to support Lindsay and Steven, and I felt like this song both reflected that community of hopeful people, and it also fit the style of their first dance during the wedding reception.

Lastly, It was only fitting that a wedding day filled with showtunes, panoramic views of the hill country, dinosaurs, live string players, and rocking out under the stars would end with a bang--specifically, fireworks! As Lindsay and Steven drove their getaway golf cart through a sea of friends holding sparklers, Lindsay's dad had one last surprise set up for them--the driveway was lined with pyrotechnics that made everyone ooh and ahh.  What a great way to end a party, and to start a new family!  Congrats to Lindsay and Steven!

-kourtney amelia

Event Design & Coordination:

DFW Events

Reception:

Escondido Golf And Lake Club

Chargers:

POSH Couture Rentals

Officiant: Father Ruben Patino

Musicians:

Dallas String Quartet

Soloist: Addison Myrick (who also happens to be a local ATX photographer)

Photographer:

Jennifer Lindberg Weddings

Videographer: Mason Jar Films

Band:

Suede Austin

Florist:

Petal Pushers

Lighting:

Groove Labs

Cakes:

The Cake Plate

Hair and Make-up:

Rae Cosmetics

Cigar Roller:

BOBALU CIGAR COMPANY

Whiskey Tasting:

Rebecca Creek Whiskey

Music by Humming House 

Licensed through The Music Bed

Escondido Golf & Lake Club | "My Loving Arms Are For You" - Lindsay & Steven, the preview

Lindsay is an avid athlete and award-winning UT Longhorn swimmer--and Steven, her aggie husband, brought many Canadians from his side of the wedding party down to Texas.  The bride told us that they love to spend time on the lake, go bowling, and running together. 

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blog_escondido golf dfw events wedding video pic 27

Lindsay also described herself as traditional and told us that Steven is laid back.  After attending their wedding, we can tell this is totally true about them. Everything from the location, decor, and the activities at their wedding reflected this dichotomy between them--including their sweet passion.  You can see from the footage of their first dance that although Steven claims to be shy, he doesn't hold back the smiles when it comes to looking into the eyes of his bride.

Jones and I happily packed up our gear to head out to Lindsay & Steven's wedding at the gorgeous Escondido Golf and Lake Club.  It's been almost a year since we filmed Sidni & Jay's wedding there, and just over six months since filming Laura and Marcus. (Both of those weddings still make me cry when I watch them!)

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blog_escondido golf dfw events wedding video pic 56

We were so excited to be teaming up with the folks at DFW Events and Petal Pushers for this event--The ladies at DFW Events know how to keep a party alive and they're so organized and friendly.  Also, Petal pushers always stuns us with their heady, romantic displays that should be considered more art than arrangement.

petal pushers wedding flower video pic yellow orange blue
petal pushers wedding flower video pic yellow orange blue

The day started out bright and full of sunshine with 0% chance of rain.  Zero.  Although that changed as soon as the ceremony began, the ceremony continued under a light shower.  As Lindsay's dad gave her away to her groom, Steven, he whispered, "she's spent all this time in the water, so why not now?"  They laughed, and although the clouds hovered nearby, the rain couldn't keep the happy spirit of this family down.   After the ceremony, cocktail hour was held on the back balcony of the Club house, and the Dallas String Quartet continued performing while the food was being laid out onto the buffet.  A cute little guest entertained everyone around him while pretending to be the conductor of the quartet--even the violinists were cracking grins.

dallas string quartet horseshoe bay wedding video pic
dallas string quartet horseshoe bay wedding video pic
escondido catering
escondido catering

 Quail was a meat option....Quail! Yum!

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blog_escondido golf dfw events wedding video pic 22

Steven and Lindsay danced their first dance to a song by a Texas band--Green River Ordinance--called "Dancing Shoes."  There's a lyric in the song that says:

Forget about all the things that

We can't make right

Put on a little Emmyloo

And we'll dance into the night

Singing, hold my loving arms

My loving arms are for you

All we need is time, honey

all we need is time

And they did dance into the night.   The band Suede from Austin entertained the crowd of Canadians and Americans late into the night, ending with a powerful rendition of "God Bless Texas" and "Don't Stop Believin" 

suede austin wedding video photo
suede austin wedding video photo

The officiant  (Father Ruben Patino) began the ceremony with a description of why marriage is sacred, and how Lindsay and Steven's marriage is supposed to be a reflection of love that guides those who witness it toward having more love in their own lives.  Lindsay and Steven, thank you for the reminder that no matter how plans go "all you need is time."  Time with friends, with family, and forever with each other.

-kourtney amelia

Reception:

Escondido Golf And Lake Club

Chargers:

POSH Couture Rentals

Officiant: Father Ruben Patino

Musicians:

Dallas String Quartet

Soloist: Addison Myrick (who also happens to be a local ATX photographer)

Photographer:

Jennifer Lindberg Weddings

Videographer: Mason Jar Films

Band:

Suede Austin

Florist:

Petal Pushers

Lighting:

Groove Labs

Cakes:

The Cake Plate

Hair and Make-up:

Rae Cosmetics

Cigar Roller:

BOBALU CIGAR COMPANY

Whiskey Tasting:

Rebecca Creek Whiskey

Music by Humming House

Licensed through The Music Bed

Laguna Gloria (AMOA) | "A Perfect Day" Jen & Matt, the full film

You've just watched Jen & Matt's full film.  Matt and Jen are the greatest kind of gushy lovers--they were trembly, tearful, weak in the knees with excitement at their first look--Passionate embrace at their first kiss--Grinning from ear-to-ear with pride during their first dance--Triumphantly leading their second-line parade as they exited the reception.  The visible expression of their heartfelt passion is an example to us all-- to cherish, to delight in each other, and to fully enjoy each moment.

Austin Museum of Art Laguna Gloria Wedding Pic
Austin Museum of Art Laguna Gloria Wedding Pic
laguna gloria wedding pic Walking after first look
laguna gloria wedding pic Walking after first look

Jennifer is also a great example of a bride who made sure her husband really enjoyed the wedding day festivities--she let the groomsmen wear trendy sunglasses during their entrance to a rock song at the reception, and she selected a really rockin' band that would keep the party rolling.  She also had the groom's cake made in the shape of their dog.

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jen and matt 06
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jen and matt 05

Their classic and cool colors of lavender and silver perfectly contrasted with the natural greens and yellows in the landscape.  The Austin Museum of Art is set within the most luscious gardens in Austin, so it was a perfect outdoor setting for this wedding.

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laguna gloria amoa wedding pic cowboy

Jen and Matt's friends and family dressed in cowboy chic, an outdoor Austinite wedding tradition.  It wouldn't be a truly formal outdoor affair if cowboys weren't wearing their finest hats, which is one of the reasons we love working in this city. 

laguna gloria wedding pic
laguna gloria wedding pic

By the way, we were so impressed with the casual cool performance of The Argyles.  They are talented and fun people, and we look forward to filming another wedding where they are performing.

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Untitled

Want to read more about Jen & Matt? If you didn't see our first post after their wedding, you should definitely check it out.

Also, please join us on facebook--we'd love to hear from you.

Ceremony and Reception: AMOA Laguna Gloria  3809 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703

Event Planner: Aimee Villa, Lizze Belle Events

Photographers: The Nichols

Makeup: Maris Malone Calderon

Ceremony Music: Barton Strings

Reception Entertainment: The Argyles

Catering: Primizie

Cakes: Simon Lee Bakery

Floral: Last Petal

Lighting: Ilios

Tent, Generators, and A/C: J Squared and Marquee Tents 

Getaway Vehicle: Antique Limousines of Austin

laguna gloria wedding pic classic car limo exit
laguna gloria wedding pic classic car limo exit