Riverhill Country Club | "Hook 'em and Sic 'em Forever" Bailey & JR, the full film

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Bailey and JR are the kind of people who keep a room lit up with smiles and laughter.  We were thrilled to travel from Austin, where we are based, to the Texas foothills north of San Antonio to create this wedding video for such a precious couple.   Beyond their absolutely SWEET love for each other, they kept their family and friends entertained at their wedding with multiple surprises--their outdoor sunset ceremony ended with a gospel choir serenading the crowd and guiding them to the location of the dancing reception.  Their first dance transitioned from serious to sassy in a heartbeat, and boy, can they dance!   Later on that night, JR's family also surprised him in turn with a funny flashmob dance.  Here is their entire wedding film, in full:

Ashley Garmon, the wedding photographer,  chose a lovely location under the trees for the portraits before the wedding.  The soft light coming through the leaves looked beautiful with the bridesmaids' pale green sundresses.

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The flowergirls were in similar dresses all in white.  What angels!

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Their decor included a stag-head theme.  Each reception table centerpiece was set with a silhouette of a deer head laser-cut into pine slices. 

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Talented event designer Tricia Hamil (Viridian Design) even had a deer silhouette pattern made for the lights that projected the antler silhouette onto the dancefloor.  Surrounded by wine barrel tables, old-fashioned light bulb chandelieres, live oak canopies, rustic signs, white florals, and warm lighting, the guests were happy to dance the night away and feast on such greatness as the avocado buffet and even sneak inside to watch portions of the Baylor football game between songs.

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The Tip-Top band were excellent performers, inviting the bride and groom onto the stage and even letting some guests sing into the mic during some of the songs.

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Editor's note:

My favorite shot in the wedding video is the slow-motion shot where J.R. stops to kiss Bailey as they ran through the sparkler exit line.  So pretty!  -kourtney amelia

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Riverhill Country Club

Address: 100 Riverhill Club Ln, Kerrville, TX 78028

Phone:(830) 896-1400

VENDORS

Wedding Coordination & Florals: Viridian Design with Tricia Hamil

Photography: Ashley Garmon Photographers

Hair: Erin Jantzen

Makeup: Donna Bruns

Linens: Marquee Rentals

Lighting: Ilios Lighting

Cakes: Sophie's Choice

San Antonio Country Club | "Deep In the Heart of Texas" Rebecca & Scott, the full film

"Rebecca is urban, and Scott's suburban. She's organized--he's....well, he's less so."  Chuckles and laughter rippled through the crowd as the Rabbi happily described Rebecca & Scott's distinct personalities during their Jewish ceremony under a silken chuppah.  When Rebecca had approached us about filming her wedding video, she had told us with great joy about coming back to her hometown of San Antonio and bringing all of her dear friends and Scott's family to experience it. 

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Rebecca also raved about how good the food would be at the San Antonio Country Club. As we chatted with the photographer, Catherine Hornberger of Peacock Photography on the wedding day, we found out that even her husband was jealous that she and her assistant were getting to eat the SACC food--and let me tell you--even the bread served with the appetizers could have stood alone as a treat. 

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What struck me as we were filming both the rehearsal dinner and the wedding was Rebecca's impeccable sense for design, the deep love she shares with Scott, and the extremely close knit love and affection shared by each side of their families.

The 'I DO' Barbecue

The weekend opened with a rehearsal dinner complete with cowboy hats, bread pudding dessert, live country music, and handkerchiefs.   The Pearl Stable is a historic building that once housed horses for a brewery.  Now, it has been repurposed as a ballroom, and it features plenty of gorgeous wrought-iron work throughout the entire ballroom, as well as rustic chandeliers built from multi-colored antique glass bottles.  As Scott's groomsmen walked around in 10-gallon hats, they told Rebecca  with a grin that they were "taking this Texas thing very seriously." 

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This family knows how to entertain each other, and we were treated to several poems, songs, and toasts that brought tears to our eyes.  Scott is from a large family, and so with so many sisters, they joked that they didn't know he could even walk until the age of three because someone always wanted to carry him.  One of the groomsmen spoke about why he had chosen Scott to be the godfather of his daughter.  He said that he knew that if something ever happened to his wife or to him, that Scott would be the kind of man who would raise his daughter showing her the example of how a woman should be loved by the way that Scott loves Rebecca.

And yes, I may have been crying behind the camera as I was filming.  And as I was editing the video.  And as I was doing quality control viewings of the film.

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It wouldn't have been a real Texas "shin-dig" without the talented live band that Rebecca found for that night--and the Ben McPeak Band kept the spirit lively with the twang of country rhythm and plenty of toe-tapping as everyone jumped onto the dance floor.   Their musical performance had everyone from children to grandparents two-stepping.

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The Wedding Day: San Antonio Country Club

Rebecca and Scott celebrated their wedding with a traditional Jewish ceremony, which includes the signing of a ketubah, a marriage document, and the ceremony under the chuppah.  As the family and bridal party gathered in a private room for the signing of the ketubah, Rebecca and Scott stood among multiple generations of married couples in their families.  As Rabbi Block honored their presence, it was hard to not get chills as he spoke of the day when Rebecca and Scott would be watching their own children sign ketubahs in the future.

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San Antonio Country Club Wedding Pic 11 ketubah ceremony

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As Rebecca was being zipped into her gown, her flower girls (Scott's nieces) exclaimed "You look like a princess."  Adorable!...and she did, indeed, look like a princess.

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Rebecca and Scott,

We were so pleased to film your wedding, and honored to be given the task to make you this artistic film.  We hope that this video is a reminder for years to come of the joy that you shared as you made your vows to each other in front of the community you hold so dear.

-kourtney amelia

If you'd like to visit, you can locate the San Antonio Country Club here:

4100 N. New Braunfels Avenue

San Antonio, TX 78209

and the Pearl Stable here:

303 Pearl Pkwy

San Antonio, TX 78215

(210) 212-7260

Event Planner: Betty Parish

Photographer: Catherine Hornberger with Peacock Photography

Catering: San Antonio Country Club

Florist: Trinity Flowers with Danny Cuellar

Wedding Reception Entertainment: Matchmaker Band

Rehearsal Dinner Entertainment: Ben McPeak Band

Officiant: Rabbi Barry Block

Dress: Julian Gold

Cakes: Cathy Young

Invitations: Invitations, etc.

Tuxedos: Heights Tuxedo

Linens/Rentals: Illusions Rentals & Design

Hair: Veronica Hughes

Make up: Jena Massarello-Obregon

Christmas Wedding at The Roosevelt || It Feels Like Coming Home || Mary + Aaron, the full film

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"When we decided not to have our wedding at my mother's home, I knew that where-ever we had it, it had to feel like being at home." Mary told me this in the brief minutes we spent in the courtyard just before she and Aaron entered the Montegut house for their first dance. As you watch the film, you'll see exactly what she and Elyse Skanski (Tying the Knot Wedding Coordination) were able to create within the walls of the Montegut House---her family had brought their own heirloom crystal, milkglass vases, and mercury glass votives to adorn all of the tables and fireplace mantles.  The vintage cake topper had even belonged to Mary's grandfather.  You can read more about that in our first post about Mary & Aaron's vintage home-style wedding.

Enjoy their full film below.  Mary's personal touches and gifts for her groom and family will have you misty-eyed in minutes, I promise!  Plus, every location seems like a scene out of Downton Abbey, between the historic venue locations and the classic Victorian outfits worn by the bridesmaids and ring bearers. 

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In every wedding we film, we try to capture the spirit of the city where the wedding is taking place as well as the event itself.  From the performing street bands to the Second Line parade that led the party away from the Montegut House, New Orleans charmed us once again.

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I should also mention that not only do we adore filming in New Orleans, but we also love December weddings.  In the south, the air is finally a little crisp, but rarely is it ever bitter at that point in winter, and holiday decorations are in full swing.  When we walked into the Roosevelt Hotel in downtown New Orleans, the entire first floor and all of its corridors were like a winter wonderland--lit up with thousands of christmas lights, and trees everywhere--we almost couldn't see the walls, it was so lovely!  There were some happy families there bustling about with their children in holiday outfits and red velvet dresses taking pictures.  With that cheery scene, we headed upstairs to the room where Mary was getting ready.

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Mary wore a strapless lace wedding gown with a cathedral length veil and a very unique bolero jacket that actually included her train.  

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Mary is quiet, sweet, and funny--and her sense of classical taste led her to select a very unique approach to her wedding gown.  She wore a lovely fitted lace bolero with an off-shoulder ncckline and  quarter-length sleeves.  While it was fitted perfectly at her waist in front, the back of it buttoned down to a long train, giving her a stunning, full- length dress for the ceremony and a perfect and easy dress length for the reception without the worry of bustling the dress.

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This shot feels very  'Downton Abbey' to me...

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Doesn't this appetizer plate look amazing?  The catering was done by Joel's out of New Orleans.

For a full look at the beautiful photography from the event, you must check out Mark Eric's blog.  Here's a little sneak peek at why we think he's one of the best wedding photographers around:

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Stunning, right?  Mark was wonderful to work with--he's a real team player, friendly, and hard-working, too.  Plus, he's super talented--grabbing amazing shots that really tell the emotion of the moment.  I can't decide which of the gallery images from that post are my favorite, but I love the guitar and singing shots, and his great images of the second line band, the Jaywalkers.

Bridal Prep & Groom Prep: The Roosevelt Hotel New Orleans

123 Baronne St  New Orleans, LA 70112

(504) 648-1200

Ceremony: Christ Church Cathedral

Reception: Maison Montegut

Event Planner: Elyse Skansi, Tying the Knot Wedding Coordination

Photographer: Mark Eric

Catering: Joel's

Florist: Iris Floral and Event Design Studio

Cocktail Hour Music: John Royen Band

2nd Line Band: The Jaywalkers

Reception Entertainment: Crystal Clear Band

Escondido /// You Have My Heart For The Rest Of Our Lives /// Laura + Marcus, the full Heirloom film

Marcus and Laura travelled from the Dallas area to the hill country of Austin for their wedding celebration. If you haven't seen our first post about their wedding, you're welcome to check out here.  Marcus' older brother performed the ceremony, and he told Laura that she should know how much she was loved by Marcus--as a golf enthusiast, it was a big sacrifice to miss the tournament that was happening that weekend.  We could tell he wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else, though--as soon as Marcus saw Laura, he was enraptured with her from the start.

Laura had a neat little surprise for Marcus, though--Check out this groom's cake!

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Can we just say this is the cutest use of cake balls that we've ever seen?  Nice work!

One of their dear friends sang in the ceremony, and it seemed to be a fitting way to begin their film.  Their day began very quiet and reserved as the rain came down outside--and the amazing team at DFW events and Escondido Golf Club were on the spot with a rain plan to sheild the reception under a tent and bring the ceremony indoors.  The indoor location for the ceremony was no let-down, though--it was a cathedral style room with a large fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out across the green landscape--so plenty of outdoor light still fell on the family as they gathered to watch Marcus and Laura say 'I do.'

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The party cranked up afterwards with Top, a band from DFW. The family put out a super cute sign encouraging girls to ditch their high heels for flip flops and have a good time.   The glow-sticks came out about 10 o'clock, and some very creative guests created some crazy glow-hats like we've never seen before.

Escondido Horseshoe Bay Wedding Pic 13a DIY dance flip flop sign

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"You have my heart for the rest of our lives"

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Editor's note:

One of my favorite moments in this film comes as Laura was getting ready.  Marcus had written her a note, and he agreed to read it out loud for us to add as a voice-over narration for the moments where Laura prepared to walk down the aisle.  I also used the narration to finish the film.  While I love using officiant narration for our films, I think that using the voice of the bride and groom resonates so strongly in the story.  It is my hope that when Laura and Marcus sit together watching this film as they grow older that they would continue to not only reflect on the love they shared that day while hearing each other's voice, but that they would continue to be encouraged and strengthened to love each other with confidence and purpose as they move forward.  I want Laura and Marcus to see the faces of the people who have loved them so well--parents, siblings, friends--and be refreshed as they remember being loved with such kindness by so many people.   I also want their children to grow up watching this film and hearing how fiercely and tenderly their father spoke about his love for their mother, and for that example of love to be passed down for generations as they share this story with their kids and grandkids.   That's one of the reasons I love filmmaking--photographs are meant to be studied in-depth and at length, but films can help you re-live not just the sights, but also the sounds of these important moments.

I can't forget to mention that the slo-mo of Laura and Marcus running through their line of friends during the sparkler exit has me in tears every time I watch it, especially when Laura hugs her bridesmaid & then Marcus hugs his father-in-law and you can see him mouthing the words "thank you."

-Kourtney Amelia

Visit Escondido:

9090 Farm to Market 2147

Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657

(830) 598-6311

Event Planning and Design: DFW Events Ceremony and Reception: Escondido Photography: Taylor Lord Makeup: Rochelle Rae Reception Entertainment: Top Floral: Petal Pushers Lighting: FILO Bride's Cake: Cocoa Paloma Desserts Groom's Cake: Creme de la Cookie Linens: BBJ Rentals: Outback Rentals Ceremony Sound: Groove Labs Cocktail Musician: Danny Shoemaker Transportation: R&R Limousine and Bus

Barton Creek Resort | "Now, THAT'S a Tribute" Kristy & David, the full film

Friends and family wandered in from the lounge, the golf course, and the hotel bar as the ceremony was about to begin in the glass-enclosed veranda at Barton Creek Resort.  The windows looked out onto the the golf course below and the Texas hill country beyond.

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As the ceremony began, the Barton Strings quartet played jazzy, soothing music.  The bridesmaids entered in navy dresses with bouquets of cream and pale pink roses, and David, the groom, turned his back to the crowd so that he wouldn't see Kristy, the bride, through the glass windows until the moment she stepped onto the aisle.  His best man stood by to tell David the exact moment he could turn around to see his bride.

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And then he waited.  and waited. and waited.  It may have been the longest 60 seconds of his life, but as he cracked a joke and asked his best man "is she coming?" his best friend simply smiled and shrugged.  The first couple of rows of friends and family erupted into laughter, and then Kristy entered the room, radiating beauty.  

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While life and marriage are always full of surprises, we hope that our couples find that the things they wait for are the best life can offer.  Congratulations to Kristy & David; we sincerely enjoyed being a part of your day and watching you interact with those you hold most dear.  We hope your wedding video is a treasure you can enjoy for years to come and that it will remind you of these people who loved you so much that they celebrated this special occasion with you under the wide blue skies of Texas.

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If you're planning on hiring  a wedding planner, Austin photographer, or any other kind of vendor, you'd be working with some upstanding folks if you hired any of the companies listed below. It was a true pleasure working with them.

Ceremony and Reception: Barton Creek  8212 Barton Club Dr   Austin, TX 78735

Event Planning: Aimee Villa, Lizze Belle Events

Photography: InTandemd

Ceremony Music: Barton Strings

Reception Entertainment: Professor D

Lighting: Ilios

Floral: Bouquets of Austin

Getaway Car: Antique Limousines