Houston Backyard Wedding || Never Too Late To Live Happily Ever After || MaryEllen + Rob, the full film

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houston backyard wedding29

The romance!  The dogs!  The Art!  Get ready for a sweet film. Rob waited a long time to find MaryEllen--in fact, he gave his bride a ring on the wedding day with a diamond for each decade that he waited for her. Between Rob's sweet romantic gestures, MaryEllen's stunning beauty, their flower girls' antics, and the ways they incorporated their love for art and for their dogs into their wedding day, their story is sure to make you smile.

wedding video package memory tin
wedding video package memory tin

When we arrived at MaryEllen's Crown Plaza hotel room, photographer Taylor Lord was also just arriving to document the day.  We've worked with Taylor before, and she's always great to work alongside.  Edric's crew from Vanity Lounge was already in the midst of styling MaryEllen's hair and makeup.  Her flower girls scampered about like little fairies, bringing delight with each sparkle in their eye and each grin.  Meanwhile, at the house, the bartenders, chef, and waitstaff were already prepping a food course that just to describe will make your mouth water--including bite size smoked sausage with spiced poached apple, potato truffle waffle duck confit, tomato water shooters with buffalo mozzarella and basil foam, bacon wrapped jalapeño, and quail with sweet potato hash (and that's not even half of the hors d' oeuvres list).  Mouth watering yet?  

The dessert table towered with a variety of cookies and cakes, including cookies designed to look like Gracie and Barcley, the furry pups that are owned by MaryEllen & Rob.  As the flower girls marveled at the dog-shaped cookies, adult guests were able to enjoy signature cocktail drinks named after Gracie and Barcley. 

Seated on wooden pews in the backyard, friends and family gathered together all dressed in cream and buttery soft hues to celebrate the happiness of the bride and groom.

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houston backyard wedding21
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houston backyard wedding23
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houston backyard wedding36

Gracie and Barcley looking dapper and sitting patiently for portraits after the wedding.

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houston backyard wedding22
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houston backyard wedding17
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houston backyard wedding31
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houston backyard wedding25
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houston backyard wedding32
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houston backyard wedding35
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houston backyard wedding33

This white wedding cake by 'Who Made the Cake' has frills for days, and peonies to match.

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houston backyard wedding27
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houston backyard wedding26

 Custom water-color style script signage by Houston creative studio Papellerie beckoned guests to leave their mark on the large oil painting being created at the wedding reception. The bride commissioned the groom's favorite artist (Taft McWhorter) to create an oil painting on site at the wedding, and it was an awesome surprise gift for the groom.

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houston backyard wedding18
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houston backyard wedding19
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houston backyard wedding16

The bride and groom have already collected several pieces of Taft McWhorter's abstract work, including a large typographical style painting with the lyrics to one of their favorite songs by Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors.  It seemed to make perfect sense to us that we had to license that particular song for  MaryEllen & Rob's wedding film once we saw what a beautiful vision its lyrics were casting for their home.  (P.S. Fun Fact about our crew: both Jones and Kourtney Amelia got to participate in the filming of Drew Holcomb's music video for "The Wine We Drink" in Jan 2012 through a workshop with The Music Bed.  We love that band!)    The lyrics say:

If I had a great big mansion

I'd rather live in a shot gun shack with you

If I drove a red ferrari

I'd rather ride in an oldsmobile with you

If I won a million dollars

I'd give it away to spend more time with you

If I had a million lovers

I would trade 'em all for just one more night with you

With you I can be myself

With you I don't have to be somebody else

It's like putting on my favorite pair of shoes

I like to be me when I'm with you

Their officiant told the couple during the ceremony:  "The bible says, 'you saw me before I was born, every day of my life was recorded in your book, every moment was laid out before a single day has passed."  The ceremony is over in a few moments, but what really matters is the lifetime that you're going to spend together."  

We couldn't agree more!  Congratulations to MaryEllen & Rob, and thank you for choosing us to create an heirloom artwork to help you remember each moment of your very special day for a lifetime.

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houston backyard wedding34

Venue: Private Houston Home

Coordination:   Paul Pritzen with Keely Thorne Events

Photographer:  Taylor Lord

Caterer:  The Forest Club

Baker:  Who Made The Cake

Florist & Stylist:  Events In Bloom

Stationery & Signage:  Papellerie

Supply:  Aztec Events & Tents

Rentals:  Swift + Company

Valet:  First Impressions Valet

Pianist: Hank Taylor

String Quartet: Chamber Music Unlimited

Oil Artist: Taft McWhorter

Caricature Art:  Satirical Effect Caricature Co. 

Soundtrack:

"Nirvana"  by Chris Zabriskie chriszabriskie.com

Licensed by CC-BY-3.0

"I Like To Be With Me When I'm With You"  by Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors

Used through licensing by The Music Bed  themusicbed.com

Possum Kingdom Lake | "Once In A Lifetime" - Kellye + Dustin, the preview

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backyard-texas-wedding-sunset-900

Once in a lifetime.  That’s how Kellye’s dad, Lowry, described the experience of walking his daughter down the aisle.   As he stood on the pier next to his lake home, surrounded by friends and family, Lowry gave a toast to the newly married couple celebrating their lives together.  As the scent of the hydrangeas mixed with the delicious smells of the down-home cooking from Sissy’s Southern Kitchen, we were mesmerized by this family’s appreciation of each other, their cowboy humor, and the beauty of the night.  Enjoy this preview of their wedding film.

Don't you just love the confetti guns they gave their guests to use during the ceremony kiss?  It looked so gorgeous in the early evening light!  Click here to see the perfect rustic wedding photos that Genya from Vue Photography took at the event.

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wedding-assorted-dessert-pictures

When we arrived at the lakefront house, the band members from ATX band The Good Nights were tuning their instruments and practicing sweet tunes like ‘Landslide’ on acoustic guitars.  The sunlight bounced brightly off of the lake, and as we peeked around at what Tara Wilson’s team had set up, we were met with visions of hanging lights and garlands of magnolia leaves.  The dining table was stationed on the waterfront deck with a solid row of hydrangea arrangements that cascaded onto the floor at each end as if it were a luxurious curtain made of flowers.  The team had also brought the indoors outdoors by setting up a faux living room arrangement next to the dance floor.  The antique furniture in white and burlap provided a fun place in the party area for guests to lounge and chat during both cocktail hour and into the late hours of the night when not dancing the night away.

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web_Tara Wilson modern rustic possum kingdom wedding video photos 42
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web_Tara Wilson modern rustic possum kingdom wedding video photos 46

Inside the house, family members (and several doggie friends) bustled about, and Kellye, the bride, was peering out the window watching "Vaa," the officiant, practice outside in the backyard.  When we noticed that Kellye had air plants mixed into her bouquet of succulents, she told us that when she was dreaming up her ideal bridal bouquet, she told the designers at Branching Out Events that she was flexible with her vision and fun, and so to please "put something wacky in it."  We love it, too!

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a web_Tara Wilson modern rustic possum kingdom wedding video photos 16
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web_Tara Wilson modern rustic possum kingdom wedding video photos 04
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web_Tara Wilson modern rustic possum kingdom wedding video photos 21
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web_Tara Wilson modern rustic possum kingdom wedding video photos 07

Kellye told us how she and Dustin met.  She said, “Dustin and I have known each other since I was 3 and he was 6, we actually were next door neighbors. It seems crazy to think back then we would have been together. We started officially dating when I was a senior in high school in 2007, we have been together now nearly 7 years."

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a web_Tara Wilson modern rustic possum kingdom wedding video photos 34

Kellye & Dustin have such a precious story of how their lives have been interwoven through childhood, and it was such a joy to film their family celebrating all the good things that are to come in the future.

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a web_Tara Wilson modern rustic possum kingdom wedding video photos 60
a web_Tara Wilson modern rustic possum kingdom wedding video photos 61
a web_Tara Wilson modern rustic possum kingdom wedding video photos 61
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polaroid-wedding-guest-book

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Private Home

Event Design, Styling & Coordination: Tara Wilson & Lee Anne Jackson of Tara Wilson Events

Photographer: Vue Photography

Catering: Sissy's Southern Kitchen

Florist: Branching Out

Reception Band: The Good Nights

cake: Cake Walk Bake Shop

paper goods: Blue Eye Brown Eye

Bride's Dress: Monique Lhuillier

Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Camp Lucy || Just Breathe || Chance + Jackie, the full film

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camp lucy destination wedding video photo 07

When we had the opportunity to chat with Jackie and Chance about their wedding about a week before their ceremony, we asked them what they wanted to remember the most about their wedding.  Jackie told us how much she was looking forward to their open-air dinner at sunset during their reception where they could sit at banquet tables with all of their family and friends.  Chance mentioned how he looked forward to their first look-- a private moment to see each other before the ceremony.  Jackie also told us that her father would be singing the song that she and her groom would be dancing to for their first dance.

To me, that is the kind of expression of love that spans so many tender years--the same man who raised her and sang her to sleep as a baby would now be not only walking her down the aisle, but also singing his blessing over her marriage as Jackie and Chance danced together for the first time as husband and wife!

wedding video package memory tin
wedding video package memory tin
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camp lucy destination wedding video photo 03

When we arrived at the wedding early in the afternoon, Camp Lucy was filled with warm sunshine.  A perfect destination wedding spot nestled in the hill country just outside of Austin, Camp Lucy has been drawing Austinites and many others out to its grounds with its gorgeous architecture and naturally succulent landscaping. Driving through the Texas Hill Country, you'll pull in through custom cut iron gates, and drive over an Austin favorite, the winding little Onion Creek.  The actual event venue rests at the top of a hill above the creek.  It contains two amazing spaces--Ian's Chapel--a luminous restored French Colonial chapel, and a majestic event hall called Sacred Oaks--named for its arches made of natural branch.

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camp lucy destination wedding video photo 05
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camp lucy destination wedding video photo 08

Jackie's not only sweet, but she's absolutely gorgeous!  Her hair, worn in natural curly waves, was perfectly styled by Sandra Mata--and it looked perfect all day long!

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camp lucy destination wedding video photo 04

Cristina Wisner, the photographer, was such a pleasure to work with--she kept everyone smiling and laughing during portraits.

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camp lucy destination wedding video photo 15

Jackie and Chance's sunset banquet dinner catered by Royal Fig Catering was held in this dramatic, open pavilion made of ironwood timbers.

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camp lucy destination wedding video photo 12
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camp lucy destination wedding video photo 11

These gorgeous succulent florals were designed by Rosehip Flora.  The texture combination was just stunning in the evening sunlight.

The event planners at Three Apples Events kept the party going late into the night with continual fun surprises--like a s'mores bar &  these glow-in-the-dark necklaces that inspired a lot of dancing--and for these girls, it inspired a lot of creativity!

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camp lucy destination wedding video photo 13
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camp lucy destination wedding video photo 01
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camp lucy destination wedding video photo 06

This ombre cake with white and pink ruffles was a perfect complement to the skirt on Jackie's wedding dress.  Gorgeous!

As we listened to stories about Chance and Jackie, their passion and drive in life was obvious from how people described how hard they both worked in law school to succeed.  However, as we watched them dance with each other during the reception, and heard their sweet letters that they gave to each other just before the ceremony, we have to say that their passion for each other has brought them success in love, too.  Congratulations to a wonderful couple and to a newly united family!

-kourtney amelia

Ceremony: St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church Reception: Camp Lucy Officiant: Father Brendan Cahill Event Coordinator: Margaret Bedikian of Three Apples Events Photographer: Cristina Wisner Reception DJ: ATX DJCeremony Music: Musical Discovery Chamber Players Rentals: Whim Event Rentals Lighting: ILD Lighting Cake: Classic Cakes by Lori Hair: Sandra Mata Florist: Rosehip Flora Transportation: Transportation Consultants

The South Warehouse | Nascar + Casablanca - Callie + Reid, Part 3 of 3: the full film

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the south warehouse wedding video pic 01

Peyton Manning.  Alligators.  The Michelin Man.  An accountant with an alter-ego as a wrestler.  A Mid-drift wearing Pink Power Ranger.  A skit set to the Sound of Music.  Southern Gentlemen in White Tie dress code.  The Gossip Girl “100 button” Vera Wang wedding dress.  Jackie Kennedy’s wallpaper.  A Bacon buffet filled with bacon delicacies.  A party band with a stamp of approval from Donald Trump.

Why aren’t you watching this film yet?

wedding video package heirloom
wedding video package heirloom

You’ve just watched the full film from Callie & Reid’s entire wedding documentary. Their documentary includes coverage of both their exquisite rehearsal dinner banquet and their wedding extravaganza the next day.  If you haven’t read our first post about this lovely couple, you should definitely get acquainted with them here, and watch the highlight film we created for them here.

The weekend began with an elegant banquet designed by Wendy Putt of Fresh cut Catering and Floral with silver candelabras, succulents as table placecards, and soft dusty roses set in gold vases.  The chargers were crystal and lined with gold rims.  It was certainly a treat for the eyes, but even more goodness was to come as we sat down to listen to the toasts delivered by Callie and Reid's witty and loving families.  We knew we were in for a treat as soon as we walked in the door of the rehearsal dinner.   With the decadent display of flowers, curly willow, and string lights hanging from the ceiling over the main banquet table and the goofy pictures of the bridal party hanging on the wall, we knew we were going to be experiencing a weekend festivity hosted by a family with both a bold style and personality.  The dashing groom and gorgeous bride lead their merry party in some zany poses with moustaches and red lips.

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the south warehouse wedding video pic 04
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the south warehouse wedding video pic 05
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the south warehouse wedding video pic 09
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the south warehouse wedding video pic 03
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the south warehouse wedding video pic 02

Callie's bridesmaids planned a really funny shoe game where the bridesmaids asked questions like "who will be the one to take out the trash?"  Callie and Reid had to answer by holding up the shoe that best fit either the bride or groom.

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the south warehouse wedding video pic 07
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the south warehouse wedding video pic 08

Although plenty of stories were told claiming that Callie was a tomboy growing up, her grandfather exclaimed "you can tell she's a girl now!" as he boasted about her beauty.   We can't get enough of this family, their humor, and this couple's passion to honor their family and friends.   We are so excited to be sharing this film, but we are sad to be closing the project down on our computers, because every minute of this edit is just so rich with love.

Callie and Reid, we truly wish you the best in life.  Many people would be blessed to experience the love that you have and the family that you two share.  We hope to hear some more of your funny stories in person again someday soon.

-kourtney amelia

Ceremony: First Presbyterian Church Jackson Reception: Country Club of Jackson Rehearsal Dinner: The South Event Design: Wendy Putt of Fresh Cut Catering and Floral Event Coordinator: Crisler Boone Event Styling: Shanna Lumpkin Events Photographer Bryan Johnson Reception Band: Party On The Moon

First Presbyterian Church Jackson | "Nascar + Casablanca" - Callie + Reid, Part 2 of 3: the highlight

You’ve just watched the highlights from Callie & Reid’s entire wedding documentary. Their documentary includes coverage of both their exquisite rehearsal dinner banquet and their wedding extravaganza the next day.  If you haven’t read our first post about this lovely couple, you should definitely get acquainted with them here.

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blog_first presbyterian church wedding video pic 06
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blog_first presbyterian church wedding video pic 15

 Calle's sister (her maid of honor) is a distinguished vocal performer, and she sang with the orchestra during the wedding ceremony.

I love how Callie and Reid filled their wedding day with so many items that were steeped in the history of their own families.

For example, Callie and Reid met in the exact same place that her mother met her father on the Ole Miss campus, on the steps of his fraternity house.  Callie and Reid also happen to share the same birthday.  Callie's gift to her groom for their wedding day was a set of sapphire and gold studs and cufflinks--blue and gold for the colors of the fraternity, and the sapphire is special because it is their shared birthstone.  Reid's gift to his bride was a set of sapphire and diamond earrings, for her birthstone, and the diamonds came from the same ring which had once belonged to Reid's grandmother, which Callie now wears as a part of her wedding band set.

Pretty sweet, right? 

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blog_first presbyterian church wedding video pic 17

Reid's brother, the best man, holds the gift that Callie would open minutes later.

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blog_first presbyterian church wedding video pic 18
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blog_first presbyterian church wedding video pic 19

 The lovely florals at the church were designed by Wendy Putt of Fresh Cut Catering and Floral.

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blog_first presbyterian church wedding video pic 25

If you're wanting to see the full film we created for Reid and Callie, head back to our blog on Tuesday, July 30.  But you better make sure you have some tissues handy!

-kourtney amelia

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blog_country club wedding video pic 11

Ceremony: First Presbyterian Church Jackson

1390 N State St Jackson, MS 39202

Reception: Country Club of Jackson

345 St. Andrews Drive  Jackson, MS  39211

Rehearsal Dinner: The South

627 East Silas Brown Jackson MS 39201

Event Design: Wendy Putt of Fresh Cut Catering and Floral

Event Coordinator: Crisler Boone

Event Styling: Shanna Lumpkin Events

Photographer Bryan Johnson from A Bryan Photo

Reception Band: Party On The Moon