And for a small moment I panicked seeing the low, candle-lit lighting combined in multiple places with large theater spot lights. No time for panic though, I picked up my 5DIII (perfect for the low-light portion!) and whispered a simple phrase to myself “I’ve got this”.

Congratulations to Geana and Jeff and their fun trash the wedding dress/baby announcement pictures, Julie and Eric for their painting and paintball shots that were taken during the Today Show taping, and my four diva brides.  Heather and Mark also made the issue – we had a real life TTD shoot on their wedding day that’s still makes me feel all happy and tingly inside!

And just because this makes me laugh every single time I watch it – an outtake from my video series!

Two really great shots from Hugo.

Kali’s gorgeous family.

Paul’s equally gorgeous, and extraordinarily spunky family.

My groomsmen for the day. They were off the charts on the fun scale.

Paul helping orchestrate some group shots.

We only had a handful of minutes before the sun set and, boy, did we rock those out!

Paul was excited and he hadn’t even seen Kali yet!

This was a quick moment during the ceremony while the officiant was talking to the families about welcoming one another. It just warms my heart.

The little symbol spun on the GPS and it soon let me know that I was an hour and 15 minutes away. I almost cried. I had made the single stupidest mistake I possibly could have made and I wanted to just vanish into thin air as I hoped that I was in the middle of one of my crazy wedding nightmare dreams. Usually in those dreams, Vivian has somehow wronged me by showing up late to a wedding and I wake up still screaming at her.  But there she was in the seat next to me with scared eyes so I guess I was wide awake. Did I mention that I wanted to vanish into thin air?

We arrived at Nature’s Point 45 minutes later. I still don’t know how I cut off 30 minutes from my drive or why I hit every possible red light and construction zone in the meantime. I was also incredibly low on gas and refusing to stop. I was willing to run the rest of the way at that point if I had to. We pulled into the driveway and we scattered in every direction – Vivian & I were in charge of details, Hugo was to unload the car and then photograph the boys getting ready. We were a whirlwind of go, go, go.

Vivian and I blew through the details, we caught up with each other and we were sweating, trying to catch our breaths and suddenly everything just slowed down. Kali’s mother was finishing up setting up the reception so we waited for her to get dressed, the boys were running late, there were some last minute things that Kali needed to tend to and the sudden insanity turned into a gentle rumble.

We started formal portraits over 45 minutes late and went full throttle through them. I didn’t sacrifice a single shot or idea, Hugo was right next to me directing the groupings and holding the lights and my former nightmare began to unfold into a delightful dream. We were done right on time. On the dot. Finito. Perfecto.

And there it is, I admitted my biggest, stupidest mistake of my career all over the internet and what we did as a result. It’s what I teach photographers- it is incredonly easy to get comfortable in our career. Preparation is the single most important thing that we bring to a wedding day – well,  preparation and quick thinking to make things right. It doesn’t hurt that I have an AMAZING staff that can help me get things done in a pinch.

Vivian, Hugo and I left for Austin on Friday afternoon to make it in time for the rehearsal dinner. Kali & Paul surprised me with some awesome Gnome presents. They really were awesome, that’s my embarrassed/feeling so loved loved/trying not to cry, but failing face.

Wedding day came and it was gorgeous. The ceremony & reception location looked out on to the lake with a killer blue sky. Smile Hugo, smile.

That’s one tall groomsman.

Hugo testing lighting on Vivie. She’s electric.

And me, I’m just adorable. I know, I know.

Both of us.

What face is this? This is the “OMG I just dropped the cake topper and broke it and the bride saw it all” face. WHAT!!!!!! O that’s right. In an attempt to photograph the cake uniquely, I spun it around and the topper – which was sitting on top of a spinning pedestal went flying and the little piece of glass that was on it shattered. Right in front of the bride who happened to be waiting for the cake cutting. I scooped it up and adjusted it, but this is the face that I made and Hugo caught it. Thanks for that Hugo. I will always remember the day I shouldn’t have spun the cake around!

In case you are wondering if Kali freaked, she didn’t. And I promptly found her another one and sent it to her! YAY for finding toppers on the internet that are no longer available in stores!

Hugo dodging out of the way.

Shaking it during the reception.

The bubble exit. I’m happy.

I’m bubbled right in the eyeball.

Nancy & James (I think she has a direct alert that goes straight to her phone, she always knows everything first!):

Chandy & Alex:

Ashli & Matthew:

Kim & Brandon:

Lauren & Chris:

Kathy & Rayo:

Anita & David:

… and the winner is …

ASHLI & MATTHEW! Congrats guys!!! Your canvas will be delivered soon and we hope you enjoy it! ♥♥

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