Shelby & Stephen are married!

Ahh...I loved Shelby and Stephen's wedding for so many reason's. It was the perfect event to end my 2016. Shelby was a student at Summit where I used to teach...she wasn't in my class but she was in the journalism class next door, and Stephen was a pitcher at UTA where I've been their team photographer for the last several years. So I knew both the bride and the groom before photographing their wedding and that always makes for a wonderful day. Their wedding was held at St Jude Catholic Church in Mansfield and the reception was at Green Oaks Wedding Chapel in Arlington. Both of their venues were no more than a 10 minute drive from my house which was a bonus. I'm used to driving at least an hour to get to the events I photograph. Here's a peek at their perfect day.

You know I like to start with the bling and they have some beautiful rings with lots of pretty sparkle :)

 Shelby's details.

 A photo of each getting ready in the mirror.

 SO once they were all ready we did some separate girls photos and guys photos so they wouldn't see each other before the ceremony. They look gorgeous!

 Then we did a quick little first touch just before the service.

 Stephen teared up as he saw his bride walk through the sanctuary doors.

I love this of dad shaking Stephen's hand as he passes Shelby to him. It's perfect.

 The church was great and let us roam around a little bit to get some different angles and since it was a full Catholic Mass we had time to quietly move around.

 The ring exchange.

 Communion.

 First kiss.

 All smiles as they leave the sanctuary.

 Then it was photo time. As the guests headed to the reception we quickly did some family and wedding party photos. First the gorgeous girls.

 Then the handsome guys.

 Both sets of parents.

All the siblings.

A little alone time for Stephen and Shelby in the Sanctuary before heading outside.

 The we stepped outside and wow...the temperature had dropped and the wind was blowing but their wedding party were troopers and even had some fun as we took some quick photos. I believe that the temperature dropped like 30 degrees between the time we got the the church and the end of the service as a cold front blew in.

 We took a few more photos of Stephen and Shelby as they arrived at the reception and then it was party time.

 Love these gorgeous cakes!

 A few reception details.

 Grand entrance.

 First dance.

 Cake cutting.

 Toasts.

 Stephen's best man was pretty funny during his speech. He talked about when Stephen was at his Bar Mitzvah when he was 13 he must have had no idea what was going on, but now Stephen had gotten him back because he had no idea what was going on at the wedding that day. Hebrew and Latin are a little different. I love that they've been friends since they were kid and got to share the biggest days in their lives together.

 Daddy Daughter Dance.

 Mother Son Dance.

 Fun in the photo booth.

Shelby went to Texas A&M so of course they played the fight song.

Garter toss. Stephen was a pitcher at UTA and he made sure the guys were far enough away.

 The first guys that caught the garter was married. I love that he's trying to pull his ring off. Such fun. I'd call that strike one. So Stephen threw the gather again.

 The second time it was a home run.

 Then Shelby threw the bouquet.

 Last Dance.

Such a fun exit. I love that they did it down the hallway instead of outside in the freezing cold.

Then they jumped in an Uber and got away.

Thanks for having me photograph your wedding. I loved every minute of your perfect day. Congrats!