Kara's Bat MItzvah Rehearsal

Tonight Kara practiced for her Bat Mitzvah at Shearith Israel in Dallas. You should hear her voice. Perfect. Here's a peek...

Just as the Cantor was laying out the Torah I caught her in a contemplative moment.

 She read her Torah portion.

 and practiced the Havdalah.

 Before taking a few portraits with the Torah.

 And with her wonderful family.

 They were awesome and we got some great photos.

 Finally I took a few of Kara alone by the Ark. I just love the colors in the Ark at Shearith.

 Finally, I wanted to showcase Kara's Tallit which is pink against the wall of blue and white Tallits at the temple.

Kara you were fabulous at your rehearsal, you are going to be amazing on Saturday!

Kellye & Paul are Married!

Last night I had the pleasure of photographing Kellye and Paul's wedding at First United Methodist Church in Mansfield. They are such a wonderful couple and I loved taking photos of them and this super fun wedding party. After the ceremony they went right down the road to Walnut Creek Country Club for their fabulous reception. Here's a peek :)

 January 11, what a perfect day to get married. It's my Birthday Eve too!

 Kellye's Gorgeous flowers. Love the pine cone accent.

 The gorgeous girls.

 The awesome guys and their matching socks.

 Love this groomsmen photo.

 Kellye and Paul wanted to have a first touch before the ceremony. They had written letters to each other and they took that opportunity to read them. Love, love, love this idea.

 Seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day.

The chapel at FUMC Mansfield is so pretty. The lighting is dramatic and the bride and groom are basically spotlighted on the altar. You should totally be in the spotlight for the first kiss.

 The ring bearer is super cute.

 A few photos of the bride and groom in the chapel.

 And under the lights at the club.

 Perfect way to end a night...sitting by the firt with the one you love.

 Congratulations Kellye and Paul. I wish you a lifetime of happiness.

Robert's Bar Mitzvah

Yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing Robert's Bar Mitzvah at Temple Emanu-El. I photographed Robert's brother's milestone day a few years ago and it was so fun to work with this amazing family again. Here's a peek.

 A few ceremony details: Yamaka's for the guests and Roberts Tallit.

Robert with the Torah after a quick run through before the ceremony.

 We had lots of time before the service so I got to take some extra photos of Robert and his parents with the Torah.

I love the stained glass at Emanu-El. It's one of my favorite places to take family portraits. The color is  just beautiful.

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 All the family.

While the service was going on I photographed the party being set up. Robert's theme was Pay it Forward. All the basketballs are bring donated to charity, that's a pretty great idea to decorate your party with things that can be used to enrich the loves of others after you enjoy them for a few hours. I'm guessing the labels were taken off the cans and those are being donated too. I love this idea!

 Since Robert is all about the basketball he made his entrance in a Mavs jersey and they had a few Pop-a-Shot games to play at the party.

 They also had blackjack tables...I think I have this same photo from Henry's Bar Mizvah a few years ago :)

 This is my favorite photo from the party. It was time to do the Hora and the DJ was calling for some "big, strong men" to come lift the chair...Robert's dad just walked over and picked it up by himself before anyone else volunteered to help.

THey did get some helpers and up Robert went.

 At the end of the afternoon I grabbed one last photo of the guest of honor.

 Congratulations Robert! You did a fabulous job and I absolutely loved your Pay it Forward theme.

Cindy is 50

Last Saturday I spent the evening with the most lovely family celebrating Cindy's 50th birthday. It was an amazing party full of family and friends having the most special evening. Cory from Cocktails and Caviar planned the event which was held at Royal Oaks Country Club. Joanne the catering director at the club is so great to work with and I always love working with Cory and his team. They made some Amazing happen Saturday night. Absolute Entertainment set up some amazing lights. The room was bathed in blue light for dinner with patterns of light on the ceiling. Absolute Entertainment, Cocktail and Caviar, Fauxcdes, Suite 206 and bbj linens combined their talents to transform the ballroom at Royal Oaks into a supper club for the evening. I loved it. After dinner Emerald City played and it turned into a dance party. My husband has a lot to live up to in 8 years ;)

This is Cindy. She's fun, fit and fearless....and might I add fabulous.

 The room was spectacular. Blue light everywhere, lamps on the tables, perfectly coordinated linens and flowers. Spectacular.

 Here's a closeup of the lamp bases that were filled with water and flowers.

 The places were set with plates on brown linens with blue napkins that were folded to hold a menu which if you look at it mimics the pattern in the rim of the plate in color that match the linens. Perfetcly coordinated.

 There were a few smaller tables along the sides of the room with low lamps barely peeking up over the wine glasses. Love these little intimate tables for four.

 Cindy had a signature blue drink served at the cocktail hour. I'm not sure exactly what was in it but I heard champagne and I saw orange twists so I'm betting it was pretty tasty.

 We took a few family photos before the party started.

 Love this family.

After dinner Cindy was toasted by her three kids. 

 It was fun to wathc her as she listend to what her kids had to say.

 Then she was toasted by her two brothers.

And finally her husband Phil got up to toast his wife.

 What a great couple.

 Then they partied the night away on the dance floor and honestly I don't think Cindy stopped dancing once.

 Her dad even took a turn dancing with her.

 and somehow she ended up on stage singing with Emerald City...FUN!

Happy Birthday Cindy! I hope I look as fabulous as you at 50 and that I am surrounded by as much love from family and friends. Your party was Amazing and so are you.