December 2, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

Lauren and Nik's wedding was so powerful and faithful, I loved photographing their emotional day!

I love to do this little exercise with couples after their wedding day. We photographed their big day and nearly 2 months later they are presented with their images on the blog. Just before, I ask them to write a recap about what they loved about the wedding. Each couple is so unique. In this case both Lauren and Nik took time separately to recap their wedding day from each of their perspectives. I encourage all couples to do this! What a wonderful gift it is for you, in 10 and 20 years, your memories will fade, but if you take the time to write down your memories now or even record (that's what we did) then you'll have those memories and your album with your favorite moments.

Every year on our anniversary we get to listen to our almost 10 years younger selves recap our wedding day and the few days preceding. I'm glad we have that, it's such a delightful time capsule.

From Lauren:

I was remarkably calm and cool on the day of the wedding until....

While waiting to process, standing in the stairwell, the Ave Maria violin solo started. It moved me to tears, and my Dad eventually saw and gave me his handkerchief to carry (which moved me to more tears). Then, when I was singing to Nik after our vows, he started crying and I gave the handkerchief to him (we’re all family now!).

The music at the ceremony is what really made it feel sacred and transcendent for me… I will never forget walking down the aisle to the joyous choir and strings, trembling while trying to smile through tears, seeing faces and catching eyes of beloved friends and family, there to celebrate and bless the occasion. It was so powerful I almost didn't even notice Nik until I was nearly at his side!

We had planned all the details of the reception to be outside, on the lovely expansive South lawn of Green Pastures. From the placement of each cocktail table to the stringing of lights in the trees, the placement of the band and dance floor, etc., we had planned where everything wouldbe.

So, of course, torrential rains poured down just after the ceremony as we were on our way there. (Our 1940 Cadillac was leaking water from the windshield and I was nervous riding in the pouring rain, across the bridge. Good thing the driver reassured us this was normal as he wiped off the drops that scurried down the dash!)

At Green Pastures, everything was therefore set up inside (plan B), and we had NO idea where anything would be. Even as we were introduced to all the guests, I had no idea where we were supposed to sit to eat … but, thanks to the Green Pastures' amazing staff, it all went off as if it HAD been plan A, and no one was the wiser.

As my cousin Dana told me, rain on your wedding day is good luck, but rain on your wedding day IN TEXAS is VERY GOOD luck. (I'll take it.)

During our first dance, I kept stepping on my dress beneath me. I was just praying that I wouldn’t trip myself and fall flat on my face! After I changed into my shorter dress, I went to dance with Nik and it turned into an unplanned performance, when everyone turned to watch us dance! I was too happy to care (but the song did seem really loooong).

All our vendors were great- very professional, with great service, and we were very happy with the final products, especially the band, thebridesmaid’s bouquets and the floral table arrangements, and the food/cakes.

From Nik:

When I thought about getting ready for the wedding I thought, "Hey, it'll be a piece of cake I'll just throw my tux on and show up at the church." They day of the wedding I was rushing around to get everything in order and get out the door. I though it would be best just to go to the church and get ready there. When I got there and started getting ready, I was so nervous I needed help buttoning my shirt and getting my tie right.

While the wedding party was in the foray waiting to walk down the aisle I was very nervous about accidentally seeing Lauren before the ceremony. My groomsmen told me they would watch out for me. I saw white out of the corner on at least two occasions only for my groomsmen to tell me I was imagining it.

Both Lauren and I were pretty nervous about the rain scheduled for that day, but it turned out like we had planned it. It really couldn't have turned out better. We got a good number of photos outside, when it started raining. We hurried to the car, only to have it stop raining as soon as we arrived at Green Pastures. My best man was there with umbrellas ready, just in case.

I was also very nervous about this first dance. Earlier in the day I learned that the dress took more care not to step on than I had previously envisioned. Even so we had a very musical dance. I was worried that we might get bored or not have much to do out there, but it went by in a flash and we both had a great time with it. For the second dance neither of us had planned that. Everyone just cleared the dance floor like it had been planned and Lauren and I just went with it. The last dance we had was a great surprise. As you know we met dancing and have a lot of friends in the dance community. As our friends came up to "cut in" on that last dance, I think that made Lauren and I feel pretty special, since we weren't expecting it at all.

It really hard to say what my favorite things were about the wedding. The time was unforgettable and was the best day of my life. My friends and family were all so supportive and it was a special thing to be surrounded by so many people that we've been blessed with in our lives. It was really the help and contributions of all of our friends and family that made the celebration so special.

There are so many more things I could write about. If you would like to know anything more, please let me know.

Venue/Coordinator – Green Pastures/ Photographer – She-N-He Photography and Design / Wedding Venue - St Austin's Catholic Church/Lighting - D&H Stage Lighting / Band – Alice & the Rubberband (swing jazz) / Sound Engineer – Joey Christopher / Floral Design –Bouquets of Austin / Catering – Green Pastures / Cake – Green Pastures / Strings – Jeffery Wang plus 2 / Car – Classic Limos of Austin

She-N-He Austin Wedding Photography and Design specializes in making your day…YOURS. We capture your wedding just the way you see it. We’re a husband and wife team with backgrounds in Graphic Design/Art Direction and Commercial/Editorial Photography respectively. We bring to you a unique perspective that is romantic, modern and timeless and 15 years experience shooting all over the world. Call us and tell us all about your big day. We’re listening. 512-351-9314. We also service San Antonio, Dallas, New York City, and any and all remote destination locations./

Kimberly -N- Gabe / Plantation House Wedding Photography / Austin Wedding Photographer / November 14, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

Kimberly -N- Gabe

Plantation House - Pflugerville, Texas

From the Groom: My breath was literally taken away when I saw my beautiful bride for the first time that day walking down the aisle.

From the bride: It was the most significant day of our lives - when two best friends became united as one in front of God and everyone we love.

I have never been so happy as I was that day when I became his wife.

Kimberly -N- Gabe – An Evening under the stars wedding at Plantation House - Pflugerville, Tx

Venue/Coordinator – Plantation House / Photographer – She-N-He Photography and Design / Officient - Paster Eric Hoehn - (512) 992-9987/ Videographer - Capital Wedding Video / Make-up – Erica Gray / Floral Design – The Gala Gal / Catering – Culinary Delights / Cake – Sweet Treats Bakery / DJ – GGC Productions / Harpist - Angelic Strings / Mariachi Band - Marichi Suroeste - (512) 665-5737 / Car - Austin Black Car Service /

Saturday Family Mini-Sessions / Austin Family Photographer / November 13, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

This year we did three family mini sessions on Saturday and I knew every family that came by - it's so nice to watch these families grow. Little Vincent is way into monster trucks this year, and now he has an active independent sister who was just a tiny baby last time we met. Then came Lindsey and Marcos. I photographed their engagement, wedding, Charlie's infant session, a family session a year ago and then again this last Saturday, so we've been together a long time. Ben is just as crazy as ever but Charlie's growing up to be quite the old man ;) And lastly, of course, Emily and Blake who married last December came out for a holiday session with their fur babies. It was the first time we've ever met but they were very well-behaved. This industry is so different from any other. You get the rare opportunity to be with the same folks at different intervals in their lives and it's nice to genuinely love what you do and who you do it for! Thank you all for coming out on a chilly morning in November. Happy Holidays!

Holiday Mini Portrait Session

Austin, Tx

Megan -N- Carl / Travis Heights Engagement Session / Austin Engagement Photography / November 7, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

Megan and Carl are like a couple of honeymooners already, crazy for each other and just can't keep their hands off ;) I LOVE it! They will be host and hostess at the sweetest intimate wedding just two days after Christmas at Green Pastures. We photographed their engagement session in their little neighborhood in Travis Heights. Megan made sure they were coordinated in dress and it looks good. They have a brand new baby kitten that was all the rage when I arrived, so we nabbed a few frames even though it was not necessarily on the wish list of papa bear. Thank you guys, it was lovely working with you so far. See you soon!

Megan -N- Carl - Travis Heights Engagement Session

Austin, Tx

Halloween with Camille Styles and crew! / November 5, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

I loved this shoot for Camille Style blog. It's a wonderful high styled shoot, inspired on Clue the board game for Halloween. Jennifer Rose Smith concepted and styles this shoot with the help of Loot Vintage Rentals on set design and various lovely ladies behind those killer costumes. I loved working on this shoot with this team.

I hope your Halloween was fun and safe, and you all got to figure out "who done it?"

Next Up, Thanksgiving, I can hardly wait! I am already getting my table dressing ready to go, with some new plum colored napkins from West Elm and some fresh paint on the dining room walls and TBA chandelier above the table. We have a lot of family headed down here so we're pretty excited.

Halloween with Camille Styles and LOOT Vintage Rentals

Holiday Mini Sessions are back Saturday November 9th! / Austin lifestyle Family Photographer / October 30, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

holiday mini session, austin family photography, austin family photography, austin children photographer, austin child photography It's that time of year again! Holiday mini-session time. We will be setting up shop at Katherine Fleisher park on Saturday November 9th 8-11am. We have one slot already taken only 4 remain. If we fill these times we may extend it to another 5 in the evening, beginning at 4:30.

Schedule your sessions right away all digital uploads will be delivered to you by December 1st. Right on time for the holidays!

---mel

Lauren -N- Chris / Green Pastures Wedding / Austin Wedding Photography / October 29, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

Lauren -N- Chris - Green Pastures - brunch wedding in early September

from Lauren:

Chris and I met while working in the same courthouse in Austin, Texas, which is why it just felt right to have the judge who Chris worked for marry us at Green Pastures nearly 5 years to the day we first met. It made the wedding even more special to have our friends play the ceremony music, including "Across the Universe," when I walked down the aisle. There were so many special moments throughout the day, but the best part was just getting to celebrate with so many friends and family all in one place.

Lauren-N-Chris - Green Pastures Brunch wedding

Venue/Coordinator – Green Pastures / Photographer – She-N-He Photography and Design / Floral Design – Photosynthesis / Catering – Green Pastures / Cake – Green Pastures / Jazz Trio - Danielle Reich / Hair & Make-up - Rae Cosmetics

Cassie -N- Brenden / Whataburger Engagement Session / Austin Engagement Photographer / October 18, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

I LOVE when a couple says "I have this idea," and then let's me run with it. Not only let's me run with it, but completely trusts me with every aspect of production. Cheers to you two, we did well! Truth be told I moved into the neighborhood where this Whataburger is 7 years ago, and I was immediately enchanted with those stripes! I have wanted to photograph there forever but could never find the right subject(s) for it. Enter Cassie, she came to me with this Whataburger idea, I told her about this location and she said, "that's the one we were thinking of." Seriously, does it get any better than that?! I don't think so. I'll be photographing their wedding next weekend at Camp Lucy and I just can't wait to see them again, they are sweetest and funniest folks.

Erica Gray (hair and make-up) woke up at the ungodly hour of 3am to make me happy for the light. She is A-Mazing! And look at the work she did!! No man is an island - a great team is what makes it all come together.

Cassie and Brenden

Whataburger

Julie -N- Chris / University of Texas Engagement Session / Austin Engagement Photographer / October 15, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

Julie -N- Chris - Engaged

A destination engagement session at UT for this Houston couple. We met at the fountain and explored the unlimited potential of the University of Texas campus - beautiful, none of the buildings are the same and the history just oozes off of these magnificent structures. I loved it. I am excited to be photographing their wedding next spring, they are happy in love, but mostly they laugh and laugh. Chris is the cut-up, I actually repeated his joke, it was a good one. I really appreciate humor.

Julie -N- Chris

University of Texas Engagement Session

Keeli -N- Kevin / Azul Sensatori - Riviera Maya, Mexico - destination wedding / Austin Wedding Photographer / October 8, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

Keeli -N- Kevin

Destination Wedding:

Azul Sensatori Riviera Maya, Mexico

Howard Family / Dallas Family Photographer / October 1, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

The Howards in Dallas.

Christal-Michael and Emma

Jennifer -N- Danny / McKinney State Park / Austin Engagement Photographer / September 26, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

Jennifer -N- Danny met at a New Years Eve party several years ago when Danny was poised to move to Portland. It was one of those nights that only happens in a John Hughes movie. Throughout the long evening, every conversation growing stronger and deeper drawing them closer than they ever realized. This is how I imagine that night ;) They both love camping and Danny loves prize fighting. We decided on a camping theme for their engagement session since we thought prize fighting might give the wrong impression ;) They suggested McKinney State Park and I was thrilled because I hadn't been there so it was all new stuff to photograph - very inspiring!

I'm so excited for their Barr Mansion Tuesday wedding this fall. It's going to be a blast with these two love birds!

Jessica -N- Nathan / Hummingbird House Wedding / Austin Wedding Photography / September 22, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

Jessica and Nathan - Happy Anniversary!

First off, I wish I had had the time to post this blog last year because I was so excited about it. This wedding was so much fun for everyone involved. They had so many awesome ideas... but alas we were too bogged down to do the fun part last year.

Jessica and Nathan met when Jessica's sister got into juggling and performance and took Jessica with her to a convention in Vegas. There, out of pure kismet, she met Nathan. They stayed in contact over long distance, and one time when she came to visit him she followed Nathan climbing to the top of a communications tower. From atop that tower, their fate was sealed.

Their wedding was equally bold and lovely. Everything was meticulously made by hand. At the center of each table was a hand-crafted electronic box and a card of questions at each table setting. The questions were about Jessica and Nathan but were tailored to each table, specifically how each person at the table knew the couple (clever.) Once the questions were answered and all the answers were keyed in, the lock boxes sprang open and inside was a poker chip for everyone at the table to be redeemed at the bar for a lei (for later.) In addition, the box also included Mentos to be tossed into the centerpieces which were filled with oil and food coloring which transformed the vases into unique lava lamps. After dinner, Jessica's dad gave his speech and had the couple come to the stage where he blind-folded them. Then he quietly got all of the guests to don fake mustaches and he climbed into a lobster costume while the rest of the groomsmen got into the costumes they wore for J and N's engagement video, a lion, a banana and a grim reaper (maybe.) Wild! To cap off this already amazing celebration, the couple arranged for a 30 minute variety show complete with unicycles, juggling, dog tricks and so much more! For their first dance, the newly minted couple preformed a professionally-choreographed routine and followed that with a "lei dance" whereby each individual guest could hang their lei on either one of the couple and get a few moments on the dance floor with them.

It was so much fun, I'm sure they will be thinking of that night forever, and particularly in one month. Happy Anniversary, you two!

Venue/Coordinator - The Hummingbird House / Photographer/Photobooth - She-N-He Photography and Design / Floral Design - Pollen Floral Art / DJ - Live Oak DJ / Catering - Jack Allen's Kitchen / Cake - Be My Cupcake

Theresa -N- Nick / Austin Country Club Wedding / Austin Wedding Photography / August 20, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

Theresa and Nick!

Man, I had such a wonderful time photographing these guys. Their love for each other is intoxicating. How could I not LOVE this job when it comes to couples like this?!

Theresa's day started with make-up (face kandy) and hair (Danielle Barr) at the Westin with all of her best girls. Then a quick ride over to Our Lady of Guadalupe in East Austin. If you don't know this church, you must experience it. Tucked into an East Austin neighborhood, the church is quite stunning. It's old and unpolished and yet on the inside its filled with color and light and warmth. Finding the perfect place to exchange your vows can be difficult, but when the couple and venue match as well as these folks - its incredible. The ceremony, officiated by Nick's own grandfather, was a beautiful affair filled with laughter and tears of joy. Hopefully no one saw me crying as well, it was so darn easy to get caught up in it all.

Next we travelled to Austin Country Club where the couple was met with cocktails and revelry from their family and friends. Musical Discovery played strings for their cocktail hour while CLINK wrapped up the finishing touches of their wedding decor inside and out. It was elegant, refined, and classy. And then things got a little wild. Nick's family is from New York and apparently it's a New York tradition to enter the reception and start dancing immediately just to give your guests a taste of what they can expect throughout the evening. What an amazing tradition and it got everyone out of their seats and boogying down right off the bat. Penguin Entertainment did a marvelous job of keeping that party going all night long.

Congratulations to Theresa and Nick! we wish you all the love and happiness in the world, and thanks for bringing us along for the ride.

Wedding Location - Our Lady of Guadalupe / Reception Location - Austin Country Club / Getting ready location - The Westin (at the Domain) / Coordinator - CLINK / Photography - She-N-He Photography and Design / Catering - Austin Country Club / Cake - Simon Lee Bakery / DJ - Penguin Entertainment / Flowers - Merveille Events / Wedding and Cocktail Music - Musical Discovery / Lighting - Ilios Lighting / Hair - Danielle Barr / Make-up - Face Kandy / Rentals - Marquee / Transportation - R&R Limousine and Bus

First Few Minutes Anniversary / Austin Country Club Wedding / Austin Wedding Photographer / August 7, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

That first couple minutes after your first kiss and you're just can't wait for the second. Congratulations to Theresa and Nick!

Allison -N- Curtis / Vintage Villas Wedding / Austin Wedding Photographer / July 9, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

Allison -N- Curtis - Vintage Villas - Austin, Tx Wedding

My husband and I met after college while working on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. After several years of dating, my now husband proposed to me on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, and after saying “yes,” we were greeted by our parents (who he had flown in from Texas and Tennessee) on the Speaker’s balcony in the U.S. Capitol overlooking the National mall. What can I say… he is a great planner! While we fell in love in DC, there was no question in my mind that we would get married in Austin – my hometown and one of my favorite places in the world. Since I went to college in Southern California and my husband went to college in Chicago and his family is from the Midwest and the South and we live in DC, we knew most of our guests would be coming from out of town and had not been to Austin before, so we wanted them to have the full Austin experience. We had in mind a venue that was out in the Hill Country (hopefully with a view of the lake) but not too far from downtown and the airport and Vintage Villas was the perfect fit. My husband and I both have very demanding and unpredictable jobs, so my parents signed the contract with Vintage Villas sight unseen to us and thankfully it all worked out great! Also, a few months before the wedding we found out that we would be moving to Chicago at the end of the summer, so my husband could start business school in the fall. Needless to say, planning a wedding out of state in the midst of everything else going on was pretty stressful at times, but my mom and I also really enjoyed working together on the décor and all the little details, and it ended up being the most amazing weekend ever. I was pretty stressed in the few weeks leading up to the wedding weekend, but somehow I relaxed once I finally got to Austin and my family and friends started arriving. It was so much fun having so many of our very favorite people from all over the country together and able to celebrate with us in my hometown! I was pretty convinced I was going to forget something major for the wedding, but somehow it all worked out and it didn't rain. With all of that said, we owe a huge thanks to God for bringing us together, for our family and friends who traveled near but mostly far to celebrate with us, and to our amazing parents and vendors who were so patient with us and worked so hard to help us pull off our special day!

Open House Stonehouse Villa / With She-N-He / Austin wedding photographer / July 7, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

Contemporary Art-themed open house? AND a movie on the lawn (Father of the Bride) after hours? Yes, please! Come out and enjoy Crave, The Peached Tortilla, and wine from Duchman Family Winery. Its going to be an unforgettable event with a few new twists. She-N-He, Arthouse Floral, Modish, and Whim are all working together to marry the art and wedding worlds together for one night only and its going to be a blast for all, so come on out to Driftwood and make a statement!

Stonehouse Villa is sleek, sexy, and modern. The answer for today's brides who are looking for what's next. We've got it!

Come join us 6-8 on Thursday at Stonehouse Villa 15110 FM 150, Driftwood, Texas 78619 and if you're feeling squirrely, stick around for the movie outdoors: Father of the Bride. But don't sit next to me, I'll be quoting it from start to finish.

Helene -N- Darrin / South Austin Engagement Photography / Austin Engagement Photographer / July 3, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

Darrin is an American in the Air Force and Helene is Norwegian living in Cairo working for the UN. They met while the pair were stationed in the same country, however brief. They played volleyball and Helene quipped her team was the best. Darrin will retire soon and Helene will join him, but they decided to get married now to make the transition a little easier when the time comes. So surprise they're actually just married!

Happy Wednesday.

South Austin - Engagement Photography Session

Page -N- Joe / Barr Mansion Wedding / Austin Wedding Photographer / July 1, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

Page and Joe from Albuquerque, NM - Married at Barr Mansion in Austin, Tx.

From Page:

Joe and I, both born and raised in the Southwest, met in 2004 in the least likely of places—at Lehigh University in eastern Pennsylvania. After graduation, we knew it was time to move back west, closer to home. After a stint of Joe living in Scottsdale and me returning to my hometown of Austin, we began to feel the strain of being in a long-distance relationship. In 2006, we decided to meet in the middle and relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico. I really think that’s when we knew we were in it, together, for the long haul.

When Joe popped the question in New York City in December 2011, we knew we wanted to get married in Austin. The search began for a venue that captured the beauty and history of central Texas, but also wasn't too stuffy (Joe and I are not fancy people!). The majority of our guests were from out of state, so our first priority was to find a super cool spot for our celebration. We wanted everyone to get the “true Austin experience”—a little bit of swank and a little bit of country.

I fell in love with the Barr Mansion the second I laid eyes on it. Despite the dreary February weather, the rustic mansion and the contemporary-but-comfortable artisan ballroom were the perfect combination of traditional and modern we were looking for. Our wedding day was picture-perfect: a mild, sunny April day gave way to a gorgeous, starry night full of fun. Everything was amazing.

When we woke up the next morning, we wished we could do it all over again. It was that perfect. In fact, we’re still looking for a reason to throw another huge party!

Location - Barr Mansion / Photography - She-N-He / Flowers - STEMS / Photo Booth - Ed's Photo Booth / Cakes & Catering - Barr Mansion / DJ - Greenbelt DJ / Officiant - Rev. Charles Baskin / Dress - Maggie Sottero / Hair - Brandy Louden Castilleja, The Beauty Store Salon & Spa / Makeup - Origins at Central Park / Guest Transportation - R&R Limousine & Bus / Bride & Groom Transportation - Enchanted Antique Limos / Bridesmaids Jewels - Fail

Brandt -N- Kim Familes / North West Austin Family Photographer / June 28, 2013 by Melanie Grizzel

Sandy's Mom and Dad and hockey loving brother were coming in to town from California. They had only one request (as far as I know ;) Lets take some family photographs while we're all together. So we did. We walked all around Katherine Fleischer Park on an unseasonably beautiful early evening in May. They were wonderful and easy to work with, the transmitted hockey game kept brother on his game the entire time ;) And those kiddos were a dream! Maybe soon we can get all of the retired California parents to move to Austin, mine did.

Brandt and Kim family portraits - North West Austin