All love is beautiful, but there’s something so special about high school sweethearts. Blakely and James met when they were fifteen during rehearsals for a church play. They were cast as a married couple, and now, a number of years later, they’re married in real life! It was an honor to photograph their beautiful celebration at Ma Maison Wedding Venue in Dripping Springs.
My goal as a photographer isn’t just to take pretty pictures, but to truly capture what’s important to you. When Blakely and James first inquired, they told me that they don’t really like PDA. They were nervous about working with a photographer who would force them to kiss and cuddle. We talked through the specifics of their wedding day to ensure I could capture how much they love each other in a way that felt natural to them—no PDA required!
One of my strengths is prompting poses that feel effortless and encourage lots of laughter. Additionally, I’m excellent at disappearing into the crowd to document your love at its most peaceful. Blakely and James were so much fun to work with, because they were fully present throughout their entire wedding day.
Getting Ready with Their Favorite People
Ma Maison Wedding Venue feels like a European vacation destination in the heart of Texas. The moment I stepped onto the grounds, I felt like I had been completely transported. Even the bridal suite, where Blakely and her bridesmaids got ready together, felt elegant. The bride and her friends were laughing all morning, lounging around the suite, and enjoying cocktails. My favorite detail from the morning was seeing each of the bridesmaids’ names hand-embroidered on their shirt sleeves! This was just one of many personal touches woven throughout the day.
Meanwhile, James and the boys got ready in another part of the venue. I loved watching the gents help each other tie their bowties and fix their collars. You can tell a lot about a couple by their wedding party, and everyone here was simply glowing with happiness for Blakely and James.
An Emotional First Look by the Lake
The couple shared a first look by the lake. The moment James saw Blakely, he broke out into a smile that lasted all night. We intentionally planned time for the couple’s portraits before the ceremony so Blakely and James could have a pocket of time to themselves before the business of the day. We wandered around the lake, soaking in the moment, before returning to the venue for group portraits with their family and the wedding party.
A Timeless Ceremony & Golden Hour Portraits at Ma Maison Wedding Venue
After group portraits, guests began arriving for the ceremony. We tucked Blakely away while guests found their seats, awed by the beautiful day and the colorful hydrangea arch over the altar. Instead of having the bridesmaids and groomsmen stand by the altar, Blakely and James were only accompanied by their maid of honor and best man. The rest of the wedding party sat in the front row so they could actually see their best friends exchange vows! And those vows were something to behold. The bride and groom wrote their own, and every single guest was wiping away tears by the end. The ceremony ended with a simple kiss and cheers that rose well above the treetops!
Guests enjoyed cocktail hour beneath the trellis on the patio of Ma Maison Wedding Venue while I stole Blakely and James away for sunset portraits. Blakely wore a flower crown that perfectly encapsulated her sweet, wild spirit. Now that the ceremony had passed, the bride and groom were full of smiles and easy laughter, enjoying their first few minutes as husband and wife!
A Party to Remember
They soon joined their guests for dinner and dancing in the Great Hall, which had been transformed into a colorful retreat bathed in pale pink, blue, and white hydrangeas and wisteria. After dinner and toasts, the bride and groom opened the evening with a beautifully choreographed first dance, which was followed by the father-daughter and mother-son dances. As a special surprise, Blakely donated her wedding bouquet to her mother!
Then, the guests filled the dance floor. Blakely and James were tearing it up with their friends all night long, only slipping off the dance floor to cut their cake and say goodbye to guests. At the end of the night, they left the venue beneath an arch of sparklers and drove to their next chapter in a vintage car.
Austin Wedding Photographer for Joy-Filled Celebrations
This wedding at Ma Maison Wedding Venue will live in my dreams for a while yet. It wasn’t just the stunning, European style venue. And it wasn’t just the colorful florals and personal details. The weddings that I remember the most vividly are the ones that are so full of joy that every image seems drenched in it. That is how Blakely and James’ wedding felt, simply drenched in happiness and excitement. And I had the privilege of documenting it!
When Blakely and James received their album, they texted me, “Obsessed is an understatement! We are so, so happy with them.”
As a wedding photographer, that’s all I ever want. If you’re looking for a photographer who will work alongside you to make your wedding day as enjoyable as possible and capture the pure, unadulterated joy of your celebration, I would love to work with you. Explore my wedding photography packages and inquire to get started!
Vendors:
Photography: Naomi Phelps Photography
Venue: Ma Maison Wedding Venue
Wedding Planner: Melanie with Something to Celebrate
Videographer: Reid and Co Films
Florist: Flora Fetish
Catering: SoHo Events
Cake & Dessert: Sugar Mamas Bakeshop
Hair & Makeup: LoLa Beauty ATX
Entertainment: Live Oak DJ