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Houston Weddings can be expensive! Let’s remember they are technically a luxury, and as fun and incredible as they can be, you don’t NEED a big wedding. Often times I hear my brides tell me how much they have had to spend or they wished they had the money to allot for X. This blog is going to give you some ideas on ways to save money without lowering the quality of your day – because in this industry you get what you pay for. Harsh… but I can only be honest, and want the best for my people!
One of the easiest ways to save money on a wedding in Houston is to have your wedding during an off-peak season, such as during the summer months, or on a weekday. This can result in significant savings on everything from venue rentals, to catering, and floral arrangements.
Another way to save money on a wedding in Houston is to choose a “budget-friendly” venue. When I say “budget friendly,” let me explain… There are many beautiful and affordable wedding venues in Houston, (such as The Homestead Tx, pictured in this blog post) that offer all-inclusive wedding packages. From decor rentals, chairs, tables, catering, etc, choosing vendors who provide more than one component often results in a cheaper total. Think of it as same quality, but less “middle men” and less labor costs since bundled services typically only include one set of labor costs vs the labor costs for 4 or 5 different companies.
One of the biggest expenses of any wedding is the cost of feeding and entertaining your guests. To save money on your wedding in Houston (or anywhere, really), consider limiting your guest list to only your closest family and friends. This can significantly reduce the cost of catering, venue rental, and other expenses, while still allowing you to have a memorable and meaningful wedding celebration. The money saved by having a smaller guest list can be put towards decor, premium wedding vendors, or even your savings account!
Hear me out… if your “all in” budget for photo and video is 5k, I always recommend to my clients to pick one must-have instead of splitting your budget in half and hiring two mediocre companies to get both. I know, I know… it’s a hot take, but I promise you won’t regret investing in one must-have photographer or videographer. The videographers here are not going to like what I have to say… but I obviously vote on investing in a great photographer over a great videographer. Your photos will last forever! In addition to being digital, they are tangible items you can print, hang or create albums of, and pass down through the generations. One thing I love to suggest to my clients is to create a dropbox folder for your guests to drop videos into and create your own slideshow together of your big day as a date night.
Want to chat about the possibility of me photographing your Houston Wedding? Contact me to learn more!
I won’t lie… this whole blog thing has never been my favorite. I know I am not the worlds best writer, and I sure as shit don’t have the best grammar…but here we are, writing blogs because the truth is that despite all of that, I have important things to share and say! Practice makes perfect right?
Let’s use engagement sessions as an example.
Don’t come at me for what I’m about to say. I used to HATE engagement sessions. I *used* to. But with Houston engagement season officially here, I figured I’d let you in on that little secret…I have grown to love them for a multitude of reasons.
(Let me preface this by saying Florida is a great place for the people who love it). But I am a Texas gal now, and I’m falling more in love with engagements the longer I live here!
Now that my dirty little secret is out, and engagements are in, I figured today was a good day to share my top tips for getting engagement-photo-ready!
Five Tips For Engagement Sessions
Where should we have our engagement session? What is the best time of day? Will it cost money? All are questions that go hand in hand. Houston is full of awesome engagement session locations.
To narrow it down, some questions I ask my clients are:
-Is there a space that is special to you as a couple?
-Where did you get engaged?
-Are you willing to pay a permit fee for the perfect location?
Locking down these important details can help us pick the best location for your session. If you don’t have a spot in mind, I am literally bursting at the seams with fun ideas and locations that I fucking love! If you want something outdoors, consider the Houston Arboretum, or the skyline at Buffalo Bayou Park.
If you prefer something indoors, or a studio feel, check out The Oak Atelier (Shown here).
No matter what you decide, let those questions guide you, or give your photographer full control so you can find the vibe and location that works best for you.
All RKM clients get a pre session email that shares tips and tricks on how to make your session flow and feel easy. Since you’re here and I am feeling the love, I can give you a sneak peek at some of those tips here.
For starters, I always recommend getting a full 8 hrs of sleep the nights leading up to our session together. We always tend to feel better, are less stressed, and just all around happier. Here is a small article explaining the benefits of sleep to our moods. My second tip is BRING BUG SPRAY! we all know the texas bugs are wild and relentlesssssssssssss.
I always recommend my clients bring two outfit choices.
-One more casual more “you” outfit. Something that screams your individual personalities. Be it cowboy hats and boots, with jeans and a plaid shirt. Or just a casual hang out outfit. Think comfortable and casual.
-One more “formal” outfit. One that you would probably lean towards for your save the dates etc. Or if you are just fancy pants people and love to get dressed up do one/two epic outfits!
Some dress companies I love to recommend to my clients are Balticborn, Joyfolie, or Mod boutique. When styling, I always tell couples to pick a color “scheme” or pallet and go from there. Think light neutrals with a small amount of blush pinks. Or more fall “tones” like greens, with a pop of mustard. Picking a “theme” is always the way to go over matching head to toe in the same colors.
BUT rules are meant to be broken- this couple rocked it with black on black formal attire, so if you are struggling to make something work, don’t worry, I am here to bounce ideas off of and help make sure you look incredible at your session.
This post is all about being honest, so I’m gonna be honest with you about something…. WE’RE ALL AWKWARD IN OUR OWN WAYS! That’s what makes you *you* and your relationship *yours*. As your photographer, I’m here to capture your relationship as it is. It is your photographers job to make it fun, easy, and tell your story- no matter how “awkward” you may feel. You’re fucking awesome and I got your back!
One of my favorite hacks as a Houston wedding and engagement photographer is to tell clients to book their trial session for their hair and makeup on the day of your engagement session. This allows you to visually see what you like or don’t like about your wedding day makeup and hair.
Afterwards, you bring tips and concerns back to your HMUA (don’t worry they love this and want you to be happy).
Some of my favorite houston Hair and makeup artists are Blooming Beauty, Portia Lea, Bespoken-Beauty. You can’t go wrong with any of these amazing ladies!
LOOKING TO BOOK YOUR 5 STAR PHOTOGRAPHER: CONTACT ME HERE!
Every year I try to create a new Houston engagement photo session tip blog. Alas here we are. A new year and a new engagement season. Houston Texas seriously has some of the BEST engagement session locations. From Downtown Houston, to open fields, Galveston beach, LOTS of public park filled with greenery. So honestly the skies the limit. Enjoy some of my favorite tips for planning and having the most successful engagement session in Houston.
Pick a location that has a lot of coverage options! The more scenery the location has the more places we have to play around with shots. I also would encourage verifying if the location requires a permit fee. We love a good park but downtown comes at a price. Not open to paying a permit fee? Thats totally fine I have lots of options out of the city with the same feel without a permit fee.
Choose a day that will be less busy! Houston Texas engagement season will be in full effect! So the less people there are out and about. The less likely they’ll be in the back of your photos & you can be more comfortable without worrying about people during your session.
Make sure the location you chose is the best that suites your personalities! If you love trees, let’s explore those woodsy areas!!! Or if you love downtown, let’s hit the streets!! Met at your favorite restaurant (i love food and trying new things) let’s do it! Honestly the skies the limit when it comes to location.
Bring a “prop” of some-sort. When I say “prop” i mean like a blanket, your favorite drink, a mini picnic, something to utilize at your session’s location. Things that you enjoy doing together or to enhance your outfits are always a plus! They also can add a pop of color to your session while showcasing your personality. (PS cowboy boots and hats count) we love a good Houston engagement session with cowboy boots.
I am always here to help you plan your Houston engagement session outfit ideas. I love using Style & Select to help show you what your complete outfit would visually look like. As well a help come up with a cohesive color scheme. I always! recommend staying away from patterns or logos. Neutral is always better. Beige, grey’s, ceam, natural tones always work best together. With that I always advise you bring one more “Casual” outfit, and one more “fancy” “done up” outfit.
When you book hair and makeup for your wedding often times it comes with or has the option to add on a trial run. I always like to recommend using this trial run for the day of your Houston engagement photo session. You can see how the makeup will last, do you like it, do you love the makeup artist etc!
Let’s talk pets, If you’re bringing your adorably lovable furry friend, bring a (human) buddy too! This way your human friend can take care of your pet while we capture other shots. Often times we think our pets are the best behaved animals ever. Well Ish happens and instead of you getting frustrated or feeling overwhelmed you have someone who can help out. And we get to take advantage of all that extra time and yummy light without getting flustered, or worried.
Drop in the comments the prop you would bring to you engagement session! I’d bring a quilt or blanket.
Want to chat about the possibility of me photographing your Downtown Houston, Engagement session? Contact me to learn more!
When you start to plan your wedding you go through all the vendors you think you want / need. Venue, photographer, florist, catering, rentals, cake, videographer, officiant, etc! One vendor typically get’s left out and is super under rated. A Top Houston wedding planner. Weather that be full planning, month of, week of, or even just day of services. There is a level of planning to fit all needs.
Ive decided to start a new Blog series where I feature some of my favorite wedding vendors to work with. Who they are, how they started, and support other small business’ in the Houston wedding industry. So If you want a planner to jump in and work until the couple are happily leaving in their exit cars. Learn more abut Bluepoppy events.
Carrie and Rebekah are lucky to share a bond beyond sisterhood. Despite an eight-year gap in age, they have pretty much always been best friends and they are truly balancing points for one another. While at first it may seem as if Carrie is a classic ‘first born’ child: all about details, organization, and structure and Rebekah fills the ‘youngest child’ role: fun, laughter, and a good-time gal, they actually BOTH bring ALL of these traits to Blue Poppy Events.
For years, they discussed what kind of business they could create together. Something that would utilize their skills, push them to learn and grow, and also be family-oriented. Wedding and event planning sort of fell into their laps at the right time and the right place in life. Just as they were trying to find ‘the perfect business idea’, they kept getting asked by friends and family to assist with their weddings and events. “You know how to run a wedding rehearsal, right?” “Can you set up a reception?” “Do you know anything about wedding day timelines?”. As neither sister is one to shy away from a challenge, they took on these requests for help with all seriousness and refused to let someone’s special day fall to pieces.
Well, after hours and hours of searching for what captured who they are and what they wanted their business to be. Carrie and Rebekah realized how fortunate they are to have one another as a sister and began to think about their own families. While they each only have one daughter, their hope is that their children will grow up to be more like sisters. In searching for a way to symbolize this in their busines they ultimately decided. They selected blue for the color of 1 daughter’s birthstone and the poppy is the other daughter’s birth month flower.
Fast forward to today and Blue Poppy Events is now growing into everything this sister team hoped for – and more. They love to meet with couples and hear what they have envisioned for their wedding day. Then helping bring that dream to fruition. Rarely a wedding passes that Rebekah isn’t getting choked up when the bride walks down the aisle. Carrie has to leave the room as the first notes of the Father and Bride’s song starts to find a tissue. They adore each and every celebration that they get to be a part of… and they have A LOT of fun doing it!! They’ve even been caught once or twice in a dark corner of the reception dancing to the party music! 😉
Now that you’ve fallen in love with the two best planners out there make sure to check out one of my favorite blog posts of theirs HERE!. Enjoy the rest of the images from one of my favorite weddings of all time. I had the pleasure of working alongside with The best Houston Wedding planners Bluepoppy events.
Venue: The Bryan Museum
Florals/Design: Rexberry Luxury
Band: Flight of the Keys
HMUA: Blush Artistry
Cake: Cakes By Jula
LOOKING TO BOOK YOUR 5 STAR PHOTOGRAPHER: CONTACT ME HERE!
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And lastly enjoy! No matter what you choose it will be amazing and uniquely you!
Want to chat about the possibility of me photographing your Downtown Houston, Wedding Contact me to learn more!
Space Center Houston offers an array of exhibits and experiences for those fascinated by the universe! The center focuses on education and fun. It’s perfect for families!
Be inspired by nature’s beauty at the Cockrell Butterfly Center in Houston. Walk through the Rainforest Conservatory, a live butterfly habitat that will make you feel like you’ve been transported across oceans! The center also doubles as a museum for butterflies and entomology for those who love the science of nature.
The Houston Zoo is full of animal encounters that will leave you in awe! This is a fun attraction for all ages. It’s also a favorite amongst locals!
If you love shopping, The Galleria is Houston’s top shopping destination. It’s also the largest shopping center in Texas and the fourth largest in the country! With luxury shopping, fine dining and an indoor ice skating rink, there’s something for everyone at this shopping destination.
Want to find the perfect spot to document your Houston trip to share with your online community? Visit Houston’s beautiful street art and murals that are Instagram worthy! You can book a private tour by cart with Joyride to visit some of Houston’s lesser known murals as well as some of the most popular. Or you can discover them on your own with friends!
Whether you’re a Texas local looking to experience Austin like a tourist, or a tourist looking to see Austin like a Texan. Here is my list of the Top five things to do in Austin, Texas! Maybe you’re looking for a family-friendly environment or a local hangout with a chill vibe. Maybe you’re in search of a historical experience or something FUN to do while you’re in Austin, Texas. Either way, Austin, Texas has something for everyone!
1. Get Inspired at Wonderspaces
This 28,000 sq. foot immersive experience will leave you dazzled and inspired. Wonderspaces is full of art installations made up of lights, technology and more that will blow your mind!
2. Tour Austin’s Famous Distilleries and Breweries
Take a tour of some of Austin’s local breweries and distilleries. Head over to Dripping Springs Distilling, Treaty Oaks Distillery, and the Desert Door Distillery. If brews are your thing, try out some of the local IPA’s and ales through Texas Twisted Tours that will leave you wanting more.
3. Visit South Congress Avenue and “Keep Austin Weird”
Head on over to South Congress Avenue to find unique restaurants, live music and local shops with that signature Austin, Texas flair!
4. Make A Splash at Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures
Looking for some summer family fun? Try out Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures which is a blend of American Ninja Warrior meets your favorite bounce house on the water! The whole family is sure to love this adventure.
5. Snap an Instagram-Worthy Photo
No trip is complete without a good photo! Visit some of Austin’s best selfie spots like the Austin Mural at Roadhouse Relics. You can find a complete list of Austin’s top instagram worthy locations here.
I hope you found this list of five things to do in Austin, Texas helpful! May you find Austin as fun and exciting as the locals do. There is so much more to explore and see and this is only the very tip of the iceberg. Come see what the fuss is all about and keep Austin weird!
First off let me start by saying there are so many pros and cons to every wedding option. I wanted to add some pros to a smaller backyard wedding in the Houston, texas area because well they are incredible!
Pro 2. Secondly Your space allows for a comfortable getting ready location. What do i mean by that… well, my job as a storyteller is to capture you in your element. You’re home creates a sense of peace, enjoyment, comfortability. The more comfortable the more you trust me and give me your true raw self.
Pro #3 NO ONE WILL HAVE THE SAME IMAGES AS YOU. I feel like this is self explanatory :] Your space = your images. We live for originality!
Pro #4 You make the rules. No one can tell you how many people can be in your space at one time, or what food and drinks you can have, how long you have to get ready, and no one to care about if you decide to party till 2am instead of the allotted time of 10pm.
Pro # 5. You can have as little or as many people as you want / can fit. Typically I find my clients love a smaller intimate wedding to allow for more details, and extra money spent on important things like photographer (me 😝), florals, details, dj etc.
Lastly Pro #6 and my personal favorite WE GET TO TAKE PORTRAITS FOR AS LONG AS YOU WANT! I mean this is your Outdoor Texas Backyard Wedding, You run the show and it’s your space. So we can go anywhere, do anything, and create as much as we want. You want to frolic in the cow pasture and take portraits next to cow pies I’m game. Im here for you!
Enjoy the Full gallery of this Outdoor Houston Texas wedding HERE!
Are you looking for an event space to host your wedding shower?
So I know events aren’t something I talk about often, but this one was for the books. Diamond had the coolest set up for her Bridal Shower at Dune Fort Lauderdale, in Flordia . From oranges as small details to Donuts from The Salty Donut they were to DIE FOR BTW! (get the guava and cheese!!!). You can’t go wrong with the food from Dune, the food and the cocktails were seriously incredible. If you are planning an event feel free to reach out to me and let’s get this party started!
Your bridal or baby shower does NOT have to be at the same ole same ole party places! Most restaurants, spas, and many other beautiful places offers an event space that you can rent and decorate beautifully with little to no effort! ,
While this venue is in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, there are so many beautiful venues like this in Texas, in Houston, Dallas, Waco, and so many smaller outskirt towns!
If you have a dream and want to bring it to life, I would love to talk with you about the venues that I LOVE!
Venue: Dune Fort Lauderdale
Food: Dune
Donuts: The Salty Donut
The Springs Event Venue has an incredible array of venues thorughout Houston, Texas area and one of my favorites is Wallisville! From, livestock, to fields, a beautiful outdoor ceremony space, the list goes on. The second I stepped foot onto this venues lot I was in awe, this Florida girl had no idea what Texas had in store for her. Here are some awesome reasons why I love this venue, and why you should check out any of The Springs Event Venues out.
For starters:
The outside space is HUGE! and absolutely beautiful views from any direction. (Not all Houston, Texas Venues have incredible views in every direction).
The space inside the main building is so simple and elegant that any design can work! Nothing I love more is a simple beautiful space that can easily be turned into your ideal vision.
Lets talk about the accommodations! Seriously I wish I had more images of the Bride and Grooms suits because they are amazing! So spacious and has everything you can imagine!
I had the pleasure of Second Shooting with Heather Purvis Photography and she is an amazinggggg person and had been an incredible friend to me since moving here to Texas
let's make magic together!
