Both glorious accessory and sentimental symbol, the bouquet you hold on your wedding day should express your style, and your joy, without stealing the spotlight or weighing you down. Scroll down for a bounty of beautiful bouquets, fresh from Houston’s haute-est wedding florists!
Everything centers on the textural succulent at the heart of this colorful bouquet…and we love it!
Got cold feet about choosing your wedding photographer? Use our short list of Houston photographers, and what real brides and grooms say about them, to help you find your perfect Houston wedding photographer match!
1) Taylor Golden Photography
Known for her sweeping cityscapes and dramatic images, “go big or go home” is Taylor’s style. If you have a destination wedding or an especially scenic wedding in the works, Taylor is your gal. As at home at a backyard wedding as she is capturing a ceremony on the Venice canals, her level of experience and professionalism makes have earned her both trust and raves from our couples. Personable and friendly, with a disarming demeanor, Taylor Golden White will not only quickly become your one of your favorite photographer, but she will also fast become your friend and travel advisor.
Photo: Taylor Golden Photography
The buzz: “From the initial meeting to the final viewing, Taylor’s level of professionalism, combined with her striking personality made for an ‘only seen in the movies’ experience. And our photos speak for themselves! The unique shots and candid moments are EXACTLY what we were looking for. Taylor’s work is anything but typical. Instead of feeling like clients, we felt like family. Her friendly and spunky personality made us instantly feel at ease. We now have hundreds of amazing photos to look back on, which are worth every single penny. Thank you, Taylor. Our wedding album isn’t just a bunch of pictures – it’s the start of our family legacy.” ~Dustyn & Heather
2) D. Jones Photo
David Jones and the team at D. Jones Photo have 15 years of experience shooting Houston weddings. Familiar with just about every venue and location in Houston, and comfortable working with many Houston vendors, “lust for light” photographer David captures the luminosity and splendor of your wedding from bride or groom suite preparations to the sparkler exit, without missing a beat.
Photo: D. Jones Photo
The buzz: “David Jones is professional and does wonderful work. I’ve recommended him to all of my friends because he is reliable and easy to work with. He delivers on his word and consistently under-promises and over-delivers. This is the kind of vendor and photographer that you want for your special events and definitely for your wedding!” ~Nicole
3) Kelly Hornberger Photography
With her passion for natural light and her her unique eye for styling, Kelly is an especially excellent photographer choice for outdoor ceremonies, al fresco receptions and Hill Country or destination weddings. She can provide both digital and film photography, for images with depth and texture. If you are a boho bride or a groom obsessed with capturing the details, Kelly is a great choice for your wedding photography.
Photo: Kelly Hornberger Photography
The buzz: “Her pictures were absolutely breathtaking! She listened to what we wanted, she cared for us throughout the whole process – but most importantly she loved us. I can’t begin to tell you how blessed we have been through the relationship she keeps with her clients.” ~Taylor & Joe
Easygoing with a big personality, Adam will make you feel at ease. The team at Nyholt are in love with love, and the passion they have for capturing your engagement and the events throughout your wedding day shows with every photo. With a wide- ranging portfolio extending to portraits and families, Adam Nyholt can become your family photographer for years to come.
Photo: Adam Nyholt, Photographer
The buzz: “Adam and his team truly brought our wedding to life (from engagement pics in NOLA, to bridals, to the wedding, to the beach). He captured our personalities, and genuine emotions and we felt so comfortable around him. We had so much fun each and every time we got to work with him.” ~Kelley and Buster
A California-trained photographer with a thriving Houston fan base, Kelli brings a bit of Napa wine country back to her native Texas. She will approach your wedding with a fresh, youthful and modern style, and offers both film and digital photography for moving, gorgeous wedding photos.
Photo: Kelli Durham Photography
The buzz: “Kelli is BEYOND amazing to work with. She has a real gift for capturing the magic in every moment and making you look and feel beautiful the entire time! From our engagement photos to our wedding day, we could not have asked for a better photographer or friend. We are so thankful to have her in our lives, and to have such gorgeous pictures to look back upon!” ~Allison & Mac
6) Civic Photos
Nothing makes a couple feel more comfortable than a photographer who loves to pose, direct and photograph people. Barrett Henry and the team at Civic Photos are well-known for their ability to showcase the living, breathing, laughing, crying, reveling people in the wedding story, not just the Pinterest-worthy details. Utilizing a wide range of lenses and state-of-the-art equipment, Civic Photos provide a broad scope and a unique look to each individual wedding couple’s event photos.
Photo: Civic Photos
The buzz: “My husband and I couldn’t have picked a better photographer. Barett took great photos for our engagement! I was a little nervous as I had never had professional pictures taken, but he made us feel comfortable and made it fun. Our wedding photos were great as well! Again, they were super-professional and captured all those special moments.” ~ Jessica
7) Dream Photo & Video
Shiva and Sam and the team at Dream Photo & Video are your one-stop shop for wedding photos and wedding videography. They offer dramatic images and extensive coverage of your wedding from start to finish, with an exciting and unique style that is excellent for large weddings and “wedding weekends.” Your wedding film is an heirloom, one that documents the words, sounds and emotions that faraway friends, extended family and future generations will want to experience. Because the Dream Photo team can provide both wedding photography and videography services, you will have a consistent style and a seamless look for both moving and still memories.
Photo: Dream Photo & Video
The buzz: “If you’re looking for someone that knows what they’re doing, this is the company you’ve been looking for. Not only is the quality amazing, but the staff and employees are outstanding. Another thing I wanted to point out was their HARD work. We only had one photographer, looking at the pictures you would think we had a entire team. I mean this man was everywhere! And believe it or not, with him running around everywhere he didn’t cause a scene or disturb a thing. Heck, I didn’t know where he was half the time, but he sure didn’t miss anything! Love, love, LOVE the pictures and video!” ~Jacob
Of all the wedding decisions you make, this one’s a biggie, you guys. Your wedding photographer won’t just snap pix of smiles, pretty dresses, “I do’s” and first dances. He or she will tell the narrative of your day, and the love story behind it, with wedding photos you’ll cherish forever. Here’s our advice for finding a photographer that will do all this and, quite possibly, become a good friend in the process!
Photo: Kelli Durham Photography
1. Get A Reference
Once you’ve settled into the bliss of engagement, it’s time to plan. And that planning includes selecting the photographer who will document your wedding, as well as possibly your announcements and Save the Date photos!
You want someone who is reliable and trustworthy, with a positive attitude (even in the most stressful situations), and who truly gets you. Photographer Adam Nyholt says it’s a good idea to ask for referrals. “This could be a friend who was recently married or your wedding planner,” or a trusted resource such as Weddings in Houston.
Photo: Civic Photos
2. Compare Portfolios
Most professional photographers have their own website and blog, which makes it easy for curious couples to peruse photos, read testimonials, and get a feel for their artistic style.
Aisha Khan of Ama Photography & Cinema recommends asking a prospective photographer for more than one sample wedding to view: “If you ask for one, they might send only their favorite one—it’s important to see what varies from wedding to wedding.”
Adds photographer Kory Fontenot of Addison J Weddings: “Ask to see the full portfolio of a wedding from beginning to end. What you see on a website or in an album is a photographer’s top choices from a wedding. Looking at a full portfolio will give you a better idea of your photographer’s style, creativity and consistency.” After all, “It’s always good to see the good the bad and the ugly before you make such a huge investment.”
Lindsay Elizabeth Strode of Lindsay Elizabeth Photography says that the easiest way to determine your favorite photography style is by “picking images you’re drawn to. If a couple would love to see bright, clean and airy photos of themselves, they should look for a photographer who specializes in shooting natural light.”
Eric Yeh, who co-owns Serendipity Photography with wife Alice Lin, agrees that the lighting question is critical. “Experience with different lighting is really important,” he notes. “Some photographers excel in outdoor lighting, but don’t have much experience with indoor lighting, which can be really tricky to shoot in.”
Photo: Lindsay Elizabeth Photography
3. Spend Some Face Time
When you’re ready to reach out, it can be tempting simply rely on email. This is fine for introductory inquiries, but David Jones of D. Jones Photography encourages couples to “interview or meet with the photographer” in person ASAP. Aside from being confident in their photo-taking abilities, you also want see if “you truly feel comfortable, since there are a lot of emotions on the big day.”
Christine Wright, of C. Wright Photography advises couples “ask them what their favorite part of the wedding is—you can get a feel for their work through what they deem to be most important.”
“Ask your photographer how they would react to family and friends who may want to take pictures on your wedding day,” advises Barett Henry, of Civic Photos. “We are very easygoing, and I don’t mind if people who have known you your entire life want to take photos—as long as they don’t get in the way of our professional shots!”
Photo: Taylor Golden
4. Have a Pregame Session
If time (and budget) allows, consider scheduling an engagement session or a Save the Date session. This is an opportunity to really get to know your photographer, see their work, and for them to get to know you. “I recommend that they get their hair and makeup done professionally, and chose two to three outfits that show off their personality and their relationship,” says photographer Shiva Saadi of Dream Photo & Video. She adds, “Maybe also have a couple of drinks before. Trust me, it helps.”
“The engagement session is a great time to get to know your photographer better, and to get used to their style of shooting, so that the wedding day flows more smoothly, and you are comfortable throughout the day,” adds wedding photographer Taylor Golden. “Something I like to do for my couples is shoot their session in another city, such as where they got engaged, or where they vacation.”
Photo: Ama Photography & Cinema
5. Perfect Portraits
Golden reminds couples to ensure your photographer is committed to shooting the wedding day in its entirety, including, perhaps most importantly, those classic family portraits that will become heirlooms. “Remember, your wedding is likely to be an activity-filled day, and you may not be around your family members all that much,” she says.
To ensure excellent portraits, prior to your wedding, “It helps to create a list of the different family groupings you want to document. Your planner can assist by calling out names for each picture and crossing them off your list to ensure you don’t miss anyone.”
Adds Strode: “Years from now when you’re looking back at your wedding photos, you won’t remember the tiny details, but you will be reminded of the beauty and fun of your big day,” two things that the right wedding photographer will capture completely.
Photo: Kelly Hornberger Photography
Writer: Natasha Garber
