This is one of those weddings that I couldn’t finish fast enough. I wanted to blog images as I finished them!! :) I know a lot of people have been waiting for this wedding to be blogged. Elise of course being #1! ;) As I was backing up discs that night after the wedding, I was so excited I actually took iPhone pictures of some images and posted them on facebook. ;) Once we got home I put up some REAL sneak peeks… but I wanted so badly to work on them immediately.. but couldn’t until I could get caught back up.

I can’t say enough wonderful things about this couple. Elise has definitely become more than client. I consider her a great friend… she is such a sweetheart. She and Carsen fit together perfectly. Everything about the trip to Galveston was nothing less than perfect. B and Briley came and this was only our second time to stay the night away from home with Briley and her first car ride that was over 3 hours. Needless to say.. we were scared. She slept almost the whole way. We took her to the aquarium, shopping, site seeing and of course… the beach. The morning of the wedding we got up early and took her to the beach before it got TOO hot. SHE LOVED it. She cried when we left. I don’t think I could ever live in Galveston. The humidity just about killed me. I’ve always hated HOT weather… but after I had Briley, it’s been 10 times worse… so needless to say, Galveston about killed me. BUT it was SOO worth it. The humidity is horrible but the LIGHT is yummy. I’m convinced the lighting on the coast is better. I could have shot all day.

I have never felt SO much like family than at this wedding. We were there for 3 days… the rehearsal was Wednesday, Wedding on Thursday and Trash the (reception) Dress on Friday morning. (FYI.. morning Galveston light is even better than evening Galveston light!!).. after the rehersal everyone headed over to the Fisherman’s Wharf, where not only “I” had a place setting, but so did B and Briley!!! ;) I was more than honored to be a GUEST too. :) Of course at the reception B and Briley were also welcome… they made an appearance and Briley (being the only baby there) had everyone wrapped around her chubby little finger. She flirted and talked to every table in that banquet hall. I can’t even begin to tell you just how much FOOD they had at the wedding. Elise told me Stewart (her dad) had gone a little crazy with the menu. ;) It was amazing. There was so much and it was all WONDERFUL!! For the first time ever, I actually sat down at a table with B and Briley and some other guests we knew and ate. The dinner was about an hour and a half. Everyone had a blast. Once everyone started finishing up, they brought out the fondu and cheesecake tables!!! Need I say more?

The entire day when so smoothly. I keep saying it, but the one word that comes to mind the most is “PERFECTION!!” I am SOO excited and thankful and blessed to have been able to be a part of Elise and Carsen’s special day. I’ve told Elise over and over but I can’t express enough just how much it meant to me that she made me AND my family feel so welcome and loved. I know that they will be clients AND FRIENDS for life. :)

Little bit of history.. Elise’s mom and dad have been bringing her to Galveston every summer since she was 2 years old. It’s tradition. Ever since she was a little girl she dreamed of having her wedding at The Galvez. Stewart told me that he thought Elise had been taking notes all these years. ;) This was truly her DREAM wedding.

The Jones Soda bottles had a special thank you message on the back which included ME!!! Can’t tell you how honored I was. :)

The golfball that Carsen used to propose. ;)

We did the first look at one of their favorite places to shop. When I scouted it out that morning there was no one out on the porch.. however when we went back for the first look… there WERE. But Carsen and I managed to claim an empty corner for ourselves and we brought Elise out. :) I love how clean these looks.

I have an obsession with palm trees. Probably stems from living in East Texas and Northeast Texas my whole life. ;)

LOVED this wall and LOVED her bouquet.

That’s a water line from Ike! Carsen said that if we had gone down a few more blocks there was another line even higher!!!

Elise giving Carsen an album she had put together or pictures and moments from all the years they’ve been together. :)

Blake: “Do we have to do that “JUMP” picture!?!

Me: “No..”

…10 minutes later…

Blake: “Do we HAAVE to do that “JUMPING” picture!?!?!

Elise: “NO, Blake.”

..5 minutes later…

Blake: “HEY! Can we do that JUMPING PICTURE!?!?!?”

And as you can see…. the ONLY one NOT jumping, IS Blake.

Briley having fun at the reception. (The little girl holding Briley was OUR FLOWER GIRL 5 years ago.) Sure makes me feel old. :(

This was Briley’s first time to be a wedding guest. :) I’m happy to report she was VERY well behaved. I think this should go in her baby book.

Sweet father/daughter dance. :)

Quick dress chance and touch-ups mid-reception. :)

Then we snuck out of the reception for a few quick pictures on the front lawn at night. :)

Last dance… Carsen picks up Elise and holds her feet off the ground as they danced… SWEETEST FINAL DANCE MOMENT EEVVVEERR!! :)

The “get-away” car took them around the back of the hotel where they snuck back in. ;) I was waiting at the door for them so we could get THESE. I’ve been wanting to do this for a very long time.. but hadn’t had a wedding in a hotel! Was SOO excited to finally get this….