chase + victoria • wedding • lubbock, tx

I met Tori quite a while back when we first opened our store. She was- and she has continued to be- such a fun person to be around. Always smiling and positive, this lady knows what she likes and has great taste to boot. Enter Chase. Chase is also a ton of fun and very thoughtful. These two were friends before they were a couple and I think that's one of the reasons they work together so well. It's clear that they just go together. I'm so glad to know them and to have been able to capture their day. 

I was IN LOVE with the florals from Lou Dee's Floral and Gift Center. These guys rock. As beautiful as the bouquets looked, they smelled even better. One reason to get married in May- peonies!

Ceremony: First United Methodist Church, Lubbock TX

Reception: The Overton Hotel

Wedding Gown: Oleg Cassini

Groom + Groomsmen: Men's Wearhouse

Hair + Makeup: Cathy's Clippers

Stationery: Calligraphy, Etc.

Floral: Lou Dee's Floral and Gift Center

Cake: Market Street

Catering: The Overton Hotel

DJ: West Texas DJ

russell + jaclyn • wedding • cotton creek barn

I can't wait to tell you about how excited I was to shoot at Cotton Creek Barn for the first time. It's a new-ish venue to the Lubbock area, located in New Home, TX. 

I also can't wait to show you all the beautiful things I got to photograph while I was there- gorgeous dresses, florals, and special details...

But first, I have to tell you about what I will remember most about this wedding. A number of times- all separately- friends and family members mentioned to me how excited they were that Jaclyn would have Russell and that Russell would have Jaclyn. They told me how deserving they were of each others' love and faithfulness with an attitude of pure excitement and joy for these two. It was amazing- and a total consensus- that this wedding was meant to be. That, my friends, is what a wedding really is.

In West Texas fashion, the wind blew hard that day- but subsided as the sun went down. I was thankful to have clients who truly knew the importance of what we were capturing that day- not a perfect hairstyle, but a perfect celebration!

I am sure I narrowed my images down more than once- but had so many favorites to share with you! Enjoy!

Venue: Cotton Creek Barn

Wedding Gown: Brides, Amarillo

Groom + Groomsmen: Men's Wearhouse

Bridesmaids: David's Bridal

Floral: Patti Weaver + Market Street

Catering: Catering from the Heart, PJ's Catering

Cakes: Market Street

DJ: Surefire Entertainment

Hair: Ashley Williams

Makeup: Sarah Roush

jaclyn • bridal • lubbock wedding photographer

I have some of the most lovely brides- inside and out. This is Jaclyn, and I got to photograph her wedding a couple of weeks ago. I loved shooting her bridal session- it was a gorgeous spring day, and I never get tired of photographing a beautiful bride!

kyle + rebecca • texas tech club • wedding

Ahh, the beginnings of wedding season! Spring could not have begun without a more fun crew than this. Kyle and Rebecca were married at First United Methodist Church here in Lubbock, and had their reception at the Texas Tech Club. Besides the gorgeous spring florals put together but College Flowers, I loved getting to photograph these two Tech grads on the field at Jones Stadium- something that could not have happened so effortlessly were it not for the expert planning abilities of Jill Leven with Eat, Drink and Be Marry. 

This couple has a truly wonderful group of family and friends and were just plain excited to finally be married. I loved getting to capture it all happen! Congrats you two!

Ceremony: First United Methodist Church

Reception: Texas Tech Club

Wedding Planning: Jill Leven of Eat, Drink and Be Marry

Hair + Makeup: Narci Bohn-Brooks of Roxi's Hair Studio and Brenda Becknell

Floral: College Flowers

Bride's Cake: Marla Felton

Groom's Cake: Allison Collins

DJ: DJ with TJ

ory + larkin • engagement • lubbock, tx

There are so many things I love about this couple. Having only known them for a short time, I feel like I already see so much depth to their relationship. These two are working their tails off to finish law and medical school while planning a wedding. But beyond that, they have a deep respect and love for each other- it is evident in their interaction. Ory is quiet and kind, and Larkin has a special regard for his preferences and opinions. Larkin is outgoing and colorful, and Ory watches her with complete adoration. Photographing them was so much fun. I also hugely appreciate the planner that Larkin is- she put a lot of thought into their engagement shoot ahead of time, and I loved knowing that it was so important to her. These two will be getting married this December- can't wait!

chase + tori • engagement • lubbock, tx

This is one of those couples that makes me totally excited about my work. Really- I had the best time with them!  These two met while working at The Overton Hotel, so it was a must that we began there. I loved hearing about their relationship, how they got to this point, and watching them together. It was a great reminder that nothing happens by accident. While working on these, I think I selected about 80 favorites (not kidding)…so here are my faves! Congrats Chase + Tori!

kirk + grace • wedding at the baker building • lubbock, tx

If you saw my post about Kirk + Grace's homecoming/engagement shoot, you'll know that their wedding day happened just 2 days after Kirk got home. It was a beautiful winter wedding that was full of anticipation and excitement. These two were married at Harvest Christian Church, where they first met and have many friends and family. The ceremony was simple, Christ-centered, and wonderful.

Grace included many vintage elements which fit her style and personality perfectly- but my favorite was her grandmother's crown. It was perfect!

The reception was at The Historic Baker Building in downtown Lubbock, a gorgeous venue. I loved getting to capture this day for them- and am blessed to know these two!

lane + joni • engagement • lubbock, tx

So many of my couples live outside of Lubbock, it's becoming more and more frequent that they book me without ever having a face-to-face meeting. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE getting to talk face-to-face, but with busy schedules and distance between us, it's very common that I get to know my clients over email. So, in chatting with Joni about her engagement session, I just knew I would love getting to work with her. Each email she sent was signed with a, "One Excited Bride, Joni" or "Your Happy Client, Joni". I love that! And Joni, I am totally stealing it. Expect your next email to say, "Your Super Excited Photographer, Lissa". :)

Seriously, though- Joni and Lane are already such a blessing to me. These two met once Lane agreed to coach Joni's Intramural Football Team, as a favor to his little sister…knowing that Joni was on the team. Soon after they began dating. After Joni graduated from Texas Tech, she took a job traveling all over the country and many of their happy moments were in the baggage claim at the airport- so we included a few "travel" elements into their shoot so as to be a reminder of where they've been and where they're going. 

Can't wait for their wedding in August! Thank you two for your trust and great company!

daniel + morgan • wedding • 4 bar k

The morning of Daniel + Morgan's wedding, we woke up to a forecast that read "freezing rain". Something about the combination of those words sent chills down my spine. Not just "freezing". Not just "rain". But "freezing rain"….ugh. As a former winter bride myself, I worried. When Shawn + I were getting married in December of 2005, I feared that some freak winter storm would happen upon a generally mild-wintered Panhandle of Texas.  That people wouldn't be able to come. That somehow the dreary weather would turn my wedding day into a dreary wedding day. So, if I'm being honest, I was worried as we drove down the icy streets to the church where they were to be wed.

But as soon as we entered the room where Morgan and her bridesmaids were getting ready, a complete change occurred. Morgan's smile was filled with the excitement and anticipation of this special day- and her new husband-to-be. Her bridesmaids quickly voiced that they had no problem wandering outside to the 21 degree weather for the portraits they knew Morgan desired. And I couldn't wait to photograph it all. 

By ceremony time, the small church had transformed into an intimate, warm gathering place for friends and family from all over the country. It was perfect. They exchanged rings and vows in candlelight- and then all headed out to Four Bar K for a wonderful party.

In the end, I was reminded of the simple truth that the wedding day is about the marriage, not the details, weather, or changing circumstances. It was truly a pleasure to photograph these newlyweds on their best day yet!

Side note: Morgan and Daniel had decided to forego a First Look until about a week before the wedding, when they changed their minds. They BOTH cited it as their favorite moment and Morgan had this to say about that decision:

"We were both VERY hesitant about the first look and we actually didn't decide to do one until a week before the wedding. I'm so glad we reconsidered and did the first look. It gives you the time you need together.. ALONE. Looking back, that was mine and Daniel's only alone time together during the entire wedding. The whole wedding we were running around, talking, dancing, taking pictures, etc. The first look allowed us that quality time we wouldn't have gotten.. And, Lissa gets some really great extra time to capture photos before the wedding that way your guests aren't waiting two hours at the reception!"

High five, guys!

Ceremony: Lubbock Primitive Baptist Church

Reception: 4 Bar K

Wedding Gown: David's Bridal

Bridesmaids: David's Bridal

Groom + Groomsmen: Men's Wearhouse

Floral: United Market Street

Cake: The Cakery

Catering: 4 Bar K

Hair and Makeup: Morgan Bilderback, La Foi Salon

Event Coordinator: Melody Robie

mason + brittany • engagement • amarillo, tx

When my cousin Mason brought his then-girlfriend Brittany to Christmas, we knew it was serious. :) And, after meeting her- we were all so excited that they were together! These two compliment each other perfectly, and are so laid back. We went out the morning of Thanksgiving and explored an empty downtown Amarillo. I'm so thankful that they trusted me and that I got to shoot their engagement photos!

Britt and Mason- I'm so excited to watch you live life together and am (and will always be) praying that God does amazing things through you and your marriage! Love you!