Making a Military Couple’s Dream Wedding Come True this Christmas | San Antonio, TX. Wedding Photographer

Destination wedding, Engagement, Volunteer, Wedding

December 20, 2017

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We Donated A Wedding to a Military Couple

I was contacted about a month and a half ago by a sweet kindergarten teacher in Alaska to photograph an elopement at a park. She informed me that she had just gotten engaged a few days prior. Her fiance, who is serving in our U.S. Military here in San Antonio, had originally planned to propose to her when she came to visit San Antonio in December but he had just received information that he would be getting orders to an unknown location in March. He told her that he had planned to hire a photographer to capture the proposal but because of the recent news, instead of hiring a photographer to capture the proposal, what if he hired a photographer to capture them getting married instead?!! And so they decided to get married when she comes to visit him in December. Since she only had a little over a month to plan, she didn’t have anything – she didn’t even have her ring yet but she didn’t care- she said they were in love and they just wanted to get married! One thing was important to them and that was to have a photographer to capture the memory. Since Sam is retired from serving 22 years in the military and we love helping our fellow military families- I thought of the idea of gifting them the photography. But I felt a connection with this bride and something in me just wanted to make it a little more special. I called my friend, (and amazing wedding planner/stylist) Kelsea from Touch of Whimsy Design and Coordination and asked her for help and to see if this was possible just 2 days after Christmas. She said yes almost instantly!

Kelsea and I are part of a group called The Rising Tide Society (RTS). RTS is a community of creative entrepreneurs who’s motto is “Community Over Competition”. There are smaller chapters of RTS that are called Tuesdays Together that connect local creative entrepreneurs for networking and collaborating opportunities. This group has been such a blessing this year to us not only as business owners but it has helped us form some life long friendships. Well together, Kelsea and I, reached out to our friends in our local Tuesdays Together for help and within one week we managed to get a full-blown wedding for this sweet couple donated!!! We didn’t really plan on having a full-blown wedding, we were originally just trying to give her a beautiful ceremony but I have got an overwhelming response from our local wedding vendor community and my heart is bursting with happiness that in just a few days we were going to be able to make a young couples dream come true. The best part of it all- because we were able to donate everything, the bride’s parents were able to fly in for the big day and I found out that the bride’s best friend was given an early Christmas gift – an airline ticket to come to her best friends wedding! Although not all of their family and friends could make it, and nothing can replace that, we are happy to be able to make it as beautiful and memorable as possible for this sweet couple.

When I told our bride to be about our plan and she and the groom couldn’t believe it – actually I just spoke to her a few days ago to finalize some details and I think she still can’t believe it. It’s pretty unbelievable to me too sometimes and I can’t even begin to thank Kelsea of Touch of Whimsy enough, she is not only an amazing coordinator and florist but also supermom! Seriously- she just has a baby and agreed to take this special project on with no reservations. Cassie and Maitlyn, owners of The Allen Farmhaus have graciously donated their venue and have been so sweet (their venue is breathtaking)!!! Our catering will be donated by an amazing chef and former marine firefighter, Edward Garcia III of The Box Street Social and I am so excited to work with Tassie, owner of a mobile bar company, SassTass & The Pour Horse. I even had complete strangers in a photography group on Facebook offer to help. I won’t name exactly all that was donated because I don’t want to spoil any surprises for the bride and groom but I will list the complete list of vendors below! I do want to say that one of those complete strangers on Facebook is Jess, who is the owner of Black Label Decor and within seconds offered one of everything from her store, from a customized bridal robe and hanger to a laser engraved wooden ring box (which is absolutely stunning). It’s so amazing how giving and thoughtful people are- turns out Jess lives in California, where just 2 weeks ago the fires were running rampant and she wasn’t sure if she was going to be evacuated from her home. I can’t imagine that stress, especially when you own your own business. With all that, she still assured me that she would complete all the items for the wedding and have them mailed off in the next few days. When her box of goodies arrived- I was in awe of just how gorgeous everything was and just teared up as I saw that she even included handwritten cards not only for the bride and groom, but a thank you note for me. All of these vendors that are participating did not hesitate one second to offer their services even in the busiest season of the year! And speaking of the busiest time of the year, we want to especially thank Lisa Ramirez of HEB for helping us out on such short notice with all of the floral! We found out that because of the Christmas holiday, we were not going to be able to get our floral in on time and we were pretty scared for a bit but thankfully, HEB has offered to help us and donated all of the floral for the wedding!!! I think the thing that brings me to the brink of tears each time I talk about it is that all of these vendors are thanking me for inviting them to take part but in reality I couldn’t be more thankful to them. It’s an indescribable feeling. I wish I could tell you more and I could probably write a whole blog on each and everyone of these amazing vendors but I will let you all just enjoy all the photos after the wedding when I can share all of our amazing work we all create together. The official countdown has begun – 7 more days!!!! I can’t wait to meet the bride to be when she comes in later this week and I know all of the other vendors feel the same!

Thank you to all these amazing and truly talented vendors:

Planner/stylist: Touch of Whimsy Design and Coordination

Photography Assistant/2nd Shooter: Pine and Blossom Photography

Venue: The Allen Farmhaus

Gown: Celebrations Bridal and Prom

Cake: Cakes by Dre’

Mobile Bartender: SassTass & The Pour Horse

Catering: The Box Street Social

Hair and Makeup: The Look by Dora Vera

Floral:HEB

Videography: The Orion Creative

Musicians: Colleen Michelle Miller and Michael Hanscheck