Meet the Spencers: Kelly & Grant

Each and every weekend I go into my job as being a photographer truly loving what I do.  I love the excitement and girl talk in the mornings as everyone is getting ready.   I love the sweet things that are said and the sweet, sweet looks that are given between the bride and groom.   The looks that are meant for only each other, but somehow I am lucky enough to be there to capture it.   I love the moment when I can see the nerves in the bride or groom moments before they see each other at a first look.   I love hearing what they write to each other on the morning of their big day.   I love when the brides mother and father see her all put together.   Their little girl, all dressed in white.  The same little girl that they once held in their arms and are about to give away to the man they will be calling their son in law.  I love seeing the million of thoughts running through their mind seconds before they walk down the aisle.   I love seeing the beaming smiles from the bride's closest family and friends.   OH....and let's not forget the moment they say their vows and pronounce them husband and wife.  I also am quite the sucker for toasts (especially sister ones) and dances.    From start to finish, I love so many moments throughout the day.   What I love more than anything, is never knowing what kind of moment is going to be created by the love that each bride and groom share week in and week out.  

Kelly & Grant are no different.   I actually met Kelly in junior high.   Blonde hair, blue eyes and perfect dimples when she smiles her big smile are just a few of the first things you notice upon meeting Kel.   It is easy to see why Grant fell for Kelly so fast and so easy.    Another thing about Kelly...she comes from a big family.   Grant was not just marrying Kel, he was becoming a part of the Houska family.  This is a family that sticks together and are all blessed with those pretty blue eyes, blonde hair and good looks.   But more than the good looks, they encompass everything that I love about family.   They are in it together.   It is easy to see and feel as an outsider looking in.  Marrying into a big family like this one can be a blessing, or it could probably be a pretty scary thing.   Seeing the way Grant loved, adored and cherished Kel, it is clearly a blessing.  Kelly - It is so hard to believe that I met you about 14 years ago.  We have been through school together, we have shared tough experiences in our own personal lives, and we have been through some of the most memorable high school experiences together.   This day tops it all.   To say that I got to be there to witness a man who so clearly loves you and shows me what is truly possible to share with someone is something I will never take for granted.   Love, many more future blessing, and the best of wishes to the two of you as you begin your journey together.  :)      

Kelly and her mom recreating a moment between Kelly's grandma and great grandma (Same dresser and everything!)....

Then it was off to the first look filled with big smiles, kisses, and more ear to ear grins.

This wedding had an overload of cute kids!   You can be your own judge....

And this.....THIS photo could seriously be the newest ad for Apple's next campaign.  Either that or it could be a photo of my last two boyfriends as little boys together. 

Then we were off to the ceremony.   The Oakland House made for the perfect venue on this picturesque September day wedding.   

Kelly and Grant held their wedding reception somewhere extremely sentimental.   Kelly's family owns one of my favorite summer spots, Indian Hills Swim Club.    They transformed their home away from home into a place filled with candles, twinkle lights, beautiful details, and everything that set the stage for a beautiful personalized wedding reception.   They even had Kelly's grandma's wedding dress on display in the entrance foyer!   OH....and I can not forget the cake topper!   I LOVED it!!!   

As soon as Kelly and her father finished their first dance, I look over at my sister across the dance floor, and sure enough, both of us are crying behind our cameras.   Such a sweet, sweet moment.

These guys knew how to party!   :)  

Meet the Trevinos: Rene & Trisha

"You're the only one.

Cupid's bow has stung.

Now you're the only one." 

The Only One. The Black Keys

Some things in this life you never see coming.  Sneaky cops waiting to catch you with their radar, reading in your bed and then looking up to see nothing other than an unwelcome spider, getting rear ended on your way to work, or stumbling across that perfect find for your home at a garage sale.   Love is one of life's sweetest surprises.  I have said it before, I will say it again, the unknown is my favorite.   It can be one of the scariest things, but it is all how you look at it.   I choose to transform that fear into courage and look at it as a clean slate, a new start.  The abundance of possibilities far outweigh the what if's that can find flood your thoughts.   

I was reminded of this as Trisha's father stood by her side giving a toast at her wedding reception.  He recalled a memory....  Days before she would run into the man she now calls her husband, she confided in her father over lunch sharing her inner most fears over the uncertainty of what the future held.   She had just finished college and was about to take a chance and make the move to Texas.  As exciting as these transitional periods can be, they can also be somewhat disorienting.  We all have these moments.   The moments of "what next?"  It seems like these moments often happen right before something big.   Little did Trisha know at the time, but she was exactly where she was meant to be.  I am a strong advocate of everything happening for a reason.  One chapter leads to the next chapter.   This was the chapter that Rene walked into a small little bar right outside of Dallas, Texas and saw the stunning blonde woman he now shares his last name with.  

Congrats Rene & Trisha.  I hope you savored every moment in Antigua!  Thank you for inviting me in to capture you love story in a way that I hope brings you back to this beautiful day each and every time you flip back to this chapter that is just the beginning of your love story.   I adore you both.  :)  

And this dress......I also adore.   ADORE ADORE!     

Trisha opted for the First Look.   This moment says it all.

Looking good you two!

Then we headed to Kirkwood for some prime photo op time...

This may be one of my most favorite photos I have ever taken.....

When the bridesmaids said how much they wanted to recreate the scene on the cover of the movie Bridesmaids, you better believe I was more than excited to set this shot up!!!   

Then we made a quick stop by my most favorite alley ever!!   This alley never does me wrong...

Beautiful ceremony.   

And then it was time to celebrate!!   St. Albans Country Club was a beautiful location for this party! 

And the portrait of Rene & Trisha below....That backlight is the kind of stuff dreams are made of!    

Trisha had a candy bar, which I always make sure to stop by at some point in the night.   Skittles are her favorite candy, so Alicea decided to incorporate them into the ring shot.   :) 

As Trisha danced with her father to "My Girl", I could not help but smile behind my camera and take a mental note that this was one of my favorite moments of the day.   I can feel the joy between them exactly the same way I did on their wedding day as I look at this moment frozen in time. 

Trisha & Rene had me come down to the town they not only live in, but fell in love in for their engagement session.   Check out their Dallas, Texas engagement session HERE.

Check out Rene & Trisha's Slideshow HERE.

And a big thank you to Jeff & Michelle with Ever After Films for sending Trisha our way!  We always love working with you, and will continue to send our brides your way!     Any future brides looking for a videographer, make sure to meet with these two.  :)

And a LeLe wedding aint a LeLe wedding without a little Behind the Lens fun....

Contact LeLe Photography HERE.

Megan and Wes: Tied the Knot!

He kisses her hand, holds the door and looks at her like she is the only person in the room. She giggles whenever he is around and her eyes light up. The way they say I love you is so beautiful. They don't have to say a word. Megan and Wes, your love glows.

Thank you for allowing us to share in your wedding.


Details, details...

I love this moment. It gets me every time.



Megan and Wes had a First Look at the Top of the Riverfront. What's a First Look??? It is a private moment for the Bride and Groom, before the ceremony, to share excitement with each other, without pressure from family or guests, with no particular place to stand and the greatest part of all... the reactions are genuine, the moment is treasured and the pictures are priceless.














Mr & Mrs Powell... It's not everyday that a bride and groom get their pictures taken with their name in the background.








To view more of Wes & Megan's day, view SLIDESHOW!