In Which Brady likes Abra and they have a Lakeside Baby's Breath Wedding :: Holly Lake, Texas lifestyle and wedding photographer

"Every day's a new day in love with you
With each day comes a new way of loving you
Oh, I love you more today than yesterday,
But, darling, not as much as tomorrow."
| Spiral Staircase |

Brady and Abra are kinda like the couple you never saw coming.  You know...that couple that, contrary to what they are like apart, they really do go together perfectly. Maybe they are just a stark picture of the age old saying "Opposites attract." He's the strong silent type and she's the bubbly summer camp leader. But then again, they both are crazy about their families...especially the "kiddos" as Abra would say. And its more than obvious that they are both stunning. Maybe they're born with it...or maybe it's learned...this ability attractive people seem to have to find other attractive people to fall in love with and marry. You think it's like a sixth sense they're not telling us about? Well...whatever it is, if anyone has it...it's Brunette Barbie and Ken here. ;) So maybe they that aren't that different after all. Their differences harmonize well and their similarities blend smoothly and the day they got married and officially became one was the perfect mix of both of them. :)     

My day began at Brady's parents' house where they had a huge BBQ feast for all their family that was in town for the wedding. I love how Southern that was. What better way to prepare for such a big event than hanging out over good food and family ties?

I really love when Trevor is a part of wedding days with me. Gosh, I love that guy. And him and Brady are pretty good pals too. :)  

The night before, it had come a total downpour! But thunderstorms were definitely a thing of the past as the forecast for the wedding day (correctly) said, "Brilliant sunshine." 

Although several members of Brady's family live here at Holly Lake Ranch, the fact that the wedding was held here on the lakeside holds an even more significant meaning to these two. November 29, 2013, almost exactly four months before the wedding, the couple was on their way to Brady's family's Thanksgiving celebration, they drove to a secluded part of Holly Lake by the water and soaked up the warmth of the sun. After about 15 minutes of enjoying each others company Brady turned to Abra and said, "You know I love you and I always will...I want to grow God's Kingdom with you." He then got down on one knee and said, "Will you make me the happiest man in the world and be my wife?" to which Abra gleefully replied "I would love to!" They then went to Holly Lake Ranch Hall where friends and family welcomed them with smiles, and hugs and a grand celebration of their engagement...a very delightful reason to give thanks, don't you think? ;) 

(When Trevor and I heard the news, he quickly sent Brady a text saying "Congrats stud!" It just so happens that the very next day Trevor proposed to me. It wasn't long until Brady sent his own "Congrats stud!" text in reply. ;) )

The almost wood-like look to her ring is just too perfect. :) 

And speaking of perfection and rings....

Something unique and beautiful about their relationship -- throughout dating when Brady would lead them in prayer he would always pray for them to grow in "love and wisdom." And on the other hand, Abra often told him endearingly, quoting the song, "More than yesterday but not as much as tomorrow." So when Brady went the extra mile to have their rings etched it showed how much he was dedicated to their forevers together and the specialness of "them."  

Abra. Brady's Bride. If you are not able to soon see how well she fits the "camp leader" type, let me tell you. She is indeed the incredibly bubbly, attentive listener, inquisitive, encourager, adventurous, willing, a stranger to none, all different colors of bold, and many different shades of gentle, she is certainly a one of kind Southern belle that you can never forget after meeting her once. Brady definitely found his diamond in the rough. 

Brady. Abra's groom. For years a Marine sniper on the front lines of battle. His eyes have seen and he has endured things that most of us could never imagine. And yet he is such a meek man -- a thousand depths and words hide behind his eyes and quiet smiles. He is a faithful son, brother, and uncle. When he was overseas, he never failed to send his nephews letters asking them about the simplest things like their favorite sports or books. He is dedicated...to them, to his whole family, to Christ first and foremost and now most assuredly to Abra. 

His parents, Bill and Melinda, are genuinely kind and caring people who feel deeply, love openly, and smile almost constantly. 

Brady's biggest fans...all his rambunctious nephews and his one pretty little niece, Savannah. :)

Loved the abundance of baby's breath throughout the day...the delicate, darling, white blooms looked especially lovely amongst Abra's chocolate curls. 

Abra's mom was a busy bee in the last hour before the wedding but when she flitted by and saw her baby girl getting dolled up she made sure and stopped to let her know how pretty she looked. :) 

(Pretty being a vast understatement. Wowza.)

Brady's gift to her was so thoughtful! It's just a sleek, stylish black iPhone 5S you say? Ah but....

...upon opening the entire gift and pulling everything out of the little bag...

....she found a card waiting for her....

....and in the card he told her sweet things like how he wanted her to, in days to come, burn the candle and remember their wedding day with joy...and also to turn on the phone and look in the camera roll...

...because there awaited her a video he had made of himself leaving a little message for her on his morning run. :) 

This is SO Abra. Eruptive, roaring, infectious, and frequent laughter. She loves to laugh...loud and long and clear. She loves to laugh so ev'rybody can hear. The more she laughs, the more she fills with glee. And the more the glee, the more she's a merrier she! 

(You will all forgive the direct Mary Poppins inspiration that just arose because it was too fitting to leave out.) 

Ceremony time!

The "I see him! Look how cute he is! Look!" smile that is totally involuntary I assure you. :) 

And the exchanging of mutual, "Hey! You! I like you! You look good! Let's get married! We ARE getting married! Now! RIGHT now!" smiles are even better. :) 

Golly. Her dress was enchanting. 

Abra's Mama (middle) wrote a song for Abra and Brady and performed it, along with the two friends, and Abra's brother on guitar after the couple exchanged their vows and rings. 

And the, "You may kiss your Bride announcement!"...which they were especially excited about since it was the first time they had ever kissed each other!

Smooooooch!

Looks like kiss number one was a success, ladies and gentlemen. ;) 

Still basking in the afterglow of "just kissed, just MARRIED" sappy sticky ooey-gooey mushy love sunshine. (Its a thing, okay?) 

Notice anything heavier about your left hand there, Brady? ;) 

Little Aaron here who is stealing himself a hug from the gorgeous Bride is a bit of a celebrity in the whole relationship. Very shortly after Brady and Abra announced that they had begun dating and Abra had the chance to meet some of Brady's family, Aaron (who quickly fell just as hard or harder for her than Brady did) drew her a picture of two stick figures with beaming smiles accompanied by the caption (written masterfully in 6 year old style) "Brady Likes Abra." They loved it so much that they ended up using the image on their wedding invitation. :)

I think Aaron might be on to something...I think Brady does like Abra...just a little. ;) 

Brady described Abra to me and told me what he loved about her in saying, 

"Abra is a free spirited lover of the Lord. I love her adventurous nature and how she enjoys admiring creation in the outdoors. I admire her servant's heart and how she enjoys taking care of people in thoughtful ways.

She has a great sense of humor and loves to laugh! 

"I'm so excited to be her husband...I can't wait to walk through life with her by my side!"

Abra, when telling me what Brady was like and what she loved about him, said

"Brady is a meek man. He is so strong and yet so gentle. He is the ultimate picture of a servant leader to me. I love how he loves his family and is so loyal to those he cares for.

"I love his brownies {eyes :)}. I love how he strives to be his best at everything he does. How he serves and lives, encourages me to be a better helpmate to him and follower to Jesus Christ. 

He is my spiritual leader and a warrior for God's Kingdom. He is a man of God whom I respect and admire. 

"I CANNOT wait to live life as his wife!!!"

Reception time!

Abra's entrance would be no less -- it was every bit as boisterous and bouncy as you would expect. ;) She strutted right into her first dance as Mrs. Clark! :) 

Halfway through the dance, the grinning newlyweds, swaying along to Andrew Peterson's "Dancing in the Minefields", were joined by two couples that mean the world to them....

....their parents. :)

""I do" are the two most famous last words

The beginning of the end

But to lose your life for another I've heard

Is a good place to begin

'Cause the only way to find your life

Is to lay your own life down

And I believe it's an easy price

For the life that we have found

And we're dancing in the minefields

We're sailing in the storm

This is harder than we dreamed

But I believe that's what the promise is for."

Then Abra's dad and her danced alone to "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman.

It all started innocently enough.

Until her (as she described it) unbreakable dad....broke down and teared up. 

Needless to say, we then ALL bawled and wiped our eyes and mascara and pride away with our tears. 

"Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone."

All 95 (count 'em NINE.TEE FI.VAH.) pounds of their cake. 60 lb. Italian cream wedding cake and 35 lb. German Chocolate groom's cake. 

Abra approved. ;)

Something you might've noticed along the way of this blogpost...Abra and Brady didn't have a wedding party (as far as bridesmaids or groomsmen.) When they explained that they had too many friends that they felt close enough to have them in their wedding, I thought they were perhaps being nice and just exaggerating. But as the groups and groups huddled around them both at the reception...I could tell they had been serious. They had told me they wanted their wedding day to feel warm and comfortable. They wanted everyone to know they are loved and appreciated. Every person that was there, was there because they had impacted one or both of their lives in numerous ways. It was a celebration of God's faithfulness and love, not just to the two of them, but to everybody in attendance. :)

Sometime in the brief moments between this picture and the one immediately following it, Brady's sister Katy calls from across the room, "Brady!!! Your shirt's unbuttoned!!!" He was mortified, embarrassed....

....while everyone else found it especially hilarious. ;) 

Looking back at group pictures they'd been taking to see how long his shirt had been that way. #allthelaughs

Here's a sad little glimpse into Aaron's dramatic rejection when he asked for a dance. *Sigh* Girls. 

One day you'll wish you'd have given this handsome dude a chance, chickadee. ;) 

With a flick of the switch and a swift music change, the girlfriend giggle circle turned quickly into the impressive display of Abra's "Wobble" skills. 

Every good party must come to an end...and this one ended in soft, golden light refracted through bubble prisms and shining smiles. 

Love you two! I had a blast shooting your day! <3 Hope your first few months of marriage have been exceedingly abundantly all that you could have ever asked for or thought could possibly be. :)