carpe vita weddings

Blog Change – we’ve moved to www.CarpeVitaBlog.com

Kim — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 19:34:59 +0000

Here’s a major Oops on our part! We started a new blog (www.CarpeVitaBlog.com) back in September that consolidates all of our blogs into one big blog but we forgot to put that info here. We just realized that people were still accessing this blog and then must think that we are even worse at blogging than we really are.

So, please visit us at our new blog for updated info on Carpe Vita Weddings and more.

Elizabeth and Jeff’s Celebration

Kim — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 20:24:46 +0000

Ah, memories of Elizabeth and Jeff’s wedding this last Saturday.

We started with some last minute hair and make-up at Elizabeth’s parents home in Lucas, Texas and then headed to Heights Baptist Church in Richardson for the ceremony.

Don’t the ladies look amazing! We hope the videographers got sound of the reception when Jeff walked in the room to have a photo done with the bridesmaids.

Here comes Jeff and there goes Elizabeth…

Since we were limited on angles at the church, we were allowed to hide a remote camera which gave us this great view of the candle lighting -

Elizabeth and Jeff sneak a peek at Elizabeth’s dream reception come to life at the Dallas Museum of Art with lighting by Switch, linens by BBJ Linens and florals from The Wildflower. The floor to ceiling drapes and the couple’s brand were a visual treat.

For their first dance, Jeff spun Elizabeth around the dance floor to tunes by The Roof Raisers and how about that dip!

The dads toasted Elizabeth and Jeff against a backdrop of the Dale Chihuly glass garden in the museum’s atrium while the Banners couldn’t help but add a little icing to top the night off.

Unfortunately, the tossed bouquet slipped right through Elizabeth’s sister Carolyn’s hands but Jeff made sure Nathan did not miss…

Pink roses petals and a true Cinderella carriage by Lilly Langtry Coach made the fairytale complete.

Elizabeth and Jeff, have a great time in St. Lucia and we’ll have more photos for you to enjoy when you return. Please feel free to leave comments for the couple and let us know what you think of the photos.

Elizabeth’s Bridals

Kim — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:24:53 +0000

Now that Elizabeth has made the walk down the aisle and all have seen her in her amazing gown, we can finally unveil some of the photos taken at her bridal session. One of the hardest things for wedding photographers (at least for us) is to not be able to share photos so keeping the treasured bridal portraits under wraps is a little hard on the soul.

Elizabeth would have loved to have her bridal portraits done in an Italian cathedral but there was little time for a jaunt to Italy so this Dallas church made do beautifully.

Is Elizabeth not a beauty - and what a pleasure to photograph.

Of course, we have to incorporate whomever shares in the bridal session memories and our other 2007 brides will recognize the stemware Elizabeth is drinking from.

To see some of Elizabeth and Jeff’s photos from their casual engagement session, click here.

Elizabeth and Jeff’s Rehearsal

Kim — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:03:46 +0000

After our whirlwind weekend of Elizabeth and Jeff’s wedding, we are finally getting caught up so that we can start posting some of the photos documenting all of the fun.

Part of the fun with every rehearsal is figuring out the little details that makes everything flow smoothly and Elizabeth is all about the details as you will see.

At the church, Jeff and Elizabeth’s dad, Wayne, figure out the smooth switch-a-roo.

At the rehearsal dinner, Brenda and Wayne relax and enjoy the fun.

Jeff’s dad, Gary, welcomes everyone and after a yummy dinner catered by Babe’s/Bubba’s, there were toasts by Carolyn and Paul (Elizabeth and Jeff’s siblings and honor attendants).

Susan hangs out with the girls.

Elizabeth’s dad, Wayne introduces the slideshow they made – but soon Elizabeth and Jeff learn a few little surprises have been added (some unexpected “outtakes”) to the slideshow. Friends and family not in attendance, will have to ask the couple what was soooooo funny – we were busy taking the photos so we are clueless.

Here’s a shout-out to Morgan and her part of the Banner family. We met Morgan doing a joint High School Senior session with a pal of her’s and they were so impressed, they recommended us to Elizabeth and Jeff.  So thanks to Morgan and her family – we really appreciate you believing in Carpe Vita Photography!

We thought the welcoming sign at the Corral Barn at Fairview Farms, where the rehearsal dinner was held, was a perfect ending to a great night!

Join the Elvis Run

Kim — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 13:39:26 +0000

The Elvis Run probably seems likes an odd topic for our wedding blog but it actually involves Elizabeth Martin, our bride who is getting married tomorrow (see her name at the bottom of the screen).

Elizabeth is the event coordinator for UCP – United Cerebral Palsy of Greater DFW and in the midst of planning this run, she is getting married and taking her honeymoon. But knowing Elizabeth, she has everything taken care of down to a T. And reading about the event, it sounds like the place to be on the 18th of August for a good cause, especially if you are a Elvis fan. I’m going to try and make it even though I can’t tell you the last time I did a 5k.

Here’s a little bit of weirdness for me… August 15th will mark the 30th anniversary of Elvis’ death. I can tell you exactly where I was when I found out – in the driveway of my across the street neighbor Debbie Dempsey (have no clue where she is now and what her name might be) and Rodney Snowdey (spelling?) red head from around the corner rode by on his bicycle and told us. Knowing Rodney, we weren’t sure whether to believe him or not but Debbie’s mom was a huge Elvis fan – went to all of the concerts and played his records all of the time so he was kind of like a god in our young minds…

Anyway, all that to say, Elvis was 42 when he passed away. I turned 42 in May – which really makes me think about what all he accomplished before his downfall and think about how much I have left to do. While on this note, yesterday I found this cool “Real Age Calculator” on Poodwaddle.com (it was referenced on Thrillist) and helps you calculate your real age based on how you live your life. Based on my answers, I am really only 39 and should have a life expectancy of 81 if I keep going the way I am going and don’t get hit by a bus. I wonder what Elvis’ Real Age Calculator would have been?

This info I should have probably kept to my personal blog (which I haven’t updated in a while) but thought you might find it entertaining.

Elizabeth and Jeff’s rehearsal is tonight and we should have some photos from the celebration posted here tomorrow before the big celebration.

Nancy and Brad’s Wedding Celebration

Kim — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 23:56:52 +0000

Here are a few of the photos we took Saturday at Nancy and Brad’s wedding in Birmingham, AL.

Nancy and Brad chose to see each other before the wedding so that we could take all of their photos before hand and so that they could walk down the aisle and straight into their car. Here’s a little of the emotion we were able to seize during this special time that we wouldn’t have been able to capture – especially considering the church’s rules of where a camera could be during the ceremony.

After the emotions were out of the way, we were after fun.

The groomsmen on their knees was one of the girl’s suggestions…

We love this photo Steve got of Brad taking a deep breath as he sees Nancy come down the aisle. Yes, he saw her earlier but seeing her coming down the aisle to marry him is still incredibly special…

That last photo gives you an idea of how far away Steve was from the wedding party and he was still able to photograph all of the emotion happening on the altar. As the guests will remember, this is when Nancy had a little giggle/sob when it was time for her to say her vows. If you look closely, you can see a little tear on her cheek.
This is my view from the narthax through a window…

Their first dance – aren’t they just the cutest couple!

We love lighting! We recently read that when you have a tight floral budget that lighting is an affordable alternative. All we know is it is definitely impactful!
This photo is a fun moment orchestrated by Nancy and her high school friends getting back at their moms for their years of picking and razzing. Unfortunately, at this point some of the moms had already gone but we thought it was an original idea and was a first for us to photograph.

Nancy and Brad are off to a few fun days of rest and relaxation in North Carolina. Please leave them comments and well wishes.

Nancy and Brad’s Rehearsal

Kim — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:03:28 +0000

Recently, we have found ourselves at more rehearsals. We love this because come wedding time, everyone involved knows who Steve and I are and they start to not notice us which is nice. Friday’s rehearsal was at the beautiful Independent Presbyterian Church of Birmingham. We were blessed to have three church ladies (Nancy, Beverly and Beth) and they made sure everything rehearsal and wedding oriented went quickly and smoothly.

Brad practices his reaction to seeing Nancy walk down the aisle. What a pro!

One of things we love about rehearsals is we can pretty much go anywhere and not get into trouble. At this church, we were only allowed to have one camera on tripod in the back choir loft during the ceremony – and Dallas photographers thought Perkins was tough. This is a fun angle taken through a mirror setup for the organist.

The rehearsal dinner was held in Brad and Nancy’s backyard which was a special treat for all. I saw touches of Southern Living everywhere I looked.

Here Brad is comforting Max during the blessing of the evening meal while Nancy keeps her connection with Brad.

During the toasts, the mom’s Helen and Debbie celebrate that Nancy and Brad are finally getting married and Debbie’s finally going to get to be an honorary sister.

The ringbearer’s payment for being such a great sport was a bag full of fireworks that were set off that evening in celebration.

Nancy and Brad’s Engagements in Alabama

Kim — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 10:36:41 +0000

Our wedding this weekend is in Birmingham, Alabama with Nancy and Brad and we are looking forward to this southern celebration.

After meeting Nancy and Brad at their Birmingham home last December, we knew their celebration would be full of lots of love and humor. It was decided that we would do the engagement session the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend as Nancy would be away in China much of June. They thought the Sloss Furnaces would be a cool location and they were right. I wish there was a high speed bus to this location because there is so much to discover with the light changing constantly – definitely a photographer’s dream.

This says so much about Brad – an all around good guy and fun character.
And we love how easily he shows his affection for Nancy.

We could not not include Mac, first child and puppy extra-ordinare. He obviously has some modeling background…

These photos were taken in a different area of Birmingham – an urban development area with lofts that is selling like hotcakes.

We thought these were good ending shots as Nancy had been such a great sport to wear her heels walking on the cobblestones. Fashion can be mean sometimes.

There rehearsal is this evening with a BBQ back at their home tonight. We might finally get to experience something from the famous Green Egg that they have been telling us about. Southern hospitality and good thick sweet iced tea is not dead.

Meagan and Evan

Kim — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:56:43 +0000

Meagan and Evan’s wedding this last weekend started Friday with their rehearsal dinner at Blue Mesa and moved on to Perkin’s Chapel at SMU. We hadn’t met Evan yet, so we stole a few moments to photograph the two together.

We all arrived a little early but that gave everyone a minute to visit in the afternoon breeze. Here the dad’s are trying to appear very serious…

Inside, Trisha with Timeless Elegance Weddings directed the rehearsal and tackled the final decisions.

Meagan gets at last minute cuddle before they go their separate ways for the evening. The wedding is less than 24 hours away.

Saturday morning, Meagan is all dolled up and headed back to the chapel looking very chic.

Getting ready…

Dapper gentlemen…

It’s time…

Seal the deal


The incredible florals were designed by Bella Flora of Dallas - the trees they created with Becki’s direction were amazing. Here’s the entrance at the Park Cities Hilton - the Video Confessional at the end of the hall (with Suite 206 furnishings) was a cool idea and should be a great addition to their video.

What a beautiful presentation – between the luxurious linens by BBJ Linens, the lighting courtesy of the talented and entertaining Jaime Chavez of Ambiance Entertainment (who also the Master of Ceremonies and DJ), and the fantastic florals – the Park Cities Hilton ballroom was truly a bride’s dream come true.
Looks like Meagan is a smasher – the expression on Evan’s mom face is priceless.

Evan and Meagan’s first dance.

Evan and his mom.

It was definitely a great time had by all the friends and family in attendance.   Please leave comments and well wishes for Meagan and Evan.

Stanley Korshak Bridal Salon

Kim — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:29:18 +0000

Earlier this week, I was reminded of some photos we took this Spring for The Bridal Salon at Stanley Korshak in preparation for the launch of the Luxury Wedding Society. I never posted any on the blog, so here is a little taste.

It was just a quick little session with a beauty and an exquisite gown. We love the Stanley Korshak sense of style and their Bridal Salon is to die for when it comes to personal service and selection – they make sure you feel like royalty. These photos were taken just outside of the salon utilizing the picturesque gardens of the Hotel Crescent Court.

And don’t forget Stanley Korshak for your bridal registry needs…

I could totally “carpe vita” with this glassware morning, noon and night!

Shopping there is too much fun! Stop by next time you are in the neighborhood.