Majestic Metro Wedding

This October 2021 Majestic Metro wedding was such a dream! With their love for the Houston Astros incorporated throughout, plus venues with sentimental meaning, Sydney and Bryan had the best day! Celebrating their love for each other and the community that surrounded them, Sydney and Bryan worked with vendors that matched their values. They invested in small and/or local businesses and those that proudly support marriage for all. Together, these vendors created the most magical day for Sydney and Bryan.

Their Love Story

Bryan and Sydney met on a youth mission trip, as adults serving alongside their respective churches. Sydney had known Bryan’s pastor, Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, since high school. On the first night of the trip, Nathan asked Sydney if she still came to camp to look for boyfriends. While Sydney said that was a very embarrassing fact it rang true about her high school priorities. She laughed him off saying, “Of course, not! I am an adult now!!” Little did she know that she would be on her first date with Bryan in just a few weeks time!

Bryan and Sydney instantly connected over many common interests: Astros baseball, teaching, Texas country music. But it is their shared passion for serving God, and serving alongside middle and high school youths that cemented their relationship.

The First Look

Sydney and Bryan very much wanted to do a first look, but their parents were less thrilled at the idea. So, they compromised by doing a first look as a pre-walk down the aisle. With just their immediate families, Sydney’s father walked her down the aisle then she tapped Bryan on the shoulder. Sydney was just so relieved to be by Bryan’s side. When she embraced Bryan, she felt a calming peace wash over her.

After the first look, we captured bride and groom portraits outside of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. The bridal party was by their side cheering them on and sharing in the love and joy this couple has for each other.

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Ceremony

Sydney and Bryan wanted a ceremony and celebration that reflected them both as individuals and as a couple. Having both grown up in the church, they knew a traditional service in the sanctuary was important to them. Sydney’s aunt and uncle have attended St. Mark’s since they met in the early 1970’s and Sydney’s family visited with them often over the years. Sydney was also a bridesmaid in a wedding at St. Mark’s when she was in 7th grade for a cousin on her mother’s side. Sydney is deeply rooted in this church so St. Mark’s was the obvious choice for their marriage ceremony.

Because of Covid-19 restrictions, not all guests were allowed to attend the ceremony. However, Sydney and Bryan were able to livestream the ceremony to Majestic Metro where guests were waiting to celebrate with them.

Majestic Metro Wedding Reception

This Majestic Metro was the perfect place fo their reception and the venue had a special place in Sydney’s heart. Her grandfather was an usher here back when he was in high school in the late 1930’s. Then it was known as The Ritz. After being whisked away from St. Mark’s in a classic blue vintage car, the newlyweds were so excited to arrive at their reception.

They did, however, sneak in! Their guest, who were on the main floor mingling and enjoying cocktail hour, did not yet know of their arrival. The lovely couple snuck upstairs for a private meal and to just take in the fact that they were *finally* married! They could look over the balcony to see all of their family and friends while at the same time watch the video montage created by a family friend. After they shared their first meal as husband and wife, they were introduced and the party began.

The reception was decked out with Astros gear, including boxes of cracker jacks and bubble gum, in leu of a groom’s cake. Bryan even wore an Astros bow tie. He also gifted his groomsmen Astros hats, embroidered with the wedding date. The first dance was so special! The newlywed’s dear friend played an acoustic version of their favorite old country song, Angel Eyes, by the Jeff Healey Band. It was absolutely magical! Beautiful toasts were made and guests danced the night away. Bryan and Sydney left their reception wearing Astros jerseys and ran through two lines of their guests throwing silver streamers. It was definitely a night to remember!

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. McDaniel. Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey to become husband and wife. Everything about your wedding was absolutely dreamy and the team at Aly Matei Photography wishes you the very best in your marriage!