Megan and Cody’s wedding weekend is one of those that reminds me exactly why I love being a full weekend wedding photographer. They got married in Beaumont, and from a rehearsal dinner at the camp where Megan spent her summers growing up, to a traditional Catholic mass at their family church, to a reception that was an absolute floral beauty, every part of it felt like them. I shot the weekend on film and digital, and the film frames are mixed right in where they happened so you can see the day the way it actually went.
This was also the most kid heavy wedding I’ve photographed in a long time, in the best way. Megan and Cody don’t have kids of their own yet, but they love them, and every little one there was included and celebrated right alongside them. Flower girls on the dance floor, toddlers in sage vests, and a baby or two in heart sunglasses by the end of the night. I loved every second of it.
The Night Before
The rehearsal dinner was at the family camp where Megan spent her summers, under an open air pavilion looking out over the lake and the cabins. Teal linens, big garden florals in every color, a canoe turned into a drink cooler, and a cookie bar complete with a sign from their dog letting everyone know his humans were getting married. The kids were on the sand volleyball court before dinner was even served.
My honest take on rehearsal dinner photography: it’s the part of the weekend couples almost always wish they had covered. It’s the one night everyone you love is in the same place and nobody is on a timeline yet. The toasts are funnier, the hugs are longer, and your people are fully themselves. Most of my couples book me for the rehearsal dinner or welcome party instead of bringing in a second photographer, and I love that, because by the time the wedding morning comes around I already know your family, your friends and the flow of your weekend. It’s a big reason I offer full weekend wedding coverage.
The Morning
The morning was sage pajamas, pink striped flower girl sets, and a very calm bride. Hair and makeup came from Sunkissed and Made Up, and the whole suite had the easiest energy. Cody’s mom pinned on his boutonniere, Megan’s mom helped her into her lace gown, and Megan held her rosary for a quiet minute before we headed out. Some of these are on film, which is one of my favorite ways to capture the slower parts of a wedding morning.
The People
Megan’s bridesmaids wore a mix of sage satin and green toile, and their blush and ivory bouquets with trailing amaranthus looked so pretty against it. Cody’s guys were in classic black tuxedos and were the kind of groomsmen who make my job easy.
The Ceremony
Megan and Cody were married in a full Catholic mass at their family church. The church was gorgeous, the music was beautiful, and there were little ones in almost every pew. Megan walked down the aisle with her dad, and Cody’s face when he saw her is one of my favorite frames from the whole weekend.
Before we headed outside, the flower girls got a few minutes with the brand new Mrs. Atkins.
The Newlyweds
Right after the ceremony we stepped outside the church for portraits. Pink stucco, iron gates, arched doorways, and a veil that went on forever. I shot a mix of film and digital here, and I love how the film frames soften everything.
The Celebration
The reception was a floral beauty. Towering white and blush arrangements, hanging florals over the dance floor, toile napkins tied with green velvet, and a Virgin Mary statue surrounded by roses. Add a traditional tiered cake, a groom’s cake with the wedding date on it, and family wedding photos from generations before them, and every corner of the room had something to look at.
Then the party started. A live band kept the dance floor full all night, the flower girls owned the middle of it, and a surprise visit from the Chick-fil-A cow had every kid (and most of the adults) losing it. Heart sunglasses, ribbon wands, a private last dance, and a toddler asleep across the chairs by the end of the night. That’s a good wedding.
Film and the Full Weekend
Couples are asking about film more and more, and I get it. I’ve been shooting weddings on film for years, and it’s a big part of how I tell a story. I use it right alongside digital, so nothing gets missed and the moments that deserve that softer, timeless feel get it. If you’re looking for a Houston film wedding photographer who will be there from the rehearsal dinner to the last dance, I would love to hear about your weekend.
Megan and Cody, thank you for letting me be part of all of it. And to your families, thank you for making me feel like one of your own all weekend long.
Beauty: Sunkissed & Made Up
