Sarah + Jordan | Engaged part one

Man, 2010 got incredibly busy incredibly quickly! For the last half of the year I was working on school getting ready to graduate, move, and finish planning my own wedding! It was insane, to say the least. One of the best things to happen in 2010, though, was the engagement of one of my very best friends (and one of my amazing bridesmaids) Sarah to her long time boyfriend, Jordan. At the celebratory dinner for their big occasion, we started talking engagement photos! I was beyond excited and happy to be able to give them awesome engagement photos! Here are some from our first session this past week!

'Show Off Your Interests' Bridal Portrait Contest: Winner!

I have been waiting for this day since I got the entry for the contest!

It's time to announce the winner of the 'Show Off Your Interests' Bridal Portrait Contest!

The winner is: Maggie W.

She is getting married next year in Mexico and when I read her entry, I was so totally moved!

Maggie entered the following for the contest:

It's not so much a hobby, but I am devoted to my two blind from birth dogs that my future husband and I got from a local rescue... I became very interested in how to train them and help them live a normal lifestyle. I have written an article for a local pet magazine and I am toying with the idea of writing a book. Because we are getting married in Mexico, our dogs can't be part of that special day, so I would like to get some portraits with them prior to the wedding to use as a favor. For every person that comes to Mexico to our wedding, we are going to make a donation to the Poodle Rescue of Houston. I would like to have some great [photographs] to make those postcards for the favors!

Doesn't that just melt you?! I love knowing when someone has a tough road ahead (as I would assume training two blind dogs would be) and keeps with it so vigilantly!

I am so beyond excited to meet Maggie and her pups when Jaime and I get together with her for the bridal portraits!

Congratulations, Maggie!

Austin Wedding | Maggie + Jimmy

Finally! The day has come where I can post the gorgeous wedding of Maggie and Jimmy! I have been sitting on these photos (not literally, mind you) for a while and anxious to get them out to you all; so I'm excited to post about them! I hope you're ready for a lot of images, because they are coming at you fast!

First, a bit about this wonderful couple. Maggie and Jimmy had met while at Longhorn Band Camp for UT. They had a connection instantly and began dating. Jimmy had proposed to Maggie while they were in school, and the two had to be engaged long distance for about three years! I am so incredibly happy for them to finally be husband and wife! These two are wonderful people whose love is so abundant in beauty! I am so happy to say that I was able to capture all of the moments and details of their wedding day!!

I absolutely LOVED the flowers!

Maggie and Jimmy decided that they wanted to have a first glance. I just love how Jimmy looks at his bride! It is pure and unconditional love and appreciation! Simply beautiful!

"We're actually getting married today!!!!"

There's that look again!

We were not permitted to take photos during the ceremony, so I was happy to be able to get Maggie with her father right before he escorted her down the aisle.

Husband and wife

On to the dinner and reception!

All of the speeches were wonderful! They spoke so well and lovingly about the affection that both Jimmy and Maggie share for one another! They were fabulous!

There you have it!

Maggie and Jimmy, I want to thank you so much for allowing me to be involved in your wedding! It was spectacular and gorgeous to say the least! I know that your love for one another will carry you both strongly! I can't wait to see and hear what is in store for you two as you go through life together!

Sneak Peek: Maggie + Jimmy: Austin Wedding

Last weekend I had the great pleasure of photographing a fantastic wedding! I'm nearly done with editing my part and then have to edit my assistant's images, but I wanted to give a tiny sneak peek. The photos are great and I can't wait to give them to Maggie and Jimmy!

Have a great Thursday, everyone!

Contest: "Show Off Your Interests" Bridal Contest!

The time has come! I've been stewing over this announcement and contest for a while now and I'm excited to finally be able to announce it!

This Summer, I will be teaming up with Jaime Shauger of Makeup by Jaime for this great contest for all of you new brides-to-be out there!

So, here's the lowdown:
You don't want cookie-cutter bridals, right? You want bridal portraits that reflect you in the lovliest, most romantic way! Your personality, hobbies, and interests are what make you unique! That is what your bridal portraits should reflect: YOU!

All you have to do is email me (Alyssa) at Dandy As Lions Photography (which can easily be done at the 'contact' section of the website: http://www.dandyaslionsphoto.com) you craziest, most unique, and/or treasured interest or hobby, how or why you've come to love that interest so much, and how you'd like to have it incorporated in to your bridal session! It's that simple to enter the contest! The winner will receive a free one hour bridal portrait session in Austin, a data DVD of the images (along with a password protected online gallery available for up to 45 days, so you can show your friends and family if you so choose) with free professional make up done by Jaime!

The winner will be announced on Thursday the 15th of July 2010 before 7PM Central Time!

So, there you have it! An easy way to enter a chance to win a free bridal portrait session! Not just a bridal portrait session, but YOUR bridal portrait session that is uniquely YOU!