Four years ago Emily and Barrett were married and I was there to photograph their Dallas wedding. In November Emily’s sister Catherine was getting married to Elliot in Playa Del Carmen and asked me to travel with them to photograph their beach wedding. It is such an honor for a family to consider me their “family photographer”. My wife Sarah and I were happy to go spend the week in Playa del Carmen with Catherine and Elliot and their family and friends. Unfortunately, Hurricane Ida was making her way through the Yucatan channel on the day of the wedding so we had to move the wedding off of the beach. But everyone was in great spirits and having such a good time it was no problem. They had a beautiful wedding and reception at The Royal Playa del Carmen. The day after the wedding the sun came out and we got a chance to take some photos on the beach. Thanks Catherine and Elliot for having Sarah and me along for the ride and including us as part of your family.

5

When I got the call from Ashley asking me to photograph her and Paul’s wedding I was both excited and nervous. I have known Paul since he was in elementary school and I was in middle school. I also graduated in the same class with Ashley’s sister. Not only that, but Paul’s parents, Pastors Billy Joe and Sharon Daugherty had been my pastors at Victory Christian Center for 13 years while I lived in Tulsa. And as a graduate of both Victory Christian School and Victory Bible Institute, their family has meant a lot to me.
The wedding was a particularly beautiful and emotional celebration for many reasons. Thousands of people who have watched Paul and Ashley grow up came to support them as they walked down the aisle together. Two weeks prior to the wedding Pastor Billy Joe was diagnosed with Lymphoma, however he was able to be there and perform the ceremony for his son. A little over a month later on November 22nd, Pastor Billy Joe passed away. It was an honor to know Pastor and to be a part of the final time he would address the congregation of Victory as a proud father marrying his son.
Those that know me, already know that I am a softie but I was fighting back tears of my own as the crowd erupted in applause as first Paul walked down the aisle with his mother Sharon, then stood clapping for Ashley as Paul saw her in her dress for the first time and finally as Pastor took the stage to perform the ceremony.
Ashley and Paul, congratulations and thank you for asking me to be a part of this wonderful day. I’m excited for your future together!

Location: Victory Christian Center
Floral and Event Design: Ceremonial Blessings
Big shoutout to Jared Rey for coming to Tulsa with me and doing a fantastic job with Paul and his guys and helping me tell the story.

After the wedding we wrapped up the day in downtown Tulsa to get some photos of Ashley and Paul together.

Destination weddings are so much fun.
#1. I get to go to the beach
#2. The beach is nice
There are many other reasons involving the beach, water, snorkeling, and all-inclusive, to name a few. The best part is that they are just laid back events with the couple’s closest family and friends in an exotic location.
Cathy and Dan were married at Secrets Maroma Beach in Riviera Maya, Mexico. They had a beautiful wedding and everyone had a great time dancing into the night. Thanks to Cathy and Dan for taking me along with you to Mexico!