Justin and Alex: wedding! :D {north end baptist church, beaumont, tx wedding photographer}

Early last month, I finally got to meet the girl who, over a year ago, found me on Instagram (it was crazy ’cause I don’t use wedding hashtags or anything! She just found me on the explore page because we have mutual friends!) and hired me to photograph her wedding!! Justin and Alex’s day was such a blessing to me and here it is for y’all to enjoy :D.

We start with her beaUtiful green and white bouquet!! Rachael Leigh of April Showers Florist (yes! We almost have the same name! Haha) did an INcredible job!

And this actually isn’t the first ring he got her! That one wast stolen in a foreign country, but I’ll share that story later. Haha. Isn’t it sweet?! And she officially has the tiniest ring size I’ve ever encountered: a THREE!

North End Baptist Church of Beaumont is the church his family attends AND his parents and sister both got married here! So, it was really special for them to keep up the tradition :D.

Hehe 😀

And here is the lady of the day and her precious almost-mother in law :D.

But before we see more of the gals, let’s check in on the guys via my wonderful second shooter/friend since I was 9: Susanna Simpson of Southern Pines Photography! Susanna was my awesome driver and assistant and I couldn’t have done the day without her :D.

There’s the man of the day to the left :D. He and his guys were so nice and easy to work with :D.

And there’s me talking about ceremony lighting with Alex. Haha.

Alex and her dear bridesmaids were SO beautiful, kind, and lots of fun :D. Had to capture them in their flannel shirts :D.

And then of course this had to happen. Hahaha.

Hahahaha. I loved them so much. Hahaha.

Just. So. Great. Hahaha

And maaaaaan, their hair was out of a dream.

Ok, now to actually getting ready. Hehe :). Alex was so calm and just completely lovely. It was a pleasure to photograph her as a bride :).

And there’s Alex’s beautiful mother! 😀

One of her sweet half sisters came to help :).

His mom came to put on his boutonniere :).

Hehe 😀

And there’s Justin’s kind dad :D.

The way they did Alex’s hair. Aaaaaaah! I loved it so much. Haha. It was perfect :D.

More family to come say hi! 😀

You could tell Alex’s dad was so proud of her :).

Dress time!!!

Her David’s Bridal gown was SO wonderful and just perfect for this delicate, lovely, simply beautiful girl; I almost cried, just ask her. Haha.

I love this of her mom :D.

😀

Alex: “Put them on slow for the photographer.”

Yes! She knew her stuff! Haha.

Her mom’s face is priceless :D.

So is hers 🙂 :).

Then her mom broke down just for a minute; it was incredibly precious <3.

There’s Susanna being an awesome help! 😀

Then everyone else started coming in to see her :D.

If you haven’t noticed, Alex has a twin! Ashley :D. She was maid of honor :D.

And their bridesmaid dresses were so elegant and such a beautiful color for them!

😀

Last minute touches before their portraits outside 😀

So. Stunning. <3

😀 <3

Yaaaay. Hehe :D.

Adorable. Hehe :D.

They were such a breathtaking combination of beauty and joy :D. Hip hip hooray :D.

😀

And I introduced Ashley earlier :). Ashley Ramos :).

Loved doing “personality” shots with her and each of her girls. Hehe :D.

And this is her dear friend Macy Yglesias!

Hehe 😀

And this is her sweet friend Kennedy Seidler!

Yaaaay! Hehe 😀

And this is Justin’s adorable sister Kristen Bittle!

That’s them doing the “sister howl” on the right. Haha :D.

And lastly, her precious friend Karen McCann!

A little reminiscent of earlier, don’t cha think? Hehe 😀

And of course we can’t forget her half sisters/junior bridesmaids Alicia and Natalia Lowe. Hehe 😀

And then her and her beautiful mother Toni Ramos :D.

Then it was time to go hide so the guys could have their turn :D.

First we have Mason Gardner!

I gave each of the guy’s 5 seconds to give Justin advice. Haha.

Then Justin’s best man: Corbin Bell!

Haha. yeah, they’re close :D.

Then there’s Tito Santoyo!

He rocked the advice. Haha :D.

Then there’s Ryan Gill!

And lastly, Justin’s brother in law (Kristen’s husband): Hunter Bittle!

Then the guys had this idea and it was great. Haha 😀

Buddies. Haha :D.

Haha

Then we had to get Justin and his dad Larry Lyons :D.

Mr. Lyons wanted to get a shot of him showing Justin how much time he had left of being single. Haha :D.

Then the girls wanted to pray for Alex before the ceremony began :).

Many tears were shed <3

Alex is truly blessed with dear sisters and sisters in Christ :).

Then the guests started arriving and it was time to begin! 😀

So precious <3

Their pastor from when they both attended ETBU (which is where they met :D) performed the ceremony :).

Then they went over to the side…

…so they could wash each other’s feet :).

Well, Alex was having a hard time putting Justin’s socks back on his feet, so their pastor suggested just to forgot the shoes. Hahaha.

Man and wife!

Kiss the bride! Hip hip hooray!

😀

The Lyons Family: established January of 2016 😀 :D.

😀

Yaaaaay 😀

Family and friend congratulations in the choir room 😀 :D.

And even though it was much colder and windier outside than it was earlier, they bravely bore through it. Hehe :D.

Love this and the addition of Kristen’s flying bouquet. Haha 😀

Bonus of having your spouse in the wedding party. Haha 😀

Such a great group of people :D.

“It’s sooo cooold!” Hahaha

Hehe 😀

Me: “Everyone really squish together! You’ll be warmer!” Haha 😀

Then it was time just for them two :).

Lookin’ fantastic, y’all 😀

Let’s read their love story now and find out how he got her a new ring. Hehe 😀

In Alex’s words :)…

“Justin and I met our sophomore year at ETBU. Justin played soccer for ETBU his freshman year, but I had transferred in after going to community college for a year. The summer before I transferred, I actually had seen Justin on FB and thought he was the cutest guy I had seen from ETBU (this is embarrassing, but it’s true. lol). But not only did I think he was super cute, I also just felt this strong connection to him, like we would really get along or something. (I know that this was all the Lord 🙂 ). On Sept. 11, I saw Justin at an intramural football game so I decided to introduce myself! After we talked a little and got to know each other, my crush got even more real. We would see each other at various campus events and talk more and quickly began hanging out in friends groups. I think Justin actually began crushing on me back at this point. Ha. It didn’t take too long before we were going on long walks together and really getting to know each other. Justin admitted he really liked me and I told him I felt the same and about a week later he asked me to be his girlfriend. This was a big deal to us because before we even met, we both had been praying about our next relationship and how we wanted God to give us the one He has for us. I think God was so powerful in this stage of our relationship because we truly felt so good about what God was doing. One month into dating we told each other that we loved each other. It was super fast but it was real and we both knew that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. This was such a sweet time in our relationship. Our first year of dating was so good, but like most relationships, we had our difficulties. God taught us so much about what it means to truly love. He taught us, and still is, about what grace looks like. We know that without the Lord, we would not still be together. But God has taught us how to love, forgive, and to put one another before ourselves.

Fast forward about a year and a half after we began dating. Justin and I had the opportunity to go to Ecuador on a mission trip with our BSM at ETBU. Ecuador has such a special place in our hearts because it was our first time on a mission trip together and also where Justin proposed to me! It was such a perfect proposal and such a surprise. Unfortunately for Justin, it was a bit more stressful. Justin had gotten all of his possessions stolen a few days before he proposed, including my engagement ring! Justin was extremely upset about this, but the Lord provided him with amazing Ecuadorian friends/staff members who helped him get another ring and set up the prettiest proposal site ever, all without me ever finding out. It all worked out so wonderfully, my best friend and my sister were there with me and I couldn’t have asked for anything better. The unfortunate stealing situation only brought Justin closer to the Lord because we know that the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy but God gives us life to the full! It was the best day ever :). I cannot wait to marry Justin and love him all the days of my life!”

And she did! And by God’s grace she will! And he her 😀. Praise the Lord :D.

Married excitement. Hehe 😀

Since she’s looking at Justin so lovingly here, let’s read what she told me about him. Hehe 🙂

“Justin is one of the sweetest and most respectful guys I have ever met. He is always there to take care of me when I need him or just because. Not only is he sweet to me, but to just about everyone! I love that everyone sees just how great of a guy he is. He treats my family and friends the way every girl hopes for, and in return, Justin is loved by so many. Justin is super silly but reserved at times, like me! He is the funniest person I know, even when he’s picking on me. Justin is super humble and strives for holiness which I admire. I love how hard working he is at his job and many other things. When we get married, he will definitely be the one making sure the house gets cleaned because he is so clean and organized which I don’t mind :). I love to watch Justin interact with his family because he loves them so much. I know he will be the best husband and father 🙂 “

Now let’s read what he told me about Alex 😀

“I, of course, love everything about Alex. One of the first things I noticed about her was how she was with kids. It lets me know how great a mom she will be. I also think she is very funny and seriously the silliest girl I have ever met, for real. She can also be serious though and she is an awesome woman of God. I’m very excited to spend the rest of my life with her. She is always willing to put others before herself which I think is an awesome quality.”

A favorite of mine :). They’re just so comfortable with each other :).

😀

Love this angle Susanna got <3.

Love 😀

And here’s a bit more info about them 😀

“Some of our most favorite things to do together are camping with family, playing games, going on walks, getting into a new t.v. show, hanging out with our friends, spending time with family, going on dates, play football, and just talk to each other!”

I love seeing the different people God brings together and learning from each new couple I meet. God’s way truly is perfect :).