Best Friends Live In Concert

“Funny how a melody sounds like a memory.”

— Eric Church

The skies were a solid blue during the day and the sunset was as golden as they come. May 8, 2021 was an extremely windy day at Blue Hills Ranch in McGregor, Texas, where Kassandra and Tyler would say, “I do,” surrounded by family and friends.

August 2009…

Music. Kassandra and Tyler’s love story began with music. The two met at Connally Junior High School in August of 2009. Kassandra was in seventh grade and Tyler was in eighth grade. They were in band together where they sat side by side a majority of the time since they both played the alto saxophone. Kassandra and Tyler formed a friendship over the years as they teased each other and laughed together. Four years later, on November 16, 2013, they began dating.

Kassandra and Tyler’s first “official” boyfriend/girlfriend photo

Their first dates consisted of hanging out at Veterans Park near the high school. There they talked about how they both like each other in junior high and how teenage drama got in the way of them being together at that time. Fortunately, that’s not where their story ended.

Since they met in junior high, the two experienced so many “first moments” as they grew up together. Kassandra experienced her first concert with Tyler. Tyler went to his first Dallas Mavericks game with Kassandra. They both attempted ice skating for the first time. The two learned a lot about each other as they enjoyed their time together traveling with family, attending concerts and sporting events.

After five years of dating, Kassandra had lost hope in Tyler asking for her hand. She would frequently ask him when she would get an engagement ring. On June 15, 2019 at 9:45 pm, Tyler set a plan into motion. Tyler took Kassandra to Veterans Park to meet their friends - Ethan and Destiny. Tyler asked Ethan to take a “picture” of him and Kassandra. At that moment, Tyler asked Kassandra if she really lost hope in him asking for her hand. He got down on one knee as Kassandra was crying while asking Tyler, “When did you buy a ring?” Destiny fell to her knees crying of excitement for her best friend. Of course, Kassandra said, “YES!”

Today their dates involve enjoying take out while watching their favorite shows. Tyler loves Kassandra’s positive energy while Kassandra loves Tyler’s ability to make her laugh. Together they continue to enjoy each other’s company - and sense of humor - just like they did at the very beginning of their friendship in junior high.

March 31, 2021…

Kassandra and Tyler are perfect together. They are both so relaxed and definitely have the ability to “just roll with it..” I noticed that about them at their engagement session on March 31, 2021. We had the session planned for weeks! We were going to meet at the wedding venue, Blue Hills Ranch, for the session so Kassandra and Tyler could take photos with the giraffe and piglets. We were all looking forward to it! The day finally arrived and it was a gorgeous sunny day with a bright blue sky - and LOTS of wind! I asked Kassandra if she wanted to go ahead with the session or reschedule in hopes of a less windy day. She decided to just go for it in the wind. We had to fight her long hair blowing around and Tyler’s hat kept trying to fly away, but the two of them had smiles on their faces the entire time. The wind didn’t even phase them. At that moment I realized they were an amazing couple. So much of life is about learning how to see the silver lining in things that are less than “ideal.”

Kassandra and Tyler’s engagement session

May 8, 2021…

Music. Since Kassandra and Tyler’s love story started with music, it only makes sense that their wedding was full of music. And their wedding day was definitely full of music! The invitations were handmade to resemble a record with the sleeve. The sleeve had their “cover” on it with a map to the venue on the back. The record found inside the sleeve had two sides - one with the basic wedding information on it, such as the date and time, while the other side had a timeline of the events of the day corresponding to a specific song title.

Kassandra and Tyler’s invitations

The back of the “record” with the timeline and the thank you card

So much of the decor was all music themed, much of which included the artist Eric Church - a favorite of the couples. After all, their dream vacation is enjoying an Eric Church concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado!

Groom’s Cake, table decor, photo booth, guest “book,” etc…all music themed

The DJ, Freddy, made sure the guests all enjoyed the music was well by playing a large array of music in various genres. The guests definitely had a great time dancing the night away!

May 8, 2021 - Mr. and Mrs. Walker

“I find pieces of you in every song I listen to.”

— unknown

Vendors

Venue: Blue Hills Ranch, McGregor, Texas

Cake Artist: Simply Delicious Bakery

Bridal Gown: Pat’s Gowns

Groomsmen and Groom Attire: Men’s Wearhouse

DJ/Entertainment Services: Freddy (Fernando Vigil)

Bartender: Haley’s Happy Hour

Special thanks to Kaitlyn Pagel with Kaitlyn Pagel Photography for assisting me in capturing the memories for Kassandra and Tyler!

Love Looks Good on You

February 13, 2021 was definitely a day to remember in Mexia, Texas! The entire State of Texas was slammed with a major winter storm which consisted of widespread power outages, as well as water outages. Due to both of these outages, many pipes froze causing damage afterwards. This winter storm was literally record breaking with 205 consecutive hours of freezing temperatures from February 10th to February 19th, 2021. Ice was literally everywhere!

Jonathan and Kaci would exchange vows in the company of family and friends at the First Baptist Church in Mexia, Texas on a very cold day in the midst of that record breaking winter storm.

The wedding rings were photographed on leaves covered in ice.

Jonathan and Kaci

Jonathan and Kaci met online on October 24th and were able to develop a relationship with one another which eventually led to their first “date.” The two had a mutual friend that invited them to her house for beer around the fire. Jonathan is deaf and this mutual friend knows ASL (American Sign Language). She was worried about the two communicating and knew the two were perfect for each other. Since this “date,” the two have not spent more than 24 hours apart.

As Jonathan’s birthday approached, Kaci planned him a surprise birthday party. He thought it was going to be just the two of them and he had a plan to propose to Kaci! He, of course, did not know that all of their family and friends would be there! When Kaci went to cut his cake, she turned around and he was down on one knee. He thought it would be a private proposal, but instead they were surrounded by family and friends. It was perfect!

To this day, their perfect date is sitting around a fire. listening/watching ASL music videos while enjoying a few beers. The two are strong, trusting, kind, faithful and funny. Jonathan truly puts Kaci’s needs before his own. He is compassionate and loves her for who she is. Jonathan loves that Kaci is accepting and non-judgmental. Her smile makes him smile.

The love they have for each other was evident throughout their wedding day. Jonathan frequently picked up the train of Kaci’s wedding dress and carried it as she walked. He was very careful not to let it get too dirty or stepped on. They were both so incredibly sensitive of each other’s needs throughout the entire wedding! Their family and friends have even told them that they have never seen either of them more happy.

The Wedding

Jonathan and Kaci’s wedding was a traditional wedding in the sanctuary at the First Baptist Church in Mexia, Texas. The sanctuary was decorated with flowers along the aisle and small artificial trees covered in white lights, which complimented the cold weather that could be found outside! The ceremony was complete with their friend signing for Jonathan. The two also included Kaci’s two daughters in a sand ceremony. Jonathan had a special surprise for the youngest daughter during the ceremony. He presented her with a ring! Later during the reception he danced with her as well.

The reception was complete with a photo booth for the guests to enjoy, cake and other tasty treats, garter toss and bouquet toss. They exited the reception and left to their honeymoon with their family and friends blowing bubbles as they walked out of the building.

Vendors

Venue: First Baptist Church of Mexia

Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Penny Lenamon and Cheryl Hardin

Florist: Rusty Rose

Cake: Angela Reed and Bee Jay Stinson

Bridal Gown: Pat’s Gowns

Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal

Groomsmen and Groom Attire: Squires Formal Wear

Officiant: Marcus Sheffield

Invitations: Level 33 Graphics

Special thanks to Kaitlyn Pagel with Kaitlyn Pagel Photography for assisting me in capturing the memories for Kaci and Jonathan!

You're Still the One

On Saturday, May 26, 2018, Brooke and James made each other a promise in front of their family and friends - a promise to love each other forever.  

Brooke and James were married on a rather warm and sunny day in Thornton, Texas at the new Thornton Civic Center.  Their wedding was actually the first wedding to take place there and everything was absolutely perfect!  Brooke stated that the venue was so much better than she expected and I must say that I completely agree with her.  The lighting in the building is incredible!  There is so much natural light that pours in through the windows and completely fills the very neutral colored space.  I LOVE the way the city of Thornton used parts from the old Thornton School building in their new civic center!  

The new Thornton Civic Center

James and Brooke first met when they were high school students at Groesbeck High School in Groesbeck, Texas.  James was a junior and Brooke was a freshman.  Brooke was dating James's best friend when they first met, however after a few months that high school relationship ended.  James and Brooke soon began dating.  Their first "official" date was going to a high school play that school year.  This date led to many more wonderful dates over the years.

Eventually, James decided to propose to Brooke in the driveway of the house he grew up in at Old Fort Parker State Park.  But this wasn't his original plan.  His plan was to actually propose to Brooke down by the water at the lake, but there was a problem.  There was construction going on at the state park and they were in the process of building a new boat ramp at this time so James had to improvise.  The driveway would have to do!  

James had a white Chevrolet pickup truck in high school and still to this day he owns and drives this truck.  After all, it is his baby!  James picked up Brooke on this particular day and drove to the driveway.  He got out of the truck, ran to the front of the truck and opened the hood.  Brooke had no idea what he was doing so she waiting in the truck patiently for James to finish looking at this truck.  He finally walked back to the driver's side of the truck and leaned over to kiss Brooke...and then proposed!  Brooke was completely surprised and answered, "YES," without hesitation!

From the minute I met Brooke and James, I could tell they loved each other and were completely comfortable around each other.  They were both very laid back and nothing seemed to stress them out at all.  After years of high school and the years after high school, they are still so in love and respect each other.  The way they look at each other is truly breathtaking!

“Love is when you look into someone’s eyes, and suddenly, you go all the way inside, to their soul...and you both know, instantly.”

— unknown

Family is very important to both Brooke and James and so it was vital that they were included in the details of the wedding day.  Brooke's mom and cousins made the cakes and cupcakes.  The cake stand was truly unique!  It was a custom, one of a kind, cake stand made from pieces of wood that was built by Brooke's cousin.  All of the wood that was used throughout the wedding (cake stand, guest book, table decor, etc) came from their family land near Bremond and Kosse.  They will truly be keepsakes for generations to come!

Custom wood pieces built by family using wood on their family land.

“Do what you want. Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to do this or that. It is your wedding day and you can do what you want.””

— James and Brooke Davey

Brooke and James, I have a wedding wish for you.  Love is best when shared.  Together you are stronger because together you are ONE.  Here's to a happily every after!  Thank you for allowing me to capture some of the memories from your beautiful wedding day!

Special thanks to Angela Bailey and Angela Bailey Photography for assisting me in capturing the beautiful memories from Brooke and James's wedding day!

Vendor Credits

• Venue:  City of Thornton - Thornton Civic Center, Thornton, Texas - Kenny and Pam Capps
• Cake Artist:  Jennifer Lloyd (mom) and Jamie McCaleb (cousin)
• Make-up and Hair Artist:  Vanessa Coatney (sister)
• Bridesmaids Dresses:  Pat's Gowns, Waco, Texas
• Bridal Gown:  David's Bridal, Waco, Texas
• Officiant:  Ricky Joe Waller, First Baptist Church, Kosse, Texas