Rustic Chic Wedding at La Cour Venue, McKinney

bride and groom exchanging rings under rustic arch with dahlia and rose florals

When you’re at a wedding, you expect to shed a tear or two, even as the photographer! (For me, it’s usually during the bride and groom’s first look, the bride and dad’s first look, and/or the private last dance! Full disclosure, sometimes it’s all 3!)

At Staci and Michael’s beautiful wedding at the unique La Cour Venue in McKinney, Texas, it happened simultaneously for virtually every guest in the place!

Not a dry eye in the house!

It wasn’t during any first look or during their private last dance to Sam Smith, during their vows or the first kiss – none of the typical moments. It took everyone by surprise! Staci and Michael had their first dance ( which was lovely), we had dinner (Babe’s, which I’d never had, and it was tasty!), then Staci and her dad (my second shooter got an amazing picture during that; see if you can find it!), and then Michael and his mom (so so sweet!). All the normal, traditional dances.

rose hair comb miss dior perfume bottle rose gold diamond engagement ring rose gold diamond wedding band gold shoes

But then as we were anticipating the toasts, the music started playing again. Staci got up, held out her hand, and her 2 adorable boys got up too.

Uh oh. My tear ducts perked up.

She danced with her older son, Cameron, first (At this point, I’d already started quoting “Gilmore Girls” in my head: “Not crying, right? Not crying. Keeping our cool so we don’t’ miss anything.”)! At one point, they both looked down at their feet to make sure they were doing the steps right, and then she started singing to him. 🥰 (“Uh oh. Hang in there.”) Then she finished dancing with Cam, and held out her hand to Trystan. (“Crying a little, but not blubbering. That’s what we meant when we said no crying, no blubbering.”)

Mr. Trys stepped up with all the confidence in the world, his smile bouncing across the room, so proud to be dancing with his mom on her wedding day! (“On the verge of blubbering here.”) They spun around, and he just kept looking into her eyes the whole time, smiling, excited, radiating more happiness than she was!

Then they finished, and she hugged 2 of the 3 most important men in her life, squeezing them tightly, and they hugged her right back! Thankfully, they’re both too young to be “too cool” to hug their mama in public!

Lost it. Held out as long as I could, but between those 2 gorgeous boys so in love with their mom, and thinking about my 3 amazing girls at home, nope. Couldn’t do it! (“I’m blubbering, you’re freaks.”) Had to finish photographing that magical moment through a wet and blurry viewfinder, and had to polish it up before shooting the toasts! Best moment on a wedding day ever!

Staci and Michael, I’ve loved getting to know y’all over the last year! Getting to build a relationship with you, having had tons of fun at your engagement shoot, and commenting back and forth on Insta (do the kids still call it “Insta”? 😬) has brought me so much joy! I love that we bonded so much that Staci called me “Mom” at the wedding! (You said it was an accident, but I know how you really feel! 🤣)

lace wedding dress with sweetheart neckline bride and her mother on wedding day

As you come back from your honeymoon and head into your new lives together (and with the boys), know that the bond you have is more than skin deep. It’s strong, tested, and rooted! Grow it, foster it, and for the love of Pete, hold tight to each other when Michigan inevitably loses to Ohio State! (TOTALLY KIDDING!!!! Ohio State Sucks!! Don’t hate me, I just couldn’t resist!)

Enjoy my favorites from your beautiful wedding, and I’ll talk to you soon!