♥ Elissa & Burton Clark. 10.27.12 ♥
What was your favorite part of your wedding?
Our first look. Burton and I decided to break tradition and see each other before our ceremony. It allowed us the chance to share that intimate, romantic moment without anyone else around. It gave us a sense of calm and helped chase away any nerves we were having. It made the actual ceremony feel much more relaxed. The other added bonus is that you and your wedding party can take the majority of your photos before hand so you have fewer photos to take after the ceremony. This keeps your guests from having to wait too long
for photo time and gets you to your reception quicker!
What are you glad you splurged on?
Our venue. Burton and I chose Agave Real in Katy for our ceremony and reception. The major difference between Agave and other places, besides being gorgeous, is that it is considered an all-inclusive venue. Their packages include a wedding coordinator, invitation package, catering, wedding cake, DJ... the list goes on! This, of course, costs more but it saved a lot of hassle. I didn't have to worry about shopping around for venues or planning every single detail myself. If you have a little room in your budget to splurge, I would suggest finding yourself an all-inclusive venue.
What was your first dance song?
"Only You Can Love Me This Way" by Keith Urban. He's always been one of my favorite artists. I still remember hearing it for the first time on the radio. I knew immediately it would be the first song Burton and I would dance to as husband and wife. The lyrics of the song are really symbolic of our relationship and how we feel about one another. We started dance lessons a few months before the ceremony and had a special dance choreographed for us. The process was not only fun but it was a nice escape from the rest of the wedding planning. And we kept the whole thing a secret so our dance moves were a big surprise for our guests!
What is your advice to future brides?
Stay organized and ahead of schedule during the planning process! I promise you will enjoy the entire experience a lot more when you're not having to worry about last minute planning or decision making. And, ask your husband-to-be for his opinions throughout the process. Don't let him get away with the "whatever makes you happy" attitude. Let him know that his opinion really matters and include him as much as possible. Yes, most of the focus is on the the bride, but the truth is, it's about the two of you as a couple. It was really important to me that our ceremony and reception reflect not only my style, but Burton's as well. My last piece of advice... have fun with it! : )
Congratulations again to our beautiful bride, Mrs. Elissa Clark! ♥ ♥
Photography Credits: Jackie Ray Photography
Venue: Agave Real
