Have you had a chance to meet our Monday bride? Her name is Taylor and she is planning a backyard wedding in Texas. Read more about her! I finally had my engagement pictures taken this past Sunday (we'd been waiting for the Texas weather to cool down because there's nothing I love more than a good "wrapped-in-a-quilt-snuggling" picture) and let me tell you, taking engagement photos is FUN. I love getting my picture taken regardless, but with a professional photographer and cuddling my lovey...there's nothing better!

We took our pictures in Prosper, Texas, (I told Braeden [our photog] I wanted a field and he delivered with some field-filled terrain) on an unseasonably warm November afternoon and I am thrilled (I made JB slowly scroll through the sneak peek photos for at least an hour) with the results.

These pictures were taken by Braeden Rogers at Ambient 11 Photography and I have got to say that he was absolutely stellar. From the moment we arrived to the second we left, the three of us were laughing and having a great time. As if just generally having fun isn't enough, his photo-journalistic images are to-die-for! They are so raw in the happiest, most joyful sense! I can't wait for Braeden to take the rest of our pictures in June!!

Quick advice! We had trouble deciding between a one-hour and a two-hour engagement session and after a friend's advice (thanks Mal!), we decided to go with two-hours. In my opinion, the two-hour session was the best decision we have made this far in the process. Two-hours allows you and your fiance to get comfortable being photographed, it allows the photographer to get to know you two as a couple and (especially if you're shooting outdoors) it gives you more time to find that perfect amount of sunlight that makes your photos oh-so dreamy!

So, if your budget can handle it, pick two hours, you won't regret it!

Without further adieu...

All photos by Braeden Rogers at Ambient 11 Photography

Name:	Taylor Chatfield (will be Taylor Martin)
*Location*:	Fort Worth, Texas
Age:	21 years old
Occupation:	I work at Texas Christian University as the Assistant Director of E-Stewardship in the Office of Donor Relations.
Wedding Date:	June 16, 2012
Venue:	My parents beautiful home in Grapevine, Texas (a suburb right between Dallas and Fort Worth)
Planner:	My parents, myself, JB (my fiancé) and all my wonderful friends
Photographer:	Braeden Rogers at Ambient 11 (he's pretty amazing)

Connect with Taylor: Twitter :: Pinterest

About Me: JB and I began dating after a lengthy AIM courtship during our sophomore year of high school. From riding in the backseat of our parents' cars (we were only 15), to high school graduation, two trips to Guatemala, college life at TCU and six months apart while I studied in Spain and he studied in New Zealand, to finally being able to call each other fiancé, we can't wait to be married (and I can't wait to throw this massive shindig).

Wedding Style: I've always had a slightly quirky sense of style, I love things that are handmade, unique and in every sense of the word, flawed. I'm very decisive about what I like and dislike (or should I say adore and despise...my opinions are pretty strong), even if my decisiveness seems to be without rhyme or reason. I want our wedding to not take itself too seriously (eek..I hope by giving it a persona it didn't just take itself too seriously). It's a party...a BIG party and I don't want to play it off as something it's not, which is why I plan to intersperse relaxed and fun classic party decor done in a modern way throughout the event. For example, I'm planning on having people throw confetti...true paper confetti as we recess back down the aisle, however I want it to be GIANT, chic, slightly ridiculous confetti. I am very excited about all of the handmade details that I get to add to the event and I am ready to do as much by myself (and by that I mean with the help of my family and friends) as I can. I simply want people to leave our wedding with a renewed, dreamy, whimsical love for each other...the kind JB and I share.

Clockwise from top left: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight

Check you next Monday!

P.S. I love talking weddings, so feel free to email me with ideas, questions, inspiration, or if you just want to chat. If you're in DFW, maybe we could even grab some chips and salsa (I'm not a coffee girl).