Rosewood Mansion Dallas Wedding

Real Weddings, Wedding Photography Tips

December 7, 2022

How did I get to this wedding at the Mansion?

The first wedding I ever photographed was in the fall of 2005. It was an incredibly warm day in Texas and the couple had an outdoor ceremony. It was so hot that a groomsman fainted at the altar and one of the parents sitting on the front row caught him. To be totally transparent, it just went okay. I did about as well as you might as expect for a brand new “photographer” at his first wedding and only his 3rd paid photography job ever. Looking back I don’t recognize that 20 year old kid with one camera, two lenses and about half of a clue. I also don’t remember much of the details of that event, but here’s what I do remember. I remember the feeling of excitement when I captured a moment. I remember the feeling of anticipation and nervous energy before the wedding ceremony. Looking back, I remember how even though I was underprepared I felt comfortable in that space. My gut said I was supposed to be there.

How much experience do I have now?

17 years and a lot of miles later things are remarkably similar and different at the same time. At Chloie and Jack’s tented wedding at the exclusive Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, I wasn’t underprepared. I had backup equipment, years of experience and a talented staff of assistants making sure we were ready for anything. Even still, I felt that excited anticipation, the thrill of capturing a genuine moment and I haven’t lost the gut feeling that I was exactly where I was born to be.

What this wedding weekend at HPPC and the Mansion looked like…

This couple trusted me with covering all of the biggest moments of their whole weekend wedding. I joined the bridesmaids at a bridal luncheon at Bistro 31 in Highland Park Village. The guys golf was rained out but we hung at the bar, drank a few beers and I listened to them tell old stories.

Later Friday I joined the rehearsal dinner and post toast at Dallas Country Club. Rehearsal dinners are my second favorite part of wedding weekends (dance party is number one). I love them because I get to listen to stories, understand who is who, and get a solid read on the tone of the weekend ahead.

The next day, Chloie got ready at her family house on Colgate. If getting ready for your wedding at home is an option – DO IT! It’s personal, comfortable and adds so much context to the story we are able to tell.

^{*As an aside… I’ve shot so many weddings for truly lovely families who live on Colgate… I think there must be a personality test before you are allowed to move there – I love all those people!}

After getting ready, we had the ceremony at Highland Park Presbyterian church and a tented wedding reception at the Mansion on Turtle Creek’s event lawn. The design was modern, geometric and elegant – which I love.

Advice when planning a wedding: lean into unavoidable issues…

The couple and a lot of their friends are Astro’s fans and the final game of the World Series happened to be scheduled during the reception. Rather than run away from it, they had a giant TV brought into the back corner of the reception. The best advice I can give is that if you have an unavoidable issue (weather, schedule, etc) just lean in. Make it a part of the event – OWN IT! Bring in the TV, have umbrellas or blankets for guests if it’s chilly. Late dinner?… have more hors d’oeuvres at cocktail hour… LEAN IN!

Want to see more?

If you’ve made it this far.. bless you! I won’t ramble on anymore, but if you’d like to see their images you can watch a preview by clicking the image below!