The Sam Houston Hotel Wedding

Chloe and Chris’ winter wedding at the Sam Houston Hotel was one of my last weddings of 2021 and a great kick off to the holiday season. The hotel lobby was decorated with a large Christmas tree, Downtown Houston was filled with lights, and the air was chilly. Now I can do without the cold weather, but I love Christmas and I love a wedding so this was already shaping up to be a perfect day. 
Once I arrived, I headed up to the Raven Room to greet Chloe and her sweet bridesmaids. They were still in hair and makeup with the gals at Blushd, and were cool as a cucumber. Chloe was so calm and glowing. This might be due to her brilliant idea to use her bridal session as a first look session. How brilliant is that? Her logic was if they are going to do a first look anyway, why not have it in a controlled setting with plenty of time for couples portraits? This is a great idea for those getting married after daylight savings time and want to have a good chunk of time for portraits. But now it was time for the first look with dad.
Chloe is the only girl of five children, so this was an especially touching moment for the family. Her four brothers and mother watched as she tapped her dad on the shoulder  to turn and see his little girl on her wedding day. Smiles, big hugs, a few tears, and I love you’s, I think it was safe to say he is a proud dad. Chloe then presented him with a personalized gift and dad gifted us with a funny one liner that had us all chuckling. The gifting didn’t stop there and it was time for the bride and groom gift exchange. Chris received a watch and Chloe got the best wedding gift, a new Sigma camera lens! 
We slowly moved out back to the white brick wall behind The Sam Houston Hotel that Chloe discovered. We dodged a few cars, fought the wind, and stumbled in a few potholes, but it was the best backdrop for their portraits. Simple and neutral. 
Now to the fun part, time to say I do. The ceremony space was decorated with tons of greenery and delicate, white florals. Chloe was all smiles as she walked down the aisle to her groom. The ceremony was short and sweet, but beautiful nonetheless. Hand in hand they walked back down the aisle, stopping midway to steal a kiss, and heading off to the lobby cocktail hour. 
Hannah with Loose Ends Events directed the room flip and prepared for the newlyweds to make their entrance as husband and wife. Once their first dance was complete it was time to eat and y’all the catering service is unreal. Even the rolls were so yummy, I would know, I ate 2.5 without butter. That is how good they were. But I did plan ahead and I managed to save room for cake. When Who Made the Cake makes the cake, you eat the cake. I ate every last crumb of the cake and now you know that I enjoy eating entirely too much. Luckily, the guests were dancing away and I worked off some calories and circled the dance floor snapping pictures of fun moments. As the night slowed down, it was time for the last dance that was shared only by the couple, prior to heading down to the lobby for their exit. Being that we were in December, it only made sense that they had a winter wonderland snow exit! What?! I love this alternative to sparklers. Chloe and Chris ran through the snowy path and sealed the night with a kiss. It was a great ending to a wonderful day and I can’t believe that this is my job. Photographing love stories and forging relationships with the best people. Thank you Chloe and Chris for letting us be apart of your wedding day!