After a 16-hour journey and a stopover at the “character-building” airport that is Atlanta, I picked up my hire car in San Antonio and merged onto the six-lane highway towards the Texas Hill Country. As the sun set over the dusty hilltops, I was in awe of the landscape. Far from the cartoon deserts of cacti and eroded rock I’d half expected, the winding road up onto the plateau took me through lush valleys, little creeks and sprawling trees as far as the eye could see.

It was an absolute privilege to be invited out to photograph the wedding of my friends, Alisa and Russ.

Getting ready at the ranch

The girls arrived for hair and makeup in my guest suite at the ranch, making it quite possibly the shortest commute to work I’ve ever had. The excitement was tangible, with music blaring and champagne and wine flowing.

Outside it was a dazzling day, with clear blue skies and strong contrast, yet inside the suite the light was surprisingly dark. Switching between the two is one of the biggest challenges of a sunny wedding, and it’s something I plan for from the moment I arrive.

Alisa’s dress was something truly special. In a fitting twist of fate, she wore her mother-in-law’s wedding dress, fifty years after Sunni and Stash’s own wedding day. It was a gorgeous 70s style, with a few alterations to add a longer train and a matching veil.

Over with the boys, the men-in-black theme was strong: matching black suits, cufflinks and dark sunglasses for every groomsman. They were quite possibly the best-dressed I’ll ever see them.

Turtle Creek Vineyard

The wedding took place a few miles away at Turtle Creek Vineyard, a place with special meaning for the couple and their families. My jaw dropped as I drove in and saw the chairs lined up by the fountain, ready for the bride.

It’s a wonderful venue to photograph. It has a beautiful setting, gorgeous architecture with a rustic Texan twist, and a creek running alongside that’s perfect for portraits. The team there were lovely to work with all day. A tiny Egyptian obelisk among the table decor was the perfect finishing touch, at least for this ancient history geek.

Celebrating under the Texan sun

As the wine flowed, guests mingled over canapés, some soaking up the sunshine and others sheltering in the shade, while the kids played and explored down by the creek. I moved between them all, catching the conversations, the laughter and the little details in both bright sun and shade.

After a delicious meal, the speeches began, all held outdoors. Best man Kyle opened with a warm, heartfelt speech, followed by his wife, Laura, who could barely contain her joy at finally having a sister in Alisa. The speeches were full of laughter and fond memories of Alisa and Russ’s love story. They were also a reminder of how many different worlds the couple had brought together, from old family friends to people they’d met through YouTube and the Brothers of the Serpent podcast, without which Alisa and Russ might never have met.

Celebrating under the Texan sun

As the wine flowed, guests mingled over canapés, some soaking up the sunshine and others sheltering in the shade, while the kids played and explored down by the creek. I moved between them all, catching the conversations, the laughter and the little details in both bright sun and shade.

After a delicious meal, the speeches began, all held outdoors. Best man Kyle opened with a warm, heartfelt speech, followed by his wife, Laura, who could barely contain her joy at finally having a sister in Alisa. The speeches were full of laughter and fond memories of Alisa and Russ’s love story. They were also a reminder of how many different worlds the couple had brought together, from old family friends to people they’d met through YouTube and the Brothers of the Serpent podcast, without which Alisa and Russ might never have met.

“Get Lucky” and a golden moment

Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” kicked off the first dance, with incredible footwork and chemistry between the two of them. It was a first dance to remember, both for Alisa’s ability to dance that energetically in heels and for the love between them as they locked eyes and twirled around the dancefloor.

In September, the light at Turtle Creek turns golden about an hour before sunset, so we had plenty of time for portraits. We only needed about ten minutes, though. We headed down to the creek, along the pathways and into the trees, and the two of them danced and laughed the whole way. My aim was to keep their energy up and get them back to their party as quickly as possible.

That energy led to one of my favourite shots of the day. As we finished, I asked them to dance their way back to the reception, and the sun caught the top of the frame just as they did. It’s a joy to work with a couple whose romance is so effortless: the giggles, the body language and the electric touches. These two had it all.

Sunset and sparklers

Between the conga lines and the cake cutting, there were more speeches from Alisa, Sunni and Russ, followed by the parent-child dances against the setting sun.

As the stars came out, the newlyweds made their sparkler exit. I photograph sparklers using both natural light and flash, as I do at every wedding, which gives couples a mix of sharp, crisp moments and glowing, atmospheric shots. With that, Alisa and Russ headed off to the after-party back home, nestled among the dusty bones of an ancient seabed high on the Edwards Plateau.

Tips for a vineyard wedding in the sun

• Plan your ceremony around the light. Mid-afternoon sun can be harsh. A photographer who moves around the ceremony will find the best angles as the light changes, so make sure yours can move freely.
• Expect dark interiors on bright days. Rooms can look gloomy next to a blazing sky, so getting-ready spaces with big windows make a real difference.
• Save golden hour for portraits. In early autumn, the light turns golden about an hour before sunset. Ten minutes is plenty if you’re relaxed and having fun.
• Use the whole venue. Creeks, pathways, trees and rows of vines give you lots of variety close to the party, so you’re back with your guests in no time.
• Finish with sparklers. A sparkler exit under the stars makes a magical final photo, especially when it’s shot with a mix of flash and natural light.

Planning your wedding?

I’d love to hear about your plans. See what your wedding day with me looks like → or tell me about the two of you and your date below.