Luke + Kennedy | Fall Wedding at The Venue in Amarillo

Like most 2020 couples, when Kennedy and Luke started planning their wedding, they had no idea what was in store. In the end, and after rescheduling just two days before their original wedding date, they were able to celebrate their wedding day just as they had planned surrounded by family and friends . Despite a wild snow storm the week of the wedding, the day was gorgeous and sunny. They got married at The Venue in Amarillo, Texas with a first look and portraits at a private residence. Kennedy wore a sleek, modern dress that wowed Luke when he saw her for the first time.

WeddingsKayla SmithNovember 21, 2020amarillo texas, wedding, wedding photos, wedding photographer, wedding dress, fall wedding, wedding inspirationComment

Brian + Aliese | Summertime Garden Wedding in Dumas, Texas

This wedding seriously had it all: a Volkswagen van photo booth, live chickens, tons and tons of orchids, a food truck, and sweet ceremony in a lush, butterfly-filled garden. I don’t think weddings get better than that. Brian and Aliese created a beautiful wedding but more importantly, they focused the day around joining their two families by keeping things relaxed and easy-going. They got married in the bride’s cousin’s beautiful backyard and the day was an intimate celebration with close friends and family.

WeddingsKayla SmithSeptember 6, 2019wedding, texas, bride, the knot, dumas, bridal, groom, marriedComment

Kaden + Averye | Glamorous Industrial Wedding at Kitalou Gin in Lubbock, Texas

To say that I was excited about Kaden and Averye’s wedding would be an understatement. For one thing, the two of them are absolutely adorable. They are high school sweethearts and they knew they would one day get married. After several years, they committed their lives to one another in front of 400 of their closest family and friends. They are loved by a lot of people and it’s not surprising.

Seth + Jayla | Traditional and Elegant Wedding at St. Mary's Cathedral in Amarillo

Seth and Jayla are really the loveliest, sweetest people and I feel lucky that they chose me to take their wedding photos. And not only are they sweet, but their family and friends are spectacular. They had some of the nicest bridesmaids and groomsmen that I’ve encountered in the many weddings that I’ve photographed. It’s no wonder they invited over 400 people to their wedding! They are loved by many.

WeddingsKayla SmithJuly 6, 2019amarillo, texas, photographer, wedding, catholic, bride, groom, wedding photographerComment

Planning for Stress-Free Family Photos on Your Wedding Day

Family portraits are such an important reminder of a wedding day but unfortunately, they can be one of the more stressful portions of the day. The last thing I want is for you to get the energy zapped out of you by family pictures (especially if bride and groom portraits are afterwards!). Here is my best advice for making sure family pictures go smoothly.

WeddingsKayla SmithFebruary 20, 2019wedding planning, wedding, wedding photographer, family photos, weddings, bride, groom, portraitsComment

Hannah + Ty | Colorful, Free-Spirited Wedding in Palo Duro Canyon

Ty and Hannah’s wedding was one for the books.

It was totally, 100%, completely different from any other wedding that I have photographed and that is a beautiful thing! It was refreshing, real, and so much fun.

Hannah and Ty came from Houston to get married in Palo Duro Canyon simply because they love it. They had tons of bridesmaids and groomsmen and family members come up to support them because they are very clearly loved and cherished by many. And I can see why. Both Hannah and Ty have something about themselves that attracts people to them like a magnet. They light up the room when they walk in and I noticed that right from the start.

WeddingsKayla SmithNovember 15, 2018wedding, palo duro canyon, bride, groom, wedding photographer, wedding ring, details, weddings, wedding dress, wedding planningComment

Emily + Jeremy | Wedding at Panhandle Charm in Amarillo, Texas

Emily and Jeremy are a couple of those clients that have become friends to Mason and I (Mason was their DJ and they actually found him before me). Throughout their whole wedding planning process with us, they were so gracious and so inviting. Their wedding did not feel like work to us - it felt like a fun party with friends. Jeremy even invited me to stay longer and I wish I could have!

WeddingsKayla SmithSeptember 2, 2018wedding, amarillo, texas, panhandle charm, canyon, bride, groomComment

Allison + Eric | January Wedding at Autumn Oaks Event Center in Lubbock

You can tell a lot about a couple by the time the wedding toasts occur. And for Allison and Eric, it’s easy to see they are two amazing people who became one even more amazing married couple. Their family and friends were brimming with happy tears as they talked about each individual and how excited they were to see the two become husband and wife. It’s one of my favorite parts of a wedding day and their toasts are some that I won’t soon forget. It fills me with joy to know that I’m serving such great people.

Kayla SmithJanuary 21, 2018wedding, lubbock, lubbock wedding, lubbock photographer, wedding dress, texas, autumn oaks, marriedComment

Rachel + Matt | Late December Wedding in Palo Duro Canyon

"We were together...I forget the rest" - Walt Whitman

Literary quotes decorated Rachel and Matt's wedding - making their day a true reflection of their personalities. Even before Matt came along, Rachel always wanted a winter wedding and I hope the late December day in Palo Duro Canyon was everything she imagined it would be. Despite the 20 degree weather- and from a photographer’s perspective - I’m so glad they still decided to get married outside. In the frigid temperatures they said their vows as Rachel’s dad officiated and they planted a new pine tree together. It was a representation of their young marriage and the years of cultivation and care ahead of them.

WeddingsKayla SmithJanuary 15, 2018wedding, amarillo, texas, palo duro canyon, wedding photographer, weddings, bride, bridal, tx, amarillo txComment

Rachel + Matt | Engagement Session at Texas Tech University

I first met Rachel a few months ago when she booked me for her upcoming wedding and the first time I met Matt was during their engagement session. When I saw them together I instantly knew that they fit perfectly together. I mean, just look at them! Matt is from all over the United States but he moved to Lubbock to accept a job at Texas Tech's library. He then met Rachel at church and they fell in love.

EngagementsKayla SmithNovember 6, 2017engagements, wedding, engagement photos, texas tech, texas, couple, love, autumn, fall, photographer, lubbockComment

Sheridan | Westminster Presbyterian Church Bridal Session

Sheridan is really a kindred spirit to me. I've never had a bride so organized and efficient and I absolutely love it! She's one of those brides that I jive so well with. But while we get stuff done, we also have ton of fun during her sessions. I shot her engagement session with now-husband Jerry back in April and then I shot her bridals a couple of weeks ago. Her hilarious, wonderful mother was there during bridals, of course, and she made the experience even better.

Channing + Josiah | Spirit Ranch Wedding in Lubbock, Texas

The night before Channing and Josiah's wedding their pastor got a text from a friend because God told him that peacocks would be a sign of the Holy Spirit for him. That friend didn't know that the next day the pastor would be performing a ceremony at Spirit Ranch - a venue known for its flock of peacocks that roam the grounds. During their wedding ceremony they chose to spend time in worship, right before officially becoming husband and wife.

WeddingsKayla SmithJuly 22, 2017wedding, wedding dress, lubbock, lubbock wedding, photographer, bride, groom, weddings, wedding photographer, love, couple, marriedComment