Romantic Texas Wedding at The N at Hardway Ranch
As a wedding photographer, we all have that “bucket list” of venues we are desperate to check off and shoot at. Locations that are out of the way and out of the budget to travel to regularly. Of course, we have the international, once-in-a-life time locations such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC, the Eiffel Tower, Joshua Tree, Santorini, and literally anywhere in Ireland.
Then, we have those local state venues that we see on Instagram all the time and they look so pretty that you know you can’t take a bad photo. Beautiful, wide open spaces with gleaming floors and luscious greens outdoors. Here, you have options for both outdoor and indoor ceremonies in case the weather does not work in your favor.
The N at Hardway Ranch in Bluff Dale, TX was one of those local bucket list venues for me and it’s been at the top for a couple of years now. My friend Emilye of Brazos Rose Photography had a wedding at the N in late September and I was super lucky to be able to photograph it with her. As I pulled up to the venue it looked exactly as I expected and I was so excited to get started.
I think what draws me to this venue is that as soon as you walk in it feels warm and welcoming with touches of both rustic old charm and new class. Chandeliers line the ceiling as well as high windows and tin. Warm wood covers the walls and there’s literally a stage for the wedding party to dine and get toasted (or to host the ceremony if the weather does not cooperate).
Outdoors, there is a fantastic little patio area with funky globe chandeliers which is perfect for a send off and lights hanging from the trees just past it. The outdoor ceremony area is absolutely beautiful as well with lots of photo opportunities when you pull the bride and groom aside to start family formals. Of all things, I did not expect the hill past the bride and groom suites to be my favorite part - it made for a perfect silhouette and I was so excited.
I spent the majority of time prior to the ceremony capturing sweet details and with the groom, Tony. I’m always very thankful for the bride bringing her invitation sweet to the wedding so I can create a flat lay with her details. Eucalyptus is my favorite floral touch for this.
As the ceremony began, I was thrilled to see a small orchestra to serenade the guests and bridal party down the aisle. When Carly came down the aisle I almost cried when I captured her mother watching her, it was a very emotional moment. During almost the entire ceremony, a butterfly sat on Tony’s left shoulder - it was one of those moments you noticed but didn’t understand it until afterwards. Tony’s mom mentioned that his grandmother had passed recently and that was most likely her Tony’s shoulder. How sweet and tender is that?
After the ceremony came family formals and then we whisked the newlyweds off for a couple of intimate moments. The reception and send off followed shortly after which was absolutely gorgeous under the patio chandeliers and full of glowing, happy sparklers. Did I ever mention how delicious their cake was? It was a fantastic day for Carly, Tony, and their loving family and friends. Extremely grateful I have these opportunities in my life to help preserve memories for others.
2020 is filling up fast, I am taking only a few more weddings as of now. I can’t believe I can say that as I said just a few short years ago that I’d never shoot one, haha! How strange life can be.
Contact me to reserve your date today!
