What's in a Name?

From PenMeetsPaper

I get some quizzical looks when I mention "The Big and Bright." Unless you're a native Texan -or maybe even if you are- those words might not ring a bell. There's an old folksy song about the Lone Star State called Deep in the Heart of Texas. The first line sings, "The stars at night, are big and bright... deep in the heart of Texas." I can remember singing it a million times as a kid (they really start that whole state pride thing early here) and I'll hear it every now and then at a fair or rodeo.

It's a cheesy song, no doubt. But that first line stands out to me. This all began as a place to tell stories. Stories of people doing brave, bold, original, creative, unique things. Artists. Designers. Entrepreneurs. Innovators. Small business owners. Girl bosses. Guy bosses. Anyone with that never say die attitude making a name for themselves and changing lives along the way, whether it be others' or their own. These people are the big and bright stars shining boldly, unabashedly, in a world content to stay inside the lines.

I'm telling different kinds of stories now. Stories of families changing, couples committing their lives to each other, people embarking on new adventures. In fact, I'm becoming one of those people, embarking on a new adventure and following the voice in my head saying "do this thing that makes you feel alive." So I'm going for it, camera in hand this time, because everyone has a story to tell. We all have that brightness inside of us somewhere - now I just want to capture it.

The "life and style" part will stay, as will the occasional features of entrepreneurs I find inspiring. But at the heart of it all, it's still storytelling, and those lyrics still ring true. I want these images and stories to reflect that outlook of doing and creating things the Texas way - confidently, boldly, authentically. That's what The Big and Bright is all about.

Pecan Springs Ranch Bridal Portraits

I had my bridal portraits taken at Pecan Springs Ranch event venue outside of Austin, shot by Amy of Al Gawlik Photography. I say the words "incredibly talented" about a lot of people, but goodness gracious, not many people are as good at what they do as Amy. I was so lucky to have her, and we couldn't have asked for better weather or better sunlight that April afternoon.

I wish I could show y'all what my dress looked like before alterations. I wanted something with straps and a unique back, and this dress fit both of those bills, but there was a a big problem in the form of a giant peplum skirt coming off the waist. The style never made it to mass production (no wonder - all that extra material for the peplum was not flattering) so the store had it on major markdown. I took a chance on it with the promise that the peplum skirt part could be removed, and I'm so glad I did. We added more buttons to go further down the back (buttons on wedding dresses just make my heart happy) and a sparkly belt, and to me, it was the perfect dress for our big day.

 Sun flare. I love it. And can we talk about that settee?! I wanted to take it home with me. 

Thank you, Al Gawlik and Pecan Springs Ranch!

Our Wedding: Part 2

Finishing up the second half of our wedding post today. Our ceremony was a little different than most. Andrew's close friend and mentor, Shane, got ordained on the internet to officiate our ceremony. Yes, we were those people. But we wouldn't have had it any other way. Andrew credits Shane with helping him become the person he is today, influencing his work, his values, his priorities and his faith. Knowing Andrew to be the man he is and knowing Shane had a large part in that - what an honor to have him play a part in beginning this new chapter of our lives.

 Our pre-ceremony music made my 90s-country-loving heart so happy. Hal Ketchum and Restless Heart played as the guests took their seats. 

I walked down the aisle to the

MercyMe version

of my favorite hymn of all time, Come Thou Fount.

Come thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace

Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise

Oh to grace, how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be

Let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love

Here's my heart, oh, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above  

 This is one of my favorite images from the whole day and one word comes to mind: trust. The man who raised me, giving me away to the man about to say his vows to me. I wanted to freeze that bittersweet moment for just a little longer!

 Sweet Emma girl. Such a beauty, and she doesn't even know it yet.

As soon as my dad sat down and I stood across from Andrew and took his hands, he slipped a tiny piece of paper to me and opened his palm so I could read it. It simply said "home team." Those words have been a theme in our relationship since we got engaged. Knowing that we would soon be moving to a new city and encountering a lot of new challenges, we promised that we would face it all, all of the unknowns, as a team. With a million different things vying for our attention every day, we know that our priority is at home, in each other.

We asked Shane to speak a little on the meaning of the covenant. How it differs in nature and purpose from a contract or a promise, and how our relationship in marriage is meant to mirror Jesus's relationship with the church. He also talked about choosing joy despite whatever circumstances may come our way. 

Instead of lighting a unity candle, we joined jars of dirt. It doesn't sound pretty, or really even look pretty, but the dirt is from the land where we were each raised. His, dark soil from east Texas, and mine, rocky clay from the hill country. By joining those two together, we created our "common ground." We added sand from the Caribbean when we returned from our honeymoon, and we'll add to the jar with each place we live, wherever that may be. 

    My brother did what he does so well and played a medley of two other favorite hymns, In Christ Alone and Be Thou My Vision, before we said a final prayer.

 We did it! That right there is a face of pure bliss. And in true Bullard fashion, we had George Strait's "True" playing as we walked out :)

 The boys were ready to get the party started. Three cheers for Shiner Ruby Redbird!

 First dance with my love. We danced to "I Just Wanna Be Yours" by Full Throttle. 

 There was a whole lot of dancing. A whole lot. And we loved every minute of it.

 Looking back on our day, I honestly don't know how it could've been any more perfect. Our parents, our best friends, and our families all together in one place made it the best day of our lives. 

Venue:

Memory Lane

Photography:

Al Gawlik

Caterer:

Trudy's Four Star

Cakes:

Classic Cakes by Lori

Floral:

Petal Pushers

Rings:

Segner's Jewelers

Hair: Creative Hair, Dripping Springs

Makeup:

Austin Wedding Makeup