Real {Texas} Wedding: Tonya + Steven

We featured this beautiful couple’s engagement session before, but in case you missed it, here’s a quick introduction: Tonya Moreland and the love of her life and now-husband, Steven Milton, met in the unlikeliest of places-a bar!!! From there, their love story grew from a gentle hum in the breeze to a crescendo of love songs and choruses. This unique couple had one of the most uniquely gorgeous engagement sessions we’ve seen: a session that includes planes and butterflies (Steven is a pilot and Tonya really loves butterflies). Their essence was superbly captured by their genius photographer, Raheem of RhPhotoarts. After a session like this, you need no encouragement to check him out at his website and blog!

Here is a sneak peek of the session that makes us giddy with excitement:

{See the full e-session feature here.}

It was a gorgeous day on May 21, 2011 in Houston, Texas-not because of the sky or the weather, but because something very very special took place. It was the day Tonya Moreland would add “Milton” to her name…the day she would be declaring her everlasting love and commitment to her super man in the skies, Steven Milton…the day he too would be doing the same.

The wedding took place in St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Houston, Texas, and we must say that it was lovely.  The insanely talented Raheem of Rhphotoarts captured it brilliantly. You haven’t seen gorgeous attention to detail until you’ve seen his work. Prepare to swoon!!!

For the gorgeous couple, Tonya shared that it was most important “that we get married IN the church.  This was non-negotiable.  Steven’s father is a deacon in the catholic church, so it was an honor for us to have him perform our ceremony.”

Just like everything else this couple does, the theme was stunningly unique: New Orleans in Texas!!!

“Steven’s family is from New Orleans, Louisiana so it was very important for us to embrace the culture of New Orleans in as many aspects of the wedding as possible.  The fleur dis lis was captured on our wedding invitations, the escort cards, the guestbook, the cake cutters, and the champagne glasses.  Our biggest surprise for our guest, and for Steven, was actually have a New Orleans Brass Band perform the traditional wedding 2nd line at the end of the reception.  With our custom-made 2nd line umbrellas and handkerchiefs for all the guest, this experience felt like we were in New Orleans.”

Even for the most loving of couples, planning such an important day can cause a few disagreements. Tonya and Steven most disagreed on….

“the flowers, and the colors.  I originally wanted a bouquet of various flowers, and he thought that was “tacky” and only wanted roses.  After showing me on-line photos of all rose bouquets, he won.  Also, we both agreed on french blue as a color, but  I wanted a “wow” color to contrast it, like wine red.  He hated the idea, and wanted a “serene” color.  So we ended up with french blue and tangerine as our wedding colors.” And those colors were true perfection! Who knew grooms could have such wonderful input? May be they should be given more credit ;)

Also, the splendid decor was all put together by the woman of the day, Tonya. She did an ahhhmazing job :)

However, planning the table assignments was even more difficult, but in the words of Tonya, “it all worked out.” It often does, brides, so don’t stress too much.

Now the easy part? You may not believe it, but for Tonya, it was…”finding my dress.  I went to one shop, a week after Steven proposed and bought the 8th dress I tried on.  Both my mother and I knew it was “the one”.”  Crazy, right?! If only all brides would be so fortunate.

Tonya and Steven’s wedding showed their intense school spirit. Who knew “Aggies” were so passionate? “Since we both graduated from Texas A&M University, it was VERY important that we did the Aggie War Hymn with all of the other Aggies at the end of the night.  Singing the school fight song and swaying back and forth with our classmates is very traditional at “Aggie” weddings.”

Tonya’s most special moment on her wedding day? “Walking down the aisle, hand in hand with my father, heading towards my husband, seeing friends and family I had not seen in so long, forced me to feel a plethora of emotions.  I was happy, giddy, excited, anxious, and at peace.  This was, by far, the happiest day of my life.”

Tonya’s advice for engaged couples and brides-to-be is don’t sweat the small stuff…..”The best advice I received was to relax, and whatever happens is supposed to happen.  You can’t worry about things you can’t control, like the weather, or if the flowers will arrive on time.  Just relax….. and I did…. and everything was perfect!”

Tonya and Steven, we wish you a beautiful and blessed marriage. May your days be full of  conversation and play. May you be each other’s support all the days of your life, and may you fly into each other’s arms each and every day. May you be the composers of your own perfect love song.

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Now, so you can see how truly gorgeous Tonya is, take a peek at her bridal session.

Click any thumbnail to view the gallery.

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