A Grand Hotel Point Clear Engagement Session

When does wedding season start? This is a question I frequently get asked this time of year. My answer – wedding season is in full swing NOW! Here, on the Gulf Coast, our summer months are more intolerable than our winter/spring months. That means that wedding season is in full swing pretty much as soon as Mardi Gras is over. If you’re not from Mobile, you might not understand why Mardi Gras would impact wedding season, but it definitely does! As soon as the carnival season tiaras and trains are put away, the wedding gowns start making their appearance.

At the same time wedding season is kicking into full swing, couples who are getting married in late summer/early fall are scheduling their engagement sessions. Azalea season is a pretty one, even though it’s very tricky to time! This year the bloom was a bit later than I recall in past years, which meant my late March sessions saw more azalea color than my mid-March sessions. When it comes to Mother Nature, you just never know when that peak bloom will fall.

Last week I had three engagement sessions and I am still amazed that all three had beautiful weather! For two of the sessions, I was at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear. This location has the perfect mix of trees and greenery, as well as a great view of the bay. Many of my clients enjoy going to Bucky’s Lounge for a drink after their session, or dining at one of the hotel restaurants. It’s the perfect set up for a date night!

The Unpredictable Weather of March

The day I met up with Monica and Nhan, it was a beautiful day, but a bit on the chilly and windy side as we made our way to the beach for sunset photos. These two were so laid back though and didn’t seem to mind one bit that the wind was fierce. I loved that they brought along a bottle of champagne to celebrate. They were so sweet to bring an extra glass for me! I was wishing I didn’t have to drive back home, or I would have enjoyed continuing to visit with them while enjoying a glass after we were done with photos.

Monica and I had previously discovered we attend the same church, Corpus Christi, but during the shoot, Nhan and I discovered that he knows my cousin-in-law from pharmacy school. Talk about a small world! Monica and Nhan are getting married at Monica’s family’s church, which happens to be St. Monica Catholic Church. I have photographed weddings at many Catholic churches in our area, but this is one I have never been to. I always enjoy getting to visit new churches for a wedding, so I am looking forward to being at St. Monica this fall. I am also looking forward to photographing all the Vietnamese traditions that will be part of their wedding celebration!