“This was a huge moment for the Harris family – a continuation of a really beautiful family tradition at this magical space.”

As photographers, there are few moments as precious and meaningful as when we get to photograph multiple weddings within the same family. After all, these are really significant milestones in the lives of our couples but also their loved ones, and being invited along for not one but SEVERAL of those milestones is just a huge honor. 

That’s exactly how it was for Jessica + Dillon’s wedding. If those names sound familiar, it’s because this is not their first time on the L+L Blog. Back in September of 2020, we photographed the moment when Dillon asked Jessica to marry him, in a surprise proposal disguised as an anniversary session! You can read more about their proposal (and see the images!) here. 

Dillon reached out to get our help with the surprise proposal because he knew us from his cousin Shelbi’s wedding in October of 2019, and his sister Micaela’s wedding 6 months after that. In fact, Micaela + JC were our very last wedding before the COVID shutdown, so it was such a treat to get to reconnect with them now, almost almost 15 months later. 

All of that to say, this wedding was really special to us before it even started. It was our 3rd wedding in the greater Garner family, our first time seeing Micaela + JC since their wedding, being there for Jessica and Dillon’s surprise engagement session – it’s all just a perfect storm of sentimentality and deeper meaning, and as long-time readers of the L+L Blog know, we are nothing if not sentimental. 

We started the wedding day at the Market at the Mill, a beautiful venue in Clifton, TX. After chatting with our good friends Kathy and Becky of B&K Elegant Events, we started photographing some of the reception details, featuring absolutely stunning floral arrangements by the team at Sellar + Co. From there we made our way to the Rock Church, our ceremony location for the day. 

Originally built in 1886, and part of the National Register of Historical Places, this church is a gorgeous piece of architecture with beautiful stained glass windows that allow the natural light to dance across the altar. 

But it’s not just a pretty church – it has real multi-generational significance with Jessica’s family. Jessica’s sister, her parents and her grandparents all got married here, so this was a huge moment for the Harris family – a continuation of a really beautiful family tradition at this magical space. 

The ceremony was beautiful and minimalistic. Vows. Rings. A kiss, and we cheered. And another Harris wedding was successfully completed at the Rock Church. :))

From there we launched into Family Portraits, and we just have to very quickly give MAJOR props to the Harris and Garner families here. We checked the metadata on our images – you all completed about 55 minutes worth of family portraits in TWENTY-EIGHT minutes. You guys win all the family portrait bragging rights forever.

After some Couple Portraits outside the Rock Church and some wedding party photos at the Market at the Mill, our reception began. Special shoutout to the Maid of Honor, Sydney, who gave a touching speech that made both these photographers bite back the tears. It was a really sweet tribute to sisterly love. Bravo!  

The night drifted by and Jessica + Dillon spent it talking and laughing with family, friends and all these wonderful people who came together to support and celebrate them. The night eventually ended under a haze of sparklers, and Jessica + Dillon rode off into the literal sunset with all of us cheering them on.

Special thanks to Kathy + Becky from B&K Events, Ty and Hayley from Stell + Co and all the vendors who made this wonderful day possible. Check out the vendor tags below to get in touch with this great team. 

We also have to recognize Lori + James, Cindy + Brian, Sydney, Micaela, JC, Liza, Abby and the whole group of people within the Harris and Garner families. Ya’ll are such great people and we were truly honored to get to spend such a wonderful day with you all. Thank you for welcoming us into the group and making us feel at home while we captured these moments. We appreciate you all! 

Jessica + Dillon, we are just so, SO grateful for you two. Getting to photograph your proposal was one of the highlights of our career as photographers, and seeing that moment blossom into your wedding and the start of your marriage was just so special for us! Thank you for trusting us, for communicating with us throughout this process, and for being such kind and thoughtful people. We are so glad we got the chance to meet you, and we’re honestly just glad that two people like you exist in the world! We hope to see you again sooner rather than later, and wish you all the best in life, love and marriage. 

With all the love, 

L+L

P.S. As L+L Insta followers already know, Jessica, Micaela, Lori, and the whole fam got us the MOST PRECIOUS gift basket with a bunch of cute clothes and treats for Baby Bortner. Ya’ll are just absolutely too kind. What an incredible gesture that was! We were literally speechless (which is really saying something for Lee especially)! Thank you for being such kind-hearted people! Baby Bortner will love his gifts when he gets here! :)))

VENDOR TEAM

Wedding Coordinator: B&K Elegant Events

Ceremony Venue: The Rock Church

Reception Venue: Market at the Mill

Floral: Stellar + Co. 

DJ: Dual Threat Entertainment

Cake: Nothing Bunt Cakes

Make Up Artist: Summer Bekkelund, The Hotspot Salon

Hair Stylist: Jacelynn Slagle, The Hotspot Salon

Invitations: Hayley McKnight, Cultivate Marketing & Design

Bridesmaids Dresses: Vera Wang

If you liked this summer wedding at the Rock Church, make sure to check out Bel + Dolan’s Emotional Wedding at Promiseland San Marcos! Interested in booking your own wedding or an intimate engagement session with your person? Click here to get in touch!

Lacey + Lee Photography is a wife-husband photography team based in Austin, Texas who specialize in creating bold, intimate and emotive wedding, engagement and elopement photography. Within the Austin Area they serve South Congress, East 6th, South Lamar, The Seaholm District, Mueller, Dripping Springs, Kyle, Hutto, Georgetown, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, and Bastrop. They also serve San Antonio, New Braunfels, San Marcos, Waco, Dallas, Houston, and any State or National Park you get to by plane, train or automobile. They are available for destination weddings, proposals, elopements and micro weddings.
Get in touch today for more detailed pricing!