Darla DiStefano Photography

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Page

2011-09-23T15:57:00.000-07:00

Tiffany and Joe were married September 3 at the very charming Butler's Courtyard in League City. I have attended weddings at this venue but never had the honor of photographing one until now. I just love this facility and the staff and owners are so incredibly helpful and know exactly how to put everyone at ease. After quite a few summer days where the temperatures reached over 100 we were blessed with and welcomed cooler temperatures on their special day!

Shortly after I arrived the girls went in to the foyer to leave special messages in the guest book and on the picture frame. Tiffany had some very special ladies in her wedding and you can tell they all love her very much.

Tiffany and Joe had these super cute fans made to ensure their guests were cool. Their monogram was a recurring theme throughout their wedding and I thought these were a great idea!

The girls got ready in this charming little house known as The Rose Cottage.

It is full of nostalgic items that add so much charm!

And also a closet full of whatever a girl might need! ;-)

Hair and makeup was done on site...

Beautiful girl ready to go and meet her guy!

Tiffany showed me this text message from Joe...so sweet!

The guys had their own little hideaway at The Shop...

and were armed with everything a guy would need to help him get through the pre-wedding jitters!

Back at the Rose Cottage it was time to get dressed!

And what a beautiful bride she was!

I was told this was the signature pose...I'll have to remember that, LOL!

Joe with his sister Casey who is basically responsible for this union! ;-)

Hanging out with the Duke!

The flowers on the gazebo were so pretty!

I loved it when Joe walked out to the altar to the theme from Star Wars! I knew I liked this guy!

These girls did a great job and were so sweet!

And you did a good job too little man!

First looks!

Tiffany could move mountains with that smile of hers!

Loved this looks she and Sissy shared at the altar. :-)

Married!

Now time for some dancing! The cakes were so pretty and oh so yummy!

Table decorations were awesome!

A special touch on the dance floor that was a surprise!

Loved, loved, loved your wedding guys! Thank you so much for letting me spend your day with you!

XOXO!
Darla

TINA & ROY ARE MARRIED!

2011-07-21T01:15:00.000-07:00

Tina and Roy were married July 3 and I knew that it would be a special wedding because these are people who are very special to me. These are my ballpark friends, the friends whose children grew up with my children and they were such an awesome and appreciative group of people to work with. There were also quite a few people directly involved or in attendance who were childhood friends of mine. I had such a great time documenting Tina and Roy's special day and these guys did such a wonderful job with their wedding. Let's start with a few of the details. The flowers were so pretty as were so many of the other special touches.

Loved, loved, loved Tina's shoes!

As well as the shoes found on the groom and groomsmen! :-)

Tina's something blue, borrowed and old...all in one!

The cakes were pretty and delicious...

Batman & Robin...be still my heart! ;-)

Roy's grandmother made the favors and they were so cute...apple jelly made with love by your grandmother? I don't think it gets any better than that!

Proud Dad with his first born that he coached for years on the softball field. Tina was and is an awesome softball player...she and Roy still play.

Carbon copies these two...

Roy with one of his best buds and best man, Aaron.

The girl's getting ready...

Cute and sweet little flower girl...she was a doll!

In loving memory of Tina's grandfather, lost too soon...

These guys were so efficient and on time that we had lots of time for pictures before the ceremony.

Tina with her mom and sisters...right after the tears flowed...

A penny in her shoe from dad for luck!

And just as I knew she would be, Tina was a beautiful bride!

The ring bearers were adorable...

Roy and his mom...

and dad...

and his lovely sister...

The doll baby again...

Had to throw one of Aaron in here because I love him too and I loved his spiffy Best Man patch. ;-)

Roy is such a natural in front of the camera!

The rings...

And finally...the ceremony...beautiful dresses on the moms!

Roy waiting on his bride...

I think this was where Bevo said Tina was to love, honor, cherish and obey Roy...except maybe on the softball field, LOL!

The ring exchange...

Mr. & Mrs...

Such a great looking couple...

Tina made the card box for the reception...so cute!

The reception was a blast with lots of dancing and the best DJ ever.

Fireworks on the exit of course!

You guys rocked the wedding and were truly wonderful to work with! I know that the future is bright for both of you! Thank you so much for letting me document your wedding! Love you guys!

XOXO!
Darla

sneak peek! PAUL + REBECCA

2011-04-06T18:24:00.000-07:00

You guys look great against this wall! ;-) Just a few for now...will have the others posted soon!

Can't wait to show you the rest! Talk to you soon!

Cheers!
Darla

Sneak Peek...Tina & Roy

2010-12-18T00:49:00.000-08:00

Just a quick sneak peek for you guys! I'm sorry these got set aside for the holiday rush and I really, really appreciate your patience! These are just a few of the wonderful pics we got in Galveston! More to come soon! You guys rocked this session! :-)

Can't wait to show you more!

XOXO!
Darla

PRETTY IN PINK AND OH SO SWEET!

2010-09-05T15:06:00.000-07:00

Every girl should get the chance to turn FIFTEEN with as much style as Evelyn did! I first met up with the lovely Evelyn at Macy's at the infamous MAC counter...

I missed the makeup going on, and I do love watching makeup being applied! :-( The Houston traffic was horrible the entire day, with traffic from one end of I-45 to the other, including the freeway being shut down near Downtown! But I did grab a few shots of the beautiful color that MAC has to offer! Just look at all that yumminess!

When I was growing up I heard the phrase, "Pretty is as pretty does," and "Beautiful from the inside out." My grandmother and mom always said, "you can't be pretty on the outside unless you are pretty on the inside," and Evelyn exemplifies these two statements perfectly. I don't think I have met a more gracious, elegant and lovely girl!

I wasn't the only person vying for Evelyn's attention...Leo, the videographer, was there to capture her day as well. He was so great to work with and I just love this shot of him interviewing Evelyn before she set out to get dressed.

Evelyn's Mom and Grandmother were there to make sure everything went as planned and to help her get ready for her big day!

It was time to get dressed! Who knew you could get such beautiful photos in department store restrooms, LOL! What a beauty!

I adore the color pink and Evelyn's dress was exquisite! And to me it just oozed Southerness! As she walked through the department store all eyes were on her and people wanted to know if we were with MTV! haha! It was fun to say the least! A beautiful shot of Evelyn coming down the elevator to meet her adoring Besties...we thought she was beautiful...

and so did they...

It was time to hit the town for a few photos. Our transportation provided by...

stepping up and heading out!

We stopped by one of the best graffitti walls in Houston for a couple of shots...

and the park across the street...

Starbucks was our last stop on the agenda. We had planned on taking some pics here too, but they wouldn't let us. Boo! I did manage to grab one quick shot...sneaky, sneaky!

and one more outside before hopping back in the limo!

Evelyn's mom had told me what a beautiful job The Redstone had done but I was totally blown away...one of my favorite color combinations...pink and brown! Just look how beautiful the tables were...

The centerpieces were made by Evelyn's aunts and they were so pretty. Everything was edible...how cool is that?!

And the head tables...oh, my goodness! I just could not stop looking at them!

The cake...

and ice sculpture...pink and brown with a Paris theme intertwined...doesn't get any better than that!

mmmmmm....

Lots of family photo ops this night...with mom and dad...

brother and sister...

how cute are they?!

I wanted to take a picture of this little cutie by herself and I said, "Stand up sweetie and let me take your picture." She insisted on me taking one while she was in this pose and she was right...it was a great pose, LOL! What a doll!

Leo wanted an interview with Mom and Dad too, but Mom couldn't find her voice so Dad had to take over. I can totally relate! :-) It's not easy watching our little ones grow up!

Special guests included Evelyn's great-grandmother and she was so excited to be there...

Four generations...awesome!

and presenting Princess Evelyn!

Well, okay, they didn't actually say Princess...but doesn't she look like one?

And no Princess is complete with out a little bling...

A lovely necklace, earrings and bracelet given to her by her grandparents and other family members...

And a really BIG gift from Uncle Felix and Aunt Rosie...just look how excited her cousins are!

That is because they knew what was inside...a perfect gift for a young girl who loves to read!

Lots of dancing but a special place on the dance card was reserved for Dad...

and Granddad...

Then the party really got started...with a special dance by Evelyn and the dance crew, The Brown Kings!

Everyone had a great time!

Thank you so much for including me in your day! It was truly a great party!

JUSTIN + ASHLEY

2010-05-26T19:34:00.000-07:00

Justin and Ashley were married at The Admiral in Clear Lake on May 15th. They are both the sweetest and most laid back couple I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Most of the days leading up to the wedding were beautiful but of course the weather took a turn just one day prior to their wedding. As you can see their wedding party knows how to adapt and they didn't let it bother them one little bit! These girls definitely know how to battle the ever changing Houston weather and they drove all the way from Crosby with their hair in these hair nets, LOL!

Ashley had her makeup professionally done and kept tabs on everyone too!

The color pink was the order of the day and you could find it everywhere! Pink is one of my faves so I loved it!

Didn't her makeup artist do a beautiful job! So pretty...loved it!

Ashley and her girls!

How cute are these?!

More pink on MOTB's nails...so cute! I told you pink was in the air! :-)

See what I mean?

Next it was off to see Justin...we found him hanging out in his room with all his buddies. Just putting the finishing touches before seeing his beautiful bride!

These boys definitely have Justin's back...just in case he needs them to!

A few of the beautiful details...

The cakes...

Mom and Ashley right before the ceremony...I think these two have a very special friendship...

I love this next shot...this is Justin's expression at the moment he first saw Ashley. I love the look on his face but I also love the look on everyone else's face. You can see that they all love Ashley too...they know she is the right one for their guy!

Ashley and her daddy...

Giving his girl away...

The ring exchange...

He looks pretty serious about all of this Ashley! :-)

The happy couple and their first dance...you guys look amazing!

There was a certain mishap with the best man and this crowd considered themselves very lucky and very blessed that he was able to make the wedding. Good friends are hard to come by but it is obvious Ashley and Justin have been blessed with so many. I know their love will last a lifetime!

Thanks so much for allowing me to share you day Ashley and Justin! The wedding was beautiful and we enjoyed sharing it with you!

XOXO!
Darla

Sweet Evening Light...

2010-05-10T23:31:00.001-07:00

I just love it when I find it right around the corner...and I just love this girl too!

I just love this doorway...

2010-05-06T13:55:00.000-07:00

and I know it says "do not sit" but we just can't help it!

Isn't she just a lovely girl!

Where Does the Time Go?

2010-04-06T09:26:00.000-07:00

Goodness! I can't believe my baby girl is all grown up! Jacque graduates high school in June and we couldn't be more proud of her. She has decided to attend college at the University of St. Thomas and wants to be a high school English teacher. With her love of literature I know she will make a great one. Finally got this girl out on a beautiful day to start her senior pictures. If you are a photographer you know how difficult your own children can be when it comes to taking their picture! I think we got a great start though!

Would love to hear from you if you have a graduating senior! Class of 2010 rocks! :-)

Cheers!
Darla

KATIE + EDDIE!

2010-04-03T08:37:00.000-07:00

Katie and Eddie were married March 13th at the beautiful Memorial Baptist Church in Baytown. One look at that amazingly blue sky and you knew that God was looking down on this sweet couple on their very special day! There were many answered prayers to be celebrated this gorgeous day!

I just loved Katie's dress...it was just so perfect for her!

The bride's shoes are always something I can't wait to see and I love it when they are something unique! Katie's something blue...

The rings...and I loved Eddie's ring as much as I loved Katie's.

Finishing touches:

Katie and Eddie's children all had a special role in their ceremony and it just made it all the more special. Eddie's son and daughter were attendants and Katie's son, Reid, was an honorary groom's man. They are the most precious and well behaved children!

This moment is always a tear jerker!

The handsome groom...

The little flower girl...isn't she just precious. She was taking it all in and such a sweetie!

Katie and her sis (matron of honor)!

The final touch!

Let's get married! Katie's dad escorting her down the aisle...this is when I have to hold it all together. When the bride comes down the aisle it's always emotional for me and I have to keep the tears at bay, lol!

A couple ceremony shots...

Married!

Oh, happy day!

A little alone time before heading off to the reception at the Monument Inn.

Aren't they just a stunning couple?

The cake...loved the orchids!

The groom's cake...I have heard about these cakes but this is the first time I had seen one...and yes, that is really ice! How cool is that?

First dance.

Katie and Eddie with their children and I just can't say it enough how well behaved and sweet they all were. Katie and Eddie are truly blessed with great friends and family and I know their future is a bright one!

Thank you so much for including me in your day! Your wedding was just so beautiful and so very special!

Cheers!
Darla

Downtown Urban Session

2010-02-27T23:01:00.000-08:00

My daughter and I spent some time in Down Town today...had a blast and got some wonderful images!

Contact me today if you would like to have an urban session of your own!

Heart Warmer...

2009-11-23T08:25:00.000-08:00

I just love this!

Darla

Sneak Peek for my Sweet Niece!

2009-04-27T19:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my niece, sister in law and I set out for a senior session! Here is a little sneek peek for you guys. I had a great time, we got some great shots and dinner was delicious! :^) Love y'all!

More to come!

Darla

Little Monkey...

2009-04-23T09:18:00.001-07:00

Check out my entry in the MCP Actions/Color, Inc. Lab gallery wrap contest! More details on my other blog.

A huge thank you to Laura & Curtis for the precious subject!