Houston Museum of Natural Science Wedding
D+E celebrated under the T-Rex in the Houston Museum of Natural Science Paleontology Hall
“Is it possible to be ‘classic’ and ‘quirky’ at the same time?” D asked when planning her wedding. She and E had conceived of a not-dinosaur-themed-exactly wedding (but kind of a little bit), but they also wanted their celebration to be timeless.
Obviously yes. As you’ll see, I think they absolutely nailed the balance. Timeless and quirky are not mutually exclusive, but photos that lean into a more “classic” style are essential. It would be too easy to make a wedding with bright colors and dinosaur skeletons look a bit too childlike or cheesy. Elegant, elevated, and unique was the vibe we were going for.
In all seriousness, I’ve never been so excited for an artistic challenge this much in my life. This is EXACTLY the kind of photos I love the most. Let’s take photos that make you feel like your REAL self. The best version of you.
D+E were introduced by friends a few years ago and hit it off right away. When I met them it was immediately apparent why they decided to get married. They each find real joy in seeing the other happy. They’re extremely smart, have an off-beat sense of humor and want to see and experience the world in all its glorious weirdness. NGL I kinda have a friend-crush on these two.
Getting Ready at Hotel Zaza
D picked Hotel Zaza to get ready. It was the perfect location as you can see both her venue, Houston Museum of Natural Science, AND Hermann Park (where we had secured a permit to take photos for the day) out the window of her suite. This suite is called “Fatal Charms” and is one of Zaza’s “Magnificent Seven” Suites. Zaza wasn’t just convenient, the huge windows, dark walls, and immaculate decor make it my very favorite hotel for wedding morning photos in Houston.
D’s hair is one of my favorite style choices ever made by a bride. She told me the story of looking for a hairstylist who was willing to give her a glamorous faux-hawk. Apparently multiple hairstylists tried to talk her into a low bun until she found Sammy at “The Bridal Suite.” It is always worth taking the time to find the vendor who is right for you and wants to help with YOUR dream instead of convincing you to conform. D joked that her hair was giving “Stegosaurus” vibes, which gave us all a good laugh. Honestly, though, D’s look is so classic and stunning I’m still a little shaken. She is so gorgeous and so completely herself, and that’s the best thing you can be in my book.
Groom and Groomsmen Get Ready
E had his own room at the hotel Zaza, and Caleb photographed the men as they got dressed. I especially love the Dungeons & Dragons cookies and cufflinks. Quirky, classic, perfect.
First Look at Hermann Park in McGovern Centennial Gardens
Before their 6pm ceremony, D+E decided to do a first look and take portraits of the two of them and their wedding party around Houston’s iconic Hermann Park. I secured the required photo permit a few months in advance, but getting a permit doesn’t grant us exclusive access to any part of the park.
As this was a Saturday afternoon on a nice day, the park was teeming with people. Caleb traveled with E and carefully selected this spot in McGovern Centennial Gardens (the most manicured section of the park, where we were unlikely to be interrupted) for their first look. D and I took the shuttle bus she had rented to the spot, and the couple was able to spend a few quiet moments together and see each other all dressed for their wedding for the first time.
Portraits with the Wedding Party in Hermann Park
Once D+E had seen each other, Caleb and I and all the bridesmaids and groomsmen all piled on the air-conditioned bus to go to our next location in Hermann Park. Hermann park is massive, and we requested that our permit cover several possible locations within the park because we didn’t know which spots would be overrun with crowds and we needed to be flexible. The Sam Houston Statue, which sits atop a dramatic stone arch in a grassy roundabout, was the spot D and I were most excited about. When we arrived, the area was teeming with more than 100 people, which was super disappointing. We moved on to another spot, a vine covered arch area to the West of the reflecting pool. By the time we were finished there, the crowd at the arch had dissipated and we got our photos there after all!
D+E set aside a total of an hour and a half for their first look, couple portraits, and wedding party portraits in the park, which was necessary to be able to get them a good variety of photos and to handle the inherent unpredictability of photographing in a public space. They also rented the shuttle bus, partly so they didn’t have to walk, but primarily so they could have an air-conditioned spot to escape to. Comfort is key when you’re having your pictures taken. If you’re extremely hot, uncomfortable, or tired, it will inevitably show on your face. D+E took the steps necessary to enjoy their day and get great images.
D+E’s decor beautifully echoed the colors of the museum’s existing lighting.
Detail Photos in the Paleontology Hall at HMNS
Once we finished portraits in the park, Caleb and I headed to the museum to photograph the ceremony and reception decor. Terri Boutte, the insanely experienced planner who owns J. Welton, along with her team, made sure every detail was in place and ready for us. When you spend time and money getting your details and decor just right, it’s essential to get photos of everything -before- your guests enter the space. The tables and centerpieces and lighting are -for- the guests, don’t get me wrong, but when guests start pulling out chairs and leaving their bags and jackets at their place setting, the scene looses a little of it’s magic. I always discuss with brides and planners ahead of time when we can photograph the space and the details. I want you to be able to see in your photo gallery every tiny detail you spent any time, money, or energy on.
Also—the way D coordinated her decor and uplighting with the existing lighting in the museum was incredible. Zero notes.
Even though they’d already seen each other at the first look, E’s face says everything about how special this moment was.
Wedding Ceremony at Houston Museum of Natural Science
The ceremony took place on the balcony above the Paleontology hall—giving guests a view of the reception space and the museum’s beautifully lit collection of historic skeletons. D+E are not religious, and had one of the friends who introduced them, who happens to be a marriage and family therapist, perform their ceremony. The whole thing was heartfelt and perfect. The whole room could really feel how these two love each other.
Oh, and D, legend that she is, walked down the aisle to the theme from Jurassic Park.
After the ceremony, D, E, Caleb, and I popped down to the still-empty reception space to get a photo of the couple with their beloved dinosaurs before the reception started.
Family portraits were a tight squeeze in the compact butterfly center, but worth it for the beautiful light. I stood on a bench and held the camera above my head to ensure everyone was in the frame.
Family Portraits in the Cockrell Butterfly Center and Cocktail Hour
D+E reserved the museum’s Cockrell Butterfly Center—a three story greenhouse filled with lush tropical plants and thousands of colorful butterflies for an hour following their ceremony. We asked the family of the bride and groom to join us on the second floor, as that was the area with the largest space for people to congregate.
Traditional family portraits, where everyone lines up and smiles at the camera, are often the most tedious part of the wedding day, but in a historical sense, they are also the most important. I try to make the experience as quick, organized, and pain-free for my couples as possible. D and I put together a list of groupings ahead of time and I arranged people and kept track of the list. Terri and her team at J. Welton were instrumental in making sure the needed family members were directed through the museum’s maze of hallways to the butterfly center at the right time.
We had a whole hour set aside if needed, but we finished the 20 or so groupings of people in about 30 minutes. We didn’t finish a second too soon either, though it’s a stunning beautiful space, the heat and humidity required for a proper habitat for the butterflies and tropical plants was verging on oppressive for well-dressed wedding guests.
While I photographed family photos in the butterfly center, Caleb went with the rest of the guests to the cocktail hour, held in a partitioned section of the paleontology hall.
This photo, taken by Caleb, is my favorite from the whole day.
Reception in the Paleontology Hall
Once guests were seated, the wedding party entered the reception space through the circular floral arch that had been brought downstairs from their ceremony. The couple went straight into their first dance, and each did the traditional parent dances as well. One of my favorite photos was when Caleb caught D watching E dance with his mom from around the corner of the exhibit.
After Dinner, I ran up to the balcony where the reception was held to take a group photo of everyone at the wedding. It’s easy to take a group photo of a large number of people like this from above, because when everyone looks up, you can see all their faces, unlike if I was on the same level as them. It’s also a handy trick for the DJ to get everyone on the dance floor, as they can just start some music when the photo is over, and everyone is already there.
I know I’ve said it already, but the museum was such an incredibly gorgeous place for a wedding, I think these photos of everyone dancing among the Dino skeletons are are my favorite dance floor photos to date.
An impromptu group grabbed our bride and groom for a photo during the time the portrait station was open.
Wedding Guest Portrait Station
D, and a few other clients this year, have asked for a guest portrait station. It’s kind of like a Photo Booth, but with a booth, you’re expected to pose yourself selfie-style, typically in front of a could-be-anywhere background. With a portrait station, we either help you find or assemble a great, unique, in-your-story location for memorable portraits for your guests. AND since we direct and pose them, instead of leaving it to them, they get a high-quality professional portrait. It’s honestly the perfect gift.
We do not charge extra for this service. If it happens during the coverage hours you’ve already booked, It’s just a matter of picking a location close to the dance floor and 30-minute window that makes sense with the rest of your wedding day schedule and having the DJ make an announcement.
Once you receive your gallery, you can share the entire gallery with your guests, or JUST the folder of guest portraits so each person can find their photos. Guests will then be able to download their photo at high resolution and print and share it however they like, or they can order prints from right there inside the gallery.
If you opt for a portrait station at your wedding, you’ll definitely need a package that has two photographers, so your coverage isn’t negatively effected, AND we’ll need to make sure we plan together the right window of time to offer this to guests (right after dinner is usually best so we catch guests before they’re too disheveled—for some weddings cocktail hour makes sense as well if this time isn’t needed for details photos or candids)
Sparkler Exit on the Museum Steps
At the end of the reception, D+E opted for a sparkler exit on the museum’s front steps before inviting everyone back to the bar at Hotel Zaza for an afterparty. I’m happy to report that these two had very cheerful and well-behaved guests who followed directions.
Other Vendors and Wedding Resources
Planner: Terri Boutte, owner of J. Welton https://www.jweltonco.com
Venue: Houston Museum of Natural Science https://www.hmns.org/visit/host-an-event/
Getting Ready Venue: Hotel Zaza Museum District https://www.hotelzaza.com/houston-museum-district
Off-Site Portrait Location: Hermann Park https://www.hermannpark.org
HMUA: Sammy, Brittany, and Bianca at The Bridal Suite http://thebridalsuitetx.com
Catering: Masraff’s https://www.masraffs.com
Floral: H-E-B Blooms https://www.heb.com/static-page/article-template/blooms-by-heb
DJ: DJ D’lux (Jose Diaz) https://thedeluxedjs.com
Cake: Sweet Extravagance https://sweetextravagance.com
Dress Designer: Yumi Katsura https://www.yumikatsuracouture.com
Menswear Designer: Hugo Boss https://www.hugoboss.com
D+E booked two photographers for unlimited time and received 1229 total images. They also had an engagement session at several locations special to them around Houston. They booked us in July for their wedding the following April.
If you’d like more information on how to work with Libby Dollar Photography for your wedding contact us here!