A Letter From My Heart: Laura & James’ Joy-Filled, Spirit-Lifting Wedding
Dear Friends,
Every now and then, a wedding comes along that stretches you—not in stress, but in the sweetest reminder of why you absolutely love this calling. Laura and James’ wedding at The Century Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, was exactly that for me. Mentally, it was one of the hardest weddings I’ve walked into… and it had nothing to do with the couple.
It was because Laura’s sister is a photographer.
And if you know, you know.
All morning, I caught myself thinking, She’s going to see every little thing I do… every pose, every angle, every moment. I felt like I was shooting under a magnifying glass.
But then she walked in.
And instantly, the pressure disappeared.
She was vibrant, joyful, loud in the best way, and immediately became my hype twin. She tried to hide in the background, but you know how photographers are—we don’t sit still. Before I knew it, she was helping pose, cheering me on, and guiding moments with the kind of intuition only another creative understands. It felt like having a second shooter I didn’t even have to direct. Together we captured the day exactly how God, and their family, saw it: full of love, laughter, and pure celebration.
A Day Overflowing With Beauty & Fun
The moment Laura slipped into her textured wedding gown, the air shifted—it was one of those “this is going to be good” moments. She was stunning, joyful, and so fully present. James was calm, centered, and just happy to be marrying the love of his life. Their florals were breathtaking. Their details were intentional. And their coordinator, Sarah, kept everything flowing like she’d been hired straight out of heaven—focused, kind, and on top of every moment.
And the reception? Whew. Let me tell you…
Every single guest—from the littles at 11 to the elders at 81—hit the dance floor like the DJ owed them something. The hype was nonstop. People were partying before the party even officially began. It was that good.
One of my favorite moments of the night was recreating two of their engagement photos from The Archibald Bar—same location, same energy, same magic, just wrapped in wedding-day joy. Those images came out stunning and felt like the perfect little nod to where their story began.
The Dream Team That Made This Day Unforgettable
• Coordinator: Sarah — flawless, calm, and amazing
• Florals: Thoughtful, gorgeous arrangements that transformed every space
• DJ: Brought the hype and kept the dance floor packed
• Family & Friends: Celebrated with their whole heart from beginning to end
And a little fun fact?
This was my first-ever wedding where every vendor and every guest arrived early—so early that we had a full extra hour in the schedule. That never happens. Ever. It made the day feel effortless.
Why This Wedding Stays With Me
Laura and James reminded me why I love what I do. Their day wasn’t just beautiful… it was joyful, sincere, and full of life. Their people were amazing, their moments were real, and the unexpected blessings throughout the day made it one of my all-time favorites.
Laura and James, thank you for trusting me with your love story. Your wedding wasn’t just memorable—it was epic, fun, and filled with so much heart. I’m grateful I got to stand behind the camera and witness it all.
With all my heart,
Rae De Lain
Fine Art Wedding Photographer
www.raedelainweddings.com
Location: The Century Hall — Fort Worth, Texas
Recreated Engagement Photos: The Archibald Bar — Fort Worth, Texas
Dream Team That Made This Magic Happen
Photography: Rae De Lain – Rae De Lain Weddings
Videography: Chloe – @wellmanproductions
DJ / Entertainment: Deven Fortin – LeForce Entertainment @thedjdeven
Florist: Tami & Gloria – @thebloomingbridedfw
Hair & Makeup: Michelle – @prettyonpremises
Coordinator: @events.by.ziegler
