Simone and Dotun’s wedding at Canyonwood Ridge outside of Austin, Texas is one I won’t soon forget. I have been looking forward to this weekend ever since the couple and I sat outside Dominican Joe’s coffeeshop last year and talked about their plans and they let me know that the most important thing to them was to celebrate with the people they loved. To really be present and make memories and have FUN – and oh, did they succeed!

Simone and Dotun just thoroughly enjoy being in each other’s presence. They are quick to laugh and have the easy love of people who are best friends and share everything together, and their wedding day reflected just that.

The day started on an overcast day at Canyonwood Ridge in Dripping Springs, Texas (just outside of Austin) where close friends and family lovingly helped the couple decorate for their reception and get the couple ready to wed!

Simone and Dotun chose to wait until their ceremony to see each other, so they got ready in their separate rooms and they guys and I headed outside to enjoy a little fresh air and put the finishing touches on the groom!

Simone and her bridesmaids (and bridesmen!) celebrated in the bridal suite until it was time for her mother to help her into the wedding dress…their reactions to the gorgeous bride are priceless. 🙂

How gorgeous is this crew!?

The ceremony marked the moment the sun begin to come out – I don’t think it was a coincidence that it happened when Simone and Dotun were finally able to see each other.

The most powerful part of the day – the bride and groom chose to exchange their personal vows in private at the altar where they were just wed…I’m surprised these photos are in focus based on the tears in my eyes.

I can’t say enough how amazing this wedding party was – they had the best time celebrating with their newlywed friends!

And a quick portrait before heading into the reception.

Yes…yes they did…and I love them for it. The sun came out just in time to set beautifully and Simone and Dotun took their last quiet moments of the day enjoying their first sunset as man and wife.

Venue: Canyonwood Ridge
Floral Design: Lee Warth Floral Design
Paper Design: Wedding Paper Divas
Other Decor: Melissa Bryant
Coordination: FMD Events – Funmi Dosunmu
Dress: Belle Saison Bridal
Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Cake: CAKES ROCK!
Catering: Texas Custom Catering
Band/DJ: DJ OFresh – Omar Yousaf
Videographer: 360 Africa
Photographer: April Mae Creative

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April Mae Creative is owned by April Thomason, based in Austin, Texas and available for travel worldwide. April is a full-time wedding photographer who loves travel adventures and her rescue dog Wilson – and is always up for a cocktail and a pizza! She believes that every love story is worth shouting from the rooftops and puts her entire heart and soul into every wedding she photographs and couple she works with. Her greatest hope is to create timeless photos full of emotion that show the love surrounding a couple on their wedding day and leave them with a legacy to pass down through generations.