Chapel on the Dunes low angle couple posing
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Chapel on the Dunes Wedding | Port Aransas, Texas | Mady+Roland

ByPhilip Thomas

Loved working with Mady and Roland – such a special couple! We started at Roosevelt’s, a lovely restaurant at Tarpon Inn, with great seafood and friendly service. Below are a few clicks, followed by their wedding ceremony at the charming Chapel on the Dunes. I hadn’t heard of it until Mady mentioned it on our Zoom call, but it’s gorgeous and tucked away from the tourist areas. Built between 1937 and 1938, the historic Chapel on the Dunes is the oldest consecrated church on Mustang Island. It was founded by Aline B. Carter, a former Texas Poet Laureate, astronomer, and artist. It serves as a quiet place for meditation and community.

From there, with blustery showers rolling in, we took a break until later in the day, then had a fun evening at the Art Center in downtown Corpus Christi. I really dig the vibe here, and as the party got going into the evening, we were caught in some wild downpours. Fun stuff and great memories!

I’m grateful for Mady and Rolan’s trust in me to photograph their special weekend – I thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone, seeing the love and friendship surrounding a couple, and trying to bottle that into fleeting photos.

As always, gear used for those interested
Leica M11 + Lux 28 mm
Leica Q3 43
Nikon D780 + 200-500 f5.6

Vendors:
Rehearsal Dinner:
Ceremony: The Chapel on the Dunes
Reception: The Art Center, Corpus Christi
Day-Of Coordinator – Caitlin Dennis, CC Turnkey Events
Catering, Bar, & Decor – Diamond Point Catering, Caitlin Dennis
Florals – The Blossom Shop, Moon & AC
Bride’s Cake – Let Them Eat Cake, Kira
Groom’s Cake – HEB Robert & Alameda
Hair and makeup: Mandi Alvarez
DJ – David Schacherl
Photography – Philip Thomas Photography

Here are a few of my favorite clicks below.

  • String lights hang beneath a covered patio at Roosevelt's in Port Aransas at dusk, with a couple walking in the distance past the hotel's balconied facade and palm trees.
  • Black-and-white close-up over a guest's shoulder as they look at an illustrated rehearsal dinner program, background softly blurred.
  • Dusk shot of string lights strung along the eaves of a coastal building at Roosevelt's, a palm tree silhouetted against the fading blue sky.
  • Black-and-white candid of two women laughing together at a wood-paneled table during the rehearsal dinner, framed art on the wall behind them.
  • The couple walks hand-in-hand along the porch of a coastal cottage-style building at Roosevelt's, she in a white dress, he in a light suit.
  • The couple walks hand-in-hand along the porch of a coastal cottage-style building at Roosevelt's, she in a white dress, he in a light suit.
  • Palm fronds silhouetted against the sky outside the getting-ready location.
  • Low-angle shot of the white chapel's pointed-arch windows and exterior against a bright sky.
  • Low-angle view looking up at the chapel's white steeple against the sky, a palm frond framing the corner.
  • Close-up of the bride having her makeup applied.
  • Candid moment of a young man in a white shirt sitting on a couch beside a woman in a gold robe reclining nearby.
  • Black-and-white shot of a mother of the bride zipping up the back of the bride's gown in front of a mirror.
  • Black-and-white silhouette of a groomsman getting ready near a doorway.
  • Black-and-white candid from behind of the bride's curly hair, with a friend covering her face in the background.
  • Black-and-white close-up of two groom and groomsman laughing together, one adjusting the other's collar.
  • close-up of the back of a man's head and shoulder showing wedding date
  • Black-and-white candid of a woman covering her face with her hands in an emotional moment.
  • Close-up of the bride having her makeup applied.
  • Black-and-white candid of a woman standing near a houseplant and framed art indoors.
  • The groom's father adjusts his boutonniere and jacket with a friend while the bride smiles in the background.
  • The bride walks down wooden stairs as father of the bride walks below in a coastal, tropical setting.
  • Black-and-white image of father of the bride and bride walking reflection from morning showers
  • Chapel on the Dunes scenic shot
  • Black-and-white image of father of the bride and bride walking away up a wooden boardwalk toward Chapel on the Dunes.
  • Exterior of the white chapel with an arched black door, framed by palm trees against a coastal sky.
  • The bride stands in the chapel's arched doorway holding her bouquet, colorful stained glass visible inside.
  • The bride holds her flowers in the shadowed chapel doorway as the FOB stands nearby.
  • Father of the brides gives away his daughter inside the chapel, painted mural ceiling above.
  • Exterior view of the chapel's arched window and white facade.
  • Palm fronds against the white exterior wall of the chapel.
  • The couple exchanges vows inside the chapel beneath the painted ceiling mural.
  • Wide view of the chapel's arched interior ceiling with its painted mural, before the ceremony.
  • The groom raises the bride's hand triumphantly as guests cheer, colorful mural ceiling above.
  • Black-and-white shot of the groom lifting and kissing the bride beneath palm trees.
  • Chapel on the Dunes low angle couple posing
  • Bride waving toward the camera leaving the chapel
  • Close-up of feet on a staircase as the bride climbs the stairs, her dress trailing behind her.
  • Two women in dresses walk together across an open courtyard toward reception tables.
  • Exterior view of the Art Center's Spanish colonial-style building and string-lit courtyard at dusk.
  • Close-up of the couple in a sunlit colonnade.
  • Wedding reception with guests celebrating outdoors.
  • Couple celebrating at wedding reception.
  • Wedding reception celebration with guests.
  • Couple dancing at wedding reception.
  • Couple holding hands at wedding
  • Couple joyfully celebrating their wedding
  • Emotional embrace at a wedding
  • Emotional moment at wedding reception.
  • Wedding reception with guests celebrating together.
  • Couple embracing by the water.
  • Couple embracing on a waterfront.
  • Couple in gazebo by the waterfront.
  • Couple dancing in elegant venue.
  • Wedding reception with joyful guests.
  • Joyful moments at a wedding reception with mother of the bride.
  • Elegant building with arched entrance.
  • Crowded wedding reception with dancing guests.
  • Couple dancing at wedding reception.
  • Silhouetted palm trees against cloudy sky.
  • Joyful wedding celebration with dancing guests
  • Celebration with dancing and laughter
  • Couple kissing at wedding reception.
  • Wedding reception with dancing guests outdoors in the rain
  • Joyful celebration at a wedding reception
  • Celebration with dancing and joy
  • Wedding reception with guests dancing in the rain
  • Man dancing on hands at wedding.
  • Wedding reception dance floor celebration
  • Wedding reception dance celebration moment
  • Joyful couple celebrating at wedding
  • Wedding reception with dancing guests
  • Group of friends celebrating together indoors.
  • Men celebrating at a wedding reception.
  • Wedding celebration with joyful guests.
  • Couple celebrating with sparklers exit.
  • Couple celebrating with sparklers exit.
  • Outdoor wedding reception at night
  • Couple kissing in a car
  • Yellow jeep driving past wedding guests

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