MISSION CONCEPCION WEDDING + ZA ZA GARDENS | CLAIRE+KEVIN
Claire and Kevin tied the knot at Mission Concepcion in San Antonio, Texas and reception at Za Za Gardens. These two met on match.com and now live in Florida. I loved working with these two – they are so right for each other. Last summer, I first met Claire’s mother at my studio here in San Antonio and then a short time late Claire and I skyped. Even though catholic weddings are pretty traditional, Claire and Kevin didn’t want a traditional wedding photographer. Rather a photographer who can captures the day unobtrusively and tell the story/life of their wedding day. Luckily for me, I was fortunate to be their choice.
The Mission Concepcion church, established in 1731 is the best preserved of all the missions. Restoration work completed a few years back exposing some of the frescos paintings that can be seen inside. It’s quite a remarkable quaint place to visit and should be on your bucket list if you plan on visiting San Antonio. Their wedding reception was at Za Za Gardens, my first time visiting the venue. The Za Za is a city recognized historical complex full of old world charm, elegance and a perfect place to escape the humidity with it’s indoor rooms.
For me, photography is about so many things but the raw emotional impact is what I gravitate toward along with composition, content and rhythm to the images. There’s plenty of emotion here as you follow the story, from Claire getting ready at Za Za Gardens to her father escorting to the church and the photos at the reception. So, I hope you like them!
There are so many favorite images here I just feel so happy to present them to you. Thanks to photographer Chris Margain, along for the ride as second shooter. His work is amazing and I’m grateful he still wants to work with me after all these years!
Please leave your comments below if you’d like to wish the couple your congratulations.
![Brides dress hangs at Za Za gardens-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/002-Za-Za-gardens-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography-802x1200.jpg)
![The veil Za Za gardens-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/001-Za-Za-gardens-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Mother of the bride and Claire look in the large full length mirror at Za Za gardens-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/003-Za-Za-gardens-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Mother and sister of the groom reacts to seeing the bride at Za Za gardens-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/004-Za-Za-gardens-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Kevin the groom gets ready](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/CM1_4703.jpg)
![Perfume added at Za Za gardens-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/005-Za-Za-gardens-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Bride has veil fitted as friend fits a shoe Za Za gardens-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/006-Za-Za-gardens-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography-802x1200.jpg)
![Bride holds her veil at Za Za gardens-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/007-Za-Za-gardens-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography-802x1200.jpg)
![Bridal portrait at Za Za gardens-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/008-Za-Za-gardens-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography-802x1200.jpg)
![Claire checks herself in the mirror at Za Za gardens-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/009-Za-Za-gardens-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Father enters room to see his daughter dressed for the first time at Za Za gardens-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/010-Za-Za-gardens-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Friend assists with the brides dress at Za Za gardens-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/011-Za-Za-gardens-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography-802x1200.jpg)
![The bride sits in her car ready to be transported by her father to Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/012-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Father of the bride and daughter drive to the church from za za gardens to Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/013-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Father of the bride drives past the church Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/014-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Bride and father walk from their parked car to the church as groom and friends family wait for her arrival - Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/015-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Father of the bride holds her train as they make their way to the front entrance and the beginning of the processional at Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/016-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Bride arrives at the church with father Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/017-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Father of the bride gives away his daughter to the groom at Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/018-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Couple kneeling for ceremony at Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/019-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography-802x1200.jpg)
![Wide angle of wedding ceremony at Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/020-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Groom places ring on brides hand at Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/021-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Hugs between family members of the bride at Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/022-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![The priest Fr.David Garcia blesses the couple as they kiss and hug closely Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/023-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography-798x1200.jpg)
![Just married couple Claire and Kevin walk down the aisle at Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/024-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Just married couple first out of the door at Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/025-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![We did it as bride hugs cousin and groom looks back toward his bride at Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/026-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Posed shot of couple head to head at Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/027-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![The wedded couple walk back toward Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/028-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![A posed kiss at Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/029-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![The couple depart Mission Concepcion Wedding-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/030-Mission-Concepcion-Wedding-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography-802x1200.jpg)
![The bride caresses the back of the grooms next as he drives to the wedding reception at Za Za Gardens Wedding Reception-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/031-Za-Za-Gardens-Wedding-Reception-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![The bride arrives at Za Za Gardens Wedding Reception-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/032-Za-Za-Gardens-Wedding-Reception-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![A nun scrolls her phone near some desserts at Za Za Gardens Wedding Reception-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/033-Za-Za-Gardens-Wedding-Reception-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![The mariachi band plays for a wedded couple at Za Za Gardens Wedding Reception-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/034-Za-Za-Gardens-Wedding-Reception-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![A kiss as the mariachi band plays at Za Za Gardens Wedding Reception-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/035-Za-Za-Gardens-Wedding-Reception-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![A mariachi band serenades the couple at Za Za Gardens Wedding Reception-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/036-Za-Za-Gardens-Wedding-Reception-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![First dance bride and groom looking outside in through window wth palm trees Za Za Gardens Wedding Reception-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/037-Za-Za-Gardens-Wedding-Reception-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography-802x1200.jpg)
![During the toasts, bride and groom react laughing Za Za Gardens Wedding Reception-Leica photographer-Philip Thomas Photography](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/038-Za-Za-Gardens-Wedding-Reception-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Grandfather and bride dance](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/039-Za-Za-Gardens-Wedding-Reception-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Kicking it up wedding reception in slow motion](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/040-Za-Za-Gardens-Wedding-Reception-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/041-Za-Za-Gardens-Wedding-Reception-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![A close hug on reception floor](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/042-Za-Za-Gardens-Wedding-Reception-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![The brides dress held hight](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/043-Za-Za-Gardens-Wedding-Reception-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![The bride with the groom dancing](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/044-Za-Za-Gardens-Wedding-Reception-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![A kiss at Za Za Gardens](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/045-Za-Za-Gardens-Wedding-Reception-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Last dance at Za Za Gardens](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/046-Za-Za-Gardens-Wedding-Reception-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![The getaway surrounded by friends and family](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/047-Za-Za-Gardens-Wedding-Reception-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)
![Bride and groom wave goodbye on horse and buggy](https://www.philipthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/048-Za-Za-Gardens-Wedding-Reception-Leica-photographer-Philip-Thomas-Photography.jpg)