Sunni and Will’s San Antonio wedding was a high-end, multi-day affair. The weekend began with a rehearsal dinner at Paesanos Riverwalk and a welcome party at La Cantera—on Valentine’s Day! The next day, the couple tied the knot at Hotel Emma. Working closely with Silver Thistle Events, they planned a day inspired by the holiday, filled with romance, luxury, and a palette of blush, pink, and red tones.

Welcome sign for a rehearsal dinner and party in San Antonio, at Bride and groom pictures in the dining room at Paesanos Riverwalk

A couple holding glasses of wine for their San Antonio wedding

Black and white image of a bride and groom

Bride and groom pictures in the dining room at Paesanos Riverwalk in San Antonio

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This wasn’t just any wedding. With cocktail attire, bold design, and a packed timeline, I knew I needed to be on my A-game. From shooting both Super 8 Video and Digital to helping pivot a major venue change just a month before the wedding, this was a weekend that stretched my creativity in the best way. And I wouldn’t have had it any other way!

I connected with Sunni and Will through their friends, Ellen and Danny. If you’ve been around the blog, you might remember that I photographed their Cactus Moon Lodge wedding! Sunni and Will were guests at that wedding, which introduced them to my work. I love it when I get to photograph the weddings of multiple couples in the same friend group. It’s always fun to catch up with each other in between camera clicks!

Flatlay of a Valentine's Day wedding invitation suite

Wedding dinner in the ballroom at Hotel Emma

Map and Compass Photography - Texas Wedding Photographer

Flatlay photo of a pair of white pointed-toe bridal shoes and a bouquet of pink and red flowers

Navigating a Venue Change

Not even a last-minute venue change could stop this wedding from going off without a hitch! Although Sunni and Will didn’t initially book Hotel Emma, Kimberley of Silver Thistle Events and I were determined to ensure that the switch didn’t affect their big day. We’ve joined forces on multiple weddings and elopements (in fact, you can book us as a package deal!), so we trust each other to get the job done. We visited the venue to do a walkthrough, scout locations, and make decisions together. That kind of hands-on collaboration? It’s one of the most rewarding parts of my work! When the day finally arrived, every detail came together seamlessly, because we’d already done the hard work behind the scenes.

Wedding dress hanging from a wall sconce at Hotel Emma

Bride getting ready for her wedding at Hotel Emma

Groom and his groomsmen in the Stein Room at Hotel Emma

Red ribbon tied to a grounded pink and red floral arrangement at an outdoor wedding

Bridesmaids wearing black gowns and holding pink and red bouquets for a Valentine's Day wedding

Bride wiping her eyes during her wedding ceremony

Valentine’s Day Wedding at Hotel Emma

With a wedding date set for the day after Valentine’s Day, the couple fully embraced the romance of the season. They chose a palette inspired by the holiday’s traditional colors—bold red and hot pink paired with soft blush and ivory hues—and carried it throughout every detail. Their cherry red and white invitation suite featured modern typography and a playful heart motif, setting the tone from the start. “Hearts,” in the form of anthurium flowers, were also a feature of the florals by Golden Dreams! Sunni carried a bouquet that included the unique blooms, pairing them with red anemones, fuchsia peonies, and white ranunculus.

The reception tablescapes equally brimmed with romance! Scalloped and heart-shaped paper goods in the style of the couple’s invitation suite adorned every place setting. Atop them, a black-trimmed napkin tied with velvet ribbon added an elegant touch. The blush tablecloths were flirty and feminine, featuring a mesh overlay stitched with embroidered flowers, 3D petal appliques, and sequins. However, the floral centerpieces were the star of the show! The elevated arrangements burst with roses, hydrangeas, and anthurium, with touches of silk bows.

Bride and groom toasting with champagne after their wedding ceremony

Bride and groom walking hand in hand on a city sidewalk

Bridal portraits on a staircase at Hotel Emma

Photographing a wedding like this, with both digital and Super 8 coverage, requires a steady rhythm and a sharp eye. Every moment moves quickly. The energy is high. And I want to preserve it all in a way that feels cinematic and authentic. That’s the magic of Super 8, though. It doesn’t just document what happened, but it shows how it felt. The movement. The laughter. The intimacy. The way sunlight flickers across a champagne glass or a veil dances in the wind.

This Hotel Emma wedding was so stunning that I’m proud to announce it will appear in the digital and print publications of Wed Society San Antonio! It was a true privilege to photograph this special day, and I cannot thank Sunni and Will enough for entrusting me to bring their wedding photography vision to life. If you’re planning a Texas wedding, I would love to connect with you! Start exploring my packages, or reach out to inquire about booking your wedding date.

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Bride and groom entering their wedding reception at Hotel Emma

Groom with his arm around his bride as they hold champagne glasses

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Wedding guest dancing while wearing heart-shaped sunglasses

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Bride and groom doing a rose petal wedding send-off with their guests

Kind Words from Sunni

Nicole is a rockstar! You spend your entire wedding day with your photographer, and Nicole is who you want on your team on your big day. I had seen Nicole in action at a friend’s wedding, so when it came time to hire for my own, Nicole was my first and only call. She was communicative, organized, and an overall joy to work with. She stayed in close contact with my planner when we changed venues three weeks before the wedding, visited the site beforehand, and came with lots of ideas. She nailed my vision from start to finish. Her assistant was also a pleasure to work with & kept our rowdy group wrangled & on time. 10/10 would recommend!