Spinelli’s Wedding and Reception – Alexis + John

Spinelli’s doesn’t need to try hard — it’s effortlessly beautiful. The oak trees, the golden Hill Country light, the chapel that looks straight out of a dream — it all came together perfectly for Alexis and John. Their wedding wasn’t about over-the-top trends or staged moments. It was about faith, family, and genuine connection — the kind that shows up in every single photo.

A Calm Morning with a Buzz of Excitement

The morning began with an easy kind of anticipation — that soft hum in the air that says something wonderful is about to happen. Alexis and her bridesmaids filled the bridal suite with laughter, stories, and just the right touch of chaos that only a wedding morning can bring. Every detail was thought out — from her elegant gown to the personal touches that tied her look together.

Meanwhile, John and his groomsmen were at a nearby ranch house, cracking jokes and doing their best to look composed. There’s always that moment when the suit jackets go on and things start to feel real — the “here we go” moment — and John had it written all over his face.

The First Look Beside the Chapel

Just before the ceremony, Alexis and John shared their first look beside the Spinelli Chapel. It’s one of our favorite spots — quiet, wrapped in oak trees, and filled with soft Hill Country light that feels almost cinematic.

As John turned around and saw Alexis for the first time, time stopped. His expression — that mix of awe, love, and disbelief — was everything. They shared a moment that was just theirs, the world around them slipping into a hush. It’s one of those parts of the day we love most: the calm before the joy, when two people get to simply see each other.

A Catholic Ceremony Filled with Meaning

Inside the Spinelli Chapel, sunlight streamed through stained glass as guests found their seats. The chapel’s intimate atmosphere fit perfectly with Alexis and John’s Catholic-based ceremony — reverent, heartfelt, and deeply personal.

Each moment carried weight. There was a quiet beauty in watching the couple’s families look on — a blend of pride, joy, and that tender ache of watching your loved one step into a new chapter.

When the priest pronounced them husband and wife, the applause and smiles were contagious. And then came one of Spinelli’s most beloved traditions: the ringing of the chapel bell.

Together, Alexis and John pulled the rope and rang the bell high above the chapel — a joyful clang that echoed across the Hill Country. Guests cheered, and you could feel the happiness ripple outward. It’s such a simple tradition, but it perfectly captured the spirit of their day: a celebration of love, heritage, and shared joy.

Dinner, Sneak Peeks, and Sweet Surprises

After dinner, we gave Alexis and John a few sneak peek photos from earlier in the day. Watching them scroll through those first images together, smiling and pointing things out to each other, is always one of our favorite behind-the-scenes moments. It’s that instant reward — seeing their joy reflected back to them before the night is even over.

Then came the “cake cutting”… or rather, the Caketini Bar cutting! Caketini always makes dessert feel like a celebration on its own — layers of flavor and fun, perfectly matching the mood of the evening. The couple fed each other cake with laughter and a hint of frosting mischief — just the way it should be.

First Dances and an Ocean of Emotion

The first dances were where the emotions really came to the surface.

Alexis and John’s first dance felt intimate — the world fading away as they moved together, surrounded by family and friends. But it was Alexis’s dance with her mom and siblings that truly brought the room to tears. There was something so raw and beautiful about it — the kind of emotion that reminds everyone why photos matter. It wasn’t just about movement or music; it was about love, history, and connection.

You could feel it in the way her family held her, the smiles through the tears, and the laughter that came after. These are the moments that sneak up on you and stay forever.

Sayaw ng Pera – The Filipino Money Dance

As the evening unfolded, the energy kicked up a notch with the Sayaw ng Pera — the traditional Filipino wedding money dance. Guests lined up, pinning bills on the couple as they danced, symbolizing blessings and support for their future together.

It was joyful, chaotic, and full of laughter — the kind of tradition that makes a wedding uniquely theirs. The dance floor filled with music and family cheering them on, and by the end, Alexis and John were wrapped in both love and fluttering bills — a true celebration of abundance and joy.

We love moments like these — traditions that bring family and culture together in a way that photographs can almost sing.

A Sparkling End to a Perfect Day

As the night drew to a close, everyone gathered outside under the Hill Country stars for the sparkler exit. The soft crackle of sparklers, the glow of light reflecting off smiling faces — it’s one of those picture-perfect endings that never gets old.

Alexis and John ran through the tunnel of light, laughing and holding onto each other tight. It was the perfect send-off — bright, joyful, and absolutely full of love.

Reflections on the Day

Alexis and John’s Spinelli’s wedding was the kind of day that reminds us why we love what we do. Every moment — from the quiet first look beside the chapel to the ringing of the wedding bell, the laughter of the Sayaw ng Pera, and the final sparkler glow — told a story that was completely, beautifully theirs.

Spinelli’s offers something truly special for Hill Country weddings: a blend of old-world charm, faith, and the kind of light that photographers dream of. It’s a place where stories unfold naturally, where emotions are real, and where love feels tangible.

We were honored to be there — not just as photographers, but as witnesses to the kind of joy that keeps us chasing sunsets and stories, one wedding at a time.