Marriott Plaza Hotel Wedding – Cassie and Brian - October 2009
I still remember the warmth of that late October day in 2009. I had stepped away from weddings for a while, and Cassie and Brian’s small ceremony at the Marriott Plaza Hotel pulled me back in. It felt like a return to something I once knew well, but with a new way of seeing.
This was long before Michelle and I worked as a team. It was just me, a couple of digital cameras, having made the jump from film,, and my son, who joined me to help with lighting. He carried the light helped by aiming it wherever I pointed. It was a new style of wedding photography for me built around off-camera lighting.
Cassie and Brian kept things close and simple. Only their closest people joined them in the courtyard. The hotel felt calm that day, with its shady trees, warm stone paths, and a white albino peacock strutting around like he owned the place. The hotel has since closed, but I still remember that wedding as special.
Cassie was pregnant with their first child, which added a soft, hopeful tone to every moment. She moved with grace. Brian watched her with care. Their day held a sweet mix of calm, joy, and small bursts of laughter from the people who knew them best.
The setting and the story felt right for my first wedding back.
Back When I Shot on Film
Before this wedding, my last real run of work was in the early 2000s. Back then, I carried film rolls in my pockets and prayed each one loaded clean. Every click counted. Every frame mattered. There was no screen to check exposure or see if anyone blinked. You learned to trust your instincts.
By 2009, digital cameras had settled in. Everyone told me they were faster, lighter, smarter. I believed half of that. Digital was new to me, and I still reached for old film habits. I metered the light for any changes. I framed deliberate and tight. I kept a close eye on settings.
But when I photographed Cassie and Brian, I felt something shift. I saw the freedom of shooting more. I saw how clean the images looked on the back screen. I wasn’t sold right away, but I was excited for the new style. Their wedding helped bridge that gap.
The Marriott Plaza Hotel as It Was
The Marriott Plaza Hotel had a charm unlike most places in San Antonio. It sat near the Riverwalk but felt tucked away. The courtyard held palm trees, warm stone, and pockets of shade. Fountains hummed in the background. Families relaxed there on normal days. Brides loved the calm.
And then there was the albino peacock. He lived on the grounds and wandered near guests like a quiet host. His white feathers made him look like a ghost bird. Kids stared at him. Adults tried to sneak photos. On this day, he followed Cassie at a safe distance, almost like he sensed something special was going on.
The hotel has been renovated and rebranded now. Seeing it revamped brings a small sting. There aren’t many venues that carried that kind of mix—lush grounds, old charm, and a sense that time slowed once you stepped inside.
Getting Ready in Peace
Cassie got ready in one of the rooms that faced the courtyard. The light was soft and warm, the kind you see in the early evening. She sat by the window while her friends helped with final touches. I could hear soft music in the background. No rush. No stress.
Brian got ready nearby. He laughed with a friend who kept cracking jokes that only he understood. His suit looked sharp and simple. He kept brushing the sleeves as if he didn’t want to crease them.
One thing struck me that day. The lack of noise. No one ran around. No one checked a timeline every five minutes. Cassie and Brian took their time. It made my job easy.
My son held a flash while I took portraits. He didn’t know anything about lighting. But he stood still and payed attention, and that was enough. One of the photos from that moment is still a favorite of mine, not for technique, but for what it reminds me of.
The Ceremony Under the Trees
The ceremony took place under a canopy of trees in the courtyard. White chairs formed two small rows. Small Jewish touches filled the space, but the breaking of the glass brought the biggest smiles. The sound echoed softly off the stone.
Carlos Sanchez played guitar before and after the ceremony. His music floated through the trees. It set a calm tone that fit the day. Guests whispered as they waited for Cassie to walk in. Kids sat on the edges of their seats. Everything felt a bit slower than normal, in the best way.
Cassie walked down the aisle with a soft smile, and a flowing white dress.. Brian watched her with wide eyes, and you could see him take a deep breath when she reached him. Their vows were short and personal. A few tears showed up. But the laughter that followed fit them well.
When Brian stepped on the glass, the “Mazel Tov!” came from every corner.
A Small, Warm Reception
The reception took place near the courtyard. A few tables sat under the large oak trees. Dinner was simple and warm. The guests knew one another well, so the space felt more like a family meal than a formal event.
Carlos continued to play guitar as people talked and ate. His sound filled the space without drowning it. You could hear every note bounce off the stone walkways and soft trees.
Toasts came after dinner. They were short and honest. Most spoke about the baby on the way and how ready Cassie and Brian were. Their parents smiled wide at every word.
As I moved around the tables, I felt grateful to be back behind a camera. Something about the small size of the wedding eased me back into the work. There was no pressure to chase a strict schedule. No large crowds to wrangle. Just quiet moments and real faces.
Looking Back at This Day
This wedding stands out for many reasons. It was my first time back after years away. Digital felt new. My son helped me. Cassie and Brian trusted me. The Marriott Plaza Hotel gave us a calm space to work in. And that strange white peacock felt like a good-luck sign.
Cassie was carrying their first child. I remember seeing her glow when she held her belly between portraits. Brian stayed close to her during the whole day, always ready to help or steady her.
Their wedding still comes to mind when I think about why I returned to photography. It reminded me that weddings do not need to be huge to matter. Small days can carry just as much depth. They can even carry more because nothing gets lost. Every face stands out. Every word feels personal.
Digital cameras let me catch moments I might have missed on film. But my film habits helped me slow down and look with care. Those two parts came together for the first time during this wedding.
Final Thoughts
Cassie and Brian gave me a chance to return to something I loved. They welcomed me into a small and warm day. I still feel grateful for that trust.
The Marriott Plaza Hotel is now Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, but the memory of that calm courtyard stays with me. The trees. The warm air. The simple joy of two people ready to start a family. The white peacock who walked like he was late for a meeting.
Every detail comes back clear. Their day helped shape how I shoot now. Slow when needed. Fast when the moment calls for it. Authentic all the way through.
