South Texas Wedding Photographer Team That Knows Your Venue
South Texas Wedding Photography
Toast Entertainment is a South Texas wedding photographer team in The Knot Hall of Fame, top 1% of wedding professionals nationwide, with 1,000+ five-star reviews company-wide. We photograph weddings across McAllen, Brownsville, Harlingen and Corpus Christi. Packages start at $1,395.
Beyond the Hall of Fame, Toast has won Best of The Knot more than ten times and holds WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards.
Recent Weddings by Aleisha
Meet Your Photography Director
Aleisha Kone is Toast's Photography Director and sets the standard for every Toast photographer. She has photographed hundreds of weddings and trains the South Texas photography team on the same rules she holds herself to: read the light, anticipate the moment, and cover the shots that matter. When you book Toast photography in South Texas, Aleisha either photographs your wedding or directs the photographer who does.
See Aleisha's portfolioPhotographing a South Texas wedding
Two regions, two kinds of light
South Texas is really two wedding markets. The Rio Grande Valley is flat, hot and bright, with palms and citrus-country skies. The Coastal Bend around Corpus Christi has water on three sides and a steady Gulf breeze. That breeze is great for comfort and rough on veils. We shoot in all weather, wind included. Valley afternoons stay hot most of the year, so shade and late portraits matter.
Venues we've photographed
In the Valley we've worked Quinta Mazatlán in McAllen, a historic adobe estate with gardens that draw birders. Mansion Royal, Rancho Cielito Lindo, Las Misiones and Cimarron Country Club are on the list too. On the coast, the Texas State Aquarium sits right on Corpus Christi Bay. Lively Beach Resort is the other coastal venue we've worked. Up in Sinton, Lumberyard Events Co. is a regular.
Distance matters here
McAllen and Corpus Christi are about 150 miles apart, so a South Texas weekend is really two separate maps. Travel is free inside 30 miles of either city center. That covers Edinburg, Mission and Pharr from McAllen, and most of the bay from Corpus. Brownsville, Harlingen, San Benito and Kingsville are in our service area. Tell us early if your getting-ready spot and venue are far apart. US-83 through the Valley slows down in the late afternoon.
Engagement sessions
Corpus Christi's bayfront and seawall give you open water and soft early light. North Padre Island and Mustang Island offer beach and dunes, and the wind is calmest early. In McAllen, Quinta Mazatlán's grounds are lovely; check the park's permit requirements. South Padre Island is the long drive worth making for a sunset on the Laguna Madre side.
Planning more than photos? See everything Toast does in South Texas on our South Texas wedding entertainment page.
South Texas Photography Packages
South Texas photography comes in three packages. All three include a lead photographer, a planning call, professional editing, an online gallery, print rights and a backup photographer if yours is out.
Package 1
Four hours, one lead photographer. It works for a courthouse ceremony and a family dinner in McAllen.
- 4 hours of coverage
- 1 lead photographer
Six hours and one lead photographer, with a bridal or engagement session on the beach or in town. The most chosen package.
- 6 hours of coverage
- 1 lead photographer
- Engagement or bridal session
The Complete Story
A full day with two photographers and a session. For a church ceremony followed by a big reception at a ranch, that second camera earns its keep.
- Full-day coverage
- 2 photographers
- Engagement or bridal session
Add-ons
| Request a specific photographer | $200 |
| Lead photographer, extended coverage | $350/hr |
| Assistant photographer | $125/hr |
| Engagement or bridal session | $495 |
| Expedited editing | $300 |
Available extras: hold Aleisha or another photographer for your date ($200), more lead hours ($350 per hour), an assistant ($125 per hour, four hours minimum), a bridal or engagement session ($495) and expedited edits ($300).
Photo and video: South Texas wedding video starts at $1,995 for four hours, edited to a 4 to 6 minute highlight. Bundle the two and save up to $400. See the options on the South Texas rates page.
Toast also covers South Texas DJ and MC, videography, coordination, photo booth, and lighting and enhancements. Bundling two or more services saves up to $400.
From Inquiry to Gallery
Tell us your date, your venue and which side of South Texas you're on. We answer the same day.
Aleisha reviews your timeline and the family photo list with you.
During the ceremony Aleisha stays out of the way. The rest of the day, she coaches you on where to stand and how to pose.
Every photo is corrected for color and exposure, including that bright coastal glare.
Delivered online within 30 days, print rights included.
If Aleisha has an emergency, another Toast photographer covers your day with your plan in hand.
South Texas Venues We Know
Rio Grande Valley and Coastal Bend venues Toast photographers have worked:
South Texas Photography Reviews
"Aleisha is an absolutely amazing photographer! She is fun, professional, personable and ensured everything went smoothly. My wedding photos are breathtaking and more than I ever hoped for."
"Aleisha is an exceptionally gifted photographer with a keen eye not only for locations and lighting, but also for capturing every meaningful detail ... Her dedication, creativity, and passion shine through in every image."
"Aleisha also took our engagement photos, and we absolutely LOVED how they turned out! She made us feel so comfortable throughout the entire shoot and captured such beautiful photos that we will always cherish."
South Texas Wedding Photography FAQ
What does a South Texas wedding photographer cost?
$1,395 for four hours with one lead photographer. That's Toast's starting price in McAllen and Corpus Christi. More on the South Texas rates page.
How much does it cost to hire a wedding photographer in Texas?
It swings with hours and how many photographers you need. Toast South Texas starts at $1,395 and goes up to a full day with two photographers. Compare on the South Texas rates page.
Is 500 photos enough for a wedding?
Most six-hour weddings land in that range, but we don't promise a count because it depends on your hours and guests. Your full gallery is online within 30 days.
How many hours do we need?
Six hours covers most Valley weddings. Four is fine for a smaller ceremony and dinner. If the church and reception are across town from each other, take the full day.
Do you offer engagement sessions?
Yes. Packages 2 and 3 include one, and Package 1 can add it. Padre Island, the Corpus Christi bayfront and Quinta Mazatlán are favorites.
When should we book a wedding photographer?
South Texas has two busy seasons, October and November and March through May. Those dates book 8 to 12 months out, and October and April weekends fill fastest. Book once your venue is set.
Who will photograph our wedding?
Aleisha Kone, our Photography Director, covers South Texas herself. You can hold her for your date with the $200 request add-on.
Do you cover both McAllen and Corpus Christi?
Yes. We work Edinburg, Mission, Pharr, Brownsville, Harlingen, San Benito, Kingsville, Corpus Christi and Sinton. Travel is free within 30 miles of the McAllen and Corpus Christi city centers.
Can we bundle photography with a DJ or video?
Yes. Pair photography with a South Texas DJ, video, coordination or a booth and save up to $400.
Check Your South Texas Date
Walter founded Toast in 2010 with under $1,000 and built it into a Knot Hall of Fame company photographing weddings across nine markets.
