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Sedona Winter Elopement

September 26, 2023September 26, 2023 ~ Charlotte Francis Photo

Sedona Winter Elopement | Sedona Elopement Photographer

This Sedona Winter elopement was chilly but man was it beautiful! Emma and Lauren traveled all the way from the UK to have their elopement day in Sedona and it was pure magic. When I first spoke with Emma and Lauren on the phone to start planning their special day they were originally torn between the idea of Eloping in Iceland or Eloping in Sedona. I am a HUGE fan of Iceland, we even had our own vow renewal there! But ultimately they decided that Sedona’s incredible views, red rocks and magical energy just couldn’t be beat, can you blame them?

Sedona is beautiful year round in my opinion but the season’s do have a big impact on where and when the best time to get married here is! Sedona is busiest during it’s peak tourist seasons which is typically September-November and February-March. The weather is beautiful during these months but you do have to worry about crowding in certain areas and traffic! We do not typically recommend having your wedding during the summer months in Sedona. Not only is it insanely hot but there are also higher chances of monsoon storms that can cause flash floods and be dangerous. Going into their Sedona Winter Elopement Emma and Lauren knew it would be chilly, they are used to it living in the UK but the snow was an awesome surprise!

When couples decide to elope with us we help build your elopement day photo timeline based on sunrise or sunset photos at the end of the day. Most couples prefer that golden hour sunset but Emma and Lauren had a really beautiful sentiment on doing their ceremony at sunrise. It was important to them as a couple to watch the sunrise together that morning so that they could watch the sun rise on this new chapter on their lives. We hiked to the peak overlooking the town of Sedona and had the place almost entirely to ourselves to read vows. It was super windy that morning so we did cut our time a little short here and went to a warmer area to enjoy views instead!

Our second hike of the day for Lauren and Emma’s Sedona Winter Elopement had stunning views of Cathedral Rock in the background and an area lower to enjoy the creek. We spent some time by the creek before they sat down to read hand written letters from their families back home and enjoy a pre packed charcuterie picnic box from Sedona Picnics with some champagne! It was the perfect little treat before our last hike of the day. Lauren and Emma absolutely loved Oak Creek Canyon, the rock formations were stunning and an absolute must see on their trip to Sedona! To our surprise the day before the elopement Sedona happened to get a TON of snow and we were able to spend some time enjoying a winter wonderland in Sedona.

Thank you so much Emma and Lauren for trusting me to capture your Sedona Winter Elopement, it was a day I absolutely won’t forget!

For more information on Sedona Elopements, check out our Ultimate Guide to Eloping in Sedona!

VENDORS:

Photographer: Charlotte Francis Photo
Videographer: Charlotte Francis Photo
Tux: King & Allen Tailoring
Dress: ASOS
Charcuterie Box: Sedona Picnics
Rings: Tiffany & Co.
Watch: Gucci
Bracelet: Tiffany & Co.
Trainers Gucci & Alexander McQueen

Wedding at Schnepf Farms The Meadow

September 25, 2023September 25, 2023 ~ Charlotte Francis Photo

Fall Wedding Season in Arizona is my absolute favorite time of year! The weather is cooling down, the leaves are changing and there are a ton more outdoor weddings due to the cooler weather. Guests can actually enjoy being outdoors without the higher temps and couples can utilize outdoor venues making it a win win for everyone! I especially love this wedding at Schnepf Farms The Meadow!

Holding your wedding at Schnepf Farms The Meadow is absolutely perfect for those couples who are wanting the look of forest with lots of greenery, gorgeous string lit intimate dinners and an all around cozy woodsy vibe. I especially love this venue for couples who live in the valley and do not want to have themselves or guests drive 2-3 hours up to Northern Arizona to get the same look! The Meadow is an absolute hidden gem because it truly feels like you are in Northern Arizona when you are only a short drive from any area in the valley.

We love when couples chose to hold their wedding at Schnepf Farms The Meadow also because of the amazing features this venue has! Some venues in Arizona make you chose from a list of their own vendors and you have to abide by that, with The Meadow you are able to bring in unique outside vendors to truly customize your experience. I was also a big fan of the cozy a frame for the bride to get ready in and the tent for the groom, it definitely added to the overall vibe of a woodsy wedding! Schnepf Farms also has other locations on site for couples to get married at aside from The Meadow, you can check those spaces out here!

David and Amanda’s Wedding at Schnepf Farms The Meadow was so special to me! They had a smaller guest count and really wanted to focus on keeping the entire day intentional and intimate. I absolutely loved the sparkler entrance they did into their wedding reception, most couples do sparklers as an exit so it made it really fun and exciting for guests to do this to welcome them in to party instead! They also brought their dog Duke in for photos and to enjoy some of the wedding with them and that was so sweet!

If you are looking for a beautiful Arizona wedding venue make sure to check out our blog on our favorites!

VENDORS :

Venue: Schnepf Farms

Photographer: Charlotte Francis Photo

Videographer: Dallas Campbell Films

Florist: Florals By Kris

DJ: Dj Effect

Neon Signs: Material Girls Weddings

Dress: Wedding Belles AZ

Makeup: Makeup By Tatum G

Hair Stylist: KB Styling

Red Agave Resort Wedding Sedona Micro Wedding

September 4, 2023September 4, 2023 ~ Charlotte Francis Photo

Red Agave Resort Wedding Sedona Micro Wedding | Sedona Elopement Photographer

Natalie and Kyle flew all the way from Georgia to have their Red Agave Resort Wedding in Sedona. Knowing how important family was and how they really wanted to be able to spend time with those they loved most and not be overwhelmed by a large guest count, they decided early on in planning that a micro wedding in Sedona would be the best fit for their vision of their wedding day. Micro weddings are a favorite of ours, they are truly the best of both worlds! With micro weddings you are able to have the intimate parts of a low guest count like an elopement but also celebrate with a small group of friends and family. If you are wanting to incorporate some values from traditional weddings, want a smaller guest count but still crave the adventure of epic nature bridals and extra quiet time just you and your partner, I highly recommend considering a micro wedding for your special day!

Natalie and Kyle love the outfoors and the red rocks were so special to them as a couple! When it came time to deciding where they wanted to say i do, choosing a Red Agave Resort Wedding was a no brainer. Red Agave Resort is awesome in so many ways but a few that really sealed the deal for the couple was the insane red rock views from the property, the ability to transform the space to fit their vision of the day and the fact that the resort allows guests to stay in their a-frames making it super convenient for guests traveling for the wedding!

Picking favorite photos from Natalie and Kyle’s Red Agave Resort Wedding was SO hard. They are truly such kind, fun, genuine and easy people to photograph! They were truly just so excited to celebrate their love with eachother and their families the entire day felt like a party with family! A few things I absolutely loved that the couple did to incorporate more of the things they loved were the incredible details that Natalie had set aside for me to photograph.Natalie spent so much time picking every little detail to incorporate and I could definitely tell! I also really loved the taco bar, the neon sign for photo ops for guests, the live music and super cozy family style table they used to create an intimate setting for dinner!

If you loved this Sedona blog and are interested in more Sedona tips, make sure to check out our guide on eloping in Sedona!

Vendors:

Venue: Red Agave Resort

Photographer: Charlotte Francis Photo

Video: Charlotte Francis Photo

Rentals: I Do Rentals / Retro Event Rentals

Makeup: Superstition Makeup Co

Bartenders: Arizona Bartenders

Live Band: Ben and Kassie with my One and Only Band

Cake: Take The Cake AZ

Catering: Modern Tortilla

Flowers: Sedona Florist

Stonebridge Manor Wedding

September 4, 2023September 4, 2023 ~ Charlotte Francis Photo

Garrett and Ashley’s Stonebridge Manor Wedding

This Stonebridge Manor wedding was absolutely GORGEOUS! If you are newly engaged and looking for an amazing wedding venue in the Phoenix and surrounding area, I highly recommend you check out Stonebridge! Stonebridge is a hidden gem in Arizona, if you live in the valley you are probably already aware at how difficult it is to find a lush green venue without traveling atleast an hour or so up north. Not only does Stonebridge Manor have two different areas for couples to access for their wedding but the property is HUGE! There are photo ops at nearly every corner with a flower garden, a stone bridge, a courtyard, balcony, the list goes on! It is such an elegant venue and pretty decently priced compared to other local venues, I definitely recommend scheduling a tour to see for yourself!

Ashley and Garrett’s Stonebridge Manor Wedding took place in the fall, one of our absolute favorite seasons for Arizona weddings! They chose to get married on the bridge side of the venue that has tons of big beautiful trees that provide shade and perfect lighting for photos at all times of the day. This wedding was SO fun to photograph because the couple was seriously the absolute sweetest ever. Ashley could light up a room with her smile and you could tell they were just so happy to be getting married! Weddings like this make our job as photographers so fun because I thrive off of capturing emotion and there was so many feels from everyone on this wedding day!

A few things I absolutely loved that Ashley and Garrett included in their Stonebridge Manor Wedding day was the elegant champagne tower, this is so much fun for photos too! Their petal toss as they exited the wedding ceremony, another incredible photo op! The sweet moment they had with their bridal party and moms praying over them right before walking down the aisle together. The fog canon they used to hype up their guests during open dance, the cigar bar, the amazing scookie bar truck that came for dessert and of course the sparkler exit to end the night!

If you are recently engaged and looking for your wedding venue, make sure you check out our recent blog on Arizona’s Top Wedding Venues!

Vendors:

Venue: Stonebridge Manor

Photographer: Charlotte Francis Photo

Rentals: Material Girls Weddings

DJ: Direct Sounds

Photo booth: Etc Entertainment

Wedding rings: Kasia Jewelry

iPhone/ social media photographer: Awesome Phoenix

Videographer: Riley Hicks Video

Florist: Harper Floral Co

Makeup: Makeup By Tatum G

Hair: KB Glam

Wedding dress: The Bustle Bridal Boutique

Signage: Paper and Petals Co

Wedding Cake Bakery: Piece of Cake AZ

Dessert truck: The Scookie Bar

Fall Wedding at Venue at The Grove

September 3, 2023September 3, 2023 ~ Charlotte Francis Photo

Fall Wedding at Venue at The Grove | Arizona Elopement Photographer

Eric & Lexi’s wedding at Venue at The Grove took place in November. Fall weddings in Phoenix are some of our absolute favorite because of the colors, lighting and the weather during our fall months just can’t be beat! The couple opted to do a first look before the ceremony which was so sentimental and emotional, capturing moments like this is one of the best parts about being a wedding photographer! A big misconception about doing a first look before the ceremony is that your partner will not have a big reaction to seeing you walk down the aisle after, which is absolutely not true – Eric is proof of that!

For couples who choose to have their wedding at Venue at The Grove, this venue provides them with a lush garden like scenery with plenty of greenery and trees to surround them and their guests! Getting married in Arizona it is often hard to find a venue that is not in Northern Arizona that can provide a scenery other than desert or a modern indoor venue. Venue at The Grove is a really great option for those looking to escape the heat and desert feel that most venues in Arizona offer. The venue also has an incredible staff who is so helpful to their couples at every event we have photographed here, an onsite coordinator team and a list of amazing vendors for couples to choose from!

A few of our favorite things about Eric and Lexi’s wedding at Venue at The Grove was the colors of their bridal party outfits, their absolutely stunning design choices to compliment the fall season in Arizona and just how close and sweet all of their family and friends were! You could really tell this was such a big day for everyone attending! We absolutely love when bridesmaids do different colors and styles for their dresses, not only does it look so fun in photos but it really allows your bridal party to be able to show off their personality!

The reception was so beautiful as well! The string lights throughout the reception area help create such an intimate setting for guests to enjoy while eating dinner and mingling. Cruisin’ Photo Bus was at the reception as well which is always a huge hit for guests and so fun for photos! The couple shared a last dance surrounded by guests before exiting through a sparkler tunnel! If you are getting married soon and need any other wedding exit ideas make sure you check out our blog for more!

Vendors :

Venue: Venue At The Grove

Photographer: Charlotte Francis Photo

Catering: Ensamble Catering

Makeup: Emily Mosby MUA

Hair: The Priscilla Style

Photo Booth Bus: Cruisin’ Photo Bus

Floral: Wild Child Floral

Cake: Sugar Lips Cakery

Luxury El Chorro Wedding

August 26, 2023August 26, 2023 ~ Charlotte Francis Photo

Luxury El Chorro Wedding | Arizona Wedding Photographer

Ryan and Rebecca’s Luxury El Chorro Wedding was nothing short of breathtaking. El Chorro is perfect for those who are looking for a sophisticated venue with jaw dropping views. El Chorro leaves nothing to be wanted for – with it’s beautiful desert views, indoor and outdoor options and ability to completely customize the space to give you the wedding of your dreams. El Chorro is unique as well because there are 4 different areas on the property that you are able to utilize for your wedding day!

If you are looking for another incredible wedding venue, make sure you check out our blog on the top wedding venues in Arizona!

El Chorro is seriously one of our absolute favorite venues! This wedding was also so fun because we got to work with such incredible vendors to bring it together – including Jane In The Woods who absolutely transformed this space into something straight out of a magazine! The couples planner Kelsey did such a fantastic job!

Rebecca and Ryan spared no expense when planning their Luxury El Chorro Wedding. From the custom wedding dress down to the hand made seating chart, every detail about their wedding was truly unique to them as a couple. I loved the fact that they used the ceremony space for both the ceremony and reception. The awesome thing about El Chorro is the fact that you can customize the spaces however you please. So the reception was completely unrecognizable from how it looks only an hour prior. The team at El Chorro makes some magic happen when creating spaces for their couples!

I could go on forever about how insane this Luxury El Chorro Wedding was but I’ll let this photos speak for me! A huge shout out to all of the amazing vendors who made this day happen below!

Vendors:

Venue: El Chorro

Photography: Charlotte Francis Photo

Videography: Love Story Films

Planning: Jane In The Woods Kelsey

Makeup: NeeLabs

Dress: Enzoani

Tux: Mens Warehouse

Tailor: Tailored In White

Signage: Freja Creative

Neon: HowdyDudeyNeon

Bartending: Couple Of Bartenders

Rentals: Bright Event Rentals & Found Rental Co

Custom Installments: The Details Duo

Floral: Zinnia Floral

DJ: Direct Sounds

Luxury Tabletop: Casa de Perrin

Dessert: A Bake Shop

Gelato Cart: Frost

Sky Ranch Lodge Wedding in Sedona

August 26, 2023August 26, 2023 ~ Charlotte Francis Photo

Sky Ranch Lodge Wedding in Sedona | Arizona Elopement Photographer

Patrick and Brooke’s Sky Ranch Lodge Wedding in Sedona is one of our absolute favorite weddings to date! There are many reasons why this venue is one of Sedona’s most sought after venues to get married. The venue rests on the side of a cliff overlooking the stunning red rocks high up in the clouds. It truly feels like you are getting married in the sky!

One of our absolute favorite things about photographing weddings is the relationships we get to form with our couples. Patrick and Brooke put all of their trust in us on their wedding day and allowed us to capture them and their families in such a beautiful way! They focused only on each other and let us do the rest so they could spend their wedding day enjoying the company of their closest friends and family surrounded by all of Sedona’s beauty.

One thing that really stood out to me during Patrick and Brooke’s Sky Ranch Lodge Wedding was the time they took into carefully considering all details and really making sure they incorporated things that were special to them as a couple. They were planning a move to Germany shortly after the wedding and make sure to share a cheers cliff side during bridals with some local Germany beers! I also loved them bringing their sweet puppy in for a few photos during reception!

Patrick and Brooke chose the most stunning color palette for their Sky Ranch Lodge Wedding. Warm yellows, oranges, pinks and reds were the perfect colors to accentuate Sedona’s rich color palette. They also chose to decorate with dried florals, macrame and gold accents inside of their reception tent to welcome guests in after enjoying the sunset over the red rocks. Pair that with a pizza bar, some delicious bundt cakes and an awesome DJ and their guests were in for an incredible night!

Thank you Patrick and Brooke for trusting us to capture such a special day for you two!

Vendors :

Venue : Sky Ranch Lodge in Sedona

Photographer : Charlotte Francis Photo

DJ : 7000 Feet of Sound

Pizza : Doughlicious

Bundt Cakes : Nothing Bundt Cakes

Spring Micro Wedding in Arizona

August 26, 2023August 26, 2023 ~ Charlotte Francis Photo

Spring Micro Wedding in Arizona | Arizona Elopement Photographer

For their Spring Micro Wedding in Arizona – Kelly and Ty knew exactly what they wanted to bring their dream day to life. Kelly and Ty dreamed of an intimate and meaningful celebration with their closest friends and family. While we planned their wedding day we originally thought something near the base of the Superstition Mountains could be a good option as the couple loved the idea of a dreamy golden sun drenched wedding. Kelly’s parents offered to hold their wedding at their beautiful Scottsdale home. They knew that they wanted to keep their wedding day small and intimate and holding it at their parents home made it that much more special!

When clients decide on having a Micro Wedding in Arizona our number one tip, especially when the micro wedding is not at a venue or space that typically holds weddings, is to make sure that wherever the couple decides on has plenty of good light and ample photo opportunities. Kelly and Ty’s family home was nothing short of perfection, they could not have had a more stunning wedding location if they tried! The home was only a few minutes away from the mayo clinic hiking trail where we went for their first look and bridal photos prior to their ceremony. After the ceremony we explored the backyard that opened into an expansive desert with tons of beautiful golden light, cacti and mountains!