Karla + Gilbert’s Jamaican elopement was absolutely GORGEOUS! Their wedding took place at the Secrets Wild Orchid resort, a luxurious property located in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The sprawling outdoor space at this sophisticated, oceanfront resort had numerous spectacular photo backdrops.
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Cocktail hours do not have to be the time when guests sit and wait, hungry, and maybe even a little bored. These seven ideas will help you keep your guests happy during the cocktail hour.
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Taime and Hannah chose Phon D Sutton for their Engagement Photos to truly capture the feel of Arizona’s vast desert scenery. Phon D Sutton is a trailhead and recreation area on the Salt River in Mesa, Arizona. This site draws many visitors due to wild horse watching, tubing and camping but also provides the most incredible backdrop for photos. Taime and Hannah’s session was so beautiful and unique to them. Hannah even brought her GORGEOUS 70’s Chevelle to incorporate as a fun prop!
We walked around Phon D Sutton to take in the beautiful scenery (and Hannah got a piggy back ride out of it). A little tip to get loosened up during your engagement photos – take a shot! Bring a bottle of champagne to sip on during! We love to have couples move around first during a session so that they feel comfortable instead of feeling like robots immediately into the session! Taime and Hannah were so fun to capture! Their photos turned out so full of emotion from laughter to emotion to drama. Hannah’s custom-made leather jacket was the perfect little accent to end their Phon D Sutton Engagement Photos.
A little side note – we have a special connection to Taime + Hannah’s love story making these Phon D Sutton Engagement Photos even sweeter. A little over a year ago, I took maternity photos for them and then I asked them to model for a bridal shoot. They said, “Yes!,” then Hannah said, “Yes!” the same day. Taime messaged me the morning of the bridal shoot to tell me he was going to propose to Hannah. We cannot wait for Taime and Hannah’s wedding in Spring 2020!
If you loved reading about Taime and Hannah’s story, check out another of our 2020 couples stories here!
So excited to finally share this beautiful wedding shot at Home Place Farms. Christine and Christopher wanted nothing more for their special day than to be surrounded by their closest family and friends in the gorgeous woods of Oregon. Their day was filled with laughter, tears and pure happiness.
Continue reading “Christine + Christopher – Home Place Farm Wedding | Molalla Wedding Photographer”
Capturing Sam and Nikki’s Intimate Elopement on Catalina Island was a highlight of the year for sure! Catalina Island is one of California’s Channel Islands just southwest of Los Angeles – it is best known for its wildlife, diving, and its highest peak, Mt. Orizaba. This quaint island is only about 21 miles by 8 miles in size, but features breathtaking scenery and beautiful stops at every turn.
Wanting the wedding to be very personal, Sam and Nikki chose an Intimate Elopement on Catalina Island with just the two of them. Neither of them could wait to be married as you can see on their faces. Sam and Nikki took in the sites as we walked along the coast but mainly they only had eyes for each other. We walked through Avalon taking photos and soaking up glorious sunshine. Sam and Nikki’s ceremony location overlooked Lovers Cove, a gorgeous rocky cove with a narrow little beach. After they made their marriage official, we spent more time discovering the town of Avalon and taking photos by the courthouse and the water’s edge. The water seduced these lovers as Sam and Nikki couldn’t help but wade in still wearing their wedding attire. The ensuing photographs were some of my favorites!
Sam and Nikki chose an Intimate Elopement on Catalina Island mainly because they visited the island a year before and it held a special place in their hearts. They never forgot how much they enjoyed it and they knew it was the perfect spot for them to make it official. Wanting to avoid the stress and drama of planning a big wedding, Nikki mentioned they thought it would be a beautiful place to run away together! She was absolutely correct. Everywhere we turned on this lovely island, we found amazing backdrops for photos that captured every emotion of the day — from regal and solemn to playful and flirtatious. It was such a lovely day memorializing all the love-filled moments as their wedding photographer!
Wedding Dress: https://www.instagram.com/weddingbellesaz/
Check out another destination wedding here!
Congratulations! You have a wedding to plan! This will be such a busy and exciting time in your life. Being a wedding photographer, I get to see a lot of behind-the-scenes action when it comes to wedding planning. I’ve compiled a list of things you need to know when planning your wedding. Hope it helps you to get things planned and enjoy the process!
Doing your research, no matter how time-consuming, is so worth it. You will never regret researching instead of booking your first option. Always ask to see galleries of full weddings and ask about what you should expect day of from your photographer as well prior to booking to make sure their style fits what you are wanting for your wedding day. Testimonials and reviews should play a huge role in deciding who your vendors will be. I have worked with an amazing group of Arizona wedding vendors, so feel free to ask for recommendations!
I cannot sufficiently stress the importance of finding the right photographer and videographer for you — as a couple. They are the people who you will be with the most on your wedding day, so it is vital that you vibe with their personalities and techniques. Get to know a couple of photographers through their social media posts and “About Me” pages, and get in contact with those you think you would want to work with! Most photographers will schedule a consultation with prospective clients to see how they get along; take advantage of this!
The mood of your wedding matters. If you are looking to have a light and airy wedding — but your ceremony space has dark and moody lighting — you might want to look into different locations. If you choose a ceremony space because of religious or sentimental reasons, your photographer will most likely be able to create lighting that is closer to the mood you want for your wedding. However, if you are looking for an outdoor space or venue, check it out before you make any big decisions. A good idea for outdoor weddings is checking how the light will be at your ceremony site ahead of time, photographers are great at working with different lighting situations but we always recommend your ceremony have ample shade for you and your guests, especially during Arizona summers or be shot during golden hour. Talk with your photographer to get their input as well, we are here to make your photos the best they can be!
Your wedding reception’s success will likely depend in a large part on which DJ you select. Every DJ has a different style and will bring a different atmosphere to your celebration, so choose wisely! Get recommendations from friends who have gotten married recently and look at online reviews. Make sure and talk to your DJ before booking to ensure your ideas about the perfect reception align with theirs. In my opinion, your DJ is just as important as finding the right photographer. Finding a DJ who knows how to read the audience and play the right music to get the party started is so important to a successful reception!
Because wedding planning is so busy and fast-paced, it is easy to become disorganized. If you start out with an organized plan, it will be easier to stay organized as you begin to book your vendors and make big decisions! A wedding planner is a huge asset for every wedding, especially for couples who are busier and do not have the time to sit and plan down to the very last detail. A day of planner or coordinator is extremely helpful for any event so that you and your guests can relax and enjoy the party!
Your budget is not everything, yet maybe it is. Being realistic with your wedding budget will help you avoid unnecessary debt and financial stress as you enter married life. Once you have determined who is contributing and how much they will be paying for, it is important to decide what your personal budget will be. According to a 2017 study from “The Knot,” the average wedding in the United States costs over $33,000. Many factors affect what the cost of your wedding will be — guest count, location, flowers, etc. For a rough idea of how much each item will cost, use these national averages.
Budgeting will help you to leave space for your priorities. Sit down with your fiance and figure out what the most important aspects of your wedding are to the two of you. Determine what percentage of your budget you will be spending on the items you have prioritized. Prioritize these details and compromise on less important items to stay within your budget. Decide together what percentage of your budget you will be spending on the items you have deemed as most important.
This is your wedding. Although you can be thoughtful and think of your guests, do not let your guests’ preferences overpower your own. Be assertive and make sure you are making decisions for the two of you! This is your special day! Some creative ways you can make your wedding more unique are having live music for your ceremony or reception, smore’s or a hot chocolate bar for those chilly winter weddings or an icecream truck for summer, a photo booth for your reception, a tattoo bar, customized favors for guests (some of my favorites have been handmade soaps, succulents to take home and grow, mini shots and fresh coffee grounds!) The list goes on and on! Sit down and think about all of the things that would make your wedding a dream and implement those. This is one of the most special days of your life and you deserve to have it revolve around all of the things you both love!
Check out Pj and Diana’s Spring Arizona Wedding here!
Pj and Diana chose to have an intimate Spring wedding at The Farm at South Mountain and it could not have been more beautiful. They included a small group of very close friends and family, no formal bridal party. You couldn’t help but smiling while capturing the warm, joyful moments Diana shared with a group of close friends and family as she got ready. Diana’s dress only added to her natural beauty, she chose an amazing two-piece. The long skirt was perfect for the photos and the ceremony and easy to ditch during reception! Pj and Diana proved that having a small, warm wedding doesn’t mean skimping on the glamour or details. In addition to the dress, the wedding day flowers were out of this world. Simplistic greenery and geometric candle holders completed the perfect minimalistic boho wedding style!
Finding the perfect first look location for Pj and Diana’s Spring Wedding at The Farm at South Mountain came with ease. The lovely area among the flowering trees at The Farm at South Mountain provided the perfect hidden space to soak in those first few moments together. Nature added the perfect touch by placing white petals against the stunning backdrop of the green grass. The couples love was obvious to all! Diana walked up behind Pj for the first look; his reaction was priceless — memorializing moments like this is exactly why I love doing Arizona Wedding Photography.
After the formal pictures and wedding ceremony were complete, Diana had a beautiful long train for her wedding dress that she removed once the ceremony was over which was fabulous for the reception (no bustling required!). They arranged to have an ice-cream truck come for the reception, a much-appreciated treat for a warm Arizona wedding! Guests had an awesome time with the photo booth provided through Cruisin’ Photo Bus and a tattoo station. Among all the cute tattoo designs, was an extra special design — Pj + Diana’s faces on one of the tattoos! The couple made sure that everyone had a memorable, fun time at their Spring Wedding at The Farm at South Mountain.
The Farm at South Mountain has endless gorgeous backdrops for weddings photography. While looking at these photos, Pj + Diana will celebrate their wedding day over and over throughout the years. Check out more Arizona Wedding Photography by yours truly here!
VENDORS:
Venue: https://www.instagram.com/thefarmarizona/
Florals + Planning: https://www.instagram.com/moelleux_events/
Jessica and Aj chose Tercero by Aldea for their boho Spring Wedding. Tercero by Aldea is a dream for anyone who loves bohemian styles – a personal favorite of ours! As Jessica got ready, the room was filled with loving support from family and closest friends. The photos clearly show how happy she was the entire day! I loved the added details of the bridesmaids’ matching robes and the confetti pop to give her photos an extra jazz! Aj also had his best friends alongside him in the groom suite. You could see how much they loved and supported Jess and Aj as a couple throughout the entire day.
For Jess and Aj’s Spring Wedding at Tercero by Aldea, the details say it all. The floral arrangements were out-of-this-world. Tablescapes lined with the flowers, greenery, and pinecones peeking out were just gorgeous. An incredible geometric geode cake, whimsical hanging greenery from macrame and everything in between, this wedding missed no beat when it came to details!
AJ and Jessica decided to do their first-look photo after privately reading letters they had written each other. Capturing these intimate, emotional moments was a highlight of their Spring Wedding Day at Tercero by Aldea. Being able to witness moments like this are my favorite part about Wedding Photography! Everyone enjoyed a celebratory mood the entire day! The live music, the wonderful support system they have in their family and friends, and unique, outdoor decorations made everything about the ceremony truly special and personal for this couple — exactly what a boho chic wedding should be!
Witnessing Jessica’s father give her a gift was another favorite moment! The gift, a personal message he had written for the couple, was beautifully framed as a keepsake for the bride and groom. Even though Jessica is generally not an overly emotional person, she was moved to tears while reading it.
There were many beautiful wedding-photo backdrops for the wedding party, family and guests. The cacti and native plants decorated the outdoors perfectly! To end the night, everyone present sent off the happy with a sparkler goodbye. It doesn’t get much better than an Arizona wedding in the beautiful Bohemian Spring Wedding at Tercero by Aldea.
Let’s chat! If you loved Jessica and Aj’s Wedding tell me all about your dream day!
Charlotte Francis | Arizona Intimate Wedding + Elopement Photographer
LGBTQ-friendly | All skin colors & body sizes are loved here
Phoenix, Arizona based but fly us anywhere to document your love story
