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Sunday was the much anticipated wedding day of Bethy and Seth. Over the course of the past year I have gotten to know this couple quite well. I shot their engagement shoot last August, a portrait shoot with them and their cute dog Ella and more recently a family shoot with Bethy's family. I love it when I get the chance to know my clients and call them friends. I was so flattered when Seth and Bethy invited me to their rehearsal dinner as a guest!
So as you might imagine, I've been looking forward to this wedding for awhile now. And even though some time has passed, I still remember the first things Bethy and Seth told me in preparation for their wedding photos over a year ago. Bethy warned me in advance that Seth had a habit of blinking at the exact wrong moment resulting in many closed-eye photos. He could also fall victim to the dreaded "fake smile." Then Seth warned me that he quickly loses his patience when it comes to photos. And while I understood they were concerned about these things, I also knew they didn't need to be. I knew exactly what would happen...
Seth would see Bethy for the first time...
He wouldn't blink. He wouldn't want to miss a moment of her.
And any smile that crossed his face would be more real than he'd ever known before.
I was right.
If there was anything I was nervous about, it was trying to take photos between my own laughter. These two are a hoot. They are thrill seekers, sports lovers, and have a fun sarcastic humor.
All laughter aside and any warnings long forgotten, Bethy and Seth said "I do" and in doing so began their next great adrenaline-packed adventure. Marriage. Side by side, smile by real, radiant smile.
The day was amazing thanks in part to a dream-team of vendors:
Planner: Jennifer Thye of Imoni Events
Venue: JW Marriott Desert Ridge
Florist: The Flower Studio
Band: Shining Star Band
Videographer: Princess Bride Video
Hair: Nya Michelle
Make-up: Linda Wagner
Rentals: Tri Rentals & Kool Party Rentals
Drapery: Quest Drape
Linens: Southwick Linens
Ceremony Music: String Serenade
Officiant: Bernie Zahn
I started off the day with Bethy and the girls as they got ready: |
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| Seth and Bethy saw each other before the ceremony so we could get some fun portraits of them. Love this one: |
| The details for this wedding were over the top bright, fun and gorgeous: |
| Bethy's mom and dad walked her down the aisle: |
| Check out the reception room - queue jaw dropping: |
| The centerpieces had flowers submerged IN the water: |
| They had a candy bar for their favors and it was unbelievable as well: |
| For the reception Seth and Bethy did a quick clothing change. Then for their first dance they did a ballroom number that was really impressive: |
| Followed by a choreographed upbeat number that was so fun: |
| And my favorite thing about Jewish weddings -- the Hora!! |
| I just love these expressions! |
| Bethy is super-organized and had a huge binder for everything related to the wedding. But Seth was able to surprise her nonetheless. He had a 4 foot cake flown in from Mike's Amazing Cakes in Washington that was based off of a photo of their dog Ella sitting on a statue of the Florida Gator -- their favorite team. The cake maker added their new little puppy Sophie as well. The cake was so amazing in its detail and clearly Bethy was surprised and pleased. I love Bethy's mom's reaction in this shot as well: |
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Jade and Amy had met more than once.
FIRST, when Amy started college, but they didn't talk.
SECOND, when they had a class together. A counseling class. Amy could tell Jade thought she was cute, but she was too busy breaking up with a different boyfriend to pay much attention.
THIRD, in 2008 they had another class together. An evangelism class. A class they both hated.
FINALLY, after one of many rough days in evangelism, Jade and Amy went for frozen yogurt. It was there, over crazy-teacher talk and frozen treats, that a relationship would grow.
Though it wasn't love at first sight, it didn't take long once they knew it was love...
Two months later, Jade asked Amy to be his girlfriend.
Six months later, Jade asked Amy if it was ok that he was looking at rings.
One month later, Jade asked Amy to be his bride.
Though it wasn't necessarily love-at-first-sight, it is certainly love-every-time-they-look-at-each-other. Seriously. These two ooze love and compatibility. They're both creative, they both are involved in ministry, and they both love sneaking Panda Express into the movie theater. They both dislike each other's music: Jade says Amy's music is boring, Amy says Jade's music makes her ears bleed. And they love to cook together; Amy cooks cheesy food for Jade even though she can't eat it - she's allergic.
Ah Love.
And like many couples, they have faced their share of challenges. These challenges have made them think carefully, choose wisely, and be intentional in everything they do. They are young. They are in love. But I wouldn't be too quick to discount young love in this case.
Jade and Amy were married Friday at Entrada at Snow Canyon in St. George, Utah. At 99 degrees, it was a warm day. But I don't think Jade and Amy complained about the heat once. They were completely blissful all day long. Here are some of my favorite photos from their blissful day:
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| The ceremony site was amazing: |
| Jade went for the dip kiss: |
| We were able to steal away for a few minutes after the ceremony to get more portraits of the couple: |
| The back of the seemingly traditional cake-topper held a surprise: |
| Amy's parents surprised her and Jade with a honeymoon to Disney World and gave them these hats to reveal the location: |
| The evening ended with a sparkler exit: |
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Over the years I have asked many of my couples "What was the moment when you knew he/she was the one?" Over the years I have had two different kinds of answers. The first kind is the couples that say there wasn't a moment in particular; their love just happened over time until it was clear that they had found their partner. The second kind of answer is from couples that say "It happened on THIS day," or "it happened the first time she met my family" or "the first time he said I Love You." Eric and Erin are the second kind of couple. For Erin, there was a moment she knew that she would be with Eric forever.
It was just after a few months of dating. Erin had been enjoying a delicious mango when she broke out in hives. She had hives everywhere. Instead of excusing himself, instead of leaving and saying he'd just call her back later, Eric immediately raced to the store to buy the necessary items.
Benadryl: $6.00
Aveeno Oatmeal Bath Powder: $7.99
Knowing you found a man to love you enough to help you when you're covered in hives and completely vulnerable: Priceless.
Erin, a special education teacher and Eric, a finance and insurance kind of guy met in 2002 at an apartment party in college. Eric was wearing a T-Shirt with a big letter "E" on it. Whether he was expecting it to be a conversation piece with a pretty girl at the party or not, in that moment he caught "E"rin's attention.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of this couple is their sense of humor -- they love to laugh at themselves and one another. Witty banter abounds between Eric, Erin and their friends. In the short time I got to spend with them they made each other laugh, they made the wedding party laugh, they made ME laugh...and most importantly, they made it clear what marrying your best friend looks like.
Priceless.
After eight years together, Erin and Eric are husband and wife. It was a pleasure to capture this couple on their wedding day. They were so laid back and not worried in the least that something would go wrong. They simply wanted to enjoy this day, and remember it as another "priceless moment" in their life together.
The entire wedding day took place at Firesky Resort in Scottsdale and I had the pleasure of working with a great team that included Regina Osgood of Meant 2 Be Events -- the coordinator -- and God's Garden Treasures -- the florist. The day started with girl time: |
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| Erin looked amazing in her dress: |
| Eric and Erin saw each other before the ceremony in a private moment. I loved capturing their emotions at the sight of one another: |
| We spent some time around the Firesky property capturing some fun portraits of the cute couple: |
| The bridal party was a ton of fun: |
| Erin's room was right by the ceremony sight so she relaxed there and watched the guests arrive in the moments before the ceremony was to begin. |
| Erin was escorted down the aisle by her father: |
| I'm just in love with the light in this next sequence of shots: |
| The ceremony was full of emotion: |
| And Eric and Erin were declared husband and wife! |
| The reception details were beautiful: |
| The couple's cake was a nod to Eric's love of fly fishing: |
| Some of my favorite photos from the first dance: |
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Saturday, May 22nd was the day before Pentecost - when the Lord sent the Holy Spirit down upon the Apostles. Pentecost is symbolized by the Dove to represent the Holy Spirit, by Fire to represent the power of the Holy Spirit, and the color red to represent the passion, the zeal...the Spirit ignited within.
Saturday, May 22nd was also the day of Steve and Jaime's beautiful sacrament. Their love was symbolized by the exchanging of rings to represent eternal commitment, communion to remember Christ's sacrifice, and Jamie's favorite color, Red, to represent the passion, the zeal, the work of the Spirit within them and their marriage.
Steve and Jaime met September 1st, 2007 out at a movie with friends. It was clear at the start that they both possessed qualities that the other was looking for in a lifelong partner. From the beginning Steve could tell that Jaime was sweet, and he learned over time that she was artistic and loyal. But perhaps the most wonderful discovery was the fact that this beautiful woman wasn't afraid to just be goofy. Around Jaime, Steve could be himself. They spend the majority of their time together laughing. Jaime was quickly taken by Steve's generosity, his romance, and his ability to figure-things-out. Jaime loved to have fun with Steve and believed him to be oh-so-handsome.
Both of them were inspired by the other's powerful Catholic faith. Every day these two come together, clasp hands and pray. It is these intimate moments that are the most meaningful. Moments where, in showing their love for their Lord, they strengthen their love for each other.
Their first date was a picnic at the Biltmore where they were showing Breakfast at Tiffany's. It was there on the lawn, beneath the Arizona night sky that they shared their first kiss. Walking around Old Town Scottsdale Civic Center Park is where they first said "I Love You". And on the couch at Jaime's parents house, Steve asked Jaime to be his companion, his partner in faith, his bride.
She agreed.
When I first met Jaime and Steve, Jaime shared her favorite Bible verse: 1 Peters 4:8 "Above all let your love for one another be intense, for love covers a multitude of sins." Saturday May 22nd was an amazing day filled with the fire of love. The reception expressed their love for their families and friends and the ceremony expressed their love for their Lord and for each other. All day long I felt the presence of their love. I know you will feel the same as you witness it here through the photos. |
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| Steve's gifts to his groomsmen were photo-worthy: |
| Steve was SO happy watching his bride walk down the aisle toward him. |
| One of my favorite shots from the day: |
| A few of my favorite portraits: |
| Steve has a 1974 Stingray Corvette that we took out for a few shots: |
| The reception was a fun party: |
| Steve surprised Jaime by serenading her at the reception. He sang "Green Eyes" by Coldplay and did an impressive job. He was rewarded with a big kiss. |
| A couple fun dancing shots: |
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On Saturday night just before dinner, the groom stood, held his glass, and spoke.
"I was living a very nomadic life, but in May of 2008 I finally came home. And I learned that home was not a place... but a person."
Cameron and Laura met on May 31st, 2008. A few details from that first night stand out: it was late, it was at a Lebanese restaurant, it was with a group of friends, Laura sat down at the table first, Cameron immediately sat down next to her. Smart man. Laura was no fool either; from that very first night she knew that Cameron was different from anyone she'd known. He was confident, un-pretentious, well-balanced and complete. And the whole night, he couldn't stop smiling. We of course now know why; because he finally felt home.
Not long after that first night, they spent their first full weekend together. All day Saturday. All day Sunday. As dinner came to a close Sunday night and it was time to say good bye they both realized what a great weekend it had been. The best weekend. And how good it felt to be together. This feeling has never left them. This feeling has seen them through some difficult situations along their journey. And this feeling oozed out of every minute of their wedding day. I could see it in their eyes every time they looked at each other. Their love is solid, is confident, and happens in a glance.
Witnessing this couple, even from behind my camera, I noticed a powerful subtly to their relationship: they truly enjoy being together in silence. They were both so comfortable as individuals that the quiet moments between them served as moments of shared self-reflection. It was an honor to be the one to capture these moments - moments Laura said they will share with their children, their grandchildren, and for generations to come as they build this new home together as husband and wife.
Saturday started with some girl time in the most beautiful locker room I've ever seen at Silverleaf Club in Scottsdale. Laura's Amsale gown was so unique and looked AMAZING on her. And who doesn't love Kate Spade shoes?
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| Love this shot of Daphne, Laura's maid of honor, working on her toast: |
| Lau and Cam saw each other before the ceremony so we got some great portraits around Silverleaf: |
| A fun shot of Laura & Daphne: |
| The day provided perfectly gorgeous weather for an outdoor ceremony. |
| Laura descended a long staircase to meet her groom and took a peek at him half-way down: |
| She also took time to stop and kiss her brothers on the way up the aisle: |
| Love the emotion in these images: |
| The reception room was so cozy and the details were stunning: |
| A couple shots from the first dance: |
| The toasts were so touching. Love the emotion in these as well: |
| Near the end of the night an amazing mariachi band showed up and the party moved outside to this fire pit: |
| Lau's sister-in-law even got in on the performance: |
I raise my glass to you Lau & Cam. I'm so happy you both found the person who feels like home. May your love inspire others as it did me.
If you'd like to see even more images from this amazing day, click here to see the slideshow! |
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