It is pure joy to watch the face of a bride and groom light up when they see each other on their wedding day!! Taylor and Jacob were exemplified this perfectly – during their first look and when she was coming down the aisle – both faces were gleaming with giant, ear-to-ear grins. Their fervent happiness was powerful, beautiful and contagious. And it lasted through their entire wedding day!

Every detail was intentional and perfectly represented a piece of their unique personalities, hearts and passions. One of the most fun elements of this wedding was the incorporation of their beloved canine Diego into the ceremony. Diego was incredibly well mannered and seemed to magnify the fun and joy throughout each moment! You could see signs of this couple’s love for Diego everywhere. Taylor surprised Jacob with cufflinks that had Diego’s image on them. Their scrumptious cake had a representation of Diego at the bottom, taking a big bite out of the cake. So Cute!  And of course, perfect floral arrangements were everywhere, including Diego’s collar! Capturing this stunning bride and groom on their beautiful, intentional day was an absolute joy!

Taylor and Jacob, I hope these photographs of your incredible Secret Garden Wedding bring you warm, happy memories now and for generations to come! Congratulations to you both!!!

Venue: Secret Garden By Wedgewood Weddings
Bride’s dress: Wedding Belles
Bride’s ring: James Allen
Bride’s shoes: David’s Bridal
Bridesmaid dresses: Azazie
Catering: Wedgewood weddings
Floral: In Bloom Floral
Groom’s Ring: Ooh Aah Jewelry Albuquerque
Groom’s suit: Nick’s Menswear
Makeup: Danika Prager
DJ: Starz Entertainment 

Every guest and family member was sitting on the edge of their seat. Nancy positioned herself to listen intently at the alter and Ernest carefully prepared to start their personal vows. His voice was slow and trembled. “You are the most amazing, wonderful person I have ever met. There was a long and beautiful pause as Ernest composed himself. “You were born amazingly perfect – without flaws in your cheeks and that smile where you look at me like you are doing right now. Your eyes – you make me feel alive.” Every heart was instantly warmed and overjoyed. Many faces welled up with soft tears. This was the tone of this entire, beautiful, joyful day. Every moment was full of deep love and commitment to celebrate this amazing couple and their incredible future together. Nancy and Ernest, I was so blessed to be able to help capture these special memories. May these photographs remind you and your children and your children’s children of the great and wonderful love you share for each other and the blessing that your marriage is to everyone around you. Congratulations!!!

Emma and Max, your day was AMAZING!! I know with the pandemic, this event was really two years in the making; it was so worth it!!

You were both stunning, the Phoenix Art Museum was beautiful and your friends and family celebrated like there was no tomorrow! Your brother officiated a sweet ceremony and together he and your dad threw an epic dance party with their special DJ powers!! I love that the place that has meant so much to you both (and was the location of your first special date) became the place where you got to celebrate your marriage with your family and friends. It was so fun to photograph you both in front of the very paining that helped inspire the look and theme of the wedding. I was honored to help you capture these memories. May these photographs bring you joy every single time you look at them and help you re-live this special day!!

Bride’s Dress: Brilliant Bridal  |  Bridesmaids Dresses: Dear Cleo |  Catering: Bruce Brown Catering  |  Florals: PJs Flowers | Hair & Makeup: Bella Bridal Beauty |  Decor Rentals: Something Borrowed Blooms  |  Wedding Bands: Dear Noemie  |  Custom glass sculpture: Unity in Glass  |  Venue: Phoenix Art Museum  | Cake: A Bakeshop

It all started because they had three social work classes together!! If you could see the way their smiles grew bigger every time this beautiful couple locked eyes on each other during our special portrait session, in one instant you would know these two were made for each other!!

I have so much for respect for this courageous couple. Not only did they brave August temperatures in Phoenix to capture these dreamy desert portraits (AMAZING!! Right?!), they also braved one of the most difficult times to plan a wedding and get married in the history of ever. This joy-filled, intentional, kind couple didn’t let anything stand in their way of committing their lives to each other!! One of my favorite parts of our session was hearing how much they loved being together–this is couple is beautiful inside and out. Next we get to celebrate with a beautiful wedding in the very place where their relationship started — the Phoenix Art Museum!! I can’t wait!!

Emma & Max, you are one AMAZING couple. I had such a blast hanging out with you both during this beautiful session and am so excited to help capture these special memories for you both!!

What a special and glorious day this was! I already knew that this beautiful bride and stunning groom were an adventurous, loyal and intentional couple after photographing their engagement session. On their wedding day I caught a glimpse of just how sweet and loving and kind and full of joy this amazing couple is!!

There were so many sweet details in this beautiful day. For example the necklace she wore was handcrafted by him. (He’s quite creative.) Also, music is such a special part of their lives. The music their friends played and sang through the entire ceremony was beautiful. And then I loved listening to Josh play music before his first touch with his wife. You could feel his passion through the keys. There were timeless elements, like the baby breath in the bride’s hair and fresh surprises too like the game that they used to toss the bouquet. (It involved all their party guests and one of the beautiful flower girls ended up with it.) They were so honoring of their family, which only magnified the joy and celebration! What a special and glorious day this was!

Hannah and Josh, your wedding was a true delight from beginning to end. All the memories!! All the moments!! Every single part of the day was full of sweet love, bursting joy and deep commitment. I’m so grateful to have been able to capture this wedding and so excited to share these photographs with you!! May they bless you and your families for generations to come. All the best!!

Creative Team

Piano: Josh Stefanski | Piano: Kathy Wright | Vocals: Sam Stefanski | Harp: Holly Ciampi | Officiant: Robb Brunansky | Event Coordinator: Maggie Stallard

What a sweet love story!! First you have to know Andrew was Macy‘s first crush when she was about eight years old. How awesome is that!! Their families went to church together and she thought he was cute. Fast forward years later. Andrew’s sister (The Amazing Caitlyn Freeman) stayed in touch with Macy this whole time. This was the key to the whole thing!!

Now during their high school days Macy and Andrew didn’t hang out in the same circle of friends; however, Andrew had a major crush on Macy for two years…from a distance. He needed to find a way to get to know her better so he plotted a game night with his sister Caitlyn where they could all hang out with mutual friends. Macy responded within 15 minutes of the invitations going out – this was a good sign! It took a little time but Andrew eventually asked Macy out to Elevate Coffee for their first one-on-one date.

Their relationship quickly blossomed as they spent time together. They had a lot in common–their families had similar values and they loved being together. They both knew fairly quickly that they had found their forever someone. Overlooking a beautiful view in Sedona, he said I love you for the first time; he wrote a note and gave her a necklace. When it came time to propose he flew her out to Coronado where his Dad had proposed to his mom. (The time of the year was actually within one day of his parents’ proposal!) He gave her another love note and asked her to marry him on the beach. She is a happy crier so she cried happy tears and of course said yes.

Their wedding was BEAUTIFUL!! It was a glorious day in May. Macy and Andrew committed their undying love to each other. With a glittering dress, heart-melting vows and the sweetest affectionate looks, this was a truly special day. Here is the story of the gorgeous bride Macy and the stud of a groom Andrew as they committed their brilliant love for one another in forever matrimony.

And if you would like to see even more moments from their beautiful day, here is their Memories Feature. Their family and friends supported them, encouraged them and threw an outrageous celebration  with them!! This is one for the record books! Fair warning: you may want to grab some tissues for this one 😉

Photography – Cami Facer Photography  |  Event Coordinator – Carol Turner  |  Backyard Venue – Cassidy Custom Events  |  Hair – Trisha Bloom  |  Florals – Kellie Gatgewood  |  Dress – Almond Tree Weddings  |  Cake – Baking It Sweet Bakery  |  DJ – Ray The DJ  |  Catering – Boca Taqueria

If you want a burst of joy, just hang out with Katelyn and Noah for a day!! Their beautiful garden wedding was a joyful, wonderful, love-filled experience from beginning to end!

I love when my couples do first looks. Many people don’t realize it when they’re planning a wedding but brides and grooms rarely get any time with each other to be alone during the wedding day. Carving out this special time and space gives couples a moment to be together and simply enjoy each other’s company. Noah is generous, kind and fun-loving. He absolutely cherishes his bride. In the moments right before his first look, he became really quiet as he anticipated getting to see his soon-to-be wife. As soon as the first look was set up, Katelyn charged toward him with fireball energy. She tapped him on the shoulder. As he twirled around, his face filled with sweet emotion. He embraced his bride and pulled her in tight. After a beautiful moment, the two of them laughed, smiled and laughed some more. Their faces shone bright. If you know Katelyn, you know she has a big, beautiful, glowing smile. She lit up his face. And then she lit up the entire day. What a joy this wedding was!!

Katelyn and Noah, everything about your special day was beautiful, sweet and intentional. The warm, energetic people, the gorgeous, idyllic setting, the stunning florals – literally everything was fantastic! I loved photographing this momentous day! What really made this occasion beyond special, however, was the effervescent joy that you both radiate. May the coming years of your long and wonderful marriage be filled with many such glorious, joyful moments! I hope that you love looking through each of these memories and that they prove timeless for you and your family. (Maybe someday these very same photographs will fill your grandkids with delight as they recount your happiness!) Much love to you both!

Creative Team

Venue Hope Barn and Garden  |  Cinematography Kaye Shae Film    Bride’s Dress Bella Lily Bridal    |   Bridesmaid’s Dresses Kennedy Blue   |  Catering:Tacos El Buen Gusto   |   Bouquets and Boutonnières – Tammi Plummer   |   Table & Arch Florals – Sam Stefanski  |   Groom and Groomsmen’s Suits Mens Warehouse   |   Hair Grace Calvert  |   Makeup – Sarah McLaughlin & Whitney Stefanski   |   Officiant – Jeff Gentry

Ryan grinned as he opened up one of the many wonderful presents Kendra had gotten him before the ceremony (they exchanged gifts and letters before the ceremony) – it was a photo book with a picture they took right after he proposed. In the photo, they were holding up champagne glasses against the backdrop of a vivid sunset. Ryan took a break from opening his presents to share the story of how they were engaged. “All of a sudden these clouds come in and the temperature dropped like twenty something degrees. So it was like seventy-seven degrees in the middle of July in Phoenix.” Ryan shared just how perfectly the moment worked out. The weather turned perfect and the sunset blazed glorious shades of pink, red and purple at just the right time. I smiled back at Ryan. It seemed that Heaven had been smiling down on their sweet proposal just like He was now smiling down on this special day. And what a wonderful day it was!

I love the brides and grooms I get to serve because they are the kindest, most joy-filled, most loving couples on the planet. I literally have the best couples!! There were so many things that I could say about this wonderous day. There were the beautiful grounds of the JW Marriott Resort at Desert Ridge, the stirring love notes Kendra and Ryan personally wrote each other, the classic Chevy Bel Air, the epic desert portrait session, the special song that Kendra surprised everyone with after their first dance, the lush greenery at Hope Barn and Garden. This couple was stunning, beautiful and fun throughout the entire day. But I think my favorite thing was actually watching how they interacted with children.

You could probably guess that marriage is very special to me. I do love weddings after all! But one of the other things that is very precious to my heart is parenting and raising amazing kids and investing in children. (They are our future after all.) Parenting is one of the greatest things I look forward to in my own future. Kendra and Ryan were such a blessing to everyone around them (including myself and my assistant) but they did not overlook even one of the many children at their event. They were a highlight of the ceremony coming down the aisle. Kendra and Ryan had an entire table of special toys as gifts for them. They took time to play and laugh and dance with them. These tiny moments gave me a glimpse into the wonderfulness of their souls. Kendra and Ryan are a beautiful, stunning, couple, inside and out.

I cannot wait to see what God has in store for this amazing couple!! I know infinite, wonderful adventures lie ahead it. Kendra and Ryan, thank you so much for letting me capture these special moments. May these films always remind you of how strong and powerful your love is; and may they also remind you how incredibly rich your community of friends and family is as well. Much love to you both!! Cheers to the great adventure ahead!!

Creative Team

Photography Trisha Rose Photography   |  Second Shooter  Morgan Weaver Creative   | DJ Andres Music with Personality   |  Dress Boutique Forever Bridal   |  Dress Designer Eve of Milady   | Rings Shane Co  |  Shoes Badgley Mischka   |  Hairpiece Dareth Colburn Designs  | Bridesmaid Dresses | Shop Revelry   Suits| Men’s Wearhouse   |  Makeup bszem   |  Website Zola   |  Bridal Space JW Marriott Desert Ridge   |   Ceremony  St. Thomas More  |  Reception Hope Barn and Garden   | Transportation Roscoe + Louie   |  Catering Butcher Block Catering  |  Bartenders  Arizona Bartenders   |   Cake Lisa’s Rum Cake   |  Cupcakes Nothing Bundt Cakes

This is definitely a hiking couple! When I pointed to a rock and asked if they could get up there in their engagement outfits, they didn’t hesitate. Hannah was almost up there before I could blink! What a wonderful couple with adventurous spirits.

Hannah and Josh met at church. It was a small community so it was easy to get to know each other and each other‘s families. Then they developed a strong friendship when they started working together at a local Chick-fil-A. (So many good things come from Chick-fil-A!) For a while they even managed a shift together for 17 hours every single Saturday!

Their friendship blossomed as they started to hang out more together. This included multiple hiking dates as this was one of their favorite things to do. She was enamored by the strong anchor of his faith. She loved how intentional he was and how perfectly he fit in with her family. He was attracted to the fact that she loved his goofiness and was super intelligent.

Friendship blossomed into love which grew to something even more. He had planned everything perfectly for a very special occasion. Her mom was hiding in wait on a designated mountain spot, ready to take pictures. They hiked up the mountain; then at the perfect time, he popped the question. And of course she said yes!!

Now they are going to be married and I can’t wait! What a beautiful and wonderful relationship that started on a foundation of faith, progressed through a beautiful friendship and has now grown into love and marriage. Now Hannah and Josh will be forever-partners as they navigate through the all the ups, downs, curves and discoveries on the hiking trails of life. Congratulations Josh and Hannah!! I know the very best is yet to come I’m so happy for you both!!