You could see it in their eyes – Caitlyn and Daniel were ecstatic. Whenever their eyes locked on each other, their faces glowed and they could not stop beaming. This phenomenon lasted from their first look all the way to the very end of the day with their private sunset husband and wife portrait session.

Faith and family were clearly the foundation of this special event. At one point I had the incredible honor of hearing glorious singing – from the guys getting ready room of all places! Daniel and his groomsmen were a well-tuned choir, singing powerful hymns before the wedding celebration. Watching the bridesmaids and the bride’s mother, Karen, flood Caitlyn and her future with blessings through prayer before the first look was sweet and inspiring.

Caitlyn’s family and friends from her local church beamed with joy all day long. How perfect it was to have the ceremony on the grounds of a place that has been such a significant part of her life. And of course it was also wonderful to have all Daniel’s family and friends from Michigan come! (If you haven’t read Caitlyn and Daniel’s beautiful long-distance love story yet, you can find that here.) I’m pretty sure this awesome family brought the rain last week from Michigan. Supremely grateful for that! The entire day was a joy-filled celebration with Caitlyn and Daniel.

And we can’t forget the delightful donut display board! Family helped construct this masterpiece the week of the wedding and it was glorious. It was the most perfect work of art to help display their splendid cake. It was also the perfect representation of the absolute sweetness of this couple!

Caitlyn and Daniel, your day was beyond wonderful and I was so blessed to be a part of it. Thank you for letting me capture these precious memories. Much love to you both!!

 

 

Bouquets/Boutonnieres Tammy Plummer | Floral Design Judy Heusman with help from aunts and mother of the bride | Musicians Benjamin Freeman, Jon Ross, Tawnya Raber and Janna Srutowski | Master of Ceremonies Mike O’Brien | Venue Northwest Community Church | Officiant Roy Agustin

What a special and beautiful day Kylee and Edward’s wedding was!! The weather was simply glorious. The venue Forest Highlands Golf Course was like an enchanted magical forest. Close friends and family surrounded this beautiful couple. The whole thing was like a dream.

The entire day was beautiful. This gorgeous bride and handsome groom had written the most genuine and caring vows for each other. The stunning dress came complete with a fabulous, long train and cathedral-length veil. Kylee‘s mom helped arrange hundreds of perfect flowers in bouquets and décor around all corners of the ceremony site and the banquet room. Then there was the simply glorious vegan cake! Literally, every detail was intricate, elegant and beautifully suited for this special day. The bride and groom, the details the friends and family – literally everything was just absolutely beautiful!

Kylee and Edward, it was such a special experience to capture your wonderful day. You are an amazing couple with an incredibly bright future ahead. May these memories always remind you of the special day and the powerful love you both share. With lots of love, congratulations to you both!!

 

 

Bride’s Dress Elite Dress Bridal| Bakery Mozelle’s Downtown Bakery | Floral Design – Kylee’s Amazing Mom Carrie | Groom’s Suit Nordstrom | Hair & Makeup Jessica Izaguirre | Rings Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler | Venue Forest Highlands Golf Course

 

Magic! Yes, magic! Real life magic is a wonderful and beautiful thing. There’s something transcendent when a husband and a wife choose each other forever in the presence of their closest friends and family. I believe magic moments are made up of simple, often seemingly small moments that weave together to create an epic and auspicious memory. This is why I call my photographic endeavor The Moment Photography. Our lovely setting was Hope Barn and Gardens. Kaitlyn & Dennis were the lovely couple. And this special day was filled with all such manner of special, beautiful, magical moments.

You could see it in the light that greeted both the bride and groom‘s eyes as they met each other during their first look. You could feel it in the quiet moments when they prayed together early in the day. You could see it in the joyful tears and tight embrace of loving family members. You could see it in the father’s ginormous smile during family photos moments before he was to give his daughter away. You could see it in the absolutely perfectly exquisite and gloriously complementary details throughout the entire wedding day; many of these gorgeous details were intentionally handcrafted by the beautiful bride. It was an absolute joy to capture this stunning couple from beginning to end. We even escaped for a few minutes for a romantic husband and wife sunset portrait session in the desert. Yes, there was magic in the air.

Kaitlyn and Dennis, you are one stunning couple. You were so fun, thoughtful and kind throughout your entire wedding day. You complement each other beautifully, and it was a wonderful experience to capture the magic moments of your special day. May these photographs bless you and your family for generations to come.

 

 

Bride’s Dress Pronovias| Bride’s Ring Shane Co| Bride’s Shoes Keds x Kate Spade | Bridesmaids’ Dresses David’s Bridal | Catering Butcher Block Catering | Floral Design- Kaitlyn (Using Sola Wood Flowers) | Groom’s Suit Nick’s Menswear | Groom’s Shoes Thursday Boots | Groomsmen Suits Nick’s Menswear | Hair Stephanie Hoang (Last Wave Salon) | Makeup Cristal Daniela | Music Just Weddings DJ Service | Venue Hope Barn and Gardens | Officiant Paul Sorensen

 

The glow. It’s what makes weddings so special. Glowing faces full of joy, glowing interactions ripe with emotion, and glowing symbolism in every moment. That’s why I like to call my company The Moment– it’s all about capturing those glow moments. And this day was absolutely full of them.

 

Rachel‘s eyes glistened with joyful tears as she got ready with her mother and then again when she did a first look with her father. (For all brides – you know those tears are beautiful – but you have to dab them away quickly because the makeup is still fresh early in the day!) There was definitely a gigantic glow on Gabriel‘s face as he saw his bride coming down the aisle. When Rachel‘s beautiful smile met his, I think he was literally about to burst out of his body! There was a beautiful glow in the soft moments where Rachel and Gabriel would sneak a cuddle with their faces and just enjoy being together, being married. The glow was in the sound of laughter that filled the air. This was a magnificent time of celebration! So much glow all day long!!

 

This day was also about incredible love and commitment. Not only did Rachel and Gabriel pledge their undying love to each other, but their friends and family committed to them as a couple as well. It was beautiful to see Rachel‘s maid of honor over Face Time. She wasn’t able to be there in person because as a nurse she was on the front lines fighting the pandemic. So what did she do? She got her dress and makeup on right along with the girls virtually! (And we made sure to get a bridesmaid photo with her and the bride together of course!) It was incredible to see the support of one of Rachel‘s good friends and Gabriel‘s older brother who customized the cake toppers with special masks. Totally priceless! They came out perfect!! The commitment and support was palpable. It came from the friends and family who were live streaming from afar and from those sitting right there in the church. Yes, this was a very special day.

 

Rachel and Gabe, you are a phenomenal couple. Your day was full of so many tender, beautiful moments. You also have an awesome streak of crazy good fun! I am so excited for your future together. May these photographs help you remember just how truly special your wonderful day was. Congratulations!!

 

 

 

 

Special thanks to the most excellent hosts at Arrowhead Country Club. And of course we had to take a few mask shots too 😉

 

 

 

Jamie and Michael radiated joy all day long!! Ginormous smiles on their faces and their quivering voices completely gave away their deep love and tender emotion for each other. It was a delight to behold and an honor to capture.

 

 

Venue: Villa Sienna  Makeup: Danika Christine Hair: Candy Lorenson Flowers: Flowers by JodiDress: David’s Bridal Cake: Piece of Cake Ring: Kay Jewelers DJ: Ray the DJ Officiant: Josh Morgan

Oh my goodness!! This wedding was already so super special before I even started snapping one photograph because Michael was a freshman in my Young Life Leader Training program during his freshman year at ASU. I am so incredibly proud of the man that he has become, the leader that he steps out to be every day and the husband that he now is. Then I met Jaime and everything just got even better!! She is full of life and energy and love. She may not realize this but she is also Michael‘s dream come true from everything he used to say that he was looking for in a wife (and so much more) during his college days! This would be more than enough to make this entire day a treasure to behold in and of itself, but literally every detail was beautiful, thoughtful and intentional and so fun to capture. I am so excited to show you these photographs!!

 

But before I do I have to show you this one photo first! It was my first ever slow-motion-robes-pillow-fight-moment-with-bridesmaids!! And I love this photo because you can see exactly how much fun every person was in this beautiful wedding! The entire wedding party and their family and friends were exactly like this – so fun and supportive throughout every moment!!

 

Of course if you saw Jamie and Michael’s super cute engagement session with Mickey Mouse ears, how could you doubt that this couple’s big day was going to be beyond super fun?! Michael was a total stud during the wedding and Jamie was absolutely breathtaking. She had this joy that would erupt into spontaneous laughter throughout the day. And there were so many beautiful details!! The flowers, the rings, the roses in the fountain, the Mexican-Dutch hot chocolate favors. Of course my favorite part of the day was all the little people moments. Like when Jamie and Michael locked eyes on her way down the aisle. Or when the family from out of town and even out of the country would give them a big hug. Or when Jamie’s mom kept crying tears of joy and then laughing them away through each special moment. Literally, the entire day was a wonder to cherish!

 

Jamie and Michael you are truly a special, stunning and loving couple. I know your marriage will be blessed and your future is beyond bright. Enjoy every moment and may these photographs always remind you of the incredible treasure that you have in each other and the wonderful community around you!!

 

 

The Creative Team

Venue: Villa Sienna  Makeup: Danika Christine Hair: Candy Lorenson Flowers: Flowers by Jodi Dress: David’s Bridal Cake: Piece of Cake Ring: Kay Jewelers DJ: Ray the DJ Officiant: Josh Morgan

 

Because we did a destination photo shoot for Antoinette and Adrian’s engagement session in Sedona, I had the pleasure of re-counting stories with this very precious couple on our adventurous road trip. I’ve known them both since they were freshman in college through Young Life. (Actually I had the pleasure of knowing them individually before they even knew each other.) Needless to say weddings like this are extra special. Antoinette likes to say that they grew up together and it is really true – if you watch their relationship, the way they communicate with each other and the way they love everyone around them, this pair of total opposites complement each other better than peanut butter and jelly. And I love peanut butter and jelly a lot!

 

This day had so many precious moments. I think my favorite part was watching their family and friends–you could see the palpable love when the corner of their eyes would glisten with tears. You could see it when Antoinette’s uncle and brother accompanied her and her mom down the aisle. You could see it as Adrian‘s brothers next to him watched his reaction as his beautiful bride walked down the aisle to greet him. You could see it as just about every member of the bridal party cuddled Antoinette’s baby niece, Madison Grace. (And she is so cute in absolutely every photograph—she’s in a lot!) You could see it in the whole-hearted dancing of this joyous community. And the Arabic tradition of dancing under the bride and groom as they are lifted up on chairs is just plain fun. The only thing better was watching Adrian and Antoinette lock eyes on each other. They have this ability to release a special magnetic energy with each other. The entire day was a special memory—a true joy to capture. I can only hope to ever dance as good as this Latin and Arabic crowd one day!

 

Nettie and Adrian, you always have a very special place in my heart. I love your wedding but I already love your marriage even more. Keep enjoying each other, investing in your family and following God‘s plan for you day-by-day. Your wedding was amazing! Many more beautiful adventures lie straight ahead for the both of you! Enjoy every moment! Cheers!!

 

 

 

This wedding has some of my favorite pictures ever taken–expressions of joy in preparation, tears of happiness as beautiful gifts were exchanged, a glorious walking-down-the-aisle moment, an intentional communion during the ceremony, a crazy fun bridal party and a beer burro!! The entire day was joy-filled and beautiful from beginning to end—such a delight to photograph.

 

If I had to choose one favorite moment of all these amazing moments it would actually be something so simple it could be easily missed. It was on our way to do sunset photos. Tori and Andrew had just been married. The ceremony had been beautiful. Their family and friends were full of happiness, hugs and tears. This was their first moments away from everyone, together as husband and wife. In the middle of all of this Andrew took a few minutes to ask meaningful questions to get to know my assistant whom he had just met. It speaks to this couple’s character and their caring heart for others. In the middle of their beautiful day, they took a moment to put the spotlight on a stranger and show a genuine interest in her life. When people take good care of my assistants, I feel like they are taking good care of me. Be clear – this couple knows how to party and they know how to love deep. This means the world to me.

 

Andrew and Tori, I should have known after our epic, multi-location engagement portrait adventure that of course this day would be so incredibly special. I was blessed to be a part. You were intentional from beginning to end. Every little detail had meaning. You wanted to honor Jesus, each other, family and friends and then celebrate with a big back-yard, barn party. And you did just that. It was simply beautiful. Congratulations and many blessings on your wonderful adventure ahead!!

 

 

The music started. Fred was poised to begin his father-daughter dance with his beautiful daughter. She had just married the man of her dreams. The Elton John song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” was about to play. The voice that sang out of the speakers was actually Megan’s dad—Fred! He had recorded his own personal rendition of the song with his own voice for their special dance. The dance was beautiful and eyes were moist around the room. This is how the entire day felt–-sweet, full and beautiful.

Jeremy had proposed at the beach with a beautiful ring in a specially made clam shell. Now they were getting married! Megan and Jeremy were surrounded by incredible friends and family who supported them, laughed with them and encouraged them throughout the entire day. The event was full of sentimental, intentional moments too. Like when Jeremy and Megan exchanged shoes during their first touch, having signed the bottoms of each other’s footwear. Or when they shared their meaningful, beautiful vows with each other during the ceremony. It was difficult to not find tears in my own eyes as this beautiful couple confessed their love for each other and demonstrated it throughout the entire day.

Megan and Jeremy, it was such a wonderful joy to capture this magnificent day. I know your relationship is already built on an incredible foundation. You are an amazing couple! Thank you for letting me capture these beautiful moments for you!! The entire day was so special from beginning to end!!

 

 

They embraced hands from around the corner but they couldn’t see each other yet. It was a special first touch before the ceremony. A first touch is what couples sometimes decide to do when they don’t want to see each other before the ceremony but want to have a few quality moments alone together. It’s very sweet and romantic.

 

“How are you feeling?” He asked. They realized they both were nervous and he had a brilliant idea—on the count of three, they screamed as loud as they possibly could to get all the nerves out!! And somehow it seemed to work perfectly for these two free spirits. Surrounded by incredible friends and family, they committed their lives to each other amongst tears of joy, beautiful smiles, and lots of laughter!! It was a truly magnificent moment, a truly joyous day and a truly special blessing to remember.

 

I had already gotten to see the beauty of their love on the day of their proposal and their gorgeous engagement session. Today was a whole other level. Courtney looked like a princess in her stunning dress and shoes. Her veil flowed majestically behind her. Surrounded by roses and chandeliers, the beautiful Wedgewood estate was made to be the perfect location for this beautiful day. The wedding ring was exquisite-it shone with a fiery red color to always remind these two of their love for each other. Every little detail was beautiful and perfect!

 

Of course what made the whole day most special was love. First of all their love for each other–Courtney and Tate literally couldn’t keep their eyes off of each other! Also their families and friends were so full of support, celebration and care–love literally flowed through every moment. What a special day from beginning to end!! Courtney and Tate this day was beyond special and I loved capturing every moment of it!! Many blessings to you on the wonderful adventures that lie ahead!!

 

 

 

Wedding Venue: Wedgewood Weddings Lindsay Grove