In late 2023, not only did I take on a handful of my own weddings to capture, but I also second shot for photographers in the Phoenix, AZ area. Each and every wedding day I spent with a camera in hand was truly remarkable and you could feel the love from each and every person in attendance. During the dinner hour while I had some down time between moments, I started thinking about how each wedding I was a part of was never the same. All the while, each and every person and couple seemed elated and considered their day to be the best day of their lives.
One of my most memorable weddings I captured in late 2023 was a micro-wedding. The couple was young, and they had been together for a couple years before tying the knot. We arrived at Lost Dutchman State Park to capture their family photos. One by one, we checked off each combination before relieving the family members so we could capture some solo bridal photos before their backyard ceremony.
It was a beautiful late afternoon that quickly turned into a stunning golden hour. I absolutely love family photos, but I love being able to slow down the pace with my couple. I remind them that today is the first day of the rest of their lives and I allow them to relive the moments and memories that allowed them to arrive at this day. Their wedding day.
This wedding day was going according to plan. We had to leave at the conclusion of sunset so we could make it back to the backyard wedding for the ceremony on time, however, if everything went according to plan, it wouldn't be a wedding day, right? After we captured the bridal photos, we made our quick trek back to the parking area.
Once we arrived at our cars, I tossed my camera back in my passenger seat and rolled down my window to let them know I'd see them at the house. When I rolled down the window, I noticed a small bit of concern on their faces. Somehow, when we said our goodbyes to their family after family photos had wrapped up, the couple's car keys were taken with the family members who were already on their way back to the ceremony home.
I am here to remind you that these things happen, and it wouldn't be a wedding day without a little bit of chaos, right? It felt only appropriate to wait out the return of the keys with my bride and groom by shooting a few more photos during a quickly dissipating blue hour.
Once keys were returned, we packed up and headed for the ceremony. Of course, everything was pushed back by about 30 minutes, but one of the beautiful things of a backyard ceremony is you aren't feeling stressed in terms of how many hours you can be onsite at a traditional wedding venue.
Additionally, one of the perks of hiring a professional wedding photographer for any wedding you are interested in having is knowing your day will be captured beautifully regardless of lighting situation. During the ceremony, I shot with my 85mm which allowed for me to shoot without flash to create an intimate vibe throughout the ceremony images. After the ceremony, I popped on my 35mm and flash to grab several more group photos, candids, cake cutting, and detail shots.
This wedding day was so intimate and perfectly crafted for the couple. Even though keys had to be returned and we arrived later than anticipated, everything was perfect, and the lovely couple was able to tie the knot in front of friends, family and loved ones.
Your wedding day deserves to be memorable. It's a once in a lifetime event for many and no matter where or how you decide to tie the knot, it should be a day perfectly your own.
If you are looking for a photographer for your special day, please reach out to me by completing my contact sheet linked here.
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