SCOTTSDALE DESERT WEDDING

CHARLES + ABBY | SCOTTSDALE WEDDING

To make something unique, tailored, special only to you, & created solely for you ... that’s an incredible thing . & I truly believe that’s how your wedding day/week should be . Handcrafted & made unique to fit you & your relationship . You’ve grown this love, nurtured it and cared for it, fought for it relentlessly . So on the day when you vow to stay committed to that love,  it’s only natural that things unique for you will play a part . Traditions are beautiful and meaningful . And so is that act of creating new traditions .

Charles & Abby’s day was just that, unlike any other . Truly personalized to them bringing in elements they find meaningful and moving in their relationship . With only family being invited to their destination wedding in Scottsdale, Arizona, it really set the scene for intimacy .

When I walked into Abby’s bridal room at sunrise on a Monday morning, there was coffee & tea brewing, bare feet moving slowly around the room, a sense of peace . No stress . No rush . Abby’s mom did her makeup, and was on point . With Abby being a wedding florist + photographer herself, she was attentive to detail, making it fun and easy for me to shoot her rose gold everything details . Quirky jewelry to make true statements, killer shoes from Calvin Klein, and the most gorg Truvelle flowy, silver-blue dress I couldn’t take my eyes off of . 

Charles was dressed to the nines in his H&M / Nordstrom / Yves Saint Laurent ensemble . He himself cut off the collar to create a more edgy style that suited him .

An 8am first look straight from heaven had us all smiling and swooning . We then drove to the ceremony at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, where 25 of their family members waited to witness this sweet & wild love to be vowed together .

Bright blue skies, desert vibes surrounding us, and everyone dressed to kill, Charles & Abby read their written vows to each other, cried and laughed and prayed and squeeled in disbelief this was all happening . Jesus was present and it was a tangible, moving thing to witness .

Brunch afterward at the Henry made all our hunger dreams come true, and was a solid 10 with décor, giving us awesome aesthetics to shoot some portraits (Abby thought this all through :)).

We parted ways for the day until evening when we got to spend a little extra VIP time with the newlyweds . We drove them out to a spot in the desert right as the sun was setting, giving us tones only the desert at twilight could provide, and just let them do their thing .

C + A, you two are so dreamy, so inspiring, & so fun to know & work with . Thanks for letting me be your girl . The biggest XO’s to you .

Big thanks to my talented second shooter/husband for shooting and getting killer images of Charles and alternate angles of this glorious day . 

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Flowers: Posies Floral

Dress: Truvelle from A & Bé Bridal

Makeup: Oliva Lee

CHRIS + KELSEY

waking up in your childhood home, getting ready in the room you grew up in, your sisters and mom dressing you and your dad crying at first sight of you. emotions so rich, they seem tangible. such a perfect way to start your wedding day.

this particular day was followed by the closest friends + family joining C + K as they said their vows in her parents backyard. the wind was bitter cold, but no oone seemed to care because this day had been so long awaited, and hearts were ready to explode with joy + celebration.

tequila shots with their bridal party after that to celebrate, lots of pictures and pants ripping at their seams, and then a big after party with even more friends + family at Chef JJ’s. such a relaxed, fun atmosphere, and an outpouring of love for Chris + Kelsey.