Wedding Stories Archives

Romantic Desert Wedding at The Boulders Resort Scottsdale

There’s something about the desert at The Boulders Resort, the stillness, the golden light bouncing off those massive rocks, that makes every wedding feel like it was meant to happen right there. Dan & Brittnie’s day was no exception. The warm October sun showed up in full (Dan was definitely feeling the heat in that all black suit), but so did the joy.

From the moment they saw each other, everything softened. The nerves and the noise were gone. These two fit together in a way that feels effortless. A little playful, a little reserved, but always completely connected. Watching them interact, you get the sense that they have found home in each other.

They chose a minimal, elevated style that let the desert landscape do the talking, especially with that incredible backdrop at Promise Rock. And in a twist I hadn’t seen before, a tattoo bar at the reception. Yes, real tattoos. Guests were lining up to make it a forever memory, which honestly felt like one of the coolest wedding favor ideas ever.

Throughout the day, from the cheers during their ceremony exit to the quiet moments tucked into the boulders at sunset, I kept thinking this is exactly how a wedding should feel. Beautiful, but never forced. Joyful, but never rushed. Unmistakably them.

Congratulations again, Dan & Brittnie. What a day.

If you’re dreaming of a desert wedding, here are a few more love stories you might enjoy:
Wedding at The Cove
Andaz Wedding
Desert Botanical Garden Wedding

Huge thanks to Erin at The Boulders Resort for keeping the day running smoothly!

Rainy Arizona Wedding at Stonebridge Manor | Eric & Emma

October in Arizona doesn’t usually mean rain, but this year has kept me guessing. Eric and Emma had planned a full outdoor wedding celebration at Stonebridge Manor, and while the weather kept us on our toes, they never let that take away from the joy of the day.

The whole thing felt honest and unfiltered, the kind you can’t stage and never forget.

What stood out most to me was how Eric and Emma kept the main thing the main thing, celebrating their love surrounded by family and friends. That’s truly what it’s all about..

Grateful to have had Mike Olbinski as my second shooter on this wedding, never a dull moment when we’re out there together : )

Congratulations, Eric & Emma!

You might also like this rainy Mogollon Rim wedding. | Stonebridge Manor wedding venue in Mesa.

Second Shooter: Mike Oblinski

Mogollon Rim Wedding

Alex & Jade | Mogollon Rim Wedding

The Mogollon Rim will stop you in your tracks…all that space and stillness. On this day, it also showed off its dramatic side in full force.

The ceremony started with storm clouds gathering across the valley. Then came the rain. Steady, insistent. But no one even thought about stopping. Alex and Jade just smiled through the downpour, held onto each other, and said their vows without hesitation. The umbrellas came out, and the rain became part of their story.

Dashing back to the parking lot, any additional plans tossed aside, everyone gathered behind the lifted tailgate of an SUV as Alex and Jade lifted a tiny pink blanket from a wicker basket. A little pause. A few tears. A lot of smiles. It’s a girl!

When the sky finally cleared, the Rim was wrapped in the golden light of sunset, quiet and dreamlike. We wandered the overlook for a few minutes, letting the calm settle in while capturing some of the most breathtaking images of the day.

The celebration at The Old County Inn was easy and warm. Pizza, drinks, and toasts from the dads that drifted between laughter and that kind of emotion you only get at the end of a long, good day.

Days like this are why I love what I do. People leaning into life as it happens, rain and all..

Congratulations, Alex & Jade!

Another Wedding Favorite on the Mogollon Rim

Ceremony: Mogollon Rim | Reception: Old County Inn

An Unforgettable Spring Wedding at The Cove – Bartlett Lake

Spring in the Arizona desert doesn’t whisper, it announces itself in bursts of wildflower gold and cactus bloom. Against this stunning natural canvas, Cole and Makenna’s unforgettable spring wedding at The Cove unfolded with Bartlett Lake’s shimmering waters as their backdrop, creating a celebration that felt wonderfully authentic and personal.

With Bartlett Lake gleaming silver-blue behind them, every moment unfolded with an authenticity that can’t be choreographed. Before the ceremony, they stole away among the saguaros for private vows—just the two of them, love spoken in the desert silence. This intimate beginning set the tone for everything that followed: a ridge-top ceremony filled with warm smiles, lots of laughter, and the occasional happy tears. And in the background, the persistent breeze, carrying that distinct desert fragrance, seemed to underscore the perfection of finding your person.

As the sun set behind the hills, guests settled in for dinner and toasts under the open sky. The celebration continued with easy conversation and dancing, which lasted well into the night, the beautiful starlit sky serving as their ballroom ceiling.

This day was a celebration not just of love, but also of the calm, easy feeling that comes from being right where you’re supposed to be.

Congratulations, Cole & Makenna!!

Venue | The Cove at Bartlett Lake Another Favorite Wedding | Rob + Sarah

Rob & Sarah’s Intimate Wedding on the Mogollon Rim

It was one of those crisp, wind-whipped days that mirrored the raw, genuine love between Rob and Sarah. Their intimate wedding on the Mogollon Rim near Strawberry, AZ, captured the essence of simplicity and deep personal meaning.

After a scenic 30-minute drive down a rugged dirt road, we arrived at the very edge of the Rim, a spot steeped in significance as it was where Rob first proposed to Sarah. And there was something beautifully poetic about returning to that exact place, where every whisper of the wind seemed to echo memories of their first promise.

Surrounded by their closest family and friends, the ceremony was intimate and deeply meaningful. Although a chill lingered in the air, it only served to enhance the day’s character. In addition, the expansive landscape and dramatic rock formations provided a breathtaking backdrop, perfectly contrasting with the warmth of shared smiles and laughter. Every moment was filled with honest emotion, eschewing grandeur for authenticity.

Following the windswept ceremony, the celebration moved to the cozy confines of the Old County Inn. Dinner was refreshingly simple. Pizza paired with wine in a relaxed atmosphere that felt like a natural extension of the intimate ceremony. It was the kind of meal that felt like a warm embrace after the cool mountain air, a perfect, unpretentious end to a day rich with meaning.

For me, this wedding was a powerful reminder of how deeply personal and transformative such a day can be. It’s moments like these, filled with authenticity and heartfelt emotion, that reaffirm why I love capturing weddings.

Congratulations Rob & Sarah!