Suzanna & Andrew’s Phoenix wedding day will truly have a special place in my heart forever. This day was the hottest day of the week at a whopping 97 degrees. As hot as the day was, Suzanna & Andrew truly enjoyed their day to the fullest with the people who love them the most. It was so incredible to witness how many people love them and their love.
We started the day getting ready at Suzanna’s dad’s house. The getting ready moments are some that I will never forget. Girls being girls, helping each other get their lipstick on, their hair fixed, their dress on… and the first look with Suzanna’s dad. WOW. I really focused on capturing this moment as authentically as possible: no posing, no meddling in, no nothing. I let her dad come in whenever Suzanna was ready, and the magic just unleashed itself.
Their Phoenix wedding ceremony was held at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Tempe, AZ. This is one of the things that Suzanna sent me that truly made my heart flutter: “Hyelim I have so many favorites… but I am so in love with the ceremony photos. The way you captured our love with Jesus over us… I’m just so thankful. Your talent is truly amazing.”
Downtown Phoenix was our playground for the bride & groom portraits. We took the cutest trolley (Ollie the Trolley from Dunn Transportation) around Phoenix with our first stop at the MCC Rose Garden. We were so lucky that the roses were in full bloom. These photos just speak for themselves.
Our next stop was St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Basilica. Their staircase is an absolute dream. With the full sun beating down on us, although we were burning in the sun, it made for the dreamiest photos on the staircase.
Last but not least… the reception at Venue 122. Venue 122, although originally built as a sanctuary in 1921, it now serves as a beautiful event space. The reception was held at the garden of the venue and it made for the most epic photos. With the string lights above the tables, the soft sun peeking over the venue building, and the soft breeze blowing throughout the reception, everything was so so perfect. The reception has to be one of my favorite parts of a wedding because that’s when all the “formalities” are over and done with, and everyone can let loose and party with the bride & groom.
Suzanna & Andrew chose to have a private last dance indoors in the venue building. I made the decision to not use flash for these for two reasons; 1. I wanted Suzanna & Andrew be able to fully soak in the last few minutes of their big day, and have no distractions of flash going off on them every couple seconds, and 2. for the DRAMA.These photos have got to be some of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken. No flash during receptions is so underrated, I think every photographer should try it. It makes the photos feel genuine, cinematic, and emotional.
Like I said, Suzanna & Andrew’s day will make it into my top favorite weddings of all time, not only because of how beautiful everything was, but also because of the love they were surround with and how authentic everyone was. I could physically feel the support and love that their guests had from them and the pictures speak for itself. If you’d like to inquire for your own wedding day, I’d love to meet you! Please fill out my contact form right here, and I will be in touch shortly!
“YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!! We are 10000000% obsessed!!!! I’ve been scrolling through trying to take them all in and they’re all just so beautiful I can’t even believe it! You captured our love and our day exactly how it felt for both of us!! And those details girl ooooh! We’re just so happy with these photos, we can’t believe it’s just the sneaks. So happy I found you and so happy you could capture our day. We are just in awe. I want all of them up on our walls lol, how am I supposed to pick?! The ceremony pics are just so perfect, those will be cherished forever. Just so beautiful and intimate. I could go on and on…”
Vendor Spotlight
Venue: Venue 122 and Holy Spirit Catholic Church Wedding Planning: Kristi Marie Events DJ: Desert Music Entertainment Florals: Flowers by Jodi Transportation: Dunn Transportation Rentals: Royalty Rentals and I Do Rentals AZ