June 5, 2021
Our wedding day was far from perfect.
Honestly, no one's wedding day is ever "perfect". Being a photographer taught me that very quickly. But, being a bride... let's just say it became a reality.
Despite anything that went wrong (+ I might just have to make a separate post for that), I can proudly say that our wedding day was absolutely magical. We invited our closest family + friends to join us in the adventure of the lifetime. Very few of them had ever been to Arizona + many less had ever been to Sedona. It was an opportunity for everyone to experience something new + exciting.
We booked a few airbnbs for everyone + spent the first few days before the wedding relaxing, exploring + visiting Slide Rock State Park + Tlaquepaque Arts + Shopping Village. (Slide Rock ended up being one of my favorite activities + if you get the chance to go down the natural waterslide, I highly recommend you do it!)
The morning of our wedding my best friends + I got ready together in the cutest boho styled airbnb. (I am literally obsessed with it, just LOOK at the pictures!!!) I did my own makeup while Haley did my hair + Juniper guided me through some breathing exercises. Wedding day nerves are real, ya'll!! Thankfully, having all of my favorite gals with me really helped.
David + I began our day with an early morning first look. We wanted to spend as much time together as possible + had planned several hours of free time for hiking + taking it slow. This time together immediately relaxed all of my anxieties + we soaked up every single moment we could. We read private vows to each other, exchanged a gift, hiked through Secret Slick Rock + even stopped for an impromptu açaí bowl at Local Juicery!
Our ceremony at Bell Rock couldn't have been more picture-perfect. A 360 degree view of red rock mountains circled us as I walked down the aisle with my dad to marry the love of my life. We had an incredibly talented violinist play + our officiant, Rich led us in a beautiful + simple ceremony. We exchanged rings, kissed + we were MARRIED!!!
We exited the celebration + got into our very own Volkswagen Bus, Helga.
Helga is a story all on her own. But, the short version is: David + my dad rebuilt her from the ground up just in time for my parents to drive her all the way from Huntsville, Alabama to Sedona, Arizona so she could be our get-away car! It was a two week round trip that my parents voluntarily van-lifed just for us.... (I can't think of anything more special than that!)
After some well-deserved, Helga-included just married photos, everyone gathered at the airbnb for our reception. We ate oven-fired pizzas from Maiolo Dough Co, enjoyed cake my mom made, had plenty of drinks + danced the night away until the cops were called for a noise complaint... (which quite literally didn't stop us).
It was a wild, busy, exhausting, emotional + absolutely without a doubt magical day! I am so beyond grateful to all of our friends + family for making the trip out there for us. I am even more grateful to have such a wonderful man who I get to call my husband! It truly feels like a dream..
Our vendors are incredible, talented + kind! They brought our vision to life + made our day look like something straight out of a Pinterest board! I am so thankful to every one of these amazing people, friends + family who played a big part in bringing our vision to life!
Photography: Amanda Vaelynn
Florals: Native Petals
Officiant: Lets Knot and Say We Did
Dress Designer: Pronovias
Dress Shop: Birch on Main
Suit: Jos A Bank
Bar Tenders: Couple of Bartenders
Catering: Maiolo Dough Co
Makeup Lesson: Olivia Sparks MUA
Hair: Haley Barnhill
Invitation Art: Juniper Brower
Invitation Design: Sherry Dorner (my graphic designer mom)
Rings: Brilliant Earth
Spray Tan: Kolours by Kat
Vow Books: Parwana Paper