Published!

Well color me happy! I am honored to be featured in the current issue of Phoenix Bride and Groom magazine! You can see the full post here from this gorgeous wedding. I am still gah over all the details . . . it's like they were straight out of a magazine. Oh wait! THEY ARE! Hee hee.

Thanks for peeking!

Rachelle and Aaron, Destination Wedding: Puerto Penasco, Mexico

I am in love. With this wedding. I have serious wedding-envy and I don't know what to do about it.

Since I am happily married and not having another wedding of my own and since it will be many, many years before my girls get married, I guess I have few options but to live vicariously through the images. . . and maybe pretend it was ME getting married. On the beach. In Mexico. With perfect blue skies and emerald blue water. With 75 of my closest friends. At a gorgeous resort. With the most amazing wedding planner in charge of all the details.

Ya. I'm jealous.

Eh-hhhmmm. Christine! Pull yourself together! It's not about you, it's about Rachelle and Aaron and THEIR gorgeous beach destination wedding! :) Ahhh yes . . .

The wedding weekend took place at the impressive Los Palomas Resort. And what a beautiful, beautiful wedding it was for this sweet-loving bride and groom. It was my privilege to be their photographer for the weekend. Enjoy the images. And if you love the details (which you will!), give a little shout-out to Monica McQueen of Tres Chic Events on her blog. I am in awe of her work!

This cabana draped in gorgeous, breezy chiffon with the pristine emerald water in the background was . . . . . . searching . . . for . . . adequate . . . adjective . . . Oh heck. It was dreamy!

Loved the handcrafted straw fans on the chairs; they made you feel like you were really somewhere special.

A glass of champagne for the bridal party and a walk on the beach celebrating together. I love this backlit shot!

We took the bride/groom shots at sunset which made some beautifully glowy images. I love the warmth that comes from purposefully spilling in some direct sunlight into the shot . . . so romantic!

Rachelle, you could not look more beautiful!!! Absolutely stunning!!!

Probably my favorite image of the day. The looks on their faces say it all. And didn't Rachelle pick the *PERFECT* flowy dress for the beach!?! If you are getting married on the beach- take note!

Ahhhh . . . some of my other favorites. Aaron likes to make Rachelle laugh. They look so happy.

I adore this one, Rachelle! You are radiant!

Look at this beautiful set up for the cocktail hour.

LOVED the table decor! These starfish placecards were so sweet. And the floating orchids made me gahhh.

Okay, seriously?!?! Best card box EVER! Having the color Tiffany blue as one of the wedding colors was no accident.

Best presentation of a chocolate fountain that I have seen at a wedding yet . . . LOVE the color!!

A Tiffany blue giftbox stack cake? . . . Divine! The white ribbon fondant even had a shimmery glaze to it. Gorgeous!

Let's just say this bride had her priorities right! Not only did she select a chocolate fountain for her guests, but she had a chocolate bar for party favors. The guests used old-fashioned candy shoppe scoops to create a custom mix in (drumroll please . . . ) adorable Tiffany blue gift bags. Yes please!

Rachelle and Aaron, what a pleasure to join you on the beach for your destination wedding. Many blessings to both of you as you begin this new journey together.

Drama in the Desert

In October I took part in a photography workshop put on by Tara Malouf of Red Thread Photo and Stuart Thurkill of Eyes to See Photography. It was an amazing workshop and I loved connecting with lots of other photographers, many of whom have become great friends!

Wedding season went into full gear immediately after the workshop so I am just now getting to post some of my images. . . yes- 6 months later! This session was a husband and wife who recently got married and agreed to get all gussied up again and be models for the shoot. So, just to put the bug in your ear, for any of you who perhaps were less than thrilled with your wedding photographs, here is an idea for you:

How fun would it be to get all dressed up again and 'redo' your bride/groom photos at a completely radtastic location . . . no wedding day nerves, no wedding day schedule to work around, just complete photographic freedom to capture you and your spouse the way you want to be photographed! Gotcha thinkin' didn't I? Feel free to inquire about cost and time involved, but at this point, Chicago residents only. I am out of time in Phoenix for any more shoots. :(

With this stellar deserted building location in south Phoenix, I had to go for the dramatic processing . . . it just beckoned for it! Not your typical bride and groom poses, but they are FIERCE and I LOVE 'em! So, here we go!

Stacey and Matt, One Big Birthday Party Wedding

Last weekend I photographed the wedding of our sweet friends, Stacey and Matt. This fun loving couple were the most relaxed bride and groom you could ever imagine. They successfully infused their carefree spirits into the wedding ceremony and reception. Their wedding took place at the Civic Center in the Marshall Gardens. The open-air garden ceremony was the perfect backdrop for the casual celebration they were hoping for.

It is always so much fun for me to enjoy the different 'feel' of each wedding I photograph. Stacey told me several times that she wanted her wedding day to be like one big birthday party- fun, happy, and everybody she and Matt loved celebrating together. When I said she was relaxed, that was an understatement! Nothing worried her and nothing could detract from her joy on the day she married her sweetheart.

One last note before we get on with the images: Seeing this particular groom get married off was so much fun. A while ago, I dubbed Matt with the nickname "Stealth Catch". For some reason, he seemed to be under the radar with the ladies, but the more you get to know Matt, the more you realize just what an amazing man he is. I knew someday some fine girl would wise up and snatch him for herself. I'm so glad that girl was Stacey! They are perfect together!

A sweet 'first peek' series . . . told you they are fun-loving!

I knew this couple needed something a little extra for their bridal party pictures to reflect who they are. And so, came the birth of the mustache sticks! I do not claim much skill when it comes to crafts, but I'm pretty happy with how they turned out! This bridal party knew just how to work the 'staches! Gotta love it!

Knowing these two, I'm pretty sure that this will find it's way to their Facebook profile. . .

Stacey had the vision (and the determination!) to do bridal party running-shots . . . even though I expressed my reservations over (oh . . . I don't know . . . . maybe) the potential of GRASS STAINS on the wedding dress!!!! But, she wasn't worried one bit and I'm glad for it! I love the way they turned out. Here's one example with some funky processing.

I spied the sweet flower girl jumping up and down in excitement . . . what a cutie!

A gorgeous sunset ceremony with some yummy sunlight spilling over the scene

Husband and wife!

During a particularly sentimental moment of the toast, the best man surprised the groom with a BFF necklace from Claires'. Now THAT is one I haven't seen before! Ha!

And wrapping up with one of my favorite images of the day. . . I love the sweet expressions on their faces, enjoying a tender moment.

Stacey and Matt, you are an adorable couple who have each met your match and I couldn't be happier for you! Congratulations!