She’s like my official makeup artist, Lizzy Marsh.  She knows my flaws, my “good side” and how I like my makeup.  She also knows how to beautify a majority of my brides.  I know many of my brides (once a bride, forever one of my brides) are excited to see this blog post of their makeup artist.

Lizzy and Chris knew each other in high school.  They are the best of friends, long time sweethearts and getting married in New York this upcoming summer in a small, intimate ceremony.

Having worked together on numerous occasions (which also meant I saw a lot of Chris and got to know him), Lizzy requested we use my best friend’s farm in Buckeye, Arizona as a location spot.  So off we went to enjoy the open fields and country charm!

Lizzy and Chris I love you guys, thanks for being such great friends and I’m so happy for you both.

Oh, and take a peek at Lizzy’s beautiful chocolate diamond engagement ring.  It’s gorgeous!

To book Lizzy for your wedding or any of your makeup needs, visit her website.

Diana Elizabeth highly suggests getting your makeup professionally done for any photoshoot you do, or anything that might be framed or seen for a long time.

Engagements

This was a long shoot in the making with some amazingly talented vendors.  Ricki and I were flatted to be asked by The Arcadia Room last fall to shoot a bridal shower inspiration at their venue.  We finally picked a date in the new year and with the collaboration of all, including models, was absolute perfection.  Please enjoy this blingy, fun bridal shoot held at Arcadia Room which is open for wedding receptions, showers of all sorts, and intimate weddings in their back space.

All food was prepped by Arcadia Room which is part of the La Grange Orange and Chelsea’s Kitchen family.  Yes, that’s what I said, which means all of this food was absolutely divine.

Sweet treat bags, menu and invitation designed by Amy Wallace of Page & Mason.  Cupcake cake made by Butter & Me.

How about instead of a game, glamming it up a bit and icing yourself with some vintage goodies by Twice Loved Vintage.  Each vintage piece has been selected by mom and daughter owners to be recreated to something new! Shop their etsy store here.

The spring makeup palette is soft pinks, and we went for a California beachy casual chic, and that’s exactly what Mariana Marie created.  Wardrobe provided by Heidi Boutique.

Thank you to The Sweetest Occasion for featuring this session on their blog today! See more of the shoot HERE.

Venue & food: Arcadia Room / Design & florals: La Ricki / Makeup and Hair: Mariana Marie / Wardrobe: Heidi Boutique / Jewelry: Twice Loved Vintage / Invitations & menu: Page and Mason / Cake & cupcakes: Butter & Me

Additional thanks to our lovely models who you have probably recognized from seeing them on my blog – former bride and models and PHOENIX magazine models Jami, Nicole, Ashley and Jennifer.  Also much gratitude to Kayla and Leigha for their amazing help during the shoot!

Diana Elizabeth loves the wedding bands with no main solitaire – can you tell?  She made sure Ashley was wearing one that looked similar to her very own.

Engagements, Weddings

I really can’t pick favorites – can parents really do that with their kids?  So I’ve sort of let the internet decide which have been the best of 2011 by highest rated.  Thank you to all of my couples and families who have trusted me to capture their life.

I look forward to the couples I’ll be meeting in 2012!

Happy New Year to you all – to new beginnings and chasing your dreams!

My Kate Spade bride also named Kate who married her sweetie Brett at Hotel Valley Ho.  Kate and I are now very good friends and I absolutely adore her.

My good friend Erika was surprisingly proposed by Ryan during a “holiday mini session” we took to the Montelucia.  I can’t wait to shoot their wedding in February at the Montelucia!

My lovely Cinco de Mayo couple was so much fun to shoot.  We had a blast at the Biltmore for their engagement session.  I look forward to your Biltmore wedding Lizzey and Trevor!

I waited months for this engagement session at the Arizona State Fair because you know, it only comes once a month.  MJ and Jon, I couldn’t have imagined the State Fair being as fun as it was!

The lighting was gorgeous, the location at Raven at Verrado was superb and the couple, Brandon and Donna were drop dead gorgeous.

I was ecstatic to get this FORD model and PHOENIX magazine cover model in front of my lens again on her big yet incredibly intimate day at the Montelucia. Farrah and Matt were perfect and I loved her second “first look” with her future stepson.

She told her family to pose because I was going to make them look like they came out of an Anthro catalog. Jami got me – and her hubby Mike was totally up for the props and styling by la Ricki.

My modern, hip, incredibly fun couple Joanna and Jacob had a fun art gallery wedding at the MonOrchid in downtown Phoenix!

Baby Ava didn’t get a pony.  She sorta got a plane.  Well, it’s mom and dad’s, and aren’t they the most adorable couple, ever?  I loved Kat and Gary’s Buckeye maternity session!

It was after this engagement session at L’Auberge de Sedona when I told Mr. Wonderful I wanted to get married there.  And, we did.  I am crazy about Tim and Kristina and we are so looking forward to our double date with them!

The light was just flooding my camera and I loved it.  Autumn and Aaron’s e-session was to die for in the dairy fields of Buckeye!

One of my favorites.  This was perfection for so many reasons – la Ricki designing it, a perfect location and my friends from FORD who modeled for this styled session.  This session paved the way to define my style, what I loved, and it was darling! Even Wedding Chicks thought so and published it!

Diana Elizabeth and la Ricki are doing it again – another concept shoot coming up for the New Year!

Engagements, Photography, Weddings

When Alicia first met Rusty at a group gathering, she wasn’t sure she’d like him.  She saw him across the room and she sorta made the assumption. It was because he seemed a bit unapproachable, overly confident, or whatever it was he was wearing she just well, she just assumed that she wouldn’t.  Then he sat down next to her and they had a conversation.  Then Alicia realized, he was sweet, not cocky, and she then she changed her mind.  She liked him.

Alicia smiles a lot.  Rusty smiles a lot, especially with his eyes.  So together, they smile a ton.  And together, they both love Jesus.

They are building a house together this winter, to be done hopefully by early next year, and every day they visit it.  They have a chalkboard painted wood sign, they scribble down the date, stand on the land which now has foundation, point at whatever is changed on their new property, and they take a picture.  They’re documenting, everything.  And, I’m happy to document this darling pair and their big wedding day on St. Patrick’s Day.

Alicia brought her dad’s Mustang (which Rusty said had no power steering which I’m not sure what that really means) and their beloved Chucks to a friend’s house.  The house that her grandparents once lived in, so neat!  Alicia was also happy to say her dad will be wearing as he walks her down the aisle.  Way to go team!  I can’t wait to see and I’m so excited for your morning wedding.  I love you both for being so untraditional! xx

To see more of this engagement session, CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SLIDESHOW!

Hello eyes.  I’m thinking your babies will have beautiful eyes!

Diana Elizabeth says it was engagement session time this past month!  She knows that once the holidays hit, there will be plenty more engagements!  She can’t wait.  Engagement sessions are her absolute favorite.

Engagements

I listened to Ryan’s voicemail while driving home, after shooting my third session for the day.

Erika and Ryan had booked me for one of my mini holiday sessions but had asked if I’d be open to a different location.  Because Erika is well, Erika and one of my very good friends, and I love her to death, oh, and on top of it, it was also her birthday, I was happy to oblige.  But when I heard Ryan’s voice I knew something was up.

“Is this about what I think it is?” I excitedly squealed on the phone.
“Most likely,” said Ryan.

Then, I nearly crashed my car.  Well, not really, but I was that excited.  Ryan wanted to shift the photoshoot from our original spot (another hotel) to the Montelucia, where he also made surprise dinner reservations at Prado that night.  And, I’ll walk you through what went down.

I text Erika an hour before our shoot to ask if she was open to a location change.  ”No big deal if you want to shoot at the other place,” I added.  She went for it.

When they arrived, I asked Ryan how he was doing, how work was, (I’m sneaky like that) and then asked if they had any ideas where to shoot.  Earlier, Ryan’s brother left a box by the fountain, outside of Joya Spa.  Inside was a gift for Erika.  This, I already knew but I wasn’t sure where the box was.  So I gave the floor to Ryan and he said, “I think we should go over here.”  Then directed her to the box.

“I think that box is for you,” said Ryan.
“Seriously? Babe!” said Erika as she went over.

Out she pulled mini speakers with a iPod docked in it.  The song on cue to play was Happy Birthday, because well, it was her birthday.

But tricky Ryan, instead it was actually Train’s “Marry Me” song.  The song played.  Then, Ryan got down on one knee.

I think my favorite part was Erika not believing what was going on.  ”No way!” she said.  Then, ”Shut up!” she said in between her laugh.
That was such an Erika phrase.  I could tell she was surprised!

The newly engaged couple!  All giggles…

Dang you both look good.  It’s ok, you can agree.

In between shoots they would giggle. I loved capturing their happiness.  And then, out came the props!  And the sassiness!

Ryan added a very special touch to the ring, see it?

Erika and Ryan, words cannot express how happy I am for you both.  Thank you for allowing me to capture this important part of your life and trusting me to capture such a moment.  I feel honored to have been there to witness it!   Thank you for being such amazing followers of Christ and I pray that you continue to keep him in the center of your relationship, marriage and during the wedding planning process.  I am grateful for having you both in my life and I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for you both into the future!

To see more of this surprise proposal and their engagement photos, CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SLIDESHOW!

Diana Elizabeth always wanted to capture a surprise proposal!   Now she has and she is so so thrilled.

Engagements

You know the feeling when you just know?  Whether it’s finding that perfect dress, the sassy shoes, or the love of your life, you just know?   I sorta knew that about the perfect clients, Lizzey and Trevor.  Lizzey’s emails were bubbly, full of happiness, and I just knew she was in love.  When I saw her and Trevor come in with cheery smiles and arms full of clothes I knew we’d have a great time at the Arizona Biltmore, their future wedding spot.

“Give her a kiss,” I suggested to Trevor from behind my camera.
“Oh that’s not a problem, that’s all we do,” joked Lizzey.

And, every time I positioned Trevor first he would hold out his arms like he was about to catch a football, waiting for Lizzey to cozy on in up to him.  It was adorable.

Lizzey and Trevor, you both give me butterflies.  You make me laugh, you give me a wonderful peacefulness within my soul and your love is contagious.  I cannot wait for your fabulous Cinco de Mayo wedding at the Arizona Biltmore.  Lizzey, don’t cut your gorgeous hair, and Trevor, I’m glad we found your “good side” or rather, Lizzey’s favorite side of you. *wink*  On all sides, you both are just so so lovely.

To see more from this session, CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SLIDESHOW!

Pow.  Lizzey, you are gorgeous.

A little Cinco de Mayo wedding preview I suppose…

Diana Elizabeth and Lizzey and Trevor escaped a Haboob (that’s a ridiculously fancy word for dust storm for those of you who are not from Arizona).  It was just coming in before they wrapped up their session.  Phew!

Engagements

Mary Jane is a dental hygienist so it’s no surprise that she has a beautiful smile, and Jon is a behavioral therapist so naturally he has patience, calmness and well, he just understands MJ.  The two have been dating since they were both 14, in junior high, the 8th grade to be exact, in Honolulu.  This gorgeous couple has been on my calendar since the early new year when we discussed the idea of waiting for the state fair to open so we could explore, eat, and enjoy what state fair’s have to offer!

From the merry-go-round, the search for cotton candy on a stick, the turkey leg, we had fun searching and jumping on rides together.

Thank you MJ and Jon for allowing me to capture this beautiful part of your life.  You know I speak the truth when I say I honestly have never had so much fun at a state fair.  *wink*  You both are beautiful inside and out and I am happy that you found each other so early in life and will be spending the rest of your lives together. It is my prayer that you continue to grow together and never stop laughing and cuddling, or making those cute fishy kiss faces when you smooch!

To view more images from this session, CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SLIDESHOW!

Diana Elizabeth was only good at the water gun races at the state fair.  In jr. high she would take turns with her best friend winning so they both would go home with something, they had a nice strategy.  Take that, carnies.

Engagements

You could say it was every one’s plan for Kristina and Tim to end up together.  One of Kristina’s older sisters had met Tim and knew that he was perfect for her younger sister even though she already had a boyfriend.  The same thought occurred to one of Tim’s buddies.  As fate would have it, a future meeting would happen a few months down the line in May, and sparks flew.  They were inseparable having spent every day that weekend together.  When Tim hopped in his friend’s car after Kristina dropped him off to head to the airport, (the same buddy who knew they’d be perfect together) he said, “I’m going to marry her.”

The two carried on a long distance relationship, Kristina in Arizona, Tim in Virginia.  They hopped on the 4 hour flights for a good while, then a job opened up in Arizona and Tim made the big move.

“It was from the Holy Spirit,” Tim recalls when he was driving on the 303 this past spring.  He remembered exactly where he was.   Out of nowhere, he felt someone, something, God, was telling him it was time to propose.  A little hesitant only because he hadn’t quite planned on it being only a year after meeting Kristina, he waited a week – just to be sure it was from up above.

Then as he was preparing to propose, he accidentally dropped the ring.  Scrambling, Kristina wasn’t sure what was going on.  Then when she saw the ring as Tim was in the middle of asking her she blurted out, “YES!” before he finished saying, “…marry me?”

Tim, not being a huge date person like myself, was suddenly reminded that evening by Kristina that it was exactly that very day they met a year ago.  So you could say it was every one’s plan, most importantly, God’s.

So much cuteness I can’t stand it, click here to view the session’s slideshow!

Location: L’Auberge de Sedona / Lace Dress, Necklace & Scarf: Anthropologie / Bracelet: Dillard’s / Zinc Letters: Anthropologie / Cupcakes: Nothing Bundt Cakes

Diana Elizabeth works closely with brides for their shoots – including wardrobe.  When Kristina text her a picture of the lace dress Diana had just looked at the dress a week earlier at Anthro then she just knew they were going to have an amazing shoot together.

Engagements

“Do you want one of your Christmas presents early?” asked Nick from the kitchen as Haleigh sat on the couch.

He popped in a DVD in the player and up popped a photo slideshow starting with their journey five and a half years ago.  Images flashed across the screen, moments, laughter, and affection from when they were so very young to the years they grew together.  Words popped up about the time they were apart for over a year and did a long distance relationship, then words appeared about how much he loved Haleigh.  How he has been welcome into her family and vice versa, and that he couldn’t imagine life without her, asking if she would be his wife.

He was behind her as she sat on the couch and before she could read the rest of the text her eyes were filled with tears as she happily said yes.  Congratulations Nick and Haleigh!  It is my prayer that you continue to grow closer together as you have over the years and continue to have as much fun as you already do.  xoxo

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Hair and Makeup: Brenna Heater

Diana Elizabeth says being a photographer is what gets her out into nature more often.  For real.  She often finds herself taking lots of allergy medicine before shoots.  She can’t help it she’s just a delicate flower…with pollen allergies.

Engagements

It was their senior year of college when Aaron and Autumn met, just months before they were about to graduate from Western Michigan University.  He went downstairs to hang out with some friends in another apartment, and in walked Autumn.  They started dating, and two months in, Aaron told Autumn he landed a great job as an Environmental Engineer in Phoenix, Ariz. and he had to take it.  He invited her with, and Autumn, barely knowing Aaron, trusted her heart and jumped in and moved with him.

The two will be getting married in Michigan in a few months but wanted a sweet engagement session to document this part of their lives.

Autumn was all smiles and couldn’t stop giggling when Aaron would nuzzle her or even just look at her.  I have to admit, I think I said the word “cute” in front of my computer at least a dozen times every 10 minutes.  Congratulations Autumn and Aaron! I had so much fun with you both!

To watch the entire shoot VIEW THE SLIDESHOW!

Make up by Lizzy Marsh.

Diana Elizabeth loves props in any form – candy, garland, even animals in case you haven’t noticed.  They add so much personality and can symbolize so much for a couple.

Engagements