The bride wanted a top bun in her Vera Wang, then, red lips for the reception. The groom sported his great grandfather’s cufflinks and tie clip.  The whole wedding had close attention to what mattered the most – family.  Two brothers and a sister made up the wedding party, the mother’s signed the marriage license, and this 63 person wedding event was everything sweet, lovely, and perfect.

Lizzey was a giddy bride, laughing and savoring every moment.  She told me she couldn’t wait to see the pictures before I even started taking them.  Her family was everything that cotton candy is made of.  Trevor, incredibly laid back, full of joy and smiles was eager to see his bride.  Together Lizzey and Trevor are a happy, enthusiastic pair.  I’m convinced that through life, with their optimistic outlook, nothing can ever rain on their parade .

Trevor adores Lizzey.  You can see it in the way he holds her and pulls her chair out.  She is his princess.  Lizzy giggles a lot when Trevor is around, you can tell he’s her best friend.  Whenever I switch lenses I tell my couples they can rest. “Oh, we’ll just kiss,” giggled Lizzey.  They are my affectionate, kissy couple.  Since our Biltmore engagement session last fall, I had looked so much forward to seeing them again, that even after eight hours, neither Amy or I wanted to leave.  When you find yourself smiling on the other side of the camera and sighing when you edit, you know you captured a lovely event.  This was most definitely the hardest end of the night goodbye.

Congratulations Lizzey and Trevor, welcome back from the Bahamas and Trevor, hope you enjoyed wearing the pink flamingo board shorts!  I absolutely adore you both, your families, and this event you trusted me to capture.  Lots of love.

To see more images, VIEW THE SLIDESHOW!

Venue: Arizona Biltmore / Bride’s Dress: Diana by Vera Wang / Sash & shoes: Vera Wang / Makeup: Lizzy Marsh / Hair:  Jade Hatch Shultz / Maid of Honor dress: DVF / Maid of Honor shoes: Christian Louboutin / Groom’s suit: Hugo Boss / Invitations, all signage:  The Paper Place / Flowers and rentals:  White House Design Studio / Wedding cake:  Classic Cakes & Confections / Wedding bands: David Yurman / Band:  The Sonoran Jazz Project / Second Shooter: Amy Gallagher

Diana Elizabeth didn’t want to leave this wedding.  Honestly.

Weddings

Intimate weddings have a different feel in general.  While the crowd is small, the presence of love is great.  There’s so much calmness throughout the day that puts more emphasis on the marriage itself that takes the emotions up a notch.  And if that wedding is all outdoors, well, I consider myself one lucky photographer.

Stephanie was a calm bride, and incredibly elegant.  It’s something about the way she sits up, stands, and speaks that you know she’s not only classy, but incredibly intelligent.  James, also known as Jimmy, works in the tech field, and I’m pretty sure their children are going to be geniuses.  While Stephanie was getting pampered upstairs in Jimmy’s parent’s Arcadia Estates home, Jimmy was hanging out outside, helping set up for the reception, ensuring everything was in place.  ”Regal” is the term I’d use to describe not only this couple, but their wedding.

The all outdoor wedding gave the most perfect light as the sun rays peeked through the pussy willow trees.  Amy and I were in awe, it was unreal, as you can see.

The details were incredible, thanks to Angela of Angela Saban Design who is AMAZINGLY talented with designing and also creating gluten free desserts and cakes.  Her vision for an event and gorgeous cakes are so unique to this industry, I felt so blessed to have finally worked with her after our concept shoots.  She can handle anything, this amazing lady.  Mariana Marie offers gluten free and cruelty free makeup applications and did a beautiful job with Stephanie’s makeup.

Venue: Private Arcadia Estates Residence / Event Designer, Coordinator: Angela Saban Design / Gluten Free Desserts: Angel Cakes Bakery / Makeup: Mariana Marie / Wedding Dress: Sue Wong / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Groom’s Suit: Bar III / Groom’s Tie: Hugo Boss / Bridesmaid dress: Ann Taylor / Florist: Designs by E / Caterer: Jennifer’s Catering / Bartender: Pourmasters / Rentals: PRO EM / Event Music: Apperson Strings / Wood Sign: My Soul Speak / Second Shooter: Amy Gallagher

Weddings

Just moments before she gets dressed, puts on the shoes, and sees her groom.  Watching it never gets old.

Diana Elizabeth says you’re going to absolutely die when you see the Arcadia Estates wedding she shot that was designed by Angela Saban Design. Flawlessly beautiful.

Weddings

Every so often you get that couple.  The couple that reminds you why you decided to go into weddings in the first place and why you want to keep doing weddings.  Alicia and Rusty were that couple for me.

The night before the wedding Amy and I dropped by the rehearsal dinner to location scout and say hello.  The bride, Alicia asked for our early morning Starbucks order – you see, we were starting at  6 am.  Amy and I refused to let her worry about us, (the bride!) but that shows Alicia’s heart and who she is.  She’s more interested in the comfort of every one else, being a teacher and all.  Rusty, well he gives hugs when he first meets you.  He’s a hugger, a sweet, happy, upbeat and genuinely kind guy, you can tell that as soon as Rusty meets you, he takes a liking to you just because he’s that way.

A calm, yet excited and incredibly smiley bride opened the door in pajamas.  As Amy and I collected Alicia’s details, we headed outside and waited for the sun to rise!

I’ve teared up at weddings.  I’ve never actually had to wipe tears from my eyes, but I did with this one.  When Alicia saw Rusty during their first look and started crying, I went nuts.  I love their love, their souls, who they are individually, and also together.  Alicia and Rusty, thank you for being my untraditional couple who concentrated more on your love for each other and God.  I had an absolute blast with you and you made the 8 hours go by so fast!  I wish I could do it all over again!  Yes, that is a rice krispie treat wedding cake!

See more images of the amazing day on the WEDDING SLIDESHOW!

Venue, Caterer & Cake: JW Marriott Desert Ridge / Wedding Dress & hair accessory: Uptown Bridal & Boutique / Makeup Artist: Mariana Marie / Hair: Valerie Denholm / Florist: Rene Wendell / Officiant: Kale Garrison / DJ: DJ Slyder (Jake Smith) / Bridesmaids’ dresses: Ann Taylor LOFT / Second Shooter: Amy Gallagher

Diana Elizabeth loves weddings that are out in the sunshine all day – there’s only two more months left for that!  Then, maybe every one should resort to early morning weddings, hm?

Weddings

Happy to say that this lovely shoot featuring some of my favorite vendors in the Phoenix valley can be seen on Wedding Chicks today.  Thanks Amy and Jocey for the feature!  See the post here.

This was a great day filled with beautiful brides and little girls in tutus.  Please read below for all of the vendors included in this awesome shoot.

Venue: The Felch House Inn/ Event Stylist & Gluten Free Bakery: Angela Saban Design / Flower Girl Tutu’s: Juju’s Tutus / Bridal Gowns: Uptown Bridal & Boutique / Makeup: Aeni Domme / Hair: Vonn Wynn / Hair accessories: Posh A’la Mode / Daisy hair clip: One Step Above / Florals: The Garage By Ivy / Wooden Signs: My Soul Speak / Bridal Jewelry: Twice Loved Vintage / Flower Girl Jewelry: 51st Ave. Designs / Custom Parasols & Aisle Runner: Bella Aisle Runners

Diana Elizabeth had a great time capturing each little girl.  Each one had a unique personality and loved the way they felt in those beautiful tutus!

Weddings

This wedding was incredibly special to me because the bride Erika is a very good and long time friend of mine.  Erika and one of her best friends Shannon led a Beth Moore bible study over five years ago in her lovely home and I fell in love with Erika’s kindness, gentleness, warmth, and I could easily confide and be uplifted by her.

Over the past few years, Erika and I meet regularly for lunches, divulged about our passions, home decorating, work, and dating life.  It was Erika and Shannon who I have to thank for the union of me and Mr. Wonderful as I hinted to Erika I was interested and she later told Shannon who passed along my phone number to him.  The night before Erika and Ryan’s wedding I laid in bed and thought about the friendship and parallelism we have shared in our life and started to tear up.  I couldn’t be any happier or honored to witness this divine plan God had for her, with an amazing man named Ryan.  It has been so neat to watch their love mature and to then be asked to capture their commitment to each other as husband and wife.

They were married this past weekend back at the same place where Ryan did a surprise proposal that I photographed.  Erika was excited and giddy at the same time but once she and Ryan did a first look not in their wedding attire but normal clothes just to pray quickly, her nerves were settled and a calmness took over.  The ceremony was absolutely lovely, giving praise to God for his perfect timing and I love that they braided rope citing Ecclesiastes 4:12 “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him – a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”  The two of them representing each of them, and the third cord being God.  What a treasure to display in their home!

No joke, all day I was teared up out of happiness, and possibly because I’m a newlywed, but most likely because the bride is my dear friend Erika and this is her happy ending.  Ryan, thank you for loving such a sweet special friend of mine like you do.  Lots of love to you both!

To see more images CLICK HERE FOR THE SLIDESHOW!

Venue: The Montelucia Resort and Spa / Wedding Coordinator: Rochelle Sterne of Every Girls Dream Wedding / Cinematography: Bright Bokeh / Bride’s Dress: Demetrios / Veil: Almond Tree Wedding Boutique / Bride’s Shoes: Nine West / Jewelry: Nadri / Groom’s suit: Caravelli / Harpist: Debi Gorton / Florals: The Garage by Ivy / Linens: Munkeboe Party Linen Rentals / DJ: Erik Nelson / Cake: Julia Baker / Bride’s Hair: Amy Gownaris of The Verve Salon / Makeup: Lizzy Marsh / Paper: Celebrations in Paper / Second shooter: Amy Gallagher

Diana Elizabeth asks if you’ve ever had food at the Montelucia.  She loves the Joya spa there and goes all the time, but the food is always always always amazing!

Weddings

And now, our Phoenix reception we had at the house!

I must say that nearly most of these shots were taken by my second shooter and friend Amy Gallagher – she is my right hand gal who I trust wholeheartedly to nail shots and deliver!  I am so thrilled she came and wanted to capture some images – I just edited the best that I love!

I hope you enjoy these images that capture our backyard reception!  Thank you to Cyd of The Sweetest Occasion for featuring our reception here.

Venue: Private backyard / Photographer: Amy Gallagher / Event Designer: la Ricki / Desserts: Butter & Me / Catering: Pita Jungle / Bride’s dress: Spun Sugar Shift dress by BHLDN / Tent Fabric: SAS Fabrics / Outdoor Bowling: Pottery Barn

Diana Elizabeth had a great time with friends and can’t wait to do it all over again in May – only this time in Champaign Illinois!

My Wedding, Personal, Weddings

Photo by Ryan Ray.

He kissed me with both hands on my face.  And, we live happily ever after.

Diana Elizabeth loves this photo and seeing happy smiley faces of those she loves around.  And the adorable fur coats too.

My Wedding, Personal, Weddings

The experience.

All photos by Ryan Ray.

Getting Ready

I didn’t find it necessary to have a bridal party with our wedding being small.  My girlfriends who were there in attendance are my best friends, the ones I talk to regularly, who have been by my side through thick and then, prayed for me and with me, and those who I want to be more like.  They all got ready in the same room as I did and though I was fairly quiet, I enjoyed hearing their laughter, dialogue, and just having their presence with me that morning.  It was such a peaceful and calm time for me as I watched the snow fall and reflected on so much happiness while Lizzy did my makeup.

The series of these shots of me getting ready with my girls that has been getting all the attention was actually in front of a sliding glass door that Ryan Ray opened up so the cool air was coming in as the snow fell.  It was magical!

The First Look

I’m a wedding photographer, of course I did a first look.  However, this was a bit modified. Because I wouldn’t be walking down an aisle to any music and our guests would see me for the first time as they circled around us, standing for the ceremony, I wanted my dad to walk me to my first look with Benjamin. The above photo is one of my absolute favorites.  Umbrellas are from Brooks Brothers, of course.  I think the Phoenix store wasn’t quite sure why I needed three umbrellas, it was probably the most they’ve sold all season.  But, I knew there was a chance for rain or snow, and I wanted to be prepared in style.

The Guests

Ryan Ray said it perfectly on his blog when he described our ceremony as, “You couldn’t tell a friend from family.  The support was that great.”  That was exactly how we envisioned it.  The decision wasn’t easy when it came to the guest list, when we thought it would just be our parents.  As we started to plan, we decided to extend it to the friends who really were like family.  We also didn’t want to deal with a big wedding, wanted to honor a budget, but most of all, we didn’t want to do anything for show.  And I especially didn’t want to turn into a bridezilla who was still managing wedding details the week of.   I wanted my sights to be on the fact that I was marrying my best friend, not wedding details, so the smaller the wedding and guest list and details, the calmer the both of us would be.  Our wedding was about us getting married in front of God who brought us together, and our family and closest friends who have supported us individually, and together, rain or shine, or snow.

Our resolution was having a fun, and larger casual reception with all of our wonderful friends a few months later.

The Vows

We wrote our own vows in an almost identical format.  I’ve heard a few vows here as I’ve shot weddings but I never thought what my own vows would be like. If you come to our house, you can read them as they are proudly framed and titled “Our Promise.”  And yes, those are my vows above typed out, matching the invitation.  Benjamin wrote his on a post-it, and every one laughed when I pulled mine out and then he pulled his out.  I love him for it.  Benjamin cried a lot and he would only occasionally look up at me.

How adorable is my mother-in-law in her cute outfit?  And I know you’ve already seen this photo of my dad but I just love it.  He was right up there in the action holding the umbrella over Benjamin and me.

The Moms

I’ve captured some beautiful weddings.  The wedding of Jillian and Patrick really moved me when they had their moms heavily involved.  It was Jillian’s mom who zipped up her dress, and their moms who signed their marriage license.  After I saw that, I thought, I’m definitely going to do that at my wedding.  And since we didn’t have the traditional bridal party, we had our moms do the honor.  Benjamin’s mom held our rings, my mom held my vows and bouquet, zipped up my dress, and our mothers were our witnesses for our marriage license.  It’s so special to look at it and see our moms signature.

The Toasts

You can probably tell by now that Benjamin and I hold a high priority for family.  Our fathers gave toasts as we cozied up by the fireplace, and my dad started off with saying, “I’ve waited 10 years for this,” in which my initial thought was, sheesh Dad, way to rub it in that it took me a long time.  But what immediately followed was a story that began 10 years ago when he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer (Lymphoma) and while he didn’t know the Lord yet, he asked God to save him so he could see his kids get married.  He explained that he was thrilled that the day came, and God gave him what he asked for.  You can say that Benjamin and I both cried, a lot.

Benjamin’s dad gave a sweet toast, he mentioned Benjamin’s grandfather who I never head the pleasure of meeting but I know really molded Benjamin.  He passed along his blessing and though we had met for the first time the night before, he called me, “refreshing.”  I liked that.  We felt so honored to have our dads give toasts to those around us and we felt so loved and so very blessed to have been raised by such amazing fathers.

Diana Elizabeth says she’s so glad she did a first look especially with the weather – by the end of the ceremony her hair was sopping wet!

My Wedding, Personal, Weddings

If you’ve come today because you thought my wedding would debut today, you have to scoot back a few days because we had an early launch!  Make sure you catch up so you don’t miss the big debut!

Now onto the details!

All photos by Ryan Ray.

The Dress

I fell in love with this dress by Tadashi this past summer. Remember, I knew I was going to marry Benjamin early on.  I showed one of my best and long time friends Jackie when I saw her over the summer (she lives in LA) and she gasped.  Then, I knew I had to get it from the Nordstrom Wedding Suite. I love Tadashi and had actually wore one of his gowns when I competed at the Miss Arizona pageant back in my college days.  I wore an ivory sash from J.Crew and switched to a black sash from BHLDN. The fur coat believe it or not, is from Forever 21 I bought a few years ago.  My sweet friend JMar let me wear it after I sold it to her at a garage sale (my garage sales are upscale) and she let me keep it!

I did get the dress tailored, because every dress needs to be fit perfectly – thank you to Rita’s Custom Dress and Tailor in Chandler and one of my bests, Rachelle for coming to me to all three fittings until it fit like a glove.  Of course I took my beauty queen friend and current Miss Arizona United States with me!

If anyone is interested in buying my dress (size 0-2) please email me.

The Invitations

I know you all know me as a photographer, but I started creatively as a graphic designer.  I knew I had to design my own invitations.  As for selecting colors, I decided that the classic black and white would be perfect for an outdoor winter wedding.  Just because a wedding is small and intimate doesn’t mean it has to be casual.  And as for a small pop of color, we added yellow, but the primary colors were black and white.  With 23 guests, we were also able to communicate to our guests our request to wear black and white, a touch that would make photos look lovelier, and go with our theme.  The invitation was tucked in a lace cut out pocket, and a RSVP card with details of champagne and cake to follow was tucked behind the main invitation.  Printing was done at Biltmore Pro Print.

The Shoes

I love metallics.  Gold is my favorite, hence my toe nails covered with Deborah Lippmann’s Shake Your Groove Thing.

I wanted metallic heels, but the heel had to be just right, there were so many versions of this glittery heel, but I knew that Badgley Mischka’s Humbie II was exactly what I was looking for.

The Accessories

I don’t wear Vera Wang’s Princess because I was named after a Princess.  I was given this scent years ago as a birthday gift by my friend Marisa for my birthday and I fell in love with the fragrance.  I had to use it on my big day, but my current one was beat so I bought a smaller version.  The gold sequin clutch is from Nordstrom, as well as my accessories, bangles and earrings by Nadri.  All gold, of course, my favorite metal.

His Suit – Zegna

I’m speechless.  I’ve been staring at this photo for I’m not sure how long.  My husband is so smokin’ hot.  We found his suit in less than 30 minutes, because that’s the maximum amount of time he likes to shop.  It’s a good thing everything looks good on him and he knew exactly what he wanted.  Suit was done, black skinny tie, white pocket square, and French cuff shirt by Thomas Pink.

I squealed when I saw him in his suit and felt like it was a bit unfair for me to see him already.  He asked me to take a photo of part of my dress, just so he could “see the color of it.”  Um, no.

The Wardrobe Change

At first I bought a black sash, then I wanted ivory.  Then I thought, I want more photos in different wardrobe with different looks!  So, I got married wearing all white, wore a white fur coat during our ceremony, and after, changed into my black silk sash and bought Benjamin a scarf and he kept his Kenneth Cole peacoat on.  I always knew I’d have to add a little something after the wedding after all the styled shoots I’ve participated in.

Diana Elizabeth is actually believe it or not, going to sell her gown and accessories.  She doesn’t get attached to things she just needed them for the photos – the true life of a model!  She knows her daughter will never want to wear it, and she will never want to wear it again. The photos are the most important!

My Wedding, Personal, Weddings