Every wedding brings with it uniqueness and beauty and being able to capture the joy and subtle differences is truly a blessing for me.
Jennifer and Oscar recently had the perfect Sedona, Arizona wedding and drove all the way from Chicago, Illinois to make it happen. Jennifer was a stunning bride with her vivid blue eyes and gorgeous dress. However, her beauty went so much deeper than the surface. She is the type person you want to be around and you feel happy in her presence.
The delightful couple stayed in the rustic charm of El Portal one of Sedona's Luxury Hacienda's. Each room is as unique as the views. A combination of antiques, log cabins and a certain down home feel.
The couple had a sunset wedding near Village of Oak Creek at Bell Rock. The sun was perfect in the sky to highlight the contrasts in color on Courthouse Butte, Elephant Rock and Snoopy. Way off in the distance you could see Steamboat Rock in all of its glory. After a short hike up to the first plateau on Bell Rock the small group of 9 formed a circle. The talented wedding officiant and master of organization Karen Lynn shared her beautifully crafted vows with the couple. Karen brings a certain peace with her in all that she does; her presence has a calming effect. You can find Karen at www.sedonaweddingplanner.com.
The ceremony was momentarily paused while the bride was reduced to tears from the emotions of the day. At the end of the ceremony the happy couple kissed while the parents and family clapped. The bride and her family took a few moments to compose themselves and the father of the bride joined her with tears of his own.
The atmosphere of the group surrounded by all of the Red rocks was inspiring and a joy to photograph. As the family left for the reception I was given a short time with just the bride and groom to capture some cherished photos. The bride endured the cold like a real trooper.
The reception was held at Cucina Rustica a premier restaurant if you are ever in Sedona. The food is mouth watering, the atmosphere captivates and the service is top notch. My self I am a very picky eater so, sampling dishes like fried olives, celery bisque and decadent pasta was not in my nature. I tried each dish with hesitation and LOVED them all.
Each room in Cucina Rustic is named for the surroundings including the Taverna Room, Garden Room and three others. The restaurant has its own outdoor Grotto where the air is filled with the fragrance of jasmine while surrounded by the sounds emitting from the Florentine fountains. It is reminiscent of dining alfresco in Italy.
The wedding party enjoyed appetizers while we performed a sand ceremony, signed the marriage license and did a mock cake cut. The cake was a creation of Cakes by Linda and was delicious!
There are times with a destination wedding that my time with the couple would end here. As I walked out of the room I was filled with excitement knowing I was about to have an amazing dinner at Cucina Rustica, I was just appointed their Premier photographer and I would be doing a Day after shoot of the couple the next day.
The day after the wedding the couple dressed in their wedding clothes and we were off. First stop was the Red Rock Crossing for photos at the stepping-stones. In the background of the stepping-stones is a perfect view of Cathedral Rock. You are on the stones with the water rushing past you and towering behind you in every photo is Cathedral Rock painted in vivid yellows, red, orange and copper colors. The Rock is silhouetted with a crystal blue sky.
From there we were off to Los Abrigados and Tlaquepaque for additional breath taking photos. Your unforgettable Sedona experience must include spending time at internationally renowned Tlaquepaque (pronounced Tla-keh-pah-keh), Sedona Arizona's Arts & Crafts Village. Nestled beneath the shade of the sycamores on the banks of beautiful Oak Creek in Sedona, Tlaquepaque is the most distinctive shopping experience to be found in the Southwest. Authentically fashioned after a traditional Mexican village, Tlaquepaque, meaning the "best of everything," has been a Sedona landmark since the 1970's. Its vine covered stucco walls; cobble-stoned walkways and magnificent arched entryways give you the feeling that Tlaquepaque has been here for centuries. Tasteful galleries and unique shops live in harmony with its lush natural environment where giant sycamore trees stand in testimony to the care taken in preserving the timeless beauty of the Tlaquepaque grounds. It would be hard to find more beautiful surroundings anywhere to create a shopping experience like no other. Its now bad for photos either.
We ended our day back at El Portal for a few family photos and photos of the couple with their two dogs that made the trip with them.
I wish Jennifer and Oscar the very best in their new life and hope it is filled with precious memories, joy and love.
I finished the evening with a stop off at the Barking Frog Grille for a quick bite before driving home.
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