I had the pleasure of meeting Kara and Luke when they were out visiting Arizona this past summer from Colorado. I was so excited when they explained that they were having an Arizona destination wedding! I mean how cool is it to have friends and family fly in to the Valley of the Sun to enjoy our amazing fall weather, sitting by the pool and getting a few rounds of golf in? Sometimes I forget how lucky we are (like when we were meeting that day in July, in 100+ degree weather), but when their wedding day arrived, it was the most beautiful fall day ever!

But let me just start by telling you that the weather was not the most beautiful part of that day. The way that these two love each other, their families and their friends is apparent within minutes of being in their company. The way that Kara never stops smiling in Luke’s presence, or at the mention of his name. The way Luke teases her to make her laugh, and scrunch up her nose at him, is too adorable. They carry their hearts on their sleeve and are the kind of people who genuinely look you in the eye with compassion and interest with every interaction they have. It was impossible not to be mesmerized by their dynamic, their authentic happiness not only for themselves, but for those around them. After spending time with their parents, I can completely see where they get it. It was beautiful I tell you!

Their ceremony was so touching, and just before the kiss, they shared communion as a married couple. This moment, just the two of them standing at a table with a basket of bread and a glass of wine, holding each other with their eyes closed in prayer, was one of the most intimate of any wedding I’ve had the privilege to photograph. These reticent and gracious minutes shared as a married couple, witnessed by their friends and family was such a touching part of their day. And then my friends, it was time to celebrate! As we went from location to location during their sunset portraits, they decided a little dancing and twirling on the golf course was in order! If you’ve never seen a newly married couple in their element, literally dancing with joy, you’re missing out. It’s one of those rare things that I feel lucky to be able to witness; the sheer giddy happiness that comes from having just married your soulmate. It’s contagious…(don’t worry, I didn’t dance then, but I may or may not have whipped and nae nae’d on the dance floor later).

And then my friends, it was time to celebrate! As we went from location to location during their sunset portraits, they decided a little dancing and twirling on the golf course was in order! If you’ve never seen a newly married couple in their element, literally dancing with joy, you’re missing out. It’s one of those rare things that I feel lucky to be able to witness; the sheer giddy happiness that comes from having just married your soulmate. It’s contagious…(don’t worry, I didn’t dance then, but I may or may not have whipped and nae nae’d on the dance floor later). The two of them had me laughing so hard at different points that my stomach was sore the next day! I loved Every.Single.Minute!

 

Huge thanks to the wedding team that made this Verrado Golf Club Wedding amazing!

Getting Ready Location: Main Street Lofts – Buckeye

Venue: Verrado Golf Club

Wedding Planner: Karie Wagnon with Thee Wedding & Event Warehouse

Bride’s Dress: David’s Bridal

Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Warehouse

Florals: Flowers by Jodi

Ceremony Officiant: Rick Schmitz

Catering: Verrado Golf Club

DJ: Infinity Entertainment