Salt Lake City Temple

2013 Comes to a Close... Weddings in Review

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  The clock struck midnight and everyone cheered, kissed, danced, hugged...  My phone buzzed with messages of gratitude,  messages of well wishes for future, and  messages of love, friendship, reflection.  I had a few moments to sit and reflect as well.  While there's nothing particularly different about the moment of midnight December 31st than any other moment, I still like to join everyone in reflection - what made this year great?  Another 365 days of life.  What do I want next year to be like?   Reflections and Resolutions.   I am grateful for 2013, for the challenges, the growth, the learning, and the many people who have impacted my life.  I've photographed some beautiful moments and worked with many beautiful, loving people.  That's why I like to photograph weddings:  There's very little more rewarding than seeing the way a bride and groom look at each other, recognizing TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF OUR LIVES.  I believe this is true every day, but I love capturing the moments when people are so aware of it.  It's inspiring.

 

 

As I stated at the beginning of the year, we were only going to accept 10 weddings in 2013.   We aren't keeping the same limit for 2014, but I'm glad we did this.  We stayed true to the limit, though I did take a few photos at my older brother's wedding (I couldn't help myself!).  That was a special day.  Such a unique, emotional experience!  Sometimes I think it's easier to hide behind the camera so no one knows how sentimental I am - They might not be able to see the tears that way :)

 

 

 

Here's my brother and his wife, Nathan and Liz: Ceremony and reception at South Padre Beach, Texas

 

 

 

 

 

I want to thank each couple for contributing to my year.  Thank you for inviting me to be there to witness and capture such monumental moments in your lives.  I feel incredibly humbled and grateful that my job includes opportunities like this.  Here's a photo-review of each wedding day in celebration of you!

 

 

 

 

1. Mattie and Carston

Ceremony: Bountiful Utah LDS Temple

Reception: Wight House, Bountiful UT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Kiera and Brandon - Los Angeles California LDS Temple

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Michelle and Sam - Salt Lake City LDS Temple

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Kathryn and Merrick - Timpanogos LDS Temple

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Britney and Taylor

Ceremony: Salt Lake City LDS Temple

Luncheon: Joseph Smith Memorial Building

Reception: Huntington Beach, California

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Jordyn and Colton

Ceremony: Timpanogos LDS Temple

Reception: Sleepy Ridge Reception Center (Orem, UT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Sarah and Brady  -   Ceremony and Reception: Big Cottonwood Canyon, UT

 

 

 

 

And yes!! They had a life-sized Jenga game :):):)

 

 

 

 

8. Alexis and Bret - Ceremony and Reception at Noah's Reception Center

 

  

 

 

 

 

9. Melissa and Nathan - Ceremony and Reception at the Alpine Arts Center, Utah

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Angela and James

Ceremony: Salt Lake City Temple

Reception: Bella Vista Reception Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you all for a wonderful year.  Congratulations at this exciting stage of life!  We are looking forward to the future and welcoming in 2014.  As a good friend of mine said, "A book of 365 blank pages starts today.  What are you going to create each day... each moment?"

 

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year to all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lexi & Brett Formals

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Lexi is one of the most incredible people I know.  And she's worked as an assistant for me this summer, so it was extra exciting to do the photoshoots of her and her wonder Brett :).  This was one crazy day, though, because the weather acted up last minute and we had to change our plans for location.  There was a 10 minute break without rain, so luckily we got a few beautiful outdoor photos too!

 

 

 

 

 

I always encourage my clients to add something to their shoot to make it more personal.  Lexi brought the most beautiful "something" possible - her little daughter.  The three of them interact together had some really precious moments.  *Spoiler alert* - little Lindy actually joined them for their first dance at the wedding reception.  So sweet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't remember what the story behind this last photo was - maybe "my cheeks hurt from smiling so much, Whitney!" - but I love it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joelle & Brett: Salt Lake Temple Wedding Day

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  Ok, here's some highlights from one of the last fall weddings.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

I loved Brett's choice of formal footware-  Nike Air Jordans with just a hint of tuxedo patent leather.  They were chosen well in advance- in fact, the purple-toned blue color that was one of the primary wedding colors?  -Taken directly from the shoes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall gave us a great sendoff that day...  now that the days are a lot shorter and a lot more grey I look back at the unbelievable blue sky we had and just sigh a little bit...

 

 

 

 

 

Jessica & Luke: SLC Temple Wedding

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  On this wonderful cold, snowy day, I figured it would be a good idea to share this beautiful late summer wedding.    Jessica and Luke both looked fabulous, though the beautiful colors and bright sunshine in the photos make me kind of depressed for the long, cold months ahead.

 

  

    

  

 

Beautiful day, beautiful couple.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kara and Chris at the Salt Lake Temple

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  This wedding was another beautiful late summer day.  Kara and Chris were both fantastic, and Kara's gorgeous red hair just seemed to make the day even that much more summery.

 

  

 

Methinks maybe we might have needed a couple extra groomsmen here....

 

 

Just look how incredibly amazingly awesome the day was here below!  While snowy days can also be gorgeous and breathtaking, I will sincerely miss all the vibrant shades of green and all the other colors of summer as we head further and further into winter.

 

 

 

I love capturing some intimate moments like these, as the bride and groom get to savor the feeling of their special day.

 

 

  

 

 

Check back soon for photos from Kara and Chris' reception!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kandis & Greg- LDS Salt Lake Temple Wedding

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  I love this couple.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again- these are the some of the nicest, most easy-going people I have ever had the pleasure of spending time with.  Someone actually stepped on the back of Kandis' dress and ripped it, and Kandis didn't even break a sweat.  She gave a big smile, said "Oh, it's fine!" and kept on going.  She was just happy to be married to the man of her dreams.

 

  

  

 

Just look how gorgeous Kandis is!  Greg is one lucky guy, and he shows that he knows it every time he looks at her.

 

  

  

 

Be sure to check out all of Kandis and Greg's photos in their full galleries here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Danica & Ryan: The Wedding Day

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  Danica and Ryan's wedding day was gorgeous- lots of sunny blue skies, and lots of high temperatures.  The exact kind of day when you think about the phrase "late July wedding".

 

 

Danica and Ryan both loved the Wes Anderson film "Fantastic Mr Fox."  Can you tell? :)

 

  

 

It was so warm outside we just got a few quick newlywed photos, and then it was off to the Springville Museum of Art to relax and cool off before the reception started....

 

 

  

 

If you are looking for a nice reception venue in Utah County near Provo, and specifically want one with an outdoor, almost-backyard feel, you might want to look at the Springville Museum of Art.

 

  

 

I am a sucker for baked goods.... cookies, cake, and especially cup cakes!  Little bite-sized ones are very dangerous, because if it's just a bite, then before you know it you've eaten about 5 or 6.

 

  

 

Best way to cool off on a hot summer day while attending a wedding reception?  Well, if that reception happens to be catered by Sam Schultz of the magnificent Sammy's Burgers and Pie Shakes, then you are set.    No matter what flavor you get, it's going to be awesome.

 

  

 

This little girl above was kind of shy, and she wasn't too sure about the camera;  however that didn't stop her finishing off her shake!

 

 

Sam and his wife Nikki are some of the coolest people around.  If you get the chance to hang out with them, you should feel lucky.

 

  

 

  

 

Ok, cake's been cut, pie shakes have been eaten, and hands have been shaken.  Time to get the heck out of here!