Phoenix Destination Wedding Photography

If you’re getting married somewhere fun and want photos, I’m willing to be the destination wedding photographer that makes your vision come true! February is a popular time to tie the knot in Arizona, and I was more than happy to leave the 30 degree weather in Pennsylvania to photograph this wedding in the sun!

So the burning question, “HOW DID YOU GET THAT GIG?” It was as simple as a Facebook post, to be honest! When my high-school friend Christan posted that she was looking for a wedding planner in Phoenix, I had no idea that me being a smart-ass and saying that I knew a destination wedding photographer that would travel to Phoenix (aka me!) would result in me flying to Arizona to capture some amazing memories in the desert.

We started the day at the couples house where they were surrounded by friends and family and lots of amazing treats (the bride is, undoubtedly, the most thoughtful hostess ever). The bride was so kind to provide me with tons of detail-styling props (that would otherwise take up room in my suitcase!) to really make her special touches shine. With a navy blue, dusty pink, and rose gold color palette, the invitations, dresses, flowers, and other decor truly captured the “rustic” of the brides Pennsylvania roots while being bold and timeless. We got some great getting ready shots of the groom Jordan, and then headed to the venue to prep for the ceremony!

Antigua Garden is a small all-in-one venue tin downtown Phoenix that is popular for both weddings and quincineras. They provided everything needed for an amazing reception - even the food and DJ! The courtyard just outside the ballroom boasted a ceremony space under stunning arbor covered in bougainvillea (that was BLOOMING! I was in heaven!), a grassy lounge area with chiminea, and beautiful landscaping and architecture in every nook that nodded to Arizona’s hispanic cultural influences.

The couple had a first look under the venue’s dramatic archway, and we were able to squeeze in some gorgeous and romantic portraits in the shady spots of the garden with the lush plants. I was seriously so excited to not just be photographing grass and trees!

The short but extremely heartfelt ceremony had the most amazing vows, and once the couple made it official by jumping the broom, we captured the signing of the marriage certificate. Their stunning families made formal photos a breeze while guests enjoyed appetizers and pup-themed cocktails.

With an epic dress change and Hollywood-worthy entrance down the grand staircase, Christan and Jordan were ready to dance the night away surrounded by over 100 family and friends. The DJ made dance photos that much more exciting with dry ice and cold sparks for their first dance and kept the floor packed all night with clubby tunes. The night ended with late-night bites from a wood-fired pizza truck and a great sparkler “exit” photo op!

I was so blessed to be trusted with commemorating all the memories and capturing all the details of this wedding, and I truly had so much fun and felt so much creative freedom. You may wonder why it’s worth it to pay a photographer you know to travel to you for your wedding day rather than hire a local vendor. I think Christan summed it up best:

“I’m so thankful for you coming here to photograph our wedding! It’s been a crazy stressful couple of weeks and one thing I have never worried once about is the decision to hire you. We are so thankful for you, your talents and incredible vision! I really hope you had the opportunity to enjoy AZ! Feel so blessed to have you as my photographer!! “