Bringing color and cheer to Arizona
This gorgeous wedding at Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch in March was designed and coordinated in full by one of my favorite wedding (and non-wedding!) vendors — Bloom and Blueprint. The entire stellar vendor team did an incredible job assisting our couple and driving them toward doing the things they really wanted. Some ways they were untraditional with their wedding day timeline:
- There was no first dance as a couple and no parent dances; they opened the floor with an anniversary dance to immediately invite all guests to join in.
- They wanted a private moment during their private vows; my second shooter and I stepped way back and took just a few photos with a long lens to give them space. They ended up in full tears at the end of them, so I'd say that was a great decision on their part!
- They booked a venue that allowed them to stay on property, so their celebration lasted for more than just the wedding day. They mentioned it was so nice of Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch to host them in their on-site cabins and to have the extra time with their family and friends, most of which were from out of state.
- All wedding party photos and all organized family photos were complete long before the ceremony began, so the couple could enjoy this time with their closest loved ones and not feel rushed by additional guest arrival. They had down time in between these portraits and the rest of the celebration, and were able to join cocktail hour in full.
- They did not hire me for the entire reception. I'm a firm believer that every part of the day does not need to be professionally photographed if you don't want it to be! The presence of the camera will always be felt (for good or bad) and it can be nice to let the end of the night get wild without being under the additional gaze. Some guests took their own photos (and an uncle had his 360 camera on the dance floor!) but much of the night will live only in memories. And that is a-ok!
- There was no cake cutting! I see more and more couples choosing to bypass this tradition. This couple chose a wide array of desserts for guests to indulge in, and let me tell you, that table was fully cleared by the time I left! I love a reception that's open without interruption — it lets couples fully immerse in their company and not feel pulled by any further order of events. The good vibes just keep going!
Their day was truly filled with elements that were unique to them — the bride's aunt acted as their officiant, they had signature drinks dedicated to their two sweetie dogs, they offered board games as an alternative to reception dancing, and the list goes on. The choice in western-themed venue (please scroll and see the photos of the on-site horses!) even turned out to be the perfect blending of worlds for them — they have their home here in Arizona, the groom is from rural Montana, and the bride rode horses growing up. I definitely felt the love, connection, and intentionality at every turn!
Planning, Design, + Coordination: Bloom and Blueprint @bloomandblueprint
Venue: Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch @saguarolakeranch
Photography: Andrea Neff Photography @andrea.neff.photos
Entertainment: Custom Fit DJ @customfitdjs
Tent: Event Rents @eventrents
Catering: Sierra Bonita Catering @sierra_bonita_catering
Guest Experience: Wedding Burro @wedding_burro
Rentals: Material Girls @materialgirls @bbjlatavola
Paper goods: Ahead of the Press @aheadofthepress
Wedding Dress: All Who Wander
