Gila Valley Bridal Session: Roger & Pat

Less than two weeks after Roger and Pat’s Engagement Session I got a message from them. “Hey, could you give us a call?” I’d just sent an email about getting wedding details figured out and thought we’d be talking about that.

“Roger, do you want to tell her?”
“We eloped!!”

I cracked up and grinned. I somehow wasn’t surprised in the least bit. And loved being in on the “secret” (the family knew, but it wasn’t public yet). I grinned even more when they said the still wanted to do wedding portraits. Especially as I knew that a bridal session after the wedding and with no other events going that day would mean they were totally comfortable with each other and we wouldn’t be limited by a wedding day timeline.

Gila Valley Temple Bridal Portraits

We met at the Gila Valley Temple, where the two were married a few weeks before and they were beaming. I think if they could have been floating they would have been. Newlywed life suits them so well. On top of how happy they look and the fun energy they put out, I was shooting heart eyes out at their wedding ensemble.

Pat got her dress in from One Loved Babe, the two stayed up late the night before hand making Roger’s bowtie, and Pat made her bouquet from plants out of their yard! She even put some of the leaves in the freezer the night before so that they’d start turning orange.

One of the big photography parts of a Temple Wedding is usually the exit when the couple first comes out to greet the world as husband and wife. They didn’t have that moment on their wedding day so they wanted to start with that moment and I loved their enthusiasm of greeting the world (even though it was just them and I).

I do have to tell you, these two are troopers. Especially Roger in his suit. It was 106 when I pulled up to the Temple at 2:15pm. We had a limited time frame that they were allowed to be on the grounds so we decided to go for the bright afternoon light to get the location, and I LOVE how it turned out!

Anyone else get total Taylor Swift vibes from Pat?! I’m not actually a Swiftie, so I could be off there. But I see a resemblance between Pat and T-Swizzle.

Seriously, her bouquet couldn’t have been more perfect for the dress, the light, and her colors. And the fact that it was made from plants from their first house together just makes the sentimental part of me that loves layers of meaning absolutely giddy.

Cluff Ponds Ranch

After shooting at the Temple, we hit the gas station for more cold water and hit the road out to Cluff Ponds for part 2 of their Gila Valley Bridal session. They had been out scouting a few days before for spots with the look they were going for, so they forged into the trees and I followed along stopping at each of the spots they had picked out.

I just love the way they look at each other. Roger told me that day, “This is the best decision I’ve ever made. She’s awesome. I love being married. These have been the best weeks of my life!”

The heat was rough on the flowers, but even by the end when the flowers were starting to look dry, I loved the bouquet. It was unique in every way and I couldn’t get enough of it!

On our way back out to the car I spotted the tree with the branch curving down towards the water and knew we had to stop for one last quick set of photos. It was too perfect of a spot to pass up. And they pull out all the stops for that last lift and kiss!

Roger and Pat, this was a blast. I grinned from ear to ear all the way home. You guys were/are rockstars in every way. You handled the heat like champs, gave me leeway to try new things and create, were so darn cute the whole time, and are just refreshing to be around. I can’t wait to see what paths you take as you move forward together! Love you both!!