Jonathan & Jennifer’s Woods Canyon Lake Wedding near Payson, AZ

You know those people in your life that just shine and life everyone around then? That is how Jon and Jenny are! They light up the space around them and are so sweet! Their Woods Canyon Lake Wedding at the Spillway Day Use Area started blustery but was absolutely beautiful and full of touchings moments and details.

I met with Jenny before the ceremony for some quick bridal portraits at the Rim. The roadway sign on the way up warned that the wind was 25-35mph with gusts up to 55mph. It was the windiest day I’ve seen here in Rim Country! The Payson area just doesn’t often get wind like that! But even the wind couldn’t blow away Jenny’s smiles as the ceremony time crept closer.

Jon went to Woods Canyon Lake with his Groomsmen and family beforehand to set up the ceremony site and tie everything down so the wind didn’t take center stage during the wedding. It was a busy Saturday at the lake with all but the overflow parking full, but it felt like they had this side of the forest all to themselves.

This sweet flower girl and her grandma worked together to fill her basket and I loved the natural greenery that spilled over the sides! That little pop of yellow was so perfect!

Woods Canyon Lake Wedding Ceremony

Once the family had arrived and the bridesmaids all made it to the lake, it was time to get things rolling! Jon’s brother helped him get to his position without having to turn and chance seeing his radiant bride before it was time. I love seeing how families all work together to help make the day special!

Jon was so fun…up until the last minute he was helping get everyone in place and making sure things were perfect for his bride to arrive. His face when he turned to see Jenny walking towards him was perfect!

Jon and Jenny asked Jenny’s teacher from Middle School to be their officiant. She and Jenny have stayed in touch through the years with Mrs. Cooney being a supportive mentor and friend. They ran marathons together and Mrs. Cooney has been there motivating Jenny on through life, and now at the start of her marriage. The influence of a good teacher is incredible and far reaching!

One bonus to a windy wedding day is that it makes for some epic veil shots!!

Most couples sign the marriage license after the ceremony, tucked away before the reception. Jon and Jenny opted to sign their license during their ceremony and it was such a sweet way to fully “seal the deal” and have everyone there to witness it.

Isn’t that yellow stunning with the blue water and green trees?!

Jenny made all the dried floral arrangements herself! It always amazes me how resourceful, thrifty, and creative my DIY brides are! The bouquets were incredible!

Woods Canyon Lake Wedding Portraits

After portraits at the lake we headed out to the Rim to see if we could get any photos. The wind was brutal! We couldn’t find a good windbreak and there were no good lulls between major gusts. “Let’s just get one good shot and call it done!” Jenny decided. I wasn’t going to put them anywhere near the edge with the wind as bad as it was, so we stayed near the walkway and shot photos for 90 seconds before retreating back to our cars. Even though we only shot for 90 seconds, we came away with more than one fabulous shots!

To wrap photos up we went to their campsite at Crook Campground where they had their bridal suite all set up. Isn’t this tent incredible?!?! Now I want one! It fit their queen air mattress with plenty of room to spare and they had it decorated so cute!

The Rings

Groom rings just keep getting more and more incredible! His is engraved with the profile of the mountain top in Hawaii where Jon and Jenny got engaged!

Before my coverage time ended I had to take a quick walkthrough to see what else they had set up for their festivities with their guests. Their signs were beautiful, the gift blankets SO SOFT (they sent me home with one and it’s heavenly to snuggle up in!), and the wood fired pizza truck was a huge hit!!

Jon and Jenny, thank you so much for inviting me into this chapter in your story! The day was incredible and you handled the wind and little hiccups with grace and joy. I love seeing how your eyes sparkle when you look at each other. You two make a striking and strong duo and I am so excited to get to see you travel along your life path together!