Enjoy!

Kim and Joel’s summer wedding at Cabins on Strawberry Hill was full of personal details, fun guests, and GORGEOUS weather. These two have been so sweet and easy to work with from the very beginning and it was a treat to get to be with this Nebraska couple for their Arizona wedding day.

Originally it was supposed to be just me photographing just a portion of their wedding day (I call it my Mini Wedding package), but when I needed to train a new second shooter, my usual second and my trainee joined me for the day and it was such a perfect wedding for showing someone the wedding ropes. You always want a sweet couple with great families to train someone on so that they want to keep working weddings with you, and this one was just that. I loved every minute with Kim and Joel.

Bride and Groom Details

Since we got there early to coordinate and go over things with the second photographer in training, we had some extra time and were able to take the details for some quick photos. Kim watched me as I opened up the shoebox and then grinned. She’d taken the shoes to her dress fitting and the bridal shop had the same reaction I did. It’s always fun to see something colorful and different at weddings, and these were SO FUN!

And a brooch for his boutonniere? It was the coolest touch!

Her salt and pepper diamond was stunning!

And, you’ve already seen the dress at the top so it’s not a huge reveal now for you, but can you believe this dress?!?! My jaw dropped when I went into the cabin to get it and saw the black dress hanging from the upper railing. I made some sort of mix between a squeal and a muppet noise even. Neither me nor my seconds had any idea it was a black dress, but also neither did the groom and I was so excited to watch for his reaction later.

I knew just where I wanted to hang it the moment I saw it. With the new gorgeous doors and their black trim at the Ramada, I knew it was meant to be.

Groom Prep

Joel’s brother helped him get ready and make sure he was all spiffed up and ready to go. With only a Maid of Honor and Best Man, no other bridal party, the cabins felt calm and quiet, yet still full of excitement and good nerves. We all admired Joel’s braids…they were a cool touch to his ensemble!

Joel and Kim’s three dogs joined them for the day. Each with their own personality and story. It’s always fun to get to take a moment to capture some shots of the dogs.

Joel’s parents were fabulous all day. With dad as the Best Man, and mom helping make sure everything was where it needed to be, they made a fabulous team!

Bride Prep

Kim stepped into the dress and things got real and exciting real fast. She was excited and nervous to see what Joel thought of the dress. We knew there was no way he wasn’t going to love it!

Kim and her sister both had bracelets of her late father, and it touched my heart. I love that she was able to have him close that way for the day.

Isn’t she stunning?!

Judy, Kim’s mom, was a treat to be around all day. Happy, helpful, funny, and so full of love for her daughter!

Then we got some photos of Kim, and her Matron of Honor, Cathy. Cathy took such good care of Kim all day. She was always quietly there doing what was needed and helping to make sure Kim had what she needed.

Summer Wedding at Cabins on Strawberry Hill: The Ceremony

As guests arrived at the ceremony site, they signed their name on one of the cards in a deck of playing cards to serve as the guest book. I love the idea of a guest book that will be seen and used and loved for years and years to come!

And pretty soon it was time to start!

That first peek up and down the aisle for the bride and groom is always such an emotion packed part of the aisle. It all is suddenly real and there and they see their person and know that everything is ok.

Couldn’t have asked for prettier clouds! Just enough to filter the light some, just enough to see some blue, and just enough for the wispy look. Perfection!

Cocktail Hour

Cocktail hour was out on the patio at the newly remodeled Ramada. The Cabins on Strawberry Hill had just finished adding sliding glass panels, the door, a closed side, and trip to the ramada the month before so this was the first time I got to see it. I was floored. It looks incredible and functions amazing. The whole space got elevated!

So as everyone sat there, with the beautiful Ramada nearby reflecting the forest back to them, they got to much on the best cheese dip and appetizers!

Summer Sunset Portraits

Ok, I don’t know whether to call it late spring or early summer. May is that weird time when it’s both and from day to day it can feel like spring or summer. This wedding day was a great mix of the two. But May to me has always been the start of summer with school getting out, so we’ll keep sticking with Summer for now!

For these summer weddings and the late sunset, instead of starting everything so late and holding off on dinner, sometimes the couple opts for starting dinner, and then slipping out half way through for their sunset portraits. Then everyone is eating while we are getting portraits and the show doesn’t get held up!

Doing that timing allows us to have this perfect golden light, and it was sure glowing and golden for us that night!

Reception

The Ramada is so elegant all on it’s own, you don’t have to do much to make the space beautiful. I loved the greenery table runners and gold place settings. They fit the ambiance and style perfectly!

See? You can be in the Ramada but not away from the forest. It’s spectacular!

Kim and Joel made their grand entrance, gave some heartfelt thank you’s and then…

…moved straight into their first dance. It’s my favorite timing for First Dances. Everyone is attentive, the energy is beautiful, and the evening light is glowy without being dark yet.

The Cake

It was the perfect cake. Elegant, pretty, and the dogs were included. And it was right in the center where everyone could look at it through dinner as the sun set. It was a hit!

Open Dancing

I do love the trend of getting everyone out on the dance floor for a big group shot before the open dancing starts and before anyone slips out to snooze by the fire. Might as well get all these people who love you and are all here together in one big photo!

And then you start the dancing and “magically” everyone is already on the dance floor!

As our coverage time ended, Kim and Joel were surprised with a beautiful live song. We had to stay just long enough to capture that moment. It was totally worth it!

Kim and Joel, thank you so much for inviting us into such a beautiful day. It was a treat from start to finish and I’m so grateful to have met you and your families and friends. You all were an absolute delight and I can’t wait to see the life you continue to make together. Big hugs!

Cabins on Strawberry Hill Vendors and Creative Team

VENUE: The Cabins on Strawberry Hill
DRESS BOUTIQUE:  Blush Bridal Nebraska
HAIR AND MAKE UP: Angie Clapper
OFFICIANT: Garret Fiala
FLORALS:  Jars & Lace
CAKE: Kendra’s Country Bakery
CATERING: Into the Fire Pizza
DJ: Impact DJ’s
PHOTOGRAPHER: Marquette LaRee with Mikaela Durfee and Meghan Rae Photo as Seconds
BARTENDER: Olive R Twist