Amber & Kelly’s Groomals

Last week, I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph this beautiful couple. After a couple months of back and forth emailing with Amber, I finally got to meet with them face to face on the day of their groomals. We originally were only doing this session, and so we started at the temple where they’ll be married. Well my first words to them as they pulled up were, “Hi! Ok, jump out and run over here real quick. The storm is coming in!” Yeah. . . um the storm beat us. After being blown literally around completely crazy for only a minute or two, we called it quits and ran back to the cars for cover. I’ve fought wind before. I’ve fought snow and even light rain, and definitely fought cold before. But the combination of all of those elements was a different story. Just those not even five minutes froze us to the core, and I promise I’m not a wimp, especially when I have my camera and my excitement for taking pictures in hand! But this wasn’t good.

However because of a tux rental, many hours of Amber getting ready, and busy schedules all the way up until her wedding in only 2 weeks, we decided to see what we could get. We traveled south to a plan B location which had a little covered space if the weather got even worse. Surprisingly, the location had trees which blocked the harsh winds, and the snow didn’t seem to be coming this direction in any hurry.

Phew. . . . it wasn’t totally ideal, but these two were awesome and allowed me to boss them around a little since everyone was a little too cold to think :) And a huge thanks to Amber’s mom who was a super-star of a helper during the session. I had an immediate liking to her and she seriously was the best when it came to helping out even though it was freezing cold, and a lot of running around. Thanks Terri!

And oh my goodness!!! I was so happy with what we did get. There’s something mysterious and cool about winter’s dead trees, there’s a texture and beauty all on it’s own which I actually really love.

After the awesome fun time that we had (despite the frigid freezing weather), I was beyond thrilled when Amber said she’d actually like me to photograph their entire wedding, which happens to be tomorrow! I just get so attached to the couples that I work with, that nothing makes me more happy than to see and capture this beautiful event till the end of the wedding, but also till the true beginning of their marriage and love.  Amber and Kelly are genuine sweet people, and we all clicked right away which I also really love! I am so happy for them to be sealing their love tomorrow, and the chance I have to capture that.

Well enough chit-chat! Let’s get to the pictures of this beautiful couple!

That’a woman! You tell your man what cha want! :)  (John caught this cute moment) Just have to share with you my “few” favorites from this lovely bride by herself. She is seriously stunning.  And I was ‘slightly’ hair jealous ;) Hey it happens! Haha!

The details on her dress were amazing and oh so flattering.

A little Off-Camera action here. Yes in the middle of the day :)

I love the brides who take my advice to wear a little more make-up for pictures than they usually do . . . it really helps highlight the bride’s beautiful features.

 

The next set of pictures are a part of the fairytale stories I have floating all over in my head, just waiting to find words to describe what I can capture in pictures instead. Seriously. These are my favorite kinds of pictures to capture . . . the princess with her prince.

These pictures seriously make my heart pitter-patter. I LOVE the love and mystery it shows, but especially the story.

L.O.V.E. this one too:

And we will be returning to this fabulous location tomorrow for the “real deal” :)  Please pray that the weather will treat us kindly, and that the weatherman was only playing an April Fools joke by saying that it’ll rain and snow. Please only be a joke . . . :)

At least they are a beautiful couple and will be incredibly happy tomorrow no matter the outcome of the weather.

  And we’ll end with my favorite temple shot that we did get at the very end of the day before the sun went down.

Thank you so much Amber and Kelly for braving the freezing cold, trying your best to not show how completely cold of a day it was, and for being so fabulous to work with! I am so incredibly excited for tomorrow, but will be bringing umbrellas, leggings, a big fat coat, and my usual excitement to capture your radiant happiness for being married to your best friend.

Thanks for letting me share everyone! Hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow. Wish me luck! :)