Last Saturday Ryan and I had the privilege of shooting the wedding of Glorianna & Brad. The first time we met with this adorable couple, we both admired how genuine and sweet and completely in love they were. I remember saying to Ryan as we were leaving the meeting, “I totally loved them! It will be so sad if we don’t get to shoot their wedding!” Guess they loved us too, since we DID :-) Ok, enough about us. Let’s get to the good stuff! I should just warn you though, it’s probably going to be a long one! We REALLY loved this wedding . . .
The day began at the Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa in Litchfield Park, AZ where Glorianna was getting ready. It was very important to this couple to get married at their church, but they also wanted a really great backdrop for their portraits. They decided to see each other before the ceremony and shoot all the pre-ceremony shots at the resort. Future brides and grooms: this is perfect option if you love your church, but it doesn’t quite meet your aesthetic hopes and dreams for your wedding day! You really CAN have both.
The dress.
I have to say Glorianna and her bridesmaids were really fun to watch during all the preparation. Lots of smiles and laughter! (And the mimosas were a nice touch too :-)
Glorianna made a comment about how great it was to be the bride and have everyone doting on you all day. She said she wasn’t sure she wanted to go back to her regular life :-) Can’t say I blame her!
Getting into the dress – always a big moment. I just love the way this shot turned out . . .
The shoes :-)
One of our favorite parts of shooting weddings is getting to witness the bride and groom seeing each other for the first time :-) I typically escort the bride to a pre-planned place where Ryan is waiting with the groom. On our way to meet Brad, Glorianna was so excited and trying to fight back happy tears the whole time . . .
I think it’s so cute that brides have such a hard time getting around in their dresses at first and then a few hours later they’re dancing like crazy at the reception! Seriously though, this dress weighed a ton on the hanger. It’s hard to get around normally in something like that! We’ll call these next two the “taming of the ballgown” :-) Glorianna managed to look adorable and graceful despite the extra pounds of dress!
Some portraits of the love birds :-)
The bridal party – are these not the cutest bridesmaids dresses EVER?
After all the portraits, we headed out to Calvary Chapel for the ceremony. Glorianna decided to add a veil for this part of the day. Gotta say, we loved the results. Isn’t she such a gorgeous bride?
STUNNING!
Their ceremony was very sweet and personal.
Then it was off to Windstar Gardens Event Center to PARTY the night away!
A sweet shot from the first dance.
Some great moments from the father daughter dance.
And what wedding reception is complete without a little Vegas style gaming? LOVE IT!
We decided we needed a bit of Blackjack for their ring shot too!
We’ve been experimenting for a little while with using off camera lighting at our receptions and this was the first wedding we decided to roll it out officially. Check out some of the AWESOME results!
Just one last shot of the gorgeous couple :-) One of our MANY favorites . . .
Brad and Glorianna – we feel truly blessed to have been a part of your special day! We wish you all the love and happiness in the world and we’re sure God has many blessings in store for you both!
**** CLICK HERE to check out a slideshow with a ton more great images from their day!
Don’t forget to leave us some comment love below :-)
Ryan & Denise,
Because of you, Brad and I get to relive this perfect day for ever! We had total faith that you would capture all the right moments, and now we get to see all your hard work pay off. This preview of our wedding day is so special and joyous…we could not be happier with you two! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Arrrg! ANOTHER bride with magnificent shoes that make my guts wrench with envy!! And that dress! OOooh! It’s exactly what i wanted but didn’t even know it!
AND what a beautiful couple! I absolutely love the shot where the groom sees her for the first time, that got me all teary-eyed! And i love that last one, too, the lighting effect is great! Another beautiful wedding captured by the Gotchers :)
Okay, so i just watched the slideshow, and you guys, that was so beautiful!! It also made me realize after seeing her cake and garter and other little details – i should have had HER plan my wedding, not my crazy mother!! ;)
Probably the most beautiful capture of a wedding I have ever seen! Glorianna and Brad are darling, so in love and beautiful inside and out…so happy to see your photos Glo!
Those are beautiful pictures!
Glo looks just radiant…and she glows!
Awesome photography!
my heart and all my love was there with u 2 i’m so sorry we could not make it i was called to new york at the last moment to re-edit my hbo docudrama i was past deadline please forgive me and brenda we will make it up to u both we will be there in a couple of weeks promise! we are so happy for u both tell my big nose son i love him with all my heart and thank u for coming into his life take care of each other. love bruce and brenda i’ve got a new daughter YES!
Glo- your pictures are fabulous!!! Of course, you and Brad made the pictures but your photographers were also awesome!!
-Jen Bowers ;)