Some love stories don’t rush.
They wait.
They grow quietly in the background until the timing finally feels right.
Carter and Rebecca’s love story began years ago in a 9th grade biology class right here in Gilbert, Arizona. What started as a high school crush turned into senior-year dating, AP Bio memories, and then…like so many real-life love stories…life pulled them in different directions for a while. Two years apart, a mission in Chile, and a whole lot of growing later, they found their way back to each other. Seeing that full-circle journey become their wedding day was incredibly special.
Their sealing at the Gilbert Mormon Temple, I am sure felt calm, sacred, and deeply reverent. As a wedding photographer, I am not allowed in the temple. But I can only imagine. The fun part for me began as the newlywed young couple was exiting the temple, surrounded by family and friends who have known them since they were kids. The support coming out of the the temple lined with friends and family was wonderful and joyous! I love capturing this part.
After I captured their family photos near the temple, we got to walk around until sunset getting photos of just the two of them.
This wedding meant a lot to me personally. I had the honor of photographing Rebecca’s sister’s wedding this past summer, so walking into this day felt like coming back to familiar faces and familiar love. Being invited back into a family to document another chapter of their story is something I never take lightly and it’s one of the greatest compliments I can receive as a Phoenix-area wedding photographer serving Gilbert and beyond.
The night continued at Colby Falls Venue, where friends and family filled the space with stories, inside jokes, and genuine joy. Nothing felt forced. Nothing felt rushed. Just two people who truly love being together…competing, laughing, watching cooking shows, playing pickleball, and building a life side by side as college students in Utah. My second photographer was even able to get some photos of the couple inside the wedding venue, as they were in live with the white hallway there.
Some love stories are worth the wait. Carter and Rebecca’s was one of them.
