There are some days that just go so well and seamless and this one was definitely one of them. The day stood out to me and how well it all went!
This was my very first time photographing at the Gilbert Mormon Temple, and let me just say: wow. What an absolutely breathtaking location. The architecture, the symmetry, the gardens… it’s every photographer’s dream (even at high noon, more on that in a sec!). I’m seriously so grateful I got this opportunity and I would love to photograph more Mormon weddings in Arizona or even Utah in the future.
Let’s talk about this couple… because oh my goodness, I adored them from the start. In their own words from their booking questionnaire (yes, I read those!):
“We have known each other for 3 years, we met both doing choir together in 2021 at BYU. He asked me on a date and we doubled with some of his friends and went to a karaoke club and then went and got pizookies downtown. I served a mission and he continued school and we lost touch for a bit, and then reconnected years later. After I dropped a few obvious hints he asked me out again, we started dating soon after and were engaged 4 months later! We love playing pickleball together, cooking and trying new food, doing homework together haha, and we could probably yap all day long.”
Can you even?! I love love stories that unfold over time like that. And yes, pizookies made a sweet cameo at their wedding reception too, full circle moment!
They exited the Mormon temple at exactly 11:00 AM, greeted by a joyful crowd of family and friends lined up with big smiles, cheers, and plenty of hugs. As a Mormon wedding photographer, I knew I wouldn’t be allowed inside the temple for the sealing ceremony, so I made sure to be ready and fully present for that epic exit moment.
And let’s talk about that lighting for a sec. Midday sun is no joke, but when you hire a wedding photographer who knows their way around harsh light (🙋🏼♀️ hi, it’s me), you get images that still look magical. We walked the temple grounds together, and I made sure to capture them in the spots that were meaningful to them. Even when the sun is high, love finds its light.
After our time at the temple, the couple headed to their luncheon with close friends and family. And then later in the evening, my bride let her hair down (literally) and the party kicked into full gear at The Wright House in Mesa, AZ.
Let me just say: the dance floor did not disappoint. It turned into what I can only describe as a joyful mosh pit…seriously, my camera and I got barely made it out alive, but the photos? Worth every second of me fighting the crowd to get them. It was loud, wild, and full of genuine celebration. And I must also say, there was no alcohol at this wedding. Just full on energy of celebration!
And then… a moment that kind of took my breath away.
For their final dance, the DJ asked everyone to pull out their phones and turn on their flashlights.
Guests gathered around the couple, forming this glowing circle of light on the dance floor. It was such a beautiful way to spotlight them literally and emotionally. From my viewfinder, it was pure magic. This was the only time I thought cellphones looked cool in the photos. Along with, I loved the emotions they came through the photos.
We wrapped the night with a sparkler exit under the Arizona sky in the front of The Wright House. It was a beautiful Phoenix summer night. It was seamless.
From Arizona to Utah and back again, I can honestly say I adore photographing Mormon weddings like this one. The laughter, the reverence, the joyful chaos, the flashlight-lit final dance…it all came together in the most beautiful and heartfelt way.
And I have to take a moment to talk about the heat. This wedding was at the very end of June, and let me tell you, Arizona was showing off! The day before the wedding hit 117°, and we only got the tiniest break with a 107° day for the celebration. When we were outside photographing family and couple portraits, you could feel the heat radiating off the ground. But what stood out the most wasn’t the sun…it was the kindness.
The bride’s brothers were literally shading me with umbrellas and making sure I had water at all times. And it wasn’t just me…they were checking on the guests too. That kind of consideration and care? It doesn’t go unnoticed. As a wedding photographer, I’m used to keeping myself in the background and hustling through a long, hot day. But this family treated me like one of their own. Even during the luncheon while I was still capturing moments, they were already fixing me a plate of food before I even thought to take a break. That kindness is what I left with, and it’s what I’ll remember most about the day.
If you’re planning a wedding at the Gilbert Mormon Temple, or really any LDS temple in Arizona or Utah, I’d be so honored to document it for you. I bring all the heart, hustle, and a calm, steady energy…no matter the heat, the timeline, or the chaos. I’m there for the light, the moments, the connection. From temple steps to sparkler exits, I’ve got you covered.
