You know, weddings can be a whirlwind of surprises. As photographers, we’re used to rolling with the punches. So, when I showed up at Windmill Winery in Florence, AZ, I immediately felt for the bride. Poor thing found out her florist had taken a detour to Prescott, AZ instead of sticking to the plan. Talk about a curveball! And that was just the beginning of our adventure. It seemed like every little hiccup was determined to mess with our photo timeline, from a bridesmaid’s dress deciding to give up the ghost and needing some emergency needlework.
But hey, that’s where my inner mama bear came out. I couldn’t help but rally around the bride, reassuring her that despite the chaos, everything would turn out just fine. Sometimes, you’ve just got to remind folks to stay present and soak in the moment.
After all was said and done, the bride reached out to me with the sweetest message. She thanked me for keeping her grounded on that crazy day. Despite the stress and the delayed ceremony, she was over the moon with how the photos turned out. It’s moments like those that remind me why I love what I do.
Alright, buckle up for this wild ride at Windmill Winery! So, picture this: there are actually two spots to say “I do” at this joint. Our lovebirds had their hearts set on the Barn, but boy, did things take a turn when the floral fiasco hit. I’m talking about flowers arriving fashionably late, like way after the ceremony was supposed to kick off. Talk about a nail-biter!
But fear not, because Karen, the venue coordinator, swooped in like a guardian angel. She pulled off a move that wasn’t even on the playbook—arranging a carriage ride for Isaac and Elizabeth to the Lake House. Can we say spontaneous? While guests were settling in for the main event, we made the most of the impromptu photo op by the lake. Karen even whipped up some cute bouquets from leftover petals from a previous bash. Now that’s what I call thinking on your feet!
Karen’s superhero antics didn’t go unnoticed. She was a force to be reckoned with, making sure this couple’s day went off without a hitch. It was a total team effort, with everyone chipping in to save the day, including her assistant Nico. They were amazing at the wedding venue!
We managed to snag a few shots in front of the barn, but let me tell you, it was a race against time. With the sun dipping lower and lower, we were up against the clock. Wish we had more time to capture those moments, but hey, sometimes you’ve gotta make the most of what you’ve got. And we did just that.
Even though we didn’t have much time to roam around for outdoor shots, the barn venue exuded a magical charm with its soft lighting, creating a stunning backdrop for some unforgettable moments during the first dance.
And let me tell you about the final dance of the evening…
One of the most cherished moments of the evening, just before their bubble-filled send-off, was when they asked everyone to step outside and closed the barn doors. It was just me, my camera, and the newlyweds, sharing one last intimate dance after the festivities had wound down. Seriously, someone pinch me—I couldn’t believe I was lucky enough to capture such a precious moment. Moments like these make my job feel like an absolute dream.
It was incredibly special, and I wholeheartedly recommend every couple consider doing something similar. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
