I photographed Brittany and Tim’s wedding at The Boojum Tree in Phoenix, Arizona. The wedding was packed full of beautiful ideas, tender moments and wonderful people.

My favorite photographs from the wedding

This first photo was one of my favorite details in the wedding. Later, during the ceremony, the bride and groom will braid and tie the three cords, signifying their partnership with Christ in their union.  I thought it was beautifully done.

The dress (Tara Keely by Lazaro from Destiny’s Bridal) was absolutely beautiful. The bride had the sleeves added by Destiny’s and as you will see later, it was the perfect thing to do, and so well done.

The entire wedding party was wearing little homages to Star Wars and it all starts with the bride’s R2D2 heels.

The grooms cufflinks quoted the interchange between Han Solo and Princess Leah just before the empire puts Han into carbon freezing.

“I love you.”

“I know.”

I love photos through reflections in glass and of course the moment was a perfect one.

The bride and groom choose a “First Look”

The first look is always a tender moment. It is such a wonderful way for the bride and groom to see each other for the first time. The traditional “don’t see the bride before the ceremony” is a fine way to do things as well, but I think that there is far more tenderness in the first look.

Tim and Brittany took a little walk into the green house at the Boojum Tree for a little one on one time.

With me shooting from a distance.

Brittany made her own flowers out of cloth and buttons. They were quite impressive and I am told, they took a very long time to make. But they will also last a lot longer!

There are the Star Wars Storm Trooper socks.  And who can argue with the fashionable and COMFORTABLE shoes. That is a bride who truly cares about her bride’s maids.

The groomsmen were all a bunch of nuts and very happy with their hosiery as well.

It’s all about the flowers and the dress. Brittany couldn’t have found a better dress.

The wedding portrait session

Our portrait session consisted the couple of myself and my assistant (with a Profoto B1 off camera light). We spent about twenty minutes making their official portraits, but the moments between them are the absolute best.

The Boojum Tree is full of perfect backdrops and locations. Everywhere you turn is another opportunity for a great photograph. It is a full 360 degree visual feast, which is great because that means you will always be able to find the perfect lighting condition. Some great open shade and the addition of one light is all it took.

Oh, and of course the beautiful couple.

I absolutely love this portrait of Brittany. She shows off the dress perfectly.

Tim is great in front of the camera, it was such a great experience photographing him. Many times, the groom is not all that excited about portraits and photos, but Tim loves the camera and it loves him.

While we were take the couple’s portraits, I spun around to find a number of the bride’s maids watching from the gazebo. I asked the rest to join them to get this shot.

Seriously cute kids were all over this wedding, all of them dressed to the nines.

I loved the flower girls’ dresses. Full of texture!

A tender wedding full of powerful moments to photograph

This is one of my favorite shots from the day. During the ceremony, the bride and groom will be reading love notes to one another, so the bride holds hers in her hands. The “kiss me” detail on her nail is perfect.

This was another great detail. All down the isle were these texture rich collages with scriptures. I thought it was meaningful and beautiful.

Here comes the ring. Notice the ear piece in the protective detail.

The bride’s father lead her to the beginning of the isle and turned to her to read a special note to her before taking her the rest of the way down the isle to her groom. I loved this idea, it was a very tender moment between a father and daughter.

When the bride and groom read their love notes to each other, it was just to each other, no mics. They were not speaking for the benefit of the crowd. They were speaking only to one another.

That is the kind of tenderness and intimacy that makes a wedding great.

The braiding and tying of the three cords was a great idea, but I especially liked the images I was able to capture during the process.

Both the bride and groom are so expressive. It just makes it fun to photograph them. I could wait patiently, knowing that at one point they would both give me beautiful expressions that were full of life.

How often do you see the Groom pick up his bride and carry her down the isle after the ceremony? So perfect!

The tables were set in the green house, but the Tim and Brittany were the first to see the room.

During the cocktail hour, we shot all the family portraits and a few others, like this cute little shot of the flower girls and the bride.

It wasn’t visible to the crowd at the wedding, but the little boy in the wagon was carrying the safe to transport the rings.

Another one of my absolute favorites. That veil was made for her and not by a dress shop. Her mother-in-law made that veil. So delicate.

The battle at the cake table was intense!

Tim and Brittany are too fun!

Tim was a bartender at one time, so I thought this shot would be an appropriate image.

With minutes to the end, the bride sneaks away to pack up her things for the get away!

So much energy, expression and love.  It is always my pleasure to be a part of every wedding I photograph. Brittany and Tim, your wedding was an absolute joy as are you both.

I wish you both the best of everything as you head off into the unknown!

Photography by Jared Platt

Wedding location: The Boojum Tree, Phoenix, Arizona

Slideshow music by Hive Riot, courtesy of triple scoop music