Bernadette + Luigi

Destination Wedding // Sedona, Arizona // November 12th

The sun rises into the Arizona sky while I make my decent down from Flagstaff to Sedona. I zip through the switchbacks, with soft melodies drifting from the radio in my car. I prepare myself for the day, I had no idea, as I was mentally going through my normal creative visualization process, that today would be so full of beautiful moments shared between two families joining as one.

Bernadette and Luigi are from the great New York City. She is a NICU nurse and he is a Neurosurgeon. They make this beautiful mix of Irish and Italian, sweet and direct, personable and highly intelligent. 

The day before their wedding it was dark and rainy. Those days don’t come too often in Sedona but the following day (the wedding day) was full of light. I often become friends with my clients so much so I wish we all lived in the same town and could hang out on a regular basis. It was no different with Luigi and Bernadette! We spent the entire day together running through the red sands of Sedona capturing their bridal portraits all around. We were having the best of times… and THEN  I met their families and friends who mostly all came from NYC as well. The rest of the night was one big celebration.

It’s a beautiful thing to be surrounded by the people who have poured into your life so deeply. From brothers and sisters and colleagues and college rooms, these people are the ones who have seen it all. In some way weddings are not just about the bride and groom but the gathering of their people in one space to celebrate a moment in time together. Weddings are a thanking of sorts, a recognition for helping to get the bride or groom to this spot in their life. Bernadette and Luigi honored their family and friends during the wedding through food and wine and creating new memories to carry on with. Dancing, dancing, dancing they did!!!! ALL night. It was amazing. From the Irish step dance, to the hip hop funk, to the sweet Italian love songs.

Destination weddings are not for the faint of heart. They are for ones who want to emphasize their people and honor them by giving a wonderful vacation full of new memories.

Vendors: Wedding Dress: Noel and Jean // shoes: Hobbs of London // Rings: NYC Wholesale Diamonds // Florals: Mountain High Flowers // Venue: Seven Canyons // DJ: Sedona Sounds // Cake: Take the Cake AZ // Cake decor: Succulent Source /