More and more people are enjoying beautiful outdoor Arizona weddings with smaller guest lists and more intimate atmospheres. Boho, rustic and laidback weddings in nature are in and fancy, stuffy golf course weddings are less popular. I’m all for it, because those are the types of weddings I love! Sarah & Will fell in love with Cloth & Flame, an outdoor event company that produces community dinners and private events in nature or anywhere you can imagine with big long communal tables, string lights and a private chef. That was what they envisioned for their wedding- sharing the beauty of the Arizona Superstition Mountains and desert with their friends & family, many of which were from other parts of the US. While the rest of the country was in the grips of winter in December, they were enjoying wonderful weather and temperatures at their wedding- one of the many benefits of an Arizona wedding!

Sarah had 3 BHLDN dresses sewn together, creating a truly unique dress no one else would have. I LOVED this! The pairing of the gorgeous lace long sleeve top with the powder blue tulle skirt was to die for- the perfect balance of classic and a modern, non-traditional twist. Her boho braids and powder blue fringe jacket reminded me of Stevie Nicks! Topping off her look was a light colored bouquet with an airplant, completing the laidback boho look. Will had a bolo tie, a nod to Arizona and southwest style, and geometric pocket square.

They also opted to not have a formal wedding party with matching attire, but rather just a collection of friends that were with them throughout the day but did not stand up at the altar next to them during the ceremony. This is a trend I’m seeing more and more of, especially among my laidback, casual clients. I am always in full support of it- you do you!

Their ceremony was emotional, with many a teary eye. Don’t be afraid to show emotion- it’s your wedding day and those emotional photos are everything! Sarah & Will kissed under a simple copper rectangle arch and with that, were married!

We had an incredible sunset even for Arizona standards with gorgeous desert mountains surrounding the venue near Peralta Trail near Gold Canyon. We snuck off after the ceremony for some portraits on a hill overlooking the reception site and those portraits are some of my favorite portraits of the year.

Guests lounged in boho southwestern couches during cocktail hour, slowly making their way over to the long communal dinner tables as twilight crept over the mountains. Their first dance was dreamy- blue twilight and string lights and all of their loved ones surrounding them is the perfect combo, in my opinion! After a lot of fun on the dance floor, they were sent off with sparklers. The Cloth & Flame team made everything go off without a hitch and all of the guests said how much they enjoyed the day.