Tomorrow marks 3 weeks since this amazing couple was married! I loved getting to know them during their engagements at Silverlake up Big Cottonwood Canyon and these bridals at the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve in Layton are some of my favorites! Jacob's suit was 100% custom, from the detailed stitching along the seams to the pocket handkerchief and embroidered cuffs. Maria's dress was so HER - sweet, a little old-fashioned, but so classy. The sleeves were my favorite, and the flower crown and bouquet added so much to the overall look. The Layton bird refuge was the perfect place for bridals - we caught the most stunning sunset and loved exploring the structures, boardwalk, and meadows.

This was a very special session for this sweet family I love. Christopher, or "Chip," as most of us call him, just passed his one year mark since his heart transplant. I first met his parents, Nicki and Jordan, when we were all young, college-attending newlyweds at an apartment complex in Provo. Jordan was our home teacher - and he was so diligent about coming by each month and more often in between to check in on us. Nicki was the organizer of fun events and a dinner-sharing group that saved our evening meal plans more than once. They are now the amazing parents to 4 energetic boys. 

We've been so blessed to keep in contact with them over the years and I remember the day Nicki told me she was pregnant, because I was so excited we'd be having babies about the same time. However, she quickly told me there were concerns with his heart and we cried a bit together, still happy for the joy a baby brings, but worried about his health. I still remember getting "THE CALL" from her last summer when they found out a donor heart was available. Today, as I edited these photos, I said a little prayer for that donor family and another prayer of gratitude that Chip's family has been able to have this time with him.

Bethany and Bridger called me about photographing their engagements and bridals after I photographed 2 of their cousins' and Bridger's brother's weddings. I joke now that I'm just "part of the family." I loved hearing all about how they met - on an airplane to their different missions - and how they reconnected in the food court at Utah State University. Bethany is a dancer and I loved having Bridger lift and twirl her and she had the best idea to do a few barefoot photos that added to the sweet, country vibes this location and shoot gave off. I can't wait to do their bridals!

I never blogged this session, but it's one of my very favorites, so I had to go back to it. Jamie is one of my friends and an amazing photographer herself, and I was so happy to take these family photos for her up Provo Canyon, at Buffalo Peak, at the top of Squaw Peak Road. This location explodes with yellow flowers every spring and although we missed the blooms, it still has the most stunning overlook of Mount Timpanogos, with a rolling meadow and aspens in the background. 

The Morgan family were visiting from out of state and I was so glad we could squeeze them in the one evening they had available! They were even gracious enough to drive out close to me so we could capture these stunning portraits. I am the luckiest to have such a beautiful landscape so near where I live - Manning Canyon, Eagle Mountain, sagebrush, golden fields, and so much more! The Morgan family was the cutest and I was so privileged to meet them!

Planning out the flow of your wedding day can be a headache, but if you want your big day to be as stress-free as possible, it has to be done. In my years photographing weddings, I have seen many, many weddings, and I can say with confidence what works and what doesn't. Read on to see a sample timeline that will give you some good guidelines to keep your wedding day running smoothly. Adjust as needed to accommodate your unique circumstances...