This wedding is also published by the award-winning wedding blog Junebug Weddings And an image from this wedding was named one of the Top 30 Wedding Moments of the Year by LooksLikeFilm

The Club at DC Ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona is a mix between classic Southwest and Morocco style architecture and it is surrounded by the wild Sonoran Desert landscape. With a mountainous skyline ceremony backdrop, and a rich stone courtyard with strung-bistro lights for the reception, it is among the most beautiful wedding settings in Arizona.

As you scroll through these images, you may notice the pretty light-filled space, the beautiful Demetrios wedding dress, or maybe even the gorgeous table runners by Garden Gate Flowers and agree that they’re nice photos, but without the story it's easy to overlook the feelings these pictures actually represent.

As wedding photographers, there is a richness that far exceeds just creating pretty pictures. We have the incredible opportunity to take part in the imperative art form of visual storytelling. It takes sincerity and a mind that is present, because before we can tell a story honestly, we need to first become, as my friend Paul would say, "story-listeners."

Story-listening goes beyond asking your subjects the right questions and listening to their verbal narration. It also means being in tune to their inflections, actions and emotions—like the way they move their hands when they talk, what makes them smile & what makes them teary-eyed. During weddings, when a person's family and closest friends are all together in one day, we can see how our subject relates to the characters in their epic—their mom, dad, sister, uncle Bill, and their grandma Sharon; by paying attention to expressions & mannerisms, we can see bonds of closeness and sometimes even strains in relationship. Paying attention to these things helps us tell stories better, and in a more authentic and meaningful way to our couples.

We know that all grooms love their brides and have different ways of showing it, but the way Michael expressed his heart for Annie was unlike any other man we've met. His adoration of her was pouring from his every movement, his words and his expressions. Their first look was by far the most emotional we've seen, (and made for the best crying groom photos... Made us cry too)!

And Annie was radiant—adored with kindness and grace, strength and brilliance, beauty and love—wearing them all, in an elegance of intentionality, carefully woven, as if through a thousand bobbins like the intricate lace on her sleeves. She was glowing all day with the realization that this day was THE DAY—the one she handcrafted, dreamed and worked so incredibly hard to make a reality.

Heartbreaking, their original wedding venue canceled on them only a few months before their date, but they conquered the stress and scramble to find a new one that fit into their unique vision; and it was Annie's creative and elegant hands that formed the spaced into the dream it was.

Looking back, they can’t imagine their wedding being anywhere else. DC Ranch’s courtyard was a like a dream. With bistro lights strung over the open spaces, and the tree-wrapped fairy lights reflecting like stars in the wine glasses, it was the most romantic setting to reunite and celebrate with so many that they love.

In a recent interview by Junebug Weddings about their wedding, Annie reminiscences “whispering I love you to each other during our first dance under the stars was a moment I’ll remember until I’m old and gray.”

Annie and Michael, thank you for inviting us into your lives to capture these irreplaceable hours. We'll always be grateful for your open arms of love.

Vendor Credits:

Photography – Eastlyn & Joshua
Venue and Day-Of Coordination – The Country Club at DC Ranch
Floral Design – Garden Gate Flowers
Officiant – Joshua Lett
Live Music – Lucky Devils Band
Videography – Sessions Films
Stationery – Beacon Lane
Makeup Artist – Amanda Nicole Artistry
Hair Styling – Sheynna Frasier
Wedding Dress – Demetrios
Bridal Accessories – Nadri
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – White by Vera Wang
Groom and Groomsmen’s Apparel – Men’s Wearhouse
Rings – Robbins Brothers
Rentals – Classic Party Rentals and La Tavola Linen
Transportation – United Parking Systems
Favors – Etsy