With so much change and uncertainty in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, many couples have had to alter their wedding plans. That happened to John and Vanessa, as they planned their “Part 1”, a Scottsdale, AZ wedding instead of the event they planned for San Diego.

John and Vanessa had originally planned their much larger wedding for San Diego, where they lived before moving to Scottsdale, AZ. Such as it’s been with everything in 2020, plans had to change.  They downsized their wedding to meet the current state mandates on sizes of gatherings, and to make sure everyone could safely attend. Those family members that couldn’t make it, attended via zoom.  Although it wasn’t what they originally envisioned for their wedding, it ended up being everything they wanted.

The Arizona heat couldn’t damper the mood and the love in the air.  Even though Scottsdale was in a heat advisory (115 degrees) and Vanessa and John were still acclimating to the desert heat, their special day went off without a hitch.

Vanessa and John were surrounded by loved ones, family and close friends that served as their wedding party and guests.  Vanessa’s brother even served as the officiant for their Scottsdale, AZ wedding.

John wrote his own vows, with some help from his brothers, and Vanessa’s brother.  Vanessa then shared her own vows she wrote, and told the tell of their love story.  In that moment, nothing mattered about the settings, just that they were there together, to start the rest of their lives together as husband and wife.

This intimate backyard wedding ceremony was a beautiful gathering, and was everything in that moment.  I was honored to photograph their wedding in Scottsdale, and share the memories of their special day. Below are a few photographs I captured from their special evening.