|
|||
 |
|||
|
|
Journal Entry - January 19, 2002
I just had a fabulous weekend photographing the wedding of Mickie Lindley to Craig Valente at the Phoenician hotel in Scottsdale Arizona. I arrived Friday afternoon where I was greeted at the airport with open arms by the happy couple. They were also waiting for other guests to arrive as well. You could see the excitement in both their faces in anticipation of the big day and seeing all their friends and family again. Once we had all arrived and gathered our luggage, we were ready to get the rental cars and start the caravan to the hotels in which we would stay. We arrived at The Phoenician, what a grand place to stay! It was enormous in size and beauty as well. The rooms were spectacular, mine had a view of the golf course and Camelback mountain in the distance. I felt like a princess in her castle and the weekend was just beginning!
Friday was a whirlwind of activity with settling in the hotel, the rehearsals and a nice dinner to end the evening in the Phoenician's Terrace dining room.
Saturday was the big day! I met Mickie and her maid of honor, Tracea and together we went to the salon for the girls to have their hair and makeup done. The salon performed a beautiful transformation and made the wedding party even more beautiful than when they arrived. I was even shown the way around the corner to the barber shop to catch Craig relaxing in the Barber Shop. I was able to photograph some candids of both the girls and Craig and capture some shots they will treasure for a lifetime.
Craig wondered if I had run out of film yet since the Wedding was hours away! This wasn't part of the plan he thought ... but capturing all of these moments was part of mine!
Back to the room, the dresses were hanging and the flowers had arrived. Simple and elegant, that was the theme for the wedding. Then Mickie brought out the shoes, we were quite impressed with them and we learned that Craig had convinced her that she HAD to have them - no matter the cost! I photographed the girls getting ready then headed out to the ceremony location where I found the groom nervously awaiting his bride.
Soon it was time and everyone took their places. The doors opened and Mickie appeared on the arm of her son, Brian. Craig looked at his bride with such love and admiration, that it brought tears to our eyes. The ceremony was beautiful, and I was able to capture each moment and many emotions on film. The sun was now going down and it casted an amazing glow on Camelback mountain. I grabbed the happy couple for a few photos before nightfall. The sunset that evening was simply breathtaking. The reception was at Mary Elaine's on the fifth floor of the hotel with grand views of the city and mountainside. When I walked in the room everyone was at the window, silent and captivated by the beauty.
The rest of the evening was a magical time for the newlywed couple. There was an amazing dinner, toasts, cutting of the cake and a little dancing. Soon afterwards people began their goodbyes and it was a perfect end to a perfect day. View the Craig & Mickie Valente Wedding Gallery by clicking here.
|
