I met Erin and Brad about a year before their wedding, they were gearing up to move back to Arizona from California. They were not only planning a wedding and moving but renovating the cutest Tempe house; it was quite the undertaking! So, Erin did what any wise bride does and hired a fantastic planner to help, Tessa with Wise Girls Weddings.

Phoenix wedding at the Desert Botanical Gardens

Bride and sister adjusting wedding dress

Phoenix bride getting ready for wedding at desert botanical gardens.

We headed over to the Desert Botanical Gardens to finish getting ready. If you've never been to the gardens or at least haven't considered it for a wedding, you really should! They do a fantastic job of keeping the gardens beautiful, clean and arranged in such a way that there is so much color and texture around every corner. This was my first time shooting here, hoping it wont be the last.

Saguaro cactus at the Desert Botanical Gardens

Arizona cactus at the Desert Botanical Gardens

Mom fixing brides dress at a Phoenix wedding at the Desert Botanical Gardens

Bride in her wedding dress at the Phoenix Desert Botanical Gardens

Mom taking a photo of the bride at a Phoenix wedding at the Desert Botanical Gardens

Succulent wedding bouquet at desert botanical gardens.

weding-desert-botanical-gardens (1 of 13).jpg

Erin's attention to color and detail for this wedding was simply stunning. I LOVE this bouquet with all the texture and color. The girls over at Butterfly Petals did an amazing job!

weding-desert-botanical-gardens (2 of 13).jpg

weding-desert-botanical-gardens (3 of 13).jpg

weding-desert-botanical-gardens (4 of 13).jpg

First look at a wedding at the Desert Botanical Gardens

Bride and groom kissing at the Desert Botanical Gardens

Bride and groom first look at a Phoenix wedding at the Desert Botanical Gardens

Groom twirling his bride at the Desert Botanical Gardens

Bride and groom smiling at their Phoenix wedding at the Desert Botanical Gardens

Bride and groom kissing at their Phoenix wedding at the Desert Botanical Gardens

weding-desert-botanical-gardens (5 of 13).jpg

Erin and Brad decided to have an unplugged wedding ceremony, they really wanted their guests to be in the moment, not distracted by taking photos and video. Erin also loves photography and really values professional photography. This has definitely become a trend and hot topic. Personally and professionally, I LOVE this idea! I can't tell you how many times I have had to work around guests during the processional or first kiss, honestly it can be so stressful. I could go on and on...but this is not the post for that. However, if you'd like to read more about unplugged weddings, the Huffington Post put out a good article on it.

weding-desert-botanical-gardens (9 of 13).jpg

weding-desert-botanical-gardens (10 of 13).jpg

Phoenix wedding at the Desert Botanical Gardens-1

desert-botanical-gardens-phoenix-wedding-4

desert-botanical-gardens-phoenix-wedding-3

desert-botanical-gardens-phoenix-wedding-2

desert-botanical-gardens-phoenix-wedding-1

desert-botanical-gardens-phoenix-wedding-5

I was not kidding when I mentioned that every detail was covered! Erin made all these adorable favors. I love the use of wine corks and succulents <3.

We finished the night at Erin's parents home in Ahwatukee. It was ah-mazing! The dance floor in the photo above was custom made by her dad for the wedding (pictured below)! It covered part of the pool and made for great conversation ;) To say their home was a fantastic place for the reception would be an understatement.