When Kara contacted me last fall and said she was planning a small, quick, elopement style outdoor winter wedding in Saguaro National Park with 10 family members, I was ALL IN!! Desert elopements are the best. Especially when you are coming from cold Minnesota to sunny Arizona in the middle of January! 

Kara and Brandon got engaged on a boat last summer on Lake Melissa (cool name, right?) and decided to forgo a traditional big wedding in Minnesota. Kara's parents live in Green Valley so they enlisted them to scope out the perfect desert spot for their small celebration. After Skyping with Kara and Brandon, I was even MORE excited to document their day. We talked about how to schedule the day, the best spot for the ceremony, timing, etc.  I love to be heavily involved in the wedding planning process with my couples.  It really helps the day run smooth and allows us to always get dreamy photographs - like the ones below!

It was a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon in January when the couple tied the knot. They got ready at Casino Del Sol and had their first look at a secluded promenade area complete with a champagne toast!  My favorite part - they wrote each other letters and their greeting on the envelope to each other was the exact same.  Both said "My Love."  This made them both tear up and laugh and for me, I was able to truly see the connection these two have and it melted my heart!

We headed to our "secret" spot out in Saguaro National Park for their intimate ceremony. Kara glowed as the sun went lower in the sky and the mountains provided a gorgeous natural backdrop. The family celebrated with champagne and we ended with portraits of the newlyweds out in the desert at sunset.

It was truly a perfect day!  Kara and Brandon - thank you for having me document it! 
XO

Bride's Dress: Monaco Gown by Katie May from a & be bridal shop

Hair and Makeup: Heather Van Houten