arizona wedding photography ~ krista and josh

This past Friday, we did the wedding of Krista and Josh, who you might recall from their engagement shooting, you know the ones you all commented on that were taken at the rodeo and up in Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area in Cave Creek. It was a real cute engagement shooting and yielded a bunch of great photos. We knew then that this would be a great wedding as both Krista and Josh can let their crazy side out, which is what you want as a photographer shooting a bride and groom. Josh especially. LOL……… Their day was absolutely magnificent in every way. It had a bright blue sky, the temperature was not too hot and not too cold, just perfect. Her family comes from New York and Krista and I would often bite our nails through the Yankee season as well as, the World Series. Her family is the best….with their “fuhgeddaboutit’s” and my accent and their accent being almost the same, we blended right in with them, so funny. Anyway, their wedding was at the beautiful Ironwood Country Club up in Anthem, not too far from us in Vistancia. Kathy, the Events Director was so nice to work with and did a fabulous job.

When we arrived the girls from Kay’s Flowers (www.kaysflorals.net) were busy putting the finishing touches on the floral arrangements for the ceremony that was going to happen outside. The colors of the arrangements, blue hydrangea, which you all recall is one of my all time favorite flowers, combined with the color orange, just popped. They were gorgeous….and a sign told the guests just which way to go to be seated for the event that was to come.

Once inside, we met Krista who, herself, was busy putting the finishing touches on her ring bearer pillow which contained the real rings. Rich quickly took her gorgeous gown and I her shoes, and we found a place within the locker room to display them.

Meanwhile, Josh was just arriving and he and the guys were busily getting dressed as well as, gelling up their hair. What a procedure that all was. We had like 25 photos of various guys doing their hair until it was just right. AND, they say us women primp! HMMMM…………….

Dad checking out the look and making sure it was “just right”!

Check this photo out how our little Jr. usher is watching Krista so carefully apply her lipstick, too cute.

Then outside we and the girls and the parents went to grab a few shots of the girls before the guests would start to arrive. I love this shot of Krista outside by the cacti.

I think she thought we were a little nuts when we said we wanted to go by the Country Club’s pool….the gates were closed at two locations, so we really had to scope out the place to find a way in. Once inside, the pool was filled with kids who exclaimed to their parents “I think we have to get out, the bride is coming!” Thanks guys, but you didn’t REALLY have to get out, that is what Photoshop and a little creative eye works, hahaha. But it made our life a little easier having to avoid them all. And, I think Krista you will agree, it was worth all that wrangling to find a way in, LOL….

Just look at that blue sky and that gorgeous aqua water, and a beautiful bride to boot! You couldn’t ask for anything more….oh and by the way, Krista reminds me so much of my cousin, Amy!

Rich loved the graphic nature of this trellis and how the light was playing with the slats…oh and there on the right, the guests are arriving, time to get Krista hidden away.

These were such beautiful bridesmaid’s dresses, loved the color with the colors outside…

The ceremony scene all set up and ready to begin, someone cue the guests and the dj…….(oh and can we mention the view that the guests had to look at? Not too shabby, not too shabby at all!)

The bride and her dad do “the walk” towards the aisle…

The minister for the event was the wonderful Paul Fredericks of Phoenix Pastors. What a nice guy…..maybe I am just New York cynical and all, but this pastor was the nicest person. We had a little chat right before the ceremony and directly after. He couldn’t do enough for them and us. He spoke so nicely during the ceremony and really gave it a very personal sermon, you could tell he enjoys what he does. The start of the ceremony was a little rocky as I think nerves got the better of Krista and she asked for some water, but after a few sips, we had smooth sailing from then on. Just remember girls, everyone gets a little nervous and if you need something, don’t be afraid to ask for it for fear of embarrassment. You are supposed too be nervous, this is a big deal, a commitment for life with another human being. You shouldn’t be taking it lightly…

Loved this photo Rich shot of Krista through some of Kay’s Floral arrangements….

How cute is this kiss and nose rub that they did? Just look at their faces, if that doesn’t say love, then I don’t know what does folks!

and off they go, the new Mr. and Mrs. McGrath!

Check out her brothers as we wait for the signing of the marriage license to begin. You’re not hiding from me, oh no sirreee….

Then Kathy arranged for a cart in which to transport the whole bridal party over to the 18th hole for us to take photos. It was the perfect time of day, that magical hour that makes everything glow….and as usual, Josh kept us all laughing!

Krista loves our environmental photos, so she was totally game to go hopping in among the native bushes…..thank God snake season hasn’t begun!

Josh clowning around cause I made a comment that when he kisses during the engagement shooting, he sticks his leg out like a girl. Wise guy! See I told you I would post it, hahaha

Ahhhh, I hope this photo Krista, brings back that exact moment of total bliss that you had with your new hubby as he kissed ever so gently, your head…

Josh to me “I don’t do dips!” “Sure you do Josh! Just give it a try, come on….” So what does he do, he takes his hand and pushes Krista down, LOL, so she dips!!! You gave me such a good laugh…..you’re lucky I didn’t post that one on the blog

The whole crazy group…..

Josh and the girls, I don’t tell them what to do, they just do it….nice butt shot, Josh, LOL

and Krista takes a stroll with the little guys….

Okay, let me take a moment to talk about this tree they have at this hole on the golf course. As soon as we saw it, we knew it would be a major “player” in their photos. But then the light just kept getting better and better. OMG, don’t you just love this shot and the next one of the two of them, is an ALL TIME FAVORITE….you will see it most definitely in some advertisements for Photography by Verdi, that I can assure you!

LOVE IT! It looks like they could be in Africa near Kenya or in the Serengeti……

Engagement sign in book of their engagement photos which is always a super big hit!

The fabulous ballroom all set and ready for action….

Dinner is served!

Oh and how cute i this. Krista purchased the engagement DVD from us and had these black and white posters made. She then asked Ironwood if she could affix them ever so lightly to the photos that were already there and viola! Instant personalization and so cute right behind the sweetheart table!

another shot of the posters and the “Mr. and Mrs.” toasting goblets, how cute are they?

Ariel, the maid of honor and Krista’s sister, sang “At Last” by Etta James. She sang it so beautifully and don’t know why girl you needed coaxing to get up there. Ever hear of American Idol?

Now I don’t usually poke some fun at the guests on the blog, but every once in a while, I just can’t help myself and have to show you some crazies….this wedding was full of them! Just take a peak….(hey watch those pants, they are rented!)

Superman? Batman? Spiderman? Okay, I give up….and the lucky lady in the right of the photo gets to go home with him, LOL!

Woah, baby, look at this guy’s moves…..at one point he did some Michael Jackson moves and I mistook him from trying to remove his pants as he opened his belt and button to get them down low, like in the Bronx! I never laughed so hard in my whole entire life!

you go girls….

Check out this view they had from the outside patio of the downtown city lights….gorgeous…

cigars anyone, yup they had ‘em….and how cute is this photo. I wanted a unique ring shot, so Todd of Todd and Krisanna, the owners of Nobox Films, who were doing the videography and were the nicest people, had the rings outside and were doing a ring shot of their own. I didn’t want to copy their nice design, so I wandered off while Rich talked to them. I saw this odd little wire man, sitting in a cubbie in the restaurant that adjoined the ballroom. I hid it behind my back as I took it out, hoping the woman who was working wouldn’t be like “where are you guy with our little iron man?” (I had no intention of stealing the little guy, just using him for the ring shot. I assure you he is back, safe and sound in his original spot.) I took it outside and put their three rings on it, how cute…..and if you notice I stuck one of the little blue crystals that adorned the tables and put one on his foot so now he is playing that game I just can’t do for the life of me called “Hacky Sack”!!!!

The gorgeous cake……and it smelled so wonderful….was made by the wonderful baker, Bamboo Bakery in Phoenix. Brides don’t forget to check them out for all your cake needs. They even made a special layer cake without dairy products for the bride’s little brother, Anthony, who has a dairy allergy…

OMG, now this is funny and I have to explain what this little set of photos is about….Right before cake cutting, Todd of Nobox Films comes over and tells us that something unusual, at least for us, it was a first, is going to happen. Krista and Josh would come over, cut the cake just like normal, but then turn to their maid of honor, Ariel and their usher, Bruce, and smash the cake onto their faces instead of feeding each other! I was like, really? So we knew this would go fast and we got in position. I right behind Ariel and Rich behind Bruce. Here is the nice cake cutting. Notice the impish look on Krista’s face and how her sister in the background isn’t even really paying attention…

and here comes the switcharoo……..bam, cake right in the kisser! Thank God, Ariel didn’t duck as I would have gotten it! LOL–thank you Ariel! Check out Josh’s face!

Look at the surprise on Ariel’s face as her sister comes in with a cake hand…..love the expressions of the people in the background!

Cake in the dreads, what can you do! Check out Rich smirking there in the corner….you sly thing, you…

So precious…..how cute is her face? Sorry Ariel, I couldn’t help myself

and there is the proof…..

outside view anyone?

Okay, so that was our fantastic wedding at the Ironwood. Being that Krista is a student finishing up her classes to become a teacher, they are going on a wonderful Cancun honeymoon, but it has to wait till they have time to go. To check out more of Krista and Josh’s wonderful wedding, please click here. AND, family and friend, please let us know what you think of the photos and what a great time you all had.

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Rosemary: I love the pictures. looks like a great place. March 17, 2010 8:58 am

Cassie: Those pictures are fabulous! I especially love the switch-a-roo with the cake smashing:) March 17, 2010 12:41 pm

Krista: Rich and Mindi- I can't thank you enough for all of the beautiful memories that you captured from our wedding. You both did a wonderful job. They are all perfect! :) The best thing about this is that we never knew exactly what you were taking pictures of and it is so fun to see the different moments that you captured. I love the one of me putting on my lipstick and my little brother, Nicky, is looking right at me in the mirror. I didn't even know Nicky was there! :) Thank you so much again, for the beautiful pictures and for making our day so special. March 17, 2010 5:27 pm

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arizona wedding photography ~ krista and josh