Having your wedding celebration in Sedona is really amazing. I know, I know. You’ve probably heard that a lot. But it really is true. Sedona weddings are really unique and the feeling and energy of the red rocks is one of a kind. Tori and Sam’s wedding took place in June after having been rescheduled as a result of the whole Covid thing. They were not alone. I rescheduled a ton of weddings. So, when their wedding day arrived, it carried even more emotion. Sam is a fighter pilot in the Airforce. He has an intense job. And he’s been deployed overseas. All of that seemed to bring even more intensity and emotion to the couple’s wedding day.

My day began with documenting wedding preparation and getting dressed. Getting ready to walk down the aisle is a more deliberate process than occurs on most any other day of your life. There is so much intention. I really enjoy this portion of the day. I bounced back and forth between Tori’s room and Sam’s room. Sky Ranch Lodge weddings are always beautiful. They’re also super convenient and make the logistics of the day come together so easily. The two rooms were minutes apart.

The ceremony took place on Sky Ranch Lodge’s patio space, which features pretty spectacular views of west Sedona. The reception space is next to the patio. It’s a beautiful tented area that keeps any weather at bay. After the ceremony, we jumped into family photos before Sam and Tori and I set off to explore Sky Ranch Lodge’s botanical gardens. After the photos, the wedding party made their entrances, Tori and Sam had their first dance and their guests enjoyed the epic Sedona views. While earlier in the day the weather was on the cooler side, the sun came out in the afternoon and it started to get a little warm. Warm enough that DJ extraordinaire Brandon (with 7000 Feet of Sound) started using ice packs to cool down his computer!

After dinner was served, Tori, Sam and I headed out for a second portrait shoot, this time high above Sedona on the Red Rocks as the sun set. Really, really spectacular evening. When we returned, toasts were said, cake was cut and dancing ensued. All and all, a really amazing wedding celebration.

Enjoy!

If you want to check out another Sky Ranch Lodge wedding I photographed, take a look at Shelby and Brian’s Ceremony.