Kelley + John {Westward Look Resort Wedding}

Kelley and John  were married in the fall at Westward Look Resort.

A Fall Wedding at Westward Look

The getting ready photos took place in the resort’s beautiful rooms. The bridal suite was perfectly lit, and spacious, and had the best layout for the detail photos. I loved that Kelley’s sister and mother were in the room to help her get dressed, and to help with the veil. I really enjoy doing photos with the veil when brides choose to have them – it allows for some really soft images.

Kelley and John decided not to have a first look, and when Kelley’s dad walked her onto the rooftop where the ceremony was taking place, the look I caught on John’s face was filled with emotion – so beautifully intense.

During the ceremony itself, there were sweet moments and funny ones, too. Like when Kelley and John tried to light the unity candle several times and the wind kept blowing out the flame. But they persevered, and the candle burned brightly after. It’s sort of a metaphor for marriage! Team work and persistence win the day.

After the ceremony, Kelley and John took a few moments to enjoy their cocktail hour with their friends and family before the golf cart whisked us away for sunset photos. We started at the beautiful fountain that guards the entrance to the resort. The sun lit up the water, green grass and mesquite trees, creating phenomenal backlight for some really romantic photos. We then headed down towards the open desert and ohhh that sunset. The sky looked like it was on fire.

Sunset and Night Photography

After sunset we went back to the reception for all the festivities – cake cutting, dancing, dinner and toasts. One of the unique features of Westward Look is the rooftop terrace overlooking the mountains where they set up the weddings and the receptions. It has some great lighting, and a really unique layout that offers stunning views. What a gorgeous night!

Before the evening ended, I took Kelley and John into the stairwell for a really cool night-time photograph. I try to incorporate night photography into all my couple’s weddings. I feel like it really shows a different side to the wedding photography and adds dimension, helping me be a little different and giving the couples something stunning to add to their collection.

Arizona and Southern California Resort Weddings

Resort weddings are some of my favorite to photograph. The luxury resorts like The Ritz Carlton in Laguna Nigel http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/california/laguna-niguel and the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach https://www.montagehotels.com/lagunabeach/ really make weddings effortless – from planning to execution, and have the most stunning views of the local beauty. I look forward to many more Orange County and Southern California resort and destination weddings.

Vendors

Venue: Westward Look, a Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa

Dress: Allure Bridal

Cake: Village Bakehouse

Floral Design: Sauliz Floral

Hair and Makeup: By Kelley (the bride)

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