A warm Arizona fall day was the perfect backdrop for Julieta and Kim’s intimate backyard wedding. When Julieta and Kim first contacted me about photographing their day they said it was so important to them to have a queer wedding photographer that they felt they could be their authentic and whole selves. After we chatted over the phone it was clear to all of us that I was the perfect person to capture their day. The pair went from being friends in college to more than friends and their relationship had grown throughout covid into the strong and trusting bond they have now. They were determined to celebrate their connection in the comfort of the home they created together so they could relive the memories every day.

One of my favorite details of the day was the beautiful bench Kim had made for Julieta to celebrate this milestone. Kim is an avid builder and met some of her closest friends from high school in her wood shop class and felt it was the perfect way to celebrate their bright future with her wife. The bench was flawlessly finished and included a small gold plaque with their new family name – The Amante’s.

The pair got ready with their closest friends and family in separate rooms and the energy of the day was full of laughs and excitement! During their first look, Juli and Kim wanted to stay true to who they are. In their normal lives, Juli will often get ready and do her makeup and come out to show Kim who will be sitting on the couch ready to be wowed and they wanted to keep this little ritual alive by doing the same for their first look! Truthfully, first looks are my favorite moments on a wedding day to photograph. It’s such a special and intimate moment to view and I always get teary-eyed behind the camera. As I counted them down to their reveal once they saw each other they had the space and time to be fully in this moment with each other. First looks are so powerful because they knew that from this moment on in their day they would be doing this together. know that from here through the rest of the day they are doing this together.

Before their wedding day, they did ask me to do something I’d never done before, to not photograph them exchanging their vows. They wanted every person at their wedding to be fully present for this part of their ceremony and save the moment for just them and their closest friends and family.

During their ceremony, as I put down my camera and started to listen I understood why this was so important to them. Their vows were beautiful, emotional, and intimate. As I listened, I noticed the crowd collectively sniffling and wiping away their tears. I’m so glad that they did exactly want they wanted for their day and had the vow exchange of their dreams. As their officiant and friend pronounced them married they kissed and then enjoyed a shot of tequila to start their marriage off right!

Their reception was even more enjoyable and personal with members of their families and closest friends giving speeches that would make you laugh and cry. Julieta’s mom stole the show with her powerful speech and adoration for her daughter and her wife Kim. Their entire family was so sweet and welcoming with so many laughs and smiles to end their night. I’m so lucky to have been part of their day

Congratulations Kim and Julieta!