Happy Monday, you guys!
So… let’s just say it. Summer is hot in Arizona. Like really, really hot. We have six beautiful months from November through April, but around May, the oven starts its pre-heat, and by July, it’s reached cooking temperature. Most days, it’s between 100 and 109 and no one really complains (including us) because (as us locals love to say) it’s a DRY HEAT. Seriously, though, there’s something to that. When we were in Virginia last month, it was close to 100 degrees one day with humidity — which should be a four-letter word by the way! — and we couldn’t breathe. It felt like we were swimming sinking in our own sweat. Talk about H-O-T. That’s a whole different universe.
All that to say, people in every other part of the country are always shocked to find out that June, July, and August is considered our “off season” here in Phoenix, but it’s true. There are very few “June brides” in the desert southwest. (Although we did have a few brave ones this year!) Instead of one wedding season like everywhere else in the country, Arizona’s wedding season is really more like two. Just like a school year essentially: spring and fall semester. September through November is super busy, things lighten up a little bit during the winter and holiday months, it picks back up again heavily in March, and then trails off again at the end of May when the temps start to hit three digits.
So what’s the point of all this weather talk? Well, when we got home a few weeks ago, we had a string of engagement sessions scheduled, because if we waited until it cooled down, our couples would have to wait until NOVEMBER. That’s a long time when you’re trying to get save-the-dates out to your families and friends. So, we’ve been braving the heat for lots of engagements, but like we tell our brave couples: it’ll feel warm, but the camera can’t tell the difference between 75 and 115!
Enter Kelly and Nate.
These two! They’re both from small towns in Nebraska. Think 1,000 people small. When they told us that, our reaction was this: There are more people than that in our condo complex! You know we’re big Gilmore Girls fans, so we’ve always loved the idea of small town life a la Stars Hollow. People you saw and instantly connected with. And that’s what we saw in Kelly and Nate the first time we sat down for coffee together a few months ago. Do you have friends like that? The ones who make you feel comfortable right from the start? That’s them. Nate and Jordan connected over a mutual love for Dallas Cowboys football, although neither of them are from Texas. Then, when we found out they were cat people, that sealed. the. deal! And not just any kind of cat people, awesome cat people. Because… wait for it… they TRAVEL with their cat. They. Travel. With. Him. A real life TRAVEL CAT!!! Their cat us also also named Cosmo, which we just think is incredible, because, let’s all be honest, half of what makes a pet cool is its name. Back to the point, though: Friends, there are few things in life that would bring us as much happiness as taking Mr. Carson and William Wallace on the road. Dream the dream, right? We can just picture them on leashes or in strollers at conferences with us! Bonnets might be too much, but we’re not ruling them out. And #DemosSandwiches with them aren’t out of the question either! We might not sleep tonight with all the possibilities swirling around!
Kelly and Nate, we feel SO blessed that we met you and we’re super excited for your wedding next spring at the Omni Montelucia with Sam from Imoni Events, one of our favorite Arizona planning teams. We hope that you two are having the best time back home with your families and soaking in that small town goodness to bring back to Arizona with you! But leave the humidity among the husks, if you please! We love you both tons and tons and are so excited to share your engagement photos today!
p.s. Thanks for hiking into the oasis and braving the wind with us. It was SO worth it!
If you liked Kelly and Nate’s engagement session, we think you’ll love Mai and PJ’s too!
Makeup: Arielle Rondeau | Creme de la Makeup
Pink Dress: Banana Republic
White Dress: Nordstrom
the GEAR USED for this session…
Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 50 1.2
Canon 70-200 2.8
Entire Gear List