Welcome to 2020! So many weddings have been cancelled, postponed, or tossed to limbo due to COVID-19. One of my weddings was with Brielle & Gage. The wedding plans went through several revisions.
Originally, the couple was going to marry and be sealed in the Timpanogos Temple. At one point all the temples around the world were closed or limited almost all activities. So the plan evolved to a backyard wedding with limited guests and a drive-thru reception.
We photographed the formal wedding portraits at the BYU Duck Pond. The temple grounds and other locations were closed to guests. So I did some scouting and found that the Duck Pond was open and available to people. I even did my own selfie photo shoot!
We shot a mix of natural light photographs and with my signature light setup. Both techniques can make people look amazing. It was a beautiful and warm summer’s day. Everyone was a trooper and the photos turned out great.
We do a mix of formal photos and we create moments for some candid photography. We have the couple walk away and towards the camera. We create small make out sessions which hopefully catch those tender moments between a couple.
Bridal Photos
We created some bridal photographs. This was a smaller wedding so we photographed the bride in her dress and holding her bouquet. We also photograph details such as the earrings, something borrowed, something blue, and shoes. If we have more time, or are photographing the makeup before the wedding, we often photograph these details before the bride wears them.
We had a lot of fun photographing this couple. You get a good vibe from them. They make each other laugh and they have great chemistry which is a good sign in my opinion.
The BYU Duck Pond has so many unique spots for photos. There are rocks, streams, trees, and more. I hope no one else discovers this photography goldmine. I guess this is one reason there are so many married couples at BYU.
I love the great lighting we had for this photo shoot. Even with the sun at the apex, we find some shade, and trees, and we’re good to go.
Wedding Details
Wedding details are important. Especially for the wedding vendors. If you’re a wedding vendor, I want to make you famous!
The Wedding Party
We photographed the wedding party before the ceremony. We photographed the bride and the bridesmaids. We then photographed the groom with the groomsmen. We then combined the two for the whole wedding party.
The Wedding Ceremony
The important part of the day is the wedding ceremony. Latter-Day Saint weddings are usually in the temple, and are a bit different than your traditional ceremony. So when they have a backyard ceremony, they tend to play things by ear. I did take charge at one time, because there are some photographs I need and want to shoot. Being bossy is sometimes important.
The Wedding Reception—Drive-Thru
The wedding reception was a drive-thru reception. They setup a decorated spot in front and would meet cars as friends and family drove up and dropped off gifts. So there is social distancing and mask wearing.
Here the family peers through the window for a “candid” photo.
Brielle and Gage met while working at Sodalicious. And someone was kind enough to bring a Sodalicious beverage for each. It makes for a fun photograph and a story to tell the grandkids.
The Cake Cutting with Cake Smash
We had a cake smash! Warning, cake was injured in the following photos. And a fun time was had by all.
The night wrapped up after the first dance.
I don’t know if there is a warranty on the bride, but I am sure throwing her in the air would void the warranty in a heartbeat.
We had a sparkler exit and a final kiss for the night during their exit.
And be sure to check out the engagement photos for Brielle and Gage.
