As I stood in the entrance of NOAH Event Center in Chandler, Arizona, my eye was caught by a framed quote hanging in the entry way. “I have one the one whom my soul loves.” -Song of Solomon 3:4

I know this was the right venue for Denise and Joel after seeing that quote as this sounds just like their relationship. These two have already been together over 9 years. So in my book, they’ve already done the hard work. That’s why this wedding was so fun. They got to celebrate a decade together by having such a beautiful event to celebrate their relationship.

I love the perfect simplicity of how they met. In 2008, Denise was working as a gymnastics coach at a gym next door to a Subway where Joel was working. They started a conversation while Joel made her sandwich and became instant friends. Isn’t that amazing? What they thought would be another normal day turned into a lifelong love. That’s what is so exciting about life. You never know what is around the next corner.

And Denise is not just a gymnastics coach, but she was a Marine as well. I got the pleasure of hearing toasts of some of her friends that were stationed with her, and I’ve got to say, this lady kept on impressing me!

One of the coolest things that Denise and Joel did, which I wish I could go back in time and copy, is they had a wood box engraved with their names and wedding date. In that box, they placed Elderflower Cordial, two engraved glasses, and letters to each other to be opened on their anniversary next year. They plan to keep this tradition going every single year. I know that reading those letters each year  is going to be so amazing because I think how much my life and marriage has changed in the last three months, let alone the last year, and it will be so special to have love letters written to each other from a year ago!

And if they didn’t already get the award for coolest wedding idea, they also did a choreographed dance! Complete with lifts, spins, and other beautiful things. I was not surprised to see the parents of the bride and groom dabbing their eyes throughout the night because the night was everything you would want for your child.

Then as the sun set, I had to take these two back outside so they could show off their model moves for sunset portraits. And as I looked through my lens and Joel totally gave me GQ perfection while Denise was absolutely glowing, I wondered if there was anything these two could not do together.

I’m so happy to have captured your day! You two are already killing it, so keep up all the love and romance as you enter your second decade together 🙂

Venue: NOAH’s Event Venue

Wedding Dress: Brilliant Bridal

Groom’s Attire: Mr. Formal

Caterer: Le Fox Catering

Florist: Chandler Flowers

Cake: Piece of Cake AZ

Hair and Makeup: Emily Gleeson of Something Beautiful Hair and Makeup