Heaven married Devon, Blanding, Utah Wedding {Moab, Utah videographer}

Blanding, Utah is a town about 90 minutes south of Moab.  Heard of the Bears Ears?  Blanding is the gateway town to that incredible area.  This was my first wedding in Blanding, and I was excited because it felt like a local wedding.  We small towns in rural Utah have to stick together (except when it comes to high school sports).  

And then when the groom's mother told me the couples' names- I got even more excited.  Heaven and Devon.  And then I showed up to the beautiful barn venue, that sometimes acts as a drive-in theater(!!!!), and saw the marquee: "Match made in 'Heaven', said Devon".  And the rest is history. 

Andrea + Chantell Castle Valley Wedding Film, Moab, Utah {Moab wedding videographer}

In his opening remarks, the officiant Timmy, a good friend of theirs, mentioned that more than three times as many people showed up to the ceremony than they originally thought during the planning stages.  Chantell and Andrea, two local Moab women, were surrounded by loving and supporting friends and family.  In the beginning of the film, I include some of Timmy's words. He essentially says that Andrea and Chantell's happiness is of huge importance to their friends and family's happiness, and that if they ever need anything, loved ones of these women are trusting that they will ask for assistance.  So lovely!

The two got ready separately at Red Cliffs Lodge, and then arrived separately at the wedding venue at the gorgeous Castle Rock Ranch.  Their first look was down the aisle and dramatically fun as Chantell arrived first by classic car, and then Andrea by a horse drawn carriage.  The ceremony was full of beautiful words while they also raced the setting sun.  I was so glad I prepared ahead and brought my lights, as they were essential for the couple's session after.

The reception that followed was one of my favorites of the year.  There was a beautifully lit tent out in the alfalfa fields, complete with a dance floor and DJ.  Have you ever seen a wedding money dance?  If not, watch the entire film!  Basically you pin money on the bride and dance with her.  It is one of the most joyful things I have seen at a wedding.  I drove home from this reception so cheerful and grateful for the love that absolutely does still exist in this world.

Jonna + Josh Corona Arch Elopement {Sedona, and Flagstaff Wedding Videographer}

Jonna and I started planning her wedding this spring. She had some epic plans. She would bring her two kids and her fiancé Josh all the way from Georgia.  They would ride horses, elope under an arch, fly home, and two days later have a reception at the Sky Lounge in downtown Atlanta, where her wedding film would be debuted to her loved ones.

Jonna is a professional horse trainer.  Her darling daughter competes in riding and jumping horses.  So naturally, she wanted footage of her family on horses.  The night before their sunrise wedding, we headed over to Moab Horses so they could ride into the sunset.  The views of Castleton Tower and Fisher Towers from the ranch are absolutely lovely. And then the trail ended right at the Colorado River; it was quite dreamy.

The next morning, we met at 6 am at Atomic salon to start filming.  The original idea was to get married at Delicate Arch, but with all the road construction and restricted hours in Arches this summer, she decided to go for Corona Arch, which was genius.  While Delicate is incredible, Corona is pretty amazing itself, and with hardly any people. 

After Jonna was ready, I picked up Josh and drove him to the trailhead so we could do a first look. We met up with photographer Angela Hays, and got everyone positioned.  I love the anticipation of first looks!  And the double first look with the kids was extra cute. 

The hike to Corona arch is no stroll in the park.  It's 1.5 miles, with elevation gain, a section with steep enough climbing you need a chain, and then there is a ladder. The family did it in their wedding clothes, and no one complained once.  It was actually a breeze for them.  The ceremony went fantastic and clouds hung around for a great photo/video session after.

After our hike out, I filmed the family at their celebration brunch at the Moab Diner. The diner is so kid friendly and relaxed, and the staff was fantastic.  I loved watching those kids chow down on their well deserved cinnamon rolls. 

We said our goodbyes, and the next day they flew home to Georgia, and I got to editing.  I edited non stop for two days and had the film ready on Friday night, in time for their Saturday reception.

I was dying with anticipation to hear how the film debut at the reception went.  I heard from Jonna Sunday morning.  She said:

"I can't wait to show you the video of everyone's reactions....Countless people cried.  The moment was almost as magical as that special day.  It was amazing.  You are truly gifted and captured everything I could have imagined.  I will never be able to thank you enough."

---

I was shown this sweet photo of Josh and Jonna watching the wedding film at the reception in Atlanta.  

Rachel + James Sand Dune Arch Elopement, Arches National Park {Sedona and Flagstaff wedding videographer}

The minute I picked up the phone and started chatting with Rachel, back in the spring, I knew I'd like her.  She's a first grade teacher (I have a first grader!!), is easy going, adventurous and so genuine.  There are endless locations to elope around here, and Rachel and James decided on Sand Dune Arch, and for a hot sunny day, it doesn't get better.  It's a dream to shoot.  James had a fresh tattoo of Sand Dune Arch on his arm, above his wrist.  Look for it in the film!!

Rachel and James came from the Boston area.  We met at a cafe the day before the wedding.  I think it had been about 48 hours since they landed in Vegas, and they'd already checked off 3 National Parks.  After their elopement, they checked off many more over 10 days or so.  Such a good idea- elope, then adventure.  

Just this past weekend, Rachel and James had a gathering with loved ones and showed the film.  This was the email Rachel sent me after the party:

"We had the film playing on a loop for guests during the party and every single person commented on how professional, creative and talented you are!!! Every guest cried watching it (I had to put a couple boxes of tissues out) and most people watched it more than once!! They were so curious as to how you filmed it and what direction you provided- your attention to detail and vision for our film was phenomenal!

You can go right ahead and post the real deal on social media - so many guests will be looking for it so they can watch it again!"

Emails like this are so incredibly rewarding to receive.  I don't often get to see a bride or family watch a wedding film, so I love hearing about reactions.

I truly love filming elopements.  The photographer, officiant, and I are the only ones who get to see this incredible event and it's seriously such a privilage.  And then I get to create a film the couple can share with their loved back at home.  It is just so exciting and meaningful.

Tyler and Kaitlin Whispering Oaks Ranch Wedding {Sedona and Flagstaff Wedding Videographer}

The way Tyler delivered his vows to Kaitlin is something I will never forget.  He had them written on a folded piece of paper in his hands.  However, he never once looked at his notes.  Instead he looked her in the eyes and delivered the most lovely vows.  I later heard friends talking about how much they each cried during the ceremony. 

This couple is in deep love, and it is obvious. You could just feel it as they looked at each other. It was also clear that they have many people who love and support them, because they return that same kind of love and support to others.  

One thing I will also forever remember about this wedding was riding in the side by side through the pine trees, down a very rocky road, with Tyler and Kaitlin, the wonderful photographer Bailey Dalton, designer Annie Spring, and the wedding organizer to beat the sunset.  It was getting dark so we were flying to capture the last light. We were laughing and hooting, and holding on for dear life. It's moments like this, where things get really fun.  Everyone relaxes and true personalities come out.  And then I realize I'd love to hang out with these people regularly. And we captured some gorgeous scenes, and made it back with plenty of time for dancing.  Although someone may have eaten Tyler's piece of Key lime pie.  

Venue:  Whispering Oaks Ranch

Photographer:  Bailey Dalton

Designer: Annie Spring

Dante + Anna, Moab Under Canvas Wedding {Flagstaff and Sedona Wedding Videographer}

Dante and Anna are from Chicago, but have history together in the desert.  From concerts and festivals, to the proposal, the desert is a part of them.  They traveled from Chicago to Moab, for their wedding day.  They were surrounded by loving friends and family who also traveled similar distances to be there.  The whole day was grooving, with a fantastic playlist for each part of their wedding weekend.

Before the wedding, we buzzed over to Arches National Park to get some photos and footage in front of Turret Arch.  It was about 100 degrees, and the first really hot day of summer.  However, Dante carried water for his bride, and Anna had a parasol, and we had a great time.  I love when people are flexible and face the elements cheerfully.  Multiple times, they had to scramble up boulders in their finest for that perfect shot, and they did it so well.

We then headed back to Moab Under Canvas for the wedding.  What a beautiful venue that is!  You have gorgeous views of the La Sal Mountains, Arches National Park, Gemini Bridges road.  It is lovely.  Anna and Dante wrote heart felts vows bursting with humor and sincerity. It  was gorgeous.  And then the dancing.  The dancing was amazing.

And I must mention that Anna's hair was gorgeous.  Perhaps one of my favorite wedding hair styles ever.  So happy for this couple!

Heather + Anthony, Whispering Oaks Ranch Wedding {Flagstaff and Sedona Wedding Videographer}

Heather and Anthony climb, raft, and hike, with their sweet son in tow.  They are my kind of people!  Don't stop doing what you love because you have kids, just alter it a little! I am so glad I met this couple.  Immediately I thought to myself- we would probably hang out often if we lived in the same city.

Heather and Anthony's day was full of joy and laughter.  I could tell they were genuinely loving their wedding day. I found out Anthony has a secret skill of juggling pinecones.  And Heather- she is tough.  She lived in a tent for several months, pregnant.  Yesss.  

And to match the beautiful day, the La Sal mountains had recently received a spring snow storm, and they were absolutely stunning!  Now, over a month later- this is hardly a patch of snow left up there.  Congratulations Heather and Anthony!

Drew + Diana Moab Wedding Film, Long Canyon and Fisher Towers {Sedona and Flagstaff Wedding videographer}

I loved Drew and Diana's wedding day.  It was windy.  Not breezy, but blow-your-hair-all-over-the-place windy.  Blow-flowers-off-the-bouquet windy.  However, we found gorgeous locations and shelter when we needed it.  And for sunset, the wind practically died.  And best of all, my lav microphones still did a fantastic job picking up the vows, despite being on a cliffside with the biggest gusts of the day.

Drew and Diana are both law enforcement officers.  They met on the job, across the country in Florida.  Looking for a change of scenery, Drew accepted a job in Moab, and Diana soon did too.  Diana has a fun loving 6 year old daughter who immediately took to the red rocks and scared everyone by always getting too close to the edge.

All three wrote their own vows, and they were perfect.  Perhaps the highlight of the ceremony was watching Drew get on one knee as he made a vow to Diana's daughter. It was such a privilege to film this intimate ceremony.

After the ceremony, we hid from the wind in a park for cake, and then went on to Fisher Towers for sunset.  Fisher Towers is a stunning and majestic place.  The light was fantastic, and it was a great way to end the day.   

Bonnie Estell,  Florida photographer, was wonderful to work with.  This was her first time in Moab. I LOVE being with Moab first timers.  Her excitement was contagious, making for fun car time. 

Editing this wedding film was a complete joy and I was so excited to show it to Diana.  I am obsessed with the song, the footage, Diana's beauty, the scenery, Drew's suspenders.  Congratulations you two!

John + Ami Canyonlands Wedding

John and Ami are friends of my husband's.  They all wear the green and grey as employees for the National Park Service.  John told Clay (my husband), that they were having a cliff-side dirtbag wedding.  Clay decided it must be filmed to be remembered forever, and that is where I entered the party.  Long Canyon is a long, glorious canyon that winds down to the Colorado River.  They were married, barefoot, with toes on the slick rock, looking off a massive cliff towards the river and the La Sal Mountains. John and Ami fell in love watching sunsets and camping under the milky way, so this was all so fitting.    

One thing I love about weddings is that there are no rules.  You can get married where, how, and when you want, and John and Ami took full advantage of that, surrounded by family and friends cheering and hugging them on.  

One of the best parts of my job is hearing back from the bride after they see their film.  Ami wrote this to me: "Leslie, John and I both teared up watching it.  This will be so special to us and our families. So amazing that you also included such special small moments like my Mom and her sister talking together. Wow it's so perfect!!  There are no words to describe how meaningful this is to us and how much gratitude we have toward you. Even Orion started kicking around while we watched it!"

Congratulations John and Ami!

Joseph and Katy's Arches National Park Sunset Wedding {Moab, Utah wedding videographer}

I loved this wedding.  I loved that the extended family and friends camped together before and after the wedding at the Devil's Garden campground in Arches National Park. I loved filming the children in their wedding best playing on the sandstone fins.  I loved that Katy was willing and totally comfortable applying her finishing touches in the campground bathroom.  And she was absolutely stunning. Seeing a wedding dress in the red rock desert will never get old to me. I loved how the setting sun illuminated the arch during the wedding. I especially loved that we had the arch completely to ourselves for the entire time.

As I edited this film, I fell more and more in love with their vows.  Today as I delivered their film, I told Katy today how much I loved the vows, and she responded that their vows were completely on the spot.  They spoke with so much sincerity, love, and eloquence.  I feel privileged that I was there to capture the vows and provide a way that they can listen and watch this incredibly intimate moment, forever. 

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Venue: Devil's Garden Campground, Arches National Park

Photography, makeup, and hair: B. Beautiful Artistry

Moab, Utah, Whispering Oaks Ranch Wedding {Moab wedding videographer}

I love the song in this wedding film. I've been singing it for weeks. One lyric happened to sum up the day quite nicely: 

"You’re the sun after the rain, chase away the cloudy days, all I’ll ever need my dear."- This is Love by Jack Etheridge, featuring Marie Hines.  

Soon after Michelle and Jamie's first look, a powerful monsoon rolled in.  We could see it coming from Canyonlands National Park, and while the Whispering Oaks balcony is a beautiful place to watch a storm, we were worried it would pour for the rest the day. Visibility became terrible; we could no longer see the La Sals, nor the Moab Rim, nor even the cabins just down the hill. Jamie and Michelle hardly stressed and, just as the song said, their love did chase away the cloudy day and their wedding was beautifully sunny.

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10 memorable moments

1. A dog in a tux and a dog in pearls. Look for them in the film!
2. The first look.  Michelle's smile as Jamie turned and saw her was so bright and beautiful.
3. The abundant Converse Chuck Taylors.  Michelle changed into an aqua pair after the ceremony, which was genius because she had to tromp through mud and tall grass during her couple's session.  And obviously, they are perfect dancing shoes.
4. I set my camera up for a time lapse as the storm rolled in.  The storm was more powerful than anticipated and blew my camera right off the balcony.  Do not worry,  no cameras were harmed.
5. While it was storming, no one seemed to stress.  In fact they started a game of poker.
6. Walkie talkies.  Walkie talkies are not only fun but essential for pre-ceremony planning.  It makes communication 10x easier.
7. The wedding vows.  I love when couples write their own vows.  When I am editing a wedding film, I always imagine the family watching this 50 years from now.  What I would give to watch my parents on their wedding day!
8. The way Michelle and Jamie's personality shone throughout the wedding details.  The music, the flower girls, the drinks, the groomsmen and bridesmaids and man of honor.  The wedding was completely their own.
9. Seeing the first yellow aspens of Fall.
10. After the ceremony, I had a few moments to film Jamie and Michelle away from the crowd.  It was a privilege to film the bride and groom in their first moments alone as husband and wife.  They were happy, relaxed, intimate, and in love.

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Venue: Whispering Oaks Ranch

Photography: Angela Hays Photography

Moab and Manti, Utah Wedding {Lexi and Taylor}

Lexi and Taylor's beautiful wedding weekend began with an intimate, romantic first look at Pack Creek Ranch.  A few days later they were married in Manti, Utah. The weekend ended with a backyard sunset reception.  

10 best moments from their weekend:

1. Taylor's big grin as Lexi approached him during the first look.  He was EXCITED to see her. 
2. The perfect sunset after a cloudy afternoon. 
3. Since the first look wasn't on their wedding day, Lexi and Taylor were in no hurry and very relaxed. Their romance could really shine.  
4. Driving to Manti and helping a family stranded on the side of I-70.  Good thing we left with plenty of time to spare.
5. The crowd of family and friends that traveled to Manti to support the couple. So much love.
6. Lexi and Taylor's fun couple's session on the Manti temple grounds.  That temple is stunning (finished in 1888!!) and so were the bride and groom.  They were playful and in love, a winning combo.
7. The sprinklers came on during the couple's session.  Lexi kept her cool, and Taylor acted as a shield to protect Lexi.  Luckily it was hot.
8. Eating a burger, fries, and raspberry milkshake on the drive home from Manti.  
9. Filming the bride's dance with her father.  I cry when I film this 100% of the time.
10. The little boy catching the garter and his "what is this thing?" expression.

Photography: Moab Photo Co

Flowers: Forget Me Knot Flowers and Gifts, Moab, Utah

Location:  Pack Creek Ranch (Moab, UT), Manti LDS temple

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Eureka Lodge, Silverton, Colorado Wedding

The Million Dollar highway from Ouray to Silverton, CO, is one of the most incredible stretches of road in the country.  Waterfalls cascade down every gully and there are too many peaks to count.  Although paved, the highway has a few exhilarating/terrifying stretches where the white paint delineating the lanes practically hangs off a 500+ foot cliff. No room for guardrails. No texting and no Pokemon Go. 

Moab bakes in the summer so it was a welcome relief to dig my puffy jacket out of the closet and head to the San Juan Mountains.  So much green!  So much water!

From Durango, Andrew and Amanda genuinely love these mountains.  The day before their wedding they summited Engineer Peak.  The wedding was held at the Eureka Lodge and the entire party stayed there for multiple nights.  This secluded spot is past Silverton, CO, where the road turns to dirt and the Alpine Loop begins, basically the last ounce of civilization before steep 4x4 roads, abandoned mines, and the tree line.  The Eureka Lodge is nestled in the pines at nearly 10,000 feet elevation, along the Animas river.  It was built in the 1920's as a mining boarding hotel and has been wonderfully preserved.  It was rustic and charming and full of history.  I wanted to get myself a room and stay for a week to listen to the river and climb a few peaks. 

This wedding was special.  Watching Andrew commit himself to Amanda and her daughter, was something I will never forget.  It was such a celebration. Their vows were genuine and bursting with love.  Everything turned to magic in this remarkable location. Amanda's choreographed dance with her daughter was one of the sweetest things I've ever seen, and when they pulled Andrew in at the end, I had to really hold the tears back. But truly I felt immensely privileged to witness such beautiful and meaningful moments, and I'm so glad I could capture this day for them and that they have this film to relive and remember the day. 

Nearby the lodge is a small campground where I happily stayed.   I set up my tent by headlamp, dreamt all night that I was still filming, and then woke bright and early to hit a trail before my drive home.  The trail, like all trails around there, was relentlessly steep but offered huge rewards.  I ended just above tree line at a crystal clear blue lake. I then made the drive back to Moab to snuggle my children and squeeze my husband.   Such a fulfilling weekend.

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Venue: Eureka Lodge

Photography:  Collected Light Photography