Wedgwood Palm Valley & Vineyard Christian Fellowship Wedding: Matthew + Courtney

There is a beautiful response when Matthew comes into the room and it’s revealed on Courtney’s face of smiles and a twinkle in her eye. Nobody else makes Courtney light up that way. All eyes were on Courtney on their wedding day, but she was looking to Matthew, who leads her with love, gentleness and kindness.

Matthew and Courtney your wedding day was sweet just like the two of you. Thank you for inviting me to document your love, vows and first day as husband and wife. Enjoy San Francisco’s Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf. Grace and Peace, April

They had known each other since they were children and Matthew was good friend’s with Courtney’s older brother. Their relationship had a seed planted on a New Year’s evening when Courtney had invited Matthew over to her parent’s house for fireworks. More sparks started to fly when Matthew and Courtney were painting a bean bag toss for church. In the mist of paint flying, Matthew painted a “smiley” face on the back of Courtney’s shirt. It was then during the holiday season when Matthew brought their relationship to the next step, from friendship to dating. Courtney had invited Matthew to come up to Northern Arizona with her family to cut down a Christmas tree. It was during this trip when they were in the car at a gas station that Matthew said, “I think we should be courting.”

On Matthew and Courtney’s first date they “went four wheeling and stumbled across this dam that was built in the middle of a canyon in the desert”. They believed this dam to originally having been built for a gold mining town, around Humbug Creek. Their first time being there they discovered a geocaching in the cliffs behind two rocks that made the shape of a heart. Because this was where they had their first date Matthew brought Courtney here to ask her if she would be his wife.

Matthew had planned for his two children to be a part of the proposal on a hiking trip. When they arrived at the geocaching’s location Courtney said, “Where’s the heart?” They found the location within minutes and Courtney wanted to take a picture of it. One of the children chimed, “dust out the heart for a better picture.” Prior to this hiking trip Matthew had his son pack the ring in the sand under the two rocks. While Courtney was dusting the rocks something flew out. “What flew out?” exclaimed one of the children. It was then that Courtney saw the bright and sparkling ring. Her first thought was, “I think someone lost their wedding ring.” That idea was quickly replaced when she turned around and saw Matthew on his knee asking if she would marry him and Courtney said YES!

Matthew and Courtney had a beautiful country wedding in the church where their relationship began. The two promised a lifetime of loving and serving another in this beautiful partnership called marriage on July 17, 2015 at Vineyard Christian Fellowship church.

We started their wedding day with Courtney’s bridesmaids helping her get ready at Wedgwood Palm Valley. Courtney’s wedding colors were a navy blue with accents of a sunflower yellow.

The groomsmen wore DIY sunflower burlap boutonniere’s and the bridesmaid held DIY floral bouquets with the arrangements of white and yellow wild flowers.

Matthew and Courtney decided to have a first look before the ceremony. I am so glad they did, Matthew’s expression was sweet.

Following their first look we strolled Wedgwood Palm Valley’s golf course and took romantic photos of the two of them.

Before the ceremony, the bridal party took a quick detour to Dutch Bros Coffee to beat the Arizona summer heat.

Matthew and Courtney made their vows to love-one-another sacrificially, like God loves the church, in front of their family and friends at Vineyard Christian Fellowship.

After their covenant commitments their church family prayed over them and then they were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Farmer.

Afterwards we strolled the church’s nearby garden for some more bridal party portraits. The groomsmen wore tan button down shirts and jeans to this country wedding.

Courtney you are absoutely gorgeous!

Love is a beautiful gift to witness, thank you Matthew and Courtney for the honor of photographing your love.

Congrats Matthew and Courtney for becoming one!

IF YOU LIKE THE EXPERIENCE SEEN IN THESE PICTURES YOU CAN BOOK YOUR MEMORY MAKING WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER TODAY!

Many thanks to the wedding creative team who helped in the celebration of two souls committing the promise of forever:

Ceremony and Reception Location: Vineyard Christian Fellowship

Photo Location- Wedgewood Wedding & Banquet Center

Photographer: April Maura Photography

Second Shooter: Ashley Stivers

Dress: David’s Bridal

Bride’s morning drink: DUTCH BROS. COFFEE

Bride’s Shoes: Target

Bridesmaid dresses: Ross

Bride’s Jewelry: CHARMING CHARLIE

Cake: Sam’s Club

DJ/Band: Rachel at Got You Covered

Groom’s Ring: Phoenix Bridal Show

Officiant: Courtney’s brother, Kyle