As a New Mexico wedding photographer, I truly understand that every wedding I document is completely unique in their own special way. The connections I make with my couples are always incredibly meaningful, but when two of my favorite people started to plan their beautiful New Mexico wedding in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I was screaming like a wild banshee with excitement.
Stephanie and Greg met in 2010 while working at Elephant Bar in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Stephanie said, “He was a nerdy cook in the back and I was a quiet server. We were both dating other people who were toxic to us. For some reason we started hanging out with mutual friends from the restaurant and our first date was going camping with a bring group of people from work. I remember having so much fun together and it was so natural and light hearted.”
Stephanie and Greg have a very unique love story because met each other at times in their lives where they were the most broken. Greg's mom committed suicide and was full of sadness, anger, and loneliness. Stephanie was going through drug addiction during the time when they met each other. “Greg knew it about me and he stuck with me and helped me get to rehab 2 years ago. We have been through so much together in such a short amount of time, but God brought us together at the perfect time because we needed each other so grow as individuals.”
Stephanie always knew that they made a good team together; however, after she got out of rehab and she got off of the plane from Arizona to see Greg waiting for her, that's when she knew he was “the one” for her. “He waited for me, he supported me in my recovery, and he believed in me. It was a sense of love that overwhelmed me so much that I knew I couldn't and wouldn't want to live life without him next to me.”
When I asked Stephanie about their proposal story, she replied:
“I kept teasing Greg that if he didn't marry me soon I was OUT OF HERE! (obviously joking). One day he was said, "we should go look at wedding rings so I know what you like" I was very excited to get the ball moving in the right direction. So one Saturday morning we went to the gym, went to Costco to look at wedding rings, and then went to breakfast. After eating, he said "I have one more ring to show you that I think you might like if you want to check it out." After being exhausted from the gym and full from stuffing my face with food, I lazily said "sure." All of a sudden he gets down on one knee in the restaurant and flips open the wedding ring box and asks me, "Stephanie will you marry me?" I was so confused for about 10 seconds because I just kept looking at the ring and then I started to hear people in the background saying "awww!!" "oh my gosh, look!" and that's when I snapped! I covered my mouth with my hand in shock and said, "OF COURSE!!””
Stephanie and Greg tied the knot on August 18th, 2018 in the backyard of her sister’s house in Sandia Park just outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. They chose to have their wedding at Stephanie’s sister’s house in the mountains because they love the natural feel of being outside to appreciate Gods creation. The wedding decor color palette was inspired by blues and nude tones. The wedding was truly stunning with the simplicity of the organic beauty surrounded us. It was truly so clean, simple, and classy. Flowers were picked wild from the environment around us. Linens were a clean white with pops of greenery and candles as centerpieces. Placing pictures of Greg's mom who passed away and a picture of my grandpa who died from alcohol addiction was something Stephanie made sure was present at the wedding.
I asked Stephanie and Greg what their favorite part of their wedding day was and they said:
“We both loved every part of our wedding because it was so stress free and all of our friends and family helped out so much to make it so relaxing; but my favorite of the wedding was sitting down to look around at everybody who was there mingling with each other and thinking, "wow, this is the most beautiful sight I have every seen. All of these people who know everything about us are here to support and celebrate our marriage." It was probably the most intense feeling i've had. Greg said his favorite part of the wedding was seeing me walk down the aisle.”
I can truly say that there was so much emotion, love, support, and faith that surrounded us all on this beautifully blessed day. Along with the many happy tears and swollen hearts filled with joy, their was plenty of room for rad dance moves and tons of laughter and fun! Believe me when I say, it was seriously the most perfect day. <3
Now time to #SchaadUp and let you feast your eyeballs on all the beauty that was Stephanie + Greg’s best day ever.
The power of love and faith that radiated throughout the entire day was extraordinary. Steph + Greg have such a zest for life. Their love will certainly make you believe that happily ever after is possible. <3
I asked Stephanie if she would be willing to share some tips + advice for future couples planning to tie the knot so here's some words of advice from a kick ass bride!
What advice would you give to future brides for their wedding day?
“Don't stress the small details because at the end of the day, you won't even notice them. You'll be making rounds saying hello to all your guests, eating, and dancing that they won't matter. The only thing that matters is the one that is waiting for you to walk down the aisle-that's who you should be paying attention to-that's the only thing that matters.”
What advice would you give to future grooms for their wedding day?
“As best you can, try to keep your brides mind off of the small details and remind her that this is HER WEDDING DAY. If she is stressing out or freaking out, bring her back down to the moment she is in.”
What was the biggest challenge you faced in planning your wedding?
“The biggest challenge when planning our wedding was probably making the guest list because we know so many people from working the restaurant business and we couldn't afford to invite everybody we knew. So it filed down to family and the people who have stuck by our sides even though our struggles.”
What one moment will last with you both forever?
“The speeches given by the best man and groomsman were unforgettable and as they were being given I looked around at everybody to see that everybody was crying. We will never forget that love that everybody felt during that time.”
How did you tame your wedding day nerves?
“CONSTANT PRAYER!”
What are you most excited for as your relationship grows?
“Riding the waves of life together. We've already battled so much that we can get through anything. I'm excited to see where God takes us in this journey. It's going to be so fulfilling and I'm just happy we can enjoy our new lives together.”
What photography-related advice would you offer to other couples?
“When taking photos, enjoy the moment. Sit in the moment you are in with the people you are taking photos with. It's such a beautiful moment and you don't want to feel like you rushed it. Plus, the loving, relaxed, joyful feelings you feel while taking photos will shine though every picture.”
Forever crushing over this perfect day + celebrating the love that Steph + Greg share. Their inspiring love story is seriously AMAZING. Wishing you both a lifetime filled with love, laughter, kick ass memories, and more fun dance moves!! #SchaadUp
How was your experience taking photos/working with me on your wedding day?
“Seriously the BEST!!! You made things so organized, fun, and relaxed. You were absolutely perfect and I’m so honored you said yes to taking our pictures. You’ve been so supportive to both of us and we wouldn’t have chose anybody else. Plus you are an artist and we love your work : )”
TESTIMONIAL
“I know this may sound cliche, but a picture really is worth a thousand words. You look at a photo and you look at it visually and admire the notes of colors, shadows, and light; but to be able to capture emotion in a picture is whats overwhelming in the best way. I can look at every picture from our wedding day and remember exactly what I was feeling in that moment because the photographer, Jasmine from Jasper K Photography, cared to capture what each spirit was dancing with joy to express. Life is so fragile yet so powerful at the same time and having pictures to illustrate this combination is overwhelming. Tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us and to be able to wake up, take in a deep breath of fresh air into your lungs, and look back at such intense moments that have been captured in your journey on this Earth is the fragile, yet powerful part of life. God is good and love wins no matter what.”
WEDDING VENDOR TEAM + DETAILS:
Second Shooter: Kate Livingston (Kate the Photographer)
Florist: Ordered white roses from People’s Flowers but hand picked and arranged bouquets from plant life in the mountains.
Cake/Dessert: Kim Fox-Rogillio
Catering: The Cheesecake Factory
Wedding Dress: Bridal Elegance by Darlene
Bride’s Shoes: David’s Bridal
Jewelry/Rings: Costco
Groom’s Suit/Shoes: Black Lapel
Invitations: BasicInvite.com
Albuquerque Wedding Photography by Jasper K Photography
