menu

We're Amber & Josh.
We believe love is an adventure in itself, one worth celebrating authentically. That's why we specialize in elopements and intimate weddings for couples who dare to be different. As a couple who had a unique wedding day ourselves, it holds a special place in our hearts and we love helping couples create their own personal and authentic celebrations.

Heyyyy!

Backyard Garden Wedding | Emily & Chris | Glendale, AZ

Groom in a simple button up shirt by wedding photographer PMA Photography. Close up image of the groom adjusting his custom cuff link by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Simple boho bride with a sunflower bouquet by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Close up image of a bride's unique engagement ring holding her bouquet by Arizona wedding photographers PMA Photography. Boho bride and groom during their wedding first look in the Arizona desert by Phoenix wedding photographers PMA Photography. Boho bride and groom during their wedding first look in the Arizona desert by Phoenix wedding photographers PMA Photography. Boho bride and groom during their wedding first look in the Arizona desert by Phoenix wedding photographers PMA Photography. Boho bride and groom during their wedding first look in the Arizona desert by Phoenix wedding photographers PMA Photography. Boho bride and groom during their wedding first look in the Arizona desert by Phoenix wedding photographers PMA Photography. Simple boho bride and groom in the Arizona desert by Phoenix wedding photographers PMA Photography. Simple boho bride and groom sharing an intimate moment in the Arizona desert by Phoenix wedding photographers PMA Photography. Simple boho bride and groom in the Arizona desert by Phoenix wedding photographers PMA Photography. Simple boho bride and groom walking in the Arizona desert by Phoenix wedding photographers PMA Photography. Simple boho bride and groom in the Arizona desert by Phoenix wedding photographers PMA Photography. Simple boho bride and groom in the Arizona desert by Phoenix wedding photographers PMA Photography. Simple boho bride and groom sitting in front of a tree in the Arizona desert by Phoenix wedding photographers PMA Photography. Simple boho bride and groom kissing in front of a tree in the Arizona desert by Phoenix wedding photographers PMA Photography. Simple succulent centerpiece for an intimate backyard garden wedding by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Simple succulent centerpiece for an intimate backyard garden wedding by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Bride being walked down the aisle by her son for her backyard garden wedding by PMA Photography. Groom watching his bride walk down the aisle by PMA Photography. Groom reading his vows during his backyard garden wedding ceremony by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Groom reading his vows to the bride during his backyard garden wedding ceremony by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Simple boho inspired bride and groom at their intimate backyard garden wedding by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Simple boho inspired bride and groom at their intimate backyard garden wedding by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Alternative mother son dance with the groom and his mother and the bride and her son by PMA Photography. Bride and her son sharing the mother son dance at their wedding by Phoenix wedding photographer PMA Photography. Groom sharing a dance with this mom during the mother son dance by Phoenix wedding photographer PMA Photography. Bride and groom cutting the cake at their intimate backyard wedding by PMA Photography. Bride and groom cutting the cake at their intimate backyard wedding by PMA Photography. Bride and groom cutting the cake at their intimate backyard wedding by PMA Photography.

Emily & Chris’s garden backyard wedding in Glendale was absolutely amazing.  Emily & Chris met through a mutual friend when they were in high school and they quickly became friends.  They spent many nights hanging out and getting to know each other in Chris’s backyard and their friendship eventually blossomed into a romantic relationship throughout the years.  So, it seemed only fitting that they were married in Chris’s parents gorgeous backyard garden!

Black and white image of bride and groom looking at each other in front of small desert mountain by Phoenix wedding photographer PMA Photography.

I have known both Chris and Emily since high school, so this wedding was extra special for me to photograph.  It was amazing being able to document how their relationship has grown since high school and how much love they have for each other.  It was also great to see their families and how much they support these two and their new family.

As it is with DIY weddings, the morning of seemed a little hectic.  So much to do and so little time.  Chris and Emily were so thankful that we decided to do their First Look at another location.  It gave them a chance to relax and take a moment to enjoy each other away from the busy house before their ceremony.  We drove separately up to Thunderbird Mountain for their First Look.  After we did their bride and groom photos, we all took a moment to enjoy the beautiful desert, fall breeze, and calm before heading back to the house.

After a short drive and a few minutes hiding in the house, it was time for their sunset ceremony.  There is nothing I did not love about this ceremony!  Emily was barefoot, as you do in a backyard garden ceremony.  Emily’s son, Adonis, walked her down the aisle.  When the officiant asked who gives this woman away, he responded, “to share”.  Chris and Emily incorporated a Celtic red chord handfasting as part of their ceremony.  Their vows were a reflection of each of them.  Chris’s vows were written the morning of and transferred from his sketch book to note cards just before the ceremony.   Emily’s vows were written over three months time and then transferred to stationary that was her grandmother’s.  They asked their mother’s to be their witnesses to sign the wedding certificate.  And that fall evening, surrounded by their closest family and friends, they sealed the ceremony with a kiss.

As the sun set, the garden was lit up by twinkly lights and the reception began.  The star of the reception decor, was a favor tree.  They hand crafted succulent terrarium favors and hung them from the tree with twinkle lights.  It was simply amazing.  Their mothers gave toasts and shared stories about how they loved watching their relationship grow together (and how they had been trying to get them to date for years!).  Emily’s son shared a heart warming toast about how Chris has always been a strong figure in his life and he is happy that they are now a family.  Then, Chris and his mother were accompanied by Emily and her son for the mother son dance.  It was then time for me to put down the camera and enjoy the rest of the evening reminiscing about the nights in high school I spent with these two in that backyard.

I am so happy that Emily and Chris are finally married!  If you spend just two minutes with these two, you can see how deeply they care for each other.  I hope nothing but the best and most amazing life for their marriage and their new family.

Black and white image of groom putting on custom cuff link while getting ready by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Groom's wedding details of a triangle ruler cuff links for architect major groom by Arizona wedding photographer by PMA Photography. Granite and wood alternative wedding bands on succulent plant in garden by Arizona wedding photographers PMA Photography. Granite and wood alternative wedding ring on leaf of garden plant by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Simple boho bride and groom get ready for their first look in the desert by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Simple boho inspired bride and groom see each other for the first time during their first look by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Bride and groom share an intimate moment during their first look by Arizona wedding photographers PMA Photography. Bride and groom during their first look by Arizona wedding photographers PMA Photography. Simple boho inspired bride and groom look at each other in the desert by Arizona wedding photographers PMA Photography. Groom kisses bride's hand during their first look by Phoenix wedding photographer PMA Photography. Groom's wedding band on his hand while holding his boho bride by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Bride and groom share a romantic moment by Phoenix wedding photographer PMA Photography. Simple boho inspired bride and groom walk together through the Arizona desert by Phoenix wedding photographer PMA Photography. Simple boho inspired bride and groom look at each other in front of a desert tree by Phoenix wedding photographer PMA Photography. Simple boho inspired bride and groom share a laugh by Phoenix wedding photographer PMA Photography. Simple boho inspired bride and groom share a kiss under a tree by Arizona wedding photographers PMA Photography. Simple boho inspired bride and groom's wedding attire by PMA Photography. Bride and groom look at each other under a desert tree by Phoenix wedding photographer PMA Photography. Bride and groom smile at each other in the desert by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Handmade desert terrarium wedding favors hanging from a garden tree decorated with lights by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Flower girl being escorted down the aisle in an Arizona backyard garden wedding by PMA Photography. Bride being walked down the aisle by her son at her Arizona backyard garden wedding by Phoenix wedding photographer PMA Photography. Small intimate backyard garden wedding ceremony by Phoenix wedding photographer PMA Photography. Bride and groom during their red chord handfasting ceremony as part of their wedding ceremony by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Bride and groom's hands tied together during a Celtic red chord handfasting ceremony by Phoenix wedding photographer PMA Photography. Bride's son watches the Arizona backyard garden wedding ceremony by Phoenix wedding photographer PMA Photography. Close up image of bride's personal wedding vows written on her grandmother's vintage stationary by wedding photographer PMA Photography. Bride and groom's parents watch as their children get married in an Arizona backyard garden wedding by PMA Photography. Arizona backyard garden wedding ceremony by Phoenix wedding photographer PMA Photography. Bride and groom share their first kiss at their backyard garden wedding ceremony by PMA Photography. Black and white image of the bride and groom just after their first kiss by PMA Photography. Handmade desert terrarium wedding favors hanging from a garden tree decorated with lights by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Handmade desert terrarium wedding favors hanging from a garden tree decorated with lights by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Black and white photo of bride and groom in front of lit favor tree by Phoenix wedding photographer PMA Photography Handmade desert terrarium wedding favors hanging from a garden tree decorated with lights by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Bride and groom share their first dance at their backyard garden wedding by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Handmade desert terrarium wedding favors hanging from a garden tree decorated with lights by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Bride and groom share their first dance at their backyard garden wedding by Arizona wedding photographer PMA Photography. Succulent and gold decorated boho inspired wedding cake by wedding photographer PMA Photography. Bride and groom cutting the cake. Black and white image of the bride and groom dancing at their backyard garden wedding by PMA Photography.

The Creative Team (Vendors)

Thank you to the amazing creative team that came together to make the day truly memorable!

Venue – Groom’s Parent’s Backyard
Photographer – PMA Photography
Florist – DIY
Caterer – Pita Jungle
Stationary/Invitations – DIY
Hair Stylist – Groom’s Mother
Rings – WedgeWood Rings
Officiant – Friends of the couple
Transportation – My Prius 🙂

Want to check out more amazing weddings?  Click here: Weddings by PMA Photography.

Intimate Weddings

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

back to comments
comments