Very excited to share this Valley of Fire Vow Renewal on the blog today. Jenn & Pawel are also wedding photographers based out of California. Jenn contacted me last year about photographing their upcoming vow renewal for their 10 year anniversary. I have been thrilled and nervous ever since.
Their Story
“Pawel and I met at a dive bar in Riverside called Big Mamas Billiards. It was so long ago I don’t remember the date…I think the closest I can get is the end of 1997. Pawel proposed at Lake Las Vegas in the middle of the night. We had just recently bought a new camera and he took me out to try some night photos. I took a photo of him near one of the fountains and looked down at the back of the camera. When I looked up at him he was on one knee and said “are you gonna marry me or what?” I said yes and the rest is history. “
The Wedding Day
With the two of them being wedding photographers, they scheduled quite a bit of time for portraits. I started out in Jenn’s room at the Grand hotel downtown. After hair and makeup, we set up a first look in a hallway. Jenn surprised Pawel with a little bottle of Aftershock, to help them loosen up a little before pictures.
We headed down to Freemont for a quick session along some art and the El Cortez. We then all headed down to Valley of Fire. The ceremony was held at the 7 sisters site. Very close friends and family were in attendance. The ceremony was officiated by their friend and fellow wedding professional, Marie.
They planned to make a terrarium out of sand from the area that the ceremony was held. So before the final vows, everyone grabbed a handful of sand to put into a vase which would be used later.
One of the moments that stood out to me the most during the ceremony, was when they both had quoted Rick & Morty in their vows. Almost word for word, these two had chosen the exact same thing to end the vows with and they had no idea. Everyone was in tears including me. If that doesn’t show what a perfect match they are, I don’t know what does.
We ended with some portraits around the location and then finished up at Park on Freemont downtown for some drinks and food.
Jenn & Pawel, thank you for inviting me into your world and trusting me to capture this most special day for you both. I hope I did it justice. XOXO
Check out even more images from the slideshow below.
Creative Team:
Getting Ready Hotel: Downtown Grand
Ceremony Location: Valley of Fire
Permit for Ceremony: Desert Elopements
Officiant: Lets Get Married By Marie
Hair & Makeup: Krystal Beth Studios
Reception: Park on Freemont
Dress: Adrianna Papell
Couple: Jenn & Pawel
