Mike and Maddy’s Phoenix intimate backyard wedding was one for the books. The amount of love shared between the two of them, and their friends and family made me a hundred times happier for them – I even cried a little!

their story

They lived in the same town and met in high school. While they went to different schools, Mike was friends with her bother, and they also had the same mutual friends. Throughout high school they dated for a little bit in high school, but they said it was nothing serious… (Hehe if only they knew!) After high school they went their separate ways. Mike attended the University of Madison in Wisconsin while Maddy attend St. John’s in Queens, NY. During summer breaks and holidays, they would both come home and occasionally see each other causally meeting up and catching up with one another. Once graduating college Mike moved to San Diego and Maddy moved to Nebraska for grad school. They eventually recommended and started dating long distance! We all know that long distance can be tough but Mike and Maddy made the best of it and made lots of memories traveling back and forth between the two states. Eventually Maddy moved to San Diego and one year later Mike proposed on the beach with all their friends to celebrate!!

the bride’s thoughts

I asked Maddy how she felt on her wedding day, and this is what she said…

“My wedding day was surreal. It was such a mix of emotions. Excited, anxious, nervous, overwhelmed, etc. I was stressed because I wanted everything to go smoothly but I was also just so excited to get the day going. I remember right before I walked down the aisle I was waiting in a room with my parents, and you could hear all our hearts beating! It was very emotional walking down the aisle, you could hear all the sniffles in the church! Walking back down the aisle as husband and wife was the best feeling.! We always look back at that day and have such happy memories from it.”

the intimate backyard wedding

Mike and Maddy got married in a Catholic church and all their friends and family were their waiting with anticipation to get the two love birds married. It was a very special day for them getting married in that church and afterwards they decided to have the reception at Maddy’s grandparents house where her and her family spent many summers there. That house holds a special place in her heart, and I loved how her grandparents allowed her to hold the most special day at their place.

Being able to photography Mike and Maddy’s wedding day was truly so special, I didn’t feel like just another vendor, I felt like I’ve known them forever and they really treated me with so much respect. They even made sure I was fed dinner – how nice is that? One thing that happen that was my absolute favorite part of the day was the dinner speeches. Never have I seen so much loved poured into the two of them, how supportive and loved both parents made them feel was honest truly special and that’s what made me cry.

The last question I asked Maddy was how it felt now being married and this is what she said…

“Being married now is so fun! I truly feel like I’m starting a brand-new chapter in my life. I love that Mike is a part of my family and that I’m a part of his. It’s so special for us.”