When we first started thinking about these first look bridals for Natalie and Jarrett, Bountiful Pond was not our original plan. In fact, we had to pivot on the day-of! Just hours before everything was set to begin, their hair and makeup artist unexpectedly ghosted them, leaving us scrambling for a solution.
After years of photographing weddings, I’ve learned that staying calm is just as important as having a timeline.
When plans change, having someone who has experienced this last minute stress makes all the difference. We were able to pivot locations and pull everything together beautifully for their session. And guess what? Bountiful Pond turned out to be the perfect place to tell their story. It was so stunning in the golden hour light.
When Natalie and Jarrett first inquired they told me they were dreaming of portraits with a peaceful lake and mountain views. Once we shifted gears, Bountiful Pond easily checked every box.
The still water reflected the evening sky, and the mountains created a sweeping backdrop. All punctuated by the glowy, goey light that golden hour brings.
One of my favorite moments was watching the sun dip behind the trees as they stood hand in hand along the shoreline. The soft breeze caught Natalie’s veil, creating this romantic movement. But the whole evening was magical, despite the hiccup earlier in the day. I had so much fun exploring with them and creating their bridal images. And Jarrett’s reaction to seeing his bride for the first time was such a special memory to capture for them.
Why You Might Want to Consider a Separate Bridal + First Look Session
One of my favorite things to recommend to couples is scheduling your bridals and first look on a separate day before your wedding. It gives you the chance to slow down and actually soak in one of the biggest moments of your lives. Instead of watching the clock or worrying about guests waiting, your partner gets to see you in your wedding attire for the very first time in a quiet, private setting. That moment stays 100% yours. You can laugh, cry, hug, and simply enjoy the excitement of saying, “We’re getting married!!!”
There is also a huge practical benefit.
Planning your bridal portraits separately means you can photograph during the best light of the day without trying to squeeze everything into an already full wedding timeline.
Then, when your wedding day arrives, you can relax knowing those portraits are already finished. Instead of spending your cocktail hour taking photos while feeling FOMO, you get to be fully present with your family and friends. It is one of the easiest ways to reduce stress while still creating a gallery that captures the memories of this time.
If you want to see another example of bridal portraits, you can see this blog post here for inspo!
A Reminder That Beautiful Moments Are Still Waiting Despite Setbacks!
This day with Natalie and Jarrett was the perfect example of why it’s good to have a vendor team with years of experience under their belts. The tough reality is: wedding days rarely go exactly as planned. And that is completely normal. After photographing hundreds of wedding days in all different locations, I’ve learned how to pivot quickly. All while keeping my couples relaxed and focused on what matters most.
Instead of stressing over what went wrong on this beautiful day, Natalie and Jarrett leaned into the moment. They trusted the process, asked for help, and stayed present with each other. And they ended up with portraits that still perfectly captured their original vision. Looking through these pictures, you would never know the day started with unexpected challenges! And that, my friend, is my goal as your destination wedding photographer.
Natalie and Jarrett’s gallery from Bountiful Pond is tangible proof that flexibility can lead to something even better than the original plan.
