Their love started at another couple’s marriage celebration. Louis and Samantha met at their mutual friend’s wedding in November 2012. While they were sitting next to a campfire, Samantha’s younger daughter, Brook, spent the entire evening squirting Louis with a water gun. The constant stream of water didn’t scare him away, if anything Louis was so excited for his first date with Samantha that he arrived at her front door a day early. That evening for their first date they enjoyed some delicious frozen yogurt. As Samantha likes to say, she has “been coordinating his schedule ever since.”
Fast forward to July 2014 Louis planned an ultimate Fairytale Disney proposal. Here is Samantha’s account of being proposed to:
“We got engaged during a Disney Cruise last year. Louis was going to surprise Samantha by presenting her with a large clasped shell, with the rings inside. We were going to get all of Samantha’s family members to go on a “shell hunt” while docked on a tropical beach, (the Disney Castaway Cay Island). The plan was for everyone to present Samantha with their shells and other findings as a gift, all at once, then Louis would walk up with the biggest finding, the engagement rings (yes, one for Brooke as well), tucked inside a beautiful seashell.
Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate. So in a pinch, Louis scurried to change plans. The whole family met at the same table each night for dinner… Louis asked concierge to see if they could get a “Prince” costume to wear just for a few minutes, to propose to Samantha, dressed as one of Disney’s magical characters. They were able to get a standard issue tuxedo for him to wear, which worked out great. Louis came into the dinner fashionably late, and got on one knee, before Samantha even realized what was going on, or even that he was there! While all the rest of the family were dressed up as pirates (themed dinner night), he proposed just before dinner!”
When Louis asked Samantha if she would marry him he had to ask her twice because she was so shocked. Louis the second time said, “Is that a yes or no?” With glee Samantha responded “YES”. Not only did Louis present an engagement ring to Samantha but Louis gifted Brooke a ring too! So much romance and love filled that Disney Cruise ship that evening.
On their wedding day, November 28, 2015, Louis and Samantha promised to love one another for life at the Tempe Center for the Arts. Their first day as husband and wife was full of unforgettable moments and it was a day that marked the start of a new family.
Louis and Samantha you both are remarkable. You two and your love is magnetic and encourages others to want to surround themselves with your presence. Thank you for giving me the honor of documenting your first day as husband and wife and the opportunity to witness the birth of your new family unit. Grace and Peace, April
Samantha’s wedding day started with an elegant dress from Almond Tree Weddings.
Tempe Center for the Art’s cement building walls make for a breathtaking backdrop for a bride getting ready on her wedding day!
Three bridesmaids, full of love and support for the bride!
Samantha’s colors: turquoise, coral and grey made for a classic modern wedding.
Samantha’s “something old” and “something blue”.
When their love developed, Louis, Samantha and Brooke would ride bikes together as a family. In honor of this tradition the bride and groom incorporated bicycles into their wedding paper details.
While Samantha was getting ready with her bridesmaids, Louis was prepping with his groomsmen over looking Tempe Town Lake.
The groom was more than eager to see his blushing bride before the ceremony!
Following their first look we strolled Tempe Center for the Art’s desert landscape.
We ended their couple portraits at the Tempe Center for the Art’s sculpture garden.
A great couple is surrounded by an awesome group of friends.
So much enthusiasm was in the air that wedding day.
Louis and Samantha planned their ceremony on the Tempe Center for the Arts courtyard patio overlooking the city’s landmark, Tempe Town Lake.
Samantha’s daughter, Brooke, had the honor of walking her mom down the aisle.
Lakeside wedding dreams unfolded as Louis and Samantha declared their love for one another around the people they love.
During the ceremony the wedding couple opted to paint a canvas demonstrating their union.
After heartwarming love and devotion was shared at the ceremony, the wedding couple enjoyed some Arizona sunset photos. You are awe-inspiring Samantha!
Many thanks to the stylist at All Done Up Salon for their craftsmanship.
An Arizona Autumn wedding is complete when there’s a city skyline, sunset and Fall leaves in the background.
Next to the Tempe Center for the Arts courtyard patio is a glass banquet hall that also overlooks Tempe Town Lake; it was the perfect Arizona reception venue to host Louis and Samantha’s wedding celebration. The wedding couple had little Doilies made for their guests’ favors. These Italian favors are traditionally wrapped around an almond. In lieu of the couple’s love for coffee they had them wrapped around chocolate covered coffee beans.
Louis and Samantha opted for bundt cakes for their first dessert.
For warm beverages and in honor of the family’s love for coffee the wedding couple had an espresso machine.
They began their wedding reception with a kiss and lakeside skyline backdrop.
Their first dance as Mr. and Mrs.
Memorable moments on the dance floor made for an epic Tempe Center for the Art’s wedding night! Thereafter, Louis and Samantha lived happily ever after. Congrats Louis and Samantha for becoming one and for becoming a bigger family!
IF YOU LIKE THE EXPERIENCE SEEN IN THESE PICTURES YOU CAN BOOK YOUR MEMORY MAKING WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER TODAY!
Many thanks to the wedding creative team who helped in the celebration of two souls committing the promise of forever:
Ceremony Venue: Tempe Center for the Arts
Reception Venue: Tempe Center for the Arts
Photographer: April Maura Photography
Caterer: Santa Barbara Catering
Alcohol Catering: Atlasta Catering
Florist: Fred’s Flowers
Dress: Almond Tree Weddings
Make-up/Hair: All Done Up Salon
Bridesmaid dresses: David’s Bridal
Grooms attire +tie: Men’s Wearhouse
Groom’s cufflinks: His Own: Gift from a friend in the 2nd grade
Groomsmen’s ties: Arizona Mills
Guest’s favors: DIY Italian Doily: wrapped chocolate covered coffee beans
Wedding Cake: Nothing Bundt Cake
DIY: Cake Stands, meal cards, ribbon for chairs, guest book, lantern decorations, doily favors, candle holders (Frosted vases)
Linens: Santa Barbara Catering
Invitations: David’s Bridal
Wedding Rings: Ganem’s Jewelers
