The first time I met Raquel, I almost gave her a heart attack!

Okay, so maybe that’s not the best way to start a relationship, but it’s the truth! Dom and I were trying our hand at using facebook ads for the first time and had booked a few family sessions last fall. Raquel and I had been messaging back and forth a bit and had decided on a family/engagement shoot combo out at Lewis and Clark State Park. She had organized her family together which included Cyrus’ dad, mom, grandmother and her and Cyrus’ three kiddos. As you can imagine, getting all these people in one place was no small feat, so that morning when I wasn’t answering her texts or phone calls when she called to confirm our shoot, you can imagine what she must have been thinking!

Turns out I had a newborn shoot early that morning right before my session with Raquel, so had my phone on silent to not wake the baby. When I got to my car and checked my phone I felt so terrible, and called her immediately! She was quite relieved to find out that this wasn’t some ghosting facebook scam and we ended up having a really lovely session in the park later that afternoon!

Raquel and Cyrus actually legally got married previously, but they had planned a super laid-back wedding ceremony with only family and a few close friends on the rooftop of the Duniway Hotel. Unfortunately, COVID-19 had different plans and about three weeks ago Raquel impressively navigated every bride’s worst nightmare- having to relocate her wedding venue last minute! But don’t worry: Abernathy Center to the rescue! Abernathy is an amazing wedding venue and is really 3 venues in 1. They and Raquel’s amazing coordinator, Najla from Najla Rose Events & Designs, worked with Raquel to redesign her wedding in a matter of days! I can’t speak highly enough of this team for being able to help Raquel and Cyrus as their wedding vision did a 180!

It was a heart-of-summer Sunday on July 19th with temperatures climbing into the 90s and as I walked up I saw Najla putting the finishing touches on Raquel’s balloon bubble arch which she was embellishing with greenery to add some colorful pop. Raquel loves balloons and I thought this was such a creative way to incorporate them into the ceremony! Check out the photos below!

I followed the waft of A/C to the bridal suite and found Raquel and her mom under the good care of The Glam Squad- Tanesha and Ivette who were making every woman who walked into that room look like a total babe and brining out their inner Diva. As I snapped a few photos of the rings and details and the finishing touches were applied to the hair and makeup, Cyrus arrived with their little daughter Victoria and things got a little crazy. Victoria is THE most adorable little girl (check out her big brown eyes and perfect cheeks below if you don’t believe me) but she had been having a bit of a rough morning. She is also a bit of a dadd'y’s girl, so being separated from him for any length of time wasn’t ideal. Luckily Raquel found out that a large portion of her grumps were just hunger (I get it girl- I’m the WORST when I’m hangry!) and after a snack she gave her mom enough time to be able to slip into her dress and even allowed time for me to snap some fun bridal-suite portraits!

(By the way, if you are looking for a space with a great outdoor ceremony option and a truly spacious, clean and bright bridal suite, Abernathy Center’s Abigail’s Garden is a fantastic option and one to put on the list of venues to check out!)

The guests collected in the amphitheater for the ceremony and Cyrus’ boys Jackson and Caleb carried the rings down the aisle. As Raquel and her mother turned the corner and everyone got to see her for the first time you could hear an audible gasp. She was truly a beauty to behold. Her flowing gown was beautifully complimented by a golden crown of leaves as her dark and perfectly silky curls wrapped around her shoulders. She and her mom walked arm in arm and I was tearing up as Maria looked at her daughter one last time before turning her over to Cyrus.

Their ceremony was short and sweet and perfectly fitting for the intimate crowd which had gathered to celebrate their love and commitment to each other. As they walked back down the aisle their laughter and the beaming smile of Raquel could be seen for miles I swear!

During the reception Cyrus’s comrades from his days in the military all shared hilarious stories and spoke to his ability to bring people together and make them feel like brothers. Cyrus even had one friend travel all the way from Japan which in these times took over two days of travel to complete! I spoke to him for a bit and the time it took to travel was almost of no consequence to him, he would have done anything to be here this day to celebrate in style the marriage of one of his best friends.

As I wandered through the guests after Raquel and Cyrus cut the cake (whose topper was the same as that on Cyrus’ parent’s cake on their wedding day, how sweet is that!?!) I continually was struck again and again at the kindness and sincerity of every person at this wedding. From Cyrus’ mom Terri who was nothing but appreciative and complimentary and just overjoyed the whole day, to a fellow military-brother who swept up Cyrus’ mom for a twirl on the dance floor- every single family member and friend I had any amount of conversation with were just so wonderful to talk to.

I know Cyrus and Raquel already have a strong relationship that not only has a foundation that will hold firm for the years to come, but they also have this incredible family bond to support them and help them weather any storm that may come to pass. I wish them all the best and am so happy Raquel forgave me for the initial scare I gave her when we first met!

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