I’m extra fun with caffeine.

Sundays with family are my happiest days. 

My perfect morning consists of an early morning sunrise, coffee, and quiet time with Jesus. 

I could binge on chocolate, cookies, and “The Office” all night long. 

Grease and Mamma Mia are my jam.

My ideal night is sitting around the fire pit and pool with my girlfriends.

My favorite trip has been to the Big Island, Hawaii, but my dream trip is Copenhagen, Denmark.

I want to say I love living out in the country, but I really enjoy picking up a latte at the Starbucks on every corner.

Get to know Bethie

Secret Garden Wedding | Cresse & Hazem

I sat in the car after Cresse & Hazem’s Secret Garden Wedding & took a deep breath … such relief and happiness! For two main reasons: 

First, Cresse & Hazem’s wedding was my last wedding of 2023! So grateful for all the beautiful weddings I was asked to photograph this year! It’s never lost on me just how special my job is and what an honor to get to step into so many sweet couples’ big day, spend time around all their family and friends, and be able to capture it in beautiful photos for them! 2023 is another one for the books!

Secondly, Cresse & Hazem’s Secret Garden Wedding, presented lots of challenges going into it:

  • They last minute had a timeline change … so we knew it would be a bit rushed to get all the photos we needed to and still have time for lots of Husband & Wife portraits! 
  • They had decided not to have a first look and we were in a little bit of close quarters, so there was a bit of a challenge to make sure they weren’t able to see each other before the ceremony. 
  • And it turned out to be a rainy day!!

We packed our umbrellas, wore our game day shoes, and went in with a plan! 

Can I just say how grateful I am to work with brides who are willing to sacrifice a few things here and there in order to prioritize their Just Married photos! Cresse decided that her bridal details & photos of cocktail hour were low on her list…

Why it all worked out so great shooting at the Secret Garden Wedding Venue

SPOILER ALTER! The day ended up playing out so smoothly!! Between Olivia and I we were able to divide and conquer… I took detail photos, while Olivia capture candids of Cresse and her girls getting ready! 

And their venue, The Secret Garden, was laid out so the girls getting ready space was right above the guys. So I was able to quickly bop down the stairs, capture the guys getting ready and be back to help with the bridesmaids photos! It was a dream to be at The Secret Garden with such a tight timeline!

In other good news the rain stopped and the clouds cleared for a few hours — from before the ceremony all the way until the reception!! 

After the ceremony, we were on a mission to capture as many Just Married Portraits as possible! And let me tell you… we flew through it!! So many beautiful spots at The Secret Garden! We had the glowy light! And Hazem used to be a model … so we were set! 

It may be some of the easiest Just Married Portraits I’ve ever taken. We flowed in and out of poses so smoothly and captured SO MANY good ones!! 

Annnddd… there was time for them to go and enjoy cocktail hour!! That’s right we managed to get everything done on the list and then some! Whooo…

I can’t wait to share some of my favorites from Cresse & Hazem’s Secret Garden Wedding! As always loved second shooting for Olivia Sanchez who was associate shooting for Pinkerton Photo

Couldn’t have asked for a better wedding to bring 2023 to a close! A big finish, if you will!

Cresse’s Aunt giving her Cresse’s Great Grandmother’s ring to wear on her wedding day. She is the last one in line to wear it!
And Hazem wore his Grandfather’s watch … on it was inscribed ‘King of the Jordan.’

Vendors

Venue | Secret Garden by Edgewood Weddings

Photography | Pinkerton Photo Lead: Olivia Sanchez Second: Bethie Grondin

Video | Something New Media

Florals | Weddings by Blooming Bouquets

Hair & Make up | Love, Kyra Beauty

Cake | Piece of Cake Desserts

DJ | starzdjs

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I'm an open book in my blogs. I share everything that has taken me from living in sickness, anxiety, and depression to having life abundantly. I don't share for pity or as a way to vent, but rather to encourage other women to live a peaceful and simplified life. I'll only address things when I can look back and with clear thinking decide what has helped me throughout this journey. 

If you are looking for resources to bring peace and health back into your life and help you leave a life-giving leagacy, head to the shop the blog page!

I can only speak through experience, but I'll share every step of the way... 

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