Flash Back

Good photography reflects how your wedding looked; great photography reflects how it felt. The four unscripted moments featured here capture the love, emotion, and sometimes humor that make your day memorable. Plus: What you can learn from each one. 

Cameron Keylor & Matthew Saxon
April 23, 2022

Cameron Keylor wanted her wedding day to be special—not just for her and her groom, Matthew, but for her flower girl, too. From the get-go, Cameron made sure to include 2.5-year-old Kamden—who is the daughter of her cousin, and with whom she is extremely close—in her day-of plans, beginning with the matching Hill House dresses they wore in the bridal suite. “I had picked out our matching getting-ready dresses before I had even picked out my wedding dress,” says Cameron, who says their twinning moment made Kamden “so proud.” Once Cameron was ready to show her finished look to her bridal party, Kamden excitedly took her place among the ’maids, which included her mom, and covered her eyes. “She immediately ran up and jumped in my arms to hug me,” Cameron remembers of the reveal. “When I put her down, she spun around to show me her dress.” 

The takeaway: Finding ways to make the littlest members of your bridal party feel special will make for lifelong memories for them—and you. “It meant everything to me,” Cameron says. 

Yagmur Duman & Will Griffin
August 20, 2023

Yagmur Duman and Will Griffin’s Vail, Colorado, nuptials were sprinkled with good luck when a storm popped up at the start of their ceremony. Unable to wait the rain out due to their chapel’s tight schedule, the nearlyweds said “I do,” then ventured out into the downpour for their petal toss. Thankfully, their planner, Karli Spangler of Karli Spangler Events, had clear bubble umbrellas on hand, which their wedding party used to create a makeshift tent. While the bride’s wedding gown and shoes were soaked through by the end, she thankfully had a reception outfit at the ready. Yagmur credits her vendor team for the easy transition to the backup plan. “Given that the rain was so brief, I don’t think any of our guests noticed the switch,” she says. “It all came about so seamlessly.”  —photo by John Cain Photography

The takeaway: Be prepared, then roll with the punches. Plan B might be even more beautiful than you imagined. “I really didn’t have any time to be worried about the rain,” says Yagmur. “And I loved the way all the umbrella photos turned out!” 

Haley Walton & Zach Harris
April 8, 2023

After Zach Harris popped the question to his high-school-friend-turned-something-more, Haley Walton, the two started planning their big day at The Room on Main. Though there were lots of decisions to be made, there was no question that a certain family member would be involved. “Zach’s grandpa, Mike, is the only grandparent we have left between the two of us,” says Haley. “He lives in New Braunfels, Texas, where he teaches accordion lessons within the local community.” It’s tradition for Grandpa Mike to play a song for the bride and groom anytime someone in the family gets married, and Haley and Zach were excited to have their turn. He chose a romantic tune that honored the groom’s Czech heritage, and, to this day, friends of the couple still recount how his performance was the highlight of their wedding. “It made us all feel like we were strolling down the streets in some tiny European town,” says Haley. —photo by Emily Chappell Photography

The takeaway: You’ll never regret giving loved ones a chance to show their affection—through a speech, gesture, or performance. “It was such a special moment for us,” recalls Haley. “There wasn’t a dry eye in the house!”

Allison Speese & Austin McCormick
June 18, 2022

Sometimes the sweetest moments of your wedding day happen without your even knowing it. Such was the case for Allison Speese and Austin McCormick. While they were saying “I do,” their flower girl and ring bearer—niece Sydney, 4, and nephew Hudson, 6—were getting antsy in their seats. But only when the couple was going through their wedding photos did they learn about the lighthearted moment. “It was and continues to be one of my favorite images from the wedding,” says Allison. “It completely captures Sydney’s personality and makes having my niece and nephew as part of our wedding all the more memorable and special.” —photo by Sarah Kate Photographer

The takeaway: While involving kids in your big day makes for dear memories, it also requires grace—something Allison, a wedding planner herself, knows all too well. “I tell all of my couples that at the end of the day, you will be married and that alone is a success,” says Allison, who—together with her husband, Austin—runs Denver-based event company Alchemy Collective. “Letting the day play out organically and, yes, sometimes unexpectedly, is part of the magic.”

Stephanie Nixon & Brandon Chu
May 20, 2023

When Stephanie Nixon and Brandon Chu first began envisioning what their wedding day would look like, finding a way to incorporate their dog, Rose, was at the forefront. “It only felt right to have her with us on our big day,” says Stephanie. With help from their wedding planner, Elizabeth Gonzalez of After Yes, the couple decided that Rose would accompany Brandon down the aisle. To make sure their pooch looked the part, Stephanie found a white dress, complete with a pearl leash, that complemented her own Monique Lhuillier gown. Elizabeth made sure Rose’s day-of debut went smoothly and arranged for a dog sitter to take her home following the ceremony so everyone could enjoy the rest of the evening worry-free. “Our wedding was so amazing and everything we imagined,” Brandon says. “To have Rose be a part of it was even more special.” —photo by Shannon Skloss Photography

The takeaway: “Incorporating pets can be a tricky when it comes to weddings, as their behavior is so unpredictable,” says Elizabeth. “But when done correctly, it can be really special and make for adorable photos!”