Rachel + Tyler | Married

Rachel and Tyler are a couple that are so easy to love.

Rachel has a quiet demeanor, but when she starts dancing, she’s unstoppable. It was so fun to see her let loose and have fun on the dance floor, showing off her impressive moves and making some of the best facial expressions. She has a lot of friends, and it’s not hard to see why. One of the most special moments of the day was the first look that Rachel did with her three bridesmaids. It was a touching moment that captured the bond between Rachel and her closest friends. She looked stunning in her wedding dress, and it was clear that Tyler was a lucky man.

Speaking of Tyler, he’s a man who looks like Patrick Swayze from Dirty Dancing, according to my second-shooter Chloe, and I have to agree. Tyler is a polite and kind person, and he was very emotional during his mother-son dance, which was a beautiful moment to witness. His brother was the best man, and he gave a touching toast that highlighted just how great of a person Tyler is. Tyler danced a lot with Rachel at the reception, and it was so fun to see them having such a great time together. He could keep up with her fun dance moves, which made it even more clear that they are meant to be together.

Both Rachel and Tyler were shy behind the camera, but they totally came out of their shell around their friends. They are truly polite, very kind people, who just-so-happen to be absolutely GORGEOUS to look at, and it was an honor to capture their special day.

This is the part where I get to tell you about some of my favorite parts of Rachel and Tyler’s big day and drop a few tips for future couples to consider for their big day!!

I HAVE to mention the epic sunset Rachel and Tyler manifested for their big day! This provided the most perfect backdrop for some truly stunning photos, and inevitably turned out to be my favorite moment of the day to capture… we created pure magic. *One tip for future couples: be sure to time your ceremony so that the sun is setting during the reception. This will give us plenty of time to dash out during dinner and snag some absolutely breathtaking photos that you’ll treasure forever.

One of the coolest parts of the reception was when the team brought out pink and black cowboy/girl hats and sunglasses for everyone. It was such a unique touch that made the reception pictures look awesome. *Another tip for future couples: don’t be afraid to add some fun touches to your reception, too. It’ll make your wedding stand out and give your guests something to remember.

And let’s not forget about the cake! They had a chocolate cake with blueberries and raspberries on it, which was so awesome, because I’ve never seen a chocolate cake at a wedding before! It was really yummy- I definitely made sure to get a slice. *Tip for future couples: don’t be afraid to go outside the box with your cake choices. It’ll make for a memorable and delicious dessert.

I also loved the last dance that Rachel and Tyler shared – everyone was moved outside before the sparkler exits, so that the couple just got to enjoy the moment alone. It was such a sweet moment that really captured the love between Rachel and Tyler, and the intimacy of the moment made it even more special. *One last tip for future couples: be sure to take a few moments throughout the day to just be with your partner. It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of the day, but those quiet moments will be some of the most cherished memories.

As a wedding photographer, I’ve always admired Chris Yeatts’ work, so when I had the opportunity to work with him at a wedding, I was thrilled. And let me tell you, he did not disappoint! He totally deserves his own little shoutout!

Chris and his team at CY Wedding Films are true professionals, and they went above and beyond to capture every moment of the day in a way that was both unobtrusive and cinematic. One of the things that I appreciated most about working with Chris was his attention to detail. He truly cares about his craft, and it shows in every frame of his films. One of my favorite things about working with him as a photographer was how easy and go-with-the-flow he was to work with – it truly allowed us to get creative together. He came with a ton of really awesome lighting equipment that helped a lot with photos.

He took the time to get to know the couple and their story, and he was able to weave that into the film in a way that was both beautiful and authentic. The end result was nothing short of stunning. Chris created a tailor-made narrative that brought the couple’s day to life in a way that was both emotional and timeless. I know that this film will be passed down for generations, and that it will be cherished by the couple and their families for years to come.

If you’re looking for a wedding videographer who will capture the beauty and emotion of your special day in the most authentic and gorgeous way, then look no further than CY Wedding Films. Chris and his team are true professionals, and they will go above and beyond to create a film that you will treasure for a lifetime. Check out their STUNNING highlight video here! I absolutely LOVE it!!!

Question: Tell us a short story about a core memory you took away from your wedding day. 

Rachel’s Answer: Our favorite part of our wedding was writing our vows to each other. Tyler initially didn’t want to do it because it felt scary to be that vulnerable, but it ended up being his favorite part too. We will never forget the sunset and stunning weather that day; it was so picturesque! My favorite memory of all happened right after the wedding, when my maid of honor gave me her wedding gift. It was a stunning marble cheese board that said “Rachel and Taylor” (his name is Tyler). I said “TAYLOR!!!!!” and everyone in our house burst out laughing. Miya (MOH) was mortified, but I laughed so hard I cried! I said “It’s written in actual stone!!!” and the whole house erupted in laughter again. God bless Miya, the board is now proudly displayed in my kitchen.

*Ashley’s Note: Thank you so much for sharing your favorite moments from your wedding day! It’s so wonderful to hear that you and Tyler both enjoyed writing your vows and that it ended up being his favorite part of the wedding too. I agree, the sunset and weather were absolutely stunning – what a perfect day!

But I have to say, your favorite memory is absolutely hilarious! It’s so great that you have such a fun and supportive group of friends and family. That moment with your maid of honor sounds like something straight out of a comedy movie. I’m so glad that you have the marble cheese board to remember that moment by, and that it’s proudly displayed in your kitchen for everyone to see.

For future brides, I would recommend taking the time to personalize your wedding vows. It may seem daunting to put your feelings into words, but it’s a wonderful way to express your love and commitment to your partner. Also, don’t forget to take a moment to appreciate the little things on your wedding day, like the beautiful sunset or a funny moment with your loved ones. These memories will last a lifetime!

Question: Do you have a favorite memory from working with Ashley Dorton?

Rachel’s Answer: Ashley put me at ease as soon as we met via zoom! She was so organized and professional that I truly felt like I could stop worrying about the day, fully knowing she had my back. I could tell she was a real veteran in the wedding industry, which made me confident that she could fix or handle anything that could possibly come her way on our big day! If I had to pick again, I wouldn’t have picked anyone else!

*Ashley’s Note: Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled to hear that you felt comfortable with me from the start. I always aim to make my clients feel at ease and confident, so it’s great to hear that I was able to do that for you. As a seasoned wedding photographer, I take pride in my professionalism and organization. I’m glad that you noticed and appreciated my experience in the industry. I’m always prepared for anything that may come my way on the big day, and I’m so glad that you felt like you could trust me to handle anything that came up.

It was truly an honor to be a part of your wedding and capture all of those beautiful moments. I’m so grateful that you chose me as your photographer and that I was able to capture your special day. Thank you again for your kind words, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything in the future!

My tip to future brides is to choose a photographer who makes you feel comfortable and confident. Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and you want to make sure that you have someone by your side who can capture all of those special moments. Look for someone who is organized, professional, and experienced in the industry. That way, you can relax and enjoy your day, knowing that everything is in good hands.

Question: When planning the wedding, how did you pick each vendor? What stood out about each one?

Rachel‘s Answer: Honestly, we picked a lot of vendors because they were recommended by
our venue!

EAT Catering | Food & Beverage Service: Eat Catering was Awesome!! They provided really good food, and we ran into absolutely zero complications. I must say, the food tasting was also very fun!!

Kimmy Huynh | Hairstylist: I found Kimmy Huynh through Instagram, and she was SO friendly and talkative from the very beginning! Her pleasant conversation put a lot of my worries at ease on the day-of, because it distracted me from my nerves. Plus, my hair and the others’ hair turned out great! OH! I can’t forget to mention the lashes she did for us, which also turned out amazing!!!!

Illumination Events | Event Coordinator: The awesome team at Illumination Events was very organized, and truly helped to make the day-of so much more stress free. Chelsea M. and Holly had an amazing energy, and their ultra-positive attitudes kept me calm.

Ashley Dorton Photography | Photographer: Ashley of Ashley Dorton Photography was definitely on her A game!!! She was so organized and structured, yet could make adjustments for hiccups throughout the day, like when my mom was late, lol!!!

Chris Yeats of CY Wedding Films | Videographer: Chris of CY Wedding Films was amazing and his work speaks for itself. He was very nice and made us feel comfortable during filming. We can’t wait
to see the highlight video!

DJ Goddess | Officiant & DJ Services: The DJ Goddess team was very organized and passionate! We hired them for officiant and MC services, and they did an amazing job!

Mission BBQ | Rehearsal Food & Beverage: Mission BBQ catered our rehearsal dinner, and it was delicious!

Flowers Make Scents | Florals: Flowers Make Scents floored me with their flowers! I was honestly amazed at how seamlessly they brought my vision to life!!! I was tickled to have such a gorgeous outcome with our flowers.

The Mixing Bowl Bakery | Cake & Cupcakes: The cake and cupcakes from The Mixing Bowl Bakery were yummy and turned out absolutely beautiful!

Silver Leaf String Quartet | Ceremony Music: The Silver Leaf String Quartet provided beautiful music! They were very professional and definitely made our ceremony special.

To Rachel and Tyler,

I had such a wonderful time working with you both on your special day. It was truly an honor to capture the love between the two of you, and I’m so grateful that you trusted me to document your memories. You both looked absolutely gorgeous on your wedding day, and your photos turned out absolutely stunning. I hope that you love them as much as I do! I hope we will get the chance to work together again for all your future milestones and occasions!

And finally, a huge ‘thank you’ to all of the amazing vendors mentioned in this blog, who played a special part in making this wedding such a success! You’re all true professionals, and I hope to work with you many more times in the future!

Here’s to the sweetest lifetime of laughter, awesome dance moves, and happily-ever-after!
Xo,
Ashley

(Blog designed & Written by Sarah of Aligned Artists)