Behind the Lens, In Front of the Altar | My Wedding as a Photographer and a Bride | Phoenix, Arizona

Written By Andrea Beilner

Intro: Living the Day I’ve Spent Years Capturing

As a photographer, I’ve witnessed tons and tons of love stories unfold! each one unique, and beautiful in their own ways. I’ve cried during strangers’ vows, fluffed countless dresses and ties, tracked down missing boutonnieres, and quietly documented tearful first looks. I thought I knew weddings.

But nothing prepared me for what it felt like to actually live one. Quite LITERALLY.

Planning our wedding in Phoenix Arizona, wasn’t just a celebration, it was a collision of every chapter of our lives. People flew in from all over the country to be there. That alone was magic. But experiencing the whole thing, marrying my best friend, gathering our community, showing off my favorite vendors—it was overwhelming in the best way.

The Love Story & The Location

Over the last two years, Arizona has become our home—cactus, sunsets, HEAT and all. And when it came time to decide where we’d get married, it felt right to bring everyone to us. I have photographed love stories in Washington’s lush greens, and in North Carolina’s charm, and Arizona’s golden light. I knew after so many weddings in Seattle area that I wanted something unique. PLUS flights from Seattle to Asheville and from Asheville to Seattle were expensive, so it felt like the perfect compromise to put us all in Phoenix. But this time, Arizona wasn’t just a backdrop. It was our beginning. Forever marked in our life story.

We wanted our day to reflect us. Not just the Pinterest version of us, but the emotional, silly, deeply-in-love version. That meant working with people I trusted, giving creative freedom where I could, and focusing on vibes rather than being perfect.

Tips

The Best Parts:

  • Marrying My Best Friend (DUH):
    It sounds cliché and dorky, but standing with the person I love, hearing his vows, and saying mine, was the most grounding, joy-filled moment of my life. I photograph that moment for others all the time, but experiencing it for myself was something entirely different. Time stopped.

  • Private Vows:

    This isn’t for everyone, but being socially awkward humans we felt like saying our vows in private. We paired this with our private first look. This allowed us to show our true emotions and to be able to be vulnerable with one another. This moment was my most cherished moment from the whole day.

  • All Our People Together:
    Have you ever been in a room full of almost every single person you and your bestie know? Probably not…because its WILD. Friends from childhood meeting my gym fam, and photography peers turned friends. My husband’s family from North Carolina bonding with mine from the PNW. And of course the friends we’ve made together. It felt like a family reunion, a party, and a love explosion all at once.

  • Invite Who YOU want:

    I chose to invite only the people we truly wanted there. When my husband and I envisioned our day I saw certain people there and certain people not there so thats what we did. And yes, that meant not including some people, but including others. And I am so so so glad we did. So no matter the pressure, don’t let it make you explode. Choose a guest list of those who will show up for you.

  • Creative Freedom:
    I got to work with the kind of vendors I usually recommend to clients! People I trust not only to deliver, but to create something that feels like art. Being on the other side of the process was emotional and honestly, kind of vulnerable. But watching them bring our vision to life? A dream.

Things I didn’t do:

Okay, real talk. Not everything went perfectly, and that’s okay. Here’s what I’d do differently:

  • Budget Reality Check:
    I’ve told couples this a million times: “It adds up fast.” Well... I learned that lesson firsthand. We didn’t break the bank, but I definitely had moments where I was like, “Wait… why are we paying this much for ___?” Allow yourself to compromise, ask for help, and spend the money where you REALLY want to spend it first. You can always add later. Don’t worry lots of people will allow you to do payment plans. PHEW

  • Glue My Husband to My Side.
    I’m kidding… sort of. Weddings are a whirlwind and even though we were the stars of the show, I felt like I barely saw him during the reception. If I could do it again, I’d prioritize more private moments together during the day. Maybe even a “no-separation” rule after the ceremony. (Photographers, please steal that idea and suggest it to your couples.)

  • More Taco Bell. Always More Taco Bell.
    We had some Taco Bell during the late-night portion of the night, but not nearly enough. BOXES and BOXES of basic tacos…Elite wedding food. I stand by that. and will continue too.

How Being a Bride Changed Me as a Photographer

I’ve always tried to photograph weddings with empathy—anticipating emotions, preserving moments, and keeping people grounded. But being the bride changed everything.

Now I know what it’s like to feel the pre-ceremony nerves in your chest, to hold your breath waiting to see your partner, to wish the day would slow down even just a little. I understand how overwhelming the timeline feels, how meaningful those little “unseen” moments are. The hand squeeze before walking down the aisle, your best friend helping you get in and out of your dress, your besties fanning you during dancing.

More than ever, I realize: the perfect photo isn’t about the perfect pose. It’s about emotion, honesty, and presence. That’s what I strive to capture for every couple I work with.

Final Thoughts: If You're a Bride, or a Photographer, or Both Someday...

This experience has deepened my love for what I do. Not just because weddings are beautiful (they are), but because they’re real. They’re about people showing up for love in every form—messy, joyful, sweaty, tender, and true.

So if you’re planning your wedding:


Eat more tacos. Hug your people. Don’t sweat the small stuff. And please—take a moment to just feel it all.

And if you’re looking for a photographer who’s lived it, who knows what matters, and who will capture not just how it looked but how it felt—I’ve got you.

So lets go ahead and meet one another! and BOOK YOUR WEDDING!

Andrea Beilner https://www.andreamichelle-photo.com
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A Mountain Top Adventure | Engagement | Asheville, NC