Kayleigh & Billy’s wedding brought me to Arizona for the very first time, and every part of the day was such a joy to be a part of. These two share such a beautiful love, and it was truly an honor to document the beginning of their marriage.

The day started at Kayleigh’s mom’s house, where I photographed all of their details while Deirdre captured the sweetest candid moments with the girls. Kayleigh and Billy each have a sister with a baby girl, and their two little nieces matched the bridesmaids in pink pajamas while getting ready and later wore the cutest pink dresses. It was absolutely adorable!

Before we knew it, it was time to head to their church, St. Gianna’s Oratory in downtown Tucson, Arizona. Before the ceremony, Kayleigh and Billy shared a private prayer around the corner of a doorway in the rectory next to the church. It was such a beautiful, quiet moment together before their Nuptial Mass began.

They were married in the Tridentine Latin Rite, where the vows and exchange of rings take place immediately after the entrance procession, before Mass officially begins. This means that the very first act they do together as husband and wife is participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which is such a beautiful reminder that Christ is meant to remain at the center of their marriage.

Usually in the Latin Mass couples don’t share a first kiss in the church, so Kayleigh and Billy planned to share theirs outside on the church steps. It was so sweet to wait for them outside and capture the overwhelming joy and wonder of the “I can’t believe we just got MARRIED” on their faces.

After finishing up some portraits inside and outside their church, it was time to head to their venue, Stardance Event Center. Their wedding party braved the heat (it was early May but already over 100 degrees), and we captured their photos in a few spots at the front of Stardance. Stardance sits just west of Tucson at the base of the mountains, and the views in every direction were incredible

While I stayed with Kayleigh and Billy out front for their portraits (which I am lowkey super obsessed with), Deirdre and their wedding party headed out to the backyard for the cocktail hour. My East Coast-raised self didn’t fully understand the difference between dry heat and humidity until this trip, and let me just say, it is a HUGE difference. I’m not built for heat either way, but the dry heat at least becomes bearable as soon as you step out of direct sun, which means you can still have an outdoor cocktail hour in 105-degree weather.

Their reception was a blast: beautiful toasts, an epic dance floor, a handmade wedding cake (courtesy of one of the groom’s sisters), and some of my favorite sunset photos ever. I know I say that a lot, but I don’t usually get mountain views in my sunset photos—and I definitely don’t get mountains, giant cacti, and the dreamiest cotton candy pink skies all in one place. Arizona really showed off.

Kayleigh and Billy, thank you so much for trusting me to photograph such a beautiful day. It was such a joy to celebrate alongside you, and I’m so grateful I got to document the beginning of your marriage.

Xoxo,

Mary Kate

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A huge thank you to all the other vendors who came together to make this day possible!

CHURCH // St. Gianna Oratory

RECEPTION VENUE // Stardance Event Center

PLANNER // Ashlie Nicholle Weddings

FLORIST // Bloomies

VIDEOGRAPHER // Jimmy Nelson Films

DJ // Che The DJ

CAKE // Natalie Mossburg (Family)

CATERING // Johnny Gibson’s Market

DRESS // A Dressy Occasion

BRIDESMAIDS // JJ’s House

GROOMSMEN // Men’s Wearhouse