Lauren and Richie | Deming, NM Black and Ivory Wedding at Rio Mimbres Country Club

If there’s something that stands out to me about Lauren and Richie’s wedding at the First United Methodist Church in Deming—and the reception that followed at Rio Mimbres Country Club—it’s how emotionally invested every single friend, family member and guest was in celebrating their union. I don’t think I’ve seen so many tears, smiles, tender embraces, looks of adoration, squeals excitement or death-grip-hugs—nor have I witnessed so much laughter—all in one single event! There is no mistaking the fact that Lauren and Richie have a very special love for one another, and that literally every person who knows them well enough to attend their wedding celebration loves them both in equal measure.

It had only been three weeks since I’d last had these two in front of my camera, and I was so excited to see them again—this time for the main event!

The day started with the guys and girls in separate wings of the church for prep. When I arrived, the first thing I heard was 50’s music wafting out the door to the prep room—Lauren’s Wedding Prep playlist was so fun and calming!

After Lauren was ready, her sister and Matron of Honor, Haley, helped her into her beautiful delicate wedding dress, carefully zipping at the side and buttoning at the shoulder. Lauren paused for a moment to read a handwritten note from Richie—they’d exchanged cards and gifts to be opened just prior to their First Look. This was the sweetest thing! Just knowing they were doing this almost simultaneously is such a special detail to their story!

Lauren did an amazing job keeping it together, but nerves were high as I moved her into position for the First Look and Haley arranged the tulle layers of her dress. Their last hug sent Lauren over the edge, and while I locked my settings, her tears flowed freely as she waited the last few moments to see her soon-to-be husband.

Being on the other side of the lens from a First Look is such a privilege! I don’t know if there is a span of a few moments anywhere else in a wedding day when a couple is more themselves that they are in that moment—catching sight of each other for the first time, feeling their hearts skip a beat and their breath catch, taking each other in, feeling the waves of emotion and excitement roll over them, and then ultimately, experiencing this sense of peace and and calm. Documenting that moment for my couples is one of my favorite parts of a wedding day—I know those images, maybe more than any others, will bring back a flood of emotions each time they flip through their wedding album! Lauren and Richie are the sweet, attached, emotional and just flat out IN LOVE couple who adore each other, and that connection came straight through in their First Look and the wedding portraits that followed.

The ceremony was such a beautiful experience. The church’s traditional Christmas decor had been utilized, with it’s evergreen, white twinkle lights, and gold accents, which balanced nicely with the sanctuary’s beautiful stained glass windows. That, paired with the classical music and of course Lauren’s radiant beauty, stunning dress and the cathedral length scalloped veil that followed her down the aisle…so much elegance in one place! It took about three seconds to see the tears spring to Richie’s eyes, and then, to so many others’. So many full hearts!

Richie and Lauren made their getaway in a classic Cadillac Coup De Ville, and arrived at their reception at the Rio Mimbres Country Club just in time to get the party started. This has to most fun reception I’ve ever attended or photographed! The speeches, the music, the MC, the Shoe Game, and the dancing—oh, the DANCING! Old and young, EVERYONE was on the dance floor, tearing it up, singing their hearts out. It. Was. Awesome! Just as the sun started to dip, everyone gathered outside to send the bride and groom off for their Sunset Portraits—which were perfect!—with a bubble exit. Just wait till you see their faces—pure joy!

Lauren and Richie, the biggest joy I have in posting these pictures is knowing that you’ll be sitting down together to look through them with brimming hearts, as you relive your most special day! I love you both! Thank you for allowing me to be part of your story.

Hugs,

Erin