Sedona Hike Proposal and an Arizona Wedding at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale!
A scenic proposal and a resort wedding with a skyline rooftop reception!
Real Clients, Real Moments
by David Orr Photography
One thing that proposals and weddings share in common—besides sweet, sweet, love—is how nerve-wracking they are to plan! Getting all the details and timing just right can make a big difference in the overall success of each. Of course, it’s okay to be nervous and excited, as that is a clear sign of how significant these events—and people—are in your life! Don’t despair; we are here to help! We have helped countless people pop the question in their own special and unique way. And the bonds we forge planning and photographing your proposal together will lay the groundwork for an awesome wedding photo experience. You can rest easy knowing that you have a photographer you can trust to document all the special moments, which leaves you free to actually enjoy and be present on your wedding day!
Austin reached out to us to plan and capture his Sedona destination proposal.
The connection we made photographing Austin and Carly’s proposal paved the way for a trusting and collaborative relationship on their wedding day, allowing us to create beautiful images together. Read on for all the details of Austin and Carly’s love story below!
Planning a vacation and hiking proposal among the red rocks of Sedona
with Carly & Austin
Austin reached out to us from his home in Texas for our expertise when planning his destination proposal. He had seen gorgeous photos of Sedona, Arizona on social media, and knew the red rock landscape was exactly where he wanted to bring his girlfriend Carly to pop the question. Now we just needed to narrow it down to the perfect location.
I found out that Austin and Carly were both very active, so a short hike wouldn’t be a problem. Austin also shared that he wanted a spot that was more intimate and private. Knowing this, I looked past some of the more popular and busy locations, and focused on finding a place with beautiful views and less people. Together we decided on a trail that had the elevation and stunning views that Austin was looking for, that was not too busy, and also that was properly oriented for sunset light.
Picture perfection needs lots of planning
A few days before the proposal, we pinpointed the exact location on the trail using topographic maps and satellite photos. We also exchanged selfies and confirmed the clothes that we would be wearing, so that we could recognize each other from a distance. Much of our planning was via text: for instance, we came up with Plan B options just in case we had a change in weather; we figured out how much time the session would take with a hike so they could go to dinner afterward; we chatted about whether to bring extra clothing, etc. After exchanging about 59 text messages between us, our plan was in place and ready to go!
The day of the proposal, we coordinated our hike start times to make sure that I was at the top of the trail and in position before Austin and Carly arrived. It was a comfortably warm May afternoon, with clear blue skies, and prickly pear cacti covered in fluorescent yellow blooms. I made the hour hike up along a dusty red trail through a wooded canyon, arriving at the top of a mesa with views of the Red Rock wilderness extending for miles. I quickly found a vantage point hidden among some juniper trees, and waited for Austin and Carly to arrive.
Hidden behind juniper trees, I waited patiently!
Half an hour later, I could hear Austin and Carly as they made it to the top of the mesa and walked out onto the canyon overlook. As Carly posed for a couple of cellphone pics, to her surprise, Austin dropped to one knee and launched into his proposal speech.
Carly was ecstatic and smothered Austin in a tight embrace. When she caught her breath, Austin presented her with a sparkling, oval-cut diamond engagement ring. I continued to take candid photos from a distance while the two reveled in the moment. Then Austin revealed to Carly that I was nearby taking photos, and we met up to create some beautiful golden-hour engagement portraits among the glowing red rocks.
A year later, they returned to Arizona for their destination wedding at Scottsdale’s Hotel Valley Ho!
Almost a year after their engagement, Carly and Austin returned to the beautiful Arizona desert for a destination wedding at the historic Scottsdale Hotel Valley Ho. The hotel is a popular Scottsdale landmark, well known for its mid-century, jet-age, modern architectural style, not to mention a number of Hollywood stars and baseball players that had stayed there in the 1950s.
Our day began with Carly and her bridesmaids getting ready in the spacious and comfy Tower Suite. We captured Carly’s maid of honor putting the finishing touches on Carly’s hair, and then gathered Carly’s dress, bouquet, and other accessories for detail photos. Carly’s amazing bouquet featured blush and white roses, huge white orchids, real cactus, succulents, and a dried and trimmed palm frond. After we finished documenting the details, Carly and her bridesmaids got together for a toast and some cute photos in their satin, champagne and white-colored robes.
Next, we headed back downstairs to meet Austin and his groomsmen for their formal portraits.
We started out in the vibrant orange driveway of Hotel Valley Ho. The guys were dressed to the hilt in sharp black suits with black bowties. After some fun group shots, we walked through the lobby and stopped just outside the Zuzu patio for more portraits among lush tropical foliage, palm trees, and the hotel’s cool green walls.
Bridesmaid portraits in the shaded Palm Courtyard!
With the guys safely tucked away in a hotel room, it was time for group portraits of Carly and her bridesmaids in their flowing taupe dresses. We started in the outdoor courtyard near the OH pool, moved to the front of the hotel with its 7-story tower, and finally finished up our portraits in the shaded Palm Courtyard against a wall of vibrant pink hibiscus blooms.
The outdoor wedding ceremony was set in the beautiful Palm Courtyard.
The wide open lawn between the hotel wings features towering palm trees dating back to the 1950s. The ceremony aisle was strewn with white rose petals leading up to two white pillars overflowing with white, blush, and tan florals. Reverend Mark Culbertson officiated the ceremony and guided Carly and Austin through exchanging their marriage vows.
After sharing their vows, Carly and Austin placed love letters for each other and a special bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon wine in a wooden box, to be opened on their 1-year anniversary. Then they returned to the ceremony altar for a passionate kiss, and walked down the aisle to the cheers and applause of their family and friends.
While Carly and Austin’s family and friends enjoyed cocktail hour, we headed off with the newlyweds to take in the resort’s beautiful scenery and capture golden-hour sunset portraits in front of the Hotel Valley Ho’s iconic entrance.
From there, the celebration moved upstairs to the top of Hotel Valley Ho’s tower, Sky Line Rooftop.
Guests were treated to 360-degree views of downtown Scottsdale and the Valley. Carly and Austin’s grand entrance was timed perfectly for the sun setting behind nearby Camelback Mountain. They moved straight into their first dance, twirling under shade sails and bistro lights as family and friends watched in delight. Then it was on to cake cutting, a fantastic dinner featuring a taco bar and charcuterie, and toasts. As one of Austin’s brothers shared during his toast, one of the many bonds that brought Carly and Austin together was their strong workout ethic; during the height of the pandemic with all gyms closed, the couple still found ways to get their daily workouts in on local playgrounds.
After some fun dancing, the reception transitioned downstairs to the Sands event space, where the party really got started.
It was two hours of all-out dancing and celebration, including a photo booth and the bouquet toss. The night ended with the guests ushering outside so that Carly and Austin could share a private last dance on a beautifully spot-lit dance floor. When the music ended, Carly and Austin exited the Sands, surrounded by their family and friends waving sparklers for a dramatic farewell.
So much to do and see when staying at the Hotel Valley Ho!
This Scottsdale resort offers a number of relaxing options right outside your door, including the OH and OHasis pools with cabanas, daybeds, and live DJs; fine dining and one-of-a-kind craft cocktails at restaurant Zuzu; and beautifying and detoxifying treatments at VH Spa. You can find even more special Hotel Valley Ho experiences–like live music, history tours, yoga, record-player rental, and fireside nights–here: Hotel Valley Ho Events!
If you’d rather get out on the town and check out what Scottsdale has to offer, Hotel Valley Ho has put together a complete list of where to eat and what to do, broken down by season. Check out the many restaurants, bars, hiking, baseball spring training, golf, shopping, and more here: Hotel Valley Ho Seasonal Travel
We hope you found Carly & Austin’s love story heartwarming & inspiring!
Now it’s your turn to tell your story!
Whether you hire us to document your proposal, wedding day, or both, we’ll help you plan to achieve amazing photos for your special moment! For your proposal, we’ll find a jaw-dropping backdrop for your once-in-a-lifetime moment, pick the perfect timing for golden hour light, and guide you to dress to impress (and for the weather!) We’ll help you obtain photo and parking permits, when required, as well as prepare a back-up plan if anything goes sideways.
For your wedding day, we’ll create a photography timeline with you in detail, to make sure your special moments are captured, with minimal interruption and maximum fun! We’ll visit your ceremony and reception sites in advance to find the perfect spots and angles to create photo gold. And we’ll coordinate with your wedding planner, DJ, and other vendors to make sure everything goes off without a hitch!
Are you ready to take the next step but not sure where to start? We got your back!
Let’s plan your proposal, wedding, or both, together!
Just fill out our short form, and we’ll get back to you, pronto!
To learn more about our proposal & wedding photography:
Thanks for reading!
- Amanda and David Orr
We pride ourselves in putting our hearts and souls into creating beautiful photography for you.
David Orr is the main photographer behind the camera, and Amanda Orr is the photo editor and album designer.
Together, we strive to make heartfelt, artistic imagery that not only sparks joy for you, but for all of your loved ones – today and for years to come!
Vendors
Beauty: Love Kyra Beauty, @lovekyrabeauty
Venue: Hotel Valley Ho, Allison Chapin, @hotelvalleyho
Planner, Designer and Florist: Bloom and Blueprint, @bloomandblueprint
Officiant: Reverend Mark Culbertson
DJ and MC: Justin Chapin with SKM Entertainment, @skmentertainment
Cake: Piece of Cake, @pieceofcakeaz
Photos: David Orr Photography