Aldea in the Woods | Flagstaff, Arizona
Kellie & Jake
A forest wedding with family history, crows, choreography, and one very important B-52s tradition.A few doors apart
The day started in the easiest possible way: Kellie and Jake got ready almost next door to each other.
Kellie and Jake come from a family I’ve had the privilege of photographing several times over the years, so this one already felt familiar in the best way. They are a fantastic couple, and getting to be there for another wedding in this family meant a lot.
Because they live close to Aldea in the Woods, Kellie was able to get ready at their house while Jake got ready at an Airbnb on the same street. A few doors down. No complicated logistics. No long drives. Just an easy back-and-forth between homes, which is one of those small timeline choices that makes the whole morning better.
I’ve always appreciated when couples get ready near each other, whether it’s the same hotel or the same street. Even with a second shooter, it lets us both cover the same parts of the day from different angles instead of splitting the story in half.
Palette
Sage green, rust, ochre, soft blush, cabin wood, and Flagstaff pine.
First looks in the trees
Before the ceremony, there were parent tears, forest portraits, and one photographer quietly scanning the trees for crows.
Kellie loves crows, so I had that in the back of my mind all day. They’re smart, observant birds, and in a place like Aldea in the Woods, it felt completely possible that one might show up like it had been invited.
The first look with the parents was emotional and sweet, and then Kellie and Jake had their own first look surrounded by the woods. The whole setting had that Flagstaff calm: pine trees, soft dirt paths, mountain air, and enough room for the day to breathe.
The ceremony frame
They got married in front of an octagon frame that felt made for the woods.
Aldea in the Woods is exactly what the name promises: a gorgeous little cabin venue tucked into Flagstaff trees. The ceremony took place outside, with an octagon frame that gave the space just enough structure without competing with the forest.
The colors were beautiful too. Sage greens, warm florals, rust tones, and wood textures all working together in a way that felt natural instead of overly styled.
Some families become familiar in front of the camera. This one has become familiar in a way I’m genuinely grateful for.
Dinner, dances, and Dad goals
Kellie and her dad kept the family dance streak alive.
Like her siblings before her, Kellie did a choreographed dance with her dad, and it was fantastic. Energetic, funny, polished, and full of personality.
I’ll be honest: as a dad, I’m jealous of how well this family does those dances. Her dad is amazing, and I look up to the way he shows up for these moments. It’s one thing to give a toast or share a slow dance. It’s another thing to go all in, rehearse, perform, and make the room explode.
Rock Lobster and bubbles
Then came the family anthem, the solo dance, and a bubble exit full of cheers.
At every wedding, this family plays “Rock Lobster” by the B-52s in tribute to their mom, who loves that song. If you look through the photos, you can practically spot the exact moment it hits. The energy changes. People commit. The dance floor gets weird in the best possible way.
After the party, Kellie and Jake had a quiet solo dance on the floor by themselves. Then everyone sent them off with bubbles, cheering, and all the happy chaos a good wedding exit should have.
Kellie and Jake, thank you for letting me be part of this one. And to the whole family, thank you for continuing to trust me with these chapters. I’m grateful every time.
