Every love story that I have the opportunity to write about and witness in person and through camera is unique. Each couple’s marriage will be written as they go along, pen in hand, writing the next chapters of their lives.
For Anthony and Airan, this love story began over a decade ago. In fact, it began 11 years ago after a close friendship with the brother of the bride, Naza. As most high school friendships go, they are based on mutual experiences, common threads of interest, and of course a little luck. It was through this friendship that Anthony and Airan met. Although, if you ask the Sanchez family, it was probably hard to not meet since Anthony spent many nights over with his best buddy on the couch. Of course this story isn’t about just a friendship but of marriage that is firmly rooted in friendship and familial bonds that tie people together.
Anthony and Airan’s wedding day was immaculately executed, tastefully done, and enjoyed thoroughly. Not every crowd at a wedding is one that enjoys dancing–but more on that later. Let me begin with the start of the day. Anthony and Airan were married at the Ritz Charles in Carmel, Indiana on the last day of August of 2019. Joined by their closest friends, family, and confidants, the elegantly clad Airan married her best friend of nearly half her life.
The couple chose the Courtyard by Marriott in Carmel to get ready and it was an excellent idea because while many times bridal parties are stuffed into the smallest of spaces to get ready, this location permitted them to prepare in one of their conference rooms. This allowed the ladies to comfortably prepare for the day ahead with a lot more peace than might come from just a hotel room. From hair, perfect makeup, and the absolutely blingiest (is that a word?) bride you’ve ever seen, these women that Airan chose to accompany her on her best day, were supportive and wonderful.
I see many types of wedding parties, some of which enjoy partying and others who are more balanced. Every wedding party is helpful to some degree but sometimes it’s difficult to see where the help can be applied when everything has already been decided. Airan chose six of the kindest women to stand nearby while she promised her future through tears of joy to Anthony. Of course, Anthony also had an excellent team of men that joined him on his journey to the Ritz Charles and into the dancing that pursued late into the evening. Along with his brother, were men from his youth and from college that offered their support and guidance, along with a few helping hands to one another to finish up getting ready and helping keep the couple organized and grounded.
Airan chose the most beautiful wedding gown with a lot of shine. The bodice was embroided were ornate pieces of crystal while the tulle gown flowed effortlessly about her while bits of sparkle would catch your eye as she moved about. To complement the dress, she chose jewelry that matched her personality and style. Each piece from the jeweled tiara that was fitted into her hair, the subtle but gorgeous necklace which matched her earrings, to her garter adorned with even more glitz and bling absolutely made this one of the most lovely wedding ensembles I’ve had the pleasure of seeing.
Once at the Ritz, the couple shared personal notes to one another and a blessing from the pastor asking God to bless their marriage and that He too join them in their new adventure.
The Ritz Charles, if you’ve not had the pleasure of visiting, is a wedding and events venue in Carmel, Indiana, just north of Indianapolis. It consists of a wedding chapel that could easily seat well over 200 people and be decorated just about any way you like whether you prefer a more elegant or bohemian look, religious or earthly approach, the chapel along with its bridal chambers is the perfect place to host your wedding ceremony. Following the ceremony you’re greeted in the back of the chapel with a glass house with white drapes and an open feel that makes you wonder if you’ve stepped into a movie. Next door to the chapel you have the grand ballroom that Airan and Anthony chose for their reception. The entrance with its golden door handles, high ceilings, and easy access to the ballroom and the many other options within made the transition for everyone easy and lovely.
Since braving the cold in February for their engagement this year, Anthony and Airan chose to return to Coxhall Gardens in Carmel for their wedding portraits. Coxhall Gardens, also operated by the same organization that runs the Ritz Charles, is a beautifully manicured park with multiple locations for weddings, a Sunday stroll out and about with the family, and with plenty of space to enjoy a good lie down in the grass next to their pond.
The wedding party and I were escorted in style in a stretch SUV limo which also made for some impromptu karaoke moments along with a little cuddling by the bride and groom. As we walked through the park, the bride and groom were greeted by passersby with well wishes and congratulations. I always love seeing and hearing others who have absolutely no connection with the couple wish them well. It gives me hope that in a society with everyone’s face buried in technology, we still have enough awareness and kindness to wish two people in love the absolute best.
Between the candid and fun and the absolutely bold and dramatic, we captured it all for Airan and Anthony and soon returned to The Ritz Charles to complete their intimate family portraits. Airan and Anthony shared with me that even Airan’s grandfather was in attendance from Mexico to the states for the first time ever.
After a delicious dinner catered in house, the speeches began and between the laughter from Naza’s speech, delivered in Spanish and English, sharing about all of the good times with Anthony and of course the third party close account of witnessing Airan and Anthony fall in love to the sweetest speech by Airan’s little sister, Solcy, this couple truly has been blessed with a wonderful family.
Don’t be fooled by all of the heartfelt speeches and love, after the first dances, things opened up and the dance floor was filled with friends and family enjoying an excellent mix of contemporary hits, banda, and reggaeton. When it came time for the bouquet toss, there were definitely some very zealous crowd members who were captured mid air leaping to catch the bouquet. While the evening wound down for me, we were able to sneak off briefly for some truly epic night portraits outdoors and back inside, a little south African rap group called Die Antwoord. I might have had my gear packed at that point and joined in the dancing briefly before wishing them well and heading off.
This couple’s musically eclectic, beautifully blingy, enormously elegant, and truly love filled wedding will be one of the many highlights of this year for me. I could not have asked or prayed for more wonderful clients and I wish Airan and Anthony the best on their new journey together as husband and wife. They head off to Southwest Mexico next week for a relaxing and exotic honeymoon at Dreams Resorts.
Thank you, Airan and Anthony for allowing me to capture your day and the love you two share. I appreciate you both so much and cannot wait to follow along to see where life takes you!
A special thanks to their amazing wedding team
Wedding Gown: Something Blue Bridal
Wedding Shoes: Nordstrom – Badgler Mischka Collection
Suits: Men’s Warehouse
Florist: Red Fox Flowers
Venue & Caterer: The Ritz Charles
Wedding Cake: The Ritz Charles & Red Fox Flowers
DJ: DJ Indiana
Hair: Patricia Marie
Makeup: Michelle Lynn Adams
Videography: Time Keeper Productions
Photography: New Adventure Productions
Wedding Inspiration & Palette :
The king gets to marry his queen!
Sunset Colors — Summer to Fall, The End of One Chapter, the Beginning of the Next.
Airan’s Advice to Future Brides:
“Do not be afraid to say no. Ask all types of questions about your wedding dress. Do not be afraid to spend the extra money on something you really want, money comes and goes but your wedding day is only one day/one moment. It’s YOUR wedding and you will have the last say on who or what can stay or go. You only get to do this once, let’s make it perfect for you both (bride & groom). Lastly, have fun, soak up the whole process because it will fly by. Especially when you are having fun.”
If you’d like to read more about their love story, you can read about it here in their engagement session!
New Adventure Productions is owned by Nate Dale, a Lafayette, Indiana wedding and elopement photographer. We travel nation and worldwide to capture beautiful and intimate weddings and elopements while providing a guidance, love, help along the way.
He is married to the love of his life, Felicia with their two doggies, Pika and Princess.