maya's favorites

i need the help

10 Questions To Ask Your Wedding Photographer

grab it for free!

real sessions
real weddings
Wedding Planning Tips

Browse all categories

search here

Preserving your most meaningful moments as they unfold like scenes from a movie

Sedona Wedding at Amara Resort

Aaron and Kirsten’s Sedona wedding at Amara Resort was an incredibly special day. Their celebration was a perfect reflection of who they are, blending thoughtful details, fun and adventurous touches, and community connections—all in a place that means so much to them!

As a photographer ALL about couples personalizing their day and celebrating their bonds with friends and family, I couldn’t have asked for a better couple or a more beautiful day to capture!
 
A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A portrait of a bride and groom at their wedding in Sedona, Arizona.
 

A Sedona Love Story

Kirsten and Aaron chose to get married in Sedona, but not just for its stunning views. It’s also a place that’s deeply meaningful to them! They had their second date here and have returned many times since, now with their two adorable daughters as well. Sedona is also one of my all-time favorite spots to visit and photograph, so I was very excited when they shared their decision with me!

The couple chose Amara Resort and Spa for their ceremony. Located in Uptown Sedona, this chic venue offers incredible views of Sedona’s natural beauty. Kirsten and Aaron opted for an outdoor ceremony and reception, taking full advantage of the gorgeous event space and iconic red rock backdrop. And the views didn’t stop there! The resort is just a short walk from L’Auberge Creek, a scenic and lush spot where Kirsten and Aaron shared their first look.

The venue is perfect for soaking in Sedona’s breathtaking scenery while enjoying top-notch amenities, making it the perfect backdrop for Kirsten and Aaron’s big day. It’s no surprise it’s a two-time winner of Wedding Wire’s Couple’s Choice Awards!

 

A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding at Amara Resort.

A Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

 

A Personal and Community-Filled Celebration

But it wasn’t just the incredible venue or gorgeous views that made Kirsten and Aaron’s day so special. They went all out to infuse their personality into every detail, creating a celebration as fun and lively as they are! From their signature cocktails, to a champagne tower, and a live band, every moment was perfectly THEM.

They also made sure their loved ones were part of every aspect of their celebration. Their adorable daughters stole the show as flower girls, and they had an amazing watercolor artist painting portraits for each guest—such a unique experience AND an incredible keepsake! They even displayed an honorary chair to commemorate Kirsten’s father and brought a beautiful necklace with his photo to include in their detail photos.

These personal touches and connections with friends and family are what truly make a wedding day special, and Kirsten and Aaron’s day was absolutely filled with them! I had so much fun capturing every special and meaningful moment.

 

A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding at Amara Resort.

A Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

 

Off-roading Romance

Speaking of making the day uniquely theirs, I have to share one of my favorite moments that perfectly showcased the couple’s adventurous spirit: we went off-roading to take their bride and groom portraits!

Kirsten and Aaron were determined to capture photos at a scenic overlook that meant a lot to them. At first, they worried it wouldn’t be possible with their packed schedule. This spot was deep in the wilderness and required off-roading (which is big passion of theirs and how they found the spot in the first place!).

But as photographer dedicated to bringing my couple’s visions to life, I was ready to make it happen! After securing their Jeep and adjusting their schedule a bit (with the help of their amazing planner Justine Fritz!) we were able to pull it off.

And WOW, was it worth it! The views were absolutely incredible and provided the most meaningful backdrop to capture their love against. It was also the perfect way for Kirsten and Aaron to bond and spend time together on their big day. Plus, now they have these amazing photos at their favorite spot that they cherish forever!

 

A wedding dress hangs next to a photo of a wedding invitation and wedding rings.

A bride gets ready for her wedding in Sedona, Arizona.

A bride gets ready for her wedding in Sedona, Arizona.

A Sedona wedding at Amara resort, photo by Maya Papaya Pictures.

A couple does a first look before their wedding in Sedona, Arizona.

A couple does a first look before their wedding in Sedona, Arizona.

A bride and groom pose at their wedding in Sedona, Arizona.

A couple does a first look before their wedding in Sedona, Arizona.

A couple does a first look before their wedding in Sedona, Arizona.

A bride and groom pose at their wedding in Sedona, Arizona.

A bride and groom pose at their wedding in Sedona, Arizona.

A bride and groom pose at their wedding in Sedona, Arizona.

A bride and groom pose at their wedding in Sedona, Arizona.

A bride and groom pose at their wedding in Sedona, Arizona.

A bride and groom pose at their wedding in Sedona, Arizona.

A bride and groom pose at their wedding in Sedona, Arizona.

A bride and groom pose at their wedding in Sedona, Arizona.

A flower girl at a Sedona wedding at Amara Resort.

A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding at Amara Resort.

A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding at Amara Resort.

A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding at Amara Resort.

A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding at Amara Resort.

A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding at Amara Resort.

A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A watercolor artist works at a Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding at Amara Resort.

A groom and guests pose at a wedding reception in Sedona, Arizona.

A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A bride and groom pose at their Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

A Sedona wedding reception at Amara Resort.

 

From start to finish, Aaron and Kirsten’s Sedona Wedding at Amara Resort was an incredible day. Their celebration was absolutely perfect, reflecting their fun personalities, love of community, and adventurous spirit at every turn. It was such an honor to capture every single moment, and I wish them nothing but the best!

Looking for a wedding photographer who will embrace your unique style and vision? I’d love to chat! Fill out my contact form here to schedule a call.

And if you’re looking for even more Sedona wedding inspiration, check out my blog Sunset Sedona Elopement at Lover’s Knoll.

 

Vendor Credits

Venue: Amara Resort and Spa

Florist: Four Sisters Floral

Wedding Planner: Justine Fritz Weddings

Watercolor Artist: KM Fine Art Studios

Cake: Honeycomb Pastries

Wedding Dress: Schaffer’s Bridal

Photographer: Maya Papaya Pictures

Hair and Makeup: Carrie Kacen

Live Musician: Michael Lucarelli

Stationery: Celebrations in Paper

learn more about how I do this

With a background in filmmaking, my job is to approach your wedding like I would a film – balancing between the director and a fly-on-the-wall approach. My primary focus is on documenting all of the emotions in the room, that way in the end you get photos that reflect how the day felt, and not just what your shoes looked like.

Cinematic wedding photos

Preserving your most meaningful moments as they unfold like scenes from a movie

Most recent