Til Death Do Us Part: Jillian & Rylan’s Flagstaff Wedding

racheldowdphotos
Jan 1
4 min read

Couple with skeleton sits on a bench in black attire, holding a "Wedding" sign. The woman holds a vibrant bouquet. Mood is playful.

An intimate, alternative wedding at Serendipity Venue in Flagstaff, Arizona — featuring a black wedding dress, private vows, pizza catering, and one wildly creative LEGO guestbook.

Some weddings feel like fate showing off.

Jillian and Rylan’s November 1, 2025 wedding in Flagstaff was one of those days where every thread — past, present, and wildly unexpected — tied itself together in the most poetic way.

The Invisible String That Started It All

(Flagstaff Wedding Photographer | Alternative Arizona Weddings)

I met Jillian through a close friend referral, which already felt like a good omen. But as we started getting to know each other, we realized our invisible string ran way deeper than we could’ve imagined.

Jillian had been close friends with my sister and brother‑in‑law (who I no longer speak with), which felt equal parts surreal and oddly comforting — like life reminding us that connections don’t disappear just because circumstances change.

Then, after the wedding, the universe said, “Oh, you thought we were done?”

We realized I had worked with Rylan over a decade ago at The Queen Creek Olive Mill — a local Queen Creek staple that, frankly, deserves its own love letter. If you go (and you absolutely should): breakfast means bacon and lemon ricotta pancakes, lunch is the Manzi panini, and Friday night pizza is non‑negotiable. They even host events there — though this wasn’t their wedding venue. Still, when I mentioned it, Rylan immediately said, “WAIT… no wonder she looked familiar.”

Wild. Full‑circle. Very on‑brand for this day.

Getting Ready in Flagstaff (And the Best Bathroom Ever)

The day began at a gorgeous Flagstaff Airbnb that comfortably fit both sides of the family. I love setups like this — it makes photographing both partners seamless and gives me time to genuinely connect with the families, not just the couple.

By this point, Jillian and I had already spent a lot of time together over the last year — engagement sessions, planning chats, and even a boudoir shoot — so being welcomed into that getting‑ready space felt incredibly natural.

And listen......

When I tell you the bathroom in this Airbnb was unreal… I mean it.

10/10 bleed‑out spot. Truly iconic.

Serendipity Venue: Intimate, Moody, Perfect

(Serendipity Venue — Flagstaff, Arizona)

A couple in black attire exchange vows under a wooden arch in a forest clearing, surrounded by guests seated on wooden chairs with white pumpkins.

From there, we headed to Serendipity Venue in Flagstaff, a cozy, intimate space that fit Jillian and Rylan’s vision perfectly. The weather showed up exactly how you want it to — not too hot, not too cold, just a little wind to keep things interesting.

Before the ceremony, Jillian and Rylan chose to share their vows privately. This is something I’m seeing more couples do, and every time it happens, I’m reminded why.

Their first look — Jillian in her black wedding dress, fully embodying Gothic Goddess energy — followed by their vows was quiet, emotional, and deeply theirs.

If you’re even thinking about an alternative wedding dress, this is your sign.

Fucking do it.

Why We Did Portraits Before the Ceremony

After their vows, we knocked out family and friend photos on the patio before guests arrived — which meant more breathing room later and more time actually enjoying their people.

A woman in a black dress poses with a bouquet, surrounded by a group of joyful people in dark outfits, set against a wooden fence.

I’ve seen a lot of photographers debate whether couples should prioritize posed portraits after the ceremony. I’m firmly in the yes, if you want them camp — for two big reasons:

These are the images that live on your walls, in albums, and in the visual history of your life together. It’s okay to want something intentionally composed that doesn’t feel posed.
That 30–45 minutes together after the ceremony is a pause button. A chance to regulate, reconnect, and have your “holy shit, we’re married” moment away from the chaos.

Jillian and Rylan’s portraits were quick and effortless — the light, the trees, the timing all lined up like it was planned by the universe itself.

Pizza, LEGOs, and the Coolest Guestbook Ever

Once portraits wrapped, it was pizza time.

They had Fat Olives cater and hand‑make the pizzas on site — and yes, it’s as good as it sounds. Absolute top‑tier wedding food choice.

While the pizza cooked, guests mingled and built their own LEGO figurines for the most creative guestbook I’ve ever seen. A massive LEGO baseplate, endless pieces, and guests adding mini versions of themselves. The plan? Frame it and hang it in their home.

I am obsessed.

Emo Energy, Coffins, and Dancing Until the End

The night kicked off with a short, sweet, and fun first dance, followed by heartfelt speeches, emotional parent dances, and then a dance floor that absolutely went off.

A glass of spiced apple cider with a cinnamon stick, sugar-rimmed edge, and a heart pick, set on a wooden table in warm lighting.

From hot toddies (seriously — have one) to coffins and skeletons everywhere, this wedding was a love letter to embracing who you are. The playlist mixed millennial classics with emo and alt tracks that made 16‑year‑old me feel deeply seen.

Jillian and Rylan didn’t just follow traditions — they curated them, twisted them, and threw out what didn’t fit.

And that’s the real takeaway here.

This wedding was a reminder that you can do whatever the fuck you want. Keep what matters. Create what doesn’t exist yet. Dance hard. Love harder.

Til death — and maybe a little beyond.