Downtown Gilbert Engagement - Chelsea & Tim

Downtown Gilbert is turning into a great nightlife spot, but it’s also gorgeous; it’s perfect for engagement photos, especially with the winter months finally bringing cool breezes along with them. Gilbert perfectly reflects our latest couple: Chelsea and Tim. The gorgeous landscapes and carefully-designed city squares are great for Chelsea, whose passion lies in interior design, but as the Gilbert area grows and brings in more technology, it becomes an even better match for Tim, who works in the technology industry. Chelsea’s breathtaking Prussian blue and copper jacket was stunning against the downtown backdrop, and Tim’s plaid shirt matched it fantastically. These wedding colors look amazing!

It’s not all about the looks, though: Chelsea and Tim have their base in a strong relationship. They never thought they’d find “the one” wandering the aisles of Chandler-Gilbert Community College library, but fate had special plans for them one September afternoon five years ago!

This adorable couple fell in love quick, and after two or three dates, Chelsea couldn’t help but ask: “So… do you want to be boyfriend and girlfriend?” That question became an inside joke for them, and Tim thought back to that special day to make his proposal even better. This past summer, he took Chelsea to San Francisco, and right as they settled down into their hotel room, he brought out his grandmother’s ring (how sweet is that?!). And then, that’s when he popped that all-important question: “So… do you want to be husband and wife?”

It gives us the feels--these two are so cute!

Chelsea and Tim, we’re glad we got the chance to meet you. You’re such a captivating couple, and the way you complement each other gives us something to aspire to. We just know your wedding next September at the Greenhouse on Woodland in Pinetop, Arizona is going to be dazzling! We look forward to seeing you two again soon!

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Papago Park Engagement - Gaby & Darius

Papago Park in Phoenix is gorgeous, and there's no better time than an Arizona winter for engagement photos! Gaby and Darius were super excited for their session, but there was a little anxiety there too: this was the first time Gaby had ever been in a professional photo! You couldn't tell, though, because both of them are total naturals. Not only that, but it really helps that their love shines; we bet you could even see it from across the Phoenix Zoo! It's been clear to everyone from the beginning that these two would make it together.

Gaby and Darius met just over a year ago at a party, and hit it off instantly. After all, what are the odds of meeting another Polish person in Arizona, let alone someone who speaks the language? The meeting was magical, and it was clearly serendipity that these two made it to the same party at the same time.

What wasn't just a happy coincidence, though, was Darius' proposal: Gaby's best friend and sister were in on it! Gaby, her sister, mom, best friend, and Darius all decided to hike Horseshoe Bend. Midway through, Gaby's sister insisted on taking an "artsy photo" of her, so Gaby posed, and then turned...to see Darius down on one knee! Sure, Gaby's mom was surprised and excited, but not more than Gaby herself - she'd thought Darius was going to propose on this October birthday during their Mexico trip! We just love these surprise hiking proposals!

Gaby and Darius, you two are so clearly perfect for each other. Couples like you are the reason why we formed Wander Back, and why we love photography. We just know that your burgundy-and-blush Catholic wedding is going to be gorgeous--when you described your September date to us, we could picture it completely clearly. It's going to be a day to remember!

Congratulations again, you lovebirds--we love you guys!

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Freestone Park Family - Raap Family

They say that love finds you when you least expect it, that life is full of surprises. To many people, that might sound cliche, but for Bob and Candice it’s nothing but true. 5 years ago, Candice showed up out of nowhere and swept him off his feet, and they’ve been together ever since. After a few years of dating, they got married, and comparisons to the Brady Bunch wouldn’t be wrong: between them, they have FIVE kids! How they keep up with them is a total mystery to us, but after one year of marriage and with their youngest’s first birthday coming up, one thing is clear: this family is meant to be.

It takes a lot of energy to wrangle five children, but you can tell the kids have just as much energy as Bob and Candice do. When we met at Freestone Park for their photos, all the kids wanted to do was run and play (can we get some of that energy?!). Even playing, you could tell each one had their own ideas; at one point, the oldest even climbed into a tree to pose for a photo with for her dad. The only one of the children who didn’t wander off was, of course, the one-year-old birthday boy! You can’t say he doesn’t have enthusiasm, though: he smiled and laughed for the camera. He’s a natural model.

Bob and Candace have a lovely family, and as we both of one toddler of our own, there’s a lot we can learn from them. Watching them take care of their five children is inspirational, and we’re glad to have had the chance to work with them. Bob and Candace, we wish you the jolliest of holidays, and with four of your five children’s birthdays right around the corner, we wish them happy birthdays and all of you an amazing New Year!

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Papago Park Engagement - Vanessa and Joel

The weather at the Hole in the Rock at Papago Park in Tempe was gorgeous, but it was nothing compared to the love that Vanessa and Joel have for each other. People flocked to the Hole, but you can’t tell from the photos; Joel and Vanessa stole the show, making the park feel like their own. The famous Camelback Mountain was an amazing backdrop for some of the shots, and there’s something special about this desert park that helped their romance swell, the mountains truly becoming a part of their story instead of simply being somewhere they wanted to meet.

We think it’s because it really suits them as a couple. In the 5 years they’ve been together, they’ve traveled 22 states together: their love of adventure is almost as strong as their feelings for each other. It made us think of the Disney-Pixar movie Up, where the wife in that film always wanted to travel the world; that’s something amazing that both Vanessa and Joel share. Spontaneity is part and parcel of being together for these two. Back in September, they found themselves at Phoenix Sky Harbor for Joel’s birthday weekend, and just like the movie Yes Man, they decided they’d say yes to any getaway. This time, they ended up in Nebraska, home of the Cornhuskers!

Everything seemed normal until they were leaving the Nebraska State football stadium, when Joel dropped to one knee, whipped out the ring, and publicly declared his love for Vanessa! She didn’t know it, but right before Joel proposed to Vanessa, he’d even asked a stranger and her friend to photograph and tape their amazing moment. Joel feels that guys need to plan capturing this lifechanging moment through photography and videography more, and a lot of thought certainly went into this.

Vanessa couldn’t say yes fast enough--she’d been hoping for this, but she never dreamed it would happen on a Nebraska excursion. Unexpected, romantic, and free-spirited: this proposal was perfect for them.

Their wedding is set in April, and these two can’t wait to get to Georgia. Of course, travel is the theme; they even picked their destination from the states they’ve visited together. We can already envision the union between these two globetrotters. Whether they’re staying in or going on their next adventure, we know that Vanessa and Joel are meant for each other.

Vanessa and Joel, you guys looked amazing! You guys have the love and life a lot of people dream about! It’s so perfect, it’s like a romance movie! At the beginning of the session, you mentioned how you’re both camera shy. We couldn’t tell in these photos! You two looked so natural! Congratulations again on your engagement! Your wedding is going to be spectacular!

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