Sedona Engagement Session : Eli & Kate

Sedona, AZ

Photographer: Stuart Thurlkill

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Eli + Kate

Wedding Date :: November 2, 2013

How they met, as told by Bride  :: It was a rainy Saturday in March 2005 and my roommate, who was already friends with Eli,  asked if I wanted to go over and watch a movie with Eli and his roommate.  I went over to the boys apartment and watched a movie and then went back home to change.  When I went home I told my roommate I thought Eli was cute, like a giddy little girl.  Later that evening, all of us went bowling and we shared our first kiss.  We started dating about a few weeks later. This was 8 years ago and we have been together every since!

 Kate  ::  Apparel Manager @ Anthropologie,  Hobbies: Hiking, fashion, riding my cruiser bike, traveling and finding great new restaurants.  •  Louisville, KY –   ::  five words that describe her :  peaceful, happy, good-hearted, ambitious and artistic.

Eli ::  Consultant, Hobbies: reading, anything involving bicycles, anything outdoors and on a trail, lake or river, exploring cities and restaurants, learning about and consuming craft beer and spirits •  Greeley, CO –  ::  five words that describe him:  inquisitive, mellow, creative, gracious and lively 

Her perfect Saturday:: Waking up next to Eli and taking our dog, Harvey, for a hike.  Have brunch outside on a patio and then hang by the pool or ride my cruiser bike and meet up with some friends and play corn hole.  I would love to end the night with grilling out at home, watching a great movie and opening a bottle of wine.

His perfect Saturday::  Waking up next to Kate before sunrise and making breakfast, then going for a long hike or bike ride.  This is followed by a trip to a coffee shop to read, talk and people watch or to a museum, before going to lunch on a patio or at a friend's house for a barbecue  and horseshoes.  We then walk or ride to a concert in the park with everyone, but not before a stop at a local brewery to grab picnic supplies and root beer for whoever has kiddos.  The night would end with everyone sipping bourbon on a patio somewhere and chasing around said kiddos.  

What magazines do you look at for inspiration? Kate: In Style, Lucky, Vogue, Sunset, Travel and Leisure and People Style Watch.  Eli: Backpacker, Mountain Flyer, Bicycling, Aperture, The New Yorker, Sunset, Scientific American                                                                                                                                                                          

What style of clothing do you love?   Kate: My style is very shabby chic and I live in shorts and a tank top as well as dresses in the summer.  I rarely wear heels unless it is a special occasion because they make me tall next to Eli ;-)  I am inspired by the clothing from Anthropologie and J Crew and love mixing patterns and colors.  I live in scarves in the winter and my brown Frye boots. I like to be comfortable on my days off so I normally have on yoga pants and a tank top when I am not working.  Eli:  Khaki-colored, cotton, summer suiting and bow ties or open dress shirts, worn without socks.  I love the Southern aesthetic in the summer (minus the mint green shorts and ridiculous, similarly-colored polo shirts.)  I also love black, slim-tailored suits and overcoats with grays and dark purples mixed in that remind me of the young and fashionable in The New York Times Fashion Thursdays.  In contrast, I also Love well-fitting outdoor apparel that works both on the trail as well as dinner afterward; stylishly functional.   

How is your home decorated?   lots of beloved artwork and photos on the wall in every room that we have collected from friends, family and our travels.  Comfort everywhere, but not without a nod to modern and simple couches and tables, with healthy dose of Anthropologie's shabby-chic.  We like to have little things like driftwood we found in Hawaii in places that along with the art and photos make us feel at home. 

How would you describe your relationship? We are definitely best friends that feel completely at ease around each other.  We have some very different interests, but that makes it interesting to learn about each other.  We very much enjoy romantic evenings out, but equally enjoy movies, dinner and cards at home.  We are goofy around each other, but more guarded around others.  

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Photography by: Stuart Thurlkill : Eyes 2 See Photography

Luxury Weddings + Lifestyle Portraits Destination Wedding Photojournalists

All images copyright 2003-2013, Eyes 2 See Photography  •  Accepting Clients Worldwide • Studio: 480.788.6591