Oasis at Wild Horse Ranch | Why Eliza & Harlan’s Love is Like Owning a Dog

As a wedding photographer, I have had the pleasure of capturing countless beautiful moments between couples, but Eliza and Harlan’s wedding at the Oasis at Wild Horse Ranch in Tucson was truly one that will never be forgotten for various reasons.

It all started almost seven years ago when Eliza and Harlan met on the Big Island. Originally from Minnesota, Eliza was there in Hawaii doing an exchange program for her Pediatric Speech & Language Pathology degree. Harlan is from Hilo, and he now works as a controls specialist. But when they met, it was love at first sight. 

Since they were both active in the college party scene, their fateful meeting was bound to happen. One night, their lives collided at an ABC (Anything But Clothes) party. Harlan’s best friend convinced Eliza to do body shots off of Harlan, and the rest was history. She thought he was so cute with his attractive smile. A little shy, but that didn’t bother her since she’s outgoing enough for both of them!

Once Harlan saw her in a beer box top and Daisy Dukes, he knew that she was the woman for him. He had never met anyone from the midwest before. Eliza was someone so new and exciting to him that it was impossible to ignore that electric zing.

After that, they followed each other around the country and ended up in Oahu, Hawaii. Then, after Eliza finished her degree, they moved to Arizona. At that moment, Harlan knew that he wanted to take this relationship to the next stage. 

One of the first spots they visited when they got to Arizona was the Huachuca mountains. They love to hike and see the world, so it wasn’t hard to convince Eliza to come along! As they settled for a picnic, he sat her down and said that he had a video to show her. 

Eliza was so confused, especially since Harlan was so adamant when the video struggled to load. But finally, the video started. Eliza found herself watching all of their favorite memories from the past six years of their relationship. In the end, Harlan proposed, and since you’re here seeing all the wonderful photos from their Big Day, you know her answer!

From the moment I arrived at the venue, I could feel the love and excitement in the air. The bridal party was getting ready in the bridal suite, with hair and makeup by I Do Hair and Makeup Artistry. The bride’s gown was from Brilliant Bridal, and the neutral floral arrangements by Element Design Events were perfect.

As usual, the bride’s preparations ran a little late, but with some planning, I was able to not only bring us back on time but were soon ahead of schedule!

Eliza and Harlan’s wedding at the Oasis at Wild Horse Ranch couldn’t have been more romantic! They held the ceremony outside in front of a picturesque desert backdrop. However, due to a sudden cold front, the reception had to be moved indoors. Even with a hitch in their plans, the couple remained enthralled with each other.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was when the flower dog walked down the aisle. Her grand entrance was a treat to remember. Adding their beloved pet to the ceremony was such a sweet touch! After all, she’s family too!

The ceremony’s officiant delivered a touching poem by Taylor Mali called, “Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog.” This poem completely captures the essence of this couple’s journey. Here’s my favorite part,

Love doesn’t like being left alone for long.
But come home and love is always happy to see you.
It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life,
but you can never be mad at love for long.

And as a side note, if you are looking for an incredible officiant who looks fabulous, reach out to Courtney Little!

I swear, Eliza’s smile didn’t falter once! She was beaming with happiness, a true gem for her man. And seriously, the way Harlan looked at her was just magical. Their love is so strong, and I just know that they’re going to dominate married life. 

Eliza and Harlan’s wedding at Wild Horse Ranch was a beautiful celebration of love and family. It was an honor to be their photographer and to capture such a special moment in their lives. I wish them a lifetime of happiness and love.

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