Jack and Brad: A Desert Wedding
The serene landscape, rugged rock formations, and beautiful sunsets influenced Jack and Brad's desert wedding, which took place in September of 2022. The grooms, who met in 2016 and have spent every moment of their life together since they first started dating, shared intimate private vows to one another with their wedding party and family around them before the ceremony.
Photographer Blake Hogge | Location Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
“Growing up in small towns in Wisconsin, neither Brad nor I ever felt marriage would be a possibility. marriage is now our guiding light.”
How and when did you meet?
Jack: We met in November 2016 and have shared every moment together. Despite going to separate universities, we have always managed to make distance disappear.
Tell us a little about that first time you met…
Brad: We met in Wisconsin, where we are both originally from, while home from college. Jack was studying at the University of Minnesota, and I was studying at the University of Michigan.
What was the first thing you noticed about each other?
Jack: Brad’s big puppy dog eyes.
Brad: Jack’s fluffy hair and big smile.
Tell us about the standout moments in your relationship…
Jack: After we came out, we lived in five cities, travelled to almost thirty countries, went to school together abroad, and now work at the same company.
The time we treasure the most is the memories made with our growing family. We’re also deeply committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community, regularly volunteering with the International Rescue Committee and the Trevor Project.
Have you ever faced any issues of non-acceptance?
Brad: My extended family is catholic, and my stepfather and aunt do not accept us. That said, we have been welcomed and supported by so many of our family and friends.
What does marriage mean to you?
Jack: Growing up in small towns in Wisconsin, neither Brad nor I ever felt marriage would be a possibility. marriage is now our guiding light.
Who proposed and how?
Brad: In April 2021, Jack and I travelled to Yosemite National Park for a weekend adventure to celebrate Jack’s birthday. On the first afternoon, we went for a hike and took in the views from the top of Inspiration Point. As I was focused on making this weekend a special birthday celebration, Jack had his own plan. While posing for a picture at the summit, Jack went down on one knee; the rest is history.
Jack switched out the water bottles for a bottle of champagne, and we took in the sunset together. As this was one of the few places in the park with a cell signal, we were able to share the moment with a few family members before hiking back down to a small cabin where we spent the night.
The following day, we woke up with an eight-hour hike to Upper Yosemite Falls, which felt like climbing to cloud nine. We returned to San Francisco that evening and spent an evening relaxing at the Rosewood Sandhill – as I prefer hotels to camping. Following the r&r, we arrived back at our home, which was decorated and filled with a group of some of our closest hometown friends. The rest of the weekend was spent exploring the city and soaking in the special moment!
Jack: Brad and I always had the idea of proposing to each other on opposite sides of the world. A few months into the engagement, Brad got down on one knee and returned the favour, asking me for my hand in marriage while overlooking Waikiki Beach in Hawaii.
When did you get married?
September 16th, 2022.
Jack and Brad’s story continues below ↓
What was the main influence behind your wedding day?
Jack: We got married at Four Seasons Scottsdale, which is an isolated Sonoran Desert; we were influenced by the succulents, serene landscape, rugged rock formations, and beautiful sunsets. Our venue had a fire, water, mountains, sun, grass, etc.
What was the most important thing to you surrounding your wedding?
Brad: Jack’s mom Sarah passed away just before Jack and I started dating, and before Jack came out to her. It was important to honour her on our big day.
Did you incorporate any family sentiments or traditions?
Brad: We each shared intimate private vows to one another with our party and family around before the ceremony.
Where did you find the bulk of your inspiration?
Jack: We worked with a local couple who listened to our story and planned a lot of unique touches to our wedding. For example, our seating chart was designed as an escort display that represented an airport bar with each guest departing to one of the cities that were the most meaningful to our relationship. The cities represented different tables.
How did you choose your suppliers?
Brad: It was incredibly important for us to support the queer community in every aspect of our vendors. We also looked for suppliers who were unique and small businesses.
What was the most difficult thing about planning your wedding?
Jack: Picking out the grooms-women dresses.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Brad: Thailand - Our first time in Asia! We went to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. We went to an elephant sanctuary, sailboat charter, trail horseback ride, night markets, and rice planting.
In lieu of physical gifts, we asked our guests for honey-fund contributions.
Any advice for other couples planning their day and finding it difficult to navigate the journey?
Jack: Set aside time each day. Don’t be afraid to involve your closest friends and family, but don’t involve everyone. Planning a wedding is incredibly challenging – be ready for the challenge.
Jack and Brad’s Team
Planners Konsider It Done
Venue Four Seasons Scottsdale
Photographer Blake Hogge
Videographer Cinematic Moments
Florist Moonchild Floral Co.
Invitations Wide Eyes Paper Co.
Day-of Stationery Minted Weddings
Custom Details The Details Duo
Cake A Bakeshop
Beer Burro Haul N Ass
Groom's Custom Suits Suit Supply with our new last name embroidered into the collar.
Groomsmen Suits Nick's Menswear
Groomswomen Attire Birdy Grey
Bowties Louis Vuitton that we bought on our first trip to Paris when we started dating and said if we ever got married, we’d wear them.
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