Fifty Years and Still Going
When I got the call to photograph Alice Cooper and Sheryl Cooper’s 50th anniversary vow renewal at Wrigley Mansion in Phoenix, I didn’t hesitate. I’ve been shooting destination weddings for over two decades, and I’ve learned that the best ones are the ones where the love in the room is so obvious it practically hits you in the face. This was one of those.
March in Phoenix is supposed to be mild. This was not mild. It was unseasonably hot in a way that made you question every layer of clothing you’d put on that morning. But here’s the thing about heat at a wedding: when nobody cares, it doesn’t matter. And nobody cared. Two hundred and twenty guests showed up to celebrate fifty years of marriage, and not a single one of them was thinking about the temperature.
The Ceremony at Wrigley Mansion
Wrigley Mansion sits on a hill overlooking Camelback Mountain, and the views from every angle are extraordinary. William Wrigley Jr. built this place in 1931 as an anniversary gift for his wife, which felt almost too perfect given what we were there to celebrate. The architecture is Spanish Colonial, the grounds are lush, and the light in the afternoon does something specific to that stucco that I kept chasing all day.
Sheryl’s father officiated the ceremony. He reprised the role he played at their original wedding fifty years ago, and I want to be honest with you: it was one of the most moving ceremonies I have ever witnessed. The weight of that – a father marrying his daughter to the same man, half a century later, surrounded by four generations of their family – was extraordinary. There were very few dry eyes, mine included.
Sheryl wore a stunning white satin gown with a corseted bodice, and she looked incredible. The dress was dramatic and theatrical and completely her. They exchanged custom rings and personalized vows, and Alice’s voice – that voice – sounded amazing even when he wasn’t on a stage.
The Cooper Family
I avoid talking about clients in generic, surface-level ways because it doesn’t help you understand what it’s actually like to be at their wedding. So let me be specific: the Cooper family is wonderful. Their kids are wonderful. Their grandkids are wonderful. Watching four generations interact with that much genuine warmth and affection – it’s the kind of thing that reminds you why you got into wedding photography in the first place.
Sheryl Cooper is warm, dramatic, theatrical, and extraordinarily kind. The kindness was the thing that struck me most about the entire day. It radiated from her, from Alice, from their family, from the way they treated every single person in that room.
Working with an Incredible Vendor Team
The wedding was planned by Sara Landon of Sara Landon Events – my beloved favorite New York City planner. Getting to travel to Phoenix to work with her was an honor. Sara builds events the way I try to build photographs: every detail is intentional, nothing is accidental, and the result feels effortless even though the work behind it is immense.
The videographer was Sharrone Califiore of Fiore Films, a New Jersey favorite of mine that I love both personally and professionally. When you work with people you trust, you shoot differently. You’re not navigating egos or stepping on toes. You’re collaborating, and the work is better for it.
The decor was gorgeous – the kind of gorgeous that works with a venue rather than fighting against it. Wrigley Mansion doesn’t need much. The bones are already there. The team understood that and elevated what already existed rather than covering it up.
What It’s Like to Shoot at Wrigley Mansion
Wrigley Mansion can hold up to 250 guests, and with 220 people there, it felt full without feeling crowded. The mansion has 24 rooms and over 16,000 square feet, which gives you options for portraits, getting ready, and quiet moments away from the crowd.
The light situation changes throughout the day. The ceremony space gets direct Arizona sun, which in March is manageable and in June would be a different conversation entirely. By late afternoon, the light coming through those large windows is warm and directional in a way that makes portraits almost effortless. The views of Camelback Mountain give you a backdrop that doesn’t need editing.
The heat was a factor I had to manage from a gear perspective – keeping equipment cool, staying hydrated, building shade breaks into portrait sessions. If you’re planning a wedding at Wrigley Mansion during a warm stretch, hire a photographer who has shot in heat before. The experience matters when conditions get demanding.
Why This Wedding Mattered to Me
I’ve been doing this for twenty-five years. I’ve shot weddings in Brooklyn, on the French Riviera, in Iceland, in St. Thomas, and everywhere in between. And every once in a while, a wedding comes along that recalibrates what you think is possible.
Fifty years of marriage. A father who married them the first time doing it again. Grandchildren running around. Alice Cooper’s actual voice filling the room. Sheryl’s kindness touching every person there. The Arizona heat that somehow made everything feel more alive rather than less.
This was that wedding.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wrigley Mansion Weddings
How many guests can Wrigley Mansion accommodate for a wedding?
Wrigley Mansion can accommodate up to 250 guests in a single space, with options for multi-space receptions for larger events. The Cooper vow renewal had 220 guests and the space felt full but comfortable.
What is Wrigley Mansion known for as a wedding venue?
Wrigley Mansion is a historic Spanish Colonial mansion built in 1931, sitting on a hill with panoramic views of Camelback Mountain and the Phoenix skyline. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and features crystal chandeliers, large windows, and lush gardens.
What should I know about Phoenix weather for a wedding?
Phoenix weather can be unpredictable. Even in March, which is typically mild, you can hit unseasonably hot days. Plan for heat: build shade into your timeline, keep water accessible, and hire vendors who have experience working in warm conditions. The light in Arizona is spectacular, and heat is manageable when you plan for it.
Do you travel to Arizona for weddings?
Yes. I’m a destination wedding photographer based in New York and I travel extensively for weddings. If you’re planning a wedding at Wrigley Mansion or anywhere in Arizona, I’d love to hear about it.
