From the groom … We designed the theme of the wedding around the unsung sides of the southwest; the blue skies, the green of succulents, the clean air that we enjoy in this beautiful place. We truly fell in love in Mexico during a three month period of travel there shortly after our relationship began. When we began planning our wedding we wanted to share that romance with our guests.

I had met Sarah years before our first date. We were friendly and knew each others names but that was about all that could be said. Fast forward a few years and we crossed paths again. I ran into Sarah at her job and asked her to meet me after work for a drink. She declined. I would not be deterred and we traded messages and phone calls over several weeks as we tried to make time to get together. Three weeks later we had scheduled a traditional dinner and a movie first date. The night before, Sarah called and changed the venue. Our first date was at the Grand Canyon. Sarah had unknowingly selected the perfect venue.

I moved to Arizona from Connecticut because of the Grand Canyon and spent three summers working for the Park Service. Sarah had a much deeper connection to the Canyon, her grandmother was a nurse at the clinic and her mother had gone to high school at Grand Canyon High School. We talked for hours out at Shoshone Point. We went to the village and talked for a few more hours. Then we drove back to Flag and had dinner, talking the whole time. The first date lasted about 14 hours and when we said good night I knew that I had found the love of my life.

From the bride … From the first date, I have always been amazed with Ben’s patient, understanding, loving, fun loving nature. He invited me to travel with him in Mexico during the second week of dating. Ben and I decided it would be an adventure, and even though we had only been dating for two weeks it was a risk worth taking. The time spent in Mexico, especially Oaxaca, changed my life. I fell in love with Ben and I learned wonderful, impressive, and beautiful things about him in Mexico. My life was changed for the better by taking a chance (and maybe even a crazy chance) and going to Southern Mexico for three months with a man I had just met.

Ben began our engagement with a lie. It was our anniversary, Ben told me he was sorry but that he had to work at 7 am and we would not be able to spend the day together. At 6:30 am, Ben’s alarm went off and he walked around to my side of the bed, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. He told me that he had lied because he wanted to surprise me with a proposal first thing in the morning so that we had all day to celebrate. We jumped in the car with our little dog Mosley and drove down to Sedona to enjoy the day together.

I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to plan a wedding with. Ben is the groom that every bride wishes she had helping her. Ben was right there by my side, making decisions, calling vendors, picking out colors and flowers…. he even helped make the ribbon wands for the ceremony. He helped me out so much and is a super groom. That is probably cheesy, but he really is a super groom.

Hair & Makeup: Patricia Vega, La Petite Salon / Day-of Coordination: JB, Sedona Luxury Weddings / Floral: Garage by Ivy / Officiant: Shanandoah Sterling, Sterling Weddings / Ceremony Site: L’Auberge de Sedona / Reception Site: Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, Calle Independencia / Catering: Heartline Cafe / Cake: Sedona Cake Couture / Entertainment: AZ Nights / Rentals: Tri Rentals / Photography: Cameron + Kelly Studios

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Post tags: Arizona, AZ Nights, Calle Independencia, Cameron + Kelly Studios, Casual Elegance, Color Palette Green Black, Garage by Ivy, Heartline Cafe, L'Auberge de Sedona, La Petite Salon, Outdoor Ceremony, Outdoor Wedding, Peppers, Sedona, Sedona Cake Couture, Sedona Luxury Weddings, Sterling Weddings, Succulents, Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, Tri Rentals, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Sedona Bride Photographers…It’s hard to believe Patty and her mom, Karen and their wedding planner, Monica had come to us over a year ago and met us at our studio in Sedona. A fun year of planning came to this beautiful day where the weather was perfect and they day was filled with fun. We know how much love and attention you put into this wedding and what a huge success it was! This group knows how to have a great time!

Special thanks to Monica McQueen who’s wedding planning really made our job easier by letting us focus on getting great images instead of the schedule. We saw so many places where Monica had put her special touch into the details of the wedding to really make it unique and special for Patty and Dallas!

Venue: Royal Palms Resort and Spa / Wedding Coordinator: Monica McQueen of Tres Chic Events / Floral Design: The Garage by Ivy / Invitations + Paper Goods: Lucky Luxe Couture / Ceremony Music + DJ: Mancini Entertainment / Wedding Cake: Royal Palms Resort and Spa / Groom’s Cake: Sedona Cake Couture / Hair + Make-up: Angie + Jennifer of Angessa Salon / Linens: Wildflower Linens / Wedding Photography: Sedona Bride Photographers

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Post tags: Angessa Salon, Arizona wedding, Lucky Luxe Couture Correspondence, Mancini Entertainment, Royal Palms Resort and Spa, Scottsdale, Sedona Bride, Sedona Cake Couture, The Garage by Ivy, Très Chic Events, Wildflower Linen
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

From Victoria Canada Weddings & Events … The lavish wedding was hosted at exclusive Country Club at DC Ranch.  Guests experienced the beauty of the desert all from the rustic surroundings of DC Ranch.  We created a fun and festive party within a beautiful space.  There were numerous elements that were created to surprise Janet and Rick at every turn.  The Bride is a well known and busy interior designer with little time for wedding planning.  Thus, we were brought on to help the brides best friend plan the wedding.

The cake was designed off the bride’s love of shoes – in particular, Christian Louboutins!  The ruffles on the cake are a nod to the bride’s elegant dress.  The cake was displayed on a vintage ranch table from the original DC Ranch.  It was an amazing image to see it placed under the tree that was lit and hanging with Moroccan lanterns.

The bride and groom wanted to incorporate a sand ceremony into their wedding ceremony.  The main bottle was an antique bottle with a handmade cross sodered to the bottle by an artisan that works with Janet.  It gleamed with the background of the McDowell Mountains.  The perfect touch was the rustic original ranch table that the bottles rested on.

The Wedding Linen’s were inspired by a vintage piece of cloth that Janet brought to us a year before the wedding, with simple instructions – “this is what I love… the texture and the understated elegance.”  We then went on to find the perfect combination of rustic elegance and simple romance at Wildflower Linen.   The Russian Linen textile was a perfect fit.

The Floral was a wonderful collaboration between the floral designer, Events by Showstoppers, the couple and us.  Because of the couple’s limited involvement with the design, we, along with the brides best friend, were the main contacts.  We brought in Jim and Ken from Events by Showstoppers because they also have Houston roots.  She felt it would be a good aesthetic match.  The rose petal carpets, use of fruit, draping, and eclectic and unexpected containers helped created a breathtaking event.

Guests were greeted with an amazing rose petal carpet at the ceremony.  The Cocktail hour was defined with yet another rose petal carpet.  After cocktails, the guests crossed the grassy lawn lit with candles and transformed with more rose petals while serenaded by the string quartet placed on a balcony above them. They then climbed the steps full of candles to enter the breathtaking courtyard.  Guests were gasping and grabbing their cameras to take in the courtyard.  It was an amazing moment.

Photography: Phyllis Lane Photographer / Flowers: Events by Show Stoppers / Event Design: Victoria Canada Weddings & Events / Event Planning: Victoria Canada Weddings & Events / Ceremony Location: The Country Club at DC Ranch / Reception Location: The Country Club at DC Ranch / Invitations: Rebecca Baltutis, Square LA / Linens: Wildflower Linen & Southwick Linens / Cake: Andrea Carusetta-Blaut of Sedona Cake Couture / Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s Dress: Meriah, Monique Lhuillier from Casa Di Novia / Bridesmaid Dresses: assorted gowns from Monique Lhuillier and BCBG / Flower Girl:  Custom Dress by Jenny Kim Couture / Band: The Groove Merchants / Hair & Makeup: Glam Lounge Artists / Calligraphy: Jennifer Schmitt

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Post tags: Arizona, BCBG, Bouquets, Casa Di Novia, Color Palette Pink, Diane Aiello, Events by Show Stoppers, Flower girls, Fruit, Jenny Kim Couture, Jimmy Choo, Monique Lhuillier, Phyllis Lane Photographer, Scottsdale, Sedona Cake Couture, Southwich Linens, Succulents, The Country Club at DC Ranch, The Groove Merchants, Victoria Canada Weddings & Events, Wedding Designers & Planners, Wedding Flowers, Wildflower Linen
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance

Click here to see the full gallery of images!

From Sedona Wedding Studio… The photo shoot was intended to show the possibilities for Sedona weddings.  There are so many options that are just as exciting as the famous red rocks of Sedona. Margaret Van Damme wanted to create an atmosphere incorporating vintage elements.  ”The collaboration of talented Sedona Wedding Studio members resulted in this inspirational design that reflects a southwest image not often imagined by brides that live on the east coast or Midwest.  In the midst of the rustic country feel is incorporated a sense of casual elegance that might be found in the Italian countryside.”

Colorful vintage bottles were used as a staple element through-out the shoot.  Among other areas, bottles were hung from tree limbs and filled with flowers to create a charming and playful setting for the ceremony site.  Also, wooden benches were used at the ceremony site instead of traditional folding chairs.  Old bottles were set on the ends of the benches to serve as interesting aisle decorations.  The explosive florals were made in vintage wire baskets straight out of the 1920′s, and included peach eremurus.

The gorgeous wedding bouquet, by Ken Heflin, of Events By Show Stoppers, incorporated a berry theme.  Inspired by the vineyard location, complete with immature green grapes, Ken created a textured bouquet that was both elegant, unique, and vintage. Varieties of blown garden roses in various colors dotted the design. Pepper berries added a hot pink texture and spicy fragrance that blended with the scent of roses for an exciting composition.  Echinacea (cone flowers) brought in another texture with the thistle look of the Southwest.  Pale blue scabiosa gave the bouquet that touch of wildflowers that a vintage look demands.

Studio member Deborah Beggs, of Classic Party Rentals, provided her popular Descanso tables and Mahogany Chiavari chairs.  Antique crochet table runners ran the length of the table, with mix-and-matched china, and dozens of vintage bottles in every size, color and shape imaginable.  Pastel colored wine glasses accentuated the color of the bottles.

Kimberly McDowell, of Event Essentials, designed all the paper products under direction from Margaret Van Damme and Katrina Wallace.  The invitation color scheme of ivory, wine, and Tiffany blue was lovely and maintained the theme.  A wisp of feathers and tiny pearls finished the look.

Old planter boxes with pealing paint were used to house some of the vintage bottles in the center of the banquet table. This rustic look was just what the table needed.  Bottles are so much fun to collect and can be wonderful keepsakes to use over-and-over, and as well, can be charming party favors.

Photography: Katrina Wallace and Andrew Mejia of Sedona Bride Photographers / Design + Coordination: Margaret Van Damme of Van Damme Weddings / Floral Design: Events by Show Stoppers / Venue: Dancing Apache Lodge / Wedding Cake:  Sedona Cake Couture / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Make-Up Artist: Liz Margin / Hair Styling: Patricia Vega / Catering: Perfection Catering / Groom’s Attire: Saverio / Paper Products: Kimberly McDowell of The Event Essentials / Mask: Sweet Ruin / Models: Katie Anderson and William Copsey of M Model Management / Gown: Destiny’s Bridal

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Post tags: Arizona, Classic Party Rentals, Dancing Apache Lodge, Destiny's Bridal, Events by Show Stoppers, Liz Margin, M Model Management, Patricia Vega, Perfection Catering, Red Rocks, Rustic Elegance, Saverio, Sedona, Sedona Bride Photographers, Sedona Cake Couture, Sedona Wedding Studio, Sweet Ruin, The Event Essentials, Van Damme Weddings, Vintage Chic
Post categories: Destination, Destination Weddings, Photo Shoot, Traditional Elegance

{click here for more of those Sedona skylines}

For our wedding, my fiancé and I envisioned an intimate affair with our closest family and friends.  Since our loved ones are spread all over the country, we were open to any destination.  When we stumbled upon L’Auberge de Sedona in Sedona, Arizona, we knew right away it was the perfect place.   The red rock views were breathtaking, the accommodations were luxurious, and it had the rustic feel we were looking for.

When we started planning the details, Style Me Pretty gave us daily inspiration.  We loved seeing how couples incorporated unique ideas and personality into their celebrations.  It helped us come up with our own little touches, like using a canvas and paints for our guest book (I’m an artist) and having a cake covered in coconut (fiancé’s favorite).  The stone ceremony was one of our favorite things.  Guests had been asked to find and bring a small stone, and during the wedding ceremony they were asked to hold it and say a prayer.  We’ll be able to keep the stones – with their prayers – in our home forever.

We are especially indebted to SMP for helping us find the most amazing photography team ever, Twin Lens.  When we saw Kitty and Craig’s work, no other photographer would do.  And on top of their profound talent, they are the sweetest people ever.  We could not be happier with our choice, and I am so thankful to them for giving me what I believe to be the best, most beautiful wedding photographs that I’ve ever seen.    We will be forever grateful to Sandy Walker of In Awe Weddings & Events for making the wedding planning and our special day so wonderful.  I don’t know how many times throughout the planning process that I told Sandy she was the best thing that ever happened to me, and I couldn’t have meant it more.  She was professional, creative, patient, and wonderful in too many ways to list.

Photography: Twin Lens / Venue: L’Auberge de Sedona / Wedding coordination: Sandy Walker- In Awe Weddings & Events / Cake: Sedona Cake Couture / Flowers: Flowers With Flair / Make-up and hair stylist: Allison Pynn /Dress: Paloma Blanca /

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Post tags: Allison Pynn, Arizona, Flowers with Flair, In Awe Weddings and Events, L'Auberge de Sedona, Paloma Blanca, Sedona, Sedona Cake Couture, Twin Lens Images
Post categories: All Real Weddings, Destination, Real Weddings, The Blog, Traditional Elegance

This is the wedding of Veronica and Olivier as seen through the lenses of Andrew and Katrina ~ Sedona Bride. 

Olivier and Veronica are from Canada and were married in May in a unique American Indian ceremony.

I first saw these spectacular photographs on Katrina and Andrew’s blog back in July. Right around the time we featured a pretty terrific photoshoot they did with Phoenix Bride & Groom. They took my breath away then … and they still do now.

Earlier today, I talked about how much I love the colors of Sedona. It is such a majestic place ~ often described as the most beautiful spot in the country. Rich in history and rich in old American Indian traditions …

… painting with all the colors of the wind is pretty much exactly what I feel that Andrew and Katrina do …

How could anyone NOT be humbled by this shot?

* * *

After their ceremony, Veronica and Olivier celebrated their marriage at a dear friend’s home … a very talented friend who just happens to design amazing cakes!

The stunning cake ~ from Andrea of Sedona Cake Couture …

Catering by Fork In The Road Bistro

Earlier today I said that I should live in Sedona because I LOVE the natural bold colors that surround you day in and day out. Veronica and Olivier’s wedding and Sedona Bride’s imagery couldn’t be a more perfect example…

Veronica & Olivier’s full wedding slideshow  from Sedona Bride is filled with love, laughter and incomprehensible beauty!

Thank you Katrina and Andrew for sharing three such lovely weddings with us today!

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Post tags: American Indian, Arizona, Native Indian Ceremony, Nicole Miller, Red Rocks, Sedona Bride, Sedona Cake Couture
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Cultural Beauty, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography

The Story From Katrina and Andrew, Sedona Bride:

Tara and Micah are both anthropologists and share a love of Morocco. That proved to be the inspiration for their magnificent wedding décor. A semi-traditional Jewish ceremony was held underneath an Aspen-wood chuppah. Decorative etched and colored glass votives with palm leaves adorned the cocktail tables and fireplace. Brilliantly colored Moroccan style sock lamps hung on the perimeter of the cocktail hour terrace. Metal Moroccan lanterns added warmth and ambience to the already beautiful space. A signature engagement book with images taken by Sedona Bride was proudly displayed. Table centerpieces consisted of decorative lamps, colored-glass votives, spices, citrus fruits and flowers typical of Morocco, all sprinkled liberally around the center … and uniquely shaped perfume bottles with elaborate cork tops. Tables were named after cities in Morocco (Rabat, Marrakesh, Merzouga,etc.). Their guests favors were stunning traditional Moroccan perfume bottles. All of the fabulous décor and florals were designed by Events by Showstoppers. The cake … oooh the cake … details were made by pressing an eastern fabric textile pattern stamp onto soft cake fondant, and then hand-painted with edible cake paint. The cake was enveloped in a Moroccan-style tent/canopy.

Sedona Bride Photography: Tara and Micah, Part I

Wedding and Celebration were held at  L’Auberge de Sedona this past spring.

Sedona Bride Photography: Tara and Micah, Part II

Tara and Micah were married on May 18th, 2008. Family and friends came to Sedona from literally all over the world. Because Tara has spent so much time in Morocco, the cocktail hour and reception followed an amazing Moroccan theme. Just stepping into the reception area was like entering a new world, with amazing and vibrant colors! The fabulous Liz Margin worked her magic on the makeup. Andrea Blaut made the **amazing** Moroccan style cake. Jim, Ken, and their team at Events by Showstoppers made the chuppah for the ceremony, and orchestrated the fabulous Moroccan themed floral and decor for the cocktail hour and reception.

Sedona Bride Photography: Tara and Micah, Part III

Sedona Bride Photography: Tara and Micah, Part IV

Sedona Bride Photography: Tara and Micah, Part V

Remember that I said, “jaw-droppingly beautiful”? Look at this cake …

… hand-painted by Andrea at Sedona Cake Couture.

Events by Showstoppers lived up to their name at Tara & Micah’s wedding reception!

Sedona Bride Photography: Tara and Micah, Part VI

How great is this wedding!

Thank you Katrina and Andrew for sharing these magnificent photos with us! For more Sedona Bride weddings, head on over to their website and blog.

Here are a few more of their stunning weddings!

(And remember, lots of our weddings are posted in a series … so be sure to check the ‘Related’ links right underneath the titles.)

Cathedral Rock Wedding

Sedona Bride Wedding: Pink Week

India Inspired Wedding

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Post tags: Arizona, Events by Showstoppers, Harp, L'Auberge de Sedona, Moroccan Inspired, Rose Petals, Sedona, Sedona Bride, Sedona Cake Couture
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog