Every so often a wedding comes along that is not only drop dead gorgeous, but has a beautiful story behind it as well. This wedding is capital FAB with it’s vintage 1950’s feel, handmade, one of a kind paper doll place cards, rooftop party, and beautiful orange details, courtesy of KD Event Design. But when you read about how much went into the planning of this beautiful day – when a family became one, you may just fall in love. So make sure to read the bride’s loving words, but promise me you won’t forget the gallery – because Tina of Melissa Jill Photography filled it with fab.
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For the both of us this wedding was a long time coming. We had been engaged for around five years and in that time life had gotten in the way, preventing us from being able to financially and emotionally take part in such an event.
Early on I was diagnosed with a chronic pain condition, we both lost our jobs due to a struggling economy and we were forced to move across the country for work leaving all of our friends and family back in Phoenix. It’s funny though because those are the years that really showed us how much our relationship could withstand. If there was ever a time it wasn’t going to work, we were living it. I would always say that our lives reminded me of that Dr. Seuss book “Oh the Places You’ll Go!” and we were stuck in the part called “the waiting place”. Waiting for the mail to come, or the rain to go, or a pot to boil or a better break or the time to come where we could set a date. Finally all the waiting ended and we set our date, March 24th, 2012.
Having waited so long we wanted it to be perfect. We decided that we wanted to get married in Phoenix where all of our family and friends could attend. We found a beautiful mid-century modern hotel called the Hotel Valley Ho. It had a wonderful 1950s aesthetic which set the tone for the whole wedding. Our main color was orange with a little bit of blush with gold and silver accents. Our reception was on the rooftop of the hotel where you could see 360 degree views of the city. I love polka dots and it turned out that the hotel had circular accents everywhere. That was it, the circle would be everywhere from the ceremony, to the cake, to the tables adorned with polka dots all the way down to the rings around our fingers.
Being that I am a graphic designer, I wanted to make sure I was able to put my design into the décor. I created circular paper chargers adorned with polka dots. Each table had a different polka dot pattern and a seating chart guided each guest to their seat based on the pattern on their card. On each of the paper chargers I created and icon of their chosen dish, fish, steak or chicken, that way the servers would know what entrée to serve them. When the guest arrived at their seat they were greeted with a 1950s paper doll sitting atop their wine glass with their name on it. I also created three tiered boxes of retro candies for each guest to take home. I think everyone thought I was crazy when they realized how much work went into the design and execution of everything but it created such a magical event. At the end of the night we had our guests release paper lanterns into the air and make a wish for our future. They were a little scary to light but it was worthwhile when my daughter turned to me and said that she made a wish for us to be together forever.
No matter how long you have waited or no matter how much life gets in the way, if you stick together and always keep what is important in view there will come a day when it all becomes worthwhile. And will you succeed? Yes you will indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)
Photography: Tina with Melissa Jill Photography / Flowers: Fiori Florist / Event Planning & Design: KD Event Designs / Ceremony Location: Hotel Valley Ho / Reception Location + Catering: Hotel Valley Ho / Invitations: Done by the bride / Shoes: Vintage / Dress Designer: Vera Wang White Collection / Bridesmaid Dress Designer: McGinn, designed exclusively for BHLDN / Men’s Fashion: Express / Bride’s Viel: Sara Gabriel / Necklace: RiEiJewelrybyNaoko, Etsy / Feathered Clutch: Powder Blue Bijoux / DJ: Rob Young, Got You Covered / MakeUp: Heather Wilson / Hair: Dolce Salon & Spa / Cake: PJ Colemann, La Dolce Pesca Bakery / Officiant: Pastor Dave Page / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals