A Vibrant Celebration of Love and Color, Capturing the Essence of Southern Arizona



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Quinn and Riley’s Barrio Viejo-inspired wedding was a vibrant celebration of love and color, perfectly capturing the essence of Southern Arizona’s rich heritage. Together with their planning team at Gabriella & Co. they created a carefully curated palette that featured earthy terracotta and warm cream tones, seamlessly blending with pops of fuchsia, robin’s egg blue, and blush pink. Accents of tangerine orange and flamingo pink added a playful touch, while brass details and medium green hues brought a sense of elegance and natural beauty. This stunning combination of colors created a joyful and inviting atmosphere, making their special day an unforgettable fiesta of love and style.

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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]Their wedding was a beautiful fusion of cultural inspiration and personal significance. Their planner, Gabriella De Brequet of Gabriella & Co. shared, “We were highly influenced by Mexico City and the vibrant colors of local Barrio Viejo. Riley and Quinn met in Tucson and it’s where they set their sights on for their destination wedding. It was key that we highlight elements of Tucson in our design to fully immerse the guests.” This vision was brought to life with a vibrant color palette that perfectly matched Riley and Quinn’s lively personalities, featuring bright, bold hues that celebrated their love and the spirit of Tucson.[/field]

[field title=”Proposal Story”]From the Grooms, Quinn Corrigan and Riley Bliss: “In a fantasy love story, Quinn and Riley would say that they met in college. In real life, though, they met in college over Tinder. While attending the College of Fine Arts at the University of Arizona, the dance and theatre programs resided on opposite ends of campus. A swipe on Tinder led to a dinner date, which led to 7 days of 8 dates. After an array of dates ranging from a Martha Graham concert to the Costco tire shop, Quinn proposed the question, “What should I call you when I introduce you to people?” Riley answered, “My boyfriend.”

Fast forward 4 1/2 years, after 8 months of long-distance, a pandemic lockdown in Tucson, and moving into their first Chicago apartment together, they were ready for the next level of commitment. In July of 2022, they started their custom ring process with Adornment and Theory. Quinn’s original plan for an actual proposal moment was ultimately flawed once he understood the timeline for the two intricate custom pieces. Quinn was so in love, though, that he couldn’t wait for the custom rings to be finished, so he took matters into his own hands. After purchasing a simple band, Quinn proposed to Riley in Tucson, AZ… back where their love story began.

Three months later, the tables were turned when Quinn received his surprise. During their favorite holiday tradition, Holiday Tea at the Drake Hotel, Riley presented the finished custom rings in front of the famous Christmas tree. Quinn didn’t see that coming! Riley had told him just days before that the engraver needed a little more time and the rings wouldn’t be done until the new year!”[/field]

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[section title=”The Fashion”]

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The wedding party was encouraged to wear ensembles that made them feel both comfortable and stylish, with specific guidance on color. The vibrant hues chosen by the wedding party perfectly complemented the day’s decor, creating a stunning visual harmony. The colorful attire stood out beautifully during the wedding party photos, set against the charming backdrop of Barrio Viejo.

The grooms donned custom-tailored ivory suits put together by Braa Elkhidir at Suit Supply in Chicago, adding a touch of timeless elegance to their wedding attire. Inside their jackets, their names were beautifully embroidered, and under their collars, the special detail of their wedding date was thoughtfully stitched.

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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”][/field]

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[section title=”The Details”]

[field title=”Food & Drink”]The culinary experience at Quinn and Riley’s wedding was nothing short of spectacular, thanks to First We Eat Catering by the celebrated and award-winning local chef, Mat Cable. The evening began with butler-passed appetizers of Florentine stuffed mushrooms and ceviche tostaditas, setting the tone for a gourmet affair. Dinner commenced with a refreshing salad of seasonal greens, feta, and candied pistachios, drizzled with a cactus pear vinaigrette, accompanied by rosemary and garlic focaccia. For the main course, guests were treated to a choice between roasted eye of round with porcini and smashed Yukon potatoes or a vegan eggplant lasagna layered with spinach, Roma tomatoes, porcini, marinara, mozzarella, and ricotta, served alongside calabacitas. The curated menu was a true feast for the senses, perfectly complementing the couple’s unforgettable celebration and giving a subtle nod to the cuisine of the region.[/field]

[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Bloom Maven and owner, Akiko Senda, was the obvious choice for florals, vessels, and candle rentals. Known for their creativity, effortless style, and unique Tucson style they worked seamlessly with planning team. Bright, textured florals were a must, featuring orange and yellow center reflexed tulips, garden roses in various shades, Scabiosa, blue Delphinium, fuchsia stock, butterfly ranunculus, chamomile, spray roses, and orange daisies, all complemented by lush smilax greens.[/field]

[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Quinn and Riley’s dessert table was a delightful feast for the eyes and taste buds. The three-layer cake, crafted by Jamie Cakes Bakery Boutique, was topped with textured white buttercream frosting and adorned with live blooms from Bloom Maven. One tier featured the rich flavors of butter rum with caramel macchiato, while the other tiers delighted guests with classic red velvet and cream cheese. The dessert table showcased an array of treats, including Lemon Blackberry cupcakes topped with tiny frosting succulents, Mexican hot chocolate cookies, chocolate-dipped pretzel rods, carrot cake pops, and chocolate berry cups.[/field]

[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Quinn and Riley’s entrance was a beautifully orchestrated moment, each escorted individually by their parents to the end of the aisle in the well manicured and sun drenched courtyard of the historic Kingan Gardens in downtown Tucson. From there, they walked hand in hand down the aisle together, set to an acoustic rendition of “Come What May” from the musical, Moulin Rouge. The heartfelt melody was performed by the Nico Barberan duo on violin and guitar, creating an unforgettable beginning to their ceremony. Their ceremony was officiated by their good friend Jenna Duddleston who had guests alternating between fits of laughter and happy tears with her personalized ceremony recounting tales of the couple’s early courtship.[/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #1″]Quinn and Riley ensured their guests danced and celebrated late into the evening by hiring Satyr Entertainment to keep the dance floor alive with energy. To keep everyone fueled, they brought in the Black Top Grill food truck for late-night bites. Adding an extra touch of surprise, they set up an espresso martini bar, featuring the Peru/Ethiopian blend from local coffee roaster, Presta Coffee. Locally sourcing as much as possible was a priority for the couple, making each detail not only personal but also a tribute to the Sonoran Desert where they met. [/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #2″]The attention to detail and nod to the regions art and culture was beautifully showcased in their custom table numbers, expertly crafted by their planner, Gabriella De Brequet of Gabriella & Co. Each table number was a hand-painted tile, sourced from the border town of Nogales, just south of Tucson. Gabriella hand-painted the numbers onto the tiles, blending artisanal craftsmanship with a touch of local flair. These unique table numbers added a personal and culturally rich element to the reception decor, celebrating the couple’s love for the region and its vibrant heritage.[/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #3″]Their wedding bar featured signature drinks with personalized cocktails that paid homage to their current home, Chicago, a city celebrated for its artisanal cocktails. As noted by UrbanMatter, “Chicago has become a hub for artisanal cocktails, blending creativity with classic techniques to create unforgettable experiences.”

Quinn’s signature cocktail was a Prickly Pear Margarita, adding a desert twist to the classic margarita. This vibrant drink combined prickly pear cactus syrup, mezcal, tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice, served with a salt rim and a lime wheel on the rocks. Riley’s signature drink was a sophisticated Paper Plane, made with bourbon, lemon juice, Amaro Averna, and Aperol, elegantly presented in a martini glass with a lemon twist. These custom cocktails not only highlighted their unique tastes but also celebrated the rich mixology culture of their beloved Chicago.

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Photography: The Gawnes | Event Planning: Gabriella & Co. | Floral Design: Bloom Maven | Cake: Jamie Cakes Bakery Boutique | Catering: First We Eat | DJ: Satyr Entertainment | Wedding Venue: Kingan Gardens | Accomodations: The Leo Kent | Rentals: Bloom Maven | Weddings Rings: Adornment and Theory