Arizona Weddings

Anniversaries are indeed a thing to celebrate and one way that has grown in popularity and one that we are so on board with is an anniversary photo session. What better way to capture your first, second or twentieth for that matter? This number by Buffy Dekmar Photography has so many great elements folded into the mix. A happy couple, a beautiful bouquet by Emily Burton Floral Design, styling by Imaginale and enough pretty pictures to fill up a photo album with you and your love. See so much more right here.

From Buffy Dekmar Photography… This beautiful series of photos comes from an anniversary photo session in Phoenix, Arizona, this summer, with a few sweet styling ideas mixed in that would be perfect for a wedding or an elopement! I especially love the movement of the dress, the gold wire crown and gold accents, and the way the secluded corners of the venue lend themselves to romantic photos of the couple. And that hair style! These elements, along with the lighting and the colors in this desert courtyard, give this set of photos a whimsical feel with a little bit of Mediterranean flair.

Photography: Buffy Dekmar Photography / Venue: Boojum Tree Hidden Garden in Phoenix, Arizona / Design: Imaginale / Floral Design: Emily Burton Floral Design / Bride’s Dress + Earrings: Nostra Style House / Bride’s Crown: WireDreams / Hair: Miriam Kenly of Leidan Mitchell Salon / Makeup: Sydney Goldstein of Leidan Mitchell Salon / Styling Assistance: Simply Audree Kate / Bride’s + Groom’s Shoes: Nordstrom Last Chance / Gold Rings: Street Bauble / Groom’s Attire: H&M / Groom’s Tie: Penguin

This wedding is just as sweet as they come. Plain and simple. Two high school sweethearts, darling DIY details and a beautiful barn setting – it’s all enough to make any SMPer smitten. Even better? We get to see it all come to life through the talented lens of About Love Inspired Photography, making it just that much sweeter. And of course it doesn’t end here, skip on over to the full gallery for even more!

From the Bride… Tony and I were high school sweethearts, together seven years prior to getting engaged. The instant we started planning, we knew what kind of wedding we wanted to have: a rustic vintage affair — not too big — in a barn. Our venue, The Windmill Winery, is in the middle of nowhere in Florence, Arizona, and it has a beautiful barn, which was tough to find in Arizona. The little touches of the owners made it so unique and special. So we booked it almost a year and a half in advance and had a date of 11/12/11. Once we got to planning, I was a full-blown DIY bride. My mom and I made burlap table clothes, the men’s boutonnieres, tracked down balsa wood flowers for the bouquets, handmade every favor of flower seeds in test tubes and even designed our own invitations. It was a year of endless projects to make things memorable for our guests. We even handmade the grapevine initials for the barn door. Tony was an Eagle Scout and somehow we stuck with a theme of tying the knot. We had more twine and rope around our house than I could keep track of, but it had meaning to us and that’s what our special day was all about. I loved working on everything myself because it had all come from my head and my heart. My mother was a saint for keeping me sane and for all of her help. The next thing we knew we wanted was our whole bridal party, including us, to all wear J.Crew. My family, my maid of honor and my best friend, who was a bridesmaid, even took a week’s vacation to New York so I could try on and pick my wedding dress in the J.Crew wedding boutique. My necklace, which we had previously purchased a different trip to New York, was my stand-out piece. I fell in love with it instantly. The girls all wore slate gray dresses with a similar neckline to mine and gray wedge TOMS. The men all wore J.Crew Shirts, ties, Levis jeans, Chuck Taylors and orange socks from J.Crew. My husband also wore a J.Crew jacket.

It was so wonderful keeping certain things for the day of the ceremony. We chose to do a first look, and it was wonderful to share that moment with each other,but we both still lost it as he saw me come towards him with my dad. I also saved a secret song to walk down the aisle to. The reception was so much fun — it was just one great big dance party! We served our guests burgers, onion rings and fries, and it was so delicious! We had smore’s and smore’s cupcakes for dessert for the guests. We had even made a trail mix bar for guests to pack up a little late night snack full of M&M’s, nuts, raisins, cereal and marshmallows. It will be a day we never forget, and I am so glad that all of the sweat, tears and time we put it made the day and night enjoyable for our family and friends.

Wedding Photography: About Love Inspired Photography / Wedding Venue: The Windmill Winery in Florence, Arizona / Catering: Creations in Cuisine / Wedding Cake: Designer Cakes by April / Cupcakes: Our Lady of Cupcakes / S’mores: Sweet Lydia’s Bakery / Wedding Invitations: Promise Tangeman Creative / All Wedding Attire: J.Crew / Bridesmaids’ Shoes: TOMS / Men’s Jean’s: Levi’s / Men’s Shoes: Converse / Makeup: Amanda Tzavaras of Makeup by Amanda

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.

Click here to see the full image gallery!

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

Give me anything Parisian inspired and I will give you the happiest of happy dances. It’s a sickness, this love for all things French, I’m fully aware but with good reason. It’s wildly gorgeous, especially when woven into the many details of a wedding. Some Like It Classic have hit the nail on the head with this bohemian meets Parisian outdoor market-esque day that culminated in a dance floor draped in a sea of strung parasols. Be still our rapidly beating hearts. Kym Ventola Photography snapped all the festivities, including loads of images of those pretty parasols. See them all here.

From the Bride… While we knew each other in first grade, we didn’t begin dating until college. With one of us at the University of Arizona and the other at Arizona State University, some serious mileage was put on both of our vehicles as we couldn’t seem to stay away for more than a weekend. We became serious when we moved to Seattle together to explore a new city and career opportunities. Since then we’ve moved quite a bit, and we make wherever we find ourselves our happy home.

The most important thing to the two of us was that everyone have a genuinely good time. We really wanted it to feel like a celebration for all of us — we are extremely close to our families and friends and wanted the evening to be about them too. We decided early on that we wanted to have a formal wedding but didn’t want any part of the evening to be stuffy. We were going for a “bohemian, Parisian, outdoor market feel” and were totally thrilled when our wedding planner Amina Michele understood what we even meant by that!

The small details were our favorite parts, and they made all the difference. We had the wedding in my parents’ backyard, which at times seemed like more work than it was worth… But in the end we wouldn’t have had it any other way. We were really able to customize everything and make it feel like “us.” The thing that surprised us the most (even though people said it over and over) was how fast the evening went. It felt like we blinked and it was over! One of the best decisions we made was to have a day-after brunch. The night went so fast, this gave us an opportunity to talk to people we felt we didn’t get a chance to see. It was a perfect weekend and the perfect beginning to our marriage.

Wedding Photography: Kym Ventola Photography / Wedding Venue: The Bride’s Family Home in Phoenix, Arizona / Event Design + Planning: Amina Michele of Some Like It Classic — Wedding & Event Design / Floral Design: Table Tops Etc. / Wedding Invitations: The TreeSpace Studio / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Wedding Dress: Elizabeth Fillmore / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka

There’s just something about a sweet, DIY affair that never fails to put a smile on my face.  And this gorgeous Phoenix wedding?  Well, let’s just say I am grinning from ear to ear.  Overflowing with crafty details, fun-filled moments and a whole lot of personality, it’s brimming with that heartwarming kind of joy that only a made-with-love soiree can bring.  Daniel Kim Photography snapped up all of the lovely… and the gallery?  Amazing.  See it all here.

From Daniel Kim Photography… I met Nicole while studying for my bachelor of fine arts degree in photography at ASU. We both had the same concentration in photography and took a lot of classes and studios together. I remember her always drawing and doodling in class, putting that pen to work on her sketchbook. When she met Nick, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her happier. Nick is the perfect gentleman, very attentive to Nicole, and he shares her passion for creating, style, and art. But most importantly, he loves her more than life itself. When they asked me to shoot their wedding, I immediately said yes. If I knew anything about these two, I knew they would create a very unique wedding. Nicole handmade most of her decor — the cloth bouquets, the felt hearts she cut and stuffed and stitched to be thrown down the aisle, her centerpieces, the photography elements and the invitations. She opted for a modern and urban venue to showcase it all. The best part of the day was right after they walked out the doors after the ceremony and gave each other a huge hug and had tears in their eyes. A reminder that this is what weddings are all about.

From the Bride & Groom… We wanted our wedding to be a small, intimate setting with a theme that reflected our individual personalities but brought us and the evening together as one. Handmade decorations and bouquets were a great way for us to display our creative spirits that would make us and our guests feel at home. We wanted our friends and family to see the venue, witness the ceremony, enjoy the food and drink and come away at the end of the night saying, “This is Nick and Nicole.”

Wedding Photography: Daniel Kim Photography / Wedding Venue: The Icehouse in Phoenix, Arizona / Event Design: DIY by the Bride / Flowers: DIY by the Bride / Wedding Cake: Theresa Ochoa, A Family Friend / Cake Topper: DIY by the Bride’s Mother / Cake Flowers: DIY by the Bride / Wedding Invitations: DIY by the Bride / Wedding Dress: Eliza J / Hair: Liddie Lewis / Makeup: Roseanne Sanchez

One look at this wedding by Diana Elizabeth Photography and I knew I was a goner. There was no hope for me to turn away because it was love at first sight of this Bride’s gorgeous top knot (which happens to be her signature do) and her layers and layers of ruffled Vera Wang perfection. That combination gets me every single time, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. And the rest of the wedding? Equally as gorgeous. See it all here.

From Diana Elizabeth Photography… The bride wanted a top bun in her Vera Wang dress, then red lips for the reception. The groom sported his great grandfather’s cufflinks and tie clip. The whole wedding had close attention to what mattered the most: family.  Two brothers and a sister made up the wedding party, the mothers signed the marriage license, and this 63 person wedding event was everything sweet, lovely and perfect. From the Bride… Our wedding was a dream come true. When we first started planning I said, “Maybe I’ll wear a bun,” and Trevor’s response was “I couldn’t imagine marrying you any other way.” The whole planning process was so much fun for us, very easy going and exciting! Our families were helping and involved the entire time; Trevor’s dad marrying us was the most unforgettable part of the whole day. We met all the right people along the way, and they helped us create the classic and romantic wedding we dreamed about. From the beginning the most important things we wanted on the wedding day was family and for everyone to enjoy themselves. I definitely had the “this is my dress” moment; I knew the Vera Wang Diana was the one for me right when I looked in the mirror! Of course, the best accessory was an elegant version of my signature topknot. The color scheme was neutral and romantic. The entire day felt so intimate with our family and closest friends.

Wedding Photography: Diana Elizabeth Photography / Second Shooter: Amy Gallagher / Wedding Venue: Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona / Floral Design + Rentals: White House Design Studio / Wedding Cake: Classic Cakes and Confections / Wedding Invitations + Signage: The Paper Place / Band: Sonoran Jazz / Wedding Dress, Sash + Shoes: Vera Wang / Hair: Jade Hatch Shultz / Makeup: Lizzy Marsh / Maid of Honor’s Dress: Diane von Furstenberg / Maid of Honor’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Wedding Rings: David Yurman

We always welcome a little slice of Elyse Hall Photography magic. Images synonymous with beautiful light and wildly romantic moments caught on film. And this installment is desert done glamorous at the hands of Imoni Events and Petal Pusher. Imagine cacti by candle light and you’re on the right track. See even more from the day right here!

From the Bride… Way back in 2005, Matthew was studying at MIT for a summer at one of their labs. He took some time off on the fourth of July to see the fireworks and randomly sat down next to my best friend (and bridesmaid), Christina. The two became good friends, and all summer long, all I heard about was “you HAVE to meet Matthew.” I finally got to meet him after work one night over at MIT’s campus. Matthew had been up for 36 hour straight working in the lab, so he did NOT make a great impression on me, and I went away not being very impressed. 

Later that fall, Matthew came into town again for my friend’s 21st birthday, and that’s when we really connected. Fully rested, it turned out that Matthew is actually very charming, and we hit it off.  The problem was that he was studying at UMass Amherst, and I was still in Boston, about two hours away. We spent the next year traveling back and forth between Boston and Amherst. And then when I got into law school in Michigan and he got a job in Seattle, we stretched the visits even farther and were traveling between Michigan and Seattle, and then even farther to Seattle to Boston when I moved back to Boston (with a few breakups in between). Finally, on one trip out to Seattle, I asked Matthew what had happened to his dreams of working in alternative energy instead of at Microsoft. He admitted it was still a passion, and we spent the rest of the weekend writing and editing his application to MIT’s graduate school program for alternative fuel. He got accepted, moved to Boston and proposed a year later in Chicago while we were on vacation.

The wedding day was full of details were important to Matthew and me. It started with the ceremony that was a perfect combination of his Jewish heritage and my Christian upbringing. We had a dear friend officiate the ceremony who added many personal touches, including our family giving blessings, prayers and readings throughout the ceremony. We served the meal family style to reflect the idea that we were all one big happy family now. Our guests got to enjoy the intimacy that came with sharing a meal in this fashion and it meant a lot to us knowing that we are all in this together. Our wedding style was simple and botanical. We love the outdoors and Matthew, in particular, loves cactus. So we used all the native Arizonan elements that we could. Our save-the-date was an old Arizona Highways postcard, and then wedding day elements were all cactus-oriented. We kept the colors natural to the environment. We started the day with yoga and becoming one with nature, so we needed to end the night in the same fashion. One of our favorite parts of the wedding was the amazing band that kept the old school rock tunes coming. We had sing-alongs and dance offs, which were perfect for our personalities. 

Wedding Photography: Elyse Hall Photography / Wedding Venue: Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona / Wedding Planning: Imoni Events / Floral Design: Petal Pusher / Catering: Santa Barbara Catering / Rentals: Pro Em / Music: Duo Vibrato + Furious George / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier via GIGI of Mequon / Men’s Suits: Jos. A. Bank / Hair: Hautie Rouge Salon / Makeup: Linda Wagner

Caped dresses should be a must for any chic Bride looking to make an unforgettable exit, don’t you think? Or maybe just a must in general. But this Bride’s unforgettable vibrance didn’t start with the cape, it’s a certain je ne se quoi woven throughout this backyard shindig captured by Diana Elizabeth Photography. A smidgen of cobalt blue here, a flash of bow backed heels there and a big dose of love between an adorable couple everywhere. See so much more right here!

From Diana Elizabeth Photography… Stephanie and James’ intimate, backyard wedding was lovely with the pussy willows and Arizona light. 80 guests consisting of family and friends, some traveling as far as London, gathered at Arcadia Estates Park, a private park located in Arcadia Estates in Phoenix, Arizona. The celebration continued to the groom’s parents’ backyard home where they sipped on signature drinks, indulged in gluten-free cake and desserts designed by Angel Cakes Bakery and danced the night away under the stars. The setting was very intimate, giving the bride and groom time to visit and catch up with friends throughout the night, which was exactly what they wanted. This sweet, natural and vintage-styled wedding was designed and beautifully executed by Angela Saban. 

Wedding Photography: Diana Elizabeth Photography / Ceremony: Arcadia Estates Park in Phoenix, Arizona / Reception: The Groom’s Family Home in Phoenix, Arizona / Event Design + Planning: Angela Saban Design / Floral Design: Designs by E / Catering: Jennifer’s Catering / Wedding Cake: Angel Cakes Bakery / Music: Apperson Strings / Rentals: PRO EM / Wood Sign: My Soul Speak / Wedding Dress: Sue Wong / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Makeup: Mariana Marie

When you start the day with a wedding this pretty, it’s going to be a good day. Proven fact. Because the images from Drew & Megan Photography are just smile-inducing, and I do believe it’s close to impossible to get to the bottom of this post without a huge grin on your face. Just try. It could be the because of the gorgeous couple or how the Bride and her sweet momma worked tirelessly on all the DIYs or the way Some Like It Classic – Wedding & Event Design edited all the details in such a stylish fashion…whatever it may be, it’s one fabulous way to start the day. See it all here!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Alex and I met in high school through mutual friends. We went to the winter formal together when we were 16 and there were no sparks, so we didn’t really interact much after that. After college, we reconnected at the wedding of one of those mutual friends and started dating. We had instant chemistry, and Alex bought a ring a few months later. Alex signed us up for dance lessons because he knew how much I wanted to learn, and he proposed after our first lesson. It more than made up for the awkward date we had at our first dance!

We had a long engagement, which gave us plenty of time to plan a wedding with personal touches and lots of DIY projects. My mom, a goddess of creativity, was indispensable. Aside from the catering and rentals, we made just about everything from scratch: paper flowers for the church, floral arrangements for the altar and the wedding party, my veil, the stationery, the decorations for the art gallery. It was the best part time job I’ve ever had! Alex wrote me several poems when we were dating, so we chose 16 of our favorite poems to feature on each table. A few weeks before the wedding, we made a huge batch of limoncello for the wedding favors and our signature cocktail. It was so tasty, we ran out of the signature cocktail in the first hour of the reception!

The day of the wedding ran like clockwork. Some Like It Classic – Wedding & Event Design had thought of every possible hiccup in advance and made sure everything happened on time and exactly as I had wanted. Things went so smoothly, I was able to kick off my shoes and enjoy every minute of the reception! My favorite parts of the day were the really personal touches. My mom made my bouquet wrap out of a piece of fabric from the silk wrap that came with my dress. It had a piece of lace from the veil she made me, and on the lace she sewed a piece of jewelry that’s so special to me — it has diamonds from the engagement watch my grandfather gave my grandmother. My mom wore those diamonds as earrings for years, then gave them to me when I turned 16 on a necklace. I loved sneaking into the reception through the service door and seeing the main gallery before the guests entered. It was exactly what I’d pictured. Sitting at our table during dinner, reading our favorite poem on our table, listening to our priest say a lovely prayer and laughing and tearing up during the beautiful toasts our loved ones made was just a dream.

Wedding Photography + Photo Booth: Drew & Megan Photography / Ceremony: Brophy Chapel in Phoenix, Arizona / Reception: The Bentley Projects Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona / Event Planning: Some Like It Classic – Wedding & Event Design / Wedding Cinematography: Michael Morabe / Wedding Cake, Flowers, Decor + Wedding Stationery: DIY by the Bride / Catering + Rentals: Arizona Taste Catering / Bundt Cakes: Nothing Bundt Cakes / DJ: Mancini Entertainment / Wedding Dress: Venus / Bride’s Veil: DIY by Her Mother / Hair: Jessica Lawson of JLP Hair Design / Makeup: Sarah Sanmarco

With the mention of an intimate Arizona elopement, dreams of the desert chic variety come to mind. A world full of perfectly worn in leather sandals mixed with the prettiest flowing white dress and topped off with an elopement, boho style. Alea Lovely Fine Art Photographer + Film Maker, the double threat image capturer and film maker, shot this duo and their gorgeous paired down nuptials. It’s desert, love, and so many beautiful moments in-between along with vows that literally brought me to tears. See it all here. And if you are all on board with intimate weddings built for two, be sure to read up on this recent NY Times article discussing all things elopement.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Alea of Alea Lovely Fine Art Photographer + Film Maker…What a great story. I posted on my Facebook page that if anyone wanted to get eloped, I had a great idea for shooting it. Little did I know that my dear friends Josh and Kelsey were on the cusp of eloping themselves, and they allowed me to be a part of the process. Their wedding was so fun and unlike any wedding I had ever been to because it was so “fly by the seat of your pants.” There were no concrete plans (in a great way!), and it was just so intimate. Their vows just blew me away with how special and personal they were to each of them. There were so many inside jokes and things that were meaningful to them — I loved how they didn’t stick with tradition. They like to make furniture, so Josh made the altar they stood at and the table they ate at. They also handmade plates for their guests for the dinner they would have by the fire. It was southwest-themed, so the couple, who live in Texas, traveled to Phoenix for the affair, near where Josh’s dad, the officiant, lived. It was really a treat to be able to be there with them. I wish every wedding could be so intimate and focused on love and the couple.

From the Bride & Groom… Josh and I are black belts in winging it. We live by, “Why not?” We like to tinker with big, dangerous ideas and are surprised and delighted when we actually pull them off.  For our wedding, though, we’d always thought small … as small as possible. At first we thought soon, because we knew we were ready. Then soon became now, and why not? I’m a graphic designer, so I could whip up a few invitations. Josh is an all-purpose genius, he could do anything. We had wonderfully talented and adventurous friends who just happened to be professional photographers and cinematographers — they were in. And to cap it off, Josh’s dad is an ordained pastor in Phoenix, Arizona, and the desert is beautiful in March. We picked a date. I rush ordered a white dress and added a piece of lace hiding in the back of my closet. It was perfect. One week in advance, we shipped off vintage suitcases to our closest friends and family wrapped with a call to arms: “Pack your bags. We’re getting married in seven days.” Then we hopped a plane from Dallas to Phoenix, and the real fun began.

We were inspired by the desert and the Native American influence in Phoenix. We knew what we wanted, but our time to hunt for the perfect items was short. Did your mom ever say, “It’s easier for me to do it than to tell you how?” Our moms did, and if our wedding planning style is any indicator of our parenting style, then we will too. Rather than waste time explaining what we were looking for and hoping it existed, we spent our days making EVERYTHING. The rug we stood on, we painted. The rope walls we stood in front of, we built. We strapped the table together from scrap wood. We baked and painted the plates and bowls. The place mats, floor cushions, napkins, napkin rings, straight down to the vows—all made by us in the last few days before the wedding. What we couldn’t make, we thrifted. Phoenix has more thrift stores than a hipster could shake a scarf at, and we plundered them all of southwestern blankets for the cold desert night. We got to spend a full week brainstorming, creating and spending time with each other and with our Phoenix family. It was a wild luxury. Then at the end of the week, everyone showed up. Everything went up. And the people who watched us grow up got to watch us become man and wife. Then we wrapped ourselves in blankets, sat down by the fire and celebrated with the people we love the very most. It was intimate and beautiful, and we were surprised and delighted.

Wedding Photography + Cinematography: Alea Lovely Fine Art Photographer + Film Maker / Venue: Lake Pleasant Campground in Phoenix, Arizona / Floral Design: Victorian Gardens / Wedding Dress: Ann Taylor + Lace from the Bride’s Closet / Bride’s Zigzag Wrist Cuff + Earrings: An Outdoor Market / Bride’s Other Jewelry: Fossil / Bride’s Shoes: Crown Vintage via DSW / Hair: Carla Calderon / Makeup: Jen Bernhardt

We feature so many gorgeous weddings on SMP. Drop dead gorgeous ones. And we love it. But we also just adore seeing all the pretty festivities leading up to that big day. All the gorgeous celebrations that bring your nearest and dearest together to celebrate love. Because celebrating love just makes our sappy hearts sing. And when those pretty fêtes are captured so beautifully, like this Shabbat Dinner by Troy Grover Photographers, we just can’t keep it to ourselves. So share it we shall, and don’t forget to stop on by the full gallery for even more!

Click here for the FULL Shabbat Dinner!

From Troy + Aimee of Troy Grover Photographers… Lily and Josh reside in London and decided to have a destination wedding in Phoenix at the Arizona Biltmore. Their shabbat dinner took place on the tent-covered lawn at the beautiful resort. Lily and Josh have an adorable story. Josh had an ad out for two new roommates and selected Lily to be one of them. Over the course of living together as roommates for a year, they became best friends. It wasn’t until after she moved out that they started dating. Seriously, so cute right?

Photography: Troy + Aimee of Troy Grover Photographers / Venue: Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona / Floral Design: Fiori Floral and Event Design / Bride’s Dress: Dolce & Gabbana / Bride’s Shrug: Dries Van Noten / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hair: Amy Freudenberg / Makeup: Heather Wilson / Groom’s Blazer: Hayward / Groom’s Shoes: Tod’s

Whether you’re a design buff, an architecture aficionado or just really into gorgeous inspiration, this shoot captured by Gina Meola Photography is going to knock your socks right off. It’s modern meets wedding and the result is clean lined, eco-chic and breathtaking through and through. With design and styling by AVE Styles, insane florals by Avant-Garde Studios and the most perfect invitations we ever did see courtesy of LittleOwl Letterpress, you are sure to find a few amazing ideas to incorporate into your Big Day, or a million for that matter. Get your gallery on for more!

Click here for the FULL photo shoot!

From Gina Meola… Architect meets designer, a romance buds, and an eco-chic wedding is born. The marriage of an architect to interior designer is the marriage of two similar minds. So in this case, similarities attract. The loft space allows us an inside peek at the couple’s life. Clean lines, raw materials, and negative space ooze a minimalist’s savvy. Our bride appears in her delicate, but sophisticated, Claire Pettibone gown. Her sleek, asymmetrical hair is another manifestation of this style. Our groom accompanies her in a piped tweed Dior blazer, sporting a DIY simple weld boutonniere made from salvaged bike gears.

The first bouquet is bursting with white peonies, succulents, and lush garden roses. The trickling white dendrobium orchids create a vine effect, and the bouquet is a mirror of the lace pattern in the gown. It almost becomes a piece of art in itself. Because a wedding invitation sets the tone for the entire event, it had to be perfect! The invites exude “movie premier” or some other large production. From an architect, we should expect nothing less! Our reception takes place at an architect’s dream – The Audubon Center. It’s ALL about the environment, space and structure here. The Audubon is one of only two LEED Platinum self-sustaining buildings in Phoenix, Arizona, and juxtaposes scenic views from every angle with incredibly smart and efficient structures.

Our bride is modeling shape and form in her timeless gown by Ian Stuart. As an interior designer, she wants something unique and unforgettably fashionable. Our groom is clean and simple in his black fitted suit, and focused on functionality and aesthetics. The second bouquet is bold, full of lines, and reflects the origami of the gown’s neckline. The vast tablescape is eco-centric and appropriately “green”. We believe the opportunities to think outside the box for a wedding are endless, and creative professionals should be at the forefront of “new” and “unique”. This was a way to showcase creativity, sustainability, and architecture at its finest – with a major dose of pretty.

Photography + Art Direction: Gina Meola Photography / Styling + Concept: AVE Styles / Model: The Arizona Agency / Flowers: Avant-Garde Studios / Wedding gowns + Jewelry: Mariee Gallery / Cakes: Classic Cakes and Confections / Invitations: LittleOwl Letterpress / Contributing Photography + Graphic Design: Purple Nickel Studio / Loft Venue: Portland 38 / Reception Venue: The Audubon Center in Phoenix / Makeup: Ashley Nicole / Hair: Kim Cornwell at Triple Threat Studios (480-225-4282)

Pretty in pink takes on a whole new meaning in this Arizona affair. The total swoon fest that is going down on this side of the computer has convinced me that pink is the most beautiful color, and I immediately need to trade in everything I own – be it clothing, furniture, or dog – for something a bit more rosy & delightful. Planned by In Awe Weddings and Events and captured by EME Photography, the soiree was beyond fabulous – from the chandeliers to the flower girl. Click here to see the full image gallery!

After five wonderful years of dating we exchanged wedding vows in front of a wonderful group of friends and family.  When I envisioned our wedding day, I wanted to evoke romance and class yet make it a lot of fun for us and our guests. When I was asked to describe what I was looking for I used romantic, whimsical & PINK!  Without a doubt I wanted a lot of crystals and chandeliers to make it all look and feel as romantic as romantic and ethereal as I imagined. My wedding gown gave me a lot of inspiration with the rosettes & crystals throughout.

We chose to have our ceremony & reception in one of the most unique and exotic places in Phoenix, Boojum Tree Hidden Gardens. My hope was to combine this exotic and rustic locale with my desire for a romantic & whimsical mood for this special day.  The day of the wedding it was perfect and everything we could have hope for.  After planning this day for close to a year and obsessing about all the details, colors & endless choices I was literally walking on cloud nine knowing that I would soon marry my best friend.

Our wedding came together with the creative talents of Sandy Walker, In Awe Weddings & Events.  She is a gem and I am so fortunate to have had her at my side throughout the wedding planning process. My mom & I had so much fun meeting and planning with Sandy, this was truly a wonderful time for us. When I sat down with her for the first time & started rattling off all of my ideas I knew she “got it” and judging by her other weddings I knew she would plan an amazing day. She truly captured the feel of what we wanted and helped design & coordinate an unforgettable day.  All the vendors she put together were truly amazing in their own way and helped to create this most perfect day.

Wedding Planning: Sandy Walker, In Awe Weddings and Events / Photography: EME Photography / Cupcakes: Classic Cakes and Confections / Venue: Boojum Tree Hidden Gardens / Floral: The Flower Studio, Christine Siegel / Invitations: I Do Bliss / Officiant: Father Jim Hushek / Makeup: Allison Pynn / Hairstylist: Antoinette Dicarlo / Caterer: Santa Barbara Catering

Do you know what I absolutely adore about this Phoenix wedding by Elyse Hall Photography?  It is feminine and flirty without being over-the-top girltastic (not that there is anything wrong with completely giving into our inner girly girl once in awhile).  The subtle, soft neutral palette mixed with pretty, pretty pinks looks so serene against the desert backdrop.  And the bride’s fur stole is all kinds of awesome.  We kept a few darling desert details in the full gallery so head on over there and check it out!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Mark and I were introduced by my maid of honor and her husband (a groomsman) at a BBQ at a beach in Seattle during the summer of 2009.  We ended up talking that night and he asked for my number and we’ve been inseparable ever since!

Details about what made our wedding so special to us. For one, we are members at Blackstone Country Club, so it is a place that we can go everyday and be reminded of how beautiful our wedding was and just simply enjoy all the beauty that is there!  We love that place and it has become very special to us. I wore pearls and a fur stole that had both belonged to my grandmother.  She passed when I was in grade school, but I have very fond memories of her, and it was special to me to pay tribute to her.

Between Mark and I, we only have two surviving grandparents left, so we paid tribute to our grandparents with a photo collage of photos hanging in a large wood frame that I got at a frame store. We wanted something unique for our guestbook album that we could use as art in our home, so we went with a guestbook tree, where people put their finger prints as trees.  It’s hanging in our dining room now.  Mark is a professional baseball player for the Texas Rangers, his nephew arranged for all of the professional players attending the wedding to sign the program from their wedding day.

Wedding Photography: Elyse Hall Photography / Venue, Catering, Wedding Cake, + Wedding Day Coordination: Blackstone Country Club / Rentals: Cre8ive Event Rentals / Lighting: Sound Lighting F/X, Inc. / Wedding Dress: Lazaro via Marcella’s La Boutique / Groom + Groomsmen Attire: Mr. Formal / Floral Design: Blooming Elegance / Bride’s Hair: Gemini of Chicago / DJ: Desert Music Entertainment

Flowers and cake, flowers and cake, I can’t stop thinking about flowers and cake after peeping these gorgeous images from Diana Rothery! This wedding is so out of control beautiful and overflowing with out of this world florals by Petal Pusher that I could seriously stare at these images all. day. long. Kudos to Ashley Gain Weddings for putting this amazing wedding together! I love the rich, sultry colors and the sweet as can be jars of honey. But seriously, had frosting EVER looked that good? Get your fill of sweets here in the gallery…no calories counted!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Ashley Gain Weddings: Love when pure, like Angela & Peter’s, is authentically organic and their wedding reflected just that. On a practically perfect October morning in Phoenix, Arizona the couple got married at Desert Botanical Garden. The ceremony was held outdoors in the Amphitheater. Guests sat in the built-in “theater” seating facing the arch where the couple said their vows. As a backdrop to the I dos was a cactus garden, an authentic reflection of the beautiful Sonoran Desert.

Angela and Peter wanted their guests to be a part of something more than just their wedding day, to them being a part of the Arizona landscape the place they were both born and raised was their inspiration. They wanted to reflect their natural love for each other in the place that felt so naturally “home” to their hearts.

The reception set in the indoor-meets-outdoor Binns Wildflower Pavillion welcomed in an open-air feeling with the majestic Papago buttes setting the scene in the background. The high ceiling pavilion surrounded guests giving them an intimate setting in the middle of the desert. Full of natural light this reception setting was the perfect way for the couple and their guests to take in an Arizona day. The succulents from the centerpieces on Angela & Peter’s day have since been planted in various guest’s pots around the country and growing strong. Now their perfect wedding flowers remind us every day how love can continue to grow!

Wedding Planner and Design: Ashley Gain Weddings / Wedding Photographer:: Diana Rothery / Venue: Desert Botanical Garden / Floral Designer: Petal Pusher / Bride’s Make-up: Krista DuVall / Bride’s Hair: Kelli Rogers / Wedding Cake: Nothing Bundt Cakes / Catering: Heidi’s Events & Catering / Rentals & Linens: Classic Party Rentals / Wedding Invitations: Printable Press / Favors: Really Raw Honey / Officiant: Justice Michael Reagan / Save the Date Designs: Miss Crowland

I want to jump inside these amazing photographs by Erica Velasco and live there for a while, kind of like Bert, Mary and the Banks’ children did in Mary Poppins. I promise I won’t mess up any of the succulents adorably planted in milk glass containers, I won’t snatch any of the sweet-as-can-be papel picado for mementos either. But you can bet your booty that even though I’m a married chica, I’ll be right up in front to catch that amazing succulent bouquet. I mean, really, how freaking beautiful is that? Kudos to Signature Events for pulling together all the details for this super sweet wedding! And there’s even more in the gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

My husband and I had a long engagement; although we were immediately ready to be “husband and wife,” we weren’t sure if we wanted to be “bride and groom.” After law school, we were led to Charlee, who became not only our wedding planner, but our surrogate mother, and rallied us into the wedding spirit.

On board and with a game plan, Javier and I wanted to incorporate the Arizona landscape, and blend our Mexican and Jewish backgrounds. We decided to have the ceremony and reception at the Phoenix Art Museum, and collaborated with a local artist, Teresa Villegas, to incorporate her Loteria images throughout the wedding, including imagery in the wedding invitations, the escort cards, and table cards. We used only local succulents for the bouquet, boutonnieres, centerpieces, favors, aisle, and chuppah decoration. In lieu of a wedding party, we had the mariachi in the processional of our Jewish ceremony, who performed siman tov and hava nagila for the occasion. We decorated the reception with papel picados, served our guests Mexican street-style food, and danced the hora.

Above all, Javier and I wanted the wedding to be relaxed, have a sense of humor, and feel like we were celebrating those attending just as much as we were celebrating our marriage. We tried to make each element of the wedding a gift for our guests; we turned the escort cards into fridge magnets, collected antique milk glass vases as centerpieces which guests could keep, had succulent favors, and provided customized yarmulkes. I surprised Javier in the middle of our first dance with a performance by the Epik Dancers of Beyonce’s“Single Ladies,” just to keep him and our guests on their toes.

Simply put, our wedding was a fantastic party with a lot of love. We get it now; it really is one of the best days of your life.

Wedding Photography: Erica Velasco / Flowers: The Flower Studio / Event Planning and Design: Signature Events, LLC + The Flower Studio / Ceremony and Reception Location: The Phoenix Art Museum / Wedding Invitations: Letterpress Finnesse / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Wedding Gown: Mariee Bridal / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Bride’s Hair: Tru Salon / Bride’s Makeup: Barney’s / Mariachi: Mariachi Luz Del Sur / Cake Topper, Ketubah, and Guest Book: Etsy

This wedding is a dream team collaboration in the oh-so-wonderful world of weddings, so pay close attention my pretties! Captured by the amazing Stephanie Fay, coordinated by the we-can-do-it-all Outstanding Occasions, and topped off with gorgeous flowers (and lavender bouquets) by Petal Pusher, this desert beauty is sure to have you swooning in no time! Something tells me you’ll be hitting up the gallery this morning for even more southwest goodness.

See entire image gallery here!

Still can’t get enough of this adorable wedding? Check out this video with the cutest soundtrack ever by Lomaland Productions.

Mike and Laurie // Rainy Day Wedding from Lomaland Productions on Vimeo.

From Stephanie Fay: I knew the second I met these two, that I wanted to work with them. They are the most laid back, sweetest, and not to mention FUNNIEST people we have worked with. I just adore them. When the wedding day came, the rain pushed in over Phoenix. We all had been crossing our fingers that it would blow away, but our prayers weren’t answered and the rain trickled in slowly for the wedding day. I wasn’t surprised that the rain didn’t shake Laurie and Mike’s attitude for the wedding day. They were simply excited to get married and get the party started! I can’t say enough amazing things about this wedding. The ceremony was at Brophy Chapel and the reception was in Laurie’s parents backyard. It was just STUNNING. I was overly impressed with how Outstanding Occasions handled the entire day. These girls are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Laurie and Mike, thank you for choosing US as your wedding photographers. You two are absolutely beautiful inside and out and we feel so blessed to have worked with you two!!

Dress: Paloma Blanca / Bridesmaid dresses: Amsale / Brides Shoes: Badgley Mishka / Hair Piece: Lo Boheme / Earrings: SN Queens Jewelry / Guestbook: Crearting / Invitations: Wrapsody Invitations / Flowers: Petal Pusher / Linens: Southwick Linens / Cake: Classic Cakes / Catering: Bon Cuisine / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / DJ: Mancini Entertainment / Live Music: Jack Young / Ceremony Music: Alegro Quartet / Vocalist: Jenny Rathsburg / Wedding Coordinator: Outstanding Occasions, Jennifer Thinnes / Wedding Favor: Little Pepi’s / Programs and Place Cards: Write On’s / Videography: Lomaland Productons / Photography: Stephanie Fay / Makeup: Diane Aiello

We’ve had a full day of absolute beauty and we aren’t done yet. Brought to you by the fabulous photographer, Gina Meola, this wedding manages to be both ridiculously elegant and completely fun…at the exact same time. A combination that is kind of hard to achieve. Held at the Pacioni Estate in Phoenix, this wedding is definitely the icing on the cake for a day of real wedding heaven. Click here to see even more.

click here to see the full wedding gallery!

This beautifully classic wedding was seven years in the making. Paul and Camille wanted their day to be a true reflection of them as a couple.

Their wedding ceremony was held at the same church Camille’s mother and grandmother were married. Camille wanted their intimate reception to feel more like a formal dinner party that a traditional wedding, and what better setting than the private Biltmore Estate that opened its cozy insides right out into the backyard. Details were incorporated throughout the night to make everyone feel welcomed and thoughtfully cared for. A divine gourmet dinner ended with mouth-watering tarts the couple first tried on a date to the restaurant, “Coup Des Tarts”.

Photography: Gina Meola Photography /Flowers: Alex Jackson / Makeup and Hair: Erin Romley / Event Design and Caterers: Rendezvous Catering and Events / Ceremony Location: Trinity Cathedral / Reception Location: Pacioni Estate / Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Sometimes, it’s the totally handmade affairs that completely steal our hearts. The weddings where you can see all of the love, all of the fun, all of the passion that went into crafting each and every detail. Such is the case with this next little number, photographed by one of our favorites, Julie Mikos. With a couple pairs of scissors, a hot glue gun and a teeny tiny budget, this bride and groom designed a wedding that has made me smile from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. And I just know it will do the same for you. Click here to see even more.

click here to see the full gallery of goodness!

From Julie Mikos…Young couple and new parents, Beka and Josh, live in a tiny mountain town outside of Phoenix and had an extremely limited budget for their wedding, but wanted to invite practically their entire town population. Luckily, the bride and her mother are both artists and very crafty and were able to create all of the details on their own.

The bride spent weeks preparing. Cutting and stringing all of the birds, creating all of the decorative pinwheels for the cupcakes, directing her fiance (who is a carpenter) to build frames to house the pictures of them together as they grew up (yes, they’ve know each other since they were babies!), etc. They also recruited a small army of town-folk to help decorate, put together floral arrangements set in colored glass (collected by the bride and inspired by Martha Stewart’s recent article on colored glass collections), set-up tables and chairs and even cater the food. The ceremony was an extremely private ceremony which couldn’t be photographed, but the party was held at a friend’s cabin down the dirt road and nearly the whole town DID attend and pitched in to help. I was honored to also pitch in and help as the bride was one of my former wedding photography interns and now a good friend. This wedding truly took a village to create and was down-home charming!

From the bride…I wanted my wedding to be fun. I was inspired by old mexican colors and decor. We had a small budget so I looked for ways to make my wedding beautiful and fun without spending too much. I got almost all of my ideas from Style Me Pretty like the colored glass and paper birds. My friends and I went to work collecting glass from all the antique stores in town months leading up to the wedding. My mom painted all of the table centerpieces, signs, and peacock mural. I wanted everything to be personal. Josh made me frames from old barn wood and I filled them with photos of us and our new family. I bought a lot of scrapbooking paper and crafted the birds, cake topper, and pinwheels with it. Using the paper really tied everything together. With the help of all my close family and friends, Josh and I were able to have the wedding of our dreams. They helped us with everything, down to the home brewed beer and amazing wedding cake.  We laughed, danced, and had the time of our lives.

Photographer: Julie Mikos Photographer / Minister: Trina Kamp / Stylist: Kathy Karrys / Hair and Make-up: Rose Walker & Sumer Harper / Dress: Davids Bridal / Wedding shrugs: Mary and Angelika via Etsy / Decor: Rebekah Sampson (bride) & Elizabeth Silver(mob) / Music: Landon Shill / Food and drink: Walker Catering / Flower arrangements: Glenn Widger & Lucy Karrys / Cake: Sydney Kamp

Villa Siena is a Tuscan styled private venue in Phoenix, Arizona. It served as the ideal location for Vanessa and Josh’s March wedding!

photography courtesy of Melissa Jill

This beautiful space was built in 2004 specifically for weddings and other special events. The staff is well-experienced to handle anything that might pop up … and has a list of vendors that they work with often ~ we’re thrilled to recommend Villa Siena to you in our Little Black Book {SMP portfolio}!

Vanessa, a school teacher, and Josh, a police officer, had narrowed their search for a wedding venue down to two places. Vanessa said, “We went with Villa Siena because we loved the detail and authenticity of the Italian villa style. Everything down to the minutest detail is perfect, and if you find it to be otherwise, Sabrina and her staff will fix it! We also loved the privacy of being the only people in the venue, rather than in the hotel where there may have been onlookers, etc.”

Vanessa’s stunning wedding gown was designed by Heather Butler.

The decor of the day included Vanessa’s love of color ~ in this case a purple, cobalt and lime green color palette with the whimsical touch of peacock feathers. The guest tables included samples of Josh’s home brewed beer, “Barutha Brew,” tied with lime green and purple ribbons.

You can see more shots of the beautiful property on the Villa Siena website and blog …

Vanessa and Josh

After deciding they were tired of sifting through all the available bachelors and bachelorettes Arizona had to offer, they both signed up for Match.com. As Vanessa was perusing through the profiles, she was struck by the oddity of one quote, “I love the Discovery Channel!” and decided she HAD to check out this man that loves educational television. After deciding he had the best teeth she had ever seen paired with the dorkiest pictures, Vanessa sent him a virtual “wink”. They emailed each other for awhile before finally meeting for coffee one Thursday morning (that turned into a day long event).

The Proposal
Josh wanted to combine something that Vanessa loves (him) with something that she wants (horses). He arranged for the two of them to go horseback riding in the Superstition Mountains. After blindfolding Vanessa, driving around in circles to throw off her sense of direction, and making her stay in the car at all stops, Josh pulled up to the O.K. Corral in Apache Junction. Their guide, Lee, the 100lb cowboy, led them on a two hour ride into the mountains. At the top of the ridge while admiring the beauty, Josh got down on one knee and asked Vanessa to be his wife. Of course, she said “Yes!” Lee, the cowboy, cried.

The Planning
From Vanessa …  Once we decided on the package offered by Villa Siena, we were elated. This was one of the best choices we could have made! It is so much easier to have our vendor choices recommended, guaranteed and limited. Every vendor was spectacular, efficient and flexible. The vendors contributed to our beautiful experience at Villa.

Venue: Villa Siena
Coordinator: Amy Weide with Villa Siena
Photographer: Melissa Jill
Wedding Gown: Heather Butler, Arizona’s Bridal Warehouse
Hair: Joe with Le Studio Salon
Make-up: Stephanie with Kensington Make Up
Florist: Blume Events
Officiant: Frank Villegas
Invitations: Taylor Herr
Caterer: Bon Cuisine
DJ: Ray the DJ
Cake: Piece of Cake Desserts