Arizona Weddings

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

We featured Laura & Brian’s beautiful wedding from Hollye Schumacher Photography & Victoria Canada Events earlier this month on The Little Black Book Blog.  The stunning photography and fantastic celebration received rave reviews from all of you! So today, we wanted to bring you a more complete picture of the entire glorious day …. from Serendipity Videography!

photography by Hollye Schumacher Photography

Serendipity Videography – Wedding Video’s & Wedding Trailers

Jeff is an Emmy award winning photojournalist. His videography experience started in television news 19 years ago. He left the news business to focus on Serendipity Videography after he discovered his passion for wedding film-making. Taryn, his wife & business partner, works with all of the brides and grooms to help them determine their videography needs for their wedding day. She’s right by their side, from beginning to end … to be sure that their vision is achieved.

Serendipity Videography begins with Jeff & Taryn. It ends with a magnificent memory of this one so-very-special day in your lives.

Laura and Brian were married on November 22, 2008 at The Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona …

Hollye Schumacher Photography and Victoria Canada Weddings & Events shared these awesome images with us!

How beautiful is this shot? Such an incredible memory from the day.

Hollye is an award winning photographer … and from these photos, you can definitely understand why!

* * *

A few details of the day from Victoria, Laura & Brian’s ever-so-talented wedding coordinator …

The adorable couple wed at The Royal Palms Resort & Spa on a gorgeous Arizona fall afternoon. Before the ceremony, Laura surprised guests with root beer, green apple, and orange cream Jones Sodas adorned with photos of Laura and Brian’s long history together.

The ceremony décor was soft and elegant with brilliant colors of red, orange and brown. Rose petals covered the aisle spelling out the letter “S” with a pop of color. At the end of the ceremony, guests tossed rose petals to Laura and Brian’s “rosy future” and for the cocktail hour, the vintage photo theme continued … the guests seating was indicated when they picked up chocolate brown boxes. On top of the custom label was the guest’s name. When they opened the box, their table number was nestled in a bed of orange rose petals and the lid of the box showed photos of the bride & groom’s dating history … the prom, a trip to Paris, their first date…

The gorgeous cake design was based on Laura’s Ramona Keveza wedding gown and the brooch that sparkled on the top tier was taken from a formal dress Laura wore on a date with Brian.

The reception exuded warmth and matched the elegant feel of the Royal Palm’s Salon with different shades of taupe, brown and gold.

Guests were treated to a delicious plated meal, and then the party started! Laura changed her hair and the music picked up. Guests were able to change out of their high heels and into flip flops as the dancing began because “happy feet are dancing feet!” A photo booth provided fun favors for all of the guests and more vintage photos were displayed throughout the reception.

As the night went on, guests indulged themselves in a chocolate decadence bar for some tasty treats to take with them. Laura and Brian started their rosy future while surrounded by family, friends and spectacular memories.

Just one more perfect example of combining pure elegance with classic fun!  Congratulations Laura & Brian!

A HUGE thank you to Victoria Canada Weddings & Events for sending us Laura & Brian’s wedding to share with our readers.

to see the full gallery, click here!

{By the way, Victoria has a pretty great blog of her own.}

* * *

And to Hollye Schumacher … your sensational talent never ceases to amaze us! We can literally spend HOURS on your site looking at your images (brides, babies & the charming pooches!).

We featured Laura and Brian’s engagement shoot, a while back on the LBB blog  -or- you can see it on Hollye’s blog.  Hollye LOVES to travel so definitely check out more of her amazing weddings even if you’re NOT in Arizona … (reminds me of a George Strait song) …

Here are just a few more gorgeous weddings from Hollye’s blog ~

Colette’s fantastic dress!

Anna & Wes’ dramatic October wedding!

Renee & Justin’s fun-filled wedding (with super-cool green tennies)!

* * *

Additional wedding vendors from today’s featured wedding ~ Serendipity Videography, String Serenade (ceremony music), The Hamptons (band), Royal Palms Resort (cake), Table Tops, Etc. (Florist), BBJ Linens, Corinna Cooke (Make-up), Photo Booth AZ, and Celebrations In Paper (all paper pieces).

I saw these dazzling photos on Sedona Bride’s blog a few weeks ago and haven’t been able to get them out of my head!

Taken at Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine’s 10th Anniversary Celebration, the images literally POP off the page! What totally sensational color!!!

Little Black Book member, Victoria Canada and her fabulous team coordinated this party of the decade!! Events by Showstoppers created the positively stunning decor …

Aren’t these vintage posters SO cute?

And LOOK … a POPCORN BAR!

And just in case you didn’t notice … the 10th Anniversary cover shoot was by none other than the fantastic Katrina and Andrew at Sedona Bride …

Simply and utterly beautiful!

To see more of both the cover shoot (which is … by the way … extraordinary!) and the party … head on over to their blog!

We’ll be back a little later today with more from Andrew and Katrina.

At the beginning of December, Abby posted some great advice on wedding photography from Karen Rusten of Brown Mouse Photography. If you missed it, you totally have to go back (start here) and read it cover to cover (part II, III)!

But today, we’re cranking it back a few paces and dealing with those other photos … the first photos you’ll take now that you’re engaged!!

E* shoots … from ordinary to extraordinary! Gone are the days of sweet, sentimental engagement photos. Nowadays, crazy, sensual, just plain fun … anything goes! We’ve asked our own dream team of experts, the Little Black Book photographers, to share some tips and tricks to achieving those extraordinary engagement shots that you’ll be proud to claim as your first piece of true art!

Today, we’ve asked Holly Schumacher, a fabulous fine art and wedding photographer to give us her best advice to couples preparing for their engagement sessions.

from Hollye …

I would first (and most importantly) find a photographer who shoots in different outdoor locations. Ask the photographer if they specialize in customized engagement sessions. Does the photographer shoot in a lot of similar locations with similar poses, or is their a lot of variety? Once you find your photographer, share information about yourselves, such as, things you like to do together, places you frequently eat, what type of couple you are (romantic, traditional, playful, outgoing) and the story of how you met. The more a photographer knows about a couple, the more personalized the engagement session will be.The “about us” list, also acts as a source of inspiration. I’ve found the best spots based on this feedback, shooting in a playground, in swinging chairs at the fair, at In-N-Out Burger, in a fountain, cooking store, etc.

I found out from one of my couples that the groom had proposed to his girlfriend by putting the engagement ring in the bible that they read every night. When she opened the book, the ring fell out into her lap and he proposed to her. When I did their engagement session at their house, I had them get out the book and I photographed the ring in the book creating a heart out of the shadow. If you’re wanting to do something creative, be sure to convey it to the photographer and give them an example of something you saw that moved you.

Everyone has a different level of tolerance in front of the camera. If you (or your fiance) is not willing to get wet, dirty, or mess up your hair, then beware of what you ask for.

I know that when clients come to me and verbally tell me that they want an out-of-the-box engagement session they should strap themselves in for an exciting ride. Try to be yourself in front of the camera. For some, this means drinking a glass of wine (only ONE) before the session or getting in a good mood and leaving the day’s dramas behind. A lot of couples can be nervous before the session which can create tensions when they arrive for the shoot. Do your best to acknowlege that you may be nervous, but that tension will quickly fade once you start. If you are not so great at styling your hair (myself included) have your hair and make up professionally done. It can make or break a session. Your photographer can create the most amazing images, but if you didn’t like your hair, it’s a complete waste of time. Ultimately, you want to be happy with how you look in the picture. Be sure to go to a stylist you trust who has done it in the past so you’re not left with a style that looks like someone else.

If you get great images, do something with them! If you spend the time and money to do a fun session, be sure to either create a guest sign-in book, holiday card, slideshow, website, or large wall portrait, with the images. Do not let them waste away. I have a set of photos from my engagement session between myself and my husband at my house and office, and they never cease to remind me of the love we share and the fun time we had making the images.

Such great advice, Hollye! Thanks so much for this first in a series of Little Black Book posts on E*shoots.

Hollye Schumacher Photography is based in Phoenix, Arizona, but if you read her bio, you’ll see she’s addicted to travel … so if you love her style (and who wouldn’t!) shoot her an e*mail.  Her December 30 blog has some more seriously incredible engagement shots from Lauren and Merrill’s e*shoot. Don’t know how they’ll be able to choose … they’re all so fun!

If any of you guys have stories to tell about your own e*shoots … please let us know by sending us a comment. I’m sure other couples would really like to hear from you, too! OR if you have questions … send ’em our way. We’ve got a panel of experts who can help you with any question you might have!