The Sedona Weddings and Corporate Events Guide brings another great wedding to our reader’s attention. We found this wonderful blog post on Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine’s website about a recent wedding in Sedona. Kelly Gill, social media media writer for PB&G, does such a great job in describing all the details. The Sedona wedding community appreciates the support of this fine publication. Be sure to notice the fantastic team that produced this lovely wedding.
Many of the key players are naturally members of Sedona’s renowned Sedona Wedding Studio, Northern Arizona’s largest and most comprehensive wedding organization and resources guide. Find them on our LOVE LINKS listing or visit the fabulous Sedona Wedding Studio website.
Australia Meets Seattle in Sedona Arizona
Jennifer and Darren’s Sedona wedding story is one of many miles…this couple who likes to travel incorporated many personal touches into their day as well as a few nods to the geography they love so much!
Jennifer gave Darren custom-made map cufflinks as a wedding gift. One cufflink shows a map of Jennifer’s hometown, Seattle, and the other shows a map of Darren’s hometown, Perth, Australia. They were custom-made by Tomatomade (on Etsy.com)
Jennifer and Darren chose greens with accents of plum and incorporated native Australian flowers to reflect Darren’s home country. How much do you love that?! Jennifer explains more: Our colors, flowers and passion for travel also translated throughout the event including table cards identifiable by favorite airport codes and photos from each destination (which we made ourselves), and our green suitcase wedding cake by Sedona Cake Couture. Afterwards, we realized one of our favorite take-aways from the wedding were the “GuestLibs” we created for our guests to sign instead of a traditional guest book. We prepared fill-in-the-blank cards for our guests to fill in blessings and wishes for us. They were overwhelmingly, unexpectedly thoughtful and creative in what they wrote. We plan to make a framed word collage of the key words and phrases to display in our home as a constant reminder of the good wishes and blessings from our friends and family
The thoughtful touches continue…since our ceremony location was naturally beautiful, we wanted everything else to be very simple so as not to detract from the view. We made our own, simple chuppah, topped with chofa at the corners for good luck (brought from Thailand by a friend especially for the occasion), and it was carried down the aisle by the wedding party. We wanted to include our immediate family and close friends in the ceremony and asked several of them to write blessings for us, which they read during the ceremony. We also performed a sand ceremony symbolizing our union, using beach sand from near Darren’s home in Perth, Western Australia, and Jennifer’s home near Seattle.
I asked Jennifer about the Ketubah in her ceremony: We signed a beautiful watercolor interfaith wedding ketubah (Jewish wedding contract) that we found on Ketubah.com. We read the ketubah to each other as our vows during the ceremony, and it will hang in our home as a piece of artwork and a reminder of our commitment to each other.
How much do you love this cake? Sedona Cake Couture always impresses me…
I’m not sure if you have noticed but beer, especially homebrew beer, is very popular in general but particularly at weddings these days. Jennifer and Darren cleverly incorporated beer at their wedding in a meaningful way: As part of our reception, we created a beer tasting with an interactive, multimedia slideshow telling the story of our journey together. We featured five beers that represented our travels: our favorite local beer (bottled for us by Jim from Oak Creek Brewery), a beer from the first place we traveled together (Jackson Hole, Wyoming), the national beer of Thailand (one of our favorite places), a custom wedding IPA made by a friend (who also grew the hops for the beer), and a stout from Western Australia (which was transported by Darren’s family).
KG: What was your favorite part if the day?
J/D: Our favorite part of the day was being able to share a very personalized reflection of us with our family and friends. This started with our choice of ceremony location, Spirit Song at L’Auberge, overlooking one of our favorite places, the red rocks of Sedona. With the help of our officiant, we created a very meaningful ceremony. It was not overly traditional, but every aspect of the ceremony had personal significance. We particularly liked our homemade chuppah (Jewish wedding canopy), seven blessings written and read by our family and close friends, and the sand ceremony.
KG: Did you go on a honeymoon?
J/D: Darren had several family members who traveled from Australia to be with us, so instead of a traditional honeymoon we took two weeks and traveled all around the west coast while Darren’s brother, sister-in-law, and parents were here. We hiked Yosemite, tasted wine in Napa, explored San Francisco and Monterey, drove the Pacific Coast Highway, and ended with a trip to Disneyland, including lunch at Club 33. We plan to take more traditional solo honeymoon in Thailand or elsewhere in Asia the next time we venture down under to visit family in Australia.
KG: What advice do you have for couples planning their wedding?
J/D: A bit of advice is to chose really good vendors, clearly convey the key elements about what you want, and let them do the rest! We chose really great vendors that all knew each other, worked well together and knew the venue. Prior to our big day we conveyed the most important elements to the vendors, allowing them the freedom to do what they do best and allowing us to focus fully on enjoying every aspect of our wedding.
Jennifer and Darren, CONGRATULATIONS and thank you for sharing your wedding day with us!
Jennifer and Darren’s Real Arizona Wedding Team:
Ceremony Site: L’Auberge de Sedona, Spirit Song
Reception Site: L’Auberge de Sedona, Creek House
Photographer: Sedona Bride Photographers
Bridal Gown Store: Suzanne’s Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaids Dresses: Macy’s
Tuxedos: Jos A. Bank
Florist: Events by Showstoppers
Invitations: Minted
Cake: Sedona Cake Couture
Ceremony Music and DJ: Sedona Sounds
Jeweler: Diamond House
Make-up Artist and Hair Stylist: La Petit Spa, Patricia Vega
Officiant: Patricia Ballentine, family friend
Hotel Accomodations: L’Auberge de Sedona
Rehearsal Dinner Site: L’Auberge de Sedona, Creek House
Happy Planning from your Arizona Wedding Blog!
Kelly
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Sedona Wedding Studio Rocks Sedona’s Wedding Community
The Sedona Weddings And Corporate Events Guide congratulates The Sedona Wedding Studio for producing the most prestigious and celebrated wedding show Sedona has ever seen. With hundreds going through all day long, the Sedona Wedding Boot Camp is the singular most stylish and impressive wedding show in Sedona… bar none.
If you are planning a wedding in the future, these people are in the major league and know exactly how to do it. Do yourself a huge favor and do not miss the next Sedona Wedding Boot Camp or any of their smaller open houses throughout the year. We will post dates as soon as they announce them.
Take our best advice. If you are planning a Sedona or Northern Arizona wedding, don’t do anything until you visit their incredible website, resources guide and showroom that has become the hands-down center of the Sedona wedding community. We love this post we found on the Sedona Wedding Boot Camp’s website. The images speak for themselves. Read all about it!
Sedona Wedding Boot Camp Pictorial Essay
The much anticipated pictorial essay from the 2012 Sedona Wedding Boot Camp, by Sedona Bride Photography, surpasses all expectations, as did the event itself. Katrina Wallace and Andrew Mejia’s sensational images tell the story of the joyous day more than words could ever describe. These gorgeous images illustrate why the Sedona Wedding Studio, in only two short years, became Sedona’s standard of excellence and Northern Arizona’s largest and most comprehensive wedding organization.
We are pleased that Sedona-bound brides who could not attend this year’s event, now have the opportunity to see, through this pictorial essay, the level of quality, talent and trend-setting designs they can expect to see when visiting The Sedona Wedding Studio and next year’s 2013 Sedona Wedding Boot Camp.
The event more than quadrupled in size and attendance over the previous year. The morning began with excited brides embarking on venue tours of L’Auberge de Sedona and Tlaquepaque Arts And Crafts Village before returning to join other brides who already had confirmed venues. Transportation was provided by Sedona Trolley, White Tie Limousine and Northern Arizona Limousines. Sedona Golf Resort and Sedona Rouge also held scheduled site tours of their properties in conjunction with the boot camp.
Even more transportation options were available with several vehicles on display in the SWS parking area. Brides were able to see Sedona’s famous Pink Jeeps and fabulous Mercedes luxury vans from Silver Spur Tours. A Day In The West Jeep Tours was there with their colorful drivers dressed in authentic old west attire. Sedona Wine Country Tours representative, Laura Vandergrift, was there to discuss her wonderful tours.
The Sedona Wedding Bootcamp is quite different from the traditional wedding show. Typical of Sedona Wedding Studio innovation, brides loved the new concept and were raving about the new stylish boutique look of what we call the “hybrid wedding show.” No one left disappointed. The most noticeable difference was the focus on designer tables, seminars and venue tours.
We hope you enjoy these images and see first-hand why so many Sedona brides are choosing the Sedona Wedding Studioto produce their romantic Sedona wedding, no matter how large or small their weddings actually are. Congratulations to the Sedona Wedding Studio membership for producing the most lovely wedding event Sedona has seen in recent years.
As brides entered the building, they were greeted by beautiful designer vignettes and gorgeous flowers in every direction by Ken Heflin of Events By Show Stoppers. Dos Geckos, a popular Sedona duo, including guitarist, Bill Barns, and Larry Perkins on violin ( 928-284-1131 ), set the mood by playing popular wedding selections to the delight of newly engaged couples as they enjoyed the surroundings. Concert harpist, Sara Casciani (928-526-3488), played heavenly selections in the SWS showroom.
The Sedona Wedding Studio showroom was displayed and ready to go just before the doors opened at 10:00 am.
Those couples who entered the boot camp through Sedona Cake Couture began their boot camp experience with eye-popping displays of fabulous cakes and sweets in every style, color, shape and flavor imaginable. The irresistible aroma of cakes baking in Andrea’s state-of-the-art kitchen permeated the entire studio making it hard to focus on anything but Andrea’s famous mouth-watering cakes.
The first 40 brides were gifted with delicious custom miniature wedding cakes in an assortment of delicious flavors. Brides also received a canvas tote bag with a couture map of Sedona, by Stephannie Barba Couture Maps, showing popular area attractions, famous landmarks and important Sedona wedding sites.
A beautiful Sedona Wedding Studio membership guide was included in every bag, along with vendor marketing material. The lovely guide was designed and printed by SWS member, Julie Gibson, of Studio Grace.
Brides attending the Sedona Wedding Boot Camp were treated to make-up and hair styling demonstrations by Liz Margin, Lindsay Hausch and Patricia Vega. Bill Barns serenaded just steps away, entertaining brides as they stood in line waiting their turns.
Sedona’s iconic restauranteur and caterer, Lisa Dahl, and Scott Yates of Cucina Rustica, served delicious samples.
Lisa signed her best selling cookbook release, “The Elixir Of Life.”
Delicious samples were in every room of the Sedona Wedding Studio, as well as in the adjoining Inspiration Pavilion.
Heartline Cafe, Perfection Catering, Cucina Rustica and Red’s Catering wowed couples with their scrumptious selections.
Candace Walters, of Victorian Cowgirl, designer of beautiful couture wedding gowns, displayed many of her favorite creations. Brides were delighted as they spoke with the models and Candace about their wedding dresses.
Gorgeous models wore the exquisite fashions as they moved through the crowd while carrying beautiful wedding bouquets designed by Ken Heflin, of Events By Show Stoppers.
Everyone took their turn resting their feet in the lounge area of the Inspiration Pavilion.
Under the direction of Show Stoppers’ set designer, Samyo Shannon, and his team, Andres Barron ( Ninõ ), Ed Palmero and Marla Fay, the interior of the Inspiration Pavilion was draped in billowing sheer fabrics. Charming lanterns converged at the apex of the tent, then cascaded down in a chandelier effect just above a birch arbor.
Colorful lighting effects accentuated the fabrics. Events By Show Stoppers provided all the decor, including flowers, draping, lighting and custom window arches that were installed over the draped walls. Debb Beggs, Classic Party Rentals, generously provided the tenting, carpeting, heating, furniture and assorted rentals.
The perimeter if the Inspiration Pavilion was full of exquisitely trimmed tables designed to inspire the brides with ideas that could be interpreted into their own weddings. The center of the tent displayed a birch wedding arbor.
Each of the talented Sedona Wedding Studio coordinators designed their own tables as well as designer tables reserved by Platinum Sponsors.
Margaret Van Damme, Van Damme Weddings, designed the L’Auberge table with a charming Country French motif.
The details were very clever, such as this cute table sign made of Scrabble game pieces.
A neutral color palette with mossy green and gold accents was perfect for L’Auberge.
Laura Marolakos, Heart of Sedona Weddings, designed this colorful table for Tlaquepaque. The Old-World Mexican theme inspired brides to think beyond the ordinary and consider their surroundings when choosing their decor.
Laura incorporated details of crepe-paper flowers, ceramic tiles, paper accessories, Mexican folk art and classic vintage lace linens.
Karen Lynn, Sedona Wedding Planner, puts the finishing touches on her rich-red and brown themed table.Wildflower linens provided the gorgeous table cloth….
…. and the opulent chair covers.
So much was going on. Bobby Russell, Sedona Sounds, announced prizes and played current tunes between the seminars. Food was being passed, displays enjoyed, venues considered, ideas discussed, friendships made and-on-and-on. Everyone throughly enjoyed themselves all day long.
Brides loved meeting other brides and interacting with SWS members. Lots of contacts and friendships were made. The air was full of joy, love and excitement.
Sedona’s wedding community was putting its best foot forward, making brides feel welcomed, pampered and confident.
J.B. ( Judi ) Bloomfield, Sedona Luxury Weddings and Events, designed her table and The Sedona Hilton Resort’s table. We loved her vintage look even incorporating an old vintage screen.
J.B. used vintage heirloom tableware, old frames, bottles, old curios and candle-filled jars in her vision.
Laura Marolakos, Heart of Sedona Weddings, designed this vintage French table that was a big hit with the brides.
Laura incorporated various vintage fashion props, curios and keepsake elements in her design.
Laura’s color pallet was light, feminine and romantic. The beautiful paper products were designed by Sedona Wedding Studio member, Julie Gibson, of Studio Grace.
Margaret Van Damme, Van Damme Weddings, used a beautiful complementary color scheme with lots of texture and depth.
The beautiful linens were procured through Wildflower Linens.
Margaret’s lovely paper products were provided by SWS member, The Aerialist Press.
The designer tables were popular with the brides, inspiring their sense of creativity!
The seminars were very informative, helping brides get direction and insider tips from Sedona’s best professionals.
Debb Beggs, Classic Party Rentals, answered questions concerning all aspects of rentals and tenting.
Included in the days festivities were Taryn Bills, Serendipity Video, who will have a film of the day’s activities coming soon to this website. Bobby Russell, Sedona Sounds, was the DJ and Master of Ceremonies for the day. Reverend Shanandoah Sterling, Sterling Weddings Of Sedona was there and gave her undivided attention to countless brides. Diana DeMayo, Uptown Massage, gave neck massages in the SWS conference room that had been specially converted for privacy.
All five of our member publications were available to give out their latest editions. Kelly Gill, Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine, Angie Van Daele, The Wedding Chronicle, and Christine Kelly of Arizona’s Finest Wedding Sites and Servicesmet with brides and handed out their magazines. Arizona Bride Magazine and Arizona Weddings Magazine were available in the Inspiration Pavillion.
19 SWS member venues were represented. Katie Draxler, Sedona Golf Resort, Angela Medlin, Seven Canyons Golf Club and Tony Rizzo, Oak Creek Country Club were there to meet and greet brides.
The Sedona Wedding Boot Camp closed at 5:00 when the last bride finally left. What a fabulous event produced by The Sedona Wedding Studio. Everyone had a fantastic time, did lots of business, made appointments and celebrated another huge leap in advancing the Sedona wedding communities image. Romance, humor, knowledge, creativity, music, excitement, talent and community were the fuel that catapulted this year’s 2012 Sedona wedding Boot Camp into fast forward, making it the front runner of Sedona wedding events. What a great show!
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