{Real Wedding} Gretchen + Maurice - Ancala Country Club

From our very first meeting, Gretchen and Maurice were such a dream couple to get moving on their wedding plans. (*Not to mention Maurice was such a sweetie and grabbed Mojo Yogurt for us all -my ultimate favorite) Fun was one of their top priorities and if you knew these two you could tell why. Plus they chose tangerine and royal blue for their colors, which also matched Maurice's affinity for his college sports team. Great to see some originality plugged in!

Gretchen + Maurice say I DO!

Gretchen was always smiling ear-to-ear, really so much fun and her choices let us have some fun while Maurice was the goofy, fun groom. Their dream was to have an intimate wedding on a modest budget. We chose Ancala Country Club because of its gorgeous greens view and amazing venue (Thanks Jennifer Benfatti) I loved that these two wanted to have a bride and groom's drink choice during their cocktail hour- Appletini and Sangria's. Really this is how they get a party going.


Ancala Country Club golf course view
Dashes of tangerine



Family Group pictures are always so much fun

Gretchen smiling- such a beautiful bride
Bouquet blends of calla lilly's, hydrangeas, orchida and pops of blue

Delicious cake and simple floral accents
Chocolate decadence was hidden inside

Gretchen was dancing the night away with her girls

The day and night went off without a hitch. I was thrilled to see them jet off in their limo. All their guests wished them off with a bubble exit. It was a non stop party!

Here are the vendors that made their day perfect:

Wedding Planner – Blueprint Affairs  

Venue- Ancala Country Club 

Beauty- Babydoll Hair 

Entertainment – Got You Covered

Floral – Ever After Florals   

Paper/Invitations – Be In Love Designs  

Photography – Harley Bonham Photography 

Transportation – Destiny Limo   

{Awareness} Out of the Darkness – Suicide Awareness

Personal tragedies seem to be all over the internet. They never seem to be real until it applies to you or someone you know. On March 31, 2012, I participated in a community walk held at Arizona State University with hundreds of other people to spread awareness on suicide. This walk was especially close to my heart because I was there along with my family to support The Bresson’s, who recently lost their sweet daughter six months ago. Becoming involved in something so intimate yet, wide reaching in the community reminds you of others that need your help.

 

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention stated that “more than 36,000 people in the United States die by suicide every year”. That’s a shocking realization when you take into account the families that are also affected by suicide of their loved one. There are parents, spouses, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends that are left to move on when these occur.

Family and Friends of The Bresson's

Getting involved and helping to spread awareness helps others shed light on this devastating 10th leading cause of death (afsp.org).

 

Here’s how you can get involved:

Walk to Honor and Raise Funds - Click Here!

Contribute to National Sponsorships - Click Here!

 

The money that is raised helps to fund programs for research, education, advocacy, and survivor resources.

 

Find an event near you: Click Here!

My love and prayers are with The Bresson Family.

{Real Wedding} Rhonda + Brian - Ancala Country Club

Weddings are made of sweet laughter and joy. Rhonda and Brian's wedding was a blast for them and their guests. I met them both through the brides sister and we started planning right away. This couple wanted to spare no details when it came to traditions. Jumping the Broom and sharing kilt love was truly memorable. They shared their nuptials day at Ancala Country Club along their closest family and friends. I loved the kilt the groom wore and incorporated a bagpiper to lighten up the event with rich colors and sounds. My heart loved bringing in the electric blue, red and black colors they chose to match Brian's kilt.

Authentic Kilt!

Brian and Rhonda as they shared their vows

Bridal parties like Rhonda's made her so happy

Choose your designs wisely and include them in many wedding details like above

My favorite picture. Period.

Thank you to my wonderful wedding team who helped maked this day mighty!

Wedding Planner: Blueprint Affairs

Venue: Ancala Country Club - Jen Benfatti

Photography: Harley Bonham Photography

Florals: Ever After Florals

Officiant: Reverend Giovanni Weddings

Entertainment: Got You Covered

Invites/Paper: Be In Love Designs

Cake: Honey Moon Sweets

Makeup/Hair: Babydoll Hair- Sabrina Miller

{Real Wedding} Ashlye + David Encanterra Country Club

Ashlye and David were a match made in heaven. I loved working with this couple as they both added so many fun and inspiring aspects to their wedding day. For any brides that visit Encanterra Country Club they are ultimately in love at first 'site'. The breathtaking view with the arbor overlooking the water in the background is absolutely amazing. Chantilly lace and pewter colored vests, alongside blooms of hydrandeas and blue delphinium were gorgeous. Added a few pops of eggplant and slate blue that made the setting perfect. Memorable and fun were the top aspects that my couple wanted to leave their guests after their big day. With the help of my wedding team, you can just tell the happiness that poured from this wedding.

Happy Wedding Day!

Bouquets of hydrangeas, stocks, light lube dephinium, purple mini callies and pearls

A Wedding Tree that also makes a perfect guestbook

Escort cards themed to magical travels

Notice the large vases for this amazing sand ceremony

3 tier, hexagon cake accented with irradescent pearl imprints

Thank you to all the vendors on my wedding team that made this day magical.

Wedding Planner: Blueprint Affairs
Venue: Encanterra Country Club
Photographer: Cassandra Heiser Photography
Florals: Ever After Florals
Transportation: Lexani by Ryans
Cake: The Cake Contessa
Entertainment: Got You Covered - Eric Cheroske
Invitations/Paper: Be In Love Designs
Linens: Southwick Linens
Officiant: Arizona Ministers
Hair: The Wish Salon - Taryn
Makeup: Julie Koeth

{Summer of Love} Easy Design

I know that many brides want to have a unique wedding but there takes careful thought into how unique it should be. I love trying to incorporate new trends and more importantly easy add ons. You want your decor and ideas to have a lasting impression with the pictures after the wedding. Be open to more creative options.

Many of my brides know that I get very excited with those extra details. Check out some fun trends going on right now that I want to share with you.



Mrs To Be - Insert Wedding Dress Here
Etsy



Mr & Mrs Mustache - Great Post Ceremony Pics
 Etsy



Just Married - Sunny Kind of Love
Etsy



Garter of Love - Love the Vintage feel
Etsy




Styling Ring Bearer Pillow
Etsy



{Summer of Love} Popular Decor Items

Nothing says love like diamonds. Then, you start thinking about your wedding day and it's fun to imagine diamonds all over. That's what the suppliers at Koyal Wholesale have spotted as their most popular items. For your wedding day, there's never too much bling or fashionable ways to make your wedding unforgettable. Check out these fun accents for your day. The options below allow you to add some color or turn to a more common theme of black and white this season.



Diamond Chandelier

Add some fun to your table with these gorgeous diamond votives. Your florist will have fun with these! 

Diamond Wrap for votives



Flower Poms to accents aisle or diamond centerpiece



Diamond Sheets to accent any decor



{Summer of Love} Unique Engagement Gifts

Wedding and engagement parties are the best way to celebrate the happy couple before their big day. For many couples, close friends or family will throw them a fabulous party within a couple months of making the annoucement to get hitched. I'm celebrating a close friends engagement this week and this started me on the path to find a perfect gift. There are many personalized gifts and sentimental gifts out there. Take time to find a gift that is different than a gift found on a wedding gift registry. This gift can be small or large. Remember to save the blender for the bridal shower but a wine set is sweet for the engagement party.

Check out some fun ideas I found below. Gifts are optional but you can also bring a nice card to share your sweetest wishes with them.

Romantics Love Personalized Pillow Cases via engagementgiftsonline.com



Artistic Couples via engagementgiftsonline.com

Homemaker Today via gifts.com

 

 

Wine Enthusiasts via gifts.com

 

Eco-Friendly/ Natural Foods Lover via gifts.com