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Michael & Maria ~ A Tuscan Inspired Wedding

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It’s not very often that you get to plan a wedding for one of your siblings, so I was extremely honored when my brother and future sister-in-law asked me to plan their March wedding. We had two months to put together Michael and Maria’s Tuscan inspired wedding with touches of purples, greys, silver and cream. Choosing the venue was of high priority – I couldn’t believe their dream venue, Villa Siena, was available on their desired date! Once the venue was selected the rest of the wedding details fell smoothly into place . . . Jacque at EnDearing Floral created beautiful arrangements incorporating purple and white hydrangeas, stock, calla lilies, roses and dusty miller (giving hints of silver that Maria was looking for). Guests couldn’t stop raving about the braised beef short ribs catered by Santa Barbara Catering and the flavorful and moist wedding cake made by Brian at My Goodness Cakes. From start to finish the wedding incorporated the couple’s Irish and Guatemalan cultures. Maria couldn’t have looked more beautiful walking down the aisle to a guitar version of Andrea Bocelli’s song “Time to Say Goodbye”. During the candle lighting ceremony the Bride and Groom honored each of their mothers with roses that had personalized notes attached; it was such a sweet moment. Guests kept their swing on until the very end of the night when Michael and Maria made their getaway through a tunnel of beautiful glistening sparklers . . .  

 
 

Photographer: David De Dios 

~ Megan 

Michael & Maria ~ A Tuscan Inspired Wedding

by

It’s not very often that you get to plan a wedding for one of your siblings, so I was extremely honored when my brother and future sister-in-law asked me to plan their March wedding. We had two months to put together Michael and Maria’s Tuscan inspired wedding with touches of purples, greys, silver and cream. Choosing the venue was of high priority – I couldn’t believe their dream venue, Villa Siena, was available on their desired date! Once the venue was selected the rest of the wedding details fell smoothly into place . . . Jacque at EnDearing Floral created beautiful arrangements incorporating purple and white hydrangeas, stock, calla lilies, roses and dusty miller (giving hints of silver that Maria was looking for). Guests couldn’t stop raving about the braised beef short ribs catered by Santa Barbara Catering and the flavorful and moist wedding cake made by Brian at My Goodness Cakes. From start to finish the wedding incorporated the couple’s Irish and Guatemalan cultures. Maria couldn’t have looked more beautiful walking down the aisle to a guitar version of Andrea Bocelli’s song “Time to Say Goodbye”. During the candle lighting ceremony the Bride and Groom honored each of their mothers with roses that had personalized notes attached; it was such a sweet moment. Guests kept their swing on until the very end of the night when Michael and Maria made their getaway through a tunnel of beautiful glistening sparklers . . .  

 
 

Photographer: David De Dios 

~ Megan 

Stacie and James Baby Shower was a Hoot!

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Stacie and James’ Baby Shower was a Hoot!

Other than planning weddings, our 2nd favorite shindig to plan is a baby shower.  We recently had the joy of planning a baby shower for James and Stacie.  They had been feathering their nest for the arrival of their new baby boy and fell in love with owl-themed décor for the nursery.  So we went with it . . . planning the entire shower around nature-inspired themes while mindful to tuck in special appearances by their favorite owl in the design.  Isabella’s Garden at The Farm at South Mountain was the perfect place for family and friends to gather for this al fresco Jack and Jill shower. Surrounded by the blooming gardens and 100-year-old pecan trees guests enjoyed games, dined on the Farm’s fresh garden foods and sipped on lemonade with owl-adorned stirrers.  Nests filled with robin blue eggs, mismatched vases tucked with blooming wildflowers and fresh herbs embellished the feasting tables. Check out the pictures below to see more of this lovely, sweet affair!                                                                                                                                   

P.S.  We’ve included a picture of Baby Brody who was delivered just a few weeks ago.  We think he’s just perfect.     
  

~ Leslie

Rehearsal Dinner at Red Rock Resort’s Lanes

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We recently planned a destination rehearsal dinner in Las Vegas that was a huge hit with our bride and groom and their family and friends. There could have been a formal dinner full of toasts, or a gathering at a popular Las Vegas show, but Kate & Company dreamed up an ‘out of the box’ concept for this fun-loving couple at the Red Rock Lanes – in a private suite at the most techno-bowling alley in the U.S.
We assisted with developing a 300-picture slide show that was displayed on four separate screens that spanned the entire rear wall of the four private lanes. The guest’s shoe sizes were collected in advance and the groom coordinated the teams. Upon arrival there were “wow’s” and “this is very cool” comments as the guests found their way through the hearty buffet and settled in the sleek and comfy lounge atmosphere with a drink from their private bartender.
Completely engaged in conversation and watching the slide show which, included every one of the guests present as well as couple shots, the guests realized that their shoes, socks, and team names were already coordinated with their lane as they began to get laced-up for a few hours of fun.
As the night continued, the slideshow turned to the couple’s favorite artists music videos to keep the hips swaying. All in all it was a non-traditional rehearsal dinner yet one that was just perfect for the couple with unique touches to make their memory of this evening extraordinary!


~ Kate

Viva Las Vegas!

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October proved to be a very beautiful month in luck, weather and smiles. Strolling the grounds of the lovely JW Marriott Las Vegas in Summerlin, NV simply puts you in the mindset that Vegas doesn’t have to be all about bright lights and casino craziness. Flowing grass, gurgling fountains and water throughout the property most certainly set a tone of tranquility and peacefulness – just a lovely spot for a fall wedding. We spent a fun filled October weekend in Vegas with our bride, Stacie and groom, James.

Oh, did I mention this was the weekend with the once in a lifetime date of 10/10/10? First key to the success of this lovely wedding was flexibility and we certainly worked some magic to book this very special affair with a two month lead time. Our bride wanted a wedding at 10 a.m., so our luck continued, everything we wanted was available in the morning. A note to future Vegas-brides … out of state weddings require a license. A  visit to the court house on the Thursday prior (10/7/10) was brilliant as the couple avoided long queues, stanchions and the crowds of the weekend. This desert destination was a convenient gathering spot for the wedding party and their guests with ample flights and an infrastructure to provide anything and everything with in a short few minute drive.
The setting was the quaint “Lodge” with a glorious expanse of grassy knolls and waterfalls nearby. The beautiful bride selected her two nieces to be the flower girls and they were as cute as buttons wearing fashionable tutus of toile. Her colors were bullet and blush and this was accentuated in everything from the flowers and the bridal party dresses to the Chuck Taylor Converse monogrammed sneakers the groomsmen donned.
 

To commemorate the day, personal notes and polaroid photos from each attending guest were clipped to the wish tree branches.
This intimate Vegas wedding was just what James and Stacie had hoped for… a memory making event filled with love, luck and Las Vegas luxe…

~ Kate     

The Duce

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Looking for a unique eco-urban vibe for your bachelor/bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner or next fundraiser? . . . head straight to The Duce in downtown Phoenix. I stopped in with no expectations and came away with placing it on my fav list!  This warehouse space is straight-up old school with exposed brick walls and cement floors, however the inside is filled with surprises in every corner.  It’s a store with funky vintage items and re-purposed army fatigues to buy; a restaurant with, hands down, some of the best comfort food in town all cooked out of an Airstream trailer in their courtyard; a retro soda station, cool dance floor and gritty boxing ring! The indoor/outdoor ambiance invites a relaxed flow as your guests will bounce from getting down on the dance floor to smacking their lips after a bite of their sweet, sticky ribs or sumptuous sliders.
Keep it real . . . use dried flower buds to create a sign like this with your names to place over your sweetheart table or to welcome guests to your wedding.  Stress-less make this weeks in advance by using dried flowers instead of fresh.  After the wedding, keep the sign or remove the flowers and re-purpose in your home decor glued to picture frames, layered in glass jars or re-crafted as a wreath.  These touches will help keep your love in bloom for years to come!

Patio Pleaser.  Invite your girls or guys to the patio for a “bach” party to fuel up for the antics ahead or gather your family for a cozy rehearsal dinner.

Swing or Hustle your way to the music on this dance floor painted with dance step moves . . . this place is jammin on Fri and Sat nights with tunes spinning out all types of beats.

       
       
Talk about deliciously sinful food… 
Leslie ~