Laura and Ryan’s destination wedding was a modern classic- they chose the classic colors of ivory and sapphire blue, the bride wore a 1950′s vintage necklace and there was a traditional bagpiper (as a sweet surprise to the groom as a nod to his heritage) but added modern touches such as purple suede Prada shoes and dresses chosen by each bridesmaid.

Since Laura and Ryan’s guests were traveling from all over the country (and some even from Canada) to Arizona, the couple wanted to provide an elegant and intimate destination wedding. The Sanctuary on Camelback provided spectacular views and an authentic Arizona vibe.

How much do you love Laura’s purple shoes?

This is one of my favorite pictures from the day

Want interesting bride and groom portraits? Sanctuary on Camelback is a great location for photos because it has so many pretty niches and rich textures

Since Laura and Ryan are from Chicago, they differentiated their reception tables with pictures of Chicago landmarks

KG: Now that you have had a chance to settle in, what is your favorite thing about being married?

L/R: No more wedding planning! Just kidding, we are mostly enjoying spending quality time with each other. Planning a wedding is a huge time commitment and now we have free time to make dinner together, see movies and decorate our apartment with all of our wonderful gifts from our generous friends and family.

KG: Did you go on a Honeymoon?

L/R: We had a destination wedding and were lucky enough to enjoy the weather in Arizona for 5 days (a nice break from the Chicago chill) so we chose not to go on a honeymoon immediately. As we are getting settled, we are considering different locals that interest us: Thailand, Bali, Fiji, Belize, Brazil. There are just so many places to see!

KG: What advice would you give brides-to- be?

L/R: Two words: Time management. I bought a magazine that included a monthly/weekly planner with tips and worked either on or ahead of that schedule as the wedding approached. I have many friends that have been married and know how hectic things can get at the end even with advanced planning. I had a clear idea of what I wanted for my wedding by scanning many (and I mean many, many stacks!) wedding magazines and blogs and cutting out or drawing pictures of what intrigued me. I also relied heavily on referrals from my wedding coordinator and the first few vendors we decided on. Who knows the local industry better than the people that are in it?

Enjoying the day: I knew the day would be crazy and emotional, I purposely included extra time in the schedule and planned our ceremony to start slightly earlier than I really wanted it to. This allowed me to relax knowing that if we are “behind” it would all work out. And lastly, just smile, you are marrying your best friend and the man/woman of your dreams! What else could possibly matter?

KG: Did anything about your wedding day surprise you?

L/R: The speeches at our reception. Everyone did so well! You could really tell that everyone put thought and love into what they were saying and we so appreciated it! We were also pleasantly surprised and honored by the family and friends that made the trip to Arizona from across the continent!

KG: What was your favorite thing about/part of the day?

It is nearly impossible to have one favorite part of your wedding day, however we were able to narrow it down to three:

1. The bagpiper – My present to Ryan and a huge and emotional surprise for him.

2. The time after our ceremony – We took sunset pictures following our ceremony and then a few minutes to ourselves allowing us to relax, reflect and eat!

3. Our reception entrance – We had the DJ ask everyone to greet us on the dance floor for our entrance to “Shipping Up To Boston” (Ryan’s home town) and it sure set the mood for the rest of the reception.

Laura also had some kind words to say about her vendors:

Rev G was a great source of knowledge about choosing local vendors and what to expect from the day. He was also great at keeping the ceremony fun yet professional.

 Allison Bess is an up and coming photographer though she is young she works very hard and has fabulous business ethics (excellent communication, follow through and great end product). She has the drive and talent and is one to watch out for!

Also, our DJ was fabulous and knows how to throw a good party with little guidance.

Congratulations Laura and Ryan and thank you for sharing your wedding with us!

Laura and Ryan’s Real Arizona Wedding Team:

Ceremony and Reception Site: Sanctuary on Camelback

Photographer: Allison Bess Photography

Bridal Gown Store: Mira Couture

Suits: Men’s Wearhouse

Florist: Wild Child Floral Design

Invitations: Mavora on Etsy.com

Cake: Julia Baker Confections

DJ: Ray the DJ, Jeff

Bagpiper: Michael McClanthan

Make-up Artist: Megan Taylor

Officiant: Reverend Giovanni

 

 

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