Since we are in Arizona, we tend to gravitate towards weddings that celebrate the beauty that is unique to our locale- desert colors, mountain views, and Arizona inspired flora. Marney and Booth’s Desert Botanical Garden wedding celebrates all that is quintessential yet modern Arizona…
Confident in her know-how and desire, Marney was a hands-on bride to the extreme! She designed many of the beautiful details herself. I’ll let her tell you about it: As guests arrived at the ceremony, they found self-serve glass dispensers of mint lemonade and cucumber water set at the edge of the desert garden path. Green and white straws kept the mood light, and handwritten kraft signs, tied with twine around the dispensers, informed guests as to what they were drinking. Hand-made nests of twine, succulents, yellow genista, and white wax flowers hung from aisle chairs at the ceremony, and the natural desert red rocks acted as a dramatic backdrop for the nuptials. Also, I personally designed and, with the gracious help of my parents, crafted the ceremony program fans. The graphics featured the agave logo repeated on the fan back to create a custom pattern, and printed program on the reverse.
The ceremony was held in the Binns Wildflower Pavilion at the Desert Botanical Garden. Marney’s mother is an active board member of the gardens, and the couple have been to many family events in the Pavilion. They knew immediately they wanted to marry at the garden, and booked the venue within days of getting engaged.
Guests RSVP’d to the event “Will be there with bells on”, and picked up small white bells to ring as the we walked down the aisle during the recessional. The bells featured tags tied with twine, and custom “RING ME!” graphics I designed.
Just in case you are not sure if the Desert Botanical Gardens provides enough privacy for bride and groom time, check out these shots by Hollye Schumacher Photography
After the ceremony and just before the rain storm, guests picked up prickly pear margaritas and wandered through the desert pathways to Boppart Courtyard. The courtyard featured bright coral tablecloths on hightop tables, tied with burlap ribbon and topped with small arrangements of succulents. Guests found their names and table assignments (hand-written by me) on kraft cardstock tags hanging with twine strung between a set of agave stalks my parents had carefully collected, continuing the theme of the century agave plant.
Marney and Booth enjoyed some time on their own being newlyweds
Among all the memories from the day, Marney and Booth say their favorite moment of the day was their first dance. Here’s what they have to say about it: We both loved so many moments of the day: spending the morning in anticipation with our friends and family, seeing each other for the first time, our vows… but our first dance was a clear winner. We worked with a fabulous choreographer and a happy tune, Home is Wherever I’m with You by Edward Sharpe, and as we twirled and giggled, our guests circled round and clapped in unison to the tune. It was the perfect kick-off to the celebrations that ensued.
The tables names were chosen for cities Marney and Booth had lived in- so exotic!
(Image from The Live Photobooth)
KG: What was the smartest planning decision you made?
M/B: Securing a back-up location. I thought my parents were crazy when they suggested it for our April wedding, but on our wedding day, when the clouds rolled in and the rain poured down just as we completed our vows (outside), we were so glad to have an indoor reception for guests to dash to. My dream reception on the outdoor twinkle-lit patio didn’t happen, but our guests were warm, dry, and happy – and that made us happy.
KG: Did you go on a Honeymoon?
M/B: I was in the middle of business school and couldn’t take any additional time off, so we delayed our trip until a more convenient time. We headed to Thailand for two weeks in March – a perfect way to celebrate our first year together! We’ve both traveled quite a bit but have never been to SE Asia. It was important to us to find a place new to both of us so we could discover it together.
KG: What advice would you offer brides-to-be?
M/B: Know it won’t all go as planned – whether it’s the weather, making the rounds to all your tables, or snapping a candid with your grandfather – but it will most likely be the best darn day of your life. Just relax, be present, and enjoy your guests and each other. It goes so fast, it’s not worth fretting about anything once the event begins!
KG: Tell us what you love best about being married!
M/B: We dated for 7 years before getting married so had already experienced so much together. But now that we’ve made it official, we love discussing life’s big next steps together… while tossing a football on the beach, learning to paddleboard, or exploring new hotspots on our Vespa. Life couldn’t be better in Southern California!
KG: Anything else you want to tell us?
M/B: We had a rockstar team all around. Favorites included Bright Bokeh videographers (we felt like Hollywood stars!*), photographer Hollye Schumacher, and the Desert Botanical Garden crew for going above and beyond in all respects. Victoria Canada and her team kept the event in check, while Santa Barbara Catering kept guests’ glasses full. Petal Pusher provided the perfect succulent arrangements – Tamara delivered on exactly the look we were aiming for. We were blessed all around!
Congrats Marney and Booth and thank you for sharing your day with us!
Marney and Booth’s Real Arizona Wedding Team:
Wedding Coordinator: Victoria Canada Weddings and Events
Ceremony and Reception Site: Desert Botanical Gardens
Photographer: Hollye Schumacher Photography
Videographer: Bright Bokeh
Bridal Gown Store: Ultimate Bride
Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid
Suits: Groom’s- custom, Groomsmen- Macy’s
Florist: Petal Pusher
Invitations: Mr Boddington (& bride)
Caterer: Santa Barbara Catering
Cake: Honey Moon Sweets
Band: The Walkens
Ceremony Musicians: String Serenade
Photobooth: The Live Photobooth
Make-up Artist: Corinna Cooke
Hair Stylist: Meaghan Gingrich
Officiant: The Honorable Andy Hurwitz, Arizona Supreme Court
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Transportation: Real London Bus Company
Hotel Accomodations: FireSky Resort and Spa
Rehearsal Dinner Site: The Valley Field Riding & Polo Club
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