(Color palettes from Real Simple)

Whether you want to embrace a specific theme or not, you have to choose some sort of color scheme for your big day and we all know that weddings have, more than ever, plugged into the fashion world for insight. Although couples continue to turn to the wedding experts, magazines, television and blogs for guidance, brides and groom are also seeking inspiration from graphic design based sources as well. It all shapes up to be a huge sphere of wedding influence and I like it.

With that being said, I dialed up my go-to graphic designer friend, Kelly Ashworth, and talked color. Not only does she create amazing custom designs for save-the-dates, invitations, and anything else one might need for a wedding, she has the 411 on all sorts of things. She’s one of those people who would  know exactly where to send you if you needed a nautical inspired serving tray for a dinner party that very evening. We live in the desert- she’s that good.

 Click here for the colors to seriously consider incorporating into your wedding within the next year or so according to the color experts at Pantone.

See how gorgeous orchid and green are together?  Real Simple and I are in love. Well, I am in love with them, I am positive they don’t  know I exist!. For more inspiration from the gurus of life, click here.

I am calling out the green lovers with this one

More perfect Fall color:

(Floral images from Real Simple- see how much we love each other?!)

And to tie it all together, lipstick red and golden yellow grounded by green

(Pantone has partnered with Dessy Group where you can browse inspiration boards and create a board of your own based on Pantone colors. Pure wedding fun!)

Here’s what expert custom designer Kelly Ashworth has to say about color and what she has been creating for brides recently:

“I have noticed a lot of neutral shades replacing the blacks and browns that have been prevalent the past few years.   If you look at the fall forecast, you’ll see oyster gray and rose dust – shades like that in addition to taupes, and brownish greys. In combination with more traditional palettes, these neutrals are really versatile and produce a softer look.”

Special thanks to Kelly Ashworth for the insider info! Kelly has been featured numerous times in Phoenix Bride &Groom Magazine. Click here, here and here to see just a few of her creations.

Chatting soon~Kelly

Amber was very into flowers and cherry blossoms were Amber’s inspiration for the weding but they were out of season but with The Flower Studio’s expertise, the end result was gorgeous!

Amber and Warren are cool and comfortable, oh and a bit glamorous too!  Amber wore an antique flower in her hair made by her  mother that was crafted with vintage flowers and was part of her Grandmother’s wedding dress. Stunning. 

The cones that held rose petals were made by Amber’s mother- so sweet!

Details abound!  Wedding coordinator Victoria Canada has a knack for making events special for each of her couples. The cake by Julia Baker Confections is still being discussed in wedding circles- it’s called “The Valentino” (Amber is Italian). Warren honored his Vietnamese heritage by handing out Lai See as favors, which are small red envelopes that  bring good luck, love, and good fortune.

Amber and Warren achieved the perfect balance of incorporating family traditions with modern touches. We adore the couple and the beautiful wedding they shared with us!

The team that made it all happen:

Coordinator: Victoria Canada Weddings and Events

Reception Site: Intercontinental Montelucia Resort and Spa

Florist: The Flower Studio

Photographer: Keith Pitts

Videography: Serendipity Videography

Cake: Julia Baker Confections

Invitations: Signatures Invitations and Gifts

Cerremony Musicians: String Serenade

Entertainment: The Walkens

Gown: Destiny’s Bride

This resort is a destination in and of itself. There is a Jerk Cooking School on the beach here, the rooms are wonderful, and the service and cuisine are tops. Cuisine…..best meals, perfectly paired with wines, exquisite presentation…best of any destination in the Caribbean. Hands down.

This luxury destination offers an “all inclusive” meal package, which even includes beverages and room service. It’s not the customary drunk fest you might expect from all inclusive resorts. This is a fun place, but people are respectful. Even the few kiddos we saw were a delight.

This is the view from my room, taken with my iPhone (I was too excited to pull out my “real” camera!). The room I had was spectacular, and truly larger than my first college apartment.

When we arrived on property, we were greeted by the staff, who always had a warm smile to offer. That’s one of the things people like best about Jamaica–the friendliness of the people.

World-recognized friendliness + Ritz Carlton = perfect vacation.

The special event team at Rose Hall offers spectacular decor, and they have an impressive collection of preferred vendors. This is an outdoor party they set up on the veranda, that boasts fab views of the regal green lawn below and the blue water beyond.

If I were getting married again, I’d choose to wed on that fab circular lawn, and then have my guests dine and party on this veranda.

Many guests choose to wed on the beach, and the set up there is also lovely, but I like to wear heels and they seem more suited to lawns than shifting sands.

Check out this floral arrangement and chic table setting. It’s not all shells when you are decorating in the tropics.

and this mini arrangement was on each of the chairs!



If you’ve read our Summer/Fall issue, you know we love fancy chair covers and embellishments. Even in the Caribbean, we are scouting out the best for you, our dear reader!

Look for better shots of this prestige destination in our Winter/Spring 2011 issue. And when I get back to the states and plug in, I’ll share my own camera images too!

This location is about as perfect for newlyweds as they come. I couldn’t possibly make you wait until December to hear about it.

Just book the flight. Next time I’m bringing my husband.

Your editor, Stephanie Gandy Riley

on location in Jamaica

We can’t get enough of the color scheme of Suzanne Clifton and Michael Dixon’s wedding at the Estancia Club. These colors, illuminated with candlelight, are oh-so romantic.

Deep burgundys and reds appeared throughout the couple’s October celebration, from the elegant table settings to the groom’s richly patterned tie (below).

Guests’ escort cards were delicately hung on a manzanita branch…so pretty!

Spectacular floral arrangements in this color scheme provide a delicious contrast to the desert scenery.

Fabulous cupcakes from La Dolce Pesca!

Of course, our favorite part of the wedding: the blissful look on the newlyweds’ faces!

Thanks to Jennifer Bowen for sharing these images.

Wedding Coordinator: Imoni Events

Floral Design: Flora Europa

Location: The Estancia Club

Invitations: The Invitation Lady

Makeup Artist: Linda Wagner

Hair Stylist: Nya Michelle

Bridal Salon: Destiny’s Bride

Rentals: Tri Rentals Event Specialists

Cupcakes: La Dolce Pesca

Sassi is hosting a fab event for brides and grooms and we don’t want you to miss out! We love this romantic destination, and their menus are wonderful. On June 12, the Sassi team is bringing in their preferred vendors for a day of champagne and appetizers and wedding cake!

Nestled at the base of Pinnacle Peak, Sassi is your Tuscan inspired wedding destination, featuring exquisite views, delicious menus to suit even the most discriminating couples, and an experienced event planning team. From 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday, June 12, the team at Sassi will introduce you to this romantic destination.

For more information on this event, visit Sassi online at www.sassi.biz, or call (480) 502-3335. Cheers!

Prepare to be impressed and inspired at the  Party & Bridal Experience next month at the W Scottsdale.

Phoenix Bride & Groom is delighted to partner with Sensational Events in the production of a fabulous event designed to ease the planning process for the Valley’s discerning brides and grooms.

From cakes to caterers, this event has you covered!

On April 25th from 11 to 4, the W Scottsdale will become a bridal wonderland.  This intimate show boasts an diverse array of premier wedding and event professionals, ready to answer your questions and jumpstart your journey down the aisle.

The Party & Bridal Experience will showcase vendors such as Tri-Rentals Event Specialists, who transform any venue from ordinary to extraordinary, the floral stylings of Angelic Grove, Avant-Garde, Sugar Magnolia and Your Event Florist, and entertainment vendors who will make your heart sing.

Check out the event website at www.partybridalexperience.com for more information and to purchase tickets. This is a must-attend for any couple planning a wedding in the Valley.  And be sure to visit our fabulous advertisers at the show – BBJ Linen, BQ Photography, Ciao Baby Catering, Robert’s Catering, Special Events Table Linens, String Serenade, Twirl and United Parking Systems.

Photo credits:  Header – Sensational Events; Hors D’oeuvres – M Catering by Michael’s; Cake – Exclusive Cakes by Nancy Ray, image by Justine Miller Photography; and Floral Design – Angelic Grove, image by Sedona Bride.

All this talk about Sunflowers has the team at Phoenix Bride & Groom daydreaming about summer. Or at least spring!

The orange motif in this wedding is just the sunny, happy pick-me-up we’ve been looking for. From tangerine to deep pumpkin, orange gowns look great on ‘maids with a variety of skin tones. And see how the linens just POP at the reception at the Boojum Tree.  We are loving this look for any season. And wouldn’t you agree, it’s just a touch “Southwesty” without being overdone.

Thanks to Hagerty Photography for sharing these pics.

Guaranteed to make you smile, the sunflower is popping up all over bridal celebrations. We just love the way these happy blooms look in bridal bouquets and as part of the wedding decor.

Take a look at this stunner of a bouquet carried by bride Kristin Young when she married Marvin Brown last April.

Her bridesmaids’ bouquets were fabulous as well, thanks to the fresh work of Brady’s Floral Gallery. Notice their brown nail polish. So cute!

When a bride comes in and says her husband-to-be’s last name of “brown” is going to be part of the wedding theme, some people may get stalled.

Not this wedding party! The arch marking the place where Kristin and Marvin became husband and wife is a spectacular celebration of color: not just brown, but golds and oranges and deep greens.

Happy sunflower, and uptown brown: we now pronounce you a smashing combination!

Floral Design: Brady’s Floral Gallery

Photography: Images by Kay & Co, Cheswick Photography, Linda Story Photography.

Using vintage pieces that mean something to you and your family are a beautiful twist on “recycled.”

We love the idea of using vintage pieces in a wedding. From antique platters, to intricately detailed vases, and even vintage accessories such as handbags and lunchboxes, there are gorgeous ways to “recycle” in your wedding!

What a great way to stay connected with the past….as you look to the future.

Even if you don’t have any of grandma’s (or mom’s) teacups to borrow, you can replicate this charming idea by visiting a second hand store. Different sizes and styles on the table are fresh and interesting.

Adornments on bouquets have been all the rage for the last several years. From crystal monograms, tiny pearls set inside Stephanotis, and flowing ribbons, decorating the bouquet is another way to add the bling factor. The antique brooch above adds charm and interest to this gorgeous arrangement by Petal Pusher.

All photography by Sergio Photographer. Creative Director: Victoria Canada. Floral Design: Petal Pusher. Paper Products: Page and Mason.

It was a love fest at Bridal Bootcamp 2010, held at the Arizona Biltmore on January 31.

There was so much to love– getting up close and personal with the wedding professionals, a delicious meal, a little cake tasting,  fabulous decor and bridal fashions.

“Bridal Bootcamp” was the brainchild of Victoria Canada of Victoria Canada Weddings and Events, who felt that today’s bride needs more than a handful of brochures in order to plan the wedding she’s always dreamed of.

We wholeheartedly agree! And what a great day they had!

And check out those cute swag bags Victoria put together for the Bootcamp Brides!

As great believers in WED-ucation,  Phoenix Bride & Groom was delighted to be a sponsor of this event.

Check out these dreamy tables by Petal Pusher!

Staged in an intimate learning setting (at the swanky Arizona Biltmore), vendors worked directly with brides, grooms, even bridesmaids and mothers, to share wedding planning advice.

Makeup Artists Corinna Cooke gave a talk and demonstration on skin care and wedding day makeup.

This video  by Serendipity Videography says it all. It recaps the day’s events and gives a great feel of what today’s brides need to know about planning a wedding that is undeniably theirs.

http://www.serendipityvideography.com/blog/bridal-bootcamp-2010

Special thanks to the vendors who gave their time and energy (heart and soul!) to this event. We can’t wait to hear how all those weddings turn out!

 And credits to MelissaJill Photography for the lovely images shown  here.