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Today’s Real Wedding is a complete stunner…the bride is gorgeous (and from a beloved Arizona family, the Earnhardts), the details are beautiful and the Groom? Well, I better be careful what I say because he’s a UFC Fighter and I don’t want to upset him… just kidding! Ryan Bader, otherwise known as “Darth”, is one tough dude but also smart as heck and nice to boot. He obliged when I asked him to compare preparing for a UFC fight and preparing for his wedding (the idea came from the genius mind of Victoria Canada- she’s so clever!). Here’s what he said:
Well preparing for a fight and a wedding are very similar, it starts off with finding out who you are going to fight/marry. I had that down so that was no trouble. I had found the perfect opponent : )
Getting an actual date in the future is the next step, it seems far away, but you never have enough time to prepare.
Look at gorgeous Daisy!
In the months preparing for a fight/wedding there is a ton of work to put in. This is what no one sees behind the scenes. The sacrifices, the sweat, tears, and even some blood from time to time. As the day approaches, there are a plethora of different emotions running through you, excitement, nervousness, fear, fear, fear. This last emotion is really reserved for one of the events, and I can tell you I do not bring fear into the cage.
Fight day/wedding day is the worst day, especially in the morning as far as nerves go. You can’t really eat, everything is running through your mind. I like to keep friends and family around to calm down a bit and to keep it light.
I especially love the girls’ dresses and how shades of purple were embraced throughout
Then the event starts and it your time, you worked so hard to get here and put in all the work. You walk in front of the crowd and face your opponent, and this is where the two differ. Usually I am facing ugly cavemen, and this time I am facing my beautiful bride, and where I am usually looking to knock my opponent out, on this day at the wedding, I am the one knocked out by how gorgeous she is and that I will be able to spend the rest of my life with my favorite training partner, my wife.
Daisy chose for her bridal bouquet plum color calla lilies and the stems were wrapped with a beautiful crystal rosary that her mom found in Santa Fe, New Mexico- love this special touch
The couple was married in front of a custom altar. An antique French Cross along with a Virgin Mary Relic from the Bride’s Family’s personal collection were a sentimental focal point. The flowers for the ceremony rotunda were natural twigs, grapevine, angel vine with accents of green dendrobium orchids and hypercum berries. The guests and family walked down the aisle to the ethereal music from harpist VeeRona and the Bride walked down to Beyonce’s version of Ave Maria sung by a beautiful vocalist.
A beautiful antique candle altar was offered to guests that wished to say a prayer or a wish for Daisy and Ryan
Seating cards were on silver and gold mini- pumpkins painted by the bride’s niece
Three different table linens were used in shades ranging from lilac to plum. Coordinator Victoria Canada used an abundance of candlelight; gold mercury glass accents were found throughout. The elevated centerpieces were placed upon custom made wrought iron that had an elegant Southwest feel. Lush green and lavender hydrangea, scabiosa pods, bells of ireland, cool water roses, dendrobium orchids, calla lilies, lisianthus, hypercum berries, dahlias and stock were used in the centerpieces and other decor throughout the beautiful Encanterra Golf and Country Club
Action stations featured sumptious food such as Sushi, Kobe sliders, Potato Martinis and more
The big panty surprise is a hilarious take on the garter toss!
It was the night before Halloween so the photo area included many fun props for the guests to use their imagination! And there was a “Man Cave” car lounge with numerous luxury cars and trucks for guests to ooh and ahh over from the Bride’s family dealerships. The music at this area was customized to be more “masculine” artists- Led Zepplin, Springsteen, etc. Cigars were placed out for the gentlemen and ladies.
Daisy changed from her beautiful gown to a gorgeous, sparkly moss color dress to continue the party
Late night mac & cheese and cookies & milk were served as guests were safely transported back to their hotels
Can you see why I was so excited to share Daisy and Ryan’s Real Wedding with you? I would say Ryan won this match!
Check out their wedding video here:
Ryan & Daisy at Encanterra from Serendipity Videography on Vimeo.
Daisy and Ryan’s Real Wedding Team:
Wedding Coordinator: Victoria Canada Weddings and Events
Photographer: Hollye Schumacher Photography
Ceremony and Reception Site: Encanterra Country Club
Florist: Jan Dekker Designs
Bridal Gown Store: Uptown Bridal
Videographer: Serendipity Videography
Invitations: Definitely Debra
Caterer: Encanterra Country Club
Ceremony Vocalist: Katy Brady
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Make-up Artist: Jenn White
Officiant: Father Mike DuPre
Linens: Southwick Linens
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