Jessica and David’s Hamptons- inspired late spring Arizona wedding was the perfect reason for family and friends from Oregon, Maryland, New York and Chicago to travel. See, David and Jessica (who owns online stationery boutique MJ Paperie)  live in New York City but they wanted to infuse their wedding weekend with a vacation getaway feel and Jessica’s Tempe roots called to her. The Sanctuary Resort on Camelback was the ideal desert location to wind-down and wed.

Jessica’s eye for design is unmistakable- you can see that she successfully blended light blue, white, eggplant and fuchsia to create an elegant yet exciting feel. I love how the paper products, dresses, flowers and reception decor are not matchy-matchy but all come together in a uniquely beautiful way.

Jessica explains her color palette: The colors were a combination of the light blue and whites that remind me of a classic “Hamptons Wedding” – we began dating after running into each other in the Hamptons in New York and then got engaged on the beach in East Hampton a year later and had our engagement there so I wanted to incorporate that into the decor. On the other hand, I wanted to embrace the desert setting with the bright fuschia pinks and eggplant purple shades that we used throughout the floral design, invitation suite and the bridal bouquet and bridesmaids dresses. The sun setting over Camelback while the guests entered the reception space really brought out the vibrant colors and mirrored the shades of blue, pink and purple of the sunset.

Dave’s blue eyes are stunning

The Sanctuary Resort is chic, no matter where you are!

The gorgeous Jessica

The girl’s shoes add the perfect pop of color against the deeper shade of the dresses

You don’t get many churches that look like this in Arizona!

The table numbers are images of New York locations that are dear to Jessica and Dave (for example,  the Third and Long building picture is used for table number 3- very clever!). The reception decor blended warm and cool tones seamlessly….I’m just a little teensy bit in love!

During the cake cutting, Jessica’s cousin sang “At Last” by Etta James-  a special touch that Jessica really loved

Jessica tells us: The best part about our day was having a great party with all our friends. The Walkens were unbelievable! They remembered songs we requested when we saw them at a bar 9 months prior to the wedding, they knew my mom’s favorite song and played it twice for her, they were seriously outstanding! They made the party ~ I would have kept dancing for three more hours!

Jessica surprised Dave with an ice cream bar from SubZero Ice instead of a traditional groom’s cake. They offered a “Bride’s Choice” and a “Groom’s Favorite” combination for guests to try, sort of like the signature drink idea but sweeter! The guests could also build their own sundaes using several toppings and flavors and the dry ice added a bit of fun  

 

Jessica and I talked wedding recently and here’s what she has to say now that she’s officially a newlywed:

KG: Now that you have had some time to reflect on your wedding, what is your favorite memory from the day?

J: I think my favorite part was the cocktail hour and intro to the reception. After the ceremony and portraits were over it was so great so just enjoy everybody and relax and get the party started!

KG: What was the smartest planning decision you made?

J: Honestly, hiring great vendors! Between The Sanctuary, Rhonda, Melissa Jill… we never had any worries about things not running smoothly on our wedding day and since we don’t live in Phoenix (even though it is my hometown Dave and I are in New York) that was a HUGE plus!

KG: Did you go on a Honeymoon?

J: We went on a two week honeymoon to St. Lucia and Barbados immediately after the wedding weekend. We chose to go to a place we’d never been but that was relaxing and low key at the same time and not too far to travel. We were able to fly Jet Blue right there from Phoenix so that was great! We spent a lot of time reading and hanging out on the beach – a great way to recover from all the wedding chaos!

KG: Now that your day has come and gone, what advice would you offer brides-to-be?

J: First of all, stick to your vision (you don’t have to please everyone and they might not see the vision you have for that day… don’t let it dissuade you), don’t over think the decisions, and don’t sweat the small stuff… once the day arrives… there’s no use worrying about the little things… just enjoy it! Also, hire great vendors… especially the planner and don’t skimp on photography… you will regret it! Get a cheaper dress and spend money on great photos… you’ll have them forever! I also highly recommend videography… there are so many great options out there at all different price points. The day goes by so fast and it’s over before you know it… the video is a great way to relive all of the moments and especially the speeches from all the important family and friends. We added videography to our rehearsal dinner as well for all the great speeches that happen the night before.

KG: What has surprised you most about being married?

J: I don’t know if there have been any big surprises about being married… I think it’s just a big adjustment to reconcile 2 people’s daily habits from the laundry to cleaning to food and cooking… you can’t just leave your stuff around and get to it another day since someone else is living in the same space… those little things are always comical to navigate together!

Jessica and Dave, congratulations and thank you for sharing your day with us!

Jessica and David’s Real Wedding Team:

Wedding Coordinator: Impact Events, Rhonda Rush

Ceremony Site: Saint Mary’s Basilica

Reception Site: Sanctuary Resort and Spa on Camelback Mountain

Photographer: Melissa Jill Photography

Videographer: My Wedding Film

Bridal Gown Store: Destiny’s Bride

Bridesmaids Dresses: Twirl

Tuxedos: Tom James

Florist: Avant- Garde Studio

Invitations: Jessica for MJ Paperie

Caterer: Sanctuary Resort and Spa on Camelback Mountain

Cake: Julia Baker Confections

Ice Cream Bar: SubZero Ice

Band: The Walkens

Ceremony Musicians: Saint Mary’s Basilica, Gordon Stevenson

Cocktail Hour Musician: Miguel de Maria

Make-up Artist: Barney’s, Maureen Cosovich

Hair Stylist: Spark Studio Salon, Mandy Samford

Officiant: Father Michael Muhlen

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Linens: Wildflower Linens

Transportation: Lexani Limo

 

 

 

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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

DJ: Desert House Productions

Ceremony Vocalist: Katy Brady

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Make-up Artist: Jenn White

Officiant: Father Mike DuPre

Linens: Southwick Linens

 

 

 

 

 

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