Donna and Dan met 20 years ago while working together.  Although he lived in Arizona, Dan travelled to California frequently for business and over the next 12 years he became a great mentor and friend to Donna. They both made [...]]]> I love a love story and this one is as good as it gets:

Donna and Dan met 20 years ago while working together.  Although he lived in Arizona, Dan travelled to California frequently for business and over the next 12 years he became a great mentor and friend to Donna. They both made career changes, which took them to different parts of the country, but remained friends. Eventually they lost touch, only catching up through mutual friends.

From the bride: At a mutual friend’s urging, Dan and I reconnected via telephone in 2009.  Dan had divorced and returned to Arizona; while I had never married and was living in Tennessee.  We always adored one another for our paralleled values and after getting swept away on a 3-hour “catch-up” phone call, we agreed to never lose touch again and reach out to one another every month or so. Monthly phone calls turned into weekly phone calls that turned into daily phone calls.   On one call, Dan said, “If you lived here, I would ask you to have dinner, have coffee, or play golf.”  The air got slightly awkward for just a moment, and feeling like I needed to respond, I said, “And I would say YES, YES, and YES!”

And that was it!!  The nature of our relationship shifted instantly with those four little words.  About a month later I visited Dan in Arizona.  We had dinner, had coffee and played golf.  We knew, without reservation, that we would spend the rest of our lives together.

Four months later I moved to Arizona and we married nine months later.  Engraved inside Dan’s wedding ring are the words that changed our lives…..”YES, YES & YES!!”

And the Dragonflies:

When Dan went to Tennessee to move Donna to Scottsdale their U-Haul had a big blue dragonfly painted on the side. When stopping for gas they noticed a blue dragonfly that kept buzzing around their heads.  They commented that THAT blue dragonfly matched the dragonfly painted on the U-Haul truck. The second day of traveling they noticed a dragonfly that was attached to the antenna of their truck. Although the dragonfly was dead he appeared to be hanging on for dear life and stayed attached for two days. A couple of days later he was taken away with a rainstorm. After arriving in Scottsdale the couple were having coffee by the pool and looked down to see a beautiful dragonfly on the pool. That was it-Dragonflies were their talisman. Donna incorporated the dragonfly in her apple green and chocolate color palette, in the invitations and as die cut escort cards on her wine glasses. The wedding cake by Sedona Cake Couture followed the green and chocolate palette. Ken Heflin of Events by Showstoppers created Donnas’ exquisite bridal bouquet of cymbidium orchids. The bride and groom and family members enjoyed cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres on the L’Auberge de Sedona deck. Bill Barns provided guitar music. An intimate dinner in a private dining room of L’Auberge followed. Pamela Duffy photographed the event.

Event design, planning and coordination by Margaret Van Damme-Van Damme Weddings

Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine has published a glorious five page feature in the Sedona Weddings Section of the new issue.  The feature’s photo shoot was produced in it’s entirety by talent from The Sedona Wedding Studio.  The remarkable [...]]]> Here are a few more photos and some great details from the Sedona Wedding Studio blog.

Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine has published a glorious five page feature in the Sedona Weddings Section of the new issue.  The feature’s photo shoot was produced in it’s entirety by talent from The Sedona Wedding Studio.  The remarkable images by Sedona Bride Photography, Katrina Wallace and Andrew Mejia were shot at the magnificent Dancing Apache Lodge and Vineyards just outside Sedona, Arizona. Margaret Van Damme, Van Damme Weddings, coordinated the shoot.

Margaret wanted to create an atmosphere incorporating vintage elements.  She comments,  ” The collaboration of talented Sedona Wedding Studio members resulted in this inspirational design that reflects a southwest image not often imagined by brides that live on the east coast or Midwest.  In the midst of the rustic country feel is incorporated a sense of casual elegance that might be found in the Italian countryside.”  The photo shoot was intended in part to show the scope of Sedona weddings. There are so many options that are just as exciting as the famous red rocks of Sedona.

Colorful vintage bottles were used as a staple element throughout the shoot.  Among other areas, bottles were hung from tree limbs and filled with flowers to create a charming and playful setting for this image.

Wooden benches were used at the ceremony site instead of traditional folding chairs.  Old bottles set on the ends of the benches to serve as interesting aisle decorations.  The explosive florals were made in vintage wire baskets straight out of the 1920?s and included peach eremurus.

The gorgeous wedding bouquet by Ken Heflin, Events By Show Stoppers, Incorporated a berry theme.  Inspired by the vinery location, complete with immature green grapes, Ken created a textured bouquet was both elegant, unique and vintage.

Varieties of blown garden roses in various colors dotted the design. Pepper berries added a hot pink texture and spicy fragrance that blended with the scent of roses for an exciting composition.  Echinacea (cone flowers ) brought in another texture with the thistle look of the Southwest.  Pale blue scabiosa gave the bouquet that touch of wildflowers that a vintage look demands.

So much thought went into this production.  It was truly a team effort that really paid off with the combined efforts, superb designs and unsurpassed talent of every Sedona Wedding Studio member that participated.  The dining table was particularly interesting  and worked perfectly under the old-growth cottonwood trees that stand as protective sentinels around the property.

Studio member, Debb Beggs of Classic Party Rentals provided her popular Descanso tables and Mahogany Chiavari chairs.  Antique crochet table runners ran the length of the table with mix-matched china and dozens of vintage bottles in every size, color and shape imaginable.  Pastel colored wine glasses accentuated the color of the bottles.

Kim McDowell of Event Essentials designed all the paper products.  The invitation color scheme of ivory, wine and Tiffany blue was lovely and kept within the theme.  A wisp of feathers and tiny pearls finished the look.

Old planter boxes with pealing paint were used to house some of the vintage bottles in the center of the banquet table.

CREDITS:

Photo Shoot Designed and Coordinated by:  Margaret Van Damme, Van Damme Weddings

Vendor Services Provided By: Sedona Wedding Studio Members

Venue:  Dancing Apache Lodge

Photographer:  Sedona Bride

Floral Design:  Events by Show Stoppers

Cake:  Sedona Cake Couture

Paper Products: The Event Essentials

Rentals:  Classic Party Rental

Make-Up Artist:  Liz Margin

Hair Styling:  Patricia Vega

Catering:  Dan Martin Perfection Catering

Gown:  Destiny’s Bridal

The husband/wife photography team of Paul [...]]]> Paul of anapaul photography sent over this New Years Day Sedona wedding. Southern Californians Alison and Ricky braved a very cold day and had their beautiful wedding at the Chapel at Tlaquepaque. The weather did not put a damper on the fun or beautiful smiles of this couple.

The husband/wife photography team of Paul and Anmarie captured some great images in Sedona’s spectacular Red Rocks. Their photography is modern, artsy, a little edgy and definitely fun. See the entire post here.