Desert Light Weddings

"What's Your Stress Level?"

Your wedding is one of the ‘big’ events in your life and the months before should be exciting and fun. Yes fun. Absolutely it will have stressful times where you both are ready to head to the court house without telling anyone, but that should only be for just a moment.

We all manage stress differently and when you know you are ready to blow… stop, breath, and step away from the computer, the phone and wedding magazines!

Just the other day I received a call from a fall bride who told me she was so stressed planning her wedding she was not eating, sleeping, and it was causing issues between the two of them.

My response? STOP stressing!!! Of course I gave her some suggestions on how to accomplish that no, or less anyway, stress state. Life is hard enough, but start planning your wedding and it is so hard to just remain calm!

So what can you do?

•Ask for help

• Know your budget

• Stick to your budget

• Be realistic with your guest count

• Give yourself time; there is no rush

• If you can, be flexible while picking your date

• Don’t make rash decisions or succumb to pressure

• Do your research

• While you are looking, have more than 1 choice for venue and vendors

• Make your “gotta have” list and go for those things first

• Make a to do list

• Prioritize your list

• Turn over tasks to others, forget about them for the moment, and check back later

• Take time to exercise

• Take time to relax

• Make ‘you two’ time a priority

I recommend these whether you are planning for yourself or are working with a planner. Obviously a planner will help with all of these and be your resource. Let us stress for you.

Above all remember to take care of your relationship. After all you two are the reason you are doing this in the first place, no one else. At the end of this journey the number of guests, how great the food was, or what you have as wedding favors really won’t matter…you two becoming one will!

"What's Your Stress Level?"

Your wedding is one of the ‘big’ events in your life and the months before should be exciting and fun. Yes fun. Absolutely it will have stressful times where you both are ready to head to the court house without telling anyone, but that should only be for just a moment.

We all manage stress differently and when you know you are ready to blow… stop, breath, and step away from the computer, the phone and wedding magazines!

Just the other day I received a call from a fall bride who told me she was so stressed planning her wedding she was not eating, sleeping, and it was causing issues between the two of them.

My response? STOP stressing!!! Of course I gave her some suggestions on how to accomplish that no, or less anyway, stress state. Life is hard enough, but start planning your wedding and it is so hard to just remain calm!

So what can you do?

•Ask for help

• Know your budget

• Stick to your budget

• Be realistic with your guest count

• Give yourself time; there is no rush

• If you can, be flexible while picking your date

• Don’t make rash decisions or succumb to pressure

• Do your research

• While you are looking, have more than 1 choice for venue and vendors

• Make your “gotta have” list and go for those things first

• Make a to do list

• Prioritize your list

• Turn over tasks to others, forget about them for the moment, and check back later

• Take time to exercise

• Take time to relax

• Make ‘you two’ time a priority

I recommend these whether you are planning for yourself or are working with a planner. Obviously a planner will help with all of these and be your resource. Let us stress for you.

Above all remember to take care of your relationship. After all you two are the reason you are doing this in the first place, no one else. At the end of this journey the number of guests, how great the food was, or what you have as wedding favors really won’t matter…you two becoming one will!

"An Arizona Winter Wonderland Wedding!"

With the exception of snow which came to Arizona a day later (yes even to parts of Phoenix!) we walked into a beautifully themed Winter Wonderland wedding and reception. The attention to detail started with the invitations and carried through to the gift cards waiting for each guest on the table.

The couple’s colors were white with red accents.

The bride carried a bouquet of red roses with small studs sparkling like snowflakes glistening in the sunlight. The bride’s brother carried two red roses and placed them on a chair of honor adorned with a red silk sash in memory of their mother who passed recently.

The bridal gown (gorgeous) white with small rhinestones sparkling as she moved. Her veil sheer and elegant. Bridesmaids and maid of honor in flowing floor length red gowns. The groom and his ‘guys’ all dressed sharply in tuxedos with red vests.

As the ceremony ended the guests were welcomed into the ballroom which was a celebration of their love, a celebration of winter and the holidays to come.

The linens on the tables and the chair covers pure, clean white with red chair sashes contrasting perfectly. The cake was tiered, white with red ribbon and small snowflakes (and delicious!).

Each guest received a thank you card folded in half. The front cut out in the shape of a snowflake and inside a snowflake cookie cutter and a recipe for making holiday cut out cookies! For the guests enjoying a glass of wine red gift bags with wine ornaments were placed on each table.

From this planner’s view point other than the gorgeous setting the things that stand out the most for me were when the weather, which as I mentioned was chilly for an Arizona afternoon, quickly changed and rain started falling just as the ceremony started. Always making sure the couple’s wishes are met, we asked what do you want to do and both replied ‘we are doing this!’ and proceeded into the rain showing the enthusiasm to have two become one!

The cocktail hour with DJs and Mariachis taking turns entertaining the guests, the last minute posed photos and then the grand entrance. The dinner was excellent and the cake well the taste matched the excellent presentation.

After the usual tosses and money dance, the floor was open for dancing…and yes they danced. Ending at midnight you would expect the good nights, but on to more celebration for this wonderful couple who I heard over and over were perfect together and a marriage that will last…congratulations to Erin and Tony!

It was an honor being a part of your wonderful day!

(Amazing cake provided by Fleur de Lis, gorgeous photos by The Pic Chick, beautiful flowers by Petals and Lucy, great music by the DJs from G&R Entertainment and ceremony/reception/wonderful food and service by The Embassy Suites North Phoenix. All a pleasure to work with!)