WEDDING DESIGNER | EVENT PLANNER | STYLIST

Royal Palms Resort

Scottsdale, Arizona

The weather in Arizona doesn’t get more perfect than spring. It is no wonder that the season is jammed-pack with weddings. My calendar was feeling pretty full, heading into 2020, but because of Covid-19, spring quickly became a lost season. Couples across the world were forced to reschedule or cancel their dream days. My heart broke for each and every one of them, but one of my couples got lucky!

Jessica and Robbie were married at the Royal Palms Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona on March 6th, 2020—one week before the country-wide shutdowns started. At the time, Arizona had few cases, and Jessica and Robbie were able to celebrate their marriage safely with friends and family. The weather was absolutely beautiful! The pair became husband and wife in a garden ceremony. I was honored to be their wedding planner.

Both bride and groom spent the morning getting ready at the Royal Palms Resort. Although Jessica and Robbie share a home in Scottsdale, almost all of their guests traveled for their wedding day. The resort was an experience the couple wished to share with their guests, as it is so special to their story. Custom welcome bags were delivered to family and friends, stuffed with Arizona themed goodies.

For me, this wedding was all about the details. I worked carefully to ensure that every inch of the wedding felt personal and beautiful. Jessica wanted her wedding to be romantic and stylish. Our goal was to create an experience that was truly enchanting for guests, from the moment they arrived.

The bridal party and immediate family joined Jessica and Robbie as they prepared for their wedding ceremony.

Jessica wore a stunning blush ball gown with embroidery, beading, and a plunging neckline. She was decked out in family jewelry for her “something borrowed”, and a ring with her birthstone for her “something blue”. Robbie and his groomsmen wore vintage gold lapel pins in place of boutonnieres.

Both bridal parties included family members. Jessica’s young daughter made a perfect flower girl, constantly twirling in a dress matching mom. Robbie’s daughters were bridesmaids and spent the morning getting ready with their step-mother-to-be.

Above all else, this day was about family for Jessica and Robbie.

The bridesmaids wore blush satins, vintage prints, and a touch of bling. The guys rocked classic black tuxedos, with Robbie’s father in the role of best man.

Jessica and Robbie chose to wait for their ceremony to see each other. They spent their mornings with the people that mean the most to them. The ceremony was set in the Alegria Garden, a stunning shaded space behind a historic gate. The design was romantic and bohemian. Tonal organic florals covered the alter. A spanish guitar played while guests were seated.

The moments leading up to the ceremony were sweet and emotion-filled for the bride and groom. Robbie waited patiently at the end of the aisle, after walking in with his mom. Jessica shared intimate moments with her bridal party and family, as they made their way to the ceremony space.

After the bridal party drifted down the aisle, Robbie waited for Jessica to appear. As the music changed, Jessica and her father entered. Both bride and groom looked blissfully happy. Their ceremony was personal, preformed by the groom’s best friend.

After the ceremony, Jessica and Robbie celebrated with bridal portraits and moments with close family. Guests were able to enjoy cocktail hour under the shade of giant palm trees.

We used cocktail hour as a time to pay homage to the groom’s hometown, Las Vegas. The guestbook showcased the couple’s glamorous engagement photos, taken in front of vintage casino signs. I designed a custom sign to light up the space, with the new Mr. & Mrs. Vega’s hashtag spelled out in bright pink neon. #VivaLasVega

Blush crystal details and beautiful floral were scattered throughout cocktail hour. Guests sipped champagne while Jessica and Robbie enjoyed their first moments officially as a family of five.

Jessica and Robbie’s reception was under the stars in the historic Orange Grove at the Royal Palms Resort. Romantic tables, full of candlelight, surrounded the 100 year-old orange tree. The couple’s dream was to have an intimate dinner with their family on their wedding day. The sixty guests enjoyed dinner, speeches, and light dancing to an acoustic band. The evening was full of love and family, exactly as they dreamt it.

The black-tie reception was decorated with wild florals growing from moss, black tapered candles, and hints of pink. Vintage candlesticks and rose quartz sat among the centerpieces. Blush water goblets and gold flatware framed the custom menus and escort cards at each setting.

The bride and groom’s reaction to the reception will be something I always cherish. Their faces were full of happiness as they entered the space filled with family and friends.