Wedding Magazine Photoshoot: Desert Botanical Gardens & Fabulous Food

I got to style 3 different photo shoots for the fantastic Phoenix Bride & Groom Magazine, where we had 3 different wedding venues in Metro Phoenix and we asked their onsite catering teams to pair their ideas for food with my designs.  This was so much fun.  You can see the entire feature in their new issue, which can be viewed on their website.

So, this week, we'll be featuring three blog posts on the different shoot locations.  Each photo shoot is very different from the other, in terms of color palettes, venues, and feel and I'm excited to share them!  All of the photos were taken by Erica Velasco Photographers, whose work I adore, and the gorgeous floral art was all provided by Butterfly Petals. 

The first shoot location we will feature is at the beautiful Desert Botanical Gardens in Tempe, where you'll find the most amazing desert cactus and landscape you've ever seen.  This is a perfect venue for an outdoor wedding ceremony and outdoor or indoor reception for an intimate gathering of 20 or large wedding of 300 people.

The Inspiration

I was inspired by the desert colors and wanted to create a clean and simple design that highlighted the natural beauty of the surroundings, yet had colors that popped off of the green background and made the desert sparkle and shimmer. Therefore, I chose Teal, Bright Yellow and White with some Sparkle, of course.

This venue screamed for some incredible linens to be used and Wildflower Linens has the perfect succulent chair covers and sparkly overlays to make the table eye-popping.

So here's a closer look at the prettiness...

I love how Amanda at Butterfly Petals selected these cool white vessels that look like cactus!  And the casual springy floral of tulips and mums and the organic feel to them - so simple and happy.  My favorite floral addition was the teal blue glittered succulents to match the chair covers.  Did you know you can do anything with glitter? :)  I love adding glitter to floral focal points.

 

The Food

Then Fabulous Food Fine Catering and Events came in and created one of the most incredible catering meals I've seen - you'd never know this meal wasn't straight out of a 5-star fine dining establishment.  I was so impressed with their team.  At Desert Botanical Gardens, you can select from a group of caterers, but Fabulous Food also runs the onsite restaurant, Gertrude's.

I mean look at these plates... stunning!!  If you're a foodie like I am, you will love what's coming.  Fabulous Food is known for using the highest quality, seasonal ingredients that are local and sustainably grown and they just do such a great job of plating presentation.  AND?  It's absolutely delicious.  

Here's the menu:

Salad of Asparagus, enoki mushrooms and baby fennel finished with a pea puree, chive oil, yogurt and lemon zest.  (Hungry yet?)

 

Isn't this just the most fresh looking salad ever?

 

Next up is Two Sisters Squash and Corn - Patti Pan Squash, Shaved Kabocha, Amaranth, Corn Puree with Lime Zest, Fresh Farmer's Cheese and Micro Cilantro.

And who doesn't want a sushi course for their wedding?  Look at this crudo salad of Hamachi Sashimi, Strawberry Rhubarb & Rose Pesto with Micro Wasabi.  It's a work of art.

 For the entree, feast your eyes on Duck Leg Confit, Duck Sausage, Blueberry Infused Red Cabbage with Ancho Glaze and Stone Fruit.

And how creative is this?  I have so many brides who really don't care for cake at all -- how about a Fromage plate with Apple Whiskey Poached D'Anjou Pear, Shaft Blue Cheese, Walnut Shortbread, Duck Prosciutto with Candied Golden Beet Puree and Figs.  I'm dying over here.  Duck Prosciutto???? Yes please. 

Stay tuned for more delicious prettiness tomorrow for our second shoot!

Vendor Team:
Magazine: Phoenix Bride & Groom
Stylist/Coordinator: Monica McQueen with Très Chic Weddings & Events
Photography: Erica Velasco Photographers
Floral: Butterfly Petals
Food: Fabulous Food Fine Events and Catering
Linens: Wildflower Linens
Chivari Chairs: Classic Party Rentals

Gorgeous Desert Chic Wedding Featured in Arizona Bride Magazine!

We are very excited to see another Très Chic wedding published - this time in Arizona Bride Magazine!  John & Katie's intimate destination wedding at The Royal Palms Resort was a stunner.  The use of orchids, peonies, ranunculus, gold-dusted succulents and touches of pheasant feathers was beyond romantic.  Petal Pusher did an outstanding job with the floral, and Courtney Sargent Photography shot the wedding beautifully.

To see the full gallery from this wedding, go here.

We always love seeing our weddings published to inspire other brides!  Be sure to pick up a copy of this brand new issue - on newsstands now!

xoxo

Desert Beauty Wedding

Katie and John's wedding was so utterly classy and sophisticated, and yet unhindered in it's beautiful simplicity.  Their destination wedding weekend was about two incredible people coming together in a very intimate, mostly family-only weekend to celebrate the union of their hearts and their lives.  Most everyone came down from the rainy northwest, so the stellar Phoenix sunsets and weather were readily soaked up by the guests at The Royal Palms Resort and Spa.

Katie and John had such an uncomplicated style - they wanted to bring subtle hints of the Arizona desert into their decor, but really they wanted to have neutral elements with texture and a little sparkle.  We used a few succulents in gold pots for favors, and our amazing florist, Petal Pusher, made succulents in the flowers sparkle with champagne gold as well - just like we wanted!  We incorporated some brown spotted feathers in the gorgeous invitations, designed by Celebrations In Paper, as well as subtle hints of them in the florals and bouquets/boutonnieres.

Here is the inspiration board I created to help craft the gorgeous decor.  As you can see, having a tight concept of your decor, colors, and ambiance you want helps your vendor team really deliver the exact vision you have for your wedding.

Time for a change - to get the guests feeling relaxed and ready for the celebration, the cocktail hour was held before the ceremony - so after the first-look shots, the bride changed into this sassy little number before the party!

 

The kids tables were outside and featured some classic Arizona candy - with REAL scorpions in them (they're edible), and the little girls were treated to their own mini-bouquets at their place setting. 

The kids had a blast with all the entertainment they could ever want: coloring books, stickers, toys, etc.

 

The fantastic photos were taken by the lovely and talented Courtney of Courtney Sargent Photography. The flowers could not have been more amazing.  Thank you Petal Pusher for surrounding us with such incredible beauty that day.  If you're wondering what those stunning brownish/orangeish flowers are - they are Charlie Brown Orchids.  Stunning, I tell you!!

Thanks to the über cool guys from Easton Ashe Band who provided top-notch entertainment, Classic Party Rentals for the cocktail hour lounge furniture, Wildflower Linens for the exquisite custom-made 30-foot long table cloth and sparkly linens.