Wedding Magazine Photoshoot Part Three: The Sanctuary Resort & Spa

In wrapping up our three-part series on the wedding venue & food styling photo shoot we did with Erica Velasco Photographers for Phoenix Bride & Groom Magazine, we saved the exquisite Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa for last (to see the other two shoots in this series, go here and here).  This world-class luxury Scottsdale resort is perched on the side of Camelback Mountain overlooking Paradise Valley and Phoenix, and it's head chef, Beau MacMillan, is amazing in his own right, and has actually defeated the great Bobby Flay in Iron Chef - basically my favorite TV show.

In addition to the beautiful wedding venue they have, there is also a quaint and utterly lovely private home even further up the mountain, where you can host smaller events, weddings, meetings, etc.  The view is stunning.  So when we were planning our decor for this shoot, I decided on a color palette that would complement the lush green surroundings and earthy brown mountains, but that would be set apart from it as well, without competing.  I chose an orchid color and moss green, complimented with white and gold.  Little did I know at the time that the Pantone color of the year for 2014 would turn out to be Radiant Orchid!

The view and the profile of the mountain next to you makes you feel as though you're literally in the most beautiful landscape painting, so I also found art in the linens by using some hand-painted chair covers from Wildflower Linens.  Each cover is one-of-a-kind, which is so fun. 

The floral centerpiece by Butterfly Petals is truly art of nature.  I really love centerpieces that flow off of a table, and Butterfly Petals absolutely delivered.  The grapewood and moss and twigs sprawled across and down the entire table provided this dramatic table scene that really tied into the natural surroundings, yet made a glamorous statement as well.

The Menu

Elements at Sanctuary is known for their Asian-inspired fare, and Chef Beau's team outdid themselves with their take on a surf-and-turf theme.

BLT salad of heirloom tomatoes, smoked bacon, tempura avocado (yes, I just said that), spiced brioche and buttermilk vinaigrette
Braised prime beef short rib and butter-braised lobster claw, served with glazed bok choy and lobster wontons.
Dessert was a sculptured thing of beauty that mimicked the moss in the centerpiece with green tea sponge cake, white chocolate ganache, matcha macarons and passion fruit pineapple sorbet

Imagine sipping wine and watching the sunset while surrounded by this beauty... ah...

 

Pretty gorgeous view for a food shot, huh?  Nice job, Erica!

 

 

Vendor Team

Magazine Feature: Phoenix Bride & Groom

Venue: Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa

Stylist/Coordinator: Monica McQueen with Très Chic Weddings & Events

Photographer: Erica Velasco Photographers

Florist: Butterfly Petals 

Linens: Wildflower Linens
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

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.