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

Sneak Peak Video of Gorgeous Sanctuary Wedding

I can't wait to share all of the photos from this beautiful wedding with you, but this incredible cinema trailer by the uber talented Artisan Production team will surely whet your appetite.  Aaron and Matt from Artisan are so talented and this video is a perfect example of the art you get when you pay for excellent videographers/cinematographers.  Stunning, I tell you.

I love this video so much because it reminds me of what an amazing day this was and how much I adore Courtney and Damien.  Once in a while, we work with couples that you can literally feel the love they have, and you just know they were made for each other.  We became close friends with this special couple throughout the planning process and I can't wait to watch their marriage blossom.

xo

Damien & Courtney from Artisan Production on Vimeo.

The Newest Très Chic Chick!

A funny little side note before I start this blog article - having to do with the title of this post.  Sometimes people (who aren't very 'très chic') don't realize that Très Chic is French, and they pronounce it "trays chick" like 3 chicks in Spanish or something.  So, in honor of those people, I'm going to confuse them even more by adding another Très Chic Chick. ;)

I'm all giddy to officially announce the addition of another Très Chic Chick - Mrs. Jamie Ihms!!  Jamie is my wedding schmoopie and has assisted me on countless weddings for at least the past 5 years that I can recall.  She's super detail oriented and so calm under pressure.  And she's about as sweet as can be.

Jamie is joining Très Chic as an Event Designer who will now allow us to offer the chicest design and full service or month-of planning for budget-conscious brides!  That's right - every bride deserves a planner.  Period.  Whether it's full service or month-of, because who wants to be making decisions and stressing out on their wedding day??  (cricket, cricket, cricket) No one?  Good.  Give Jamie a call.

Isn't she adorbs?  

And what's this?  Oh a little Monica/Jamie photo booth fun... 

And just so you can get to know her a little more, here are some fun questions she answered for all you inquiring minds...

Q. Why do you love wedding planning/what do you love most about weddings?

A. I love to create beauty. I am a trained artist, so I love to find new ways to make things beautiful in a striking way. Weddings, in particular, are a great way to do that because there are so many aspects of a wedding (lighting, color, music, the way a well-run event flows seamlessly) that lend it beauty. More importantly, I believe in marriage and love and commitment. It's an honor to be a part of the day when those things come into people's lives.

Q. Who IS Jamie Ihms in 10 words or less?

A. Arizona Native. Artist. Married High School Sweetheart. Mom of 2 brilliant toddlers. (OK that's 12 words.)

Q. What's your favorite color combination?

A. If I had to pick one combo, I guess I would choose coral and teal. Or, maybe pink and gray. Or brown and Tiffany blue. Really, I have to pick one? (She's questioning me already.)

Q. What's your favorite memory?
 
A. The night my husband proposed to me, (hold on to your spanx, ladies - this is one ooey, gooey sweet story!!)... He took me to the spot where he asked me to be his girlfriend in high school. He had our high school orchestra instructor serenade us over a private candlelit dinner. It was spectacular, romantic, and I knew I would spend the rest of my life with my best friend.

Q. What are you bringing to the Très Chic table?

A. I'm passionate about budget weddings. No paper tablecloths or chicken nuggets just because you have a limited budget. It's a fun challenge for me to help my brides find creative and savvy ways to make the most of what they have, and give them the wedding of their dreams without breaking the bank.

We're so excited to be able to offer extraordinary style, creativity, resources and planning now for all budget levels, so call us or email Jamie to start your planning at Jamie@treschicaz.com!