Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Stunning Sedona Nuptials

Words by Courtney Kellar
Photos courtesy of Sandra Tenuto Photography

Rebecca and Edward don’t live in either of their hometowns, so a destination wedding was an easy and convenient option. “We both had family traveling for our wedding and wanted it to be somewhere beautiful they would enjoy visiting,” says Rebecca. Ultimately, the couple decided on Sedona, Arizona as their destination of choice. “No one had a negative reaction and it was a very affordable place and not too far to travel to,” says the bride. With their destination a few hours away, the couple never doubted their choice.

“[Sedona] was only a road trip away for us, so even though we had to travel there, it’s such a beautiful place it just made sense. [We] had no specific issues with the destination…” While the couple planned ahead and everything went smoothly come W-Day, there was one thing Rebecca and Edward couldn’t control – Mother Nature. “It ended up being a lot cooler than we thought it would be because of the elevation and fierce wind. We ordered six heat lamps last minute the day before and told everyone to bring a jacket or wrap as the whole wedding was outside.”

Sedona is one destination that hosts a lot of weddings, but remains an intimate spot. This allowed the planning process to be surprisingly smooth and stress-free for the couple. “Once we found the location for the wedding, everything else was easy to find,” says the bride. “We got recommendations from the wedding coordinator provided by Sky Ranch Lodge and she made the process pretty simple. Plus, Sedona is kind of a small town, so there were not too many options for vendors.”

One of the main priorities for the couple was selecting the right catering company. “We are both vegan and we worried that it would be difficult to find a vegan caterer and baker. However, the first place we asked was willing and able to accommodate us.” The couple also got creative when it came to some of their wedding’s details. “My brother-in-law knows calligraphy and I asked him to write out name cards for the place settings,” says the bride. “A friend of mine, Ivy Hutton, made my wedding sash. She loves making them…”

While Sedona was convenient for the couple, it was also relatively simple travel-wise for their guests. “Although there is a small airport in Sedona, my and my husband’s family opted to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor and rent cars to drive up to Sedona,” says Rebecca. What resulted from months of planning was a classic, beautiful wedding that showcased their chosen destination. Looking back, the couple has no regrets. “I think having a destination wedding made our day just a little more magical and every time we go to Sedona we will have fond memories,” says the bride.

We asked Rebecca if she had any words of advice for other brides currently planning a wedding away and this is what she shared: “I will say what my friends kept reminding me of, which is that the day is yours to make it what you want. So, make yourself happy. Also, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to make the day special.”

Vendors: Photographer: Sandra Tenuto Photography, Ceremony/Reception Site: Sky Ranch Lodge in Sedona, Arizona, Florist: Mountain High Flowers, Stationery: Wedding Paper Divas, Cake: Sedona Sweet Arts, Hair & Makeup: La Petit Spa de Sedona, Gown Designer: Brides by Demetrios, Groom’s Clothing Designer: Alfani by Macys, Maid of Honor/Best Man Clothing Designer: Ted Baker/Alfani