One of the biggest decisions every couple has to make regarding location for their ceremony and reception.  Many brides and grooms choose to host their events at  a home; either the B&G’s home, a relative’s home, or a home that can be rented.

This option offers a different kind of vibe to the event than a resort does. There’s an intimate slant to it all and often, with Arizona’s amazing evening weather, many couples choose to entertain outside. Anne Bryan was asked to dole out some tips to readers regarding backyard decor.

In the article, Anne suggests “spiffing things up a bit but not going overboard or using something you wouldn’t normally want in your backyard”. Among my favorite ideas from the article is the suggestion to “change out the pool lights to compliment the décor” and to “use aromatic plants to enhance the mood”. Anne’s idea to use small lanterns for hanging on plants or bushes is solid advice because the lanterns protect both the plants and the guests from the flame while still adding a gorgeous glow to the area. Anne is an event planner that thinks of everything!

For the complete article and more of Anne Bryan’s tips, click here.

All Photos Courtesy of  Amanda Rockafellow Photography

We would love to hear what you have done or are going to do to prepare your backyard for your event!

Chatting Soon~Kelly

Okay, so the slogan doesn’t rhyme, but it rings just as true as anything Madison Avenue has to offer us: Have fun!

Aren’t we all just a tad bit tired of hearing about the sour economy? Here, to get you inspired for the most FUN day of your life, are some of our favorite recent real-wedding images.

The flowers need to be perfect, the catering should be divine, but by all means, have yourself some fun!

Photographer Chris Richards says, “(this is) the biggest celebration you’re ever likely to throw, with the most friends and family members together in one place. It’s so much more than just an exchange of vows; it’s a chapter in the story of your lives.”

We couldn’t agree more! Happy New Year, dear readers!

Photography by (1) Chris Richards (2) Chris Hinkle (3) and (4) La Combe Photography.

Amy Wahl and her team set us up for some great memory-making with a computer that films and produces these nifty books in about ten minutes.

I can’t stop looking at the two books I made at our party and remembering what fun we had. Ours were imprinted with our 10th anniversary cover–they would look so great with your monogram and wedding date in your wedding colors.