I asked wedding coordinator Bella Janssen of Bella Bride Weddings and Events what she would pair Tangerine Tango with and here are her suggestions:

For March, April and  May, I would mix the tangerine with yellows and greens. To me it’s spring, fresh, crisp.

(Images above courtesy of: Austin Gros Photography, Floral by: Jan Dekker Designs)

For the months of June, July and August, I would do tangerine with turquoise, hot pink, a deep yellow or bright blue with touches of white. That screams summer, playful, fun.

 (Image courtesy of: Serafine Photography, Floral by: Your Event Florist)

(Image courtesy of: Emily Snitzer Photography, Floral by: Avant Garde)

(Image courtesy of: Chris Richards Photography)

 For the months of September, October and November, I would use a tangerine that is not to bright and I would mix it with a gray. If the bride would still like to keep it bright but yet not as bright as the Tangerine Tango, I would mix it with navy blue, a dark red, black maybe a touch of brown or ivory, depending on which color the bride picks.

(Image courtesy of: Artisan Photography, Floral by: White Hot Events)

(Image courtesy of: Emily Snitzer Photography, Floral by: Avant Garde)

Happy Planning from your Tucson Wedding Blog!

Kelly

One of our photo shoots for the new issue was catering driven so we have a treat for you today! This is the Hacienda Corona de Guevavi where the shoot took place. It’s historic, picturesque and full of character.

I can’t give everything away but I can tempt you a bit. All of the food for this photo shoot was done by Annette Hartman Catering whose food is both delicious and beautiful!

Annette Hartman generously shared a few recipes with us!

Fiesta Chicken Salad

Ingredients: 4 cups cubed rotisserie chicken • 2 cups frozen corn, thawed or on can of corn • 1 cup chopped red or orange bell pepper • 1 cup chopped red onion • 1 small jalapeño chopped fine • 1 cup minced fresh cilantro • 1 tablespoons lime juice • 2 teaspoons ground cumin • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon chili powder • 1 teaspoon mixed pepper blend • 1 cup of name brand mayo or enough to blend until creamy

• Tortilla chips or scoops

Blend well and scoop on you favorite tortilla chip. This is an awesome and easy appetizer. Enjoy!

BLT Stuffed Tomatoes

Ingredients:  2 pints cherry tomatoes (about 32) • 6 slices of cooked bacon • 1/2 cup mayonnaise • 1/3 cup finely grated cheese • 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions

Directions:

1. Cut off the stem ends of the tomatoes. Using a small paring knife, remove the seeds and place in a bowl, place the tomatoes cut side down on paper towels

2. Finely chop your bacon.

3. Stir together the mayonnaise, bacon, cheese and green onions spoon into a resealable bag. Cut off the tip of one corner.

4. Place the tomatoes cut side up on a platter and pipe mixture insides tomato. Garnish with additional chopped green onions.

 You might want to double this recipe they go fast.

Here’s the crew for the day!

Many warm thanks to all who participated!

Catering and Styling: Annette Hartman Catering

Photography: Amanda Rockafellow Photography

Location: Hacienda Corona de Guevavi

Videography: Beyond Video

Floral Design: Elaine Taylor Fine Flowers

Linens: Tucson Party Rentals

Stationery: A Fine Line Stationery &  Gift Boutique

Cakes and Sweets: Village Bakehouse

This is a great shot of the Michael as he sees Michelle coming down the aisle

The pumpkin escort card are so cute…

Michelle and Michael’s Real Wedding Team:

Ceremony and Reception Site: The Stillwell House and Garden

Photographer: Patrick Grimes Photography

Tuxedos: A Tailor Tuxedo and Bridal

Florist: In Full Bloom Weddings

Cake: Ambrosia of Tucson, Mini’s Cupcakes

Entertainment: Desert DJs

Make-up Artist and Hair Stylist: Ivan’s Studio

Rentals: Pro EM Party Concepts

Hotel Accomodations: The Westin La Paloma Resort

Rehearsal Dinner Site: Piazza Gavi’s

(Photo courtesy of: Marriott Photography)

(Photo courtesy of: Chris Richards Photography)

(Photo courtesy of: Something Blue Photography)

Purple is here to stay for a while- pair it with warm golden tones for a distinct Fall palette

(Photo courtesy of: Chris Richards Photography)

(Photo courtesy of: Amanda Rockafellow Photography)

(Photo courtesy of: Britta Van Vranken Photography)

Embrace the season with a themed cake!

(Photo courtesy of: Priddy Photo)

(Photo courtesy of: Priddy Photo)

(Photo courtesy of Hagerty Photography)

Multi-colored Fall linens create drama(Photo courtesy of: Chris Richards Photography)

(Photo courtesy of: Keith Pitts Photography)

One of my favorite Fall wedding details- a monogram jack-o-lantern!

(Photo courtesy of: Patrick Grimes Photography)

Happy Fall~Kelly

I like that Amy and Scott chose to pledge their loyalty to each other among the colors that brought them together.

Amy’s flowers are so pretty!

I must find out what a  Blue Vodka Sprite is…

See how the couple remained true to their color scheme in the reception decor?  Lovely!

As a big proponent of video, I feel the need to share Amy and Scott’s video with you. You get a better sense of who they are when you get the big picture. Plus, the first kiss is great- Scott just keeps kissing Amy!

Scott & Amy from One17 Productions on Vimeo.

Amy and Scott shared some thoughts with me post-wedding:

KG: Now that you have had some time to reflect on your wedding, what is your favorite memory from the day?

SG: There are a lot of great memories, especially finally seeing Amy walk down the long isle after over ten years of dating (she kept delaying, that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it). One of the funnest moments though has to be the cake cutting. We got the best man & matron of honor to come in close for a picture after we cut the cake and we smashed cake into their faces instead of ours. Cameras were firing like we were walking the red carpet. I just remember being blinded by flashes, while my brother and her sister were being blinded by cake!

AL: It was by far the best day of my life so it’s hard to choose just one memory. I’d have to say one of my favorites was kissing my husband at the altar after they pronounced us “man & wife”. We kissed many times, over and over again. I remember being pretty ecstatic! I even had several people tell us afterwards that it was the best and most sincere first kiss (or kisses) they had ever seen at a wedding! I have to agree with Scott that another moment that was fun and one of the best of the night was smashing cake into the faces of the best man & matron of honor. We kept it a secret so no one was expecting it and there were a million camera flashes for it. We felt like we were famous.

KG: What was the smartest planning decision you made?

 AL: The smartest decision had to be choosing a reception place that included a lot within the price and all at one place, a kind of package deal. It made it so much easier and less stressful to have the catering, DJ, bartending, tables, chairs, linens, part of the centerpieces, etc all included.

KG: Did you go on a Honeymoon?

SG: We headed down to the northwest Pacific coast of Costa Rica. We stayed at the Riu Guanacaste all-inclusive resort (which we highly recommend for the awesome pina coladas). We wanted something atypical; a little off the beaten path but still with some nice frills. Our honeymoon wasn’t the sitting on the beach the whole time type. It was full of zip lining, horseback riding, beach massages, searching for monkeys, and excursions to rivers, waterfalls, hot springs, and volcanoes. We met some great locals and apparently have a free place to stay next time we go back (and we will Muricio)!

KG: Now that your day has come and gone, what advice would you offer brides-to-be? 

AL: Make sure you take some time for yourself. It is impossible to please everyone, but do what you want and what makes you and your fiancé happy. Our family would have preferred for us to get married in Florida where they all live, but it was so much easier (and less expensive) for us to have it in Tucson. Make sure to take some time before the wedding to spend quality time with your friends and family that isn’t directly wedding related (I wish I would have done more of that). And most important of all….don’t sweat the small stuff! There are details that you will know are not there or are all wrong, but chances are you are the only one who will notice it so don’t let it stress you out. Make sure you have fun and relax on your wedding day, it goes by so fast!

KG: What do you love best about being married?

AL: Waking up next to my best friend everyday! I know that I always have Scott by my side loving me and supporting me no matter what. I can’t wait until we have children and start our family together!

Congratulations Amy and Scott- thank you for sharing your day with us!

Amy and Scott’s Real Wedding Team:

Ceremony Site: St Phillips in the Hills Episcopal Church

Reception Site: Reflections at the Buttes

Photographer: Patrick Grimes Photography

Videographer: One-17 Productions

Bridal Gown Store: Angelique Bridal by Michelle

Bridesmaids Dresses: Alfred Angelo

Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse

Florist: Inglis Florist

Cake: Busy B Bakery

Ceremony Musicians: Jeffrey Campbell

Make-up Artist: Ginger, Robert Markley Salon Spa

Hair Stylist: Dario, Robert Markley Salon Spa

Officiant: Rev. Blake Hutson

In fact, I think that planning a wedding is like Marriage Bootcamp; both people want different things and they have to figure out a way to make each happy! Well, Darcy and Anthony made it through Marriage Bootcamp and the result is a gorgeous day that incorporated Anthony’s baseball past (he played baseball in college) and Darcy’s love of pretty things (you will see some classy and sparkly elements!).

Darcy tells us about the pre-wedding day fun:  The rehearsal required attendants to come dressed in their favorite baseball team’s attire. The groom, having played collegiate baseball, was able to convince the bride to incorporate baseball into as many aspects of the wedding as possible. This baseball theme was also exhibited at the rehearsal/welcome party which had the groom’s touch through and through. Guests were able to consume sliders, gourmet nachos, peanuts, gourmet hot dogs, and other assorted concession stand foods done by Blue House Catering. Additionally, a Photo Fun Booth was in place to allow guests to take pictures creating memories that were combined into a baseball themed photo album for the bride and groom. The next morning while the women prepared their hair and make-up at Gadabout Salon, the men took part in a “Home Run Derby” competition before readying themselves for the big event.

Here’s the lovely couple on the big day!

Baseball made an appearance in the most surprising ways:  From the organ’s “Charge” stadium cheer for the men’s entrance to the choreographed bridal party dance, every aspect of the ceremony reflected all that is Darcy and Anthony….elegant fun. St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church was chosen due to the bride’s family having attended services there for three generations. The ceremony featured songs by Keith Urban (Making Memories of Us) and Ingrid Michelson (The Way I Am) sung by close family and friends.

Darcy is such a beautiful bride, and Anthony is quite handsome…

The beautiful and scenic Skyline Country Club makes for great photo ops!

The colors, sparklies, candleabras, linens, flowers…all of it comes together so perfectly! And another fun element Darcy and Anthony planned was the grand entrance. Darcy explains: wanting to create a memorable dinner and reception, we had each wedding party member enter to a song clip which reflected the personality of the party member. The toasts, or roasts in this case, included the traditional sister poem.

Darcy and Anthony decided to forego the traditional wedding cake; they definitely embraced sugar though (like I ALWAYS say you should do) and served cupcakes, dessert shots and a baseball themed groom’s cake. See how they infused Anthony’s love of the game into the reception?

After a dramatic sparkler exit, the bride and groom retreated to The Westin La Paloma Resort for an after party at Azul Restaurant Lounge and their first night as Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Ortiz.

Here is the wedding video preview:

Skyline Country Club-Darcy & Anthony’s preview from Stepheny Keith on Vimeo.

I had a few post-wedding questions for the couple. Here’s the Q and A:

KG: Now that you have had some time to reflect on your wedding, what is your favorite memory from the day?

D&A: Our favorite memory from our wedding was seeing all our friends and family come to Tucson to support us.

KG: What was the smartest planning decision you made?

D&A: The smartest planning decision we made was hiring a wedding planner. Anne Bryant was the best! A wedding planner can look over all the small details which gets you to focus on the big picture- marrying your best friend!

KG: Did you go on a Honeymoon?

D&A: We went to Cancun after the wedding. We stayed at Sun Palace, an all inclusive, adults only resort. It was quite and peaceful but we did plenty of activities- scuba diving, zip lining, ATVing, snorkeling, boating and of course relaxing on the beach.

KG: Now that your day has come and gone, what advice would you offer brides-to-be as far as planning

D&A: Our advice to brides to be is to just relax and soak it all in. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Smile and enjoy your day- it goes by so fast!

Darcy and Anthony’s Wedding Team:

Wedding Coordinator: Creative Events, LLC

Ceremony Site: St. Mark’s Presbyterian

Reception Site: Skyline Country Club

Bridal Gown Store: Mariee Bridal

Bridesmaids Dresses: Priscilla of Boston

Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse

Florist: Elaine Taylor Fine Flowers

Photographer: Something Blue Photography

Videographer: Black Sheep Filmworks

Invitations: A Fine Line Stationery and Gift Boutique

Caterer/Cake: Skyline Country Club

Entertainment: Corbin Dooley

Make-up Artist/Hair Stylist: Gadabout Salon

Officiant: John Daley

Rentals: Wildflower Linens

Transportation: Xtreme Limousine

Brianne tells us about the monogram inside her dress: The patch in my dress is from my middle sister to serve as a reminder that while I am marrying the man of my dreams to always remember where I came from, stay true to myself and remember that my family will always love me

One of Brianne’s favorite details from the day is her custom aisle runner from Cycling4aCure on Etsy- I like how each design element has an undeniable feeling of Fall, my favorite time of the year!

Brianne and Zachary’s fathers worked on the trellis together and Brianne’s dad made the wooden heart. This will eventually be placed in Brianne and Zachary’s backyard to serve as a reminder of their special day- what a sweet touch.

More details from Brianne: For the placecards my florist made a tree out of willowbranches then I made different color leaves to hang from the tree that had our guests’ names and table numbers on them. For the guest sign in, our photographer made a book with all of our engagement pictures and on each page it had a question about us for our guests to answer instead of just signing their names. 

For the envelopes our guests gave us as gifts, I made a three tiered box that looked like a cake to put the envelopes in with the colors of our wedding. Our cake was something that hadn’t been done before by our cake lady. I thought of the concept of a pumpkin cake and each pumpkin was a different flavor. The largest pumpkin was a spice flavor, the second was chocolate and the top almond. The cake was three- tiered and each pumpkin sat on a clear plastic base to better showcase the cake. Each pumpkin had handmade sugar flowers on top so it looked like one of the two centerpieces.

We had two different centerpieces; one was willow branches with orange orchids and candles hanging from them in a wooden square box with moss at the base. The second centerpiece were live pumpkins that were spray painted gold and had flowers coming out of the top, the pumpkins sat on the same box as the other centerpieces.

We had a custom drink that was purple in color and as an accent it had a sugar rim around the top of the cup and an edible rice paper leaf as an accent floating in the drink to continue the tree/fall theme.

Isn’t this such a pretty wedding? Brianne definitely has a passion for weddings!

Thank you Brianne and Zachary for sharing your day with us and CONGRATULATIONS!

Brianne and Zachary’s Real Wedding Team:

Wedding Coordinator: Heather Tutor

Ceremony and Reception Site: Reflections at The Buttes

Bridal Gown Store: A Tailor Tuxedo and Bridal Shop

Bridesmaids Dresses: Alfred Angelo

Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse

Florist: Posh Petals

Photographer: Priddy Photo

Invitations: VO Handmade

Cake: Ambrosia of Tucson

Make-up Artist: Source Salon and Spa, Joolie Bustamante

Hair Stylist: Source Salon and Spa, Shannon Jones

Officiant: Sam Partain

The lovely couple:

Kayla had her florist wrap her bouquet in her mother’s wedding hankerchief and used her great-grandmother’s cameo to adorn it

There was a lot of sparkle used for this winter wedding- you will see the shoes, cake, and decor all enhanced by a touch of shine!

I am completely in love with the girls’ dresses and bouquets

Kayla and Skylar had a sweet wishing tree at the reception where guests could leave a wish for the couple and take a wish that was written by Kayla and Skylar. They were inspired by Tucson’s holiday wishing tree where Tucson residents gather to share messages of hope and love; it’s also where Skylar proposed to Kayla!

Did you spot the sparkle in the cake? I love how it looks like snow!

I got in touch with the newlyweds to get their post-wedding thoughts- here’s what they have to say:

KG: Now that you have had some time to reflect on your wedding, what is your favorite memory from the day?

KC: My favorite memory from the day of the wedding was walking down the aisle and driving away together after the reception and knowing we can finally be alone and fully together.

KG: What was the smartest planning decision you made?

KC: The smartest planning decision I made was to remind myself that when I got caught up on stressing over the details, ultimately it is about us coming together. I then could think about how I wanted it exemplified and what was most meaningful.

KG: Did you go on a Honeymoon?

KC: For our honeymoon, we went to Costa Rica!! We found a rockin’ deal online and decided to take a leap of faith and book it! I HIGHLY recommend the website travelzoo.com and subscribing to their “Top 20″ email list. They send you the best deals on hotels, flights, and cruises. Very awesome.

KG: Now that your day has come and gone, what advice would you offer brides-to-be as far as planning, stress management, enjoying the wedding day, etc.

KC: The advice I would offer brides-to-be is to know that no matter what, your day will be special because you are starting forever with the love of your life. I would also say to let your mother be involved. Just like us brides dream about our future wedding for a very long time, being a part of your wedding is a mother’s dream as well. Your wedding is about a culmination of people who love you wanting to join together and celebrate this new stage in your life. Invite old family friends, your parents friends, and your friends. Everyone loves you and wants to be involved!

KG: Tell us what you love best about being married!

KC: What I love best about being married is getting to spend all my free time with the man I love. I also love getting to know more about him and find out all his cute quirks!

Congratulations Kayla and Skylar and thank you for sharing your very special day with us!

Kayla & Skylar Jan. 15, 2011 from W. Ashley Maddox on Vimeo.

Kayla and Skylar’s Real Wedding Team:

Ceremony Site: Casas Adobes Baptist Church

Reception Site: Skyline Country Club

Photographer: Jen Disney

Bridal Gown Store: Rose Petal Bridal Fashions

Bridesmaids Dresses: Christie’s

Tuxedos: A Tailor Tuxedo and Bridal Shop

Florist: Elaine Taylor Fine Flowers

Videographer: Ashley Maddox

Invitations: A Fine Line Stationery and Gift Boutique

Caterer: Skyline Country Club

Cake: Carriesmatic Cakes

DJ: Double Play DJ

Make-up Artist: Lynette Rasco, Toni and Guy

Officiant: Winston Maddox

Rentals: Pro Em Party Concepts

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that this photoshoot, which took place at the Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort, was a team effort; Villa Feliz Flowers worked closely with Tucson Party Rentals, A Fine Line Stationery and Gift Boutique, Gigi Bridal, Something Blue Photography and Beyond Video to bring these pretties to you today. Now, Let’s explore some fresh floral designs!

Mixing succulents with roses will give you a modern and classic feel

You can also mix more natural or botanical types of foliage with classic wedding flowers to showcase your personal style

The grounds at the Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort have so many opportunities for decorating- this mix of chile pods and succulents is unexpected and adds interest to your wedding design

Tequila has made it’s case for the spotlight at weddings (read more about tequila and weddings here)

Although the florals in this creamy bouquet have the same tone, it is far from boring due to the variety of textures

Don’t overlook an opportunity like a mantle to decorate- your wedding design will feel more complete if you address all the different spaces at your venue

And of course, for more insights from the team, watch this video from Beyond Video:

Behind the scenes at Tucson Bride & Groom Magazine~ “Organic Chemistry” from Beyond Video on Vimeo.

Thank you to everyone who came together to create such beautiful floral inspiration!

Chatting Soon~Kelly

I worked with Anne Bryan, of Creative Events, to create the perfect look. At our first meeting, I came at her with a million ideas: midsummer night’s dream, ethereal, garden, vintage, woodsy, whimsical. What we have since created together is a wedding and reception that I think will incorporate all those things, although Anne definitely helped to center me. For my colors, I was inspired by fall harvest; I went with rich, deep tones like eggplant, mustard, crimson, and hunter. I also incorporated chocolate brown and deep metallic gold. Our centerpieces are a mix of various vintage birdcages, lanterns, and pottery, overflowing with wildflowers. The tables will be covered in candlelight, as well as the walls of the courtyard.

Aaron and I got engaged in October of 2009. He proposed to me on a Scrabble board, one of our favorite games to play together. Aaron is the executive chef at a restaurant downtown and I work at the Community Outreach Program for the Deaf, in addition to being a graduate student at the U of A (I’m studying education). We knew we wanted to get married downtown. It is, after all, where we live, work, and spend most of our time.

Look at this beautiful bride and her girls! Alli tells us about her dress: My dress is by Vera Valle, an exclusive designer for the Philadelphia bridal boutique I chose to buy my dress from. It is Grecian inspired: one shoulder, layers of pleated chiffon, folds and rouging. The dress is chapel length, the veil is cathedral length.

And of course the guys look great too!

I love the look on Alli’s face

There are some pretty sweet details from Alli and Aaron’s day. This is one example of how hiring a coordinator can be the best decision you’ll ever make- Anne Bryan was able to pull all the elements that Alli wanted for her day and make them come together beautifully without looking too busy. Notice how every table has different linens and centerpieces- this is not easy to pull-off!

Alli says: We wanted to give our mostly out-of-town guests a taste of the local cuisine so our menu was solely Latin inspired. The flavors, as well as the colors, were bold, slightly spicy, and packed with flavor. The small touches we added are some of my favorites: the vintage car we left in, the fingerprint “tree” we used for our guestbook, the legacy dance, my dance with my father to “The Summer Wind”, the red velvet cake with the gold fondant…

For my colors, I was inspired by fall harvest; I went with rich, deep tones like eggplant, mustard, crimson, and hunter. I also incorporated chocolate brown and deep metallic gold. Our centerpieces are a mix of various vintage birdcages, lanterns, and pottery, overflowing with wildflowers. The tables will be covered in candlelight, as well as the walls of the courtyard…We chose the Stillwell House and Garden for it’s beautiful courtyard and vintage feel. The vintage motif is definitely something I tried to keep running throughout the wedding and reception.

Of course Alli and I had a little post-wedding Q and A:

KG: You used many beautiful colors throughout your wedding. What inspired you to use the colors you did?

AH: I was inspired by the fall harvest. I wanted deep rich colors that would create a really warm, intimate feeling. We used A LOT of candles in decorating, which at night made the colors really glow.

KG: Now that the big day has come and gone, what do you enjoy most about married life?

AH: My husband! He’s my best friend and it’s good to know he’s not going anywhere! On a more serious note, I’m glad I took his name. I’m very progressive in all other areas of my life, but I wanted to go old-school on this. I like the idea that we are seen as a “unit”… Mr. and Mrs. Helfand. It’s an honest reflection of how we are as a couple–always together!!

KG: What bit of wisdom would you give couples planning their weddings?

AH: Calm down! I was so stressed by all the details and no one but you will ever notice them. I talk to friends who were at the wedding and mention small touches. Most of them never noticed them because they were having fun dancing or chatting with people at the table– which is the important part! About a week before the wedding, the whole thing turns into a living breathing monster and you just have to throw your hands up and say, “What’s done is done!”. Then go relax with friends.

KG: Did you go on a honeymoon?

AH: Aaron and I didn’t go on a honeymoon (yet!). We moved across the country instead! We’re living in New York now and love it!

Congratulations Alli and Aaron and Thank You for sharing your day with us!

Alli and Aaron’s Wedding Team:

Wedding Coordinator: Creative Events, LLC

Ceremony and Reception Site: Stillwell House and Garden

Bridal Gown Store: Vera Valle at Bridals by Danielle

Bridesmaids Dresses: Bari Jay

Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse

Florist: Sauliz Floral Dezigns

Photographer: Chris Richards

Invitations: The Paper Patch

Caterer: Stillwell House and Garden

Cake: Ambrosia of Tucson

Entertainment: Satyr Entertainment

Ceremony Musicians: The Camus Quartet

Make-up Artist and Hair Stylist: Gadabout Salon and Spa

Officiant: Rev George Darmody