Alfred Angelo is hosting their semi- annual “Girls Night Out Party” on Thursday, July 29 at their Alfred Angelo Signature Tucson store!

What is this all about? You are invited to bring your best gals for complimentary consultations, beauty services and snacks. Wedding stylists and experts will be present and ready to help you with all things wedding.

As if this wasn’t enough, the first 50 guests receive a gift!

Check it out (there’s a coupon on the website too!):

http://www.alfredangelo.com/Events/Promo.aspx?promoid=26&referrer=callout_gno710 

Call if you don’t believe us: (520) 888-2251

Pile the girls in the car and drive to: 4336 N. Oracle Road

Go on now and have FUN!!!!

When I got married eons ago, my “something blue’ was the spectacular blue water of Grand Cayman where we spent our honeymoon!

Visiting this wonderful island was something I considered once in a lifetime….yet here I am!

This is the view of the serene blue water and the fabulous Ritz Carlton pool from my room on the 8th floor–Penthouse Level!

When I received the invitation to explore the Ritz Carlton in Grand Cayman, I jumped at the chance to see what today’s honeymooners could expect.

Fine dining, luxurious ocean-front accommodations, pristine Seven Mile Beach, and the aqua lounge–drink service while you float peacefully in the ocean. Oh yeah!

These are just my iphone pics. When I get the images from the Ritz Carlton, I will be sure to update you all. A slice of heaven like this, is just too good not to share!

Remind me to tell you about Sting Ray City!

Until later, your editor on location

Stephanie Gandy Riley

There are many reasons to plan a destination wedding or honeymoon in Jamaica. It’s lovely, the weather is great, you can enjoy wonderful food, and the list goes on. But, for me, the list should be topped with the Ritz Carlton Golf & Spa Resort in Rose Hall, Jamaica.

This resort is a destination in and of itself. There is a Jerk Cooking School on the beach here, the rooms are wonderful, and the service and cuisine are tops. Cuisine…..best meals, perfectly paired with wines, exquisite presentation…best of any destination in the Caribbean. Hands down.

This luxury destination offers an “all inclusive” meal package, which even includes beverages and room service. It’s not the customary drunk fest you might expect from all inclusive resorts. This is a fun place, but people are respectful. Even the few kiddos we saw were a delight.

This is the view from my room, taken with my iPhone (I was too excited to pull out my “real” camera!). The room I had was spectacular, and truly larger than my first college apartment.

When we arrived on property, we were greeted by the staff, who always had a warm smile to offer. That’s one of the things people like best about Jamaica–the friendliness of the people.

World-recognized friendliness + Ritz Carlton = perfect vacation.

The special event team at Rose Hall offers spectacular decor, and they have an impressive collection of preferred vendors. This is an outdoor party they set up on the veranda, that boasts fab views of the regal green lawn below and the blue water beyond.

If I were getting married again, I’d choose to wed on that fab circular lawn, and then have my guests dine and party on this veranda.

Many guests choose to wed on the beach, and the set up there is also lovely, but I like to wear heels and they seem more suited to lawns than shifting sands.

Check out this floral arrangement and chic table setting. It’s not all shells when you are decorating in the tropics.

and this mini arrangement was on each of the chairs!



If you’ve read our Summer/Fall issue, you know we love fancy chair covers and embellishments. Even in the Caribbean, we are scouting out the best for you, our dear reader!

Look for better shots of this prestige destination in our Winter/Spring 2011 issue. And when I get back to the states and plug in, I’ll share my own camera images too!

This location is about as perfect for newlyweds as they come. I couldn’t possibly make you wait until December to hear about it.

Just book the flight. Next time I’m bringing my husband.

Your editor, Stephanie Gandy Riley

on location in Jamaica

But Ben Girdler’s gesture of romance just tugged on our heart strings. And we don’t even know what he said!

Here’s the story. Ben’s bride-to-be, Loni Carrillo, works with children with vision impairment. She often works with her young clients in braille. Ben learned the basic braille alphabet and wrote a love note to Loni –in braille–as a special token of his devotion. His best man delivered it to her as she was getting ready for their wedding. And only Loni knew what it said!

Here is the happy couple at Reflections at the Buttes.

They had a wonderful, fun wedding that will be highlighted in the Summer/Fall issue of Tucson Bride & Groom.

Photographs by Something Blue Photography.

We have to show off some of the simply fabulous ideas they have for creating custom favors, which is the number one do-it-yourself wedding element.

We have always been a huge fan of the Tiffany blue and chocolate brown color scheme, and Michael’s put this simple set together in a snap. Cute candy jars tied with a simple ribbon. Insert your favorite sweet treat and you are good to go!

We are also quite fond of the personalized votives in the same colors.

Look at this perfectly coordinated flower girl basket and ring bearer pillow. Michael’s of course offers the faux rose petals in a variety of colors too, which is really helpful if you want turquoise petals at your wedding!

We looked in to purchasing candies with a personalized label, and it can be kind of expensive.

Doing it yourself is easier than you’d think. Even a novice can complete the Michael’s projects. In addition to the kits, the website offers instructions, difficulty ratings, and even reader tips. Love that!

Kudos to Michael’s for making a bride’s life easier.

This little cutie, actually Frederick Theodore Schlosser, debuted at 5 lbs 6 oz–less than a Louis Vuitton handbag–but he’s been stealing hearts in a man-sized way ever since his debut.  

The world’s most glam grandma, Tucson Bride & Groom publisher Fran Samuel, is over the moon with the new addition. Of course, so are his parents Rachel and Ted, and new big sister Savannah.

We present to you our current favorite, a silk satin Lazaro dream,  beautifully modeled by October bride Jessia Tsai. The front of the gown, is stunning, but the back of the gown is equally breathtaking.

It’s so rare that we get the opportunity to show off the backs of gowns–but isn’t that what the guests see during most of the ceremony?

The wedding of Jessica and John Tsai will be featured in the June issue of Tucson Bride & Groom. We know you will love the way the new Tucson couple brought sophisticated Southwest elements to their celebration.

These photos are shared with us courtesy of Ted Hewitt Photography, who shot the Straub-Hewitt wedding at the Hacienda del Sol. Jessica purchased her gown at Destiny’s Bride in Scottsdale.

I do! There’s something so magical about that moment when vows are exchanged and the bride and groom’s lives become instantly changed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoKqjtqSZCc

Check out this link to Sara and Cullen’s wedding trailer and see if you don’t find yourself smiling as broadly as we do every time we watch it. (Yes, once in not enough!) We just love the conviction in Sara’s voice as she says, “I do!”

Our friends at Beyond Video captured the fun and frolic of Sara and Cullen’s celebration at The Westward Look Resort.

Wedding coordination by Creative Events, floral by Villa Feliz Flowers. Still photography by Chris Hinkle at MiRA Weddings. You can read more about Sara and Cullen’s wedding in the Winter/Spring 2010 issue of Tucson Bride & Groom!

Tucson brides are lovely from head to toe! And we get so many lovely shots of their shoes that we never get to share….so here they are!

On top, our cover bride Dana Martin Sandeman’s Jimmy Choos say it all and provide her “something blue.”

Beaded, sequined, flats, stilettos even. We love our brides and their sense of style.

Image (1), (2), and (3) by Chris Richards Photography. Image (4) by Rebecca Bouck Photography.

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.