south by south west
Like every good relationship, planning a wedding should include an element of compromise.
If the Alabama bride wants a little bit of the South, and the Arizona groom is seeking a bit of the Southwest, some serious negotiation might be in order, particularly when seeking a venue. All ideas of forced compromise fell away when the couple set eyes on the Stillwell House. With Saltillo tile flooring and a grand staircase in the main dining room, they found the best of both worlds.
“Most people think of wedding photos being set in a traditional garden background,” states the bride, who was inspired by her passion for interior design and her fiance’s love of photography in selecting backdrops for their pictures. Brandy and James’ album includes such offbeat venues as
a graffiti-covered wall on Broadway and 6th, and the Hotel Congress, where John Dillinger was arrested. Images were taken throughout the day with alleyways, ice cream trucks and train stations in the background.
When the bride arrived at the Stillwell House, it was all Southern tradition. Carrying a bouquet of Magnolias in honor of her Southern heritage, she was delivered to the ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage. A close family friend performed the ceremony for the couple’s 150 guests, while Brandy’s cousin sang and delivered inspirational words.
The ceremony included a touching presentation to James’ young daughter, who received a lovely heart-shaped necklace representing their family unity.
Brandy’s creativity and color scheme of chocolate brown, eggplant, and chartreuse was carried out in the ceremony programs, the beaded unity candle, the ring bearer pillow and the bridesmaid necklaces. During the reception, the color scheme was carried through to the settee covers and the hand-made centerpieces.
The reception was dedicated to their friends and family. A photo booth was provided during the cocktail hour so that each guest could create a picture scrapbook page to be made into a guest book. The sit-down dinner was also the platform for a blood drive, dedicated to James’ brother, SSgt. Joshua Holden, who was diagnosed with Leukemia, but was able to be a part of their special day.
After an evening of dancing and fun, the newlyweds began their journey under the night sky illuminated by sparklers given to each guest. As a remembrance of this happy occasion, each guest was provided with a Chinese take-out box filled with homemade goodies as a late night snack.
In loving memory of Joshua Robert Holden: May 4, 1978–October 7, 2007
Location:
The Stillwell House
Photographer:
ZWeddingz by Philip Ramackers & Co.
Floral Design:
Craft Elegance
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