Ali and Brandon were married this past Spring.  They put together a beautiful story for their ceremony that Melissa Jill adapted for her blog.  I couldn’t help but to use it.  It is so clear that they were meant to be.

In search of a home church, Ali and her family visited Northwest Chinese Baptist Church. While the 3rd grade girls kindly welcomed Ali into their group, the same could not be said for the boys…in particular, a chubby kid named Brandon, who would constantly taunt her and tease her in front of all the other boys and girls. When Ali’s parents asked if she wanted to make Northwest her home church, she firmly refused. All because of Brandon. The family moved on, eventually calling another church home.

A few years later, when Ali was fifteen, she attended a visitation to support her best friend Adam, whose grandmother had just passed away. During the visitation, Adam introduced her to his now handsome and athletically built first-cousin named Brandon. Immediately Ali recognized Brandon as that little boy who absolutely terrorized her childhood. Without even thinking, she started off the conversation by blurting out the question: “Did you used to be chubby?” A bit caught off guard and startled, Brandon let out a sigh and replied “yes”. Ali proceeded to remind Brandon of how mean he used to be, how he constantly terrorized her, how he used to always make fun of her, and how he was the reason why she had to leave Northwest. With grace, subtlety, and a slight sense of humor, Brandon kindly pointed out to Ali the inappropriateness of her timing considering the unfortunate circumstances that had reunited them. Adam’s late grandmother was also Brandon’s grandmother.

Ali felt terrible and Brandon was kind and gracious. He recognized Ali’s innocent intentions, and the two kindly exchanged apologies…for past and present offenses.

Five years later, Brandon and Ali would be reacquainted once again at a summer Youth Camp where they both served as Jr. high counselors. It was there that Brandon says he fell in love with Ali “spiritually” after observing her love for her campers and her heart for prayer, while Ali says that it was there that she realized that Brandon was the funniest person she had ever met. A friendship was formed.

Over the next year, whenever Ali returned home from college during the holidays, they would see each other at various hangouts and get-togethers allowing them to get to know each other better.

In the summer of 2008, when Brandon received an offer to work for ESPN in Connecticut, Ali would be the first person he called. And when Ali needed help picking out a new car, Brandon would be the person she called. There at the Tempe Honda dealership they talked for hours…sharing their fears and anxieties about their respective futures and what God had in store for their lives.

That day, the two agreed that they would live each day to the fullest. That they would enjoy every moment of that summer. One of the first things they decided to do was to join a few of their friends for a road trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain. At Six Flags, Brandon pretended to feel sick just so he could stay with Ali whose stomach couldn’t handle all the rides. By the time they had returned home, Brandon and Ali were in love.

Even though they were just one month away from going their separate ways – with Ali returning to UC Berkley and Brandon headed to Connecticut- and even though everyone thought they were crazy for considering a long-distance relationship, they decided that summer to make it official and commit themselves to one another.

Being 2,600 miles apart with a three hour time difference, Brandon and Ali’s first year together consisted of 8 coast-to-coast round-trip flights, 4 hours a day talking on the phone, and thousands of text messages. After a year, Ali graduated from UC Berkeley and was accepted into the University of Connecticut for graduate school. That June, exactly one year into their relationship and after 15 years of knowing one another, Brandon and Ali were reunited once again in Connecticut. They have been inseparable ever since.

Church:  Valley Presbyterian Church

Venue: Fairmont Scottsdale

Music:  String Serenade

Flowers:  Petal Pusher

Cake: Fairmont Bakers

DJ:  Ray the DJ

Videography:  Serendipity

Photography:  Melissa Jill

This last pic just made me smile.  Ali’s face says it all!  Happily ever after to you two, and party on!!!

For more pictures click HERE to see a slideshow Melissa Jill put together.  Stunning!

Kaoife and Josh were so fun to work with.  Kaoife was as laid back as could be and just wanted her and her family to have fun.  And fun they had!  This crowd was not only drop dead gorgeous, but they knew how to party.  So it is with great happiness that I present their amazing day!

Venue: Sassi

Flowers:  Petal Pusher

Paper Stuff:  Definitely Debra

Transportation: Ollie the Trolley

Linens: Southwick Linens

Cake:  Let Them Eat Cake

Photography by: Jennifer Bowen

Imoni Events Planner: The amazing Kate!!

This is totally my favorite picture!

Happily Ever after you two Irish kids!

Imoni Events was featured in this issue of Az Bride Magazine.  Bethy and Seth’s wedding was so much fun.  And Melissa Jill is amazing!!  Thanks Az Bride for the honor.

The Vendors that made this great day possible, again:

Bridal and MOB Gown by: Destiny’s Bride

Hair by: Nya Michelle

Make Up by: Linda Wagner

Rentals by: Classic Party Rentals and Kool Party Rentals

Linens by: Southwick

Draping by: Quest Drape

Flowers by: Flower Studio

Paper Suite by: Definitely Debra

Calligraphy by: Jennifer Schmitt

Entertainment by: Shining Star Band

Vidoegraphy by: Princess Bride

Photography by: Melissa Jill (including the one above)

Teresa and Paul’s wedding was SOOOOOOOO pretty!  I am waiting on the pictures to post, but in the meantime enjoy this amazing video by Serendipty Videography.  Teresa and Paul are so adorable!

Theresa & Paul at The Royal Palms from Serendipity Videography on Vimeo.

Stacey and Mark are good people!  Like people that the community would miss dearly if they were gone kind of people.  Stacey is so sweet (I mean, just look at her face), helps out at her church with youth, and truly loves and cares for those around her.  Mark fits her perfectly.  He is just such a good guy!  I was so happy I got to be part of their special day.  These two have known each other since high school and, so it made the stories at toast time rather entertaining!  Thank you to everyone who helped make their day so memorable!

Venue:  Boojum Tree Hidden Gardens

Church: Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix

Photography: O Grace Photography

Florals: Petal Pusher

DJ: Exceptional Events, James Mennes

You can’t go wrong with Peonies in spring!!

Trinity Cathedral is one of my favorite churches in downtown Phoenix.  So amazingly beautiful!!

Boxes, dried beans and escort cards.  So cute and so many possibilities!!

A yummy cake by La Dolce Pesca!

Generation tables have been done so much lately, but they are such a great tribute to those you love around you.  Especially the marriages that have stood the test of time.  What a blessing to celebrate that!

A great way to re-purpose your bridesmaid bouquets during dinner.

A much deserved “Happy Ever After” to you two!!!!

Amanda and Chez have a great story.  They are high school sweethearts, which I love.  And after all these years, they are even more in love than when the butterflies first started fluttering.  Amanda is the most supportive person.  She is always there for her sisters and their little kids.  And since Chez is a pro golfer, she travels to EVERY tournament he plays in.  She is a busy gal being there for her fam.  But for that, I just loved her.  I was so happy to give them the day that they both dreamed of but had no time to execute.  Thank you to all their wonderful vendors too.  You guys rocked!!

Venue: Royal Palms Resort and Spa

Flowers: Table Tops Etc.

Paper Stuff:  The Invitation Lady

Linens: BBJ Linen

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Dresses:  Destiny’s Bride and Twirl

DJ: Welter Entertainment

Videography: Serendipity Videography

Photography: Cafeiro Photographers

Bethy and Seth were married at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge and it was a magical night for everyone.  Bethy met me when I was VERY pregnant.  I am not sure if it was the baby thing or what, but Bethy and I quickly became friends.  She visited me shortly after I had little M and brought her the cutest dresses I have ever seen.  Two of them were yellow, one of her favorite colors.  (As you will see below.)  Bethy and I totally have this in common.  Yellow is just so happy and bright.  And that is exactly how I would describe Bethy.  The girl seriously always has a smile on her face.  And why wouldn’t she?  She has an adorable mom and her husband is VERY sweet to her.  Both of these things are evident in the last picture.  I just love that picture…

Thank you to all the vendors who made this day so great for Bethy and Seth:

Bridal and MOB Gown by: Destiny’s Bride

Other dresses by: Twirl Boutique

Hair by: Nya Michelle

Make Up by: Linda Wagner

Rentals by: Classic Party Rentals and Kool Party Rentals

Linens by: Southwick

Draping by: Quest Drape

Flowers by: Flower Studio

Paper Suite by: Definitely Debra

Calligraphy by: Jennifer Schmitt

Entertainment by: Shining Star Band

Vidoegraphy by: Princess Bride

Photography by: Melissa Jill

By the way, the rosettes on the chuppah are made out of Bethy’s mom’s wedding dress.

Seth surprised Bethy with this cake all the way from Washington.  Mike’s Amazing Cakes duplicated a picture they had of their dog on the gators nose in Florida.  Joy’s face is classic!!

Caprice and Bill were married last weekend at the Royal Palms. It was such a beautiful day. And I am super impressed at Serendipity Videography for getting he sneak peak out so quickly! Go you guys! Thank you to all vendors who helped make this day amazing. I can’t wait to see more!
Hair: Ruca at Hautie Hub
Make Up: Linda Wagner
Dresses: Lillian Lottie
Floral Design: Showstoppers
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Hula Dancers: Applause Entertainment
Jazz Band: Mike Krill Ensemble
DJ: Sedona Sounds
Groom’s Cake: Sedona Cake Couture
Bride’s Cake: Sedona New York Bagels and Deli
Photography: Sedona Bride
Videography: Serendipity

Caprice & Bill at The Royal Palms from Serendipity Videography on Vimeo.