Here’s an idea that’s FANtastic! With hot temps right around the corner, what a creative and pretty way to keep your wedding guests cool. These lovely little multi-taskers can serve as cute keepsakes, wedding programs, menus and more!

Images courtesy of Pinterest.

We’ve been spending a bit of time at The Boulders and are eager for more! For a wedding site that wows, The Boulders is a top pick. The ancient boulders and vibrant colors of the Sonoran Desert provide a photographer’s dream backdrop. But of course your wedding is much more than just photos! If you’re looking for a world-class menu, impeccable service, lovely ceremony sites choices….look no further! Well, okay, look a little further….click here to request package and pricing information.

This west valley venue has lovely views and great prices! Be sure to head over to their open house this Sunday to experience HillCrest Golf Club for yourself!  To request package and pricing information, fill out the form at: finestweddingsites.com/reception/surprise_hillcrest_golf_club.php

What a view! Centrally located in the heart of Sedona,  Agave of Sedona has become known for the spectacular red rock views from their Montage Ballroom. And here’s a convenience you might not be aware of—Agave of Sedona caters to on- AND off-premise events. The best of both worlds!

With sparkling blue waters and gorgeous mountain views, Millennium Scottsdale provided a breathtaking backdrop for our January/February cover shoot. Ashley Gain, of Ashley Gain Weddings and Events staged the event beautifully! Playing off the color of the lake, she created a clean, sophisticated blue-and-white design. Amy’s Floral Design provided the elegant and softly detailed florals and Laura Segall showed off her stellar photography skills.

There were so many other talented wedding professionals who helped bring this vision to life and we would like to thank each and every one of them!

Event Design & Stylizing: Ashley Gain Wedding & Events

Photographer: Laura Segall Photography

Venue: Millennium Scottsdale

Flowers: Amy’s Floral Design

Invitations and Paper Details: The Event Essentials

Cake: Classic Cakes and Confections

Linens: Wildflower Linen

Hair: Melissa Spidel at Rolf’s Salon

Make-up: Heather Wilson

Wedding Dress: Uptown Bridal & Boutique

Groom’s Attire: Mr. Formal

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

If you would like to see more pictures from the photoshoot, pick up a copy today or stop by our booth at the upcoming Bridal Fashion Debut!

Reveals are oh so popular these days, but it wasn’t long ago that they were practically unheard of. If you are saying to yourself right now, “what’s a reveal?,” don’t worry, you are not alone. Many brides are just now picking up on this fairly new tradition.

A reveal is where the bride and groom see each other before the wedding. This is usually done in a special way so that it is just as awe-inspiring as seeing each other for the first time before walking down the aisle. Some bride and grooms choose to meet at a secret place, at a specific time, that only they and their photographer know about. Other couples choose to walk down the aisle just as they actually would, but they do it a few hours before the ceremony; before any guests arrive, and the groom’s back is usually facing the bride. Once the bride gets to the alter she taps him on the shoulder and he turns around to see her for the first time. This way he still gets to enjoy seeing her walk down the aisle during the ceremony.

While the reveal breaks the traditional norm it has many benefits. First of all, after the reveal, the bride and groom can then take pictures together before the ceremony, thereby eliminating the hour and a half lag between the ceremony and reception. Your guests will probably appreciate this and it gives you more time to enjoy your reception. Another cool thing about the reveal is that it is a special moment shared by only the bride and groom. And it is often just as memorable (or more so) as seeing each other for the first time at the altar.

Top two images courtesy of Sedona Bride Photographers.

Middle two images courtesy of Erica Velasco Photographers.

Most brides don’t count on table numbers entertaining their guests, but a quick search around Pinterest showed us that it is possible. We came across some really fun and unique ideas that we just had to share!

Instead of sticking with the standard, table 1, 2, 3, etc… why not make it unique by using memorable years from your life as your table numbers. For example, the 1995 table or the 2010 table, and on each of these tables you could include photos or fun facts from those years.

Or, you can continue to use regular numbers, but jazz it up a bit by including pictures of you and your groom. At table 1 you could show pictures of when you were both one, and at table 2 you could show pictures of when you were both two (you get the idea).

Table numbers like this are fun and personable. All the memorable moments of your life will literally be out on the table. What a great story to tell on your special day!

Images courtesy of Pinterest.

One of the most anticipated weddings of the year is taking place and everyone is invited! That’s right… The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn – Part One is releasing to theatres this Friday, November 18th and moviegoers will finally see Bella Swan and Edward Cullen tie the knot! If you are a fan of the Twilight book series written by valley author, Stephanie Meyer, then this is a movie you will not want to miss!

Like any bride, Bella Swan (and Summit Entertainment) has kept the wedding dress a secret from the world. In fact, only recently was it announced that the talented Carolina Herrera designed the dress. When asked about the dress Herrera said that ‘The inspiration became a little bit by the book and the description of the book, and the magic and the moment that is the wedding and also about her [Bella's] personality which is very important in a wedding gown. She is this very innocent girl that is believing in her first true love and there is romance and there is fantasy and mystery. Everything so I took all that into consideration.’ With a description like that the dress must be amazing!

We couldn’t wait to see the dress and as luck should have it Arizona’s Finest Wedding Sites was invited to the advance screening of the film Wednesday night at Harkins Tempe Marketplace. When we saw the dress we were instantly in love! It is made of white satin with buttons down the back, long sleeves and a long train. But the best part of the dress was the low cut lacy back. It was completely stunning!

After seeing this film brides will be running to their nearest boutique to score a similar dress and if you are reading this blog then you are one step ahead of the others because we have compiled a list (and photos!) of local boutiques that offer dresses similar to the one in the movie.

If a similar dress doesn’t cut it for you and you want the real thing then you are in luck! Alfred Angelo has secured the role of exclusive licensed manufacturer of Swan’s bridal gown and will be releasing the dress replicas at the end of November.

Happy shopping!!

Enzoani Couture Gowns at Uptown Bridal & Boutique

Claire Pettibone at Mariee

Justin Alexander at Suzanne's Bridal Boutique

David Meister at Destiny's Bride

Hey there brides to be!  Did you know that honeysuckle was named one of the in-style colors for 2011 by Pantone Color Institute?  Pantone is known for all things color and has been putting out the Fashion Color Report for many years.

What is honeysuckle you may say?… It’s a soft hue somewhere between mauve and dark pink and it’s perfect to pair with shades of green, champagne, chocolate, gold or silver. Honeysuckle can be casual with green or elegant with ivory. To really make it a party, combine honeysuckle with reds or even black for your “not-soon-to-be-forgotten” reception!

No matter how you choose to use the color, honeysuckle will definitely sweeten your wedding day!

Images: Bouquet (Events by Showstoppers), Bejeweled Flower in Vase (Your Event Florist by Marriott Photography), Party Favor Bags (Award Winning Photography). Rest of images courtesy of pinterest.com.