"I Do" in Sedona

In true "me" fashion I have been about a month behind on blogging, but that doesn't mean I haven't been SO excited to share the magic that was Rebecca and Doug's wedding day with the world. It seems like October was just yesterday and I can't believe 3 months have passed since I brought their beautiful wedding dreams to life.

Rebecca and I have known each other since high school. We were in choir together but Rebecca (and her ridiculously stellar voice) went on to use signing as a career. It wasn't until she started a photography business (Rebecca Kaye Photography) that we reconnected as vendor partners in the wedding industry. Before she was engaged, Rebecca spoke of having me plan her wedding to Doug, and so I waited patiently for him to pop the question. Finally, in November of 2016 on the shores of Hawaii, Doug got down on one knee. And by October of 2017, Rebecca called on me to help them plan the best day of their lives.

Rebecca met Doug, a handsome EMT, serendipitously at Mellow Mushroom while out with friends. Despite not feeling an initial "sparks", Rebecca agreed to go out with Doug when he came calling. She tried to sabotage their date, but to no avail. Doug's persistence and intuition saw right through Rebecca's rouse, and when he invited her to the Phoenix Symphony, she knew this man was worth keeping. Their love story continued from there and blossomed into a beautiful romance that led to an even more stunning marriage.

The planning process was riddled with late night texts, coffee shop meetings, weather forecast scrutinizing, and heart-opening music therapy sessions where I got to observe the deep roots of Rebecca and Doug's relationship first hand. When the day finally came, they were both so ready to begin their lives together.

The wedding took place on a beautiful day at the Poco Diablo Resort in Sedona, Arizona. The weather kept everyone on their toes with the threat of impending rain, but the couple remained optimistic that their outdoor ceremony would go off without a hitch. The bride enjoyed a morning with her girls keeping her wedding day butterflies at bay with mimosas and pampering. The men relaxed by the creek with cigars. Meanwhile, the fabulous staff at Poco Diablo, in conjunction with myself, was busy making everything picture perfect perfect.

As Doug donned his navy blue uniform, Rebecca slipped into her stunning Maggie Sottero gown, completed with delicate lace, an illusion button-down back, and her mother's veil. She was truly a vision as she stepped outside to greet her father in her gown for the first time. His smile brought on-lookers to tears as they shared a moment.

Just as the ceremony was about to begin, the clouds opened up and sunshine poured down onto the red rock desert backdrop. It may have been chilly still, but the hearts of the wedding guests were warm as the wedding party processed down the aisle. Just as a the glissando played in the instrumental "Love Me Like You Do", the bride emerged with her mother and father on each arm. The look on Doug's face rivaled the magic of any fairytale as his bride floated towards him, beaming with joy.

Their ceremony was intimate, personal, and heartfelt. Rebecca read her grandfather's vows with tears in her eyes before reciting their personal vows to each other. The groomsmen stood proud in navy blue suits and uniforms, and the bridesmaids looked vibrant in eggplant purple with bouquets that popped against the greens and red of the landscape. One ring exchange later, Rebecca and Doug sealed their union with a kiss as their guests cheered.

Guests proceeded to the ballroom for cocktail hour while Rebecca enjoyed their first married moments of marriage license signing and picture taking. They admired the shades of purples and ivories threaded through every detail from the cake to the centerpieces to the tiny bags containing candle votive favors. Jeremy, of Ray the DJ, announced the new married couple into the ballroom where they took to the dance floor and shared their first (very well-choreographed) first dance to "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran.

Dinner ended with a few toasts and a special vocal performance from the bride. Rebecca surprised her new husband with a tear-jerking rendition of "I Get to Love You." The surprises continued when Rebecca's grandfather cut in during the father-daughter dance. And if that wasn't enough, the bridesmaids and mothers performed a full dance number to "Dancing Queen" complete with feather boas and completely unbeknownst to the happy couple. The resulting energy kept the dance floor going all night long.

The evening was just dazzling.and filled to the brim with love, laughter, and tradition. Rebecca honored her Jewish roots with the Hora and Doug honored his Irish roots with an Irish jig with his groomsmen. And at the end of it all, after the cake was cut, the bouquet was tossed, and the last dance was danced, there stood an amazing couple at the very beginning of what is sure to be a perfect life together.

With love, The Wedding Therapist

Planner: The Wedding Therapist

Venue: The Poco Diablo Resort

Florist: Jazz Bouquet Floral

DJ: Ray the DJ

Photographer: Alisha Hunsaker Photography

Videographer: Cam + Beck Videos

Hair/Makeup: The Spa at Poco Diablo

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