Real Weddings- Alli and Paul
Happy 4th of July everyone! In honor of this quintessential summer holiday, we have a Real Wedding that is like a ray of sunshine! Alli and Paul have a love story that simply radiates joy and romance, and witnessing their wedding through these amazing photos by La Vie Photography will warm you right through! Alli is the sister of our darling Junebug team member Katy (the stunning red-headed bridesmaid you'll see in the photos below) and their wedding took place at their family's traditional summer vacation spot, The Roche Harbor Resort on San Juan Island.
Alli and Paul met when they were both on the same flight from Seattle to Los Angeles. Paul was headed to Mexico with his dad, and before they even boarded, Paul saw Alli in the airport and told his father that she was the woman he was going to marry. As fate would have it they were seated next to each other on the flight, though Alli (a seasoned traveler) was interested in nothing more that a quiet flight with her earphones securely in place. After they deplaned, Paul got up the courage to ask for her number because he knew he would always regret it if he didn't. A bit skeptical, Alli took his instead, and when she ran across his number and finally called him months later he said "I've been waiting for you," and the rest is history!
Alli and Paul make an amazing team, and their family is hugely important to them, so they worked together to create a wedding that would feel like a chic tropical island get-away for all their beloved guests. With a "sunset afterglow" color palette of peach, pink, yellow and brown, there were beautiful and thoughtful creative details everywhere you looked. As the guests arrived each woman was given an orchid to place behind her ear, and the reception seating cards were boarding passes made from the one Alli saved after the flight when they first met. Each table was named after a tropical island and marked with a painted coconut and paper luggage tags on the chairs. Exotic flowers decorated the tables and the ceremonial arbor that Paul built himself. Ilee Custom Invitations made gorgeous cream, peach and brown letterpress invitations and guests were given hand made caramels and lovely welcome gift bags filled with treats and supplies. Alli and Paul truly thought of everything and hosted the ultimate elegant and joyous island celebration!
Thanks so much for sharing your wedding with us Alli and Paul!
To learn more about this wedding, be sure to visit our Real Weddings section!
Sneak Preview! Junebug's Summer Update Coming Soon!
Join us after the holiday weekend as we celebrate the summer with our big Junebug July update! We'll have new Groombug proposal stories and date night ideas, an article about luxurious honeymoons in Mexico, and a gorgeous Fashion Report full of color palettes and inspiration boards to help you find your personal wedding style. The images above give you a little sneak peek at the finished Fashion Report, and below are some of my favorite images and products that we photographed but didn't end up using in these layouts. I couldn't resist sharing them, they are way too lovely to pass by! Enjoy!
(Above photo of the pretty white shoes by GH KIm Photography. All other photos in this post by Junebug Weddings unless otherwise noted.)
This table setting was so rich and gorgeous, and the flower arrangements knocked our socks off! The wedding gown by Madina Vadache had the prettiest lace neckline and slight blue tint to the fabric. I was IN LOVE! It looked amazing with the colors of the bouquet and its sweet striped ribbon handle.
Table setting designed by Good Taste Weddings and Events with flowers by Bella Rugosa.
Wedding dress by Madina Vadache and bridal bouquet by Loves Me Flowers.
Bottom photo by One Thousand Words Photography.
These deep purple invitations were so striking inside the red envelopes. What a fabulously dramatic combiniation!
Invitations designed by Izzy Girl.
Photographing the wedding rings may have been our favorite part of all of this! How could you not love having stunning diamond rings all around you? I think the modern look of these rings is so fresh and fun.
Rose cut diamond and gold wisteria band wedding ring by Jamie Joseph, and rose cut diamond and platinum wedding ring by Me and Ro.
Men's gold wedding bands with decorative edges by Jamie Joseph. All rings from Twist.
Honestly, could this be a cuter idea for a late summer or fall wedding? Flowers as fashion will never go out of style.
Floral sash by Juniper Flowers, bridesmaids dress by Madina Vadache.
Photo by One Thousand Words Photography.
And of course, our lovely ladies bringing the fashion to life . They were such a joy to photograph!
Top row:
Simone Perel ivory bustier and Ritratti thong from Ann Marie Lingerie.
Second row:
Birnbaum and Bullock Gabrielle lace dress from The Bridal Garden, Audrey's Ball Strapless silk taffeta gown dress and fabric and rhinestone floral hair accessory from Luly Yang Couture.
Bottom row:
Vintage inspired Stella wedding dress, crystyal and pearl earrings circa 1910, French gold bracelet circa 1880, antique gold locket and vintage tortoise shell hair comb from Isadora's.
Hair and makeup by Erin Skipley of Bellatrix Studio.
A special thank you to all the wonderful wedding professionals who shared their artistry with us for these images!
Handmade Floral Ring Pillows and Wedding Accessories from Anna Whitford
Anna Whitford is a textile designer out of the UK who makes these gorgeous wedding and fashion accessories embellished with hand-sculpted flowers. The ring cushions would be so lovely for a spring or summer wedding ceremony, and the large throw pillows could decorate your house and remind you of your big day. I also love the idea of the flower ties being worn as a sash by your bridesmaids and the flower pins given to your mothers and grandmothers as everlasting corsages. Most of all I love the little coin purses and I bet they would elicit squeals of delight if given as thank you gifts to all your girls! (They would certainly elicit a squeal of delight out of me! Just looking at that mint colored one makes my day!)
Check out her website and blog for more information, or contact her for a custom creation to perfectly match your wedding style.
New Arizona Wedding Venues from Guest Blogger Liene Stevens
Today's guest blogger is none other than Arizona wedding expert and event planner, Liene Stevens of Blue Orchid Designs and the Blue Orchid Designs blog. Liene is amazingly knowledgeable, professional and passionate about her clients, so we can only imagine how many spectacular events she has helped bring together. We are honored to have her share her thoughts with us about all the fabulous new options for wedding ceremony and reception venues in her home state of Arizona. Read on to learn what she has to say, and to see some seriously cool wedding inspiration...
The Hotel Valley Ho isn't a new venue- it was built in 1956 in the
heart of Old Town Scottsdale and Hollywood celebrities could often be
spotted sipping cocktails at the resort. It recently underwent an $80
million renovation and reopened in a marriage of retro charm and state
of the art amenities. The rooftop is the perfect spot for a ceremony or
cocktail hour, overlooking Scottsdale on one side and Phoenix on the
other. The pool was designed to resemble a martini olive and is a
non-stop party come the weekend. The grassy lawns are perfect for a
ceremony-in-the-round prior to dancing the night away in the redesigned
ballrooms. In addition to their remodel, the Hotel Valley Ho has
launched a green initiative that includes using as much local food and
produce as possible in preparing their menus, so your wedding can be
retro-chic and eco-chic. (Above photos by Darby Elizabeth Photography and Melissa Jill Photography)
The Mondrian in Scottsdale is truly a lush getaway from the bustle of the city (and the heat!). Also in the midst of old-town, it has no identifying signs and most people drive right past it with no idea of the oasis just beyond its white walls. Formerly the James Hotel, it recently reopened as a chic urban hot spot. The interior is mostly white and the decor eclectic. The Asia de Cuba restaurant is fabulous for post-wedding brunches or rehearsal dinners and the Red Bar is perfect for some bachelorette bliss. I had a rehearsal dinner there the same evening as Al Gore's Nobel Prize party and while many venues would favor high-profile events over the others, the staff at the Mondrian went above and beyond to make sure my clients were treated with first class service. I cannot recommend this venue enough. (Above photos by Sloan Photographers)
Scottsdale isn't the only area in the Valley of the Sun getting a face-lift. Historic downtown Chandler is being infused with new businesses and is becoming a wedding Mecca in its own right. Inspirador is a new venue located on the old site of the O.S. Stapley Hardware Co. and hosts over 12,000 square feet of event space. Just through the Spanish colonial entrance is the Tryst art gallery. Dubbed "Manhattan in the Desert", and home to pieces from local, national and international artists, this area is a hip spot for a pre-ceremony welcome cocktail. The outdoor courtyard makes for a cozy lounge area under the starlit sky and the aisle for the indoor ceremony area is adorned with quotes from famous poets. (Above photos by Sloan Photographers)
7.71 out of 10 (7 Votes)