November 20, 2020
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale
Photographed by Rachel Solomon Photography
THE COUPLE From the moment they met in dental school, Fatima Pimentel and Eric Saiz clicked. “We realized we had so many things in common such as spots, types of food and humor,” she says. They got engaged in October 2019, but Eric’s proposal did not go as planned. “My mother actually ruined the surprise so poor Eric had to figure out a plan B,” says Fatima, a pediatric dentist. “He placed the ring on our dog’s collar and said, ‘Henry has something for you.’ I looked down and there was the ring! Of course I said yes.”
THE PARTY The wedding’s sunset timing inspired the color scheme: dusty rose, pale pink, terra cotta and sage. Lots of greenery— trees, centerpieces, simple arrangements and trellises—was incorporated into the design. Fatima, who is Filipina, incorporated cultural traditions such as a coin exchange and veil and cord ceremonies. A beer burro during cocktail hour, a silent disco and fireworks were other unique additions. WHAT I LEARNED“I’m a huge planner and thought I could do it all by myself,” says Fatima. “I was so wrong! I recommend hiring a planner for the entire process or the last month leading up to your special day. They know the ins and outs and most likely will have connections with vendors. THE HONEYMOON Due to the pandemic, the couple has not had their honeymoon yet. “We went on a mini honeymoon this past September on an Alaskan cruise... but we’re looking forward to Greece next year.”
THE LIST
Wedding Planner Your Jubilee, yourjubilee.com
Bride’s Gown Monique Lhuillier, moniquelhuillier.com
Bride’s Shoes Badgley Mischka, badgleymischka.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Denise Bridal, Vidogi Salon, vidogisalon.com
Groom’s Tux Emporio Armani, armani.com
Groom’s Shoes Magnanni, magnanni.com
Groom’s Watch Porsche Design, porsche-design.com
Bridesmaids’ Dresses Birdy Grey, birdygrey.com
Florist The Flower Studio, flowerstudioaz.com
Catering & Cake Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale, fourseasons.com
Entertainment DJ: Vox DJs, voxdjs.com; Strings: Sweetwater Strings, sweetwaterstrings.com
Invitations Alexa Nelson Prints, 503.333.9281
Fireworks Fireworks Productions of Arizona, fireworksaz.com
October 24, 2021
Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale
Photographed by Annie Randall
THE COUPLE An airport meet cute worked out perfectly for Jessica Mensch, a multimedia communications strategist, and city planner Chris Jasper, who met before flying to Brussels for a study abroad program. “I spent the time socializing with the other members of the trip while Chris hit it off with my mother, who was flying back to Phoenix the same day,” says Jessica. “Before boarding, my mom turned to me and said, ‘You’re going to date that boy.’ I rolled my eyes at the time, but as they say, ‘Mother knows best.’ Chris and I fell in love that summer over Belgian waffles, moules-frites and far too many Trappist beers.”
THE PARTY Impact Events and Sarah’s Garden incorporated jewel tones with lots of gold accents into the event design, which had a classic glam look and feel. “The dance floor was full the whole evening with our family and friends partying the night away,” says Jessica. “After so many months apart due to the pandemic, it really was the celebration of the year.” WHAT WE LEARNED“We had to postpone our wedding twice due to the pandemic,” Jessica says. “While planning and replanning was hectic at times, it taught us a lot about resiliency and staying positive.” THE HONEYMOON The couple is planning a trip to Hawaii or Italy this spring.
THE LIST
Wedding Planner Impact Events, impact-events.com
Bride’s Gown & Veil Martina Liana, Mariée Bridal, marieegallery.com
Bride’s Shoes Alex Marie, Dillard’s, dillards.com
Bride’s Makeup Makiaj Beauty, makiaj.com
Groom’s Tux Bonobos, bonobos.com
Rings Jared, jared.com
Bridesmaids’ Dresses Bill Levkoff, Azteca Bridal, azbride.com
Florist Sarah’s Garden, sarahsweddinggarden.com
Invitations Rifle Paper Co., riflepaperco.com
Caterer Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale, mountainshadows.com
Entertainment The Hamptons, thehamptonsband.com
Videographer Ethington Productions, ethingtonproductions.com
Februar y 19, 2021
El Chorro
Photographed by Rachel Solomon Photography
THE COUPLE The first time Niki Ciliento and Steve Bischoff met didn’t go well. “Steve came to our [mutual friend] Nate’s for Sunday Night Football but stayed all of 10 minutes because he was so nervous,” says Niki. Luckily, the next night, he redeemed himself. Steve set up an elaborate scheme for the engagement, where he was once again quite nervous. “As Niki drove home from work I set up the room with an iPad to capture the moment. When she got home, I had her open a gift by our Christmas tree, and inside was a key to a Maserati, a family car my parents joked would be ours as an engagement gift,” he says. “I then bent down on one knee and everything I planned to say went out the window. I asked, ‘Will you marry me’; she said, ‘Are you serious’ a few times, followed by ‘Yes!’” THE PARTY A smaller guest count due to COVID-19 meant a more intimate affair. “We danced the night away with our best friends, taking tons of photos at the photo booth,” says Steve. “The beer burro and the dessert bar were huge hits among all of our guests.” WHAT WE LEARNED“We were on the same page with everything,” says Niki. “We also learned a new level of patience when we had to postpone our date and extend our engagement nearly a year.” THE HONEYMOON“Our wedding was still during COVID times before international travel opened up,” says Niki. “So when the time comes, our plan is to go on a fantastic babymoon, somewhere we can relax on a beach and enjoy a slow pace before our lives inevitably change for the better.” –LEJ
THE LIST
Wedding Planner Outstanding Occasions, outstanding-occasions.com
Bride’s Gown, Veil & Jewelry Martina Liana, Mariée Bridal, marieegallery.com
Bride’s Shoes Badgley Mischka, badgleymischka.com
Bride’s Jewelry. Groom’s Watch & Ring Ganem Jewelers, ganemjewelers.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Harley Chapman, harleydoeshair.com; Courtney Montes, instagram.com/courtmontes
Groom’s Suit Ralph Lauren, Men’s Wearhouse, menswearhouse.com
Groom’s Shoes Christian Louboutin, christianlouboutin.com
Bridesmaids’ Dresses Hayley Paige, JLM Couture, jlmcouture.com
Florist Lux Wedding Florist, luxweddingflorist.com
Invitations Minted, minted.com
Catering El Chorro, elchorro.com
Cake A Bakeshop, abakeshop.com
Entertainment Desert House Productions, deserthouseproductions.com
October 2 , 2021
Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows
Photographed by Karlie Colleen
THE COUPLE Originally from Scottsdale, bride Kate Howells and groom Alan Watson currently live in Brooklyn. The couple met at a costume party on Fire Island, N.Y., where Kate, who works in advertising, was dressed as a zombie, and Alan, a software engineer and hip-hop dance instructor, was in Pokémon garb. “He proposed to me at the Minnesota State Fair in 2019, at the top of the Space Tower, overlooking the Twin Cities, where he is from,” says Kate. THE PARTY Due to the pandemic, the couple decided to postpone their wedding for a year, and in the meantime, got legally married at Brooklyn Bridge Park overlooking the bridge. They also were fortunate enough to have a baby in that time. “Once we got back into planning mode, we knew we wanted to reimagine our mostly neutral-toned and somewhat traditional wedding plan to better reflect where we are today,” Kate says. “As an homage to our whole journey... we had an ice sculpture of the Brooklyn Bridge at our cocktail hour. It also served as an ice luge for our signature drink, the Zella Jeanie Martini, named after our daughter, and the Benit-O Margarito, named after our dog.” WHAT WE LEARNED“The most important part about the day is to make it uniquely what you want to do to celebrate, and just enjoy whatever that looks like to you,” says Kate. THE HONEYMOON Instead of going to Maui, which was only open to essential travelers at the time, the couple drove to Palm Springs, where they enjoyed the Palm Springs Art Museum, Joshua Tree and relaxing by the pool.
THE LIST
Wedding Planner Revel Wedding Co., revelweddingco.com
Bride’s Gown Sarah Seven, sarahseven.com Designer, Local Retailer, url.com
Bride’s Shoes Freya Rose, freyarose.com
Bride’s Veil Etsy, etsy.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Heather Van Houten Hair & Makeup, hvartists.com
Groom’s Tux Indochino, indochino.com
Groom’s Shoes Cole Haan, colehaan.com
Rings Engagement: Jangmi, jangmidiamonds.com; Bride’s Band: Melissa Joy Manning, melissajoymanning.com; Groom’s Band: Etsy, etsy.com
Florist Lux Wedding Florist, luxweddingflorist.com
Invitations Be In Love Designs, beinlovedesigns.com
Catering Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows, andazscottsdale.com
Cake A Bakeshop, abakeshop.com
Entertainment The JJs Band, thejjsbamd.com
Apri l 3 , 2021
Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows
Photographed by Larissa Stevenson, Larissa Jean Photography
THE COUPLE After meeting on Tinder and dating a few years, Brandon Czaplicki proposed to Malia Canales in what can only be called a family affair. “He had scheduled a facial for my mom and me [on Mother’s Day], but my mom told me a friend of hers set us up for free services,” explains Malia. “After our facials, my mom walked me to a courtyard where he was waiting with a sign that said ‘Will You Marry Me?’ His family and my family were both hiding until he popped the question!” THE PARTY The couple planned to have their wedding in Thailand, but COVID forced them to stay local. Their wedding at Andaz Scottsdale Hotel & Bungalows was designed with a blush pink and sage green colorway, and hints of blue. “I have always loved llamas and alpacas and have joked for years about having one at my wedding,” says Malia, who worked with her planner to have one on-site during the cocktail hour. “When I saw the alpaca I just lit up, I was so excited.” WHAT I LEARNED“I am the type of person that has to have everything planned and does not like to change things ‘last minute,’ but with our wedding being planned in so little time, it really taught me to learn to go with the flow... and rather be open-minded,” says Malia. “I have always believed in the saying ‘What is meant to be will be,’ and after having our wedding in Arizona, I could not even imagine having it in Thailand.” THE HONEYMOON The couple enjoyed a trip to Oahu before moving to Germany, where Brandon is from.
THE LIST
Wedding Planner & Florist Lara Jacobs, Laki Events + Design, lakieventsanddesign.com
Bride’s Gown Wtoo by Watters, BHLDN, bhldn.com
Bride’s Shoes Badgley Mischka, Nordstrom, nordstrom.com
Bride’s Veil, Table Runner, Cake Topper & Name Plates Etsy, etsy.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Hair: Courtney Ness, Seventh Avenue Beauty, seventhavenuebeauty.com; Makeup: Kaley McCormick, mccormickmakeup.com
Groom’s Tux Hugo Boss, Nordstrom
Groom’s Shoes Florsheim, Nordstrom
Groom’s Watch Tissot, Macy’s, macys.com
Rings The Diamond Vault, diamond-vault.com
Invitations Zola, zola.com
Catering & Cake Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows, andazscottsdale.com
Alpaca Carters Farm, cartersfarmaz.com
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