You can’t always have it all. You can find Tuscany in your home state. (Whew! Save on flights to Europe!) What a dream it would be to tailor a dress according to your style, silence the noise, and celebrate your marriage in a way that is intimate for you. Paige and Justin achieved it in their elegant Arizona ceremony.
The Arizona couple chose the Superstition Mountains as their backdrop for a wedding that would stand the test of time. As captured by Katelyn Catu Photography. The rustic decor was timeless, as the couple had hoped, and they were able to host a small, 25-person party.
It can be hard to tell your family and friends that you have chosen an intimate wedding to celebrate your marriage, especially when they respond less than sympathetic. The couple didn’t regret their decision to have a small wedding despite the criticism they received. “There are many ways that people will tell that a marriage is supposed happen.” “Forget that!”
Our Love Story
Justin and I met online. After a week of messaging back and forth, we finally met. We became the same from that moment.
We had matinee tickets for a weekend in February. We planned to have an excellent breakfast before the matinee. We went to Royal Palm Resort for brunch and drinks in our suits. We went on a walk while we were at the Royal Palm Resort. In an alcove on the property, he proposed to me.
The Attire
I chose a wedding dress that was classic, modest, and flattering to my body. I was a perfectionist regarding my appearance, but I had a fantastic team that helped me. I spent 45 minutes with my tailor going over ten-plus bustles. This is dedication. I could wear my dress without worrying about being photographed at a less-than-flattering angle. My dress was gorgeous, and I felt so comfortable.
My husband chose a suit that fit well. The spring colors with the summer weight fabric were chosen. Most importantly, it was something comfortable and true to him.
Wedding Style
I wanted our wedding to have a classic, timeless feel. We both joke that we are old souls stuck in the wrong era. This influenced how we planned our marriage. We wanted something romantic, elegant, and lovely. We wanted a day to look back at and still be in style. The balance between classic and simple was perfect.
The romantic Italian influence of our chosen location inspired us. The site inspired the colors and style. I wanted to be a classic bride and not choose something too trendy. I went for simple, traditional colors and styles.
The Flowers
The flowers, décor, setup, and overall style for this wedding were all done by my excellent mother-in-law. She made me three bouquets to pick the one I liked best. She made bouquets for me, her, my grandmother, and my mother. She made the aisle runners, florals for the head table, and candelabras. Also, she did my hairpiece, stairways, and centerpieces. The mix included eucalyptus peonies, garden roses, wax flowers, and baby’s breath.
The Intimate Guests List
Twenty-five people attended our wedding. This was a massive part of the wedding. We both come from large families, so we needed to establish and adhere to a firm boundary. We invited only immediate family (siblings and parents) and a few friends. This caused us to receive some criticism. Some family members sent us nasty messages and made snarky remarks, but our wedding was a celebration of love.
We didn’t want to rush around to visit our great uncle’s twice-removed daughter. We spent quality time together and with our family and friends.
Traditions
We are both avid note-writers. We began our relationship by sharing a journal and sending notes back and forth. This was the same on our wedding day.
We both wrote notes in the same book, and I wrote him an actual book. This book told our story. The book I gave him at our wedding was filled with stories from our dating days and other special memories.
Traditions
We are both avid note-writers. We began our relationship by sharing a journal and sending notes back and forth. This was the same on our wedding day.
We both wrote notes in a book, and I wrote him an actual book. This book told our story. The book I gave him at our wedding was filled with stories from our dating days and other special memories.
Cake & Decor
We wanted something that would be guaranteed to taste great and look good. We ordered a cake, and they gave us a free taste. It was amazing! My mother-in-law added the flowers and special touches to the cake to match the decor.
My mother-in-law set up all the centerpieces, candles, table runners, and aisle runners. She also arranged all of the bouquets, centerpieces, and table runners. She is a talented designer and was happy to help us. Other personal details included the handwritten messages we sent to our guests and each other.
We both wrote notes of gratitude to our guests as a favor. We both enjoy writing, so these handwritten notes allowed us to show appreciation in the best way. My husband was surprised with the other turns. We decided against a groom’s-cake (in the form of the Chrysler Building because he is an architecture geek), as it would have been an extra expense and not add much value. Instead, I ordered custom cookies in the shape of the Chrysler Building and others with the seal we used on our invitations. He was pleasantly surprised.
Couples Advice
Do what you want, and don’t worry about the status quo. Many people will say that a marriage is supposed to take place in a certain way. Let’s forget that! You and your partner will be most satisfied if you plan your wedding how you want. For example, I did not have bridesmaids because my sisters and friends knew their importance to me. They saved money, had no expectations, and still got to enjoy their wedding.
