Melissa & I had the pleasure of meeting Al & Krissy last year in Sedona and felt like we instantly connected.  They were just in the planning stages of their wedding but had a calm and laid back approach.  During our meeting Melissa and I knew we wanted to work with them and get to know them better.  Krissy and Al are from Albany, New York but wanted to have a destination wedding that would create a memorable experience not only for them but for the many guests that would travel for their big day.   Poco Diablo Resort was the perfect venue for this beautiful couple and definitely wowed their guests with the beautiful golf course, creek and vibrant red rock views. The day and evening was spectacular and Krissy and Al could not have looked more happy!

We asked Krissy and Al to share some special stories about their relationship, their stories are so sweet!  Melissa and I wish Krissy, Al and Charlie all the best, it was really wonderful getting to be apart of your wedding day.  We look forward to seeing you the next time you make it out to Northern Arizona!  ~Kristen

Tell us about a meaningful event in your life together. 

 There are a lot of meaningful event, however there are 2 events early in our relationship that would shape who we are as a couple today…

 One…The day we met… We both work at the same company and we were looking to hire new software consultants. Krissy was recommended through a co-worker and was scheduled to come in for an interview. I agreed to bring her in based on the recommendation. At the interview, I remarked that her resume was horrible and needed work, however, based on the interview itself and the recommendation, Krissy was offered a position and thus started the friendship which led to the marriage. 

Two… As part of working together as software consultants, we both spend a lot of time traveling for work. On a trip together to work in southeast Arizona, having a 3-day weekend coming, I asked Krissy if she wanted to road-trip up to the Grand Canyon. She agreed. We took the 3 days and visited Jerome, Sedona and the Grand Canyon. This is a trip where we realized we had a lot in common and had a fun-filled weekend together. This was the reason that 10 years later we decided to get married in Sedona Arizona!

What is or are your favorite place(s) to go together?

 We love to travel and have had the pleasure of seeing a lot of beautiful places in our time together. If we had to narrow down our list, there are our favorite places:

1.  Sedona, Arizona – This place holds special meaning to us, and the beauty is limitless. This area (including Jerome and Flagstaff) has a lot to do. We own a timeshare in Sedona and will keep going back.

 2. Key West, Florida – This has always been one of my favorite places since I first went there in 1994. It has changed a bit, but there is something about a small New England feeling town in the Caribbean. It is a special place that I have brought Krissy. We both love it there.

 3. Lake Tahoe / Tahoe City, Nevada – This is a place Krissy fell in love with and took me to. It is a very scenic place, and where we found Krissy’s engagement ring. We will never forget that place.

 4. Homer, Alaska – This is a place that is unique and spectacular. The scenery (from the water and glacier views, to the wildlife) and the serenity – this place is truly amazing. 

Do you have any funny/interesting stories from your families during your wedding or engagement?

 We pride ourselves on having fun and make the most of everything that happens. Life is fun with the right person…

 There are 3 funny / interesting things just from the week leading up to and including the wedding:

 We met Krissy’s brothers Scott, Dan and Scott’s wife Stefanie in Jerome, Arizona the Tuesday before the wedding. Jerome is known to be one of the most haunted towns in the country. We decided we would stay at the Jerome Grand Hotel, a former hospital which is haunted. At the hotel, Scott asked us to book him the most “active” room for hauntings. So we did. Overnight while trying to sleep, he swears he heard something knocking bamboo sticks together in his room, passing out of his room and then moving down the hall… Who knows?! Jerome is a great town, and every local has their own story to tell. All you have to do is ask.

 During the wedding, our officiate Andrew had practiced with Krissy’s dad to go over what he would say when presenting Krissy to me. Her dad was either very excited to hand her off, or paid no attention to Andrew the day before, but he was quick to respond and did not let Andrew finish his question. Not everyone heard it, but we certainly did and laughed. Thank you George!

 During the reception, we had just come back from pictures and were waiting to walk in to our cocktail hour, around the corner and out of sight from most everyone. There was a small group of people having a cigarette break where we were. My sister Christine and her husband Mark were the last to head down to where everyone else was, and turned the corner just as Kevin from Pure Entertainment announced Krissy and I. Oops! Krissy and I certainly had a good laugh; we hope Christine and Mark did to. 

Vendors:

Venue: Poco Diablo

Officiant: Rev. Andrew Murphy

DJ: Pure Entertainment

Wedding Cake & Cupcakes: Gisele’s in Jerome

Floral: Mountain High Florist

Photo Booth: ShutterBooth Arizona

Brides Gown: Demetrios in Macy’s Herald Square NYC

Tuxedos: Sedona Tuxedos

We met Ashli two years ago at a bridal fair in Flagstaff.  She has one of those personalities that light up a room, so full of life and joy.  When she asked us to photograph her and Joe’s wedding, we were so excited!  This couple chose the outdoor venue at the Sedona Golf Resort for their ceremony and their reception at the Sedona Hilton Resort and Spa.  Ashlie loves New York City, and flew up to Kleinfield’s to enlist the help of Randy to help her find the perfect gown.  He steered in in the direction of a mermaid gown, which looked gorgeous on her!  The ceremony, led by the lovely Suzanne Loo-McCoy at Intimate Sedona Weddings was sweet and reflected Ashli and Joe’s devotion to one another.   It was definitely a perfect evening and we were so lucky to have been there for them.  Congrats you two and we hope you have a lifetime of love and happiness! ~ Melissa

Wedding Vendors:
Ceremony Site: Sedona Golf Resort
Reception Site: Sedona Hilton Resort and Spa
Officiant: Suzanne Loo-McCoy of Intimate Sedona Weddings
Wedding Gown: Alfred Angelo
Bridal Bouquet: Events by Showstoppers
Wedding Cake: Sedona Cake Couture
Photography:  Tangled Lilac Photography

We met Meghan and Drew last winter while they were visiting from Wisconsin and we’ve been looking forward to their wedding ever since.  If you saw their engagement photos that were featured on the amazing wedding blog, Fab You Bliss, you’d know just how adorable this couple is and understand my excitement to work with them at their wedding.  This wedding was also fun for me because since Kristen was at a wedding at the Grand Canyon, I got to work with another talented and fun photographer, Jake Bacon. 

Meghan choose the beautiful colors of the peacock for their wedding and we loved how peacock feathers and jewel tone colors were scattered throughout the day.   I love this photo below of the rings on the feathers, captured by my ever so talented assistant, Jake Bacon.  And how about those shoes?  They couldn’t have been any more perfect.  Meghan’s dress was a vintage inspired design, which complimented her style to perfection.  The birdcage veil pulled the whole look together and Meghan looked just radiant.

The couple decorated Thornager’s with floating paper lanterns in peacock colors and even choose a platter with peacocks as their sign in book.  The favors were hand crafted candles made by local artisan, Luminario del Sol, in Flagstaff.  In a way to honor their love of games, Meghan and Drew choose classic games to mark the tables.

Meghan choose a vintage feel for her entire look and it suited her perfectly.  She looked like she just stepped out of a 1920s movie.  Before Meghan put on the birdcage veil, I got these photos of her.  She was simply stunning with some of the most gorgeous green eyes I’ve ever seen.

We headed over to the Flagstaff Arboretum, for Meghan and Drew’s First Look.  We love having First Looks added into the wedding day.  It really gives the bride and groom a chance to have a special moment to themselves before the hectic schedule of a wedding day begins.   These two were so sweet when they saw each other for the first time, and I simply adore the look on each of their faces. 

 We also had opportunity to get some more bridal portraits of Meghan, which was gorgeous with the filtered light coming through the trees.  Meghan was the perfect model and we loved getting these special photos for her.

The wedding party was fun and so easy to work with. We loved that the girls all got coordinating sunglasses for a special photograph.  And Jake got all the guys to pile into a truck to get this creative photo of them.

The ceremony, held outside on the picturesque A-1 Mountain Road, was thoughtful and so sweet.  There were so many great readings by family and friends, a walnut-honey ceremony and passing along the wedding rings to each guest for them to bless the rings with their own prayers and good wishes.  Then, when it came time for the vows and ring exchange, Meghan and Drew called up everyone to form a circle around them.  It was one of the most heartfelt ceremonies I’ve ever witnessed.

I love this series of Meghan and Drew taken just after the wedding.  Drew grabbed Meghan and twirled her around and the whole thing just make her giggle so hard that we all started to laugh.  It was a sweet moment.

Meghan and Drew were so easy to work with and we loved their sweet interactions.  Their love definintely shines when they are together.

Congrats to Meghan and Drew and we wish you a lifetime of love and happiness! ~ Melissa

Vendors

Ceremony and Reception Site:  A1-Mountain Road and Thornager’s on Kiltie Lane

Entertainment:  Live Sounds DJ

Favors:  Luminario del Sol

Photography:  Tangled Lilac Photography and Jake Bacon

Mia and Charlie met when they were both teenagers in Southern California and  knew right away they had something special.  After many years of dating Charlie decided it was time to take the next step and make Mia his wife.  The lovely couple came to Flagstaff to ring in the 2011 New Year with Charlies family.  Charlie decided to surprise Mia and pop the question at midnight while they stood outside the Weatherford Hotel counting down and watching the  pine cone drop.   So when it came to picking a wedding location Mia said it just had to be a winter wedding at Flagstaff Ranch Golf Club.   With the help of KD Event Designs  Mia & Charlie had an absolutely gorgeous wedding with rustic but elegant touches.   The couple also included their best friend Oscar, we just LOVE when puppies are included in the wedding!  Congratulations to the newlyweds!

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Vendors:

Reception and Ceremony Venue: Flagstaff Ranch Golf Club

Wedding Designer: KD Event Designs

Floral Designer: Bliss Floral

Make Up and Hair: Christine De Angelis

Officiant: Rev. Zsuzsi Benson

Photography: Melissa Dunstan Photography

This past fall, I traveled to Dade City, Florida for the wedding of one of my dearest friends, John Sessa.  I met John back in 2003, when I was on the trip of a lifetime, to cycle part of the Tour de France.   In an act of serendipity, John was the bike mechanic for the tour group company, and he quickly became friends with myself, and my friend, John, who accompanied me on the trip.  I left France with the cell phone number of John Sessa, knowing that somehow, our paths would cross again.  Those paths intersected once again just four months later when he came out to Flagstaff for Thanksgiving, and eventually moved in with my then friend, Grant, who four years later, became my husband.  Do you feel like you need a flowchart, cause sometimes I feel like I do.  :)   Over time, we lovingly nicknamed him “The Bike Whisperer”.  He was like the McGyver of bikes, he could fix anything.   But, although we loved having him here, John got restless.  His favorite thing to say was “Home is where the heart is, and my heart is on the road“.   John soon accepted a job as the lead mechanic with a pro cycling team and he was off to Europe, Asia and many places in between for bike races.  One of my favorite things was for him to roll into town with the various bike team buses (Fakta, Rock Racing, Jelly Belly, and most recently, Team Type II).  I loved the look on my neighbors’s faces as they spied the 20+ foot cycling trailer parked in front of my home.

I remember when John came back to Flagstaff for my wedding in 2007, I asked him what was new.  He said, “Well…I’m kinda seeing someone” (which is, just so you know, dude talk for “I’m in a serious relationship”).  I asked him a few questions about this gal, and she sounded like the coolest chick I could ever imagine, smart, a talented journalist, beautiful and caring.  John even described her, in his own endearing way of making up his own words, as “awesome-a-fied“. It wasn’t long before I got to meet Molly myself when she visited Flagstaff, and I agreed with John, she WAS super awesome-a-fied!

Fast forward to September 2011 and John was here for our friends, John and Zsuzsi’s, wedding.   He stopped by the studio to say hello, and then, I remember he said to Kristen and I…, “So….you chickas wanna go look at some engagement rings with me?”  Yes!  First of all, it takes NO arm twisting to get Kristen and I to look at sparkly, beautiful rings, and secondly, I was so happy for John that I wanted to explode.  After a couple of hours of looking at several different options, John ended up picking up a beautiful set from our local jeweler, Will McNabb, and I can honestly say, it’s the perfect ring for Molly.

Molly and John were married at the gorgeous Dade City Garden Club and had their reception at the Dade City Women’s Club.   Everything about this wedding was so thoughtful, from the mini cupcakes favors baked by her friends Amy and Zsusi, the delectable dinner made by their friends at Pearl in the Grove restaurant to their friend, Jan as their officiant.   The tangerine colors beautifully accented the natural green surroundings and complimented the citrus decorations to perfections.  As Molly walked down the aisle, I held my breath.  I love the look on the couples face at that moment…it’s like if time stands still.  And when they said their vows, I cried.  But, happiness does that to me.  :)

I hope you enjoy a few of my favorite photos from the day!

I just found this photo of John, John and I in Paris.  I just had to share this photo of the three amigos.  What a great time we had!  It’s funny just how quickly nine years can pass.  I’m am so fortunate to have such a great group of friends.  Friends that has really become my family.

I am a lucky woman.

Congratulations to Molly and John!  Thank you so much for having me as your photographer, but mostly, thank you for your friendship.
xoxo,
Melissa

Wedding Vendors:

Wedding Rings:  Will McNabb
Invitations:  Chris Campbell
Wedding Dress:  Maggie Sottero from CC’s Boutique, St. Petersburg
Hair and Makeup:  James Geores at the Garden of Eden
Ceremony:  Dade City Garden Club
Officiant:  Jan Glidewell
Reception:  Dade City Women’s Club
Linens:  Classic Party Settings
Catering:  Pearl in the Grove
Wedding Cake:  Heather Frederick at KupCake
Entertainment:  Beaumont Family Band

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On a beautiful September afternoon in Sedona, Wendy and John became husband and wife.  Melissa and I felt so honored to be their wedding photographers and capture their amazing wedding.  Wendy and Jon were married  atop a ridge in Sedona overlooking the red rocks at Sky Ranch Lodge . Can you imagine anything more magical?  The couple traveled with their families to this amazing outdoor location for a intimate destination wedding.  Wendy had such a gorgeous gown, if fit her perfectly!  All of the floral design by Amy at Bliss floral was perfect for this scenic location.  Amy used beautiful succulents and proteas to add a very rustic and textural feel.

Vendors:

Ceremony: Sky Ranch Lodge

Reception: Agave of Sedona

Catering: Rosalie’s of Sedona

Floral Design: Bliss Floral

Day of Coordinator: Peak Events

Photography: Melissa Dunstan Photography

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