{Real Bride Series} Meet Jessica!
How did you and your groom meet?
Oh technology! We met on an online dating website. Our first actually ‘real live’ date was at the Az Science Center to see a Van Gogh exhibit. I was so excited to not do the played out dinner and a movie business.
We are dying to know, how did he propose?!
Funny Story…We were in Vegas and just kind of decided here we are, let’s do it! We of course ended up having our wedding 1 year later to the day we decided we didn’t want to spend the rest of our lives apart.
What were your wedding colors? Did you have an overall theme?
I ended up getting my dress at David’s Bridal. We actually had just gone in to start looking at styles and I ended up finding my dress! It was the 3rd dress I tried on and when I saw the water works from my mom and maid of honor I was sold. I really didn’t have a strict concept of what I wanted-I knew what I didn’t want which I think made it easier. Trust the people working in the store!!! They do this for a living day-in, day-out! They can help fit your body type perfectly!
Where did your ceremony and reception take place? Was there any special meaning behind the choice of venue(s)?
We lucked out by finding this place and it was the very first place we looked! We went quite a few places after Aldea and realized everywhere we went we compared to Aldea. We were married and held the reception at Aldea at Tlaquepaque and there are literally no words to how incredible not only the venue is but the staff there. All of the fairy godmothers making sure your vision is perfection. Aldea includes EVERYTHING in one price and then you just pick and choose. When I say everything I’m talking food, decor, planner, officiate, flowers, dj, cake….I mean…it’s incredible!
What kind of flowers did you have in your bouquet and the ceremony/ reception?
We had so much going on as far as personal items brought in to decorate we didn’t have many flowers other than bouquets and boutonnieres. The bridesmaid had pure red rose bouquets tied with yellow and white satin ribbon. My bouquet consisted of red anemones, red dahlias, oberon freesia, orange tulips, red roses, cymbidium orchads and, a little greenery-all wrapped in an off white sash.
What was the flavor of your wedding cake?
Our wedding cake was a gold run. Our top layer was a double chocolate which we are saving for our first anniversary. We also had a pretty intense dessert bar including mickey mouse head funfetti cake pops, mini nutella banana cupcakes, chocolate dipped mickey mouse marshmallows and, mini apple and cherry pies. It looked just like the old main street bakery!
Did you provide favors to your guests? If so, what were they?
Yes! 100% homemade-best kind right? We made awesome magnets out of glass stones and Disney pictures from gold books. you just cut out whatever little part of the page you want to see through the magnet and mod podge it onto the stone. After that dries, you use heavy duty glue to adhere the magnet to the back and there ya go! Total cost for 120 people was about $45 and it only took about three days off and on between drying and what not. Super easy, Super fun!
What details from your wedding that made it unique to you?
Laundry list:
- My groom and I wore our grape soda Elli badges from up!
- We played a room from the tiki song and made a unity cocktail. We also made sure it was a sing along by giving everyone lyrics in their programs!
- We personally designed each table individually-Instead of each table being a number it was a ride from Disneyland and had lots of decor based on the ride.
- We played the actual music from mainstreet Disneyland for guests as they arrived
- We had tons of 1960’s Disney memorabilia here there and everywhere without making it look cheesy or ‘childish’
- We had a Mickey Mouse Bakery desert area
- We had Jack Sparrow and he danced The Hora
- We had a photo-booth with tons of Disney props
- We were us-nothing stuffy-just a big old fun party!
Other than marrying your husband, what was your favorite moment from your wedding day?
Seeing my dad in a tux! I know that has to sound a little funny but I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in anything but jeans and *a hopefully not* faded out old t-shirt. haha I bet I’m not the only bride saying that one! One other thing that really stick out in my mind was looking out at our guests during our tiki song and just thinking wow – these people all took time and crazy amount of travel to just come here to be with us – It was overwhelming really.
Did you take a honeymoon? If so, where did you go?
We did take a mini honeymoon to Palms Springs/Los Angeles-Just a long fantastic weekend!
What is one piece of wisdom you learned from your planning experience that you would like to share with future brides?
I personally didn’t let myself stress…even when my dress arrived the wrong size and we had to reorder for deliver 8 days before the wedding haha oh what a week…. Just take a step back every once in a while during your planning and soak it in! Remember this is about the two of you. Love the experience!
Who were some of the other vendors that were a part of your dream team?
Ceremony & Reception: Aldea at Tlaquepaque
Styling: On Occasions
DJ: Push Play Entertainment
Flowers: Petals & Lucy
Hair and Makeup: Babydoll Weddings
Entertainment: Jack Sparrow AZ
Bridesmaid Dresses: E Shakti
Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal
Suits: Men’s Warehouse
Cake: My Goodness Cakes
Desserts: Tulip and Teacups
Catering: Babbo
Programs: Cheri Mills at MDesignsM
Photo Booth: Phoenix Photo Booth