Melissa and Jake recently got married on March 5th of this year! They had a intimate beautiful ceremony with one of the cutest little flower girls we have ever seen! The details set the mood for this spring wedding with the beautiful desert in the back ground. Read more below!
How did you and your groom meet?
We met in Kingston, WA at an open mic venue (Kingston Ale House). Jake was performing and I had gone with some co-workers after work for a drink. We started talking and there was an instant connection!
We are dying to know, how did he propose?!
He took me to Ocean Shores, WA for a weekend getaway. We stayed in a cottage and he proposed while we were horseback riding on the beach. He tricked me into getting off my horse and next thing I knew, he was down on one knee holding up a beautiful, sparkly ring!
What were your wedding colors and why did you choose them?
Ivory with soft pinks and greens. I chose them because I wanted natural colors for our desert wedding.
Where did you find your dress? Would you say that finding your dress was relatively easy or difficult?
I found my dress at David’s Bridal after searching local boutiques. I was discouraged after trying on so many dresses and none of them were leaving an impression! But after trying on a few at David’s Bridal, I found my dress. I wouldn’t say it was an easy or difficult process. Somewhere in the middle.
Where did your ceremony and reception take place? Was there any special meaning behind the choice of the venue(s)? 
Our ceremony and reception took place at Jake’s Aunt & Uncle’s House (Affectionately called “The Oasis”) in Mesa. They spent years building their dream house and having a wedding there was on their bucket list. When we got engaged, they suggested the idea that we get married there. Even though it was out of state for us, we thought it was very generous and decided on the destination wedding.
What kind of flowers did you have in your bouquet and at the ceremony/reception?
My bouquet was from Red Mountain Florist in Mesa and it was mainly roses, succulent & hydrangea. The flowers on the tables were from Trader Joe’s and my girlfriends picked up whatever they had that morning and was in season. They were beautiful!
What was the flavor of your wedding cake?
Chocolate with bavarian cream, almond and vanilla.
Did you provide favors to your guests? If so, what were they?
CD’s with a mix of our favorite songs & bags with bubbles and candy for the kids.
What details from your wedding that made it unique to you?
Our guests were what made the wedding for us. We had people from 7 different states and 2 countries out of our 60 guests. Just having out closest people to us all be in one place at the same time was amazing. Our three year old 
daughter was our flower girl and she was just adorable and so happy. We also had a “taco truck” cater which I had protested in the beginning but ended up loving. It was easy and they were fast and friendly. So fun! And the food was fabulous. It was an intimate wedding and people had a chance to really visit and enjoy each other’s company. We did cocktail hour first before the ceremony so people could arrive and have a drink & appetizers and settle in. We did a sparkler exit which made for some great photos and also a good way to leave without having to individually say goodbye to everyone.
Other than marrying your husband, what was one of your favorite moments from your wedding day?
Walking down the isle and seeing all of the faces of the people we love supporting us.
Did you take a honeymoon? If so, where did you go?
We went to Italy, Malta, Spain & France on a Western Mediterranean cruise.
What is one piece of wisdom you learned from your planning experience that you would like to share with future brides?
To let people help you! If they offer, relinquish control and let them! 
Who were some of the other vendors that were a part of your dream team?
United Lunchadores, Red Mountain Florist, Sugarlips Cakery, La Quinta Inn & Suites Superstition Springs, John Fandialan Photography & David’s Bridal.
Thank you so much Melissa for sharing your special day with us! We love the details with the flowers and how special an intimate ceremony can be! We wish you and Jake the best of luck!