Association of Bridal Consultants

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Real Wedding - Prescott, Arizona

ABC member planner: Angela Saban, PBC™,Angela Saban Design, Glendale, Ariz., 480.252.3240, Angela@AngelaSabanDesign.com,www.AngelaSabanDesign.com.ABC businesses: Angela Saban Design.Photographer:  Steve Grant Photography.Other businesses: Hassayampa Golf Club.The couple: Katie and Ryan are a delightful young couple, very dedicated to each other and their families, as well as their community in Prescott and at Arizona State University (ASU). Their wedding was one of the most touching and romantic ceremonies I have ever had the pleasure of attending.  The minister gave a beautiful and touching lesson from scripture regarding the roles of a husband and wife.  As the couple read their own vows, there was not a dry eye in sight.  The musicians, who were all related to the couple, or very close friends, added a really special touch as well.Inspiration: Young, athletic, and soon-to-be professionals, Katie and Ryan insisted on having a very simple, down-to-earth ceremony with a party afterward—nothing pretentious or stuffy.  They simply wanted time with friends and their large, extended family from all over the United States.Most unique element: Katie and Ryan are rock climbers, and we incorporated that element by performing a knot-tying ceremony that represented a rope’s increased strength as the climbers combine their two ropes into one, which also means that if one falls, they both fall.Color palette: Forest green, gold, and white were used to honor the Irish heritage of both the bride and groom. The bride handmade all of the vests for the groom, best man, and groomsmen.Approximate budget: $30,000.Guest count: The venue anticipated 150 guests, but 225 RSVP’d.Biggest challenge: In addition to getting married, the bride and groom were graduating from ASU one week before their wedding. When everything became overwhelming, I was hired one month before the wedding and asked to pull all of their plans together, work with the venue, and sort details.  Also, the bride was busy with finals and preparing to graduate so she was unavailable most of the time, except by email. The mother of the bride is a physician whose husband had recently passed away. Needless to say, she was overwhelmed.  The venue had anticipated approximately 150 guests, and 225 had sent RSVPs.On teamwork: The day was beautiful, and in the end, although several family members were pressured and scrambling to provide what the bride expected, they were happy to do it, and the venue came through with flying colors. Everyone worked well together.Hindsight: I will not coordinate another iPod wedding. Every wedding needs a master of ceremonies to keep things running smoothly, and I am not that.  If having an outdoor wedding, audio equipment is a key factor.  No one questioned the audio for the ceremony except me, at the rehearsal, the day before.  The driving range where the ceremony took place was lined with over 200 chairs an hour before the ceremony; audio equipment arrived only minutes before.