Michelle and Matthew’s romantic Royal Palms wedding is one to remember. A beautiful neutral color palette, two dresses from our beautiful bride, and the kindest words from friends and family during toasts. We loved working alongside Andrea Leslie Weddings and Melissa Jill capturing their special day.

How They Met:

Michelle and Matthew met in law school! They didn’t really know each other during their first semester, but at a “bar review” during their second semester Michelle went up to him and asked why they never talk at school. They hit it off and have been together ever since!

The Proposal:

The two went to Sedona for Matthew’s birthday. They spent the day mountain biking, then kayaking around a winery. They headed back to their hotel and sat by Oak Creek with wine. Michelle looks over to her side and Matt is on one knee proposing to her. Right after they saw a water beaver swimming around, and for some reason that was the coolest thing Michelle says!

The Wedding:

The Royal Palms set the perfect backdrop for Michelle and Matthew’s wedding day. With the team of Andrea Leslie Weddings their dream day came to life. A beautiful white color palette, lush florals by Wildflower AZ, tons of greenery, and candle light made for an unforgettable day. The two celebrated with their friends and family by dancing the night away! It was the most perfect day.

Venue: The Royal Palms
Planner: Andrea Leslie Weddings
Photographer: Melissa Jill
Videographer: Simply Cinema
Florist: The Wildflower AZ
Stationary: Unika Collections
Entertainment: JH Soundscapes

Shelby & Austin tied the knot at their destination wedding at The Royal Palms in Scottsdale, Arizona. They’re the perfect match. Shelby is sweet, stunning, and loves big. Austin is caring, handsome, and loves with his whole heart. The love these two share with one another is something so special. Andrea Leslie Weddings never disappoints with planning, designing, and executing their weddings and this one was no exception.

How They Met:

Austin and Shelby met in the summer of 2012 when Shelby attended Austin’s college graduation party with a friend. She had no idea who he was and was just tagging along. The same winter they both attended a variety show and reconnected which in turn got them little closer to each other.

Over the years the two remained connected through social media. At that point in their relationship they called one another acquaintances as their lives took them different places with different people over the years.

In the spring of 2019 Austin and Shelby both ended up back in their hometowns, newly single, and reconnected once more. That is when they went on their first date and were inseparable from then after. Within 1 week they had made it “Facebook official”, in under 1 month they were living together, 3 months in they added a fur baby to their lives, and in 6 months Austin and Shelby were engaged! 

The Proposal:

Austin and Shelby took, what she thought was just going to be a weekend trip, to Chicago before she was going to get really busy at work. The two love going to the city as often as they can. Austin had made a big deal though when they were planning the trip that he wanted to do things they had never done before. When they took their trip to the city they normally just hit up all their favorite local places. Austin told Shelby he booked a helicopter tour of the city for the two of them for this trip.

Austin and Shelby got to the helicopter pad, checked in, and waited for our flight. While we were waiting for our flight we took some photos and watched instructional videos. The photographer who took photos of the two of them was actually a photographer Austin hired to capture their proposal, but Shelby still didn’t know this!

While the two were in the air they heard the helicopter company say over their headsets to the captain and them that our photos didn’t turn out and they wanted them to line back up once they landed. Shelby rambled on about how her hair was probably in her face due to all of the wind, still having no idea what was going on.

Shelby and Austin land back on the pad, after a really beautiful ride, and of course that is when Austin got down on one knee and proposed to Shelby! She was in complete shock and literally had no idea! After the proposal Austin had then arranged for them to take some engagement photos with the photographer he had hired. They spent the rest of that night bar hopping in the city, just the two of them, acting like they were the only two people in the world. Shelby tells us it was the best proposal ever!

The Wedding:

Wow, just wow! We are slightly at a loss for words over Shelby and Austin’s wedding. Can we just take a moment to appreciate Shelby’s dress, or should I say dresses? I mean come on, is she not just the most stunning bride you have ever seen!? Austin also looked so good in his white tux! We knew as soon as we arrived we were in for a rad day with this awesome couple.

Shelby and Austin’s intimate Royal Palms wedding was truly to die for. We absolutely loved their ceremony. They had everyone in tears by the end of their vows to one another. Then their reception in the orange grove filled with hundreds of candles, greenery, and touches of pink was the cherry on top. The girls rocked black bridesmaids dresses with the white bouquets while the guys were suited in all black. Their whole day was just stunning.

The two ended the evening with a grand entrance like no other, an outfit change from Shelby, and en epic dance party. We love you two and wish you all the love in the world!

Venue: The Royal Palms Resort and Spa
Wedding Planner: Katie with Andrea Leslie Weddings
Photographer: Brenna Lee Photography
Videographer: Simply Cinema
Florist: Mint Green Design
Entertainment: Got You Covered
Invitations: Minted

Shannon and Adam were married on a gorgeous March day at the Royal Palms in Scottsdale, Arizona. Their Royal Palms wedding was incredible and when working with Imoni Events you know it is going to be an absolutely stunning wedding. Every detail is throughly thought out and perfectly placed. Wildflower AZ curated the most magical floral arrangements from the greenery and floral bud ceremony arch, to the brides bouquet, and the beautiful reception arrangements perfectly placed between romantic candles that lit the dinner space in the ballroom. It was a perfect day we loved capturing alongside Ryann Lindsey Photography.

The Wedding:

Shannon and Adam’s Royal Palms wedding was pure romance. Shannon looked incredible in her delicate lace wedding dress and stunning hair and makeup by the talented ladies over at HVH Faces. Adam rocked his navy tux and blush pink tie. Then add in a retro red getaway car to the couple’s portrait session and we are obsessed!

Shannon and Adam were truly made for each other, they are true best friends and soulmates. There was not a dry eye in the crowd during their ceremony as they read their vows to one another and became husband and wife when they said “I do”.

Imoni Events did an amazing job planning and designing their romantic day. Every detail was planned out perfectly to compliment their wedding day vision. The blush and navy color palette that they had is such a classic look.

Wildflower AZ outdid themselves on their gorgeous floral design throughout every aspect of the day. I was obsessed with Shannons delicate and romantic bouquet. It complemented her look perfectly. The arrangements in their ballroom were placed perfectly between tons of romantic burning candles that made for an unforgettable reception evening for their guests to enjoy the night.

The dance floor was packed all evening long with guests dancing and everyone had a drink in their hand. They danced the night away and ended the evening with an epic sparkler exit and an appearance from that rad retro red car again! It was a perfect ending to their perfect day!

Venue: Royal Palms
Planning & Design: Regan with Imoni Events
Photographer: Ryann Lindsey Photography
Videographer: Simply Cinema
Florist: The Wildflower AZ
Hair & Make Up: HVH Faces
Stationary: Celebrations in Paper
Entertainment: DJ Groove Tech
Photobooth: Luxe Photo Lounge

So many of our couples have never hired a videographer before so it can be a bit overwhelming as you shop around. Wedding Videographers all offer pretty much the same options but often times call them different things. I’d like to demystify the terminology for you to help educate you on the process and hopefully make it a bit easier on our couples as they shop around for wedding filmmakers.

Feature Film or Highlight Film

A Feature Film or Highlight Film is a summary of your wedding day. It is all of the major events from your wedding day summarized into a customized story. Serendipity films have lots of audio in them so you can hear what was said and what people were feeling that day. Some companies do more of a music video with limited audio in it. Feature Films or Highlight Films are edited to music.

Documentary Style Film

A Documentary Style Film is a specific part of your wedding day edited in its entirety. For example a Ceremony Documentary Style Film is your entire Ceremony edited from beginning to end. How that is different from a Feature Film is the Feature Film is only going to have snippets from your Ceremony. The Documentary Style Film is your entire Ceremony. Most companies will offer many options for Documentary Style Films including a Ceremony, Documentary Style Film, Toast Documentary Style Film or First Dances Documentary Style Film.

Raw Footage

Raw Footage is all of the footage from the wedding day. But it is unedited, it is Raw.

Interactive Menu

This is how Serendipity delivers a wedding film. It looks like a DVD but it is not the clunky technology that is a DVD. It is a cloud based technology with each film being downloadable and easily able to be shared. It is the new latest and greatest in wedding film delivery technology. DVD’s and USB’s are a dying technology.

Only 50% of couples hire a videographer for their wedding day and I am often baffled how in all the years I have been doing this that that statistic hasn’t shifted much… especially with the invention of social media, You Tube and entire shows dedicated to videos on the internet. There is a reason Instagram started allowing 15 second videos, then Stories on their platform and has recently introduced IGTV to feature longer videos and why Facebook years ago allowed embedding of videos and more recently live videos. Video is the reason some people have careers with some You Tubers making millions of dollars now… Video is where its at… Think about what the first thing you look at online is when reading an article or consuming your media. Is it an article?? Or do you watch the video… Yet couples often times still see a wedding film as either a luxury or an item they will add at the end if budget allows. Sadness… Tear… So I am going to give you my very best pitch on why every couple should have a wedding film.

How often do you have every person that you love in one room together…

That moment needs to be documented… The love, the laughter, the emotions. It is one of the happiest days of your life and those around you are there sharing in that celebration. That celebration needs to be documented. Who is apart of your wedding day may not be in your life 10 years from now. Life happens… parents and grandparents get older. You can’t take for granted that those that are at your wedding will be with us forever. Take advantage of this moment to be able to remember it and celebrate it with your family and children you may have one day.

Photos and Video go hand and hand…

Of course you are going to have a Photographer. But a Photographer catches moments, snapshots. What a Wedding Film will give you is the sound from the day, the emotion in real moving moments. They go hand in hand. A Wedding Film allows you to see your wedding day in a totally different medium. We document your day so differently than a Photographer and show you often times totally different moments you didn’t know existed. I have never had someone say that they had too many memories of their wedding day by hiring a Photographer and Videographer.

Video is just easy these days…

With how easy it is to upload and share videos online why would you not have a wedding film?? You can send it to all of your family and friends who attended and to those that didn’t. So more people can share in the memories!!

Wedding Videos are not what they used to be…

Now they are films… Customized stories of your wedding day that are both cinematic and emotional. They are interesting and they draw you in. They are something you will enjoy watching for years to come.

I promise you’ll watch it…

1. Some people say they will never watch it… I disagree… They watch it at the minimum on their wedding anniversary. But more importantly don’t you just want to have it… just in case… for that day when you do decide to watch it. I wouldn’t want to feel the regret of wishing I had something that I never could do over or get back. That panic would be awful.

When we met Hannah and Josh we knew their day would be full of class, tons of fun, and blush pink. The moment we arrived and saw the set up by Imoni Events we knew we were in for a treat. From Hannah’s gorgeous blush details, to the emotional first look (we were all in tears!), to the fun floral champagne bar. There was no detail left undone.

El Chorro is one of our favorite venues to film at. It is not a huge sprawling property which is a good thing for both guest experience as well as your vendors. The ceremony site is right next to where the cocktail hour is held which is right next to the ballroom where your reception is held. All of this making for a flowing and easy guest experience. The aesthetic of this property as well as the foliage makes for the most stunning backdrop for your photos. Everything is green all year round including the artificial turf they had installed a few years back again making your walk down the aisle flawless and beautiful. The ballroom at El Chorro is a blank canvas that you can make your very own with whatever color palette you have chosen for your wedding.

Now back to this super cute couple… Through out the entire day Josh could not keep his eyes off Hannah. The love these two have for each other is indescribable and the fun these two have together is unreal. Josh and Hannah are perfectly made for one another and we couldn’t feel more honored to have captured their love story. Seriously wishing we can do this day over and over again. You just have to watch their feature film to understand!

Vendors: Photographer: Andrew Jade Photography // Videographer: Simply Cinema // Venue: El Chorro // Planning & Design: Sarrah with Imoni Events // Florist: Flower Studio // Entertainment: Sweetwater Strings & DJ Groove Tech // Stationary: Victoria York Design

This romantic Royal Palms wedding, where do we even begin? The connection Josh and Christina have is almost indescribable. Their love, fun flirty actions, and affection towards one another is so contagious. I have never felt so excited during a first look. Christina could not wait for Josh to turn around, and as soon as he did she couldn’t help but jump up and down with joy. (Seriously, watch their wedding trailer!) It was the sweetest moment, and they didn’t stop there.

If I were to ever renew our vows, my wedding may look a little something like this. The moody colors, the black velvet chairs, and the dark flowers. Seriously, I’m in love. This wedding was perfectly Josh and Christina. We honestly couldn’t feel more blessed we were there to capture their love. Congrats Josh and Christina!

FEATURE FILM:

Vendors: Photographer: Andrew Jade Photography // Videographer: Simply Cinema // Planning + Design: Sarrah with Imoni Events // Venue: Royal Palms // Floral + Decor: Sarah’s Garden // Hair: Pin & Primp // Makeup: Mischief Makeup // Rentals: Glamour & Woods + Event Rents // Linens: BBJ Linen + La Tavola Linen // Stationary: Victoria York Design

A Royal Palms wedding in the Alegria garden is absolutely dreamy. The rain kept this couple out of the Alegria Garden for their nuptials but they didn’t let that ruin their wedding day.

The Wedding

It was time for Plan B. Plan B was so gorgeous though that you never would have known that it wasn’t Plan A!! They wed under a covered patio overlooking a reflection pond. The Ceremony had candelabras and a wooden cross adorned in greenery and ivory floral. Their reception was draped with deep, rich, shades of merlot and more candles that created a romantic ambience for an incredible celebration of their commitment to one another. From the gold Chavari chairs to what looked like hand drawn floral escort cards to a gorgeous 3 tiered cake decorated with the same merlot floral motif that carried throughout the event there was no detail that wasn’t carefully planned or designed by this discerning bride and it was all perfection.

The Bride and Groom

The bride to be wore a lace gown that had intricate beading and sleeves. While conservative in nature it was eye catching and stunned. Her accessories and floral hair piece along with her veil was the perfect complement to this stunning gown. The groom wore a classic black tux and bow tie. As she made her way down the aisle to her groom he wiped a tear from his eye. So moved my his gorgeous bride to be.

Royal Palms Wedding Video

Team Of Wedding Pros

This team was awesome.  They all did such a great job with the weather hiccup and the bride and grooms wedding was a successful, loving day!

Venue: The Royal Palms
Event Planner: Meant 2 Be Events
Photographer: Ben & Kelly Photography
Florist: Kate Ryan Design
DJ: Valley Mix DJ
Invitations: Be In Love Designs