The Sedona Weddings and Corporate Events Guide

         Representing Vendors, Venues, Services and More 

   Sedona is a buzz.  A group of over 20 leading Sedona vendors and venues have joined together to become, ‘The Sedona Wedding Studio.”  Here, brides can find superb, well known and established Sedona vendors all under one roof in a gorgeous showroom complete with conferencing areas, helpful resources, video and slide shows, merchandise and much more.

   Brides can peruse their favorite venues and vendors with slide show images of exceptional past weddings and look through picture books and catalogues supplied by each vendor.  With this exciting group of talented artists and professionals, The Sedona Wedding Studio has instantly become the hub of the Sedona wedding professionals community!  Stop by and see why no wedding will be complete without a visit to The Sedona Wedding Studio.   

   Located at 1710 West Hwy. 89A, the Sedona Wedding Studio gives many of the top Sedona vendors exposure on 89A. where they did not have it before.  Beautiful displays of everything a bride could want fill the studio and showroom including spectacular cake displays, fabulous flowers, lovely photography, music, table settings and samples.  Brides now have the convenience of having the most outstanding Sedona vendors coming to them in pre-arranged consecutive appointments instead of spending their valuable and limited time traveling all over town seeking meetings and information.  

   More participants are being invited and our exclusive list is growing fast. Brides can save time and money, avoid worry and have the confidence of knowing that they have found the source for the best Sedona wedding professionals available in Sedona today.  Best of all, brides can actually have fun and enjoy planning their weddings with so many great people.  The Sedona Wedding Studio purpose is to provide excellence, experience and dependability so all our brides can have a wonderful and worry free wedding experience. 

  Say, ” I will” and contact a vendor or venue through “The Sedona Wedding Studio” today.  You will be glad you did.  Contact information for all of the Sedona Wedding Studio vendors and venues can be found on our “Vendor Endorsements” link located under “People” on this blog.  Watch for the studio’s fabulous new website and on-line appointment book coming in the next few weeks.  

The Sedona Wedding Studio proudly represents:

1.  Sedona Bride –  Photography by Katrina Wallace and Andrew Mejia

2.  Sedona Cake Couture – Andrea Blaut 

3.  Sedona Sounds – DJ – Bobby Russell

4.  Events By Show Stoppers – Flowers / Lighting / Decor – Ken Heflin and Jim Bullock

5.  Sedona wedding Planner – Karen Lynn

6.  Van Damme Weddings – Planning – Margaret Van Damme

7.  Sedona Luxury Weddings – Planning – J.B. Bloomfield

8.  L’Auberge de Sedona 

9.  Amara Resort and Spa

10.  Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village and Chapel

11.  El Portal Inn

12.  Artists in Rhythm – Live music – Steve Douglas 

13.  Cucina Rustica – Catering / Rehearsal Dinners and Reception Venue

14.  Tri-Rentals – Deb Beggs / Tenting, Linens, Tables, Chairs, Flatware, Table Settings

15.  Particia Vega – Hair and Make-up

16.  Weddings In Sedona – Planning – Susan Perry

17. Liz Margin – Make-up 

18.  Gypsy Winds Carriage Company – Horse ( Gentleman ) and Carriages.  Jackie Harrison.

19.  The Hilton Resort and Spa

20.  Seven Canyons Golf Club ( with special sponsorship by Show Stoppers for non-member brides )

21. Garland’s Lodge ( Limited Sunday afternoon weddings only )

Ken and I are so pleased that the Arizona Events Industry and the International Special Events Society awarded Show Stoppers the “Zonie” for “Best Event Decor 2008.”  The award was presented at the annual I.S.E.S. awards dinner which was held at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale Arizona on May 13th.

Show Stoppers won the accolades by transforming the cavernous Pavilion at the Scottsdale Princess into a Las Vegas night club for 800 guests. The project was brought to the attention of I.S.E.S. by Deb Beggs of Tri-Rentals in Phoenix.  You may see photos and a time lapse video of this event in our corporate events category on this blog or from our home page eventsbyshowstoppers.com

Our next Phoenix project will be designing the 10th Anniversary Gala for Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine to be held at the Arizona Grand Resort on June 3rd.  Watch for photos of this event coming soon.

  Ken and I are thrilled that Events By Show Stoppers has made the cover of Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine!  Our dear friends Katrina and Andrew, SedonaBride.com captured this intimate moment through the sensitive eyes of their exceptional photography.  This charming image embodied everything the magazine wanted to say about romance, innocence and style. Congratulations Katrina and Andrew, you are true artists and the best kinds of friends to have.  Congratulations to Ken for designing such a fashion forward and colorful centerpiece and bouquet.  What a team!

  Be sure to get a copy or visit PhoenixBrideandGroom.com and see the lovely 10th Anniversary issue.  Congratulations to Fran, Stephanie, Jennifer, Renea and the entire Phoenix Bride and Groom staff.  This edition is stunning and we are so honored to be so well represented in this historical issue.  The Show Stopper’s team wishes the Phoenix Bride and Groom staff continued success and kudos for consistently bringing fashionable images and valuable information to the forefront of the bridal industry through this important publication.

     Here is a cover to whet any appetite.  More of these fabulous images can be found in the Sedona Section where the floral work of Events By Show Stoppers and the photography of Sedona bride is featured in a lavish two-page spread.  Don’t stop there!  

   In still another section, readers will find an exotic Moroccan style wedding where every detail was overseen by Show Stoppers and photographed by Katrina and Andrew at L’Auberge de Sedona. See more at Lauberge.com.  

  Don’t miss Show Stopper’s ad featuring another stunning rose petal carpet inspired by Navajo weavings.  Here are some other wonderful images.

Ken’s centerpiece is jaw-dropping gorgeous.  He used mounds of orange pin cushion protea, lavender stock, gold cymbidium orchids and deep red roses. If ever a floral design could be called sexy, this is it.  HOT.

Here is our latest rose petal carpet.  We were inspired by patterns seen in jeweled Egyptian collars.  ( An idea picked up by watching old movies.) 

  Guests are always intrigued when they enter an area and come upon designs like this for the first time.  From a distance they can’t often relate to just what the design is.  When they get closer and realize it is thousands of rose petals, they are astonished.

This close up is so cool.  Katrina said it looks like a road of rose petals going around a bend.

Here is the exquisite bouquet.  Ken’s creation features gloriosa lilies, bougainvillea, pin cushion protea, heather and hypericum berries.  Ken’s signature designs spill with texture, depth and color.

We love this image.  Katrina got it all.  What color, composition and intimacy. 

    Wait until you see what’s next!  Jim was inspired while watching one of his favorite moves, “The Ten Commandments.”  He got this idea during one of the opening scenes.  Princess Nefertiti, while reclining on a balcony, plucks flowers from a lovely garland of acacia and anemones to shower her Prince as he entered the city among the adoring crowds shouting ” Moses! Moses!  This boa sports 1000 daffodils.  Outrageous.

 Katrina thought it would be fun to let the groom wear the boa too. What a sport.  Blake was eager to comply.  Everyone comments how wonderfully the golden yellow pops against the beige color of the winter grasses in Oak Creek Canyon.  

This was actually the second daffodil garland Jim has made. The first was designed years ago for a sculpture in the courtyard of the Jr. League building in Houston. He made it for a wedding reception and brunch honoring the Duchess of  Windsor the following day.

We will close with this shot of several of us on the Show Stopper’s team installing the carpet.

Oh, one more thing.  People always ask what happens to all those rose petals…

Show Stoppers was asked to design the 10th Anniversary Phoenix Bride and Groom Gala held at the Arizona Grand resort on June 3rd.  We were thrilled to be working along side Victoria Canada Weddings and Events who oversaw every detail to perfection.  See a slide show of the shoot here:  http://sedonabride.com/pbg-cover-shoot/   

For those of you who may not know, Ken and I also own Nectar Designs in Tlaquepaque.  Our store is located in Suite A.114.

Nectar offers competitively priced wedding packages that are custom designed for brides being married at Tlaquepaque.  (Show Stoppers also has great packages for brides being married at other venues in Sedona. )

To keep prices reasonable,  Nectar’s floral packages are designed to streamline wedding services by eliminating time consuming personal appointments and replacing them with phone and/ or on-line conferencing.  This saves everyone time including the brides and eliminates the need to travel to Sedona just to make simple flower choices.  No personal appointments are scheduled for brides wanting our exclusive packages.  Phone conferencing with designers is of course available anytime with pre-arranged scheduling.  Photos, price lists, booking information and reservation forms are available at Nectar Designs or via e-mail.  Sales associates will be happy to provide this material but will not be available for lengthy discussions.  All information is provided in the information they provide.

Not all brides will want a wedding package. Those brides may choose to have custom bouquets with more involved services and discuss their needs with one of our designers.  Budgets, as always, depend on flower choices, season and availability.

The big bonus is that Tlaquepaque brides have the convenience and confidence of an “on property” wedding floral service that focuses on them.  By having an “in house” service that provides flowers exclusively for Tlaquepaque brides, prices can be kept reasonable and the wedding day worry free.

More involved weddings needing services not provided by Nectar Designs will be directed to Events By Show Stoppers.  While Nectar Designs is a different company, flowers will never the less be filed by the same superb designers that have earned Show Stoppers the reputation we enjoy.

This is a great opportunity for Tlaquepaque brides who want to choose from our different packages to have gorgeous flowers at substantial savings without compromising the quality of the flowers.  Please call Show Stoppers at 928-203-9096 for information or stop by Nectar Designs in Tlaquepaque Suite A.114.

Admittedly, we do not know the first thing about make-up, but we do know when we see stunning brides that look like professional models.  Liz Margin has the exceptional talent of bringing out the most flattering features of her clients.  Her credentials are lengthy and impressive.  The best thing to do is visit her website, lizmargin.com and judge for yourself when you read her profile and see the stunning women in her gallery.

In ever increasing numbers, Liz Margin is working with the same brides as Show Stoppers.  It is no accident that the best Sedona vendors seem to always wind up working with the same brides.  Brides seem to gravitate towards those Sedona vendors who provide the highest quality.

Liz Margin is a huge addition to our vendor endorsements.  We are so pleased to include her among our very favorite Sedona wedding vendors.  Liz is truly a professional in a league above all the rest.

This gorgeous portrait was taken by Katrina Wallace, Sedonabride.com

Return to Eventsbyshowstoppers.com

Every time we see Cameron’s work we are amazed with her talent and her distinctive style.  We first met Cameron when she asked Show Stoppers to provide floral and decor for her lovely wedding at the base of the San Francisco peaks in Flagstaff.  Since then, we have had the pleasure of working with Cameron on many weddings in Sedona as well as Flagstaff.

Cameron just opened a lovely boutique photography studio with her friend, Jamelle Kelly.  Their work can be viewed in person at their studio and gallery in downtown Flagstaff right off Heritage Square.  There is lots of information and tons of photos on their blog and website, Cameronkellystudio.com. There are also several more Show Stoppers weddings you will enjoy seeing.

After viewing Cameron’s work, you can really get a feel for how she captures images normally overlooked by ordinary eyes.  She has the ability to get those unexpected shots when special things happen that make every wedding unique.

Cameron is a true artist and we always look forward to working with her, whether in Flagstaff or Sedona.  Be sure to look for many of her photos in our wedding galleries.  One of our favorite images appears in the frame with changing photos on our home page.  It is the one with the bride and groom under the lantern.

If you are looking for exceptional photography, be sure to consider Cameron.  She travels and can help you with your dream wedding no matter where it is.

Return to ShowStoppers web site:  Eventsbyshowstoppers.com

One of the most beautiful places to be married in Arizona’s high country is Forest Highlands Golf Club in Flagstaff.  This private golf club and community is one of our very favorites.  Not only is it a beautiful setting but the staff could not be more courteous and professional.  You can visit Forest Highlands at this link:  www.fhgc.com

Laura and Nate’s wedding fell on a very cool day so the weddng was moved into the Meadow House.  It was so lovely.  Guests were able to see the spectacular San Francisco peaks beyond the green fairways and pine forest.  Our friend, Cameron Clark did the photography.  Cameron has such talent and a style all her own.  She brings an edginess to her work that we just love.  Be sure not to miss her fabulous new blog and website, cameronkellystudio.com.  There are other weddings created by Show Stoppers on her newly redesigned site.   Cameron is our newest featured vendor, so be sure to read her profile coming soon.We created another one of our popular rose petal carpets and sprinkled the outside edge with additional petals to soften the effect of reflected light on the polished concrete floor.  Two varieties of red roses with slightly different tones were used to get that rich effect.  Duel colored deep orange petals made the contrasting border.

This is such a cute shot Cameron captured of the little flower girl being escorted down the aisle.

We used our rustic pedestals with pretty autumnal flowers at the end of the aisle.  The view did the rest.

Laura’s bride’s maids were gorgeous.  They all loved Ken’s bouquets and how they popped against their chocolate brown gowns.

Ken made Laura’s bouquet with lots of autumn color and woodsy textures.   Autumn really is Ken’s favorite time of year for weddings because of the seasonal rich colors and textures available.

Laura and Nate’s wedding was an absolute pleasure to create.  With such a lovely couple, gorgeous setting, beautiful wedding party, perfect time of year ( and yes, with Show Stoppers and Cameron ) how could it have been anything but perfect.

You may click on any photo to enlarge.

Return to Show Stoppers web site here:  eventsbyshowstoppers.com.

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If you are planning a Sedona wedding, L’Auberge de Sedona should be among the venues you are considering.  There are so many things to take into account before you make your decision.  L’Auberge has everything a bride could want for a picture perfect wedding.  Ceremony sites range from serene creek side settings to dramatic red rock views.  There are numerous accommodations in every price range at L’Auberge and her adjoining sister properties Amara Resort and The Orchards.

The grounds are beautifully landscaped with lovely flowers everywhere.  The log cottages are charming with many being right on Oak Creek.  The fragrance of juniper burning in the fireplaces hangs in the trees during the cooler seasons.  Huge trees are everywhere and autumn brings spectacular colors of yellow, rust and reds to all the foliage.  L’Auberge is gorgeous during every season.

The food is simply superb.  World class chefs prepare the finest cuisine imaginable and the service can’t be beat.  Depending on the number of guests, there are several choices for the reception, including the Monet ballroom and the popular Creek House.  L’Auberge is being expanded and will soon have chauffeured Gemcars to whisk guests right up the hill to uptown shopping, restaurants, sightseeing and trolley stops.  One huge advantage is that guests do not have to drive after a night of celebrating.

Kara Clark Cristman and Meghan Rudolph are in-house specialists when it comes to the nuts and bolts of planning your wedding.  There are several wedding coordinators endorsed by L’Auberge that can assist with even more detailed planning if you wish.  L’Auberge de Sedona is already one of the most popular wedding venues in Sedona.  With the completion of their marvelous expansions, L’Auberge will be the undisputed resort of choice for a wedding in Sedona.  Please visit L’Auberge here: Lauberge.com. You will find much more information, great photos and discover why L’Auberge is a Show Stopper favorite for a beautiful Sedona wedding.  You may click on the photos to enlarge them.

Here are some beautiful slide shows by Katrina Wallace and Andrew Mejia spotlighting different areas at L’Auberge.

1.  “A Journey to Marrakesh”  This was the wonderful Moroccan themed wedding of Tara and Micah.  The ceremony was on the cottage side lawn.  The reception was held in the Monet ballroom:  A Journey To Marrakesh

2.  “Sweet Love”  This was a lovely cottage side wedding for Jennifer and Josh:  www.sedonabride.com/lauberge/cottageside1/

3.  “Jayna and Dan”  This charming wedding was Creek side at the Creek House:  www.sedonabride.com/jayna-dan/

4.  “Love is in the air”  This was the beautiful hillside wedding of Laura and Grant:  www.sedonabride.com/lauberge/hillside2/

Return to Show Stopper’s here:  Eventsbyshowstoppers.com.

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If it has to do with music for a wedding in Sedona, Steve Douglas is the man… he really is “The Music Man.”  Steve has made music his passion since he was nine years old.  Steve’s company, “Artists in Rhythm” is an entertainment services provider.  As an accomplished musician in his own right, Steve has access to over 300 superb musicians, from solo bagpipers to big band productions.  His services are available throughout Arizona.

There is no music genre that Steve cannot deliver to meet his client’s vision.  He produces just the right sound and mix to make the evening’s music everything his clients had hoped for and more.  Anything from a trio to a big band can easily be arranged by Steve for the perfect sound.  If a client wants a particular piece of music that is not currently in his repertoire, he simply writes a custom arrangement for all the instruments and performs it.  Steve is a gifted artist.

Steve is an entertainer and looks like it.  His has that star quality that comes with experience and good taste.  Steve presents a great image that works with whatever the evening requires.  His performances can be formal when need be or casual to cool.

If live music is your passion, Steve Douglas is one stop shopping at its best.  Visit Steve here:  Artistsinrhythm.com His website allows you to hear samples of his music and gives you much more great information, including photos of many of the musicians with whom he performs.

We at Show Stoppers particularly like working with Steve because he is a team player.  He is just as concerned about the evening’s success as a whole as we are.  Steve Douglas is truly a Sedona celebrity and we are always eager to tout his services and talent.  When Show Stoppers is finished with all the lighting, flowers and decorating, Steve steps in and takes the evening to yet another level.  He is the best.

Return to Show Stopper’s website here:  Eventsbyshowstoppers.com

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To celebrate its 25th anniversary, L’Auberge de Sedona has initiated an ambitious expansion project that will make it one of the highest rated resorts in the Southwest.  The $25 million expansion will emphasize Sedona’s natural beauty and incorporate this theme into every aspect of the property.

The popular creek side and cottage side cottages will have wonderfully expanded decks for dining and viewing beautiful babbling Oak Creek.  Both existing and new cottages will have private outdoor showers to better enjoy the lovely Oak Creek experience.  A partially underground multilevel garage will provide guests with convenient valet parking.  All blacktop on the property will be eliminated and 50 new native trees will be planted.  L’Auberge will get 25% of its energy requirements from new solar panels that will be installed over the covered parking.  Guests will be personally chauffeured around the property and uptown by electric Gemcars that will alleviate vehicle congestion, pollution and noise.  Check in will be moved out of the main lodge and rebuilt near the restaurant so guests can immediately begin enjoying Oak Creek views when they arrive.

One of the most exciting aspects of the expansion is the addition of 20 luxurious hillside cottages that will finally give guests the choice of cottages with red rock views or creek side bungalows, making L’Auberge the only resort in Sedona offering both!  The project will include major additions to the spa, including a yoga room and exercise room.  L’Auberge will be able to provide guests poolside activities with the addition of a gorgeous swimming pool adjacent to the spa.  The popular creek side outdoor restaurant will be covered and heated to allow yearlong creek side dining.  There are many more improvements on the agenda that will collectively make L’Auberge the place to be in Sedona.

The project is scheduled to be finished by July 2009 and will make the already fabulous L’Auberge de Sedona one of the most romantic and versatile venues for weddings in Sedona and indeed the entire Southwest.  You may visit Lauberge.com for construction updates and a special video on “project elevation” hosted by L’Auberge General Manager, Joe Mottershead, the brilliant visionary behind this incredible expansion.

For more information pertaining to weddings at L’Auberge, visit our “featured venues” category for an upcoming write-up and see why Show Stoppers touts L’Auberge as our favorite Sedona resort wedding venue.

Return to Show Stopper’s website here: Eventsbyshowstoppers.com