Sedona Wedding Professionals

Create Magic

  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!  See the incredibly gorgeous SLIDE SHOW HERE:

Phoenix Bride

And Groom Magazine

  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.  Visit L’Auberge HERE:

  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.

L’Auberge de Sedona…..  Perfect for Rose Petal Carpets

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.

Sedona Wedding Shoot at L’Auberge…  Fabulous Bridal Bouquet

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 movies, “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…Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine was so inspired by this shoot that they honored Show Stoppers by asking us to design their 10th Anniversary 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.  Here is another chance to see the SLIDE SHOW HERE:     

Recently I was inspired by a program I saw about a festival in Tibet where thousands of flower petals were used to create an intricate carpet for seekers to trod upon as they entered a holy site.  Being a seeker of new things to do in my field, I decided to put my own spin on this idea and incorporate it into our weddings in Sedona. These great shots were taken by Katrina Wallace, Sedonabride.com, and really give an idea as to what can be done limited only by imagination and budget.  This bride from Manhattan wanted a carpet of yellow and green.

From above you can see the subtle crisscross pattern of peach roses against the yellow.  A space was left in the green grass and dotted with yellow craspidia and apple green Yoko Ono mums.  A yellow row of rose petals finished the border.

This detail shot gives a good idea how tedious one of these designs can be.  All of the flowers have to be right side up and spaced perfectly for the best effect.

Rose Petal Carpets Get Raves

Here is another special carpet we enjoyed designing.  This carpet was designed for a wedding reception at Seven Canyons.  The Sedona family owns one the the largest Navajo rug showrooms in the Southwest.  We thought it would be appropriate to design a piece inspired by the beautiful patterns seen in Native American rugs.  The pattern was first drawn onto graph paper then translated onto the grass inside the tent.  Pin spots with the palest pink gels popped the design.

We incorporated eagle feathers for the corners and added traditional Navajo crosses outside the perimeter.  Care had to be taken to choose pointed white rose petals to form the sharp lines of the concho design in the center.  Also, colors had to be selected that would contrast against each other to get the crisp lines of the piece.  In all, the petals of about 1000 roses were used for this carpet.

The bride and groom were announced.  They entered the tent walking through the carpet of petals to the astonishment and delight of all the guests.  Everyone was stunned.  If you would like to see more of this reception, please see a wonderful SLIDE SHOW HERE:  ( Notice our custom sewn and painted tent walls )  This became a Sedona Wedding to remember.

We have created dozens of these innovative carpets and have been overwhelmed with their popularity.  We will be featuring more in the future so please visit us often.  We would love to hear your comments and become acquainted.

This luscious carpet was designed for one of our New York brides.  We used Sterling Silver roses and a combination of ivory toned petals.  Jenawa wanted green incorporated somewhere so we narrowed the width of the piece to show more of the green lawn.  We used a champagne glass shape to keep within the spirit of a celebration.

You can see more of Jenawa and Adam’s wedding under our featured Weddings category.

This rose carpet was created for a autumn wedding at Forest Highlands Golf Club in Flagstaff.  We used two colors of red roses and deep orange roses to get the effect.  Petals were sprinkled along the outside edge to soften the reflections of light streaming in from the glass windows at the end of the aisle.  Photography by Cameron Clark,  www.cameronkellystudio.com

Return to Show Stopper’s website HERE:

  All of us are really pleased that InStyle Magazine has selected a Sedona wedding to publish in this important wedding industry publication that is distributed nationally and seen by thousands of readers.  There will be another image in the next issue of InStyle Magazine.  

Katrina and Andrew of Sedona Bride, did the wonderful photography and submitted the feature for consideration.  Visit Katrina and Andrew HERE:  Our friend, Andrea Blaut, did the colorful cup-cake tower which are always a hit and unsurpassed in their quality and charm.  Visit Andrea here:  The reception was held at Tlaquepaque, one of the most popular wedding venues in Sedona, making this another recognized wedding produced entirely by Sedona Wedding Studio vendors!  (  See previous post about the Sedona Wedding Studio ) Visit beautiful Tlaquepaque HERE:   

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

Eventsbyshowstoppers.com

Music is so important for a great wedding reception.  Sedona has one of the best DJs on the scene.  Bobby Russell is the key to making sure your guests have the best time ever.  It is not just about playing CDs.  Bobby works with his clients to develop play lists with all their favorite songs.  He considers the order of the songs and integrates them into the fabric of the evening at just the right time.  Once he gets an idea of what his client is needing, Bobby can suggest songs that work perfectly.  From time to time, Bobby’s wife, Sally, assists him.  Ken and I were honored to help them with their wedding some years ago and have come to know them as such good friends.

Bobby masters his state of the art sound equipment.  Everything is perfect and sleek.  It is a real treat just to hear him and watch him operate all the high-tech audio apparatus that he has such a passion for.  It never fails to amaze us how he can get so much sound to fill a room out of the little space he requires.  He is also an accomplished musician on piano, guitar and drums and provides services for corporate events.  He offers DVD Videography and slide shows too.  Such talent!

If you need a master of ceremonies or an announcement made, Bobby is perfect.  He will tailor his services around whatever you need him to do.  His presence is wonderful too.  Bobby has the look of an entertainer and is truly a Sedona celebrity with his infectious energy.  Sedona Sounds is the ticket to having a blast at your Sedona Wedding reception.  Needless to say, Bobby books very fast.  Call him today at 866-820-5550.  Visit Bobby HERE:

We just can’t close this feature without introducing Loni.  She is the newest addition to Bobby and Sally’s family and we just love her.

Return to Show Stopper’s website HERE:

Eventsbyshowstoppers.com

It is obvious by the quality of their photographs that Katrina Wallace and Andrew Mejia are two of the most talented photographers on the scene today.  I am not just talking about weddings in Sedona.  They have established a national reputation are are quickly being recognized as one of the best in the field of fine art photography.  There are so many images of their work on Eventsbyshowstoppers.com that you can easily see that Katrina and Andrew are among our very favorite photographers.  You really need to visit them at Sedonabride.com.  When you are there, take your time and look at everything.  You will quickly get in touch with why so many brides would have no one else photograph their Sedona wedding.   It’s a sensational body of work.

We can’t put it into words exactly, but we can just tell when we are looking at one of their images.  It’s something that has to do with being sensitive to what is going on around them, whether it is picking up on something that is being said, anticipating something that is about to happen or something that goes unseen by ordinary eyes in all the excitement.  They pursue emotion and capture it at just the right time.  They are prepared for subtle changes in light and any unanticipated moment that makes every wedding unique.  Whatever it is, they have the touch and the talent.  They are uncompromising when it come to their art.  And, they have the attention of their peers.

If you are lucky enough to commission  Katrina and Andrew, you are going to be in for one big thrill when you see the images of your Sedona wedding.  They travel too.  Ken and I cannot say enough about them.  But, we don’t really need to.  All one needs to do is look at their photography.  We are lucky to have such talent right here in Sedona.  Thank you Katrina and Andrew for all you do and for who you are.  All of us at Show Stoppers are huge fans.

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Tlaquepaque has to be one of the most charming venues in all of Arizona much less Sedona.  It is one of Show Stopper’s favorites for weddings and events.  Many brides choose Tlaquepaque as the location for their Sedona wedding because of the lovely Chapel and the courtyards where beautiful weddings and receptions take place.

Huge sycamore trees surround Tlaquepaque and provide cool peaceful shade while shoppers stroll through the stylish shops and restaurants.  The architecture is reminiscent of an old world village in Mexico.   All the courtyards have lovely fountains with the centerpiece being the grand fountain in Patio Del Norte.

The huge fountain is a Show Stopper favorite every Thanksgiving and Christmas when we fill it with lavish seasonal floral displays.  Here we have used gourds, pumpkins. red pyracantha berries, fruited persimmon branches, sunflowers, marigolds, chrysanthemums, squash, cattails and hops.  When finished, we turn on the water and let it spill through the display.  Click the photo to see more detail.

Tlaquepaque at Christmas is one of the best times of the year to visit.  We love to decorate the Chapel’s arched entry and try something new each year.  It is a big bonus for the December bride who chooses Tlaquepaque for her Sedona wedding.

Last year in 2007, Show Stoppers designed the Chapel arch with granny smith apples, lemons, giant sugar cones, lichen covered branches, gourds, fir boughs and copper ribbon.  One of the best things about installing Tlaquepaque decorations is the audience that gathers around and watches us work.   Be sure to click on the photo to enlarge the details.

In 2006, we decorated the chapel with stark white winter branches, red apples, giant sugar cones and blue spruce.

Evening wedding receptions at Tlaquepaque are magical.  Guests are always thrilled with the ambiance and brides never forget their really special wedding that would not have been the same at any other venue.

You can see why Sedona brides line up to reserve this gorgeous property.  Its about the ambiance and romantic settings that cannot be found anywhere else.

Check back often for more show stopping photos of recent weddings and events we have created at this exceptional property.

Tlaquepaque books quickly.  For more information and more great photos, go to Tlaq.com.  Jill Kryiakopulous will be happy to speak with you.  Be sure to mention we sent you!

While you are visiting Tlaquepaque, please visit our sister store, NECTAR Suite A.114.  We carry fabulous turquoise and silver jewelry by important Native American artists.  The store also carries imported decorative items, religious items, folk art, home furnishings, textiles, and much more. You can even shop at NECTAR by going to the online store on the Tlaquepaque web site, Tlaq.com

                           Return to Show Stopper’s HERE:

Eventsbyshowstoppers.com

Margaret Van Damme is one of Sedona’s finest coordinators.  The fact that she brings years of experience to the Sedona wedding professionals community places her squarely on our vendor endorsement page.  Margaret is among the most respected and well liked wedding professionals in Sedona.

Margaret and Show Stoppers have a great working chemistry.  Every wedding we have done together has been a joy for several reasons.  Listening is such an important factor in understanding what a bride needs, even if she may not know exactly how to put it into words.  Margaret has the insight to immediately pick up on those little clues and translate them to us in simple, clear language.  That kind of intuitiveness only comes with experience.   Communication skills like this makes our jobs so much easier and ultimately makes the bride forever grateful.  Every single bride raves about Margaret and her abilities.

Margaret offers several wedding packages so there is always just the right plan to suit every budget and requirement.  Her time lines are well thought out to make everything run smoothly and take all the stress right out of her bride’s wedding.

Hiring a wedding coordinator, no matter how small the wedding, is the best thing you can do.  You will avoid wasteing time, money and those big problems that can come from overlooking some seemingly small detail.  Margaret will guide you right through to the end of your special day.  Visit Margaret HERE:  You will be glad you did!  Margaret Van Damme is one of Show Stopper’s very favorite professioals.

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