When it came time to decide on the location of their wedding, this couple did something a little unconventional. They moved their entire wedding to Arizona so that the bride's grandparents could attend! 

We love this story because it's the perfect example of a couple putting the focus on what really matters. There are beautiful venues all over the world, no matter where life takes you. What truly matters on your wedding day is that you are able to celebrate with the people that mean the most to you, be it in person (like this stunning wedding) or virtual.

After officially deciding on a destination wedding, this couple knew they would need the help of a talented planner and put their trust in  J.Starr Wedding Company.  Omni Montelucia  was the perfect venue and really showcased the unique desert landscape. They kept the design timeless with muted pastel tones for the florals and  Lux Florist  did a beautiful job at bringing their vision to life in these stunning arrangements.  Rachel Solomon Photography  took these lovely photos that glow in the warm Arizona sun. Keep reading to hear more from the bride about how everything came together and all of the special details that made this wedding so personal.

Luxe Wedding Vendors

After officially deciding on a destination wedding, this couple knew they would need the help of a talented planner and put their trust in  J.Starr Wedding Company . Omni Montelucia  was the perfect venue and really showcased the unique desert landscape. 

They kept the design timeless with muted pastel tones for the florals and  Lux Florist  did a beautiful job at bringing their vision to life in these stunning arrangements.  Rachel Solomon Photography  took these lovely photos that glow in the warm Arizona sun. Keep reading to hear more from the bride about how everything came together and all of the special details that made this wedding so personal. 

Details of The Wedding

It didn’t take Andrew and I very long to know we were meant to be. The logistics of a wedding between an Alaskan and a dual British citizen living in Atlanta initially seemed quite complicated. However, prioritizing the attendance of my elderly grandparents soon became the main focus, and the decision to have a wedding where they lived was made–lucky for us they live in beautiful Arizona! I always imagined a classic and timeless wedding.

When it came time to plan, I realized that I also wanted to make it intimate and personal-the littlest details became the most important. We had our friend as the officiant, wrote our own vows, had personalized English crackers as party favors, used my grandma’s favorite song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for the family processional, used my grandparents’ song for the anniversary dance, and selected songs from my childhood memories with my parents to play throughout the reception. I wanted to create a wedding that was unique to our love story while also showcasing my admiration for my grandparents' 60+ year marriage and parents’ marriage.

Luxury Arizona Wedding Venue

The Omni Montelucia Resort provided timeless elegance with breathtaking views. We had our guests greeted with champagne as they arrived. Our ceremony was stunning with rose petals lining the way to a gorgeous floral arch in front of Camelback mountain

Vintage Large Mirror

After cocktail hour, a vintage large gold mirror with calligraphy directed guests to their seats inside for our reception, a beautiful space decorated with classic white lace linens, gold chargers, gold Chiavari chairs, and an assortment of floral centerpieces with floating candles. 

The Wedding Menu

Andrew’s main contribution to the wedding was in the food selection and the Omni Montelucia did not disappoint! Guests are still commenting on the signature jalapeño margaritas, braised short rib, dessert table complete with salted caramel wedding cake, and late-night chicken sandwiches.

Our guests from all over the world (Thailand, Egypt, Canada, Alaska, and across the United States) were on the dance floor all night long! The most magical day of our lives seems like it was yesterday, and friends and family are still talking about how it was the best wedding they’ve ever attended

Special Thanks

Our wedding planner, Jennifer Starr made it all happen! She connected us with vendors who not only provided the highest quality but also the most compassion and kindness. We are so incredibly thankful to all of them (Rachel Solomon Photography, Ethington Productions, Ray the DJ, Makiaj Beauty, Lux Florist, Rox Ink Calligraphy). We were able to truly enjoy the day knowing that we had a trusted team working together to bring our vision to life. We are forever grateful to our families for their love and support in making our dream come true! See all the images in the full gallery.

• Wedding Photographers: Rachel Solomon Photography
• Event Planning & Design: J.Starr Wedding Company
• Venues: Omni Montelucia
• Flowers: Lux Florist
• Hair, Makeup & Beauty: Makiaj Beauty
• Cakes & Catering: A Bakeshop
• Wedding DJ: Ray the DJ
• Wedding Films: Ethington Productions
• Paper Goods & Calligraphy: Rox Ink Calligraphy
• Rentals: Retro Rentals
• Paper Goods & Calligraphy: Minted
• Accessories & Lingerie: Badgley Mischka
• Rentals: Southwick Linens
• Rentals: The Event Co