Raelyn & Mitch: Spring Splendor in AZ

With beautiful weather and sunny skies, there are few things better than a spring day in Arizona. Raelyn and Mitch picked a perfect day to tie the knot at Stonebridge Manor by Wedgewood Weddings. Ready for a fairytale event? Stonebridge Manor is a true oasis in the middle of the desert, and Mitch and Raelyn were drawn to all the greenery found at the expansive estate. 

Hear from the couple themselves as to what their guests had to say about Stonebridge Manor:

So many of our guests said they loved our wedding style and venue, and how green the landscape was. The pool was a hit, as I think that is something unique that not a lot of venues have.

On the big day, Raelyn spent the day getting ready with her bridesmaids and VIPs. They wore matching cozy sets and sipped mimosas while getting their hair and makeup done. After the girls were primped and ready, they headed to Stonebridge Manor to put their dresses on and for final touches. Raelyn put her gorgeous gown on in the get-ready room, and the ladies took a few moments to relax before the festivities started. Meanwhile, Mitch and his groomsmen were getting ready in their get-ready room in style - with pizza and beer. Raelyn shared a funny behind-the-scenes story:

We were a little bit behind when it came to the photo schedule because of the boys, surprisingly not the ladies. None of them knew how to put on their boutonnieres!

Raelyn and Mitch chose to do a first look before their ceremony. With the spread of the property, the couple's photographers from Finch and June were able to capture so many amazing moments. The couple did their first look in front of the dramatic pool and among the lush ivy, making for a lovely backdrop. Doing a first look helped them to finish couples' portraits and wedding party photos before the ceremony, capturing beautiful shots in front of the spiral staircase, large pool, gazebo, ivy tunnel, and lush greenery. 

They also took time to take photos with two very important guests - their dogs! The couple's adorable Goldendoodles, Moose and Murphy, were a hit at the ceremony. They also were the inspiration for the signature drinks: the Murphy Mule (a Moscow mule) and the Moose-a-rita (a skinny margarita)!

Their coordinator, Alissa, loved that detail:

I always love when couples have personal touches, and naming their signature drinks after their dogs was so cute! The dogs were adorable (I was obsessed with their bow ties!), and it made our whole team's day getting to see them before the ceremony.

When it was time for the ceremony, guests enjoyed a glass of champagne as they entered the venue, along with the fantastic spring weather that Arizona is known for. The Garden Pavilion boasts a selection of multiple ceremony options, and Raelyn and Mitch opted for the timeless gazebo. The lush lawn (which is a rare find in Arizona!) and lovely greenery surrounding the gazebo made for a beautiful backdrop. The couple also added a floral arrangement of ivory hydrangeas, neutral roses, and eucalyptus from In Bloom to really make the gazebo shine. 

Hear from Raelyn about how she and Mitch chose to make their ceremony extra personal:

We are both pretty low-key when it comes to the serious mushy stuff, so we had my brother be our officiant. He was cracking jokes and kept things lighthearted. 

She also shared another ceremony tip: 

Don't be so nervous. I know that is easier said than done, but still try your best to relax. We were both super nervous about our vows, but I couldn't imagine if we ended up not doing personal vows, as a lot of our wedding guests told us they enjoyed hearing them.

After sharing lots of laughs and heartfelt vows, the newlyweds took a moment to take it all in before signing their marriage license to make it all official.

During cocktail hour, guests enjoyed the outdoor terrace, where drinks and appetizers waited for them. The welcome table featured a creative Jenga sign-in that will make a fantastic keepsake. 

After indulging in this enjoyable happy hour, guests entered the garden pavilion for the grand entrance. The garden pavilion is another reason why Raelyn and Mitch felt Stonebridge Manor was the right fit for them: 

We really liked our reception space. It was a perfect mix of "outdoor/inside" and provided the vibe we wanted.

Inside the pavilion, greenery hung from the chandeliers, and Raelyn and Mitch rented large "Mr. and Mrs." marquee letters from Desert Sage for a show-stopping backdrop. The tables were decorated with white linens, sandalwood napkins, and gold charger plates. In the center of the table were three white pillar candles in clear vases with white hydrangeas and greenery surrounding them. Each table also had a custom menu made by Raelyn and Mitch, listing out the delicious entrees for their plated dinner.  The sweetheart table featured an elaborate floral arrangement of terracotta and white roses, white hydrangeas, and eucalyptus. 

The couple enjoyed their first dance, as well as parent dances, before partaking in their delicious plated dinner service of panko parmesan crusted chicken and petite filet mignon. After dinner, they enjoyed a personalized cake from Piece of Cake with chocolate raspberry, churro, and almond with cream cheese. 

The night continued with tons of dancing, a spirited game of limbo, and a photo booth (always a guest favorite) before the reception ended. In fact, Raelyn shared:

If I could relive one part of our wedding day every day, I think I would pick when all of our friends and family were together on the dance floor. It was a blast!

Another hit of the evening? The couple ordered pizza to be delivered later in the reception! Their DJ from Direct Sounds shared,

I thought that was so fun and such a great idea. Who doesn’t love pizza?! It definitely helped to keep guests dancing and keep the party going!

At the end of the night, Raelyn and Mitch shared a sweet private last dance in front of the marquee letters. Their guests gathered outside for a grand sparkler exit, and Raelyn and Mitch shared one more kiss before heading off into the night. 

Congratulations, Raelyn and Mitch! Thank you so much for letting us bring your wedding day to life and sharing your experience. Raelyn shared one last tip for any other couples planning their big day: 

Take time to get to know your vendors. Communication is key and just making sure everyone is on the same page. We really enjoyed meeting them - ALL of our vendors were amazing!! 

If you want to say "I Do" at Stonebridge Manor by Wedgewood Weddings, call or text 866.966.3009 to schedule your free tour.

Thank you to our amazing vendors!

• Photography: FINCH + JUNE PHOTOGRAPHY

• DJ/MC: Direct Sounds DJ

• Florals: In Bloom Wedding and Event Floral

• CAKE: PIECE OF CAKE DESSERTS

• RENTALS: DESERT SAGE