Sedona Bride in the City: Patricia Larkin

Style Unveiled, as hard as we try, knows that sometimes it takes a woman who's walking in your same 'heels' to help with something like planning a day as big as a wedding.  And while we will always be here to help with inspirational photos, real weddings, vendor suggestions, venue ideas, engagement photo ideas, and more ... we want to bring you something priceless ... Advice from brides who are doing the same as you (right now!!) ... PLANNING THEIR WEDDING :)  Our blog addition, Bride in the City will give you inside info from other brides to help you along the way and make you feel like you're not the only one :)  So ... get ready to bond with Bride in the City guest:  Patricia Larkin

When did you become engaged?

February 18, 2011

When is the big day?

April 27, 2012

Who are the wedding vendors that you have already decided to hire?

We're still in the early-ish stages of planning, but so far we've hired our caterer, Rosalie's of Sedona. We've also booked our wedding photographer, Kate Monroe, a good friend (and also a dear friend of our engagement session photographer, Nina) who is flying across the country for us to shoot our wedding!

Our cake is going to be made by Sedona Sweet Arts  and I've purchased my Watters gown through an amazing consignment shop in Scottsdale called Almond Tree. We're going to have our invitations and other reception stationery custom-designed by a graphic designer I work with.

That's about all we have that's firmed up at the moment, though we have a good idea our flowers will be done by Bliss Floral Designs.

 What is your venue and why did you choose it?

Our ceremony & reception will be held in the courtyards of Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village in Sedona, Arizona. We chose this location because we took our first trip together as a couple to Sedona and fell in love with Tlaquepaque, exploring the tiled courtyards and all the little nooks & crannies. After dinner one night on that trip, we were walking around the darkened courtyards and noticed a beautifully lit wedding reception going on in the next courtyard. I think that image was imprinted on both of our minds and we never forgot it.

What are you most excited about for your wedding day?

I'm of course most excited to become DJ's wife and to be able to call him my husband. We're also both excited to see a years worth of planning come to fruition and have a great party with our family and closest friends.

Is there anything you are nervous about for your wedding day?

I can't say I'm nervous about anything yet. Ask me again in April 2012!

What is your wedding theme or concept going to be?  What inspired it?

We hope to develop a sophisticated Spanish-inspired look for our wedding. The inspiration for this came from the groom's love for Spain, our honeymoon destination (Spain & Portugal), and of course the architecture of our wedding venue. Colors will be deep purples, dark grays, black, with splashes of crimson, with Alencon lace incorporated here & there.

Did you decide to hire a wedding coordinator?  Why did you decide this?

We have not hired a wedding coordinator. So far planning has been fun and I've had a lot of help from my mom. We're considering hiring a day of coordinator, but haven't decided on that yet.

Where are you planning to go for your honeymoon?

We're taking a slightly delayed honeymoon in late June-early July 2012 to Spain & Portugal. Running with the bulls in Pamplona is on DJ's bucket list, so we hope to make that happen on our honeymoon! With me watching in safety from a balcony above.

What are some of your favorite wedding planning blogs and tools?

Style Unveiled & Style Me Pretty have been favorites, along with a website called Pinterest.com. I've been keeping various inspiring photos I find online in my account's wedding albums & boards on Pinterest.

Is your husband-to-be helping with the planning?  What are his jobs?

DJ has been awesome at reminding me that I want to keep the whole process low-stress. He helps me to keep things in perspective as we plan. While he's not big on planning himself, he's great at giving his opinion and helps make decisions when presented with different options. He's a great sounding board.

What is your best advice to brides who are currently planning their wedding?

Remember that the wedding is just one day, one party. The planning process is not worth stress or arguments or tears. Keep it fun, keep it light, and don't try to fit a square peg in a round hole.

Are you planning to see each other before the ceremony for photos?  Why or why not?

Absolutely. We both want to be able to enjoy our cocktail hour & reception, not spend that time away from our guests and the party we so carefully planned. Our photographer will set up a "first look" for us that I think will be more private and meaningful than having to wait to see each other for the first time in front of our 60 guests.

What are 3 words that describe how you feel right now?

Breathless, excited, anxious

{DARLING} Eye-Candy Submitted to us by Love and Lemonade Photography