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To avoid such wedding day blues, Judy suggests reserving an area set up for group activities, such as at Red Rock State Park.
With more than 75 people in the National Forest, you need a free “non-commercial group use permit.” Be forewarned: The Forest Service reserves the right to refuse permission for a location where there may be excess resource impact, but will work with you to find a suitable substitute.
They Called it Puppy Love
The most unlikely wedding in Sedona history? Bob Coates, author of The Photographer’s Guide To Wedding Album Design and Sales has a nominee: “Two dogs, George and Annie, were such buddies that the owners decided to get them married. Annie was dressed in a veil and a tutu; George wore a tuxedo, a top hat, cuffs around his ankles, and a bow tie.
“There were about 40 guests, flowers, other dogs as witnesses and a cake made with doggie treats – they enjoyed that.
“The ceremony text was hilarious; the bride got a bracelet as a gift but it broke after the wedding.
“It was a hoot, a great excuse for a party!”
The Planners
Traditional weddings aren’t everyone’s fantasy; for some, a wedding offers a golden opportunity to express their individuality. If you’re thinking of something unusual, it’s probably a good idea to consult a professional wedding planner. Their know-how and contacts can be indispensable to help you get hitched without a hitch.
Amy Hunter, senior planner at Weddings In Sedona, says that on occasion she gets requests to plan theme weddings. Nuptials with Cowboy and Mardi Gras motifs, Renaissance, even Alice In Wonderland themed weddings have taken place in Sedona.
Some couples have chosen to be married in hot-air balloons. “These are for very small weddings because of size of the gondolas,” Amy notes. “One holds four people, the other holds seven. We have a minister and a photographer who will go up very early in the morning and do the ceremony. It’s absolutely stunning because you can see all over; you’re watching the sun come up and lighting the rocks. It’s unique.”
“I Do” Sedona PR
Jennifer Combs, director of Public Relations and Tourism for the Sedona-Oak Creek Chamber of Commerce, often deals with issues surrounding Sedona weddings, which comes in handy as her own Sept. 20 wedding to Rick Wesselhoff draws closer.
Transplanted Ohioan Jennifer practices what she preaches; she and Rick will have their ceremony outdoors at Dry Creek Overlook and their reception at Don Hoel’s Cabins – where they also booked a block of rooms to house their out-of-town guests.
The Dress
In the glory days of the old West, weddings were always occasions for big celebration, but the gown was by necessity an object of recycling. Southwestern brides usually wore a wedding dress made from linen or wool; few wore white, because the dress would later be reused for special events or church going.
