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“The average Sedona bride is 30 to 40 years old with money and an established profession,” Amy says. “The couple is willing and ready to pay for families to stay in Sedona. They also often pay for spa treatments and Jeep tours.
“Brides who pick Sedona do it for more than just the beauty,” Amy says. “I think they hope to have more of an experience whether it be spiritual, metaphysical or magical. For some couples, it’s about their guests’ experience. Bring them to Sedona and it will knock them out.”
A Sedona State of Mind
Even if you can’t bring your wedding to the red rocks, there are ways to add a Sedona accent to your big day. Here are some tips from Amy Lionberger, chairwoman of the Sedona Wedding Professionals Association, on how to add a little Sedona flavor to festivities anywhere.
• For your wedding favors, give Sedona Spa bath products or purchase small red rocks and have your names and wedding dates sandblasted into the stone. (DO NOT remove red rocks from the National Forest – it’s illegal).
• Use a Sedona palette when planning your color scheme – chocolate brown is one of the most popular colors for bridesmaid dresses this year. Other favorites include red, rust, black and champagne. Mix your primary color with accents such as pink, turquoise and sage green.
• Create a Zen-like atmosphere with your centerpieces. Use river rock, water, candles, twigs, and crystals.
• Wrought-iron candelabras, table risers and arches add a distinct Southwestern touch.
• Use “Red Rock Roses” – Leonidas roses, mango and flame mini callas, and Apache and Sahara roses are all great stand-ins for Sedona wildflowers (which are illegal to pick).
Finally, at L’Auberge, a Tale of Two Lovebirds
What do a twig tiara, owls and L’Auberge de Sedona Resort have in common? All were part of Karen and Jim Grande’s Earth Day 2005 wedding. The 40-something barefoot bride from Scottsdale, a volunteer with Cave Creek-based owl rescue group Wild at Heart, expressed her love for nature by wearing a tiara of twigs and jewels, giving out little birds’ nests with Jordan almonds as party favors, placing a birds’ nest at the bottom of her bouquet, and using birds’ nests and flowers as centerpieces.
“We asked our guests to donate to [Wild at Heart] rather than give us gifts and we also made donations in their names,” says Karen who is planning her one year anniversary back at L’Auberge.
And what did her 62 guests think of Karen’s flights of fancy?
“People who know me thought it was typical,” she says. “Some of my girlfriends call me bohemian and weird. It was a great day.”
MORE SEDONA WEDDINGS: Your Sedona Wedding guide
