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Thursday, April 28, 2011

Part 1: AZ wedding weekend extravagana

Let me just say this:  Arizona was beyond.  I'm seriously baffled that I never knew how pretty it was there.  It also didn't hurt that we stayed at The Montelucia, an award-winning luxury resort and spa.   If you ever have a chance to stay there, do it and don't even think twice. 

I remember when Christina (the bride) told me they decided on a destination wedding in AZ, I wasn't really sure what to expect.  Nothing really did justice to the resort until I actually got there and saw it in its entirety.  I mean, hello ... we literally walked into this view when we got out of the cab.  Need I say more?

More views of the resort:

One of my besties from high school and another bridesmaid, Lisa, was on the same flight as me from Dallas to Phoenix. The first thing we did upon arrival was order Mimosas, duh. Well, technically our room wasn't ready and we had to get ready for the Bridesmaids Luncheon in one of the restaurant's rest rooms, but ... mimosas were second up. Lisa may or may not have had to wash her feet in the sink.  

After we guzzled our mimosas, we headed to the luncheon, which was hosted at a restaurant in Scottsdale called Arcadia Farms. It was the perfect little girly outing – it had the cutest cottage and garden setting. The salads were to die and the dessert we all split at the end was delectable. I like that word. Delectable.

Once lunch wrapped up, we headed back to check into our room to get ready for the rehearsal. When we opened the door to our room, I believe I heard a chorus of angels singing. The shower was out of this world and I seriously want that set-up in my house when I grow up. We also had to call the front desk for a few things and the bell boys that brought stuff up were hottie mchottersons. Yes, sir. I’ll take one of you and you.

I know I already showed you the view from our room, but it's so pretty, I couldn't resist showing you again:
Lounge chair on our patio:

We had the rehearsal on the lawn overlooking Camelback Mountain. Lisa took a shot of us looking into the top of a water canister. Clearly we were playing close attention to the wedding planner.

The doors into the reception room, they were flown in from Spain!

The soon to be bride and groom's last day technically "single":

A trolley took us to the rehearsal dinner at an Italian restaurant you may know - Grimaldis. 

The bride and my BFF Liz on the trolley:

The bride and groom met and live in NYC so they wanted a piece of NY at the wedding. One of their first dates was actually at the Grimaldi’s in NY – cute, huh? The food was amaze, and there went my diet.  Bye bye … see ya later. There is a Grimaldis directly across from my office building and I had never been there. Now I know how good it is, which could pose a problem. Summer is basically here and me and a 2 piece are not getting along right now.

I loved hanging with my besties from high school at the rehearsal dinner. Some of us don’t get to see each other all the time, so it was great to catch up and reminisce about our "rebel" high school days. Our friends were the last to leave the dinner (typical), but we all went to bed at a decent hour because we had to be up and ready to go at 9 a.m. the next day for the wedding.

The "fab 5":

The groom's fave for dessert:

Tomorrow I’ll finish my Arizona wedding weekend extravaganza recap with Wedding Day festivities. Hope you enjoyed the recap so far!
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19 comments:

  1. ahhh...i want to live at that resort. i never knew AZ could be so pretty. and you my friend are gorgeous...as are all the other gal pals.

    i'm so excited for the wedding in june that i'm in. it's gonna be so much fun. fun with friends is always fun. (um...that is totally lame.)

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  2. Wow that resort looks incredible! It makes me want to be there right now, or laying by a pool! You are gorge!

    Stephanie&Such

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  3. WOW! The resort looks AMAZINGGGG!! I would love to be there right now! I love palm trees! Your pictures are all great! You took so many great ones! It sounds and looks like a memorable weekend! I can't wait to see more :)

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  4. You and your friends are gorg. Like seriously!! I love that pic of the ball and all of you in it. I love it!! I'm so jealous of the weekend... I need a vaca. and now!

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  5. OMG i could LIVE at that resort. And mimosas everyday would make me a happy girl!!! Looks like so much fun and you ladies are all so pretty!

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  6. You guys are gorgeous! I love your maxi dress. I love how all of you are wearing nude color shoes.
    & the only thing I can point to & say, I know where that is, is Camelback Mountain. & living in AZ for now 11(?) years, that's just sad.

    I never had a mimosas, I want one!

    xo $ARMIN

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  7. Uh yes, AZ is def. beyond ...... Aaron's cousin got married at a similar-looking resort {desert/mountain-ish} backdrop in Tempe. It was amazing! AND the dry weather is to die for. My hair and skin loved it.

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  8. Oh man! What a gorgeous trip! I went to Arizona a few years back and thought it was beautiful! Sedona is amazing if you ever get a chance to visit there! I'm so happy you had a chance to catch up with your friends and experience a truly beautiful destination!

    Erin

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  9. I just discovered your blog through Stephanie and Such and I'm so excited that I did! Your blog is fabulous- you're a great writer and you seem like a ton of fun. Keep posting!

    Chrissi
    christanka.blogspot.com

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  10. there are so many amazeball things in this post...that dessert, gelato, the trolley, that pool - i have been craving the west coast and now i am even more!

    LOVE the dress!

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  11. ok, where do I start. I want to party with you. You seem like MY girl. That place is beyond! I LOVE Arizona and that beautiful backdrop. Wow. Take me to that hotel.

    Mimosas? Yes. and I read somewhere that you commented that you have never had a bloody mary, whhhhhhhaaat????? GIRL, we gotta fix that asap.

    You are stunningly beautiful in all your pics. as are all your friends. Bi&^%$!

    anyway, love you, bbm me.

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  12. Such pretty pictures!! You, your friends, the happy couple, the resort. Looks like it was an amazing weekend :)

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  13. Oh my gosh drool this is gorgeous. I want to go there right.now.

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  14. Oh wow! Gorgeous photos! What part of AZ?! I need to go there now...hahaha! Looks like you had the best weekend :)

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  15. Sweet friends, beautiful day.
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