Where To Start
Getting engaged is such a wonderful feeling. The rush of excitement when you realize this means forever. The joy, the giddiness! When I first got engaged on a beach in Ventura, I was crying so hard, I couldn't even see the dazzling ring Travis picked out for me. I remember shouting happily to total strangers along the boardwalk that I was engaged. It was quite embarrassing for my poor hubby-to-be :)
But after the rush of the engagement is over, the planning part begins. For some brides, this is exactly in their wheel-house. They've been planning it for ages, they know what they want, and they confidently go about checking off the to-do list that they've been curating for months. That was SO not me.
But when I really sat down and thought about it, I realized that I needed to find the venue first. I wanted to pick the setting, so I could figure out all the other little pieces that fit into it. What was the feel I wanted? We lived here in the east valley at the time. Did I want to go with a traditional "country" or "desert-feel" to the wedding? What kind of dress did I want to wear there? What would the decor look like. All those little pieces could really only fall into place once I picked the venue.
So to help all you soon-to-be brides out there, I'm creating a new blog series that looks closely at some of my favorite venues here in the Valley to help you narrow down and finally choose the perfect venue for your Arizona wedding. This week's spotlight falls on the enchanting Royal Palms Resort & Spa in Phoenix. Here is a bit about why I love this location for weddings and why I think you'll fall in love with it too!
The Feel
One of the first things you'll notice when you drive along the palm-lined drive into the entrance of this resort is that it doesn't feel much like a "resort." It's not big and expansive. It's tucked away, behind these beautiful lighted palms, but also behind warm, inviting corridors and lush green vines and foliage. It feels intimate and secluded.
The grounds of the resort are beautifully maintained, but not in an "overall manicured way." It feels like a little hidden oasis that has been nestled into the side of Camelback for hundreds of years.
While there are some desert elements to be found, the overall feel of the Royal Palms is lush and almost tropical. If you are looking for something a bit different than the typical desert backdrop for your wedding, the Palm's mix of a Spanish Hacienda and the intricate Mediterranean-like tile accents might just be your answer!
The Spaces
From the Allegra Garden to the historic blue doors, The Royal Palms is a wedding photographer's dream come true when it comes to shooting. Not only does the resort offer amazing natural framing elements around every turn, but the intimate feel of the design layout really allows you to create intimate moments for your bride and groom, regardless of the date or time.
Check out some of the stunning engagement sessions I've captured at the Royal Palms here!
I've shot countless engagement session and weddings here and I've never struggled to find hidden little spots for my couples to relax and create in. Just the opposite! Time always flies by on these shoots because I could, literally, shoot here ALL DAY!
Fabulous red brick pillars line the open air walkways, there's a Juliet window that makes for whimsical, romantic captures, unique fountains, fireplaces, massive wooden doorways, staircases...I mean, really, what more could a wedding photographer ask for?!
The Staff
You can plan out every detail of the big day down to the letter, but in the end, it's your wedding day! You should be able to relax and enjoy your wedding, knowing that all the details are being handled and attended to by true professionals. And that's what you get at the Royal Palms. Emily Anzalone, the Event Sales Manager at the resort will help you put together a phenomenal team for the day of the wedding.
Not only will the staff at the Royal Palms make YOU feel like royalty on your big day, but they also make sure that the vendors you pick to help you pull it all off are taken care of too. Anytime I've asked for information or assistance during a wedding here, I've been treated like a valued member of the team. That's what you want on the day you say your "I do's". A group of professionals that are laser-focused on making your vision come true.
In a Nut Shell
If you are looking for an intimate, romantic Arizona wedding that's a bit "outside of the box" when it comes to our desert vistas, you can't go wrong with the Royal Palms. They can accommodate small, family affairs and massive grand events. The staff if phenomenal and your photographer will be over the moon with the visual beauty found in each secluded alcove and hidden pathway.
