| SIP AND TWIRL| ARIZONA WEDDING PLANNER: Recently Engaged? Here's your getting started Arizona wedding planning checklist.

Ok, so you’re recently engaged; congratulations!  Now what?!  

A quick Google search, “first steps to planning an Arizona wedding”, will tell you to work out your budget, pick your wedding party, and start the guest list.  While all of these things are essential to the wedding planning process, we are here to coach you on modifying this approach, and how an Arizona-based wedding planner can really help!  We at Sip and Twirl are passionate about helping brides from Arizona and all over the world.  We love every part of the wedding planning process and are experts in everything from choosing the perfect Arizona wedding venue, to helping brides navigate their extensive Phoenix wedding vendor options, to helping a couple develop and execute the design of their dream wedding day.  Read on to learn more about the dos and don’ts of getting started.

DO start with reflecting on what is important to you and your fiancé, including what your overall vision is.  Do you imagine getting married in Arizona in an outdoor wedding venue, where you can incorporate the beautiful desert-scape and sunset into your ceremony?  Or, do you imagine tying the knot in one of the many stunning Scottsdale or Paradise Valley resorts, such as Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa, or Royal Palms Resort and Spa?  Additionally, you will want to focus first on the deeper meaning of your wedding.  We recommend picking up a journal or a planner that you can dedicate to your wedding, and it use to record your thoughts and inspos.  Anthropologie has some beautifully crafted notebooks, and we also love the Create 365 The Happy Planner because it’s completely customizable.  This will help you stay true to your core values during the planning process.  Work with your Arizona wedding planner to answer questions like: 'will your wedding reception be indoor or outdoor'; 'what is the overall design aesthetic you are hoping to accomplish'; 'how large or small is your guest list', and 'how does this impact your budget'?  A great wedding planner will ask questions that you didn't yet think to ask yourself!

DO create a digital vision board to share with your wedding planner.  If you aren’t hiring an Arizona wedding planner, you can still use your vision board to guide yourself and others who are helping you in the wedding planning process.  You can browse Pinterest and pin images and color themes that you feel a connection to.  You can even search for specific Arizona wedding venues to see what other brides have done, or see if your dream venue has a Pinterest account.  Focus on what’s really most important to you.  Is it more important to you to have the most spectacular photographs of all time, and small aesthetic details such as floral placement rank high? Or, is it more important to you that your friends and family have a blast and you focus on guest experience?  Go through these questions with your wedding planner to prioritize your budget and planning focus.

DO identify your natural points of stress in advance.  Are you breezy about going over budget or do you find yourself becoming emotional about over spending?  Do you contract at the thought of giving up control over some of the small details or do you welcome the extra help?  Are you a decisive person, or do you feel overwhelmed with the infinite options for customizing your dream Arizona wedding day?  Creating awareness around these points will help you pause in the moments that you are faced with your triggers and move through them like a champ.  

DO start to draft a wedding guest list with your partner so that you have a basic understanding of the size of your wedding but DON’T reach out to anyone just yet.  We repeat, do not invite anyone yet!  In our wedding planning experience, there are likely many additional costs that even the most savvy brides haven’t taken into account.  One of the easiest ways to reduce your overall spend in by managing your guest count.   By having a rough estimate in advance, you will be able to choose the right Arizona venue but you will not feel pressured to stretch your resources to accommodate people you perhaps invited in the initial engagement excitement.  

DO be a superstar but DON’T be a superbride.  “Wedding planning was the most stress-free experience of my life,” …said no bride ever.  While becoming engaged and planning a wedding is a joyful experience, even the most informed brides need a helping hand!  There are simply too many spinning plates to balance them all by yourself.  Of course as a team of Scottsdale-based wedding planners, we believe in hiring a local professional, but we too have been brides in the past.  In our personal experience, working alongside of an objective expert can help you navigate all of the small and big details with ease and grace.  Bonus, you will actually have a blast in the wedding planning process with expert hands on deck.  

After you have worked through these dos and don’ts we recommend researching the average prices in Arizona for the big things you will need to book for your wedding day and creating a budget you are comfortable with.  This is where your wedding planner can provide a ton of value, as a they will include things you hadn’t considered, and a good planner will help match your expectations with your budget.  Once you have done this, shop around first for your Arizona wedding venue, wedding officiant, and wedding photographer, because they can usually only accommodate one wedding per day.  Caterers and florists can wait for now, as they can usually support multiple events in one day, and have a bit more flexibility with bookings.  

Let us know in the comments below if you have any top dos and don’ts to share based off of your own experience.  We’d love to hear from you!

If you are recently engaged or in the thick of planning your Arizona wedding, let's chat!  Sip and Twirl is a passionate and creative group of Arizona wedding planners.  Our wedding planning showroom is located in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Check out our Facebook page or our Yelp! to hear what real couples have said about our wedding planning and design services.  We plan for both small and large scale Arizona eventsd, and genuinely love what we do.  Reach out to us at (480) 648-0663 or email us at info@sipandtwirl.com. 

| SIP AND TWIRL| ARIZONA WEDDING PLANNER: 3 Simple Wedding Week Practices To Keep Healthy in Arizona this Fall

Your stunning Arizona fall wedding day is just around the corner. Every bride knows that in the weeks leading up to your wedding, a couple can experience additional stresses.  Brides in our hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona know how busy the fall season can be.   The holidays are just around the corner, the beautiful weather is in full effect, and the wedding industry calendars are full with Arizona weddings!  Here are some ways that you can keep happy and healthy during this time so that you feel your best on your wedding day.

Be Proactive 

It’s always better to approach your health proactively than it is to treat symptoms of illness.  The first, simple thing you can do each day leading up to your Arizona wedding is thinking healthy thoughts throughout the day.  Try writing phrases like, “I am bursting with health; I am energized, and I feel beautiful from the inside out,” and leave these on your bathroom mirror, plus a few other prominent locations.  Every time you see your note, think consciously of your affirmation.  If this sounds a little too woo, woo for you, trust us, and try it for a couple of days, and see how it impacts you.  In the very least, you will raise your self-esteem and feel extra glowy and gorgeous. 

You can also take natural remedies to boost your immune system. There are lots of farmers markets that are opening in Scottsdale with the cooling weather, and you will have a blast shopping for your favorite fruits and veg.  Foods that can help give you a boost include garlic, oil of oregano (take a few drops under your tongue daily), and superfoods like blueberries, kale, brazil nuts, papaya, and black pepper.  Check out this helpful website to read more about a list of 50 nutrient dense foods. 

Create a Morning Ritual 

Everyone knows that stress can cause a dip in your immune system, and one of the best ways to work through stressful periods is by creating inner peace and strength. Start each day by getting up 30 minutes earlier to practice a few self-love exercises.  If you're getting married in Scottsdale, or the surrounding Phoenix Valley, why not take to one of the beautiful hiking trails at least one morning in the weeks leading up to your wedding?  

Other things that you can try include reading 10 pages of an uplifting book, or go for a short walk around the block and listen to your favorite, fist pumping songs.  You can also stretch for a few minutes, or practice some deep breathing exercises.  If you find your mind racing while sitting still and quietly breathing, check out some meditation apps on your phone or search for guided meditation tracks on Spotify.  You can also simply set a three-minute timer and practice deep breathing.  The morning is an important time of the day to do these things because it helps you set the intention for having a happy, peaceful day, plus if you do something positive for yourself first thing, you definitely make time to fit it into your current commitments.  

Clean Up Your Diet

It’s common for brides to experience a change in their diet leading up to their weddings due to friends and family arriving in town, and the additional tensions that the final stages of planning can bring.  A few common food groups that can cause you to feel less than amazing include dairy, glutenous grains, refined sugar, and foods packed with preservatives.  Eating clean and avoiding refined sugar is one of the easiest ways to feel energized and healthy.  

Some simple swaps that can help you avoid crashes and tummy upsets are trading any kind of soda, traditional energy drinks, or copious amounts of coffee for unsweetened green tea or matcha; try sweet potatoes or quinoa instead of pasta and bread (wheat or white), or use nut or coconut milks instead of dairy products.  Bonus, your skin will glow even more in all of your wedding pics!  If you are in Arizona like us, you can check out a list of local farmers markets here, or if you are elsewhere in the world, a simple search online will connect you to your local farming community.  

Do you have any helpful tips for boosting your physical and mental health during your wedding week?  We’d love to hear!  Leave a comment below.  

If you are recently engaged or in the thick of planning an Arizona wedding, we'd love to hear from you!  Sip and Twirl is a passionate and creative group of Arizona wedding planners.  Our wedding planning and design showroom is located in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Check out our Facebook page to hear what real Arizona brides and grooms have said about our services.  We plan for both small and large scale Arizona weddings, and genuinely love what we do.  Reach out to us at (480) 648-0663 or email us at info@sipandtwirl.com. 

| SIP AND TWIRL| ARIZONA WEDDING PLANNER:Stress-free Tips for Seating Your Arizona Wedding Reception Guests

If you’re in the final stages of planning your Arizona wedding, you’re probably starting to think about seating assignments, and we’re here to help!  Like any Arizona wedding planner knows, assigning seats can be complex.  In Arizona we have a huge variety of outdoor desert wedding venue options and making a seating chart can be an arduous task.   Seating every wedding guest in the perfect spot can truthfully be a little bit stressful depending on the dynamics within families or friend groups.  Additionally, if you are serving a plated meal, (vs. buffet or family style), you will want to be precise with just where everyone will placed.  Read on for our top tips on how to seat your wedding guests that will be helpful for any Arizona wedding venue.

Start Early

Set a deadline for your final RSVPs to arrive with enough time to work through your wedding seating chart with at least a couple of weeks to spare before your big day.  We have heard of crazy stories of couples who leave their seating assignments till the end, but this added stress can be avoided with a little advanced planning.  You will definitely make some last minute changes, but get started on your first draft with time to spare and with plenty of time to get your escort cards and place cards printed or written.  If you're having an outdoor Arizona wedding, you may also want to consider having a rain-option seating chart as a back-up.  While it rarely rains in our neck of the woods, you'll be grateful you'll have it if you need to move your seating indoors.  

Map it Out

As wedding planners, we are visual people, and we like using our internal software to actually see just where everyone will be.  If you’re not working with a wedding planner, and you are local to Arizona, we, at Sip and Twirl would love to begin the conversation with you about this detail of your wedding, as it can significantly impact the flow of your event and the photos.  If you're unable to use a planner, you can use a spreadsheet to list each of your guests, and generally breakdown which group of people they belong to, including family, friends, colleagues, and others sub-groups.  Next, find a simple program on your computer that will allow for you to make a visual first draft, including the tables arrangements, and other pieces of furniture from a bird’s eye view, just like a floor-plan.  From here, you’ll be able to map it out logically, and can easily make edits when needed. There are lots of digital options online as well, just search “wedding seating chat tool”.  

Seat Yourselves and Your Wedding Party First

There are lots of options for you and your new spouse’s seat at your reception, especially if you are not limited by space, like many Arizona outdoor wedding venues.  Traditionally, a head table is long and rectangular, (not round), and your wedding party will sit along one side facing out towards the other guests with you two in the middle.  These days, while this is still a great option, it’s more flexible, and you get to create the dining experience you really want!  Consider if you’d like to be seated alone at a sweetheart table, or if you’d like to be surrounded instead by your wedding party.  Another point to consider is if you’d like your bridesmaids all on one side, and groomsmen on the other, or if you will invite dates to the head table with everyone sitting intermixed.  Once you have this point of your seating chart settled, you can set the rest of the framework for the remaining guests.  

Seat Your Parents

Depending on your family dynamics, or the size of your wedding, you can choose to have your parents sit with your new spouse’s parents, along with your siblings, and your officiant.  On the other hand, if your parents, or your spouse’s parents are divorced, or if your parents prefer to sit with their close friends, you can also opt to give each parent or set of parents their own table.  Remember that parent-seating is flexible, and you can set it up depending on whatever works best for everyone.  If you’re not sure, talk to the parents in question before making your final decision.  

Dissolve Tension Before it Starts

Unfortunately, as many of us know, there may be situations where certain family members or friends do not get along.  It’s possible they haven’t spoken in years or it’s possible that the last time your family members were at a wedding, there was a fight.  Whatever the scenario, consider the various relationships, (or lack there of), when placing guests.  If you do find yourself in this predicament, here's a point to consider.  Sometimes it is helpful to have an objective third party, like a wedding planner just like our team at Sip and Twirl, who will help navigate a wedding seating chart, so that you don't get stuck in the crossfires of any uncomfortable conversations.  

Sydney and Doug's wedding photos were taken by Daniel Kim and their floral was designed by Fiori Floral.  

Sip and Twirl is a passionate and creative group of Arizona wedding planners.  Our office and wedding planning showroom is located in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Whether you have just started envisioning your dream wedding day, or are in the thick of wedding planning, we'd love to hear from you!  We plan for both small and large scale Arizona weddings, and genuinely love what we do.  Reach out to us at (480) 648-0663 or email us at info@sipandtwirl.com. 

| SIP AND TWIRL| ARIZONA WEDDING PLANNER: Cozy Up in Arizona this Fall with these Date Nights

Sigh, the fall—easily our favorite season of the year.  Autumn is the perfect time to get cozy with your love, but we know, the holiday season can get a bit hectic, especially if you're planning your Arizona wedding!  Nonetheless, this time of year is also is a great opportunity to reflect on the things to give thanks for, and to spend it with those who you love most.  Here are nine fun, unique and romantic date ideas to strengthen your relationship one date at a time, and ‘fall’ in love all over again!

Go for a road trip.  The fall brings out beautiful colors with the change in the seasons, and you’ll love taking to the road on your next adventure together.  Plus, if you are local to the Scottsdale and Phoenix are as we are, you will love to take in the crisp air in cooler climates outside of the valley.  Bonus activity: collect pinecones or other nature-inspired centerpiece treasures to use for your Arizona wedding.  You will love using something from a shared adventure on your wedding day.

Take a cooking class.  Learn some new recipes together for your next holiday fete.  Sur La Table offers classes across the country and you will get to enjoy your beautiful creation together at the end of class.  You may even feel inspired to try some different flavors for your own wedding reception menu.  

Host Friendsgiving.  You will love having all of your favorite friends together in one place.  To ease the stress of hosting, make it potluck style, and check out Pinterest for some festive decor ideas. Plus, Friendsgiving is a great excuse to pop open that bottle of champagne you’ve been saving for a special occasion.  

Check out a national park.  Head to the National Park Service website to find your closest park, searchable by state.  You might even be able to score free entry if you plan your trip around one of these days —the next one is coming up Veteran’s Day weekend!  Bonus activity: scope out a few possible places to hold and outdoor Arizona wedding ceremony, or whichever state you may find yourself in.  

Bake and decorate holiday cookies.  Pop open a bottle of wine, and queue-up your baking playlist!  You might have a recipe that has been passed down through your family every holiday season, and want to share this with your partner.  After you finish your masterpieces, find some awesome people in your life who’d appreciate a holiday treat…after you have a few yourself of course!

Find somewhere to volunteer together.  You will feel absolutely amazing afterwards, and helping others will deepen your bond as a couple.  If you are in the Phoenix valley, check out the Hands on Phoenix website, which will help you and your partner find the right volunteer opportunity to make your own community impact. 

Get crafty.  Deck the halls at home by making snowflakes or holiday decorations that will make you feel in the spirit of the season in no time.  Brit.co has some great ideas for festive creations here. If you are in the midst of wedding planning yourself, you can also use the time to DIY some of the details of your wedding like favors, a scrap book that doubles as a guest book, or your ceremony welcome sign.  

Drink mulled wine.  Check out this recipe on Nourishing Wild that you can make right at home.  Put on a mix of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald and sip (and dance!) away.  Engaged?  Use the time to pick out your first dance song if you haven’t already.  As wedding planners, we love hearing about these small details that make a couple’s dream wedding day come to life.

Go to a local fair or festival.  Ride the ferris wheel; eat cotton candy, and hold hands.  You’ll have a great night reliving your teenage youth.  The Arizona State Fair is on from October 6th through the 29th, and it’s the perfect way to reconnect to your inner kid.

Max and Kristen's engagement photos were shot by Magda Zofia.  The couple took there engagement photos in Phoenix, Arizona in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, and at the Royal Palms Resort & Spa.  

Sip and Twirl is a passionate and creative group of Arizona wedding planners.  Our office and wedding planning showroom is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and whether you have just started envisioning your dream wedding day, or are in the thick of wedding planning, we'd love to hear from you!  We plan for both small and large scale Arizona weddings, and genuinely love what we do.  Reach out to us at (480) 648-0663 or email us at info@sipandtwirl.com.  

| SIP AND TWIRL| ARIZONA WEDDING PLANNER: Personalize your Arizona Wedding Ceremony with These Ideas!

While your wedding reception will naturally receive much of your attention in the planning stages leading up to your wedding, your ceremony deserves your talents and focus too.  After all, this is the most important moment of your wedding day!  We have collected some ideas to help you plan a wedding ceremony that is as unique as the love you share with your partner.  

Reserve Wedding Guest Chairs with a Special Note

You’ll want to reserve the front row(s) for your closest family members and friends, so why not leave a note of gratitude on these chairs, preceremony.  Thank them for all of the support and help they have given to you during your engagement, and share any thoughts or sentiments about what it means to have them share in your special day.  Of course including a tissue in your card will come in handy as you walk down the aisle!  

Accessorize your Wedding Guests

If you are anything like us, you love all of the different floral moments throughout a wedding day, and who says these need to be limited to your bridesmaids and groomsmen?  Work with your florist to set up a table of fresh floral hair pins or boutonnieres.  Or, you can also have a station with all of the supplies to DIY flower crowns for women and younger guests alike.  Choose colors and floral varieties that compliment you and your bridesmaid’s bouquets, and you will create a beautiful cohesive look.  Your guests will feel instantly appreciated, and they will truly stand out in your photos.

Offer Wedding Guests a Refreshing Drink

There is usually a chunk of downtime before the wedding ceremony starts as guest arrive and begin to socialize, plus, the ceremony is often the warmest part of the day for guests. One way to quench your guest’s thirst while warmly welcoming everyone is to set up drink station.  Glasses of prosecco, champagne, a signature cocktail, or even Pellegrino add a nice touch to the atmosphere.  Having a winter wedding?  Give guests mugs of hot cider, Irish coffee, or mulled wine to cozy up with as they arrive from the cold.

Have Someone Meaningful Marry You

Is there someone special in both you and your partner’s life, or your parent’s life who also has a flair for public speaking, or engaging an audience?  Having someone that you love marry you can be very meaningful, and it will also calm your nerves as you prepare to walk down the aisle!  There are a few ways to get ordained online, which vary in terms of cost and the amount of time it takes for it be become official.  If your officiant could use a little guidance,  check out this fabulous ceremony kit by our favorite Arizona Wedding Officiant, Matt Nathanson. 

Honor your Ancestors or Mission Loved Ones

Whether it’s a grandparent that has passed away, or a bother that is in the military, your ceremony is the perfect place to mention those that are in your thoughts.  You can have your officiant recognize them, or you can place their photo in a locket that you hold in your bouquet.  If you have a large group of people, like ancestors, or if most grandparents have passed, consider setting up a table with the photos of loved ones as a way to incorporate their memory into your wedding day.  

All photos of Meghan and Brendan's wedding by Brittany Janelle Photography

Meghan and Brendan's wedding was photographed by Brittany Janelle, with floral by Petal Pusher.  The couple held this Arizona wedding at the Omni Montelucia, in Paradise Valley.  

Sip and Twirl is a passionate and creative group of Arizona wedding planners.  Our office and wedding planning showroom is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and whether you have just started envisioning your dream wedding day, or are in the thick of wedding planning, we'd love to hear from you!  We plan for both small and large scale Arizona weddings, and genuinely love what we do.  Reach out to us at (480) 648-0663 or email us at info@sipandtwirl.com.