1. Real Weddings

A Modern Desert Wedding

Paula and Scott wanted their wedding to be an expression of everything they love: their family, friends, the desert, good music and food, and fun. To

Paula and Scott wanted their wedding to be an expression of everything they love: their family, friends, the desert, good music and food, and fun. To accomplish that, they incorporated the talents of those they loved, including music by Scott’s family and invitations and decor designed by friends. The picked the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix for their venue as an homage to their longtime home in the Southwest. The Bride Paula Case, 47, nonprofit manager The Groom Scott Kipp, 56, pediatrician The Date June 12 The couple used a loose desert theme in deciding their colors and decor, but kept the look modern to avoid a cliché look. Bright pops of fuchsia and turquoise came from the flowers and attire, but the rest of the wedding details were simplified to let the setting be the focus.

The couple’s friend created this pottery and succulent display to decorate the escort card table. It now adorns Paula and Scott’s kitchen table as a reminder of the day.
To keep guests cool in the arid setting, Paula and Scott set out program fans decorated with a desert flower graphic. The programs contained the details of the ceremony, along with a Robert Louis Stevenson poem called “A Wedding Prayer.”
To add a burst of color to the desert backdrop, Paula and Scott had their florist create bold centerpieces of pink dendrobium orchids and white freesia in aqua vases they bought from IKEA.
Paula’s bridesmaids wore turquoise silk taffeta dresses with crystal earrings and necklaces. The groomsmen coordinated with turquoise ties. The two flower girls wore embroidered pink dresses by MyMichelle.
Paula and Scott ordered tiny succulents from a local nursery and potted them in small white pots from IKEA for wedding favors. They also added decoration to the reception tables.
Because the natural setting of the ceremony required no extra decoration, Scott and Paula only set out a few luminarias (or candles in paper bag lanterns).
In keeping with the desert them, Paula had her florist create a colorful bouquet of succulents, hot pink gloriosa lilies, mokara orhids, and green cymbidium orchids tied with a sparkly turquoise ribbon.
After buying her dress off the rack (it fit perfectly!), Paula wanted to splurge on her wedding shoes. But when her friend found this pair of strappy fuschia heels, Paula had to have them -- even though they were only $30 on sale!
Small centerpieces of hot pink dendrobium orchids brightened up the cocktail hour tables.
The couple wed just outside the Botanical Garden on Ullman Terrace, which backs up to a hill covered with cactus plants. To make the most of the landscape, the couple used only a few luminaries to decorate the site.
The three-tier cake alternated chocolate and vanilla layers and was frosted in whipped cream icing accented with succulents. Paula and Scott used a Dia de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) bride and groom cake topper that they had found as a commemorative nod to the loved ones who were no longer with them. “I overheard one child asking, ‘Why are there skeletons on the cake?’” Paula says.