1. Real Weddings

Colleen & Frank: A Formal Wedding in Scottsdale, AZ

The first time Frank Lillo half-jokingly asked his good friend Colleen O’Connor to marry him, they were waiting in line for a passport application --

The first time Frank Lillo half-jokingly asked his good friend Colleen O’Connor to marry him, they were waiting in line for a passport application -- Frank even filled out a marriage certificate! More than three years later, the then-couple was on a trip to San Diego watching the sun set when Frank asked Colleen if she remembered the first time he popped the question. When she said she did, he pulled out that same marriage certificate and said, “Well, this is the last time -- will you marry me?” The Bride Colleen O’Connor, 24, accountant The Groom Frank Lillo, 25, software engineer The Date October 21 With help from her mom, her sister, and of course, Frank, Colleen set about planning the wedding. “We didn’t really have a theme,” the bride says. “We just wanted it to be fun and not uptight at all.” The couple chose to marry near Colleen’s hometown of Phoenix at the Grayhawk Golf Club. A palette of ivory and honeydew green brought together the elegant details of their outdoor ceremony and ballroom reception.

Colleen and Frank celebrated with their guests at the course’s Fairway House. “Since the weather was beautiful, we were also able to use the patio overlooking the lake and golf course,” Colleen says.
With the beautiful McDowell Mountains behind them, Colleen and Frank wed outdoors just as the sun was setting. The couple stood with their officiant before a wall covered in blooming bougainvilleas. Colleen and Frank created the ceremony together, writing vows they both recited. They also incorporated a unity sand ceremony with their parents and all of their siblings.
Colleen and Frank made their grand entrance at the reception to Joss Stone’s “Super Duper Love.” The newlyweds then opened up the dance floor with a first dance to “That’s All,” by Bobby Darin.
Colleen and Frank’s 150 guests enjoyed a four-tiered cake decorated with ivory ribbon and pearls. The round tiers were separated by bunches of green hydrangeas.
Colleen carried a bouquet of ivory English roses and light green hydrangeas -- a perfect match with the wedding’s color palette.
Frank donned a pair of white orchids on his lapel.
Colleen’s five bridesmaids wore tea-length dresses by Alvina Valenta with pleated tulle skirts, each embellished with a fabric flower at the back. Her junior bridesmaid’s dress was custom-made to resemble the bridesmaids’ looks.
Hand-lettered escort cards led Colleen and Frank’s guests to their tables. “I chose antique-looking picture frames with crystals to hold the numbers on each of the tables,” the bride says.
Vases of ivory gladiolus that stood on either side of Colleen and Frank during the ceremony were later brought indoors for the reception.