Real Wedding: Kayla and Jono

Planned by Elaine, Real Wedding

January 11, 2024

The Phoenician

Scottsdale, Arizona

Saturday, April 9, 2022

Kayla and Jono’s story is one for the books. They met for drinks at the West Hollywood Edition where one hour turned into four and they ended up shutting down the bar. As the old adage goes, “When you know, you know,” Kayla and Jono both knew right away that they had found their person. Before too long, the world abruptly changed and Kayla and Jono were “quarantine buddies”. They spent nearly every waking moment as a duo and their love only grew stronger and stronger, quickly becoming best friends, dinner/dance party hosts, weekend travelers, and doggie parents! Fast forward to May 2021, he surprised her back at the West Hollywood Edition, dropping to one knee overlooking their beloved city of Los Angeles.

When searching for the perfect wedding venue, they knew they wanted to have a destination wedding in Arizona! During President’s Day Weekend in 2020, the two decided to take a trip away from their home in Los Angeles together to Scottsdale, where they stayed at the Phoenician. During this trip, it was also the first place they said: “I love you”. They fell in love with the property and all of the things it had to offer during their stay. They ultimately knew that they wanted to have a destination wedding in Scottsdale at the Phoenician.

Kayla and Jono wanted to play into a classic, elegant wedding day that they knew would wow their guests. For Kayla’s ceremony, she wanted her focal point to be the chuppah. She envisioned an all white look for the chuppah covered in white florals, with rose petals down the aisle. Avant Garde helped to achieve this look and both her and Jono’s fathers had their tallit’s hanging from the chuppah which symbolizes in Jewish tradition the new household they are forming. It is also Jewish tradition to have the immediate families of both the bride and groom under the chuppah to celebrate their marriage.

After the couple had cocktail hour on the lawn, guests moved inside the Grand Ballroom of the Phoenician where guests were met with Kayla and Jono’s whimsical, cool-toned atmosphere. Crystal trees were used as centerpieces to give that enchanted feel to the space. The couple chose a large dance floor for their 210 guests surrounded by a full stage for their 11-piece band to play. For their reception, they didn’t want it to feel like a dinner, but more of a dance party for their guests.