Timeless Wedding at Mountain Shadows, Paradise Valley Arizona

Planned by Maddy, Real Wedding

September 29, 2023

Mountain Shadows

Paradise Valley, Arizona

Saturday, April 23rd, 2022

It’s not every day that a wedding planner is actually the one getting married! However, this real wedding is exactly that. From planner turned bride, Maddy’s experience is a little different than most. They only toured one venue, which was the venue where they got engaged. It is also the venue where Thomas’ parents got married 32 years ago. Mountain Shadows not only holds a special place in their hearts, but from the bride working there so many times she got to know the staff, and how they work, and ultimately felt so comfortable there with their team members and the property. She knew that at Mountain Shadows, she wouldn’t have to worry about anything.

No detail was spared when Bride Maddy was working to create her invite suite with Freja Creative. They used the circle wall pattern that Mountain Shadows is known for and put their own spin on the design incorporating the first letter of their new last name G. You will see this detail throughout their wedding design from their invites, seating chart, bar details, and even place cards in their reception space. We LOVE a good branding moment and this was a perfect tie between their new last name and the modern architecture found on the property.

As guests entered their venue, they were greeted with handpassed champagne and came face to face with a large welcome moment created by The Details Duo which included an outline of Camelback Mountain made by Freja Creative.

Once everyone found their seats at the ceremony, it began. Thomas was walked down by both of his parents, then the bridal party, then the flower girl and ring bearer. Maddy was walked down by both of her parents. They said personalized vows, and then Thomas broke the glass as an ode to his Jewish heritage. They walked down the aisle and were immediately greeted with appetizers and drinks from the Mountain Shadows staff. They got to breathe and have a moment to themselves eating and drinking and just soaking it all in about what just happened! They were officially husband & wife!

During cocktail hour, they took family photos and sunset portraits. The guests got to enjoy appetizers that they picked out, drinks from “Baker’s Bar”, and live music performed by Dan Vega. Thomas and Maddy were in Sedona in the Summer of 2021 eating at a restaurant and heard Dan Vega play! His voice was so soothing and they reached out to him right after that to see if he could perform at our wedding. Luckily he was available and was the perfect vibe for the cocktail hour!

They also had a beer burro named Sophie. A beer burro is a very Arizona thing to have at your wedding. It’s a burro that walks around with coolers filled with ice and beer/white claw. Guests can take photos and grab drinks from her!

Thomas and Maddy did a reception reveal which is where you see the space for the first time before guests do. They were in AWE. She had seen it all on paper before but now seeing it physically, was such an incredible feeling for the bride. Of course, she had to go around and see each element of the tablescapes that she had picked out.

As guests found their seats from the seating chart that Details Duo made, the bride and groom along with the bridal party lined up on the stairs ready to do their grand entrance. Thomas and Maddy walked out and they said the feeling was insane. All of these people are here for them!

“We did our first dance to Lifetime by Justin Bieber and then our DJ played Thomas’ parent’s first song. Since they got married at Mountain Shadows, we wanted to surprise them with their first dance song, so they could relive that moment over again! We got up and danced with them, and then our entire wedding joined us and slow dance for two songs. It was so much fun getting to share that moment with everyone before dinner started” said Bride Maddy

Then they headed downstairs for an outfit change and to get the party started! Since the noise ordinance in AZ is 10 pm, we knew we wanted to head inside and really, REALLY get the party started – said bride and planner Maddy.