Here’s a roundup of all the details for the Desert Botanical Garden’s wedding contest. Readers of the Arizona Republic picked all the details for the 10-10-10 wedding. Cara Carboni and Brett Dusek won the contest, beating more than 250 other couples to win a wedding valued at more than $85,000.
Below are the poll results, with all but a few of the pictures taken by non other than Keith Pitts! Hard to believe the wedding is a little over a week away! The wedding is next Sunday, and Keith’s photographs of the wedding will be featured in the Arizona Republic on Tuesday, October 12th. Stay tuned. I can’t wait to see how all these choices play out in pictures. It is going to be gorgeous!
THE WINNING COUPLE
Cara & Brett
HAIR, MAKEUP & JEWELRY
Winner: Whimsically Romantic
Hair: Up and swept to the side, accented with a flower.
Make-Up: More bronzing on the face with mauve tones on eyes with liner and berry lips.
Jewelry:
Bride: Pearls and Swarovski crystals wire wrapped together make these earrings delicately classy.
Bridesmaids: These Swarovski crystal triangle drops are the perfect, simple accent to the bride’s earrings.
THE CAKE
THE BOUQUET
The Winner: Sophisticated Elegance
Victorian decadence describes this octagon shaped cake topped with an ivory globe. Each tier is adorned with fondant swag, gum paste cameos and royal icing filigree.
The base is bordered with lustrous string pearls and rolled fondant roses. The orb is nestled in a bed of pink and peach colored fondant roses and purple violets and decorated with strips of fondant ribbon and royal icing vines. The cake is topped with a pearl dusted fondant bow.
THE TABLE SETTING
The winner: Natural Elegance
Classic boutonniere with hydrangea foliage and white gardenias, wrapped in ivory satin ribbon.
Rounded, lush bouquet designed with white hydrangea, fragrant gardenias and cream English garden roses, lightly adorned with vintage pearls wrapped in ivory satin ribbon. Accented with a silver and pearl vintage brooch.
Winner: Classical Romance
This more traditional option has echoes of romance! The Gold Beaded Charger will nestle the hand painted menu from Celebrations in Paper.
Tri-Rentals will set the table with Gold Flatware and a simple Opus Stemware creating a harmonious table setting for our round table. A punch of color through the Coral Underlay adds drama.
The Overlay and Chair Caps in an Autumn Tara Sheer from Southwick Linens create visual interest while maintaining the antique touch that our couple loves! A classic gold Chiavari Chair pulls the elements together.
Petal Pusher’s floral footed glass vase lushly filled with hydrangea, english garden roses in cream, pinks and coral with touches of jasmine and scented geranium will bring a refined floral feel to the Garden in October.
THE FEAST
Winner: Grazing Action Station Dinner
Served to Each Guest
Caesar Salad Enclosed in a Garlic Tuille Collar with Chipotle Caesar Dressing
Station One – New England
Station Two – Texas
Station Three – Arizona Pasta Station
Dessert
Wedding Cake Served to Each Guest
Topped with Warm Margarita Sabayon, Prepared in View
Table Side Coffee Service
Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee
Hot Tea Selection
THE DETAILS
The winner: Botanical Chic
These on-of-a-kind, hand-painted watercolor pieces capture the vibrancy of the desert for this chic affair. These unique and artistics hand-lettered invitations set the tone for the dream wedding. Each piece showcases botanical desert elements.
THE ATTIRE
Cara’s Bridal Gown
The winner: Modern Elegance
Ivory Tissue Taffeta princess bridal gown, sleeveless jewel neckline, natural gathered waist with floral detail, open back, sweep train.
The winner: Classic Party
Satin strapless knee-length dress with diagonally draped bodice and full skirt with pockets. If this style is chosen, bridesmaid dresses will be in coral.
THE LOCATION
The winner: Botanical Beauty
Wedding Ceremony: Wildflower Pavilion
Join Cara and Brett as they say “I do” in the Wildflower Pavilion, an open air pavilion surrounded by wildflowers and twinkling rustic stars.
photo by Heather Kadar Photography
Cocktail Hour: Stardust Plaza
Their guests will enjoy bites to eat and cocktails in the unique Cactus and Succulent Galleries among the Garden’s most striking plants and cacti.
photo by Adam Rodriguez
Reception: Ullman Terrace
Dinner and dancing will take place on Ullman Terrace, where the Garden Butte features as a backdrop for a naturally stunning evening.
AZ Photos
After Party: Boppart Courtyard
The sun sets, twinkle-lit mesquite trees and spot-lighted saguaros highlight the beauty of the desert. The party will continue into the starry night with dancing, music, and laughter on Boppart Courtyard.
Desert Botanical Garden
Vendors participating in the Desert Botanical Garden’s wedding contest
The Arizona Republic / Channel 12 / azcentral.comCelebrations in Paper, celebrationsinpaper.com
Classic Party Rentals, classicpartyrentals.com
Desert Botanical Garden, dbg.org
Fabulous Food Fine Catering and Events,fabulousfood.net
Flipbook Memories, flipbookmemories.com
Garden Shop at the Desert Botanical Garden, dbg.org
Honey Moon Sweets, honeymoonsweets.com
Keith Pitts Photography, keithpitts.com
Latest Craze Productions, latestcrazeproductions.com
Liz Love Collections, lizlovecollections.com
Madison Avenue Salon & Day Spa, spamadison.com
Mancini Entertainment: Music Doctors DJ/MC, mancinientertainment.com
Miguel Rodriguez
Ollie the Trolley/Dunn Transportation, olliethetrolley.net
Petal Pusher, azpetalpusher.com
Pour Masters Bartending Service, pourmasters.com
P.S. Studios, Inc., psstudios.com
Simply Cinema, simply-cinema.com
String Serenade, stringserenade.com
The Swingtips, swingtips.com
Themers, themers.com
Twirl, Chandler and Scottsdale locations, twirlboutique.com
Southwick Linens, southwicklinens.com
Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, kierlandresort.com
Victoria Canada Weddings & Events, weddingsandevents.net
