My Tucson Wedding

Ryan Scott and Alexandra Taylor were married at a beautiful outdoor ceremony at the renowned Saguaro Buttes in Tucson, Arizona on August 16, 2008. The reception was an elegant affair with blue draped tuxedo linens accented by silver napkins and silver chavari chairs.They met in the Fall of 2002 at the Street Fiestas in Tucson and have a wonderful son named Ryan, pictured here with Ryan and Alexandra.

Growing up in the Midwest, Nebraska and Illinois, where green vegetation is abundant in the Spring & Summer, I have realized the “green” in Arizona is not the same, it is more of a brown/green. During the Monsoon season though, primarily July and August, Arizona does tend to brighten up, especially in Saguaro National Park which is the backdrop for Saguaro Buttes. Although it doesn’t compare with the “Midwest green” it is still a very beautiful time of year in the desert. Saguaro Buttes is a fantastic location, with 360 degree views, a great place to take advantage of the fabulous photographic opportunities for your wedding ceremony.

Dave Kendall and Debi Mitchusson were wed at Saguaro Buttes on Aug. 9th, 2009.  I had the privilege and honor of performing their  ceremony and have enjoyed getting to know them over the last several weeks. They are a wonderful couple with a bright future together. I wish them God’s blessing. They have a web page which has the following story of how they met and how Dave proposed, it is called “Our Story”.

ONCE UPON A TIME…How We Met

As most of you know, we met at work. We are both in the Air Force. Dave is a pilot and I am a navigator. Can you think of a better match?!? Although we were stationed together since 2004, various trips to the Middle East kept us from meeting until a fateful trip in January 2006. While flying together from Tucson to Kuwait, an unexpected engine problem caused a 8-day delay on the island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea. We have been together ever since.

His Background

Dave grew up in Northwest Indiana, aka “Da Region”, and attended the Air Force Academy. He entered the Air Force in 1999, graduated pilot training in 2001, and has been in Tucson since 2004.

Her Background

Debi was born in Florida and lived there until the family moved to Georgia when she was 10 years old. She went to Reinhardt College and eventually graduated from Kennesaw State University. After a short stint in the Peace Corps she entered the Air Force in March 2001, and has been in Tucson since 2002.

How He Proposed (in his words)

I had intended on proposing during a carefully planned hiking trip in the mountains with the question coming at an overlook while the sun set over the entire city of Tucson. But, as is the case with much of our relationship, fate stepped in. After several weeks of delays in the ring showing up, a highly unexpected Saturday delivery by the FedEx man, with Debi in the adjoining room, brought a change of plans. After one look at the ring, I lost all ability to keep it to myself and had to put it on her finger as quickly as possible. With ring in case and case in FedEx box in hand, I got down on one knee, thankfully remembered about half of what I had intended to say, and asked Debi to marry me.

Their Web Page

Their web page can be found at http://www.mywedding.com/daveanddebi/index.html

I never tire of the gorgeous sunsets at Saguaro Buttes. This photo was taken on July 22, 2008. During the monsoon season, because of the rain clouds,  nightfall is beautiful as the clouds become the backdrop to paint those fantastic gold, orange, and red hues of the setting sun. Saguaro Buttes sits on a hill top so we have perfect views of the evening sunsets. We can not guarantee a beautiful sunset each night, but if there is one, you can’t miss it.

Wildlife abounds at Saguaro Buttes in Tucson and it is always a delight to catch a glimpse. Today there was a yearling deer standing in the driveway looking curious and I was able to snap a shot before it bounded away. Saguaro Buttes is located adjacent to Saguaro National Park East which has thousands of acres of open space, desert and wilderness, abounding in wildlife that comes down to lower elevations looking for food and water. We see deer, javelina, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, turtles, and coyotes to name a few. We have also seen a bobcat trying to catch a rabbit for dinner during one of our weddings. It was a crowd pleaser as 50 guests watched to see if the bobcat would catch his prey or if the rabbit would realize he was on the menu.

The Unity Candle is a timeless tradition which many brides still hold dear. This ceremony consists of the bride and groom each taking a taper which has been previously lit and simultaneously lighting a third larger “Unity Candle” to symbolize the joining of their lives.

A suggestion for outdoor weddings, use a shroud or a glass case. The candle is then protected from any slight breeze which may inhibit the candle ceremony. Another option for breezy evenings, is to light the Unity Candle inside following the introduction of the bride and groom. An elegant ceremony as the candle can remain lit the remainder of the evening as a visible symbol of their union.

The Pastor will typically say the following as the bride and groom light their unity candle.

“The two outside candles of the candelabra have been lighted to represent their lives at this moment. They are two distinct lights, each capable of going their separate ways. To bring bliss and happiness to their home there must be the merging of these two lights into one light. This is what God meant when He said: ‘On this account, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall be one flesh.’ From now on their thoughts shall be for each other rather than for their individual selves. Their plans shall be mutual, their joys and sorrows shall be shared alike. As they each take a candle and together light the center candle, they will extinguish their own candles, thus letting the center candle symbolize the union of our lives into one flesh. As this one light cannot be divided, neither shall their lives be divided. May the radiance of this one light be a witness of their unity in Christ.”

As your guests arrive at Saguaro Buttes they are greeted by our exceptional parking assistants and shuttle service. Your guests will feel special as they are escorted to the front entrance and directed to the ceremony site. The shuttle is included in the venue and also runs all evening to return your guests to their vehicles.

Two colors of sand joined as one is romantically symbolic of your new life together. Typically this ceremony is done immediately following the ring exchange and prior to the couple being pronounced Husband and Wife. Unity sand can be a great substitute for the unity candle, especially for outdoor weddings where there may be a breeze. Your children may also be included in the ceremony giving them a special place.

Wording for the sand ceremony is as follows:

“(Bride) and (Groom) today you are making a life-long commitment to share the rest of your lives with each other. Your relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these individual containers of sand; one, representing you, (groom), and one representing you, (Bride). Each container represents the separate journeys you once were on.(Optional)There are children who will share in this marriage. _________ and __________ will now come forward to help us with the Blending of the Sands. The gathering of this new family will have a deep influence upon them. We realize that in order for the home to be a happy one, it is essential that there be love and understanding between the children and the adults being married. As you each hold your sand, the separate containers of sand represent your lives to this moment; individual and unique. As you now combine your sand together, your lives also join together as one family. You may now blend the sand together symbolizing the unity of the children and bride and groom. Just as these grains of sand are forever inseparable, always shall your lives and family be as one.

Holiday weddings can be a wonderful time of joy and celebration, a romantic event with great flair. Sarah Turner chose tiered cupcakes topped with red and blue stars with a beautiful blue linen accent.

I have performed hundreds of wedding ceremonies and one of my favorite passages to use during the ceremony is called, “Blessing of the Hands”. This holds a very romantic and powerful message to the bride and groom. Customarily I have couples face each other, usually right before they repeat their vows and I have them hold each others hands. I ask them to look down at the hands they are holding on their wedding day, then I follow with these words.

“These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.”

At this Saguaro Buttes wedding the bride transformed the banquet room with romantic elegance using pink organza and ivory trico in a criss cross pattern on the ceiling. The added lights and candles in the evening gave a special glow to the festivities.

At a recent wedding at Saguaro Buttes in June of 2008 the Bride and Groom set up a room just for Candy lovers. There were chocolates, mints, jelly beans, M & M’s, and cookies to name a few of the goodies. This is a wonderful way to make your wedding guests feel special and of course the kids loved it.