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Kathleen and Robert met through the former's college tennis strength and conditioning coach at Northern Arizona University, where off the court she was studying marketing. The coach introduced the pair at concert—and by the last song, Robert had asked Kathleen for her number.
In 2011, Robert popped the question on a weekend to celebrate a friend's wedding. "We were in Chicago," Kathleen recalls, "and Robert surprised me with a beautiful proposal in the hotel room before a day of sightseeing and shopping in the city."
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Kathleen and Robert selected Sedona, Arizona, as the site for their May wedding—"It's beautiful and easy to get to from Phoenix," Kathleen explains—then fell head-over-heels for the sweeping red mountain views and luxury accommodations offered at L'Auberge de Sedona. "Most of our wedding guests came from out of state, so we wanted the ability to hold all the wedding festivities in one place to minimize travel and maximize togetherness," Kathleen says. In the days leading up to the wedding, the couple's 110 guests enjoyed golf outings, spa days, organized hikes and Jeep tours of the Grand Canyon.
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Kathleen's ivory lace Liancarlo gown was "very form-fitting but classic at the same time," the bride gushes, highlighting the dress' scalloped straps and mermaid cut.
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The bride completed her look with a diamond drop necklace and matching earrings.
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The bride's favorite hue, eggplant purple, inspired the couple's rich-colored decor and vibrant flower arrangements. Kathleen's bouquet was made of violet orchids, hydrangea and Calla lilies.
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Robert's boutonniere was also made from purple blooms—with a hint orange, too.
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Three bridesmaids donned strapless silver sheaths by Monique Lhuillier, while Kathleen's maid-of-honor dressed in a one-shoulder purple gown by the same designer. To guard against the evening chill, the 'maids later wrapped green and purple pashminas around their shoulders.
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Robert and his groomsmen wore matching black tuxedos, complete with vests and color palette-appropriate purple ties.
A mum-covered box wrapped in gray and purple ribbons served as the ring bearer's pillow.
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Kathleen, escorted by her father, walked down a rose petal-strewn aisle to Pachelbel's classic Cannon in D.
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A plunging lace back was another standout feature to the bride's Liancarlo gown, which she purchased at a Destiny's Bride in Phoenix.
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Kathleen and Robert included and recitation of An Irish Blessing into their otherwise traditional ceremony service. "There was a touching description of marriage by the celebrant, too," Kathleen says.
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"Family and friends were the most important aspects of the wedding, so keeping everyone together while providing enough room to relax was very important," Kathleen says of the couple's decision to host both ceremony and reception on the same property, mere steps from each location.
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Guests noshed on their choice of rosemary-scented pork tenderloin, sage-roasted chicken breast or Atlantic salmon with sides of whipped potatoes, pomme puree and seasonal vegetables during the couple's outdoor reception. Dessert? An ice cream bar, complete with pick-your-own toppings.
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As the reception came to a close, guests took with them a "travel-friendly" favor, the bride says—a small succulent to plant in their homes.
—Jillian Kramer
Ceremony Venue: L'Auberge de Sedona || Reception Venue: L'Auberge de Sedona || Bride's Wedding Dress: Liancarlo || Groom's Wedding Ring: Will McNabb Fine Jewelry Studio || Bridesmaids' Dresses: Monique Lhuillier || Florist: Petal Pusher || Caterer: L'Auberge de Sedona || Stationery: Ali Ink Custom Designed Invitations || Cake Baker: L'Auberge de Sedona || Entertainment: Desert House Productions || Photography: Tangled Lilac Photography