wedding details
While that other famous royal bride, Marie Antoinette, was never fortunate enough to visit L’Auberge de Sedona, we can’t help but feel she would have fallen in love with this luxury resort’s romantic creekside setting and stunning red rock views. In fact, she served as the inspiration for this “Thoroughly Modern Marie” wedding that Laura Marolakos, owner of Heart of Sedona Weddings, staged at the resort.
Laura explained that it wasn’t the typical gilded version everyone associates with Marie that inspired her. “It was her sense of sweetness, femininity and romance. I wanted to keep the realness and down-to-earth quality of Sedona coupled with the romance and beauty of being a bride.”
She chose the black and white anemone as her signature flower for its nostalgic, yet modern look. The anemone’s rounded petals are reflected in the soft, romantic shape of the spectacular rose petal carpet that surrounds our happy couple. The petal theme also carries over to the delicate, three-dimensional flowers appliquéd on the bride’s dress.
The wedding invitations, beribboned in pink, feature delicate pin dot detailing, spring green accents and a fabulous font with plenty of flourishes. Even Marie herself couldn’t help but say “Ouí!” to this exquisite invitation! And the fun paper banner strung between the trees adds a touch of whimsy while beckoning guests to the ceremony.
The desserts are positively decadent, including the pink and black fondant wedding cake embellished with handmade sugar peonies, gemstones and piped designs accented with edible silver. And those colorful little cakes are not only wrapped in striped white chocolate, they’re topped with white chocolate ruffles! Sparkling clear chargers with glass ball edging, silver rimmed dinnerware and napkins trimmed with lace are certainly fit for a queen.
“L’Auberge is the most amazing venue,” Laura says. “It’s rare to have the combination of red rocks, green grass and water all in one place because we are in the desert. There’s just something about the environment here in Sedona that helps people calm down and focus on the present moment. Sedona helps open the heart to love.” As Marie herself might have put it…c'est magnifique!
event design & stylizing: Laura Marolakos, Heart of Sedona Weddings
photographer: Sedona Bride Photographers
venue: L’Auberge de Sedona
flowers & rose petal carpet: Events by Show Stoppers
invitations & paper details: Celebrations in Paper
cake: Sedona Cake Couture
linens: Wildflower Linen
hair: Will Zecco
make-up: Corinna Cooke for Ellis Faas
wedding dress: Mariée
groom's attire: Saverio
rentals: Classic Party Rentals
