Ceremony: The Church of the Red Rocks
Reception: Enchantment Resort
June 9, 2018
Photography by Andrew Mejia and Katrina Wallace of Sedona Bride Photographers, sedonabride.com
HOW THEY MET:
The couple met on Match.com Teacher and mom Kiirsti was living in metro Phoenix, and Dan, who’s a manager, environmental health and safety at Amazon, was in the process of relocating from Minnesota to Arizona, when they started going out. “We had an instant connection,” says Kiirsti. “We shared a lot in common, and we couldn’t get enough of each other.”
THE PROPOSAL:
Dan popped the question while the couple was in Flagstaff in winter of 2017 with Dan’s son and Kiirsti’s stepson, RJ. The pair were in town to see the Polar Express. The trio was attending a Christmas (Kiirsti’s favorite holiday) parade in downtown Flagstaff when Dan pulled Kiirsti aside, got down on one knee and gave her a folded up piece of paper featuring pictures of the couple and RJ and asked for her hand in marriage. Dan’s son RJ proposed too. “It was cute, but very sweet and romantic,” says Kiirsti. Post-proposal, Kiirsti’s family threw the couple an impromptu engagement party at a Flagstaff hotel.
THE CEREMONY:
Kiirsti had attended a service at The Church of the Red Rocks years ago with her parents. She says she instantly fell in love with the red rock views the venue offers. Besides the stellar vistas from the chapel, Dan and Kiirsti also loved and connected with the pastor, Cindy Parker. Kiirsti says that her pre-wedding jitters evaporated as soon as she saw her husband at the end of the aisle. RJ was also included throughout the couple’s wedding. He even gave the couple their wedding bands. Cindy also asked him if he promised to be part of the family. After the pair exchanged vows, guests were transported to Enchantment Resort via the Red Rock Magic Trolley.
THE PARTY:
The start of the festivities kicked off at Enchantment Resort’s croquet lawn. Guests could sample the couple’s signature drinks. Kiirsti’s was “Sedona Sunset,” a martini drink. Dan’s drink was craft beer – his favorite beverage. Guests were then driven to Enchantment’s Agave Ballroom. There, they enjoyed a cocktail hour with hor d’ouerves outside before heading in. The reception officially started when Kiirsti’s dad gave a toast and thanked everyone for attending. He asked everyone to stand up and the band played “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. As the song was playing Kiirsti, Dan and RJ clinked glasses with all their guests. This set the overall tone of the wedding. “What we wanted our wedding to be about the people: Us as a marriage and family, but then also the people we were surrounded by,” says Kiirsti. One highlight included the best man RJ being introduced to AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” wearing sunglasses. Another special moment was when Kiirsti and her father danced to a song recorded, unbeknownst to Kiirsti, by Kiirsti’s mom. Kiirsti, Dan and RJ all danced to Rascal Flatt’s “My Wish.”
WHY SEDONA:
“It’s breathtaking,” says Kiirsti. “Beautiful location. You can’t beat it. It’s the perfect backdrop for setting the stage for the rest of our lives.”
WHAT WE LEARNED:
Kiirsti says that couples planning destination weddings should pick a planner they can depend on. “We trusted Laura Marolakos. We definitely connected with her. You want to connect with your planner,” says Kiirsti. “She definitely steered the ship the way we wanted it to go … you want to make sure it’s the way you want it to be.”
THE HONEYMOON:
The couple honeymooned at the all-inclusive, beachfront property Paradisus Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. The most memorable parts? Enjoying an amazing meal at one of the resort’s restaurants and sipping drinks while lounging on the beach. “It was just so relaxing,” says Kiirsti.
VENDORS:
Photographer: Sedona Bride Photographers, Andrew and Katrina, sedonabride.com
Wedding Venue: Church of the Red Rocks, churchoftheredrocks.com and Enchantment Resort, enchantmentresort.com
Wedding Planner: Laura Marolakos, Heart of Sedona Weddings, heartofsedonaweddings.com
Bride’s Gown: Enzoani, Uptown Bridal, uptownbrides.com
Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Bride’s Veil: Enzoani, Uptown Bridal, uptownbrides.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Sedona Beauty Team, sedonabeautyteam.com
Groom’s Tux: Men’s Warehouse
Rings: Ganem Jewelers, ganemjewelers.com
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Watters, Bella Bridesmaids, bellabridesmaids.com
Groomsmen’s Attire: Men’s Warehouse
