I had the honor of designing and creating decorated cookies for a beautiful vineyard wedding in Sedona this past weekend.
My time in the kitchen was made even more special since it was my nephew’s wedding.
I love making cookies for people I know (and love). I think of them the entire time from sketch to the tying of the ribbon. How lucky can a baker girl and auntie get?
The destination wedding location was unique and lovely and not at all what I expected to see in Sedona especially after hiking the red rocks to the Boynton Canyon vortex earlier in the day before the rehearsal dinner. See the rocky tower to the right?
We made it!
People asked me if I felt anything at the vortex. I told them, yes – I felt how out of shape I was and how sunburned I got but it was beyond gorgeous.
Later that Friday evening, we took a short drive out of town to a different terrain.
All the wedding festivities would take place at the Dancing Apache Lodge. The lodge, vineyards and surrounding property belonged to the Johnson-Wendall party for the weekend. It seemed a thousand miles away from the world and the desert.
The rehearsal dinner which included 50 guests was held down by the pond at sunset amid glowing lanterns and candle light. Sally, the groom’s mother and my SIL, dressed the night in magic with rustic fall wreaths on the tables and hurricane glasses in various sizes.
The warm feeling of rustic elegance touched every wedding detail.
From the boutonnieres ~
To a fun game to play during cocktails after the ceremony ~
… and for the children, a wedding themed activity book.
The very creative bride and groom made wine charms that sparkled which also provided guests with their table number.
Before the wedding ceremony, guests gathered leisurely on the wrap around porch at the lodge and on the lawn.
The groom’s parents, Randy and Sally.
The lovely Leah.
The bar was set up on the unbelievable porch where the groom’s home brewed pumpkin spiced beer was served to guests along with wine from Randy’s college friend’s vineyard. Bocce ball and other lawn games ensued behind the lodge.
Satin navy clothes draped over cocktail tables dotted the creekside lawn.
A single elegant flower and blackberry in a mercury glass votive adorned each cocktail table.
With the late afternoon wedding about to begin, the guests walked over to the vineyard area where the talented groom, Scott, made the arbor for the ceremony. What a memorable keepsake for their garden at home.
It was decorated with hanging glass bubbles, flowers, grapes and moss.
With the acoustic guitar playing, it was time for the ceremony to begin and for everyone to take their seats.
Wow….amazing venue for a wedding! Makes me want to re-do mine! I love all the details…congrats to the happy couple! Your cookies are gorgeous!
What an amazing spot for a wedding!! Wow!! And those cookies, almost too cute to eat. Almost but I could manage:)
And your cookies matched! I really like that little garland around the bottle necks.
Most certainly agree with your comments on visiting the vortex…We were just their and visited the Bell Rock vortex.
This wedding is just so beautiful and wish the couple many years of happiness.
How wonderful Marilyn! A most beautiful setting for the event.
I cannot get over those cookies. They are perfect!
Oh I have a Designer Pillows Giveaway! I hope you will join! ( a great resource as well)
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Those boutonnieres are perfect! And yes, your cookies fit right in.
Everything looks just beautiful, what a gorgeous venue for a wedding!! And those cookies….makes me want to get married all over again just so I can have a certain baking whiz send me some delicious lovelies like the ones pictured above!!
Sending you my best wishes for your nephew and his new bride!
Lily Lemontree (AS)
xo
Wow. Awesome. What beautiful pics of the wedding and your cookies are amazing as usual. Have a blessed weekend my friend.
Your cookies were, once again, absolutely perfect. I like what you finally decided upon. Just enough wine to enhance the bride and groom. The perfect touch for a perfect weekend!
WOW – what an amazing wedding and the cookies are to die for! SO CUTE!
I am so glad you posted the pics of the wedding and your AMAZING cookies! I can’t wait for Part Deux!
Thank you all for your very nice compliments and for taking the time to post them. 🙂 xoxo
So, so impressed. I’ve never been to Sedona. What a gorgeous location.