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Colorful DIY Arizona wedding: Mary + Tommy

January 28, 2016
Wedding portrait

When Elizabeth McDonnell Photography showed us snaps of Mary’s bright Mara Hoffman wedding dress, we just had to learn more about these two + their day. As suspected, they’re tons of fun. Like four days of straight parties fun. And designer Mary just so happens to be the biggest (and best) DIYer there is. Invitations, décor, signage… Naturally we had to get deets.

Colorful wedding invitation Bridal portrait

Obvs Butterfly Petals knows a thing or two about southwest-inspired bouquets…

Bridesmaids portrait Arizona wedding portrait Wedding rings Bridal portrait

Elizabeth of Elizabeth McDonnell Photography says, Mary + Tommy are one of those couples you dream about working with. Creative, laidback, stylish, and FUN. Every vendor I worked with remarked on how amazing they were to work with and how incredibly creative the bride was. The bride, a designer by trade (and by nature), was a true DIY bride. Everything from the hand stamped table runners, the hand painted table numbers on wood blocks (that she built), and the custom invitations—not only coordinated perfectly, but were one of a kind designs by the bride herself.

Halogen wedding shoes Spring bridal bouquet Bridesmaid portrait Wedding portrait Colorful DIY Arizona wedding DIY Arizona wedding Wooden escort card display

Neat seating chart, yeah?

Arizona wedding centerpiece DIY wedding centerpiece Dessert table display

Tommy is from Pittsburgh so they wanted to include the Pittsburgh tradition of a cookie table, and the cookies all adorned platters brought by friends + family.

Dessert table
  • Bridal portrait
  • Bridal bouquet
  • DIY wedding centerpiece
  • Bridesmaids portrait
  • Wedding lounge area
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You’re probably wondering how Mary managed to handcraft everything, right? Here’s what she said:

Everything we did was dedicated to trying to create as many opportunities to catch up with all of our loved ones… For four days straight, we had parties and celebrations, from a pool party to Whiskey Western Night, and finally the ceremony and reception! And, as a designer and maker, I had handmade details at all of them. It was beautifully exhausting to plan, but worth every moment. By the morning of the wedding, I was already so tired that I worried I wouldn’t be able to make it through the day….Like, I literally broke down. I had been planning and making and imagining this day for a whole year and I was so tired from the three parties we had already had I couldn’t imagine having another HUGE party! But, it ended up being the most perfect end to a magical weekend. And, my very favorite day of the whole weekend.

Cheers!

Photographer: Elizabeth McDonnell Photography / Photography Assistant/Second Shooter: Kelsey Shirley Photography / Venue: Tubac Golf Resort & Spa / Florals: Butterfly Petals / Invitations: Bride / Dessert & Cookies: Sugar Sweet Bakery / DJ/ Band: Hans Hutchison / Bridesmaids Gifts: Avenue Boutique / Bride’s Dress: Mara Hoffman​ Bridal ​/ Shoes: Halogen / Bridesmaid Dresses: BCBG / Groom’s Suit: H&M