win a wedding

Tempe residents Anna ranita and Alex moore received quite the Valentine’s Day gift this year: they won the wedding of their dreams, provided by the International Special Events Society (ISES).

In partnership with AZ family/3TV, ISES offered the winning couple (notified on live television) the services of a specially selected vendor “dream team,” including celebrity wedding planner preston Bailey and local event planner Julie Levy. From the floral design to the food, television viewers helped Anna and Alex select the perfect elements for their May 16 celebration.

The couple, who met as children, exchanged vows at the beautiful Castle at Ashley manor. recalls the bride, “one special touch to this wedding was that every step of the planning was voted on by the public. Also, we have a video diary of the entire wedding planning process.”

The scene was set with an aisle decorated with tall candles and bright floral arrangements. The poignant ceremony began with the lighting of candles in remembrance of the bride’s mother and the groom’s brother who were recently deceased.

The bright décor of tangerine and apple green was seen in everything from the flowers and linens, all the way to the apricot and pistachio macaroons at the french coffee bar. Table settings featured persimmon-colored napkins, and green hydrangea blooms were set to greet each guest. orange roses and green hydrangea filled tall vases featuring floating candles.

Guests dined on a delicious salad with strawberries, spinach and feta, followed by a lemon sorbet, served in a hollowed-out lemon to cleanse the palate. They then enjoyed New York strip steak and chicken marsala.

For dessert? The four-tiered creation included alternating layers of chocolate with chocolate ganache filling and pink champagne layers with white chocolate filling. Draped in smooth white fondant with an iridescent shimmer, the cake was accented with green sugar paste flowers.

“The intricacies of the wedding were unforgettable but the kindness and generosity of the vendors, families, and friends are what made the night truly special. in the end our wedding was more than we could have ever dreamed.”

Location:
The Castle at Ashley Manor

Photographer:
Fred Ferguson

Linens:
BBJ Linen

Caterer:
Personal Chef Catering

Florist:
Cactus Flower

Music:
Millennium Entertainment

Wedding Coordinator:
Julie Levy, Sophisticated Shindigs

Attire:
Uptown Bridal

Makeup and hair styling:
Rolf’s

Cake:
La Dolce Pesca

Invitations:
Write & invite

Minister:
Phillip Waring

Rehearsal dinner:
The Melting Pot

Bachelorette party:
E4 Lounge

Wedding bands:
Jewelry.com

the wedding insiders
Newlyweds share their experiences...

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keri ouellet & walt chantler
jessica farruggia & sean barry
catherine arthur & demetrios anifantis
anna ranita & alex moore
jaimee ditommaso & craig pascale
hillary & jeff mielke
ellen walpert & christopher kobran