Desert Delight: Katie & Shad's Stonebridge Manor Wedding

Katie and Shad's gorgeous winter wedding at Stonebridge Manor was filled with sunny skies, moody colors, and lots of love. Katie and Shad first met back in 2018, so this incredible day was a long time coming! Katie joked:

If our wedding day were a movie, it would be called "They are FINALLY getting married!"

It's not exactly easy to find a private estate with tons of greenery in the middle of the desert, but Katie and Shad found it in Stonebridge Manor. The couple was looking for a beautiful venue and an easy planning experience. Katie explained:

Being able to completely customize our vision with an already stunning venue was everything we could have asked for!

a beautiful nighttime shot of stonebridge manor

On the much-anticipated wedding day, Katie put her gorgeous gown on in the get-ready room, and the ladies took a few moments to relax before the festivities started.

katie and her wedding party

Meanwhile, Shad and his groomsmen were getting ready and enjoying some pool in Stonebridge Manor's billiards room. Katie shared a behind-the-scenes story:

While getting ready for the wedding, our daughter was not feeling well and even got sick. We expected her not to be able to walk down the aisle, but she actually did go down with her cousin stealing the show while playing in the bushes and lying in the grass!

the adorable flower girl and ring security

When it was time for the ceremony, guests enjoyed the mild winter weather that Arizona is known for. The Garden Pavilion boasts a selection of multiple ceremony options, and Katie and Shad exchanged vows in front of the columns and lush lawn. The bridesmaids stunned in floor-length black gowns, while the groomsmen had a splash of color in their red ties and black suits. The beautiful floral arrangements of eucalyptus, burgundy roses, dried red stems, and white roses from In Bloom tied the whole look together. 

the columns ceremony site, all dressed up

A particularly memorable moment was when Katie walked down the aisle, and the couple saw each other for the first time that day. In fact, Katie shared that if they could relive one part of their wedding day every day, it would be that moment: 

The moment I started walking down the aisle to Shad was so special because you could see the love and emotion while our song was playing.

The couple also integrated a unity ceremony, infusing it with their own unique touch:

We did the unity candle ceremony that's traditional in Shad's family with their religious culture. We put a twist to it involving our moms lighting our candles and then us lighting the unity candle. 

After the ceremony, the festivities continued with cocktail hour on the terrace. Guests enjoyed the flowing drinks, mouthwatering appetizers, and beautiful scenery. Katie and Shad offered their guests a wide variety of delicious appetizers during cocktail hour: 

• Sweet & Tangy BBQ Meatballs
• Variety of Domestic & Imported Cheese with Wafers
• Mac & Cheese Panko Croquettes
• Mini Shrimp Tostadas
• Pork Belly BLT Crostinis
• Chicken & Waffles with Bourbon Syrup 

Following the cocktail hour, guests entered the Garden Pavilion for the reception. Stepping inside, guests were wowed by the elegance of the reception space. Katie and Shad's careful planning was evident in every aspect, and their creative vision came to life beautifully. The couple paired white floor-length linens with silver charger plates and white napkins for a clean, elegant look. The centerpieces (from In Bloom) alternated between a cluster of tall clear glass votives with white candles and stunning acrylic stands with a mix of burgundy and white roses, red dried flowers, and lush greenery. A personal touch was the thank-you cards tucked inside each napkin, courtesy of Shad and Katie's thoughtful creativity.

Katie said that her guests were wowed by Stonebridge Manor. She said her guests kept telling her:

"This is the fanciest wedding I've ever been to"

"The ceremony was beautiful"

"This is gorgeous"

"You picked a great venue"

katie and shad at their sweetheart table

The venue truly looked stunning. Their coordinator, Andrea, especially loved the deep shades of red and burgundy mixed with the clean black and white accents and all the greenery. Katie also gave a pro tip about collaborating with vendors:

Be very specific about what you want and go with someone you connect with. It's your one day, so make it count!

To kick off the reception, the newlyweds made a grand entrance into the Garden Pavilion and enjoyed their first dance. Guests enjoyed their delicious plated meal, featuring the popular five cheese tortellini pesto parmesan and the panko parmesan crusted chicken with sherry cream. After dinner, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived - the couple cutting into their cake from Piece of Cake Desserts, a tasty tiered cake with coconut cream and almond cream cheese.

their first dance as newlyweds!

The night continued with an abundance of dancing, creating an energetic atmosphere that kept everyone on their feet. The photo booth, always popular among guests, added an extra fun touch.

Another special touch was that the couple hired talented painter Dave Wilhelmsen for a live painting of their reception! Talk about a keepsake that they'll appreciate for years to come. Matt, the general manager of Stonebridge Manor, agreed:

Having a live painter was really unique; we have yet to see many of those here, and our entire team thought it was so cool! I love that they can hang the painting in their home for a daily reminder of an incredible experience. 

Katie, shad, and painter dave with his masterpiece

The guests gathered outside for a spectacular grand sparkler exit at the night's end. 

a memorable grand exit

Congratulations, Katie and Shad! We are incredibly grateful for allowing us to make your wedding day a reality. Katie offered a final piece of advice for all the other couples preparing for their special day:

It's your one day to celebrate your and your spouse's love coming together as husband and wife, husband and husband, wife and wife, etc... so do what you envision, and don't hold back! 

congratulations, katie and shad!

If you're interested in exploring Stonebridge Manor by Wedgewood Weddings, call or text 866.966.3009 to schedule your free tour.

Thank you to our amazing vendors!

• Photography: CAM AND LARISA PHOTOGRAPHY
• DJ/MC: DIRECT SOUNDS DJ
• Florals: IN BLOOM WEDDING AND EVENT FLORAL
• Cake: PIECE OF CAKE DESSERTS
• Live Painter: DAVE WILHEMSEN