westvalleyweddings

Congratulations Ryan and Jamie

Ryan and Jamie got married at the Rio Vista Recreation Center in Peoria, AZ.  This is a unique and beautiful place to have a wedding and reception.  Images courtesy reevesphoto.com  

    

Thank You, But We Don't Need An Album... Or Do We?

By Marcia Mauskopf 

Many of the couples I speak with tell me that they don’t need an album…they like to scrapbook, or plan to view their images on their computers or even phones…no, they don’t need an album.

Technology has given us many avenues for immediate gratification where photography is concerned, but inherent in change is the danger of obsolescence. Will you be able to open that disc in five years as easily as opening an album?

Your wedding album is your first family history book; an heirloom designed to stand the test of time, handed down through generations, documenting who the most important people were in a particular family’s era. When a seven year old asks grandma why she has green eyes when the rest of the family has brown, a cuddle and the opening of an old wedding album shows her that two generations behind was a mother and daughter with gorgeous green eyes. Along with sharing the memories and joy of that moment in time, wedding albums are legacies.

I believe that every couple should have a beautiful, professionally designed wedding album.

Look at it this way...ever read the lyrics to a song and then heard the song performed in concert? It comes alive, doesn't it? In the same way that the emotion of the singer makes the song dance in your head, the subtleties of good album design make your story come alive. Images properly placed on the page work together to show the moments of your day in the most emotion filled way possible.

Courtesy Marcia Mauskopf

There is a bounty of pre-press albums available to the general public these days, from Blurb to Walmart and more. But, even if you do find the time to make your own album, do you have what it takes to really design a stunning family history book that you will be proud to show the rest of your life? Stunning album design doesn't come easily. It is the result of practice and training, an eye for composition, understanding of design and color theory, the very talents that your professional photographer has honed and works with daily.

Professionally produced albums are made of materials that are especially designed to last for generations and often come with lifetime guarantees. From museum quality pre-press to stunning magazine style books and traditional hand mounted photo albums, your photographer can provide you with an arrangement that tells your story in a way that will delight for generations to come in an album that will last that long. The presentation of your wedding images is single handedly the most important element in the enjoyment of your wedding photos. Isn't it the one thing you want to really do right?

Marcia Mauskopf is owner/operator of Marcia The Art of Photography in North Scottsdale, AZ. Marcia has photographed weddings for over 20 years in an eclectic style that combines emotion, art and fashion while documenting the moments of the day. See her portfolio at www.marciaphoto.com.

Congratulations Casey and Veronica!

Casey and Veronica were recently married at a church in Surprise followed by a reception at The Renaissance in Glendale. Photos by Reeves Photography & Videography

Golf and Weddings

Written by Phil Waring - Founder of Arizona Ministers

In the 1970’s, Litchfield Park was “out there.” Phoenicians that wandered that far out west found a corner drug store, a few shady tree-lined streets of estate homes, and a world-class golf resort hidden in an orange grove.

In three decades the cotton fields and fruit groves of the West Valley have become arenas, stadiums, parks, malls and home to literally hundreds of thousands of people. Like families that graced Arcadia, Sunnyslope, Madison and P.V., West Valley families are shaping and growing into dynamic communities.

The vistas, mountains and endless horizon of the West Valley frame each day. Most of the day eyes are turned away from the blazing sun coming from the east. The reward comes at sunset with the West Valley sky full of amber and fire.

That’s when a lot of West Valley weddings are happening. The West Valley has become a mecca for weddings and receptions because generations ago, thoughtful people planned it that way.

The West Valley also embraces its people’s devotion to golf. Good planning has placed beautiful country club golf courses all over the West Valley. Each one was created with the concept of social gatherings for members and friends, and of course, weddings.

From Estrella to Corte Bella and Arrowhead to Vistancia, the West Valley has nearly two dozen cool, grassy, splashy, ritzy, trendy, homey, and hospitable golf venues that host weddings. While their facilities, views and customer service rival places like Scottsdale, level-headed West Valley venues are reasonably priced for the community.

These West Valley country clubs are amazing. Grooms like the golf packages that are often included and brides enjoy spacious lounges for dressing. With two of the nation’s finest culinary schools located in Phoenix, the West Valley has tapped some of the most creative and innovative chefs. Most clubs have full-time wedding planners on staff.

In the 1970’s, Litchfield Park was “out there.” With hearts and vision, the West Valley is still  “out there,” leading the social future of great families.

Congratulations Grayson and Jennifer

Grayson and Jennifer were married at Old Town Bed and Breakfast Wedding and Reception Center in Old Town Peoria.  (Photos by Brian Travis Photography).