Story by: Susie Alofs and Emily Glynn
After years as mates, Christopher and Don Griffin have finally tied the knot. The couple took their nuptials to the water and set sail in luxury during an unforgettable evening cruise on Lake Pleasant.
INVITATION: To excite and inspire their out-of-town guests, the grooms chose a handmade, hand-tied save-the-date detailed with nautical rope, dual wedding bands and masculine stripes. To create your own nautical invite, craft homemade invites by filling glass bottles with sand, shells and a tightly rolled scroll with the event details. Add a cork to keep everything in place and several ribbons that complement your color scheme.
LOCATION: The grooms-to-be wanted their wedding location to showcase Arizona’s natural beauty; Lake Pleasant, with its stunning mountain views and breathtaking sunsets, was the perfect backdrop. Both the ceremony and reception were held aboard the elegant Out of the Blue houseboat, where family and friends celebrated the newlyweds in style beneath a starry summer sky.
CUISINE: Guests were greeted with flutes of Champagne, sweet tea and an eclectic medley of pre-ceremony hors d’ouevres as they boarded the vessel. Tony Rea of Creations in Cuisine customized an extensive menu of Southwestern-inspired appetizers, rather than settling on a single dinner entrée. Everything from chipotle beef empanadas to pork sliders with smoked pepper bacon was prepped in the galley kitchen, giving guests the opportunity to interact with the talented service staff. As the evening came to a close, the grooms cut into a three-tier chocolate and Italian cream cake adorned with candy pearls, golden twine and a glittering anchor.
DÉCOR: The couple tweaked the navy-and-white color scheme typically associated with the high sea by adding a splash of color. Bouquets of canary yellow blossoms from Blooming Expressions peppered the upper deck, though the nautical boutonnieres took center stage. Pinned to each grooms’ left lapel was a delicate calla lily fastened with white rope.
PARTY FAVORS: Party favors were simple and practical. Each guest took home a drink koozie emblazoned with the grooms’ names, wedding date and a cute nod to the maritime theme. Printed across an image of a black and white anchor was the phrase “you are my anchor” in playful cursive script.
CATERING: Creations In Cuisine Catering creationsincuisinecatering.com.
FLORAL Blooming Expressions bloomingexpressionsflowers.com.
INVITATIONS The Paper Place thepaperplaceaz.com.
VESSEL Out of the Blue outofthebluehouseboat.com
