Lysandra & Bryce: JFK TO PHX

Krystal Gardenia
Jun 16
4 min read

There’s something really special about watching two people merge their worlds into one celebration. For Lysandra and Bryce, that meant bringing a taste of New York, a splash of Caribbean rhythm, and a whole lot of personality to the Arizona desert. Hosted at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, their wedding was equal parts personal, polished, and just plain fun. It was a day that felt uniquely them—intentional in the details but never too serious to forget the dance floor.

The Looks: Classic Formalwear WITH Personality

From the moment Lysandra started getting ready, it was clear this day would be full of personal touches. Instead of the usual robe, she wore a custom oversized white dress shirt embroidered with her new last name, “Mrs. Tarrant,” on the collar.

PRO TIP: If hiring separate vendors for hair and makeup, always try to connect them beforehand so they can iron out any details that might affect each other. Keep in mind that typically the hair stylist and makeup artist will not work on each person at the same time. The wedding party will need to alternate between hair and makeup so make sure the schedule is nailed down to avoid overlap in timing.

Her ceremony dress was sleek and structured, with a dramatic off-the-shoulder neckline and a soft train that moved effortlessly as she walked. Bryce mirrored the vibe in a sharp white tux jacket with black accents—a look that felt classic but still cool. The wedding party continued the aesthetic with rich green tones the complimented Lysandra's bouquet, and sharp black tuxes, giving the whole group a cohesive and polished l look.

The Ceremony: Island Sounds in the Desert

As a nod to Lysandra's Caribbean roots, guests arrived to the sound of steel pan music playing live as they made their way into the ceremony space. The ceremony itself was held outdoors, surrounded by desert mountains, tall trees, and views that stretched for miles. The floral design was exotic yet elegant with whimsical stems and unique varieties that created interesting shapes and added a fun pop of color to the black-tie affair.

Cocktail Hour: Red Carpet Moments & Rolled Cigars

A draped photo backdrop created a red carpet-style photo op area, where a stationed photographer captured guests in their best looks as they entered cocktail hour.

PRO TIP: Although your time during cocktail hour will be busy with marriage license signing, family photos, newlywed portraits, and other things—Keep in mind that for your guests, cocktail hour can be a somewhat boring time with nothing to do but drink. Trust me, no one is going to complain about the open bar, but it's nice to include some interactive things for guests to participate in to fill the time. This is also a great opportunity to include subtle nods to your hometowns, interests, and personalities.

In addition to the full bar and delicious appetizers, a custom cigar station offered hand-rolled cigars with custom labels reading "The Tarrants."

RECEPTION: FROM TOASTS TO TURN UP

As a tribute to their New York hometown, the couple swapped traditional table numbers for something much more personal. Guests found their reception seats via custom NYC MetroCards, directing them to tables named after different New York locations like Prospect Park, Brooklyn, and Bedstuy.

PRO TIP: Replacing table numbers with creative names is a super fun way to add personality to your reception design. However, I recommend only doing this if your guest count is around 100 or less. This is because table numbers provide an easy and quick flow for guests to find their tables. If a guest is looking for table 8 and they find table 6, they know their table is nearby. Or if they find table 16, they know they're probably on the opposite side of the room. With unique table names, there isn't an obvious order in which the tables are laid out and so guests will need to go through each table in order to find theirs. This is all fine until they've gone through 20 tables with 5 more to go. To avoid irritation and longer seating times, opt for the traditional table number or create a large (also cute!) diagram that notates each table's location.

Once the formalities wrapped, the energy shifted fast. Lysandra’s outfit change signaled that it was time to party—and the dance floor did not disappoint. The night was full of east coast swag, island rhythm, and unbelievable energy well into the night.

Lysandra and Bryce's wedding embraced all the layers of their backgrounds and truly leaned into creating a day that was personal, authentic, and custom-fit for them. Every detail had a purpose, but nothing felt forced. Just joy, intention, and highlighting the uniqueness in every couple.

WRITTEN BY: Krystal Gardenia, Gardenia Weddings

@gardeniaweddings

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