A SPANISH-INSPIRED WEDDING AT TLAQUEPAQUE

When Andrew and Rafael booked us in November 2025, they were planning their destination wedding all the way from Washington. They had fallen in love with Tlaquepaque in Sedona and came to us with an initial vision of eucalyptus greenery and touches of orange.

Little did they know just how far we were going to take that inspiration!

We took their original ideas and transformed them into a warm, Spanish-inspired celebration filled with terracotta, rich autumn florals, beautiful textures, and so many thoughtful details.

One of my favorite things about working with Andrew and Rafael was how much they trusted us. Every recommendation we made, they welcomed with open arms. They really allowed us to take the lead creatively, and I think the final result speaks for itself.

BRINGING THE VISION TO LIFE

I knew from the beginning that I wanted to incorporate terracotta into this design. Not just the color, but actual pottery that would complement Tlaquepaque's beautiful Spanish architecture.

That's when we found Casa Barro, a terracotta vendor based in Phoenix. We reached out about renting their pottery for the wedding, and this actually became their very first event rental collaboration!

We sourced a variety of terracotta vessels in different shapes and sizes to create something that felt organic and a little unexpected. I didn't want traditional floral centerpieces on every table. I wanted the pottery itself to be part of the design.

We partnered with Lily Luxe Floral to bring our floral vision to life, incorporating burnt-orange amaranthus, chrysanthemums, mums, and marigolds throughout the reception.

Some arrangements were tucked into the vessels, while others spilled out of them. The cascading amaranthus was one of my absolute favorite details. It added so much movement and texture without needing an overwhelming amount of flowers.

The combination of the pottery, rich orange florals, and natural wooden tables was exactly what I had envisioned.

ALL IN THE DETAILS

If you know me, you know I LOVE the little details.

We decided to incorporate traditional Mexican papel picado throughout the courtyard to really lean into the Spanish-inspired atmosphere. With Tlaquepaque's architecture and the existing string lights overhead, it completely transformed the space.

We kept the wooden banquet tables exposed and layered them with soft taupe runners that draped over the edges. We brought in patterned dinnerware that complemented the papel picado, terracotta candleholders, taper candles, and plenty of votives.

I wanted the tables to feel warm and inviting, but still have enough interesting details that you noticed something new every time you looked at them.

We also incorporated a beautiful warm-toned checkerboard dance floor right in the center of the courtyard, with the long banquet tables lining either side.

Everything tied together without feeling overly matched.

A LITTLE SURPRISE FOR THE GROOMS

One of my favorite areas to design was Andrew and Rafael's sweetheart table.

We surprised them with beautiful wooden sweetheart chairs and really went all out with the draping. I wanted fabric spilling over the table and gathering naturally, rather than your typical fitted linen.

We carried the florals down to the ground, added clusters of pillar candles, and framed the space with oversized terracotta vessels and burnt-orange amaranthus.

The ivory draping behind them softened the entire space, and the lantern hanging overhead was the perfect finishing touch.

It was romantic, a little dramatic, and so beautiful once all the candles were lit.

And of course, we couldn't forget the cake!

Sedona Bakery created an especially tall burnt-orange wedding cake that fit right into our color palette. I love when even the cake becomes part of the overall design rather than feeling like a completely separate element.

AN ENTRANCE WE WON'T FORGET

One of my favorite moments of the entire evening was Andrew and Rafael's grand entrance!

They rented a vintage photo booth from Film & Frame, and rather than making a traditional entrance, they decided to surprise their guests by starting their grand entrance from inside the photo booth!

It was such a fun, unexpected way to kick off the reception and brought so much personality to the evening.

I always love when couples find ways to make their wedding feel like THEM, and this was definitely one of those moments we'll remember!

ENDING THE NIGHT ON A DELICIOUS NOTE

As much as I love designing beautiful weddings, I care just as much about the guest experience.

We worked with Sedona Catering Company to incorporate custom nacho boxes as a late-night snack for guests.

After an evening of celebrating, dancing, and enjoying the courtyard, it was such a fun way to end the night.

It's those little touches that make a wedding feel personal and memorable.

A WEDDING WE'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER

What made this wedding so special to me was the trust Andrew and Rafael had in our team.

Planning a wedding from another state isn't easy, especially when you're relying on someone else to bring your ideas to life.

They came to us with a general direction, and from there, they really let us run with it. From finding new vendors and sourcing specialty rentals to selecting the florals, linens, tabletop details, and finishing touches, they trusted our recommendations every step of the way.

And that's where I feel like we do our best work.

I love being able to take a couple's initial inspiration and show them possibilities they might not have even considered.

What started as eucalyptus and touches of orange became a completely custom Spanish-inspired celebration, and I couldn't be happier with how everything came together.

Andrew and Rafael, thank you for trusting us with such a special day. It was truly an honor to bring this one to life. 🤍

With love,
Arabella
Arabella's Weddings & Events

THE CREATIVE TEAM

Planning & Design: Arabella's Weddings & Events
Venue: Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
Photography: Maya Papaya Pictures
Floral Design: Lily Luxe Floral
Terracotta Rentals: Casa Barro
Catering & Late-Night Bites: Sedona Catering Company
Wedding Cake: Sedona Bakery
Vintage Photo Booth: Film & Frame