Northern Arizona's Mountain Living | 2022 Wedding Edition

MOUNTAIN NORTHERN ARIZONA’S

MAGAZINE

'I todo'

Say

Serendipity Viola’s Weddings & Events introduces new forest wonderland venue

PLUS ShiftFLG Kitchen + Bar puts the ‘fine’ into fine dining Picking the perfect spot for your nuptials in Northern Arizona The art of jewelry making

SPECIAL WEDDING EDITION

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Spring 2022

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Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

AnniversAry Promotion Celebrating 43 Years $ with 43 initiation

Your membership includes: • 2 Clubs • 3 pools (including a salt pool, a lap pool and an outdoor pool) • 4 Steamrooms, 6 Jacuzzis and 4 Saunas • 2 Kids Clubs • 9 Courts • State of the Art Strength and Cardio Equipment • Indoor Track, Gymnasium • Personal Training • Small Group Training • Physical Therapy • Swim Lessons • Tanning on site plus much more!

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FAC East 1500 N Country Club Rd. • 928-526-8652 | FAC West 1200 W Rt. 66 • 928-779-4593 www.flagstaffathleticclub.com Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FlagstaffAthleticClub

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TABLE of CONTENTS

2022

COVER STORY

Say ‘I do’ to Serendipity

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From the team behind Viola’s Weddings & Events comes a brand new, but at the same time long-established wedding venue.

What used to be Thornager’s is now Serendipity, which takes full advantage of the area’s beautiful forest setting and its legacy as one of Northern Arizona’s premier wedding spots.

DEPARTMENTS MATTERS of TASTE

the ARTS

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22 It’s rare to find a master of their trade.

ShiftFLG Kitchen + Bar introduces Flagstaff to new ways of eating. Small plates and a rotating menu are just some of the many ways chef and owner Dara Wong encourages culinary exploration.

BY the BOTTLE 12 Local wine expert and columnist John Vankat helps you find the best bottles for romantic occasions.

DISTINCTIVE SPACES 14 Whether it be forest or desert, summer or winter, Northern Arizona is replete with wedding venues to choose from.

Find your perfect match by flipping through the many options.

Jeff Karl is one such rarity. The master jeweler and owner of Jeff Karl Jewelers has been in the trade 42 years and is still deeply passionate about his profession.

FEATURES 26 Kristen Hennke is much more than a

destination wedding photographer, she’s a documentarian. Through her emphasis on capturing a moment the way it really happened, Hennke strays away from overly-staged photographs and let’s couples shine naturally on their big day.

ALSO 5

EDITOR’S NOTES

6 ABOUT TOWN 4

Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

31 SPOTLIGHT

ON THE COVER Becca and Tim are one of many couples who made their wedding happen with the help of Viola’s Weddings & Events. The company recently opened Serendipity, a venue with ample room for guests and dancing surrounded by stately Ponderosa pine trees.

Photos on the cover and in table of contents by Saaty Photography.

EDITOR’S NOTES

I

t may have appeared as though the global pandemic brought weddings to a grinding halt, but the truth is they carried on. Of course, there were the couples who canceled, losing venue deposits and tearing up guest lists. With the onset of COVID-19 and its many waves and spikes, however, the majority of people simply got creative.

Ceremonies took place over Zoom, some completely outside, others without guests at all.

Then came 2021, COVID vaccination numbers went up and the end of the crisis looked near. That’s when experts started to see signs of an upcoming, and massive, wedding boom.

According to the Wall Street Journal, wedding planners and vendors across the United States have been reporting inquiries and bookings through 2024 and 2025 thanks to postponements.

Projections from the wedding planning website The Knot, estimate 2.6 million weddings will happen in the US this year, a record high.

With this boom forthcoming, and 2022 seemingly set to be not

only the Year of the Tiger but also the Year of the Wedding, I chose to focus this special edition of Mountain Living Magazine on all those who help make a ceremony happen. From photographers like Kristen Hennke, to master jewelers like Jeff Karl, there are countless individuals who bring a wedding from proposal to vows, engagement to reception and everything in between. Even the tiniest olive on an Hors d’oeuvres plate held out to hungry guests is a detail that someone somewhere in the process paid attention to.

Speaking of food, Gail C. Collins sat down with Dara Wong, chef and owner of ShiftFLG Kitchen + Bar to talk about fine dining.

Much like the wedding industry, the food industry also suffered, but Wong and Shift have come out on the other side. Together, she and her team curate a culinary environment in which connection with the community happens on a daily and nightly basis. Pair this with some wines recommended by local wine columnist John Vankat and the proverbial table is set.

All this and more awaits readers in the pages to come. Thanks for reading and here’s to all the brides and grooms out there, congratulations.

Until next time,

Svea Conrad sconrad@azdailysun.com

NORTHERN ARIZONA’S

MAGAZINE

EDITOR Svea Conrad sconrad@azdailysun.com 928-556-2262

PUBLISHER & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Colleen Brady 928-556-2279

SALES CONTRIBUTORS Zachary Meier Lydia Smith Heather Weisberger

CONTRIBUTORS: Gail Collins, Sabrina Proffitt and John Vankat.

Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine is published quarterly at 1751 S. Thompson St. | Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine is published by

ISSN: 1534-3804

Copyright ©2021 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, illustrations and other materials are invited, but will not be returned unless accompanied by a properly addressed envelope bearing sufficient postage. Publisher assumes no responsibility for lost materials or the return of unsolicited materials. Publisher assumes no responsibility for any materials, solicited or unsolicited, after six months from date of publication. Cover and entire contents of this publication are fully protected. Reproduction or use without prior written premission from the editor is strictly prohibited. Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine is not responsible for scheduled event changes. Any views, opinions or suggestions contained within Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine are not necessarily those of the management or owners.

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ABOUT TOWN

Favorites of the season from the area’s art and entertainment offerings

MAR. 2

BEHIND THE ARTIFACTS Museum of Northern Arizona, 3101 N. Fort Valley Rd.

Chair of Anthropology Kelley Hays-Gilpin and Hopi artist Bobby Silas will review pottery inside the Museum of Northern Arizona’s Anthropology Collection and discuss symbols, history, and design. www.musnaz.org

MAR. 25 -APR. 17 SWEET MELODIES Orpheum Theater, 15 W. Aspen Ave.

FEB. 24

With her spellbinding voice and time-bending sensibilities, Sierra Ferrell makes music that’s as fantastically vagabond as the artist herself. Growing up in small-town West Virginia, the singer/ songwriter/multi-instrumentalist left home in her early 20s to journey across the country with a troupe of nomadic musicians, playing everywhere from truck stops to alleyways. After years of living in her van and busking on the streets of New Orleans and Seattle, she moved to Nashville and soon landed a deal with Rounder Records. Now, on her highly anticipated label debut Long Time Coming, Ferrell shares a dozen songs beautifully unbound by genre or era. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www. orpheumflagstaff.com

STEEL MAGNOLIAS Doris Harper-White Playhouse, 11 W. Cherry Ave. A group of gossipy southern ladies in a small-town Louisiana beauty parlor face life’s challenges together. Embracing both laughter and tears, alternately hilarious and touching—and in the end, deeply revealing of the strength and purposefulness which celebrates the power of female friendship. To learn more about this Theatrikos Theatre Company production or purchase tickets ($18$24) visit www.theatrikos.com.

APR. 15

EARTH DAY WITH FSO Ardrey Memorial Auditorium, 1115 Knoles Dr.

Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra presents a unique concert and discussion focused on the importance of everyone’s role in protecting our environment and the precious planet we all share, with a specific focus on two related emergencies, public health and climate change.

The program will feature Claude Debussy’s enchanting Impressionist work “La Mer,” along with international performing artist Cicely Parnas performing Bloch’s powerful “Hebraic Rhapsody.” www.flagstaffsymphony.org 6

Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

Thank you, Flagstaff for 77 great years and voting us...

ONGOING

WHERE CULTURES MEET Online and at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany Art in Action gallery, 423 N. Beaver St. As the daughter of parents from very different cultures, Debra Edgerton has delved into the rich cultural legacy of her AfricanAmerican, and Japanese heritage. The result of her inquiry is a rich synthesis of stories and visually exciting works. Art in Action is hosting three different bodies of work by Debra which explore the intersections of cultural identity. Visit the online gallery for two different series, “By the Grace of God” and “Matsuri.” The third series, “Scrolls,” is installed at the Art in Action Gallery and can be viewed by appointment. The exhibit ends May 15. For more, visit www.opendoorsartinaction.com

SPRING AWAKENING The Arboretum at Flagstaff, 4001 S Woody Mountain Rd.

Best Florist since 2002!

MAY 1

The Arboretum at Flagstaff reopens after its annual winter hiatus May 1.

Sign up for a membership to receive discounts and perks, support the Arb’s research center, educationa and public programs, and gain free entry to explore the many gardens and special features and exhibits. www.thearb.org

MAY 7

INTO THE NIGHT Coconino Center for the Arts, 2300 N Fort Valley Rd.

“NightVisions: Cultural Interpretations of the Night Sky” will open on May 7. In its 8th iteration, NightVisions will honor Flagstaff astronomer Carolyn S Shoemaker and her collaborations with husband and geologist Eugene Shoemaker, with the inclusion of archival astronomical elements alongside the work of contemporary artists. NightVisions will be co-curated by amateur astronomer and science writer, David Levy; three renowned artist jurors Joseph McShane, Paula Jean Rice and Jerrel Singer will select the artwork from an international pool of submissions. This exhibition will coincide with the grand opening of CCA’s new Digital Resource & Education Center.

(928) 774-0670

111 N. Beaver St. Flagstaff, AZ @sutcliffefloral www.sutcliffefloral.com Spring 2022 namlm.com

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MATTERS of TASTE

An open kitchen concept fosters openness and conversation, between chefs and customers, allowing them to connect over food.

Where

big conversations happen over

small plates ShiftFLG Kitchen + Bar brings culinary exploration to Flagstaff

In addition to food, ShiftFLG Kitchen + Bar offers a wide selection of drinks. Pictured here are the Shift Sazzy and Midnight Marauder.

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Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

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BY GAIL G. COLLINS

s there any science behind the notion that eating together brings us closer?

After our recent isolation, most of us feel the desire to gather is stronger than ever. In general, it’s not the grand stuff of weddings or holidays, but our yearning is for a welcoming atmosphere, earnest conversation, laughs, and of course, the dishes shared. It all creates connection.

Behavioral experiments have shown people who share a meal trust one another more and work together more effectively. An informal survey of 2,000 people in the United Kingdom, revealed those who eat together socially more often, have larger circles of friends and higher satisfaction in their lives. So, there you have it—all the excuses you need to meet a friend and share a meal.

ShiftFLG Kitchen + Bar was consciously developed with these aims.

“We focus on hospitality and education with a casual atmosphere,” Dara Wong, who owns Shift, said.

“The idea is to shift the mentality from a normal dining experience and try a variety of plates. For two people, we suggest five plates.”

The smaller-sized portions encourage exploration, and the constantly changing menu gives diners a reason to stop in again and again.

“We wanted to change the food scene in Flagstaff from meat and potatoes to a big city touch,” Wong explained, reiterating the appeal of her neighborhood bistro. “Come in— even if you’re on your own—and sit at the bar, watch the action in the open kitchen and enjoy some small plates.”

Shift maintains a philosophy of local sourcing with an emphasis on quality. Executive chef Christian Lowe is especially keen to highlight those wares, whether it is Arizona-grown corn for the polenta or microgreens. Raised on a farm in Virginia, Lowe holds degrees in culinary arts and restaurant management with world-class experience gained at luxury resort Amangiri. Moreover, she embraces Arizona’s beauty and indigenous cuisine.

Although Shift’s menu fluctuates more than other eateries, there are standards, like the pickled fries. Potatoes are brined before frying for tang without losing crispiness. The breadboard swaps elements, such as the butter or cheese—currently, lavender butter and whipped Boursin— but it remains consistent in character.

Olives, smoked over a hickory-fed hibachi, accompany the board.

Menu staples, like burger and pasta

Capalletti with leeks is one of many small plates offered at ShiftFLG Kitchen + Bar. Spring 2022 namlm.com

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Dara Wong’s idea behind Shift was to offer something new to the Flagstaff food scene, something that leaned more toward a big city touch.

dishes, rotate flavors seasonally. The moco loco Shift’s gelato watermelon sorbet. burger shows off its Hawaiian roots, swamped with gravy, a fried egg and puffed rice. A side of macaroni salad completes the island motif. Two or three kinds of pasta offer choices from tagliatelli with wild boar ragu to spinach gnocchi to mac ShiftFLG Kitchen + ‘n cheese with adult indulgences— Bar is located at 107 N cavatappi with rendered pepperoni, San Francisco St. Visit gorgonzola mornay and cheddar www.shiftflg.com to learn more. streusel.

For a light finish, consider a refreshing scoop of the gelato or sorbet, such as watermelon with chevre and pea tendril, beautiful to behold and spoon up.

Community is the lifeblood of a small town, and Shift plumbs those opportunities. For Valentine’s Day, Shift partnered with Mother Road Brewery to curate a menu coupled with their craft beers. Shift runs a monthly bake sale every first Saturday. Guests can buy a pastry for half-price, and it will be donated to groups like the men’s or women’s shelters, hospital divisions or a fire station.

If you go

10 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

Wong has passion, and it carries forward through her team to guests. Building an environment where people want to work is bolstered by good pay and appreciation that extends to life beyond the job. General manager Caitlin Wood, who brings a Midwestern work ethic to Shift to ensure a perfected dining experience, understands that passion.

Wong comes from a family of entrepreneurs and earned a business degree at the University of Denver, but hospitality called louder. She needed a way to express herself creatively and furthered her aspirations with a culinary program at Cook Street School of Culinary Arts. That is where her love of pastry and wine began. Wong holds a Level 1 sommelier accreditation, and Shift’s wine list reflects her skill with bottles, ranging from

M A K E

points in Europe to Australia and neighboring California.

Last September, Wong expanded her empire by purchasing Vino Loco to serve as a complementary business to Shift. The shop caught her eye for its nearby location and thrust, which can serve as a waiting room for Shift or a wine bar augmented with plates from Shift’s kitchen.

Rebranding with Shift is upcoming to personalize the spot as Oeno, a play on the Greek word for wine and short for oenophile—a lover of wine.

Cheers to that!

Though Shift’s reputation attracts residents and tourists alike, Wong pays special homage to the former.

“Our success is from locals, and we love to create relationships with them, calling them by name. It’s like seeing our family, and it’s where the pride comes in.”

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T H E

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Romantic

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Rustic

Highway 180, 15 miles north of Flagstaff ArizonaNordicVillage.com • 928-220-0550 www.facebook.com/nordicvillageweddings/

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BY the BOTTLE

Wines for

ROMANTIC OCCASIONS

JOHN VANKAT

Romantic wines are ideal for celebrating your special someone. Particularly appealing are wines featuring rich, captivating flavors extending for great length…wines that make the heart sing.

Below are my recommendations across a broad range of grapes, styles and prices.

$10s-$20s Veuve du Vernay non-vintage sparkling wine “Ice Rosé, France” ($15): Attractive to the eye, nose and palate, this fine value outperforms its price with appealing fruit and modest sweetness expressed for impressive length.

Gonzalez Byass non-vintage Sherry “Solera 1847, Cream, Jerez Xeres, Spain” ($17; 375 ml): Highly enjoyable with its full body, refined balance, notable complexity and excellent finish.

CARYS 2020 Pinot Gris “Monterey” ($20): My favorite wine in this price range has appealing color as well as strength, complexity and personality on nose and palate.

Moreover, the label displays a prominent heart because “Carys” is a Welsh name meaning love.

Josh 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon “Reserve, Paso Robles” ($22): Enjoy the color hue and depth before sipping pleasing fruit, complexity, integration and refinement. Medium tannins suggest pairing with beef.

L’Ecole No. 41 2019 red blend “Frenchtown, Columbia Valley” ($22): Very appealing all-around with purple-tinged color accompanied by fruit, strength and complexity on nose and palate.

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Additional fine values: A to Z 2020 Rosé “Oregon” ($16); Colby Red 2020 red blend “California” ($17); King Estate 2020 Sauvignon Blanc “Oregon” ($19); Scotto non-vintage sparkling wine “Brut Rosé, California” ($22); Esporao 2018 red blend “Reserva, Portugal” ($25).

$30s-$40s Zenato 2017 red blend “Superiore, Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy” ($30): This attractively purple-toned wine features strength and complexity on nose and palate, along with rounded body, forward but well-balanced fruit, medium-strong tannins, noteworthy personality and lingering length.

La Storia (by Trentadue) 2019 Merlot “Block 500, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County” ($34): Beautifully purple-hued, this fine wine has vigor, full body, forward but well-balanced fruit, complexity and much more.

Frescobaldi 2018 Chardonnay “Benefizio, Pomino Bianco, Riserva, Tuscany, Italy” ($37): Memorable Chardonnay, with well-rounded body, highly pleasing fruit, excellent balance, medium-light oak and a prolonged finish.

Ghost Hull 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon “San Lucas Vineyard, San Lucas, Monterey County” ($43): This superb buy outperforms many higher priced Cabs. I loved its deep purple tone, strength and complexity on both nose and palate, well-balanced fruit and exceedingly long finish.

Harney Lane 2019 Zinfandel “Old Vine, Lizzy James Vineyard, Lodi” ($44; direct shipping): Enjoy its color hue and depth along with multi-layered aromas and attractive fruit, balance, forwardness and length.

Fritz 2018 Pinot Noir “Russian River Valley, Sonoma County” ($45): Gorgeous all around, this well-priced Pinot Noir is most pleasing on the palate with strength and full body accompanied by excellent balance, integration, complexity, personality and length. Beautiful!

Gary Farrell non-vintage dessert wine “Dulcette, Sonoma County” ($45; 375 ml; direct shipping): This exceedingly appealing Portstyled wine is powerful and layered on the nose as well as outstanding on the palate with its thick body, strong fruit, honed balance, expressive personality and extended finish.

Others of high quality: Domaine de Bila-Haut (by M. Chapoutier) 2018 white blend “Occultum Lapidem, Cotes du Roussillon” ($45; direct shipping); Lake Sonoma 2019 Malbec “Lazy Dog Vineyards, Sonoma Valley” ($45; direct shipping); Kokomo 2019 Pinot Noir “Gopher Hill Block, Peters Vineyard, Sonoma Coast ($46; direct shipping); Fulcrum non-vintage sparkling wine “Brut Rosé, Sonoma County” ($48; direct shipping); Fesstivity (by Fess Parker) 2018 sparkling wine “Blanc de Noir, Sta. Rita Hills” ($49; direct shipping); Robert Biale 2019 Petite Sirah “Royal Punishers, Napa Valley” ($49).

$50s and more Hartford Court 2019 Chardonnay “Four Hearts Vineyard, Russian River Valley” ($50): Strong but refined, this full-bodied wine has gorgeous fruit, yet excellent balance, as well as exceptional complexity, integration, refinement and finish. Plus, the name of the vineyard is fitting for Valentine’s Day. Once & Future 2019 Zinfandel “Green & Red Vineyard, Napa Valley” ($55): This personal favorite among Zins has it all. Deep-purple color.

Powerful nose expressing beautiful fruit and layers of complexity.

Superb balance, integration, personality and length on the palate. A special wine for a special day.

Louis Roederer non-vintage “Collection 242, Champagne, France” ($63): I loved the attractive, deep-yellow color and very polished nose, along with its strength, medium dry to dry character and highly appealing complexity that carries throughout an extended finish.

excellence. I loved its forwardness and complexity on nose and palate, plus its rounded body, powerful but well-balanced fruit and highly appealing integration, refinement, personality and finish.

Merry Edwards 2019 Chardonnay “Olivet Lane, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County” ($68; direct shipping): The best Chardonnay I’ve tasted in multiple months! Deep yellow with a hint of gold. Excellent complexity on the nose. Thick body, beautiful fruit, honed balance, exceptional integration and more.

Grgich Hills 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon “Old Vine, Yountville, Napa Valley” ($150; direct shipping): Seeking perfection?

This superb wine is exceptional in all dimensions. Dark purple hue and a powerful nose, yet even more impressive on the palate with flawless balance, complexity, integration and refinement.

Charles Krug 2017 red blend “Generations, Family Reserve, Napa Valley” ($75): Another exceedingly impressive wine, especially with its heavy body, great strength, forward but wonderfully balanced fruit and long-lingering finish.

Maysara 2015 Pinot Noir “Delara, Momtazi Vineyard, Oregon” ($95; direct shipping): This engaging wine brims with

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More fine wines: Once & Future 2019 Zinfandel “Bedrock Vineyard, Sonoma County” ($50); Zetta (by Smith-Devereux) 2018 red blend “Napa Valley” ($64; direct shipping); Lanson non-vintage “Le Rosé, Champagne, France” ($70).

Recommended wines can be ordered from local wine stores unless indicated otherwise. Prices may differ. John can be reached at azpinewine@yahoo.com.

1020 N San Francisco St. Suite #200, Flagstaff, AZ 86001

*model pictured

Photo by Hannah Rose Gray

Photo by Andrew Jade Photo

Your wedding at Forest HigHlands.

Stunning Scenery

Exquisite Food

Elegant Ballroom

Superb Staff

You do not have to be sponsored by a member to use the Forest Highlands Catering Facilities.

Visit www.fhgc.com/weddings for more information. 928.525.5227

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DISTINCTIVE spaces

Swoon-wor thy

VENUES

N

orthern Arizona is not lacking in beautiful natural settings.

With expansive forest backdrops, Ponderosa pine trees standing tall and the San Francisco Peaks jutting into the bright blue Arizona skies, there are many perfect spots to get married in the region. This includes Sedona’s majestic red rocks as well as the babbling creek that slides through Oak Creek Canyon and crisscrosses the town.

With such an abundance of nature also comes a bounty of wedding venues that take full advantage of their surroundings. Start planning your special day by researching some of the many options that dot the high deserts and mountains around us.

FLAGSTAFF‌ The Arboretum at Flagstaff 4001 S. Woody Mountain Road Home to more than 750 plant species throughout the property’s greenhouses, gardens, and natural habitats, the Arboretum at Flagstaff offers a spectacularly unobstructed view of the San Francisco Peaks and the pine canopy stretched out before it. www.thearb.org

Arizona Nordic Village 16848 Highway 180 An off-grid getaway north of downtown Flagstaff, Arizona Nordic Village is nestled among ponderosa pine and aspen trees. It’s an ideal destination for couples that prefer a more rustic, back-to-basics wedding experience, without completely roughing it. www.arizonanordicvillage.com

Arizona Snowbowl 9300 N. Snowbowl Road Snowbowl’s Hart Prairie Lodge and Fremont Restaurant and Bar accommodate weddings for all seasons.

With a built-in wedding arch, the terrace of the former offers a backdrop of picturesque pines and mountain meadows. At Fremont, adventurous brides and grooms can choose to ski their way down the “aisle” and exchange vows slope-side. www. snowbowl.ski/weddings DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel 1175 W. Route 66 With expert coordination and catering, and a choice of seven different event spaces, Flagstaff’s DoubleTree offers couples a fine-tuned experience for their wedding. Tie the knot surrounded by gorgeous views from the outdoor gazebo and host up to 400 guests for a reception in the Grand Ballroom. doubletree3.hilton. com Forest Highlands Golf Club 2425 William Palmer Weddings at Forest Highlands combine all the luxury and amenities of a country club with breathtaking views of the San Francisco Peaks.

Couples can choose from three stunning ceremony spaces, each with their own unique charm. www.fhgc. com/weddings Frontiere at Rogers Lake 9485 Forest Service Road 231

ARIZONA NORDIC VILLAGE, JULIE KENKEL‌ 14 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

Frontiere at Rogers Lake is a memorable place for couples to host their special event with spectacular views of the San Francisco Peaks. Over-

Arizona Snowbowl SAATY PHOTOGRAPHY‌

night and day options are offered, allowing couples to set up the rustic, outdoor space to suit their needs.

The rental season is May 1 through September 30. www.FrontiereAtRogersLake.com The Gardens at Viola’s 610 S. Route 89A An expansion of Viola’s Flower Garden nursery, this venue is surrounded by tranquil forest views.

The large outdoor patio overlooks the nursery adding views of blooms and greenery depending on the season. www.flagstaffweddingvenue. com High Country Conference Center 201 W. Butler Ave. From the most sophisticated to the simplest of weddings, the professional team at High Country Conference Center will cater to any couple’s vision. Indoor and outdoor function spaces allow for versatility, from the 800-capacity ballroom to Northern Arizona University’s historic North Quad directly to the south of the conference center. www.highcountryconferencecenter. com/specialevents Little America Hotel 2515 E. Butler Ave. Flagstaff’s most beloved hotel is an excellent option for small or large weddings with a capacity for up to 400 guests. The hotel’s Grand Ballroom at nearly 6,000 square feet is spacious and contemporary, and its large windows provide plenty of outdoor views. flagstaff.littleamerica.com

Mormon Lake Lodge 1991 Mormon Lake Road

Canyon, Enchantment Resort offers a number of picturesque venues in which to host this momentous occasion. www.enchantmentresort.com

The rustic Mormon Lake Lodge, located 30 miles south of Flagstaff, offers beautiful forest views and a choice of two outdoor ceremony lo- L’Auberge de Sedona cations. www.mormonlakelodge.com 301 Little Lane Museum of Northern Arizona 3101 N. Fort Valley Road Celebrate your love and the wonders of the Colorado Plateau with a wedding hosted at the Museum of Northern Arizona. A variety of venues throughout the campus are available to rent. www.musnaz.org Serendipity 2640 W. Kiltie Lane

L’Auberge specializes in unforgettable weddings. Whether it’s an elopement or a celebration with 150 close friends, there’s a package available for every couple. www.lauberge.com

CORNVILLE‌ D.A. Ranch Estate Lodge & Vineyards 1901 Dancing Apache Road

Surrounded by woods in the charming and serene Equestrian Estates, Thornager’s recently became Serendipity. The venue has an outdoor ceremony spot and a warm reception hall with wood floors that invite plenty of dancing. www. flagstaffweddingvenue.com.

Located among the vineyards and with stunning mountain views, D.A. Ranch offers a unique and memorable setting for a northern Arizona wedding. www.daranch.com

Weatherford Hotel 23 N. Leroux St.

While Page Spring Cellars no longer accommodates weddings, the luscious vineyard and event space does offer a proposal package. Pop the questions to your one and only with a private coordinated proposal tour.

Want more? Opt for the package that also includes a 2-hour reservation at the Crow’s Nest following the tour. www.pagespringscellars.com

At the historic Weatherford Hotel in downtown Flagstaff, couples can enjoy a wedding as unique as their love. Venue options within the hotel include the Zane Grey Ballroom, third floor ballroom and balcony, and the Gopher Hole. www.weatherfordhotel.com

SEDONA‌ Agave of Sedona 1146 W. State Route 89A Sedona’s premier wedding and event venue, Agave offers couples and their guests breathtaking panoramic red rock views from all outdoor areas. www.agaveofsedona. com Amara Resort and Spa 100 Amara Lane Amara resort accommodates weddings large and small, with an attentive planning team weaving every moment from “I do” to “Farewell” into a string of enchanting memories. www.amararesort.com Enchantment Resort 525 Boynton Canyon Road Located in the heart of Boynton

Page Springs Cellars 1500 N. Page Springs Road

Bliss Floral

Extraordinary Floral for Exquisite Events (928) 282-3445 • www.blissfloral.com • @blissfloralsedona

The Vineyards Bed & Breakfast 1350 N. Page Springs Road Lush nature backdrops await couples at The Vineyards Bed & Breakfast. As a bonus, owner Tambrala is available to take the reins and help plan every other aspect of the wedding day to ensure it runs smoothly. www.thevineyardsbandb.com

CAMP VERDE‌ Cliff Castle Casino Hotel 555 W. Middle Verde Road On the edge of northern Arizona wine country and just south of Sedona, Cliff Castle Casino is ready to transform its 4,600-square-foot event center into the perfect backdrop for couples looking for a centrally located wedding venue. www. cliffcastlecasinohotel.com

Custom Wedding, specialty cakes & desserts of your dreams

(248) 872-3036 F sedonabakery.com @sedonabakery F info@sedonabakery.com Spring 2022 namlm.com

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16 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

'I todo'

Say

Serendipity Viola’s Weddings and Events offers couples more one-of-a-kind ceremonies SABRINA PROFFITT PHOTOS BY SAATY PHOTOGRAPHY

February 2022 namlm.com

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A

fter two years of cancellations and postponements, the United States is seeing the most wedding ceremonies since 1984, according

to The Wedding Report.

With a predicted 2​​ .47 million weddings taking place in the U.S. this year, planning in advance has never been so important.

In Flagstaff, where the number of wedding venues is slightly smaller than in its larger city counterparts, two of the most popular venues are joining forces to provide the best ceremonies they can.

Robyn Walters and Art Escobedo, owners of Viola’s Weddings & Events and The Gardens at Viola’s are now also the owners of what used to be Thornager’s– recently renamed Serendipity. A popular event space and catering business, Thornager’s operated in Flagstaff’s Equestrian Estates neighborhood for 20 years before general manager Karen Sorensen decided it was time to retire. She was looking for a new owner that would keep her venue up and running. Jessie Bangle, venue coordinator for The Gardens and Serendipity, said the opportunity fell into their lap.

“The previous owner, Karen, wanted to retire but she didn’t want to sell it to just anyone who would just tear it down,” Bangle said. “She wanted to honor what it was and what it had to offer. We had been thinking about it for some time and then it just worked out that it was the perfect time to buy it. Viola’s will be the new owner and we’ll be running it similarly to how we run The Gardens.”

Located just off Highway 89A on the way to Sedona, The Gardens has long hosted weddings, with its nursery, which most people know as Viola’s Flower Garden, providing the perfect backdrop for many years worth of ceremonies.

When The Gardens at Viola’s first opened five years ago, Sorenson was one of the first people to take Bangle under her wing, teaching her about the wedding industry based on her many years of experience running Thornager’s. She was a mentor, and a friend, Bangle said.

“We’ve come full circle since we’re buying her business,” Bangle said.

18 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

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“We’ve come full circle since we’re buying her business,” Bangle said. “It was a friendship that I didn’t know would happen and I think it was supposed to happen. We ended up buying it for a reason because we’re going to keep the same personality and charm that she had for so long. It’s a new fresh take on it.”

Thornager’s will now be called Serendipity, a name change that ushers in a fresh start along with a subtle nod to owners Walters and Escobedo’s own love story.

“They picked the name because the definition of serendipity speaks really true to what weddings are, but they also went on a date to see that movie all those years ago so there’s a personal story behind it,” Bangle said. “It’s still going to be run as a wedding venue 20 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

but Thornager’s had been catering for a long time and we’re not doing catering. We thought it might be nice to have a fresh name, a fresh start and to run it under a different image, so people didn’t still think we catered and to show that it’s a little bit different than it was.”

The Gardens at Viola’s and Serendipity are two unique Flagstaff wedding venues because they allow renters to bring in their own vendors. This means that couples can bring in any caterer, entertainer, baker, florist, photographer or videographer that they want. Bangle said this creates a mix

and match experience, making every single wedding unique and different.

“I always like to mention that because I know most of the other ones include their own vendors, so we’re pretty DIY. We want every wedding to feel unique, which is why we do it that way, so nothing feels redundant,” Bangle said.

Between the two venues, Bangle said there is something for everyone. The Gardens have more of a garden party look, with the nursery on full display behind the ceremony area. Serendipity is a forest setting, surrounded by beautiful trees and nature. They are

also different sizes, with The Gardens fitting around 150 guests and Serendipity fitting about 100.

Bangle said the two Viola’s venues also stand out because of how involved the staff is in planning the wedding. She feels connected to every couple that gets married there, because of that level of involvement and keen attention to each detail and individual. She’s invested in all the people who choose to have their special day there.

“My favorite part is to experience the emotion of the day over and over again,” Bangle said. “Every wedding is different and you feel like you become friends and it’s such an important day that you become invested in it. Seeing their joy is unreal. It’s so contagious and a completely unique feeling. We’ve had themed weddings, small weddings, very classic weddings, and I think because you build your own wedding, nothing ever feels redundant. It’s all so unique.

Everyone is different, every couple and every family is different, traditions are different. I’m not sick of it yet, I’ll let you know if that changes.”

Viola’s Weddings & Events also offers other events including birthday parties, corporate gatherings and more on both properties. For anyone planning an event or wedding, Bangle suggests you aim for 2023.

To learn more about either venue, visit www.flagstaffweddingvenue.com/

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the ARTS

ge m

A of Flagstaff Jeff Karl Jewelers creates wearable art

22 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

RACHEL GIBBONS, ARIZONA DAILY SUN‌‌

SVEA CONRAD

I

t’s seemingly rare to find someone apprenticing in a trade in the 21st century. Learning within the ancient relationship of master and apprentice, however, rose by about 64% since 2010, according to Forbes Magazine.

Flagstaff’s Jeff Karl is one of the first to tout the benefits of such a teaching apparatus, far from bygone in the modern era.

The master jeweler is proud of how long he’s been in the trade. 42 years to be exact.

Count backward by that number and you’ll land in a year Jimmy Carter was president and the most popular engagement ring was about to be a large Ceylon Blue oval sapphire halo, thanks to Princess Diana.

Karl and his wife moved to Flagstaff from southern California in 1975 to attend Northern Arizona University. He was studying art and was set to graduate when a friend asked if he would be interested

in apprenticing with a master jeweler at the shop he worked at. Karl said yes, trading sculpture and painting for soldering supplies, ring sizing mandrils and what would become a lifelong career in making wearable art.

“At that point, I never looked back, I went ahead and became a jeweler,” Karl said. He still manufactures, designs and repairs everything from jewelry to watches in house, at his eponymous store. “That’s how we got the ball rolling. Then I raised my whole family here. Two kids, now grandkids.”

Karl worked for a jewelry store in downtown Flagstaff, spending more than a decade honing the craft, before opening his own business.

Jeff Karl Jewelers opened in 1995.

“It was a little scary to do that but after 16 years of making jewelry and designing jewelry in Flagstaff it was kind of a natural progression to open my own store,” Karl said. “My wife and I did open the store and we’ve been busy since the day we opened.”

The small shop is located discreetly between Run Flagstaff and Sea of Green Hydroponics on Historic Route 66 and includes a showroom and workshop where Karl and others make all varieties of eye-catching pieces. Though the shop specializes in wedding and engagement rings, it offers many other types of jewelry. In a world where masters of their craft are increasingly rare, Karl’s skills shine as bright as one of his rings.

Part and parcel to owning a jewelry store is staying with current trends.

Karl and his team do so, in part with the help of their customers, who often come in with specific ideas in mind that the store then executes in the form of an engagement ring or wedding band– you name it, Jeff Karl can likely make it happen. Catalogs, computer-aided design, sketches and much more aid the store in its constant creating.

“People, young and old come in and

Nugget of wisdom Wondering what a master jeweler’s favorite jewel is? For Jeff Karl there are two: tourmaline and opal. “They are a couple of great and unusual stones,” he said.

Fun fact: Tourmaline comes in almost every color. The word opal is derived from the Latin term “opalus,” which means precious stone.

ABOVE: An employee of Jeff Karl Jewelers shows off a diamond and ring setting.

LEFT: A striking necklace on display at Jeff Karl Jewelers in downtown Flagstaff. While the shop specializes in engagement rings, many other custom pieces are also available.

Ivy Behunin, Anna Gray, Jeff Karl and Julia Abers of Jeff Karl Jewelers stand inside their shop. Jeff Karl Jewelers is known for unique pieces and many years of service in Flagstaff.

Spring 2022 namlm.com

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A set of opal engagement rings at Jeff Karl Jewelers in downtown Flagstaff.

Karl and his team manufacture the shop’s wedding bands and engagement rings in-house.

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they te l l us what they’d like to see and we do try to make customers what they want, sometimes they will have seen it online or we can develop unique designs based on their ideas,” Karl said. “And keeping up with the latest trends, it’s just like anybody else, everybody is looking at online sources for images. We do a lot–everything from basic stone setting on engagement rings to dramatic custom designs. Then we manufacturer those here.”

Typically if someone wants something made, say

a wedding band or engagement ring, it takes about four weeks, Karl said. The store also has sets and pieces already in stock for those who might be on a tighter schedule.

The master jeweler prides himself on the shop being family-run and locally-owned. It’s a store that knows its customers.

“We do stay strong because of the local customer base, we do have that aspect and it is different than a big chain, we are local and family-owned

and we cater to local clientele mostly,” he said. “We have a lot of great customers that have continued to do business with us over the years.”

Karl’s daughter Anna Gray is also a jeweler and has been working at the shop and with her dad for about 20 years. Her teacher during her apprenticeship? None other than her master jeweler father of course. “[Anna’s] apprenticeship, well it was pretty easy,” Karl said with a laugh. “She had a knack for what jewelry should look like and she had great mechanical skills and great artistic sense and she was easy to train and apprentice. It’s really nice having family involved in the business.”

Jeff Karl Jewelers is located at 204 E. Route 66. For more information, visit www. jeffkarljewelers.net or call (928) 773-8914.

RACHEL GIBBONS, ARIZONA DAILY SUN

Jeff Karl shows off one of his shops engagement rings.

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PHOTOS BY KRISTEN HENNKE‌

26 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

TRUE LOVE

on camera Wedding photographer Kristen Hennke documents the important moments

SABRINA PROFFITT

W

hile memories tend to fade over time, photographs hold a single moment in place forever.

Within these snapshots, details don’t change, expressions don’t falter and people don’t move.

Photos are memory almost carved in stone, consistent and permanent. Ever since the late 1830s, photography has been seen as a form of magic, holding something in place forever. This is exactly why finding a photographer is one of the most important steps of planning a wedding.

Wedding days tend to zoom by in the blink of an eye, so couples, family members and friends refer to these pictures for years to come. Even decades after, wedding photos are passed down and shown to grandchildren in the form of photo albums and picture frames. Because of this importance they hold, Kristen Hennke said she’s labeled herself as a documentary-style wedding photographer.

“My biggest goal as a wedding photographer is not to take people out of their wedding day,” Hennke said. “I don’t want to be tapping you on the shoulder saying ‘hey, we need this shot’ or ‘let’s

Spring 2022 namlm.com

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“T

he most

important thing to do is to stay true to you and your fiancé and what you guys want,” Hennke said. “At the end of the day, you’re the one who has to be happy with what you do.

I want people to stay true to themselves and have fun on their wedding day.

Couples tend to make a lot of sacrifices on their wedding day unknowingly, and it can very quickly turn into everyone else’s day instead of theirs.”

get this one.’ I am more of a fly on the wall, observing the day happen. Even when we do more formal photos, I like to have a lot of fun with it and direct my couples instead of posing them that way we’re just laughing and having a good time and hopefully they forget the camera is even there.”

While it may seem like Hennke has everything figured

28 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

out, it wasn’t always that way. She never actually wanted to pursue art as a career, because she worried that it would remove the magic. That was until she found herself without a job, pregnant, and in need of money. She began blogging until she later realized that she enjoyed snapping photos way more than writing. When one of her best friends got engaged, she fell in love with photographing couples.

“After I did their engagement photos, I realized that I love love and I love couples and it’s just so much fun,” Hennke said.

Since this new beginning, Hennke has developed a portfolio of engagement shoots, weddings and elopements.

She’s also traveled all around Arizona, from elopements in the mountains to engagement shoots in the Phoenix desert.

Because of the pandemic, Hennke said elopements or “micro weddings” have become exponentially more popular in the wedding industry. She also makes sure to point out that elopements are far from the stereotype their name holds.

“Elopements have changed,” Hennke said. “They are not what people think. People aren’t running off and sneaking to Vegas to go get married. They’re picking an intentional spot and bringing those really close and important people. It’s not really just a couple and pastor anymore, it’s the couple and close friends. In the industry, we refer to those as micro weddings, a wedding under twenty guests, because it’s still a wedding. A lot of couples are referring to those as an elopement.”

Many of the elopements that Hennke has documented have been in northern Arizona, either in Flagstaff or Sedona. In the photographs, couples are immersed in nature,

as if they’ve hiked many miles to find desolate hills and cliffs. Hennke said, that while hiking is sometimes necessary to find the perfect spot, it’s not always what it seems.

“Pictures can certainly be deceiving,” Hennke said.

“There are really great spots, especially in Sedona that are really tourist-heavy, where you can park and take a really short walk and have an absolutely gorgeous view. I know people might see these locations and think ‘oh my god, how am I supposed to get my mom or grandma up there?’ and it’s actually a lot easier than you think.”

When it comes to her job, Hennke said the most important part is making the couple happy. Oftentimes, couples settle for ideas they aren’t thrilled about, and she wants to make sure they have an advocate on their side.

“The most important thing to do is to stay true to you and your fiancé and what you guys want,” Hennke said.

“At the end of the day, you’re the one who has to be happy with what you do. I want people to stay true to themselves and have fun on their wedding day. Couples tend to make a lot of sacrifices on their wedding day unknowingly, and it can very quickly turn into everyone else’s day instead of theirs.”

To learn more about Kristen Hennke and her work, visit www.kristenhennke.com or follow her on Instagram @ kristenhennke.

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Mormon Lake Lodge nestled amidst the largest stand of ponderosa pines in Northern Arizona just 30 minutes southeast of Flagstaff on the beautiful scenic Lake Mary Highway.

Mormon Lake Lodge is the perfect location to have your beautiful wedding or an event, that you will remember for the rest of your life. Our tradition of dedicated service coupled with our western hospitality and charm allows for the successful combination of any event, large or small. Our staff works hard to coordinate each detail to ensure unforgettable memories you will never forget. We invite you to come out and experiment the rustic settings of Mormon Lake Lodge and the beautiful environment that surrounds it.

30 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

Photos by Julia Romano Photography and Andrea Cleghorn Photography

1991 Mormon Lake Rd. 928.354.2227 Ext. 13 MormonLakeLodge.com bgirvin@mormonlakelodge.com

SPOTLIGHT What are some of the amenities Mormon Lake Lodge offers?

CAROLINE CAMPBELL

General Manager, Mormon Lake Lodge Mormon Lake Lodge has long been a fixture of northern Arizona. With a steakhouse, acre upon acre of surrounding nature and cozy cabins to rest your head at night, it is one of many sought-after vacation and day trip spots in northern Arizona.

Located about 30 minutes southeast of Flagstaff and totaling 300 acres, Mormon Lake Lodge is owned and operated by Forever Resorts, which bought the property in the 90s. With headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona the company runs 65 different vacation spots across the United States, including in Texas, Wyoming, Michigan, South Dakota and Utah–to name a few–with more than 20 properties stretching as far as Europe and even South Africa.

The 80-year history of Mormon Lake Lodge began in 1924 when ranching and logging were what drove the northern Arizona economy. A Chandler, Arizona man built the lodge that year as a place to bring the family for a meal and maybe dip out for a little fun in the saloon next door.

Harkening back to the era of cowboys

and saloons, Mormon Lake Lodge is a step back in time, filled with modern amenities but the atmosphere of simpler days, quiet and peaceful nature all around. Take a horseback ride over 20 miles of groomed trails, taste the open-pit mesquite-grilled beef served up at the steakhouse or simply sit outside and take in the views. If you wait long enough you just might just catch a herd of elk around sunset.

In many ways, it was for these reasons that Caroline Campbell left her job in Phoenix to come work for the lodge. She has occupied several positions at Mormon Lake Lodge for almost 10 years, most recently getting promoted to general manager. Her coworkers are like family, and Mormon Lake Lodge has become home, she said.

Mountain Living Magazine sat down with Campbell to discuss the history of the lodge, Campbell’s love for Mormon Lake and much more.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you end up working at Mormon Lake Lodge?

I was taking the summer off from my job in the valley in 2013 and came to Mormon Lake. I was here for about two weeks when I decided to apply for a job in the country store. My husband and I fell in love with this place. We decided to go back to the valley to fulfill my commitment to my job at the time and tied up all our loose ends. We returned to Mormon Lake in the summer of 2014. First I worked in the store there, then the post office. I moved up to dining room manager, then food and beverage manager, next I moved to operations manager and now general manager.

Mormon Lake Lodge has cabins and campground areas that can be reserved.

Whether you are escaping the Phoenix heat or coming for an event. We have a couple of event venues, such as our historic town hall.

We also have a steakhouse and saloon that have live bands on the weekends. The steakhouse is the second oldest in Arizona. There are also numerous hiking trails that will take you through the Coconino National Forest.

In the summer months we have horseback riding and fishing in our trout pond. We have a general store that offers gas, propane, and basic food essentials. It’s just a great escape from the city.

For those who have never been, what makes a visit to Mormon Lake Lodge worth it?

Mormon Lake Lodge is nestled in the Ponderosa pines. It’s a great place to relax underneath the stars that you would not get to see in the city. We have the cooler temperatures of northern Arizona and are our own community. It is an escape that’s not too far away but far enough to take pleasure in.

What is something, whether it be history of the lodge or just an interesting fact, that you’d like the public to know?

On July 4, 1974 the lodge burned down due to a faulty heater. This happened during a jackpot roping contest. [The lodge still hosts team roping events on Labor Day, Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends.] Volunteers from all over Arizona were able to get everything rebuilt by Labor Day after the fire.

That’s when they renamed it Mormon Lake Lodge. The ranchers who helped with the rebuild branded the walls and you can still see the brandings today. Also, the chimney in our lodge is an original fixture.

Tell us a little bit about the history of the lodge.

Mormon Lake Lodge has a robust history. It was built in 1924 and was originally Tomblers Lodge. It has seen many changes.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

The people that I work with and the diverse amount of individuals I get to talk to every day. The lodge has always had the ideals of family and I love being part of this family.

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