Celebrating Mom

Mother’s Day is a special day to show your mom, or mother figure just how special she is! There is nothing that mom loves more than a day of pampering, and why not start the day off with a delicious brunch?

Venue at the Grove will be hosting a fabulous brunch on Sunday, May 8^th, 2011. We will have music playing and both indoor and outdoor seating under our picturesque pecan tress available.  The buffet will satisfy any of your mom’s favorite treats, ranging from a waffle and omelet station to roasted chicken and a carving station. And no one will want to miss the dessert station!

Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with family and show mom just how much she means to you. There are six different reservation times beginning at 9am. Please click on the following link for details and to view our full menu, or call 602.456.0803 to make your reservation today. http://www.venueatthegrove.com/upcoming-events/

Easter Brunch in Beautiful Pecan Grove

Nothing says spring more than lush green grass, gorgeous full trees, and a good ol’ fashion Easter egg hunt! If you are looking for the perfect pairing of adult sophistication and a family friendly egg hunt, then look no further!

Venue at the Grove will be hosting a delicious brunch on Sunday, April 24^th. Picture sitting on our peaceful paver patio under the shade of one of our pecan trees sipping a complimentary mimosa and enjoying an amazing array of buffet items. No taste bud will be left disappointed while devouring menu items ranging from lobster eggs benedict and a carving station, to fresh fruits and salads.

Not all the fun is for the adults however, children will be able to eat the same delicious foods at a reduced cost, as well as participate in an Easter egg hunt!  The Easter bunny will also be hopping around the grove and making an appearance!

Easter is the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends and enjoy a wonderful brunch. There are eight different reservation times beginning at 9am. Please click on the following link for details and to view our full menu, or call 602.456.0803 to make your reservation today. http://www.venueatthegrove.com/upcoming-events/

Meggan & Joe’s Wedding

If I could choose one word to describe Meggan and Joe’s wedding, it would be exquisite. Not only was there just an energy of love that floated throughout the event, but Meggan and Joe thought of every detail to make their guests remember this wedding for a long time.
Meggan and Joe got married at a cathedral downtown, and made their way to the venue afterward to celebrate! When guests arrived, they picked up a small escort card in a silver frame, and made their way to the cocktail hour. Not only were guests entertained during the cocktail hour with a chocolate fountain, but Meggan and Joe also had a croquet game set up on the lawn for guests to play.

Once they were ready for dinner, guests were seated on our lit patio under the lit pecan trees and bistro lighting. When they found their way to their assigned table, guests saw that each table had been named after a special place to Meggan and Joe. Each table had a picture of Meggan and Joe at the location, as well as a description as to why it was a special place. It was a gorgeous night under the lit trees full of love and laughter.

After dinner, guests were invited into our hall where the room was transformed into a night club like scene. Cocktail tables were set up, as well as several guest tables for those who wanted to watch the dancing. On each of the tables, Meggan and Joe displayed family wedding photos, just another special touch. Also inside the hall, were the cakes. Yep, that’s right, cakes! Not only did they have their wedding cake, but Meggan also surprised Joe with a groom’s cake in the shape of their beloved pooch, Stella!
After the cake cutting and traditional dances, the party really kicked off! Colored lights flew around the room, and the dance floor remained packed the entire night! In true style, when it was time to depart, guests made their way outside the hall and formed two lines with magical sparklers. As their grand exit, Meggan and Joe made their way down the isle of sparkling light and hopped into their vintage car to ride off into the night.
Meggan and Joe, your wedding was gorgeous, thank you for sharing it with us. We wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

Photography by Priddy Photo 

Love is in the Air

It’s that time of year again. . . the time to celebrate your loved one! We here at Venue at the Grove would like to help you in your celebration by offering two special events geared especially for all you love birds out there. 

Movie Beneath the Stars – Sunday, February 13, 2011

What says romance more than snuggling under a blanket, a warm cup of cocoa in your hands and watching one of the most romantic movies ever made under the stars? On Sunday, February 13^th, we will be showcasing the movie The Notebook. This is the perfect opportunity to begin your Valentine’s Day celebration and surprise your honey by bringing them to watch a true love story on the big screen.

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, mittens and hats to view The Notebook at 6:30pm. Doors will open at 6:00pm, and the fee is $10 per couple. There will also be a concession stand, and complimentary hot-cocoa!

Please call 602.456.0803 with any questions.

Candle Lit Three Course Dinner

Venue at the Grove is also pleased to announce that we will be hosting an intimate candle lit Valentine’s Day dinner on Monday, February 14, 2011. Greeted by our twinkling pecan trees and the sultry sounds of guitarist and singer Matthew Thornton, Venue at the Grove will exude romance. You and that special someone will sit down to a delicious three course menu by Arizona Inspirations Catering:

~Start~
Mixture of field greens, cucumbers, roma tomatoes, slivered red onions, fresh strawberries  and feta cheese tossed in a raspberry vinaigrette and topped with candied pecans

~Middle~
 Beef Tenderloin drizzled with a balsamic lemon butter reduction
or
Champagne Chicken Breast pan seared and sautéed in a light rosemary champagne butter sauce
with
Old Fashion Style Mashed Potatoes mixed with sweet caramelized onions and julienned sweet red bell peppers and baby asparagus blanched in our white wine, thyme and butter broth

~End~
A decadent desert station with red velvet cake, chocolate covered strawberries, and more sweet treats to share with your honey

The cost for this delectable meal is $48 per person.You are also welcome to bring in a special bottle of wine or champagne to enjoy. An $8 corkage fee will apply per bottle. Seating is limited, so please call 602.456.0803 for reservations.Reservations start at 5:30 p.m. with last seating at 8:00 p.m.

Denise & Dave’s Wedding

Dave and Denise’s wedding was a celebration to remember! Both bride and groom are police officers, avid athletes, and have an amazing sense of humor!  Their special day was full of small details that didn’t go unnoticed by their guests. As you can see by the amazing photos taken by Michael Fragale, Dave and Denise’s love for each other is clearly evident.

Dave and Denise couldn’t have asked for better weather, it was perfect for the ceremony and for pictures afterwards. After the ceremony which included a special lighting of the unity candle with both moms, and an adorable first kiss which included a full dip of the bride, guests were escorted to the patio to enjoy hors d’oeuvres stations and cocktails.  One of their hors d’oeuvres stations was a meatball bar, which was a huge hit!

After the cocktail hour, guest made their way into the hall for the reception. The bridal party’s grand entrance was fantastic! The boys added a fedora to their ensemble and escorted the ladies in to a choreographed dance. This was just another example of the wedding party’s humor and enthusiasm for the celebration! Guests received several small tokens to bring home with them which included homemade chocolate covered pretzels, as well as “a perfect match” matches adorned with Dave and Denise’s names and wedding date. 

The dance floor saw a lot of action that night, and the celebration continued through the night! What a way to start a new marriage. From all of us here at Venue at the Grove, congratulations Dave and Denise! We wish you many adventures ahead in your future together!

Photography by Michael Fragale

Special Open House Preview

One of our many favorite events we get to host at Venue at the Grove is a Special Open House. This is a perfect night to show off the venue and all the beauty is has to offer! If you are a bride and groom looking for a venue for your wedding, then the Special Open House on January 19^th is an event to mark on your calendar!

When planning your perfect wedding, it always helps if you can visualize what it would look like. Not only will the pecan trees and patio be lit in twinkling light, but we will also have both the ceremony site and reception hall decorated with some of the latest bridal trends and colors.  The ceremony arbor will be draped just as it could be for your ceremony, and the reception tables will be set and displaying custom florals by The Garage By Ivy.

In addition to the venue being all dressed up, we will also have some amazing talent displayed! The delicious creations of Chef Niko from Arizona Inspirations Catering will be ready to eat! Chef Niko and his team are always in good humor and happy to tell you a little more about their cuisine. After trying the food, why not indulge your sweet tooth and try a piece of cake from Fleur De Lis!

Food and cake will not be the only thing you will get to enjoy at this event however. Pete with DJ One Productions will be playing music while you mingle with some of the other vendors that are showcasing their work.

We will have two fabulous photographers attending the event. Mike Maez Photography and Brittany Janelle Photography will both be showing off their fabulous work. Mike Maez has an amazing way of capturing the perfect light in his photos, and can also create breathtaking film of your special day. Brittany Janelle has a way of making emotional connection with her clients, which results in absolutely gorgeous photographs.

Next, you will want to stop by and speak with IrisD Bridal and view some of today’s most popular bridal fashion. They will have a variety of wedding accessories displayed for you to “ohh and awww” over.

Last, but certainly not least, Snapbooth Entertainment will show you how much fun a photo booth can make your reception! What a great way to not only give guests a souvenir to take home, but for you to have as a keepsake to remember one of best nights of your lives.

This FREE event is not to miss! We are looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday the 19^th anytime between 6 – 8pm!  We also invite you to come take advantage of specials we’ll be offering!!

Karen and Austin’s Wedding

Karen and Austin got married at their church, and had their reception at Venue at the Grove. Their color palate of sage and chocolate brown looked amazing in the hall. When the couple arrived their excitement was evident, they were already glowing after their ceremony. . .  now it was time to celebrate!

Guests arrived to find a welcoming cocktail hour with a cheese and fruit display, as well as a signature drink! AK 1023, otherwise known as an amaretto sour with pineapple juice (one of the couple’s favorites) was a hit at the bar. Once guests made their way into the hall, they found personalized Chapstick at their place setting as their favor. Perfect for a celebratory smooch!

Guests dined on delicious food, and the dance floor was busy all night. One of the most touching moments of Karen and Austin’s wedding was Karen’s dance with her father and Austin’s dance with his mom. Both were so personal and touching, it was a very special moment.

Right before cutting the cake, Austin surprised Karen with a beautiful speech about their relationship. While courting, Austin had to go to Germany for work, in his speech, he expressed that this trip made him realize how special his relationship was with Karen, and how he knew he wanted to marry her. He surprised Karen with a very special and hard to come by bottle of wine that he purchased while in Germany.

Karen and Austin, your wedding was beautiful. We are so happy for you both! Congratulations, we wish you much love in your bright future ahead!

Photo courtesy of Michael Meimer

Sarah and Chris

One of the best moments we get to share here at Venue at the Grove is that moment when the doors shut, there is a slight pause, and then we push them open for the bride’s grand entrance. It’s the first time that guests and sometimes the groom get to see her, and no matter how many times we close those doors, and re-open them, there is still that feeling of anticipation and excitement.   At the wedding of Sarah and Chris, that feeling was no exception.

Sarah and Chris now live in Seattle, but are originally from here in Phoenix.  Because of logistics, Sarah’s parents had to do much of the planning, however we felt like we got to know Sarah through her parents and several phone calls of course! Even though we hadn’t met Sarah and Chris until their wedding day, the moment we met them, their love for each other was evident, and we were so honored to be part of their day.

Sarah and Chris did a great job of making their wedding so personal. Their ceremony was so touching and incorporated guest participation as well as many ceremony traditions like a unity candle. They even hung a very special family cross on the arbor.  Inside at the reception, the décor matched perfect with their navy color palate, and the personalized bottles on the table were a special touch.

The hall was full of love and laughter that night. The dance floor was packed, and everyone had a great time! Congratulations Sarah and Chris, we wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

Photos courtesy of Brittany Janelle Photography

Heeey Youuu Guuuys!

Whether you are a fanatic or part the four percent of the population who isn’t, The Goonies, could be considered a cinematic masterpiece!

This movie is based on the adventure of a group of ordinary kids from a small coastal town in Oregon, searching for the legendary treasure left by a pirate named One-Eyed Willie. While searching for treasure, the group of youths are confronted by many entertaining obstacles, including a family of thieves at their heels. This movie is the perfect family movie no matter what age the spectator, and that is why we are thrilled to announce that The Goonies will be the debut movie for Movie Night at Venue at the Grove on Friday, October 29, 2010 at 7:30pm.

For those who dare, Movie Night at Venue at the Grove is a fantastic opportunity to watch one of the classics, while sitting under the stars beneath our stunning orchard of pecan trees. Bring a blanket or a beach chair, and sit back and watch The Goonies in action. In addition to the movie, and in true Goonie style, we will be offering delicious concessions for sale, including rocky road ice cream and Baby Ruths of course!

Admission to the movie is free. In addition, and just as Chunk and Sloth would want, anyone who wears a superman T-Shirt will receive a Baby Ruth Bar!

So bring your family, friends, and Goonie lovers alike to experience Venue at the Grove’s new adventure, Movie Night.  And remember. . . . Goonies never say die. . . .

RSVPs are recommended, so please call 602.456.0803 to make your reservation today!

Let There Be Light! by Mindy

You never really notice how important lighting is, however lighting is one of the single most important features to set the mood for an event. Mastering the art of lighting can be tricky. You don’t want anything to too bright because bright lights can create a stark and sterile feeling. You don’t want lighting too low because the purpose is to make seeing easier. Soft, glowing light is the most desirable. It allows guests to see each other and interact, but not feel intrusive. Photographer Mike Maez took these amazing night shots of our newly illuminated patio, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with how the venue looks all lit up!

One of the biggest trends right now is bringing the indoors out, and by hanging bistro lighting over the patio, we think we have done just that! We have also brought in two vintage light posts from the Biltmore in Phoenix to add another special touch to the patio. Imagine your guests mingling, dining under the lit trees, and dancing under the stars. We are so fortunate here in Arizona to be able to utilize outdoor spaces throughout the fall, winter, and spring, that these lights are the perfect opportunity to host your outdoor event.

 To view more of Mike Maez’s work, visit www.mikemaez.com.