Melissa & Scott

After getting engaged on Elephant Mountain near Cave Creek, Chicagoans Melissa Lynn and Scott Kaeser wanted their 175 mostly Midwestern guests to enjoy the desert warmth. Arizona sunsets inspired a palette of pinks and oranges for the formal affair. While the ambiance was all elegance, the couple emphasized food and fun: The crowd snacked on a cocktail-hour taco bar, was wowed by a fire dancer, feasted on brioche-crusted filet, and reveled as butlers passed cheesecake lollipops and macarons. The most dedicated guests spilled over into an adjacent ballroom, where the couple hosted an after-party with pizza, French fries, a DJ and more dancing. Not wanting to interrupt the party, the couple didn’t even slice their wedding cake until brunch the next day.