Aldea Weddings

Review by Christopher Leigh Studios -
"I had the great opportunity to visit Aldea in Northwest Phoenix last week and shoot a highlight video as part of our new 2011 website and blog. I’m on a mission to see what the greater Phoenix area has to offer my VIP clients and their families for wedding venues on their big day so we began out search with Aldea after meeting Evelyn at the bridal expo. Having never been there before it was a treat to see a new venue and get to spend some quality time with the owner, Evelyn, and her staff. Located on Peoria Avenue just west of the I-17 freeway I was able to find it in no time and it only took about 35 minutes from my studio in Gilbert.I showed up a little early to take advantage of seeing the venue in a “before” stage as it transitioned into an elegant weddings complete with candles, flower pedals, runners, lights, and a whole array of food and music. Check out their site here: www.aldeaweddings.com

The venue makes you feel secluded from the bustling city just outside the walls and quickly transports you into a new world of its own. With arches down every corridor and even basement offices and passageways I couldn’t help but feel like I was walking around an old Spanish villa or down the streets of a Tuscan village. Wide, open courtyards with fountains and cobblestone make it easy to see why this is a great place for a wedding. The bridal suite is large and accommodating with enough mirrors and amenities for the entire bridal party. I’ve been to other locations and watched as the bride and her bridesmaids stumbled over each other to get a good look in the mirror or slip on their dresses, not at Aldea. The other part I thought was very interesting is the location of the bridal suite. Situated on the second story and slightly behind the ceremony location I envisioned a stunning scene as the bride to be was walked by her father through the corridors high above the guests below. With each step I envisioned a nervous groom waiting below as the guests watched the bride make her way to the ceremony, first from the left, then directly in front of them 2 stories above. I couldn’t help but feel like a father walking my little girl down the stairs and into the aisle as I walked in the sames steps and filmed what so many couples have experienced before at Aldea.

If you’re a guy reading this post you’re probably wondering what Aldea has for you? Don’t worry, the guys are all set with their own suite complete with a foosball table, flat screen TV, bar, and leather couch on the first floor and back in the cavernous walkways of the venue. Its just the place where the guys can sit back and relax as they wait for the wedding to begin, it just doesn’t ever take the guys very long to get ready so there is more time for hanging out with their friends and family before hand.

I think my favorite part of the venue is the reception hall. After leaving the ceremony guests are guided down a long corridor lit by luminaries lining each side of the path. When you reach the end of the corridor a huge, beautiful door leads you into the reception hall that feels more like an exclusive club than a wedding “ball room.” With the beautiful wood dance floor situated in the middle of the room and surrounded by arches it quickly becomes the center of attention. One look up and you are met with a elegant vaulted ceiling and lighting to set the mood. I’ve seen a lot of reception halls but this one was great. Ample space allows for plenty of tables and chairs around the perimeter of the dance floor and there is a perfect section that is used for buffet style serving or can be used for anything else you can imagine. I think the best part of the reception hall is the fact that the people dancing and the people eating are separated by large arches. I’ve seen lots of people get a little rowdy on the dance floor and this “extra space” is by far the best and most elegant solution I’ve seen to date.

Needless to say I was impressed with the venue and with the staff. They really made the place come alive and I felt comfortable asking questions and was allowed complete access to the venue. If a couple is looking for an old world feel with ample space and a beautiful reception location I’d say Aldea has all of that and more."