Victoria and Joseph first met while attending Arizona State’s evening MBA program, although a last-minute change is what ultimately brought them together. When someone dropped out of Victoria’s assigned group, Joseph volunteered to transfer into it.
Initially, they were simply friends, but their relationship gradually deepened as they spent more time together both in and outside of their studies. Seven years later, Joseph proposed during a trip to Hawaii after a day spent hiking, visiting beaches, and enjoying happy hour.
For their wedding photographed by The Shepards, the couple chose Monroe Street Abbey in Phoenix, Arizona, a former Baptist church whose historic architecture became the foundation for nearly every design decision. Rather than filling the venue with elaborate decor, Victoria and Joseph in coordination with Your Jubilee Weddings embraced a restrained palette of sand, taupe, and ivory, allowing the Abbey’s brick walls, dramatic rose window, and architectural character to remain at the center of the celebration.
A neutral palette designed around the historic Abbey
Victoria intentionally kept the wedding decor minimal, choosing earth-toned neutrals that would complement rather than compete with Monroe Street Abbey.
Shades of sand and taupe were layered with ivory florals from The Wildflowers, creating a warm palette that felt particularly suited to the historic setting. The simplicity also allowed the venue itself to function as one of the wedding’s most significant design elements.
Throughout the day, softer textures and organic details were used to balance the brick and wood already present in the space. The result felt romantic and intimate without disguising what made the Abbey distinctive in the first place.
A Julie Vino lace gown complemented the romantic setting
Victoria’s bridal fashion followed the same romantic, timeless direction as the venue.
She wore a long-sleeved tulle and lace gown by Julie Vino, paired with a coordinating lace-trim veil. Together, the intricate lace and sheer details complemented the historic architecture and softer floral elements that appeared throughout the ceremony.
Rather than creating a dramatic contrast between fashion and setting, Victoria chose a bridal look that felt completely at home among the Abbey’s brick walls, climbing greenery, and old-world details.
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A ceremony beneath Monroe Street Abbey’s rose window
The ceremony took place in the courtyard garden, where one of the venue’s most striking architectural features became a natural backdrop: its magnificent rose window.
Climbing greenery softened the surrounding brick walls, while white florals lined the altar. With the architecture providing so much visual interest on its own, the couple did not need an elaborate ceremony installation to create an impactful setting.
The ceremony itself was equally personal. Victoria and Joseph incorporated their favorite Bible verses, bringing an element of their faith into the moment they exchanged vows.
Taupe draping softened the reception space
Inside the reception, fabric became one of the most transformative design elements.
Taupe textiles were draped along the wooden beams and walls, introducing softness and movement while preserving the architectural character of the room. Instead of covering the venue or attempting to turn it into an entirely different space, the fabric worked with the existing wood and historic details.
The restrained color choice also created a natural continuation of the sand, taupe, and ivory palette established earlier in the day.
Single-stem florals and candlelight kept the tables minimal
The reception tables continued the couple’s less-is-more approach with minimalist single-stem floral arrangements.
Rather than using oversized centerpieces, the pared-back flowers left room for the textures and architecture around them to remain visible. Candlelight brought warmth to the tables, while chandeliers cast a romantic glow throughout the room.
The combination of single-stem florals, candles, draped taupe fabric, and overhead lighting created an intimate atmosphere without requiring layers of additional decor. Every element seemed designed to enhance the Abbey rather than compete for attention with it.
A live band gave way to an EDM-filled dance floor
While the design remained understated, the reception entertainment was anything but one-note.
A live band began the celebration with classic crowd favorites, filling the dance floor before a DJ took over later in the evening. The switch allowed Victoria to bring her love of EDM music into the reception while still giving guests the experience of live music earlier in the night.
“It was the best of both worlds,” the couple shared.
The contrast also gave the evening a natural progression, moving from the warm intimacy of dinner and live music into a higher-energy celebration as the night continued.
After seven years together and a Hawaii proposal, Victoria and Joseph returned to the islands after their wedding for a relaxing honeymoon in Maui, where much of their time was spent poolside reflecting on the celebration.
Their Phoenix wedding ultimately followed the same thoughtful approach that defined its design. Rather than transforming Monroe Street Abbey beyond recognition, they allowed its history to guide them. Soft taupe draping, ivory flowers, candlelight, greenery, and minimalist tables simply added another layer of romance to a setting that already had a story of its own.
