City Vibes Meet Desert Chic in this Arizona Destination Wedding

Lysandra and Bryce’s story began in 2019 at a local bar in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. Bryce immediately recognized Lysandra from her social media presence, sparking a conversation that turned into an undeniable connection. What started as a chance encounter soon grew into something meaningful, and the two have been together ever since.

Set against the striking backdrop of Paradise Valley, Arizona, their early spring wedding was a celebration of style, culture, and love. As a professional couple from New York, they wanted to bring a piece of the city to the desert — combining minimalism with desert chic in an elegant setting. The bride, with Caribbean roots and Arizona hometown pride, and the groom, a true Brooklyn native, wanted their wedding to reflect their shared journey and individuality.

Thoughtful details like MetroCard-inspired seating assignments, a vintage-style cigar bar, and a draped photo station gave a nod to NYC energy while honoring the natural beauty of the Southwest. The result was a modern, soulful celebration that was both intimate and stylish.

Bride: Lysandra Whitlow, 34, Technical Project Manager

Groom: Bryce Tarrant, 36, NYU Adjunct Professor, Sports Marketing Strategist

Event Planner: Gardenia Weddings – Krystal Gardenia

Photography By: Main Photographer – Phylicia Willis, Photobooth – Hayley Stall

Place of Residence: Brooklyn, New York

Wedding Location: Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, Paradise Valley, AZ

Wedding Theme/Motif/Inspiration: Classic chic NYC meets Arizona

Honeymoon Destination: Mexico City, Mexico

Briefly tell us about your wedding experience and how the both of you felt on your big day.

Our wedding was a beautiful blend of friends, family and loved ones joining us in Scottsdale, AZ. Nerves were expected but we managed to be present and enjoy the moment. The scenic Arizona views and weather made for a lovely night. We both wanted to add special touches to the wedding that reflected our backgrounds so we had New York Metro Cards for the seating chart, steel pan playing while guests arrived, and signature margaritas for guests to enjoy all night. We wanted guests to feel like they were having a luxury night out on the town under the stars.

Wedding song, and the significance of the song:

“DO 4 LOVE” by Snoh Alegra – Bryce and I really love old school music so Snoh’s rendition of this song felt like us. I’ve had guests share that when they hear the song now they think about our wedding.

What are you most looking forward to as a married couple? Looking forward to creating memories, traveling to new cities, and living life to the fullest.