If you know me well, you know I LOVE animals. There is something about just watching and being around them that just makes me happy. No matter what is happening in my life, my ultimate escape is spending time with an animal. Whether it’s walking my sweet baby girl, Penny, or visiting the Phoenix Zoo – everything feels more manageable after I have spent some time with my animals friends.
It occurred to me recently there are three lessons I regularly learn from sweet animal friends. If you have some animal friends in your life (and even if you don’t) I encourage you to slow down and take notice of these very important life lessons we learn from our animals.
1 – Get excited about the little things
If you have a puppy in your life, you know there are few things better than the warm welcome of an excited dog when you get home at the end of the day! No matter what happened that day, seeing your little furry one jump and twirl when you get home is one of the best feelings in the world. It is also wonderful to watch, when your pup gets excited when you reach for her leash, or when you pick up her food dish. These are such little things, but the deep profound glee your little pup feels for these “little things” is incredible. We must remember to also allow ourselves to get excited about the little things in our life. Savor that delicious bite of spaghetti. Marvel at the beauty of the flower in your backyard. Get REALLY excited to have lunch with your best friend. It’s okay. These little moments make up the majority of our life – so let’s start celebrating them!
2 – Live in the now
When I wake up everyday, my sweet Penny is almost always laying on the bed next to me – patiently waiting for me to get up and take her for our morning walk. When I finally get up, she jumps and twirls. She knows what’s about to happen. I put her leash on and we head downstairs. I happily watch her as she quickly trots from bush to bush – sniffing away! She is so happy! And she is so present. She is thinking about nothing but what she is exploring in that moment. What a great lesson! I know I’m guilty of almost never living in the now. I am almost always thinking about the future or reliving the past. I worry about possible scenarios that may never even come to pass. I worry about what I said to a friend or colleague. “I shouldn’t have said it that way.” or “I wish I hadn’t have done that.” All of these thoughts are such a waste of time and energy. It’s so important we learn to train ourselves to love and live in the present. Enjoy the moment you’re in and make it the best you can.
3 – Love unconditionally
This might be the most important lesson of all. Don’t you love those shirts that say, “Help me be the person my dog thinks I am.”? It doesn’t matter what mistakes you might have made, or if you haven’t walked your puppy in a week, your sweet little dog, is still excited to see you and loves you – no matter what. Wouldn’t it be great if we treated our relationships with other humans this way? I challenge you to try. The next time you find yourself feeling hurt or frustrated by someone in your life, I challenge you to go to a place of love and understanding. Try to see the scenario from their perspective. Try to understand they may be struggling. Try not to take it personally. Then try to feel love and understanding for them instead of anger and frustration. I know this might not result in a feeling of unconditional love. However, I know this will help you feel better – and hopefully strengthen your relationships.
ACTION STEPS
I challenge you to make a conscious choice to implement these lessons in your life.
- Get excited about the little things.
- Focus on living in the now.
- Love everyone in your life unconditionally – even if they don’t love you back
Tell me what changes you plan to make in your life this week in the comments below! Let’s all inspire each other to evolve and be the best versions of ourselves. 🙂
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All my best,
Casey
Casey Green Weddings, LLC
8700 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 114
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
602-448-8133
hello@caseygreenweddings.com
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The Chateau Luxe is the epitome of bling! From the moment you walk into this beautiful space you’re met with a breathtaking view of a leaded crystal chandelier. This chandelier took an entire year to design and build. Each of the 605 strands of leaded crystal were perfectly crafted to create this one of a […]
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Image by Casey Green Studios
I liked them immediately! With her witty, dry sense of humor, Mary’s charm is infectious! Ryan’s gentle and kind demeanor, with a twist of silliness, made him the perfect fit for Mary. The love and support they have for each other warms my heart! Planning Mary and Ryan’s wedding was a wonderful experience!
Image by Imagine Photography
Mary had her glitz and glamour vision for her wedding cemented in her mind – it was a perfect beginning to the next chapter of Mary and Ryan’s love story!
Image by Imagine Photography
Mary and Ryan hosted their wedding at the beautiful Omni Scottsdale at the Montelucia.
Image by Imagine Photography
Jo and Jason from Imagine Photography captured the day beautifully! Mary immediately loved their edgy, contemporary photographic style! In a sea of natural light, pastel photography, it is refreshing to find photographers who master the art of crafting gorgeous off camera lighting! Here are a few of my favorite images!
Image by Imagine Photography
Image by Imagine Photography
Image by Imagine Photography
Image by Imagine Photography
Image by Imagine Photography
Image by Imagine Photography
Image by Imagine Photography
Image by Imagine Photography
Mary and Ryan were kind enough to allow me to photograph them during their engagement. Here’s a slideshow of my favorite images from our photoshoot!
Image by Casey Green Studios
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All my best,
Casey
Casey Green Weddings, LLC
8700 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 114
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
602-448-8133
hello@caseygreenweddings.com
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This beautiful venue is truly a hidden gem! Nestled in the beautiful hills of Cave Creek, weddings at the Tonto Bar and Grill are absolutely enchanting. The ceremony and reception sites are framed with gorgeous desert landscapes and the stunning Arizona sunsets. You truly feel you are tucked away from the hustle of the city […]
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Oh the beautiful Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. I love this venue! First of all, the grounds are absolutely gorgeous! It’s so fun just to wander around and find all the beautiful little nooks and crannies this property has to offer. There are so many beautiful places to sit and enjoy the beautiful Arizona weather. I always seem to find a new one each time I visit.
Also, the Scottsdale Princess pools are fantastic! There is a pool for everyone. Whether you are a water slide kind of person, or you’d rather just relax under an umbrella and read a book – the Princess has got you covered.
The Scottsdale Princess also has a variety of beautiful ceremony spaces. My two favorite are the Princess Falls and the Lagoon Lawn.
The chic and striking Princess Falls patio, including the adjacent Romeo and Juliet balcony above which allows for a dramatic bridal party entrance.
The Lagoon Lawn is tucked in the back of the property. It is surrounded by (you guessed it) a gorgeous lagoon filled with gorgeous lily pads and other fauna and flora. This space really provides a romantic garden ambiance for your ceremony.
The Fragrance Garden is another fantastic ceremony option if you are interested in hosting a smaller wedding. It can also be a fantastic place for your “first look”.
The Scottsdale Princess also offers a superior reception experience in one of their beautiful ballrooms. Whether you are looking for an intimate dinner reception in one of their junior ballrooms or the grand ballroom wedding experience, the Princess can meet your needs.
WEDDING WEEKEND
I think one of the biggest selling points of this venue, is it truly can be a destination wedding experience. I would strongly encourage a couple hosting their wedding on this property to consider planning a wedding weekend experience for their guests.
The Princess features amazing spa day packages at the gorgeous Well & Being Spa.
The property is adjacent to the famous TPC Scottsdale golf course which hosts the Phoenix Open every year. It is a fantastic location for a golf outing.
The Princess features six beautiful princess pools. Scheduling a relaxing pool day maybe just what your friends and family need before the big event.
REHEARSAL DINNER & BRUNCH
Also hosting the rehearsal dinner and or brunch following the wedding at either the La Hacienda or Toro Latin Restaurant and Rum Bar is a fantastic option to keep everyone on property for the entire weekend. This way, out of town guests (and even in-town friends and family) can all enjoy a little vacation (or staycation) around your wedding. Just a thought! 🙂
If you’d like to learn more about the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, I would encourage you to visit the property for yourself! Here is the contact information for the venue for your reference:
Megan Manilla, Social Catering Sales Manager
megan.manilla@fairmont.com
7575 East Princess Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Did you find this post helpful? If so, please subscribe! Every week we share wedding planning guides and vendor information to help you plan the wedding and marriage of your dreams!
Casey Green Weddings, LLC
8700 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 114
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
602-448-8133
hello@caseygreenweddings.com
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I have always loved this property! My first apartment after college was located literally across the street from the Westin Kierland Resort. When I would get home from work, I would often walk across the street and just wander the grounds a little bit… I am sure that was technically trespassing, but I just loved […]
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Every time I visit the Grayhawk Golf Club, I feel like I’ve entered a little oasis in the desert. The beautiful water features, surrounded by the perfectly manicured putting greens, driving ranges and golf course grounds – it’s so beautiful, almost doesn’t look real!
No matter what your wedding or event size or style, Grayhawk has a fantastic option for you. The Grayhawk Golf Club has two wedding reception spaces to choose from, with corresponding ceremony and cocktail reception spaces.
The first option is the Fairway House. Fairway House is east of the main clubhouse. It has its own private ceremony space, cocktail patio and reception hall. The event flow is effortless and the beautiful golf course lagoon and McDowell Mountains are the backdrop for the entire event.
The second option is the McDowell Mountain Room. This space is located inside the main golf club and is gorgeous. The beautiful wood beams and wood flooring offer a beautiful space with natural character to perfectly compliment your wedding decor.
If you’re interested in a more casual experience for your wedding or maybe your rehearsal dinner or bridal shower, you may want to consider Isabella’s Kitchen on the south side of the Grayhawk Golf Club property. Isabella’s is absolutely charming – and it’s one of the best places in the valley to watch our spectacular Arizona sunsets! Isabella’s bistro light ambiance, coupled with the gorgeous backdrop of the south driving range, creates the perfect romantic atmosphere for whatever social occasion you may be celebrating.
If you’d like to learn more about the property and all it as to offer for your special event, I encourage you to contact Grayhawk Golf Club directly. Here is their contact information for your reference:
8620 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Pat Tryhus, Catering Manager
480-502-3121
mgrcatering@grayhawkgolf.com
Audrey Gorence, Catering Manager
480-502-3112
cateringevents@grayhawkgolf.com
Did you find this post helpful? If so please subscribe! Each week we will send you wedding planning guides to help you create the wedding and marriage of your dreams!
All my best,
Casey
Casey Green Weddings, LLC
8700 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 114
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
602-448-8133
hello@caseygreenweddings.com
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Okay, let’s be real. At the end of the day, after all your planning, organizing, designing, coordinating… all of your hard work would be for nothing if your wedding guests don’t have a blast at your wedding! Because I know all you really want your wedding to be is a happy, wonderful experience with the […]
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Tanner and Macy had been dating for almost a year. The romance had truly been a whirlwind! Everyone knew they were perfect together. It was only a matter of time before Tanner would pop the question. Because Tanner wanted it to be special, he decided he would make it a surprise. Tanner and his mom, Gina, contacted me to ask me if I would be willing to schedule a “pretend” photoshoot with Tanner and Macy. The plan was we would begin to photograph the two of them, and then toward the end of the shoot, Tanner would surprise Macy and propose to her. I loved the idea and couldn’t wait to make it happen!
First we began photographing the two of them together.
Then I asked if I could take a few pictures of Macy alone for my portraits portfolio – isn’t she beautiful?!!
Then, to allow for Tanner to complete his surprise proposal, we decided we would ask Macy to spin around and throw rose petals in the air for a fun “artsy” shot.
I asked Macy to do a couple practice spins and on the third time, when Macy spun around she found Tanner on one knee proposing to her.
It was such an amazing day! I am so thankful to have been a part of the event!
Here’s the video of the entire experience… enjoy!
Tanner and Macy Proposal Video
Did this post make you feel warm and fuzzy inside? If so, please subscribe!
Casey Green Weddings
Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 114
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
602-448-8133
hello@caseygreenweddings.com
read the post
HOTEL For those of you who have lived in the valley for a long time like me, you may remember an iconic resort located in Paradise Valley called Mountain Shadows. A few years back, the decision was made to close and demolish the resort. Happily, plans to rebuild the resort were put into motion. […]
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