IrisD Bridal Blog

Meet the couple…

Bride’s Occupation:  Convention/Event Manager at the Marriott

Groom’s Occupation:  Assistant General Manager at Montis La Casa Vieja Restaurant

Their Engagement Story:

The Casa

Where it all began: The History of Montis La Casa Vieja

Monti’s La Casa Vieja is the city’s original pioneer home and the oldest continuously occupied structure in the Phoenix metropolitan area.  The original adobe hacienda was built as a home by Charles Trumbull Hayden in 1871.  Hayden settled in the area to establish a flourmill and a ferry service for crossing the Salt River, which flowed year-round at that time.  In 1954 the building was purchased by Leonard F. Monti Sr.  By concentrating on a simple formula of giving guests an outstanding meal at a great price, Leonard Monti steadily built his business into one of Arizona’s premier restaurants.  Today, Monti’s La Casa Vieja serves approximately 500,000 customers annually.

In diapers and a pacifier, Monique joined in on the monthly festivities at “The Casa” with her family.  Any time the Baart family would have out of town guests, they would treat them to a night of Roman Bread and Monti’s steaks!  The outings lasted up into her teen years.  Just old enough to have a job, Monique applied, interviewed, and landed the job as hostess at Good Old Montis La Casa Vieja!

At the Age of 22, young James Rowe from Spring Valley New York, followed his older brother across the country to live in the Valley of the Sun, Tempe, Arizona.  Seeing an ad in the paper, James applied for a job at “Montis at the Ranch,” a sister restaurant of Montis La Casa Vieja.  Skilled in bartending, the manager suggested he work at “The Casa” instead.  Days later, James became a bartender at Good Old Montis La Casa Vieja!

A young student from Tempe Arizona meets a bartender from Spring Valley New York.

Monique at 16 and James at 25 became co-workers, but were worlds apart!  Monique worked her way up to server; James worked his way up to head bartender.  James proved his integrity and hard work becoming Bar Manager.  Monique was offered the Banquet Manager position.  Five years later, Monique and James joined together on the Managers Team at Montis La Casa Vieja.  Once just co-workers, had now become friends spending holidays and special occasions together. Through trial and error, both Monique and James dated other people before realizing their humor, laughter, and love was with each other.

3 Years later, Christmas Day of 2009, James proposed to Monique under their Christmas tree.  She said “Yes”

“It doesn’t matter where you go in life; it’s who you have beside you that makes it worthwhile”

Their Wedding Day Theme Plan

Getting Married!!  Monique wishes she could say that she doesn’t let the little things stress her, but that just wouldn’t be the truth!  After deciding which invitation looks better, if the green dresses are the same green in the chair colors, fighting with dad because the photographer might cost a little bit more than they expected, and what to do with your bridesmaid that got pregnant unexpectedly…Once it’s all over and done…..every day she has to remind herself that this stuff doesn’t matter, the most important thing is that they have decided to share their lives together, and they are lucky to have so many friends and family to support them.

Oh yes and the important facts – the classic color of black -so elegant with some Ivory and a couple dashes of Lime green.  On the tables, you will find modern damask lamps and Candelabra’s with lime green satin napkins on top of damask runners.  It is a little modern meeting classic.  Yes, this is all planned out thanks to Monique’s job of being an event coordinator – this is her passion and she is so excited to show James her hard work when he sees the venue for the first time on our wedding day.

What the couple believes is special about their wedding that makes them feel they should win this free sponsorship…

We have both seen our lives grow from when we entered the hospitality/Food and Beverage business as inexperienced young adults.  It has been a long road of preparing the perfect day for our clients.  From the food preparation to the room being perfect!  Dealing with clients and their emotional rollercoaster…We are now walking in their footsteps and planning our special day!  We hope to experience that perfect day, as we have done for others!  Marriage is an amazing thing and we are excited to start the journey!

To help this couple win:

Cast Your Vote on

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tempe-AZ/IrisD-Bridal/140293870712

http://www.bridetide.com/users/irisdbridal/items