Real Weddings

Katelyn and David Western Welcome

Interior designer Katelyn Pascavis and David Wilkinson celebrated their Arizona wedding weekend with a spirited Western honky-tonk welcome party in Cave Creek followed by an ethereal, candlelit ceremony and reception at Phoenix’s historic Monroe Street Abbey.

An Old-World Wedding at Monroe Street Abbey with a Western Honky-Tonk Welcome Party

When interior designer Katelyn Pascavis, founder of Two Muse Studios, met David Wilkinson, a healthcare CFO, at a karaoke bar in Park City in February 2021, neither expected the moment would lead to a wedding weekend defined by striking contrasts—an elevated Western welcome party followed by an ethereal, old-world ceremony in the heart of Phoenix.

Their celebration unfolded over several days in Arizona, blending personal storytelling, thoughtful design, and deeply emotional moments with friends and family.

A Western Welcome in Cave Creek

The wedding festivities began with a spirited welcome party at Los Cedros USA, an elegant equestrian facility in Cave Creek that perfectly reflected the couple’s love of the town and its culture.

Nicknamed “David & Katelyn’s Honkytonk Hoedown,” the event invited guests into a playful Western world where boots and fringe were not only welcome but encouraged. The couple even hosted a costume contest for “Best Dressed,” “Most Authentic,” and “Took It Too Far,” inspiring guests to lean fully into the theme.

True to the setting, Katelyn and David made a memorable entrance—on horseback—after taking riding lessons in preparation for the event. Guests enjoyed a professional horse show, guided tours of the stables, and the chance to meet the facility’s horses before the evening transitioned into barbecue, dancing, and lively line-dancing lessons inside the barn.

Katelyn wore Mugler denim paired with a corset and custom leather shotgun chaps crafted by a local Arizona saddlery, while David embraced the theme in Wrangler denim and a vintage suede jacket. The evening felt equal parts celebration and immersive experience, offering guests a distinctly Arizona welcome.

An Ethereal Ceremony in Phoenix

For the ceremony and reception, the couple chose Monroe Street Abbey, a historic church-turned-event space in downtown Phoenix.

When Katelyn and David first visited the venue, it was still under construction—but its soaring architecture and old-world atmosphere immediately captured their imagination. Though family members were skeptical about committing to an unfinished space, the couple trusted their vision.

“We wanted guests to feel transported somewhere romantic and timeless,” Katelyn explains.

As an interior designer, Katelyn approached the wedding with a clear aesthetic direction: restrained elegance with dramatic, ethereal details.

The ceremony space was filled with flowing fabric drapery and candlelight, creating movement and softness within the historic architecture. Inspired by artist Mia Sylvia’s installations, drapery framed the aisle and altar while additional fabric installations hung overhead.

Classic Bridal Style with Personal Touches

Katelyn wore a gown by Lili Hod, featuring an off-the-shoulder Basque corset bodice and voluminous silk skirt. The dress—made of textured shantung silk—was the first gown she tried on.

Though she initially assumed she would choose something else, the silhouette ultimately felt the most natural and timeless.

Her accessories remained intentionally minimal: pearl and gold earrings by A.B. Ellie, ivory lace Badgley Mischka heels, and a veil handmade with the help of both her mother and mother-in-law.

David opted for something more playful—a custom burgundy tux designed by Mr. James in Los Angeles—paired with a treasured pocket watch passed down from his grandfather, the wedding’s oldest guest at 92 years old.

Thoughtful Personal Moments

Personal storytelling was woven throughout the ceremony.

The ceremony began with an unexpected and cinematic moment: a men’s choir processing down the aisle chanting a modern Gregorian-style arrangement while a cellist accompanied them, setting a deeply emotional tone.

Because Katelyn’s father passed away when she was a teenager, she walked the first portion of the aisle alone before meeting her mother halfway—a moment that honored both independence and family.

Both Katelyn and David wrote their own vows, carefully crafting promises they felt they could truly keep. Their mothers also participated by sharing readings made up of advice about love and marriage, offering wisdom gathered over a lifetime.

One of the most touching moments came later in the evening when Katelyn honored her late father. Instead of a traditional father-daughter dance, guests who had known him joined the dance floor with their partners while “Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle played.

“There wasn’t a dry eye in the room,” Katelyn recalls.

A Candlelit Tavern-Inspired Reception

Following the ceremony, guests gathered in the abbey courtyard for dinner under softly rippling drapery and hundreds of candles.

Long communal tables evoked the warmth of an old European tavern, where guests shared stories and passed bottles of wine across parchment-toned linens and frayed gauze napkins tied with lace ribbons.

The color palette remained intentionally restrained—parchment neutrals and deep purples—with vintage details layered alongside modern accents like mirrored pedestals.

Florals followed a similarly minimal philosophy. Katelyn carried a bouquet of burgundy calla lilies, chosen for their sculptural elegance, while David wore a single purple calla lily boutonnière that perfectly matched his custom burgundy tux.

A Surprise Disco After-Party

While the ceremony and dinner leaned romantic and atmospheric, the couple had one more surprise planned.

Later in the evening, guests were invited into a ballroom transformed into a full-scale disco after-party, complete with hanging fringe and shimmering disco balls.

Music transitioned from the earlier romantic tones into a funk-infused dance set curated closely with their DJ. The energy shift delighted guests and kept the dance floor full late into the night.