Christopher Leigh Studios Presents a Reel Motion Rehearsal: Inspirador – Chandler, AZ
Last week I had the awesome opportunity to attend the hippest open house in Chandler. From the stained concrete floor to the original tile ceiling Dilia and her team put on quite a show and highlighted the venue at its finest. I was invited along to check it out for the first time all decked out in its wedding attire and brought along the Virtual Venue camera to show you all of it in brilliant high definition.
Inspirador is located in historic downtown Chandler and is a breeze to find. So many times downtown venues are hard to locate and even harder to find parking, but Inspirador is the definitely the exception. Only 1 mile north of the 202 Santan free way and a quick stroll from fine dining and shopping and you find yourself looking right into the window of the “Inspiration Lounge.” It immediately grabs your attention and you are transported to the shop windows of New York and your curiosity percolates so its only natural to take a look inside. One look at the huge entrance and heavy door makes you sense the quality of the place you are about to enter.
An art gallery and “inspiration lounge” by day and a super hot wedding and corporate venue by night, you’d never guess that Inspirador has roots that date back to one of Chandler’s original hardware stores. Even some of the original pieces of its past remain. Beautifully ornate ceiling tiles and the original concrete floors make you feel like you are somewhere other than the southwest. Dilia Wood, the owner and inspiration coordinator at Inspirador had a vision for this venue and she nailed it. Welcome to the “anti-ballroom.” This is not your typical venue nor your typical accommodations. What you won’t find at Inspirador is old carpet, outdated lighting, small spaces or a feeling of being overshadowed by a huge resort or Hotel. Inspirador is uniquely its own and stands out among all of the ballroom bla you’ll find all over Arizona.
Themed rooms decorate the interior of the venue complete with a breathtaking courtyard accented by a contemporary fireplace that reaches to the sky. The open courtyard lies in the center of the venue and allows Arizona’s beautiful sunshine to diffuse though the large windows of the adjoining “Symphony Hall” and pour through. By night, strings of lights artfully hang gently in the courtyard and wait for visitors who want to spend some time under the night sky without ever leaving the party.
I was totally impressed by the Poet’s Lounge, aka Wedding Ceremony Central. In the video you can see how amazing it looks live and in person and yes, it really looks that good. I couldn’t believe how many people it can seat and just how inviting the back wall of candles felt. I also couldn’t help but think how much fun it would be to shoot a wedding in such an intimate setting. What’s great is that the Bridal suite is only 50 feet from the Poet’s Lounge so the bride never feels distant from her guests or her groom. The Groom’s suite can be found on the front left of the room through a door that opens to a nicely decorated lounge perfect for waiting for the big moment with easy access to the ceremony for the groom and his guys. Nor more closets to change in or walks from the hotel for the men, you get your own space gents.
The bridal suite is located on the opposite end from the front entrance of Inspirador and the best way I can describe it is “elegant”. There is plenty of space, a couch and chairs, lots of counter space, fashionable decor and a TON of mirrors. There is even a bank of mirrors that wraps around a cove to show the bride how she looks in her dress from every angle. I’m sure the brides love this, but for me it was hard to video without getting caught on camera in the mirrors! Basically, everything has been thought of and executed with attention to detail and every bride will agree that this puts them at ease as they get ready for the moment they will walk down the isle.
I think what I like best about being at Inspirador is the simple fact that they are not trying to be a ballroom and not trying to work against what Arizona has to offer. Let’s face it, we are a desert, and so many times a lush garden is what people want when they get married but so hard to pull off in the heat of the day around here. I loved that Inspirador uses art and fashion and decor to make their venue unique, interesting and modern and don’t try to be something they aren’t. Because of this simple fact there is such an elegance to the venue that appears to come effortlessly and not forced. Great job, really.
After working with the team and experiencing the venue first hand there is no doubt any couple who get’s married at Inspirador is destined to have a fairytale wedding and an amazing “anti-ballroom” venue. Check out the video and enjoy!
I love solving problems and creating something from nothing.