RACHEL & MIKE

Ring in the new year with us -
we're making it official!

DECEMBER 30, 2025 - JANUARY 1, 2026

Royal Palms Resort
Phoenix, Arizona

the night before

WELCOME PARTY

Tuesday, December 30th
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Reflecting Pool

Desert Cocktail Attire

the day of

WEDDING

Wednesday, December 31st
3:30 p.m. Guests Arrive, 4:00 p.m. Ceremony
Camelback Vista

Black Tie (Black or Dark Jewel Tones Encouraged)

the morning after

NEW YEAR'S DAY SEND-OFF

Thursday, January 1st
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Resort Pool

Resort Casual

flights

PHOENIX SKY HARBOR (PHX)

The resort is a 12-minute drive from PHX.
Uber, Lyft, and Waymo are widely available.

Find a Flight

accommodations

ROYAL PALMS RESORT

We're staying (and celebrating) at Royal Palms, a 1920s Spanish Colonial estate nestled at the base of Camelback Mountain. This stunning property has been recognized as a MICHELIN Key Hotel by The MICHELIN Guide, a distinction that speaks to its exceptional quality and service. Picture courtyards filled with rare palm trees, authentic Spanish tiles, wrought-iron details, and European antiques - it's romantic, elegant, and full of old-world charm. The resort offers beautiful rooms and villas, a Forbes-rated spa, and exceptional dining. Originally built as "El Vernadero" (winter haven), it truly lives up to its name - it's the perfect setting for our celebration!

View Room Block

attire

WELCOME PARTY - DESERT COCKTAIL

Ladies, think cocktail dresses, chic jumpsuits, or dressy separates. If you want to lean into the desert vibe, go for desert tones or fun prints like ​Southwestern patterns. Gentlemen, opt for dress pants with a blazer, button-down shirts, and dress shoes, boots, or loafers; bolo ties and leather accents are welcome. Layers are your friend as temperatures can drop in the evening. This is your chance to embrace some desert-inspired style!

See an Example

WEDDING - BLACK TIE

In typical Rachel and Mike fashion, we're going all out with Black Tie for our big day! This means tuxedos with bow ties and floor-length gowns in black or dark jewel tones like emerald, navy, sapphire, burgundy, and rich brown. We want this to feel special and elegant for everyone. If you're wearing a dress, consider bringing a wrap or elegant jacket for sunset as temperatures drop - we'll be outdoors for the first part of the evening. There will be heaters outside but evenings can be cool this time of year. We can't wait to celebrate with everyone looking their absolute best!

See an Example

SEND OFF - RESORT CASUAL

After all that celebrating, let's end the weekend with relaxed brunch vibes! Wear what makes you comfortable - we'll be outdoors and want everyone to feel at ease while we recover, share stories, and say our goodbyes if you're departing that day. The pool will be available, but January mornings in Phoenix are pleasantly cool (think 60s-70s), so dress in layers and bring sunglasses!

See an Example

things to do

FOR THE OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS

Camelback Mountain offers two challenging trails (Echo Canyon and Cholla) with stunning 360-degree valley views. Both are rated "extremely difficult," so bring water and good shoes. The resort provides complimentary hiking kits with water, snacks, and sunscreen.

FOR THE CULTURE LOVERS

Cosanti Originals in Paradise Valley is Paolo Soleri's original home and studio, featuring his famous bronze windbells and experimental concrete structures. Tours (Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings) include live bronze pours in their foundry. Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is 20 minutes away.

FOR THE ADVENTURERS

Hot air balloon rides offer stunning views of the Valley of the Sun from above. If you’re up for a drive before or after the wedding festivities, Sedona is a two-hour drive away and boasts stunning red rock formations, dramatic canyon landscapes, and some of the most scenic hiking trails in the Southwest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stay onsite? Do you have a room block?

Yes! We encourage you to stay onsite as all wedding events will take place on property! (We're staying onsite, too!) We've included the link to our room block in the Accommodations section above. The room block offers King Rooms at $299 per night with no resort fee. If you'd like to extend your stay before or after the room block, and you are unable to do so online, please call the hotel and tell them you're booking for the Braun-Knapp Wedding. They'll honor the rate for up to 3 days before and after the room block. Upgrade options are also available.

I have questions about the dress code. Who can I talk to?

If you reviewed the attire section above and still have questions, reach out to Mike via phone or email at wedding@mikekn.app.

Are we celebrating New Year's Eve after the wedding? Isn't that going to be a long night?

We are! But here's the thing – we're doing East Coast New Year's, which means the countdown happens at 10 p.m. Arizona time. Pretty perfect timing if you ask us. For anyone who wants to keep the celebration going after that, there's a bar onsite, and we've heard the fireworks view over Camelback Mountain from the Reflecting Pool is pretty incredible. So you can call it a night or stick around for the show – totally up to you.

What kind of weather should we plan for?

While historical averages suggest highs in the upper 60s, last year's record-breaking warm December had highs in the low to mid-70s during this period. Expect beautiful, sunny weather, though nighttime temperatures will drop significantly - likely into the 40s or low 50s. Phoenix averages less than one inch of rain in December/January so we're optimistic about dry weather. Ladies will want to bring a wrap or elegant jacket for evening events as temperatures drop, and heaters will be provided for outdoor portions. Don't forget sunscreen and sunglasses - even winter sun in Arizona can be strong!

Are kids allowed to join for the wedding?

The ceremony and reception are an adults-only celebration, but we totally get that childcare can be a puzzle when you're traveling. That's why our planner Jamie is arranging certified childcare providers right on the property - so your little ones are nearby and well taken care of while you get to fully enjoy the evening. Kids are welcome at the Welcome Party and New Year's Day Send-Off. If you're interested in childcare for the wedding, let us know at wedding@mikekn.app and we'll connect you with Jamie.

Do you have a registry?

Celebrating with you is the best gift we could ask for. For those who have asked, we've put together a registry. See below.

Note: If you're looking to ship something to us, we're moving across the country the week after the wedding! Please use the Gig Harbor address found on the back of your invitation.

Anything else we need to know?

If you have travel, room block, attire questions, etc. that are not answered above, email us at wedding@mikekn.app. We can't wait to celebrate with you!

Your presence is a gift, but for those who insist...

Registry

RSVP

Please let us know by December 1st if you can make it!

RSVP Here