Celebration Makers 2024

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Celebration Makers The creatives behind “I do”

PHOTO BY BIN THI ON UNSPLASH

This special section profiles some of Utah’s most talented wedding pros, offering a glimpse of what they see emerging on the “I do” horizon. From stunning venues and artistic florals to A-to-Z event planners, these Utah bridal experts offer ideas and inspiration for creating a memorable, meaningful celebration.

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Beauty by Reese

REESE STOCKMAN OWNER

2150 S MAIN STREET SUITE 105, SOUTH SALT LAKE

AS THE FOCAL POINT of attention at a wedding, it’s essential for brides to enlist the services of a skilled beauty specialist, one equipped with the talent and expertise necessary to craft a look ensuring that breath-catching moment when the couple first locks eyes.

At Beauty by Reese, owner and professional beauty artist Reese Stockman knows what it takes to make a wedding day unforgettable.

With a plethora of expertise gained throughout 18 years in the beauty industry, she has the skills and vision necessary to create the perfect look to help couples feel like the best version of themselves.

As an industry veteran who got her start with MAC cosmetics, Reese knows how to spot trends and the innovative products needed to render an initial concept into a walking vision.

“It’s such an inspiring time to work in the beauty industry. The products available are the best they’ve ever been. My kit has everything from Givenchy (luxury) to Nars (mid -range) to Elf (drug store) and each brand offers a specific value,” Reese explains.

In a state where beauty is in high-demand, she knows what a huge blessing it is for her to be a part of the Salt Lake City beauty industry.

775.200.6644 BEAUTYBYREESE.COM INSTAGRAM: @BBRBEAUTYBYREESE

Ask the Expert WHAT’S AHEAD: As a proud board member of the Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA), I’m excited to continue collaborating with the industry’s top professionals. Being a part of this elite networking community allows me and our vetted chapter members to operate and advance the ethical standards of the wedding industry.

EXCITED ABOUT: Inspiration comes easy since I’m beyond blessed to be surrounded by so many talented people in this industry. That makes it impossible not to be inspired daily to push myself toward innovative directions for my career.

FRESH IDEAS: Find a new idea you love and work with someone who can blend it with your personal style.

I love the response I get from clients when they see the new twist I put on classic ideas.

“I’m able to see what styles are trending, so I can be certain that each and every look has my signature Reese look to go with those styles. It’s rare you’ll find my signature looks without a winged eyeliner sharp enough to slice through anything or a custom eyelash that just pops the eye perfectly.”

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Cake by Alessandra WEDDINGS DESERVE a visual treat as enchanting as the show-stopping bride. At Cake

by Alessandra, each creation features top-quality ingredients, exceptional design, and a personal touch reflecting the couple’s unique love story.

Since 2007, owner Alessandra Wortmann has captivated her clients through superior design and flavor, a skill formed and nurtured throughout her childhood in the family kitchen where she honed her culinary skills.

“Many of my best memories center around growing up in Brazil, and I believe that’s where my passion for baking cakes began,” Wortmann explains.

Beneath the surface of her captivating visual aesthetic lies a taste equivalent to her artistry, making her cakes an exquisite treat for her clients.

While Wortmann is recognized as a chefd’oeuvre in her own right, she also understands minimalistic and understated design, offering customers a variety of options to make their vision–and budget–a reality.

“It’s important for clients to have a general idea or cake style before their consultation,” Wortmann states. “I need a general idea of what they want, then I transform their ideas into a culinary vision.”

While Cake has continued as a front-runner in the wedding cake business, Wortmann understands that each client has specific needs and should choose professionals with aligning visions. “We are so lucky to have so many talented vendors in Utah. Choose someone you connect with to help turn your special day into a reality.”

ALESSANDRA WORTMANN OWNER

3135 W WILD FLOWER LN, LEHI

BY APPOINTMENT 801.901.6485 CAKEUT.COM INSTAGRAM: @CAKE.UT

“Something that has always set us apart is that our cakes taste even better than they look.”

Ask the Expert ADVICE FOR COUPLES: In addition to the overall design and flavor, clients should understand their budget ahead of the designing process, allowing Alessandra to provide options to best fit the needs of each couple.

Besides choosing the perfect cake, Alessandra’s best advice to couples is to choose vendors early, scheduling with her as soon as possible.

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Culinary Crafts AT THE HELM of Utah’s thriving foodie scene, Culinary Crafts remains the beacon of exceptional dining experiences across the state.

Approaching its fourth decade in business, its continued success is rooted in an unwavering commitment to using fresh ingredients and made à la minute cuisine.

As second-generation proprietors, Ryan and Kaleb Crafts carry forward their family’s legacy by preserving what they refer to as “culinary romance.” Prioritizing ambiance alongside taste, they’re willing to make extraordinary excursions to bring their clients’ dream events to life.

Crafts takes pride in elevating the romantic aspects of dining by curating eclectic experiences, such as serving guests entrées in the middle of a lavender field or perhaps within one of Utah’s enchanting national forests.

While many catering companies are available for on-site setup, it’s a select few who are as dedicated as Culinary Crafts to fulfill a client’s vision.

Regardless of the occasion, whether it’s a wedding or social soirée, Culinary Crafts understands that food is the ultimate social linchpin. Guests generally attend events for specific purposes, but when quality cuisine is paired with memorable atmospheres, it allows guests to have a wonderful time while creating unique and delicious memories.

Culinary Crafts welcomes their clients’ ideas and has the experience to make most a reality.

Moreover, their skilled team understands the intricate nuances to bring even the wildest ideas to fruition.

“As long as we can get our trucks and equipment to the location, we’re in!

Food is why we gather, so why not dine in settings as stunning as the cuisine?”

RYAN & KALEB CRAFTS CATERING SAVANTS

357 W 200 S #100, SALT LAKE CITY 573 W STATE ST SUITE A, PLEASANT GROVE 801.355.6575 CULINARYCRAFTS.COM INSTAGRAM: @CULINARYCRAFTS

Ask the Expert WHAT’S AHEAD: We’re growing like crazy! This year, in addition to celebrating our fortieth year in business, we’re opening a wine-tasting bar and venue right downtown in SLC. Beyond that, one of our favorite aspects of this business is that we don’t always know what’s ahead!

We wait to see what our clients are interested in so we can turn their ideas into a reality.

EXCITED ABOUT: We’ll always be excited about the cuisine and you can taste the passion in our food. Still, what we look forward to most is trying something we haven’t yet done before. We love the ideas our clients bring and we can’t wait to see where and what we’ll be cooking next!

FRESH IDEAS: Don’t assume something isn’t possible. If you have an idea for a location or a meal, we’ll work with you to see what we can create. As the trendsetters of cuisine across Utah, our innovative team has the expertise and vision you need to execute your meal to the highest standards.

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Fuse Weddings & Events WITH FIFTEEN SEASONS archived, Fuse Weddings and Events knows that executing the perfect wedding begins with mutual compatibility and impeccable design.

Fuse owner and renowned wedding planning expert, Mara Mazdzer, is as selective with her clientele as she is with her artistic vision. Prioritizing the value of well-suited partnerships, Mazdzer emphasizes choosing the right clientele in order to foster positive and effective experiences.

“We have a limited number of clients we work with each season, so we choose couples with visions we’re excited about and when we feel like we’re a good fit. A Fuse client knows we’re partners through the entire process with an

equal investment in the success of their event,” Mazdzer explains.

Focused on unforgettable guest experiences paired with bespoke design, events with Fuse emphasize the important details of each couple to ensure they capture their unique love story.

Recurring feedback Fuse receives after events is how guests and family gushed about the authenticity of the big day and how it really “felt like” the couple they were celebrating.

When planning your perfect day, Fuse urges you to research the vendors you’re considering and read their reviews to help make your dream day a reality. “We’ve learned that working with the right people is the best formula for a successful day and the best strategy to enjoy the process.”

MARA MAZDZER OWNER

918 S 500 W STE C, SALT LAKE

BY APPOINTMENT 801.512.2075 FUSEWEDDINGSANDEVENTS.COM INSTAGRAM: @FUSEWEDDINGSANDEVENTS

“We’re dedicated to our clients and take the time to learn about the details that matter most to them, allowing us to prioritize where to spend our energy and budget to turn their specific ‘wow’moments into reality.”

Ask the Expert WHAT’S AHEAD: We’re excited to launch a partnership with another planning studio, this one focused on better serving our local clientele looking for a high-end experience without the extra services our current destination-wedding clients require.

EXCITED ABOUT: “Minimalistic chic” is finally on its way out! We’re seeing more couples wanting the out-of-the-box bigmoment design ideas, which are so much fun to create and bring to life!

FRESH IDEAS: While this might not be the sexiest answer, plan with your budget in mind and agree on the essential elements at the beginning.

Approaching the planning process with a clear idea of where you should allocate your budget will help ensure you’re focused on the things that matter most.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEE BROOKE

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Every Blooming Thing WHEN IT COMES TO choosing the right floral designer, it’s rare you’ll find a company with more expertise or passion for floral design than Every Blooming Thing.

After 40+ years in business, owner Robert Upwall and his team of experts are who you’ll want in your corner when you’re ready to begin selecting the beautiful elements for your wedding day.

Nothing demands elegance more in a room than when it’s enhanced with gorgeous blooms and greenery. Choosing the right team with a proven reputation you can trust like EBT is essential to brighten up the memorable events in your life.

“We are grateful and proud to say that we

have done weddings for families spanning three generations. We aren’t just a one stop destination. We are there for anniversaries, baby showers, dances, first dates and proposals,” remarks Store Director, Crystal Tatton.

EBT understands the importance of focusing on the unique qualities, personalities and vision of their couples, embracing what is true and original, so they can capture the essential details of their dream wedding.

When you’re ready to work with the best in the industry to bring your fairytale to life, reach out to the team at Every Blooming Thing and learn why they’ve held a top spot in the wedding industry for over four decades.

ROBERT UPWALL OWNER

CRYSTAL TATTON STORE DIRECTOR

“We fall in love not only with the details of what we do but with the originality of those we do it for; we’re here for the forever journey.”

1344 S. 2100 EAST, SALT LAKE CITY 801.521.4773 EVERYBLOOMINGTHING.COM INSTAGRAM: @EVERYBLOOMINGTHINGSLC

Ask the Expert WHAT’S AHEAD: Textural flowers have made their way into weddings and are not leaving any time soon. We’re looking forward to bold pops of color!

EXCITED ABOUT: Couples who come with excitement, ideas and inspiration, trusting us to take the vision they’ve dreamt up and turn it into a beautiful reality.

We want you to enjoy this time, especially on your big day!

FRESH IDEAS: A signature of ours is the blending of styles. Industrial boho, organic glam or a classic style with touches of vintage. Our designs are also architectural and filled with texture, drawing visual interest.

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Skylark Productions FIRST IMPRESSIONS happen once. If your goal is to create a lasting impact on your wedding day, it’s important to focus on the technical details such as lighting and sound equipment.

No one wants their important moments interrupted by a screeching microphone that wasn’t set up in the right place or a piece of equipment falling because it wasn’t mounted properly. Working with top industry professionals like Skylark Productions will allow you to focus on making memories rather than fussing with complicated equipment.

Skylark is Utah’s premiere AV company with an outstanding reputation for quality and professional services. As a partner business of Utah Live Bands, Skylark offers innovative and creative services that turn standard events into magical experiences.

Focused on continually expanding their offerings, they are constantly building their inventory of staging and lighting elements. By incorporating the latest technology and most state-of-the-art equipment, they aim to bring their client’s vision to life that exceeds all expectations.

“Our goal is to be the obvious resource for clients who want something uniquely theirs and is worthy of their high standards,” explains owner, Michael Tobian.

Skylark discovered early on from their clients just how hard it is to find a team of experts to run lighting and AV equipment, so they’ve designed their business model around customer satisfaction.

“We want to spend time getting the sound and equipment perfect, providing the extra effort and expense to make the final experience breathtaking. We are the top experts in our field and our team is the very best and most experienced.”

MICHAEL TOBAIN OWNER

3397 N 560 WEST, LEHI 800.447.2576 SKYLARKPROD.COM INSTAGRAM: @SKYLARKPROD

Ask the Expert WHAT’S AHEAD: We are constantly pushing our offerings in terms of innovation and creativity, but also in the scope of our services. We have really built an inventory of resources that allows us to do things that nobody else can. Some of the most fun conversations we have with our clients are when we learn about their weddings and come up with one exciting idea after another. It might deal with lighting, decor, guest experiences, etc.

EXCITED ABOUT: The clients we get to spend time with, discussing the design, look, and feel of their event and then custom building the design to their preferences. We love adding creative and innovative elements not seen at other events.

FRESH IDEAS: We love a challenge! We once created a lightning storm simulation right inside the venue for a client!

We’ve turned ballrooms into winter wonderlands, executed cirque floor shows during dinner, made custom stage facades, backdrops, and bar fronts, live-streamed entire wedding ceremonies and receptions with multiple cameras for family members unable to make it and more. If you need ideas, call us and we’ll be happy to chat. Even if you don’t end up hiring us, let’s brainstorm about how to make your event fun and unique!

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Pepper Nix Photographers

PEPPER NIX OWNER

PARK CITY

PICTURES ARE WORTH a thousand words, and during life’s big moments, it’s crucial to choose the right photographer and capture the images you’ll cherish for the rest of your life.

Expert photographer Pepper Nix is an elite professional who knows her trade inside and throughout, with 20+ years of experience in the wedding industry.

Averaging 30 weddings per season, this indemand photographer is your go-to expert for the events in your life you never want to forget.

As a former journalist who dreamed of shooting for National Geographic, Pepper states it only took one wedding to know she’d found her calling.

“I had a friend who was asking me to photograph his wedding, and I kept saying no,” Pepper recalls with laughter. “It wasn’t until the couple officially asked me while down on one knee that I’d said yes. How do you say no to that? To my surprise, it was the most fun and most rewarding work I had ever done. I’ve been photographing weddings ever since!”

When you work with a top-level expert like Pepper, you’ll be amazed not just by the pictures you’ll receive, but more importantly, you’ll genuinely enjoy your experience.

801.661.1106 PEPPERNIX.COM INSTAGRAM: @PEPPERNIX

“I still feel lucky that I get to be a part of one of the biggest and happiest days of my clients’ lives and am a witness to their special moments. Plus, I’m wicked fun and have a blast with the people I get to photograph! When you find the right photographer you can just meld with, you’re guaranteed to have a good time!”

Ask the Expert EXCITED ABOUT: Working with couples who understand the importance of planning and trust my experience and artistry. Sticking to a timeline and scheduling the right moments to take photos is essential, which is why I highly recommend working with a wedding planner! Using a planner will help ensure your day goes smoothly, and they can handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on other details.

FRESH IDEAS: Don’t overlook some of the fantastic parts of our beautiful state when choosing your location for engagement photos or bridal portraits. Park City and Big Cottonwood Canyon are gorgeous, with a variety of locations close together so you can go to more than one spot! Props are fun, a blanket to sit on, champagne bottles to spray, something fun from home!

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Twenty & Creek EXCEPTIONAL EVENTS start with the perfect setting. A crucial step in the planning process is to choose a venue showcasing a design that resonates with your vision to help you create your perfect wedding day.

At Twenty & Creek, Utah’s premiere venue for life’s memorable moments, you’ll find a sophisticated style that blends traditional elements with modern design. Beyond the aesthetic is a team of highly skilled professionals who know what it takes to make any event successful.

A unique aspect of the space is that although it’s highly-customizable; it’s stunning. While you’re welcome to enhance it with the features you want to add–it’s unnecessary due to the venue’s meticulous design details and inviting ambiance.

From the floor-to-ceiling windows, the vaulted grand hall, or the gorgeous outdoor gardens, Twenty & Creek is the perfect location to bring an elegant ambiance guaranteed to provide unparalleled experiences for the guests in attendance.

TWENTY & CREEK TEAM

2050 CREEK RD, COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS 801.618.7142 TWENTYANDCREEK.COM INSTAGRAM: @TWENTYANDCREEK

“Our space is elevated and luxurious, designed like a blank canvas and customizable to fit your specific needs. We love how open and inviting it feels. Plus, we pride ourselves on being an all-female team led by a female entrepreneur.”

Ask the Expert WHAT’S AHEAD: Although they are known for their gorgeous weddings, they are the go-to venue for any celebration, retreat, charity event or workshop.

EXCITED ABOUT: All our growth! We continue to expand our team and have some exciting events we plan to host of our own–coming very soon!

FRESH IDEAS: Find a space where you’re comfortable and that has all the amenities you’ll need, that way you can enjoy the day when it arrives.

We’ve got the perfect team in place and we’ve thought of it all, so you can focus on making memories in such a gorgeous setting.

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Utah Live Bands WHEN IT COMES TO managing musicians and entertainers in the Beehive state, Utah Live Bands is the premier choice for event planners looking to elevate their clients’ experiences through exceptional music.

With roots in Utah’s music scene extending back to his college days, owner Michael Tobian has curated an impressive repertoire of diverse musicians-for-hire over nearly twenty years.

Knowing what it takes to bring a wedding to life, Tobian has been chosen as the 2024 President of the Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA), a tremendous industry stamp of approval for clients searching for professional musicians.

While they might be located locally, Utah Live Bands’ musicians are a sought-after choice for celebrity and luxury weddings spanning the globe.

As the winner of 49 Best of State Awards,

their reputation is founded on unparalleled quality. Still, their in-state competitive pricing model is a standout feature.

Tobian’s expertise is recognized within the entrepreneurial sector. He has been honored by Utah Business Magazine as one of the ‘40 under 40 Utah Business Leaders’ for several businesses and attributes Utah Live Bands’ continued success to exceptional customer support.

“We have excellent customer service! We typically provide our clients a quote within an hour of inquiry and we are kind and helpful to them through the process. We work regularly with all the planners and venues in Utah and really care deeply about the success of the event.

If you read through our many Google reviews, you will see that our customer service is a huge testament to our longevity of being in business for nearly twenty years,” Tobian remarks.

“The nice thing for our clients in Utah is that they are getting world-class, national bands for around half the price they’d normally charge because, being based in Utah, the events are in their backyard.”

MICHAEL TOBAIN | OWNER

3397 N 560 WEST, LEHI 800.447.2576 UTAHLIVEBANDS.COM INSTAGRAM: @UTAHLIVEBANDS

Ask the Expert WHAT’S AHEAD: We’re in the midst of a significant growth phase. We just finished building our new offices and showroom and are also expanding the level of service we offer at each wedding. These days, in addition to entertainment, we often provide staging, pipe and drape, AV, lighting, videography services, ceremony live streaming and some decor elements. This allows us to add to our client’s experiences, making things easier for our clients and planners alike, as they can rely on a single vendor with whom they have a high level of trust and are able to provide many of the services that would otherwise require a lot of coordination between multiple companies.

EXCITED ABOUT: Helping to elevate the quality of events in Utah. We have excellent planners, vendors and talent in this state. We are just thrilled each time we get to be a part of a successful and well-executed event!

FRESH IDEAS: Don’t underestimate the value of choosing the very best wedding professionals to work with on your big day! Your wedding will be one of the few most memorable moments of your life and at the end of your event, you want to be able to tell yourself that you were so glad you chose who you did to pull it off!!