Utah Bride & Groom Summer/Fall 2023

REIMAGINE

Events Made Special In the Garden

Exquisite Beginnings

For a Wedding as unique as you are, we invite you to experience exemplary hospitality in a gracious setting on the mountainside of the Deer Valley Resort.

The St. Regis Deer Valley is an unforgettable venue to host the most intimate or grand affair with meticulous wedding design and coordination, renowned dining, and signature service. The St. Regis Deer Valley 2300 Deer Valley Drive East Park City, Utah 84060

t.+435 940 5700 stregis.com/slcxr

Photography by: Pepper Nix , Carla Boecklin , Ashtyn Brooke Photography

FEATURES

71 REAL WEDDINGS

A collection of Utah’s most beautiful weddings, featuring real love stories, one-of-a-kind designs and the latest in bridal fashion

101 INSPIRATIONS

Utah’s top industry talents show off the latest in ceremony florals, aisle style and celebratory décor

120 FROM THIS DAY FORWARD

Celebrate every moment of the wedding day with a collection of truly timeless bridal trousseaus

132 WESTERN UNION

Three blissfully unique celebrations showcase Utah’s ideal landscapes for idyllic cowboy-chic weddings

Photos by Heather Nan Photography

Photos by Megan Robinson Photography, Hillary Taylor Harmon, Ashley Meagan Photography

19 BEGINNINGS

Dreamy garden venues, ontrend stationery, over-the-top engagement rings and more

DEPARTMENTS

44 THE BRIDAL BEAUTY TIMELINE

Your month-by-month guide to proactively primp for your wedding day

52 AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER

Pile on the local experiences for a wedding your guests won’t soon forget

60 HERE COMES THE GROOM

Top tips for crafting a personalized and stylish ensemble for the man of the hour

66 BLOOM SERVICE

Give your ceremony the gift of a lavish floral installation

VENUE GUIDE

Local matrimonial haute spots

PREFERRED VENDORS

A listing of our preferred wedding vendors

SEND OFF

A dynamite bouquet in the season’s hottest hues

on the covers

Winter/Spring cover

Photo by Heather Nan

Summer/Fall cover

Photo by Mikki Platt

PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER

Margaret Mary Shuff

EDITOR

Megan Hulse Bartholomew

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Avrey Evans

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Brad Mee

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Avrey Evans

Jeremy Pugh

Christie Porter

ART DIRECTOR

Jeanine Miller

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Ari Jimenez

Jennifer Terry

WEB EDITOR/SOCIAL MANAGER

Megan Hulse Bartholomew

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Jennifer Terry

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Jodi Nelson

DIRECTOR OF SALES

Cori Davis

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Janette Erickson

Scott Haley

Launnee Symes

Mat Thompson

PRESIDENT | Margaret Mary Shuff

GROUP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Marie Speed

CONTROLLER | Jeanne Greenberg

Publishers of

Salt Lake magazine | Utah Style & Design

The Official Visitors Guide to Salt Lake

Boca Raton magazine | Delray magazine

Worth Avenue magazine | Mizner’s Dream

Florida Style & Design

Weddings

When the time is right, we turn moments into memories by pairing exceptional service with customized culinary expertise for the wedding of your dreams.

Choose from our rooftop event terrace overlooking the Salt Lake Valley and mountains, to our beautifully designed indoor ballroom spaces with floor to ceiling glass windows. It is entirely up to you.

Please contact SLCRS-RFP@hyatt.com or (801) 596-1234 for details.

Set, Plan!

F YOU’RE READING THIS , I believe congratulations are in order: both on your engagement and on having the pleasure of planning your big day in the wedding haven of Utah. At your fingertips, you will discover spectacular settings, inspiring celebrations and wedding pros that are truly the best in the business. The innovative ideas in these pages showcase our state in all of its splendor.

“Western Union” (page 132) breaks down the delightful designs of three distinctly cowboy-chic weddings, highlighting the many flavors of wedding styles welcomed by Utah’s diverse collection of venues. “From This Day Forward,” our fashion feature (page 120), takes a fresh approach to timeless bridal trousseaus, with guidance from

some of the state’s newest vendors.

As vibrant proof of the talents of our local pros, our “Inspirations” (page 101) and “Real Weddings” (page 71) sections showcase the magic that occurs when the seasons’ most creative ideas marry with real-life love stories.

Putting this book together has truly been a dream come true. So without further ado, I hope that the gorgeous galleries contained in the following pages inspire you to create a celebration that is as memorable as it is uniquely you. Cheers!

Megan Hulse Bartholomew, editor

PHOTO GALLERY PHOTOGRAPHY

Find your calm before the ceremony. From the bridal party spa days to the rehearsal dinner toasts, our warm and artfully-designed private dining rooms and our Forbes Five Star spa have everything you need to get to the aisle stress-free.

BEGINNINGS

Wedding Tips, Trends & Talents

UP,

UP, AND AWAY!

PHOTO GABRIELLA SANTOS PHOTOGRAPHY

Going Green

Lush foliage, beautiful blooms and plenty of fresh air—these four venues invite dreamy garden-party unions, indoors and out

Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City. Red Butte’s Fragrance Garden features an idyllic, blossom-covered ceremony site ready for spring nuptials. redbuttegarden.org 2. Sleepy Ridge, Orem. Lavish willow branches create an English estate backdrop straight from the pages of a romance novel. sleepyridgeweddings.com 3. Tuscany and Bellissimo Love Gardens, Holladay. This SLC restaurant’s property is home to not one, but two charming celebration sites: Bellissimo for fair-weather festivities and Tuscany’s Orangerie for colder months and more intimate events. bellissimolovegarden.com 4. Cactus and Tropicals, Millcreek and Draper. Year-round garden heaven, complete with fairy-light magic, graces these greenhouses. cactusandtropicals.com

PHOTOS BY BRANSON MAXWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

1.

MAKING THE CUT

From emerald cuts to pear-shaped solitaires, larger-than-life diamonds dazzle when married with specially-styled settings

WHEN SHOPPING FOR a diamond to commemorate your forever commitment, the pros will tell you it comes down to “The Four C’s:” cut, carat weight, clarity and color.

When shopping for large stones, O.C. Tanner Jewelers’ diamond buyer Ericka Weissman encourages couples to keep a particularly close eye on the cut. A well-cut diamond will have depth in all the right places, where it adds sparkle to the visual appearance of the stone, rather than just adding empty carat weight lower in the setting.

“An expertly cut diamond will look bigger and brighter than its average counterparts,” Weissman says. “Always look for a diamond with an ideal cut, as it will deliver the desired sparkle in any size.”

Now that you’ve found your perfect stone, set your sights on the setting. A sublime setting, as the experts know, visibly accentuates the size and stature of a center stone, including a masterfully cut diamond.

The Kwiat engagement collection, available at O.C. Tanner Jewelers in Downtown SLC, brilliantly showcases the perfect marriage of setting and a spectacular stone. Case in point, consider one of the line’s most unique rings (top) featuring a rare patented Ashokacut diamond, encircled with diamond and sapphire halos in an elegant elongated shape. The Kwiat cushion ring, pictured in the third box, showcases a dazzling brilliant-cut diamond accompanied by a platinum band and discreet pavé accents for eye-catching sparkle from all angles.

TOP TO BOTTOM: Kwiat platinum 1.01K ASHOKA® diamond ring with sapphire and pavé diamond accents, $18,700; Suna Bros. platinum band with 3.24ctw baguettes, $16,000; Rahaminov 3.01K emerald cut diamond with pavé accent, set in 18K yellow gold, price upon request; Kwiat 4.73K center cushion cut diamond in platinum, price upon request; Precision Set band with 1.07K pear shape diamonds, set in platinum, $6,020; Jade Trau 0.72K pear shape solitaire diamond, set in 18K yellow gold, $5,000; Rahaminov ring with .6-K center Movál® diamond, set in 18K rose gold with pave diamonds, $8,750 Featured rings available at O.C. Tanner Jewelers, SLC, octannerjewelers.com

Join the Love Club

Soon-to-be brides with an eye for sustainability have plenty of options for a low-waste celebration. Florals and food can be locally sourced, invitations and cards crafted from recycled materials, but what is to be done about the gown?

SALT LAKE CITY’S LOVERS BRIDAL CO. (a 2022 “Best of SLC” winner) offers an alternative to the “single use” gown by giving new life to vintage wedding dresses. Owner Kristina Batal has filled her shop on 800 South with one-of-a-kind gowns from bygone eras, beginning with the 1940s, and including a few pieces created as recently as the 1990s.

When making an appointment with Lovers Bridal—or “Joining the Love Club,” as Batal likes to call it—brides can request to try on specific dresses, or note a particular era, style or detail. Batal will find a gown in her collection to fit the bill. Often, brides will custom-tailor their picks for a personalized, modernized final look.

Occasionally, Batal will also help source a gown for a bride who is hunting for environmentally friendly wedding attire. Armed with a client’s wishlist, Batal has a knack for scouring estate sales, thrift stores and vintage collections to find the perfect dress.

But her true passion remains in that Say Yes To The Dress-style moment that she gets to share with her clients in person.

“There is a bit of bridal magic that happens in my store,” says Batal. “A bride’s number-one pick on the hanger often fits her like a glove. Everyone seems to have their perfect dress match.”

loversbridalco.com

806 S. 800 East, Salt Lake City

PHOTOS ADVENTURE LOVE STORY PHOTO

MARVELOUS MARIVAL WITH ALL POINTS TRAVEL & FUNJET VACATIONS

Special occasions deserve to be in marvelous destinations, where the only details forgotten are those of your stresses back home. The all-inclusive Marival Resorts offer three fantastic honeymoon and destination wedding choices in Riviera Nayarit on Mexico’s West Coast—a destination All Points Travel can provide expert guidance for.

Marival Emotions Resort & Suites

Family-friendly, accessible weddings in Nuevo Vallarta

Marival Armony Luxury Resort & Suites

Modern luxury for serene honeymoons in Punta de Mita

Marival Distinct Luxury Residences

Room for everyone and privacy for just you two in Nuevo Vallarta

Contact All Points Travel to work with one of our specialists and see just how easy planning the perfect Funjet Vacations honeymoon or destination wedding can be!

Murray, UT 84107

801-466-1101

Website: www.AllPointsTravelOnline.com

Email: corina@allpointstravelonline.com

The Day-Of Timeline

There’s a science to coordinating the schedule for your big day, and some timely elements may come as a surprise. Three Utah wedding pros share tips for orchestrating a wedding day that feels perfectly in tempo.

PLANNING

Getting ready is one of the most special parts of a wedding day. Rachael Mayo of Rachael Ellen Events warns brides not to underestimate the time it takes to actually don the wedding gown. “This moment should be special and intentional,” Mayo explains. “If not properly planned, it can feel rushed.”

When it comes to directing guests to the right place at the right time, Mayo’s top tools are buffering and direction. First, give guests a 30 minute buffer for arrivals: if the ceremony begins at 5:00, write 4:30 on those invitations. At the event, have plenty of signage and staff to ensure your guests aren’t left to wander. rachaelellenevents.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

The day-of schedule fills up remarkably quickly, says seasoned photographer Pepper Nix. She recommends that couples make a list of all the day-of moments they’d like captured ahead of time, and to budget approximately 15 minutes for each photo. “Many brides don’t realize how much time last-minute additions eat up,” Nix says. With 15 minutes on the clock for each setup, fleeting additions such as a first look with Dad, a bridal party gift exchange or a boudoir shot can easily put you an hour behind schedule. “Plan to begin shooting 5 hours before your ceremony,” says Nix. “That allows for getting-ready shots, group photos of the family and

wedding party, a first look and any other additions with plenty of daylight left for your ‘I Dos.’” peppernix.com

FLORAL

According to florist Kellie Jackstien of Artisan Bloom, a full floral setup can take up to 12 hours. A perfectly bloomed and photo-ready installation requires a lot of planning, sometimes beginning days in advance. “Our florals often sit in various climate-controlled rooms for a few days before the wedding to ensure they will open right on time for the ceremony.” There’s a fine balance between lush and lack-luster. Be sure to give your floral team time to build your backdrop, but don’t leave florals cooking in the hot sun for too long.

The bouquet is another day-of consideration. “What you see on Pinterest isn’t always practical,” Jackstien warns. Pansies will wilt in moments, and daffodils will kill off other blooms in a bouquet. Instead, opt for heartier blooms like roses, hydrangea or peony for the base of your hand-held arrangements, and accent with seasonal blooms to add texture and personality to your bouquet. artisanbloom.com

The Photographer: Pepper Nix

The Planner: Rachael Mayo

The Florist: Kellie Jackstien PHOTOS COURTESY OF RACHAEL MAYO, PEPPER NIX AND KELLIE JACKSTIEN

Photo Credit - Burlap and Blossom

Raise a Glass

Five Salt Lake City bars made for spousal soirées

WHEN IT COMES TO staging a nuptial celebration, whether a bridal shower or a groom’s-night-out, is there any swankier backdrop than a sultry cocktail lounge? Salt Lake City boasts many hotspots—each flaunting sleek interiors, romantic ambiance and the festive sound of bottles popping—all eager to host a bridal bash.

For Spirit Savants: EIGHT SETTLERS DISTILLERY

Nestled at the base of Big Cottonwood Canyon, Eight Settlers blends 1850s western roots with modern American flair. Their inhouse distillery produces four spirits, and their spacious venue offers four distinct spaces available for private bookings.

7321 S. Canyon Centre Pkwy., Cottonwood Heights. eightsettlersdistillery.com

For History Buffs: FRANKLIN AVE.

Located in an up-and-coming downtown area, Franklin Ave. is reviving prohibition-era mischief. In the 1890s, the building was a theater, speakeasy and popular watering hole for scandalous high-powered officials. Today, the sleek two-story bar offers delectable modern American fare and plenty of space to accommodate large parties. 231 E. Edison St., SLC. franklinaveslc.com

For Multicultural Admirers: POST OFFICE PLACE

Conceived by sushi hall-of-fame favorite Takashi, Post Office Place offers a fusion of global cuisine and Japanese excellence. Their spirit wall boasts the largest selection of Japanese Whisky in the state, and their art-forward interiors are perfect for unique photo ops. 16 W. Market St., SLC. popslc.com

For Patio Loungers: IVY & VARLEY

This downtown eatery features an eclectic menu and a relaxed-yet-upscale interior. Their patio, the largest in downtown Salt Lake, is furnished by water features, sofas and a sweeping ivy wall—it’s a can’t-miss for your outdoor gathering. 55 W. 100 South, SLC. ivyandvarley.com

For Hotel Habitués: LAUREL BRASSERIE & BAR

The Grand America’s most recent venture, Laurel Brasserie & Bar, chicly combines elevated design with a relaxed approach to dining. A swanky bar area and two private dining rooms provide an elegant backdrop for any grand celebration. 555 S. Main St., SLC. laurelslc.com

Laurel Brasserie & Bar

Post Office Place

Ivy & Varley

Eight Settlers

Photo Credit: Grey Giraffe

STORYBOOK WEDDING, MAJESTIC MOUNTAIN SETTING

It would truly be our honor to host you and yours as you celebrate your love. Whether you want to say “I do” on the slopes as the flowers bloom, or dine and dance the night away in one of our stunning lodges, we offer wedding packages that are a perfect fit for the perfect couple. deervalley.com/weddings

A venue as unique as you.

The breathtaking views and dramatic architecture of the Natural History Museum of Utah provide the perfect backdrop for your wedding.

Plan your wedding at the Museum by calling 801-585-9538

See more on Instagram @nhmuevents

Photo by Pepper Nix

Photo by Kailee Matsumura Photography

Photo by Samantha Brimhall/NHMU

Celebration Makers

The Creatives Behind ‘I Do’

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.

PHOTO BY ARANPRIME ON UNSPLASH

Hoopes Wedding and Events

YOUR LOVE STORY is something that is entirely ‘you,’ and your happily-ever-after should be just as unique. No two weddings should be exactly alike. Each wedding Hoopes Events creates follows that motto to bring your personality into the very heart of your wedding.

“The Hoopes Events style is to take the lifestyle of our couple and turn that into their perfect wedding,” says Tonya Hoopes, owner. “We believe in creating those unique special touches that have significance and meaning for each couple.” For more than a decade, her diverse team of planners has been creating events that showcase what makes your romance so special.

Investing in a talented and qualified wedding team is the key to a stress-free wedding, as well as a sure way to make your event one that you and your loved ones will never forget. But that doesn’t mean breaking the wedding budget.

“Just as each and every wedding is unique, so is every budget,” says Hoopes. “We don’t try to fit our clients into a look or location. At the end of the day, we want our clients to be happy, comfortable and feel good about

working with our team.” Having a planner that knows which vendors fit your personality and budget, can handle the small details of your big day and are prepared to take your vision from the drawing board to reality really is priceless.

Hoopes Events loves making every wedding unique. Hoopes’ repertoire includes a Harry Potter theme, a gaming theme, skiing and snowboarding theme and many others. Although they are based in Utah, Hoopes has also done weddings in California, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Colorado.

Hoopes Events also applies their expertise and knowledge to help couples live out their exotic, destination wedding dreams. They’re looking forward to their weddings in Tulum, Mexico and Guanacaste, Costa Rica the first part of this year. Here’s what Tonya has to say about destination weddings, “What most couples don’t realize is that a destination wedding, in many cases, costs less than a traditional wedding. What’s more romantic than a wedding at your dream destination surrounded by family and friends?”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLE EAATON PHOTOGRAPHY

TONYA HOOPES | OWNER

“I am so inspired by each of my clients as I hear stories of how they met, where they work, details of their personal lives and so much more,” hoopes says. “I love following them through the rest of their life milestones; it brings joy into our days and reminds me of why my team works hard to ensure our clients special day is all about them!”

Ask the Expert

WHAT’S AHEAD:

The year 2023 is bringing new opportunities for couples: We’re so excited! The world is open and couples can look forward to endless opportunities for their wedding celebration.

EXCITED ABOUT:

We’re looking forward to mismatched dress colors and styles. This trend brings color pops to every wedding while allowing each bridal party member to create a look that complements them without distracting from the bride!

FRESH IDEAS:

A wedding to remember is all about personal touches. What moves you?

A breathtaking mountain view, a rustic cabin, an elaborate hall or a fairy-tale castle? Be willing to create that vision. A lot can be done to transform any venue into the wedding venue of your dreams.

360º Restaurant Group

PERHAPS BEST KNOWN for its restaurants

Pig & A Jelly Jar and WB’s Eatery, 360 Degrees Restaurant Group is stepping into the wedding scene this season with an out-of-the-box creation: a flawlessly restored vintage coffee cart now moonlighting as a mobile non-alcoholic bar for events and weddings.

“For us, it is important to be inclusive,” says Vivi Wanderley-Britt, Chief Marketing Officer for 360 Degrees Restaurant Group. “More often than you might think, people feel left out if they don’t drink at a party. We want to show people you can have a quality craft cocktail without the alcohol.”

When it comes to quality, this team goes all in. Rather than reduced options of soda or simple ciders for non-drinkers, 360 Degrees restaurants have sourced a full bar of craft zero-proof liquors, non-alcoholic wines and more. Wanderley-Britt boasts that at WB’s Eatery, diners can order any drink on the menu as a “dry cocktail.” 360 Degrees has also launched an e-commerce shop, offering non-alcoholic fare for sober celebrations at home.

The options don’t stop there. WB’s Eatery and Pig & a Jelly Jar can both bring pan-seared entrees, snack boards and classic appetizers to the party. “We think food should be approachable, and that it doesn’t need to be expensive to be good,” Wanderley-Britt says. “The secret is in simplicity. Food made with love tastes good, and that’s what we bring to the table.”

401 E. 900 SOUTH, SALT LAKE CITY

227 25TH STREET, OGDEN

WB'S EATERY AT THE MONARCH

455 25TH STREET, OGDEN

WB'S BOTTLE SHOP AT PIG KITCHEN VENUE

1968 E MURRAY HOLLADAY ROAD, HOLLADAY

360DEGREESRESTAURANTGROUP.COM

Ask the Expert

WHAT’S AHEAD:

We are excited to break into the events industry as a one-stop shop. With us, you don’t need to work with anyone else—we can deliver catering, food trucks, mobile cocktail carts, accommodations in our Air BnBs, and even entertainers for receptions!

EXCITED ABOUT:

Recognizing the movement and embracing the nonalcoholic industry is remarkable. Just as we have a variety of options and packages for couples, it’s important for hosts to have options to present to their guests. We are proud to be a partner in that push!

FRESH IDEAS:

Our mobile bar kart can bring a new experience to any kind of event, from baby showers to corporate parties. We can easily set up a whole lounge area in any venue. Put us on your invite list, and we’ll bring the works (retro inflatable pink couch in tow).

AMY & VIVI WANDERLEY-BRITT | OWNERS

PIG & A JELLY JAR

Madison McCord Interiors

NEWLYWEDS looking to nest in contemporary or mid-century modern style can find all of their home decor needs at Madison McCord Interiors. Owner and founder Marsha Holfeltz runs a 22,000-square-foot showroom in Salt Lake City, offering a broad array of items that you can take home the day you purchase.

At Madison McCord, Holfeltz puts her star team and years of experience in logistics to work, making sure there are plenty of in-store options for homes of any style. No year-long waitlists here!

“Come visit our showroom, sit in the sofas, feel the textures, see the colors and understand the size and scale,” Holfeltz suggests. “Then you won’t have to worry if it’s going to fit in your new home.”

If you are building your first home together, now is the time to nail down your personal style as a couple. McCord recommends starting with the coziest area of the home: the bedroom. Just as

much as your wedding reflected your personality, your home can showcase your style in luxurious ways, and your bedroom can bring all of that love and personality into one space. Make it your own with bold details, fabrics and colors.

“I think that personal style is a trickle-down effect: it starts with the clothes, then translates to your home, your hairstyle, everything,” Holfeltz says. “I love helping people play with style.”

And at Madison McCord, couples are sure to find pieces that reflect their love stories and joint styles flawlessly. The showroom floor is constantly evolving, showing off new and unique pieces continually. If you don’t see something you like on your first visit, the team can also custom-order especially items, and even make it to your exact specifications. With more than 1,000 furniture frames and even more fabrics to choose from, it’s easy to fashion a piece that is totally you.

Ask the Expert

WHAT’S AHEAD:

People want to step up their living spaces to reflect who they truly are. We look forward to helping newly married couples curate spaces that help them build their lives together.

EXCITED ABOUT:

We love seeing customers have fun playing with trendy accents. Artwork, pillows and fabrics are great ways to think outside the box. Experiment with sheepskin, boucle fabrics or knobby textures—or go bold with a trending color for the season.

FRESH IDEAS:

Make a statement with a massive piece of 3-D art on plexiglass. From modern and abstract to geometric designs, art can instantly change the atmosphere of a space.

3690 HIGHLAND DRIVE, SALT LAKE CITYMADISONMCCORDINTERIORS.COM 801-277-5555 | @MADISONMCCORDINTERIORS

MARSHA HOLFELTZ | OWNER AND FOUNDER

Pendry Park City

EVERY EVENT DESERVES an extraordinary setting. At Pendry Park City in the center of Canyons Village, private gatherings and all-out celebrations come to life with the help of luxurious event spaces, world-class amenities, expert service and a stunning mountain backdrop ready to awe and inspire.

Each client of Pendry’s premier events team receives quality guidance from catering to logistics.

“From your initial site visit to your final getaway, we will be sure to hold your hand through the entire planning process to execute your perfect day,” says Kaitlyn Geck, Catering and Group Sales Manager. “We want to offer the highest level of service, design and technology to today’s couples.”

Alongside four elegant event spaces, Pendry’s slopeside retreat offers thoughtfully executed amenities at every turn, ensuring an exceptional experience with every visit. The Pool House rooftop lounge offers sweeping mountain views and exclusive dining experiences, while Spa Pendry is primed to pamper guests in a luxurious fashion. Just steps from the best apres-ski dining, attractions and family fun that Park City

has to offer, Pendry is the perfect alpine destination for celebrations of any kind.

“Even though we are a newer property, we are quickly becoming the destination resort in Utah,” says Chris Lawing, Director of Sales and Marketing. “We have flexible options for clients, no matter what season or type of celebration they are hosting. We offer accommodations, world-class spa retreats, five creative dining concepts and more for celebrations.”

As Park City continues to flourish as a yearround destination wedding hotspot, the team at Pendry looks forward to being on the front lines serving events from around the world.

“At Pendry Park City, the Utah experience comes to life,” Lawing says. “You can experience high-luxe accommodations in our lounge and spa settings, as well as the cozy warmth of Park City with a late-night slice from our incredible Disco Pizza restaurant.”

Couples tying the knot can do so in unique style, in any part of the hotel’s 7,000-square-foot space. Make the most of a striking modernist alpine setting, and book your celebration at Pendry Park City for an unforgettable marriage in the mountains.

Ask the Expert

WHAT’S AHEAD:

We are thrilled to showcase our gorgeous new property as the ideal location for wedding receptions, honeymoons, rehearsal dinners, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and of our new intimate wedding & elopement packages. One of our first events will be the WIPA Utah Gala, where we look forward to connecting with Utah’s top industry professionals.

EXCITED ABOUT:

We are so excited to be a new and growing property during the return of an amazing event season. We believe Park City is the perfect destination for a wedding celebration. We are inspired by the beauty surrounding us every day, where resort-style relaxation sits alongside nature’s most beautiful playground.

FRESH IDEAS:

We believe having contemporary, beautiful and comfortable settings are key for clients, as well as unique and surprising details to dazzle their guests and create unforgettable memories. We believe our property offers all those things and more.

“It is our priority to handle all the details of your special day with professionalism, enthusiasm and grace, ensuring a perfect and memorable wedding event for your family and friends.”

KAITLYN GECK | CATERING AND GROUP SALES MANAGER

River Bottoms Ranch

EXCLUSIVE ACCESS to breathtaking mountain views, flexible and stunning facilities, and exceptional, high-quality service can all be yours with a booking at River Bottoms Ranch. This picturesque Midway valley getaway, located just 25 minutes from Park City, is the ideal gathering place for unforgettable retreats and prestigious corporate events.

The team of experts at River Bottoms Ranch is poised to provide each client an unsurpassed celebration. Each vendor on River Bottoms Ranch’s partner list is top-of-the-line in Utah’s lineup of industry professionals. Here, caterers, entertainers, photographers, florists and more come together with a common goal: making the personal touches of your wedding shine.

“Let your authentic personality shine through and create memories that make you smile,” says Janica Horner, owner. “We have surrounded ourselves with the most talented and amazing vendors in every line of service in the wedding industry, and we look forward to helping you create your dream wedding experience.”

Whether you envision a striking checkerboard dance floor or a glittering rustic ceremony experience, these experts will make every moment exquisitely “you.”

Connections, country and comfort. River Bottoms Ranch offers an elevated location for the precious moments in your life. “We can’t wait to help you create joy,” Horner says.

Ask the Expert

WHAT’S AHEAD:

Every season at the ranch is breathtaking and unique, but this year we are seeing events elevated as our guests have a new sense of excitement for gathering and travel.

EXCITED ABOUT:

We love our newly built mortise-andtenon timber pavilion. It’s a beautiful, open-air structure that provides an additional space ideal for comfort, beauty and accessibility, and it allows clients to take full advantage of the picturesque outdoor elements that surround the ranch.

FRESH IDEAS:

Don’t be afraid of events during the off-season! Utah’s unique climate provides the perfect landscape for a Winter Wonderland experience. Embrace those long sleeves and snowsprinkled “I Do’s” for timelessly elegant memories that last a lifetime.

1374 NORTH RIVER ROAD, MIDWAY | 435-503-4379 | RIVERBOTTOMSRANCH.COM

“I love to highlight the words ‘experience’ and ‘memories.’ We love to see our couples letting their unique visions shine, giving their guests a one-ofa-kind experience, and making their big day an unforgettable memory.”

JANICA HORNER | OWNER

Serendipity Event Designers

FOR KARLA EDLINGER , owner of Serendipity Event Designers, a wedding is a full-sensory experience.

“I encourage couples to think beyond the logistics of the wedding day. Consider the things your guests will see, hear, touch and taste,” Edlinger says. “The environment we create together is the most memorable part of the big day.”

At Serendipity Events, quality in all those areas is key to a successful event. As part of ensuring every element is up to par, Edlinger and her team work closely with couples to make their wedding dreams a reality, down to the last detail.

Edlinger encourages couples to consider every angle of presentation, to give couples and guests alike an unforgettable wedding day experience.

“My goal is to give you your perfect wedding day,” Edlinger says. “I love thinking inside the box, but with a twist–don’t be afraid to dream big and get creative with me.”

Serendipity Event Designers’ services are, of course, available to couples throughout the state, but this season brides looking to celebrate in

Utah County have the chance to experience Serendipity polish on a whole new level with their new event venue.

Aura event venue, which opened in fall of 2022, occupies 4,000 square feet in American Fork. This eclectic space is a perfect backdrop for events of any style. Old-school structural beams and a stone fireplace deliver farmhouse charm, while crystal and glass tables and gilded chairs are on-call to deliver modern flair.

“This is a space for people to celebrate, and not just for weddings,” Edlinger says. “It was named after my mother and is a very special place for me. I want to share it with everyone!”

Above all, Edlinger’s mission is to make wedding dreams come true, from the peaks of northern Utah to the red rock landscapes of the state’s southern border. Serendipity always puts clients first, sometimes working through the night to give a client everything they want and more. “Dare to dream! Everything is possible, and I will find a way to deliver any lavish idea you have on your vision board.”

Ask the Expert

WHAT’S AHEAD:

We are thrilled to welcome 2023 couples into our first season as a full-service wedding company. We are here to make wedding dreams come true, and can now provide floral, catering, venue, and planning services.

EXCITED ABOUT:

We are excited to play around with florals in 2023. We’ve seen a lot of classic designs in our repertoire this season, and we are looking forward to branching out into a fresh, eclectic space in floral design once again. We hope to deliver unique color palettes and unexpected combinations for truly one of a kind events!

FRESH IDEAS:

Don’t accept anything less than the best possible quality for your special day. No wedding vision is impossible for our designers – let us deliver the dream wedding you deserve!

“My goal is to offer a service that couples will always remember. Though I love all of the vendors around Utah, and will continue to bring my clients to them, I am setting up ways to give my clients every last detail they have imagined and more.”

KARLA EDLINGER | OWNER

PHOTOGRAPHER: ANNIE EYRING PHOTO | VENUE: SIEMPRE WEDDINGS

Wee Bakes

SUBSTANCE AND STYLE are of equal importance for Michelle Burgin, owner of Wee Bakes. She believes that wedding cakes should taste as beautiful as they look, and she has an arsenal of meticulously developed recipes to accomplish exactly that.

“I’m huge on flavor and on unique designs,” Burgin says. “If those two things are hit, that’s a win in my book!”

In keeping with her quest for quality, Burgin crafts all of her desserts–from cakes to cookies and beyond–entirely from scratch. With no store-bought shortcuts in sight, all Burgin’s flavors come from the source. Real fruit, hand-measured flour and rich butter are present in each recipe.

Burgin’s top-of-the-line flavors don’t, by any means, lack in the beauty department.

“ I never directly copy a cake. I always want to make it my own,” Burgin explains. “I always tell my couples that my creations will never be an exact replica, because I want to add my own style to it. I can take any inspiration and turn it into a magical moment for the big day.”

MICHELLE BURGIN | OWNER

Ask the Expert

WHAT’S AHEAD:

I am exploring different design techniques: isomalt, rice paper, sugar work and more. I love the modern edge that these abstract elements can bring to a dessert, and that couples are more willing to branch out.

EXCITED ABOUT:

This year, I will be focusing heavily on recipe development, and I have a host of new flavors up my sleeve. I hope to launch a blog soon and hopefully a cookbook in the future.

FRESH IDEAS:

Start looking for ideas early, and book your vendors well in advance. Shipping is still a huge factor, so it is always better to have your vision established with plenty of time for execution. Weddings are once in a lifetime, but it is your special day and should be exactly as you envision it. Communication makes my job easier and makes your dream closer to a reality.

FARMINGTON | 385-888-4128 WEEBAKES.COM | @WEEBAKES

“I think cakes should taste just as beautiful as they look. Everything I make is from scratch, and I develop all of my own recipes. I only make flavors that I enjoy eating. For me, flavor comes first.”

Bridal Beauty Timeline

No matter how long your engagement season, there is always time to proactively primp for your wedding day.

FFORM DERM SPA’S Janie Ward shares the ideal bridal beauty schedule for fiancées, wedding party, and guests alike.

12 MONTHS LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Laser hair removal can take up to a year for lasting results, but once you’re smooth, only an annual touchup is required.

6-12 MONTHS FAT FREEZE

CoolSculpting offers a simple, noninvasive solution to eliminate fat for a fully-toned body on the big day.

6 MONTHS LASER SKIN TREATMENTS

Various laser treatments can promote long-lasting, baby-smooth skin. In-depth treatments should

begin 6 months before the event for best results, but some treatments can heal in as little as 6 weeks.

4-6 MONTHS

MEDICAL-GRADE SKINCARE

If experimenting with new products, begin a few months ahead of schedule to allow the skin time to balance. The Ward team recommends opting for a medically engineered formula, such as their Form Rx line, to get healthy skin alongside that flawless finish.

3-4 MONTHS HYDRAFACIAL

See your spa professional for a customized monthly facial, beginning 4 months before your event. A final moisturizing treatment 1-2 days before the wedding will give the ideal glow.

Form Derm Spa’s Hydrofacial

Laser hair removal

PHOTOS: (ABOVE) COURTESY FORM DERM SPA; (RIGHT) ADOBE STOCK

6 WEEKS MICRONEEDLING

Customized treatments can include platelet-rich plasma and chemical peels, to heal skin in preparation for the walk down the aisle.

4 WEEKS TEETH WHITENING

The best treatments are all natural, for a painless and healthy grin.

4-6 WEEKS BOTOX

Lift a brow, or relax a muscle or two to get yourself photo-ready. For those new to the needle, Ward says a 6-month trial may be in order.

1-2 MONTHS FILLERS

Give your newly plumped pout 1-2 months of wiggle room to settle into the perfect shape.

4-5 DAYS MANI/PEDI

Begin polishing and final touches the week of the wedding, so you are wellprimped for both the wedding itself and the pre-ceremony parties.

3 DAYS WAXING

Waxing treatments should take place at least two days before the big day, to allow any irritation to subside.

3 DAYS LASH EXTENSIONS OR LIFTS

Whether you’re a tried-and-true extensions gal or just looking for a voluminous boost, touch up

your lashes a few days before your celebration to keep them looking full and fresh.

2 DAYS TANNING

Schedule your spray tan just a couple days before the wedding for a glow untarnished by other treatments (but be sure to allow it time to fade into your ideal shade). formdermspa.com

Filler administered by Form Derm Spa

Lash Lift

Details

Your source for the latest discoveries, products, services and event solutions.

Miss Essie's BBQ

Miss Essie’s Southern BBQ understands that your wedding day is one of the most memorable and special days of your life. The food served is high on the list of what makes the day so special. We can’t wait to be a part of your special day to serve you authentic southern cuisine and delicious fare – Our award-winning BBQ Wedding catering will be a huge hit with your guests.

6064 S. 300 West, Ste 11, Murray @missessiesbbq missessiesbbq.com/catering

Utah Jive

Utah Jive specializes in creating and capturing life’s extraordinary moments. Their wide range of wedding entertainment services includes private photo booths, professional emcees and even innovative 360° photo experiences. Their team works with you every step of the way, so when your special day finally arrives, you’re able to cherish every memory.

801-742-1662

@utahjive utahjive.com

Westminster College

Our picturesque campus is the perfect place to walk down the aisle and celebrate with your family and friends. Our in-house event services team can take care of your event needs and details so you can focus on the most magical day of your life.

“Hill’s Kitchen catered our wedding reception. The food was wonderful, the set up and service very helpful and professional. Our guests all commented how much they enjoyed it.”

“Thank you so much for all your help with our wedding! Everything was so perfect the day of, and your staff far exceeded our expectations.”

“Your team was incredibly accommodating and the food was top notch!”

Our award-winning catering kitchen provides services for:

• Engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, and brunch

• Custom cakes and dessert bars

• Local treats for gift bags and favors

• And much more!

Our dream team includes:

• Chef Jessie Rae Nakoneczny, voted “Park City’s Best” Chef in 2022

• Banquet Chef Alvaro Cisneros, formerly at Sundance Resort

• Pastry Sous Chef Chris Straughan, formerly at Montage Deer Valley, St. Regis, and Talisker Club

• Stef Ruch, Events and Catering Manager (stefr@hearth-hill.com)

435-800-2870

1153 Center Dr., Kimball Junction

www.hills-kitchen.com

Our commitment:

“To inspire our associates, thrill our guests, and enrich our community.” We’re eager to thrill you and your guests!

Locally sourced, full service catering for your wedding weekend and beyond!

Pile on the local experiences for a celebration your wedding guests won’t soon forget

GIRL SQUAD

Nothing says “girls trip” like a weekend of pampering and poolside relaxation. Treat your moms and maids to a luxury spa retreat in Utah’s capital city.

Salt Lake City’s Grand America Hotel boasts one of the top downtown relaxation destinations for brides and all of their gals. Work with the Grand Spa to dream up customized massage and facial packages, and enjoy the added benefit of full access to the hotel’s amenities, including the pools, a Himalayan salt sauna and a luxurious eucalyptus steam room.

“The Grand America can be a one-stop shop for weddings,” says assistant spa manager Whitney Johnson. “We offer full salon services, accommodations for out of town guests, dining options for wedding dinners and more.”

Finish off the festivities with a classy bachelorette tea party. Whether you go traditional at the Grand’s tea rooms, trendy with a brunch at any of SLC’s dining hotspots, or bohemian in one of the city’s many stunning outdoor spaces, a celebratory meal with the ladies is the perfect way to say “so long” to the single life.

The Grand Spa, 555 S. Main Street, SLC. 801-258-6568. grandamerica.com

PHOTOS SYDNEY JANE PHOTOGRAPHY

FOR THE BOYS

Bachelors, pack your bags—sophisticated celebrations await in Summit County. Gear up for a weekend of equal parts high-end accommodations and rustic romping, beginning with a brunch tour of High West Distillery and Refectory in Wanship, complete with customized selections of craft whiskey.

The adventures don’t stop there. The nearby Lodge at Blue Sky resort offers skeet shooting and horseback riding excursions. High West Saloon serves year round, humming with the requisite lively bar atmosphere for a laid back evening of drinks. Nelson Cottage, a restored bungalow in the heart of Park City’s main street district, offers an intimate setting with seasonal prix-fixe menus, including curated bar pairings to complement each course.

High West Distillery and Refectory, 27649 Old Lincoln Highway, Wanship High West Saloon, 703 Park Avenue, Park City Nelson Cottage, 651 Park Avenue, Park City highwest.com

The Lodge at Blue Sky, 27649 Old Lincoln Hwy, Wanship, UT 84017. aubergeresorts.com/bluesky

PHOTOS COURTESY HIGH WEST; GABRIELLA SANTOS PHOTOGRAPHY (GROOMSMEN TOAST); THE LODGE AT BLUE SKY

High West Saloon Interior

Horseback riding at the Lodge at Blue Sky

Nelson Cottage

SETTING UP CAMP

Take a page from this couple’s book, and treat your guests to a quintessentially Utah adventure for your rehearsal dinner. For their pre-wedding welcome, Madison and Andrew enlisted Michelle Leo Events and Culinary Crafts to produce a grand glamping site on a family property, complete with upscale teepees furnished with beds, blankets, lighting and other elevated essentials.

Laid-back luxury was the evening’s theme, and guests enjoyed the upbeat crooning of a mobile bluegrass band, high-end whiskey tastings from High West Distillery and a western-themed menu showcasing the essence of Utah’s food atmosphere, with each course grilled and prepared on-site.

“When guests are coming from out of town, they want to experience what Utah has to offer,” says Jocelyn Gillies, Director of Sales at Culinary Crafts. “It adds a new layer of personalization to the event and creates a unique memory that your guests will always associate with you and your special day.”

Culinary Crafts caterers are the team to call for remotely located events, juggling the logistics of heat, lighting, and specialty menus for strikingly cohesive events.

Planning & Design: Michelle Leo Events, michelleleoevents.com

Catering: Culinary Crafts, culinarycrafts.com

Rocky Mountain Red trout, elote salad (pictured below), and cornbread with Utah honey butter and peach salsa were all on the menu for this homestyle celebration.

PHOTOS MEGAN ROBINSON PHOTOGRAPHY

The only place in Utah with an ocean view.

Gowns provided by LatterDayBride | Hair and make-up by Martha Rodriguez |

Models: Jacob Osborne & Haley Lauze-Reyes | Photographer: Mika Seltenrich

Here Comes the Groom

There are many ways to dress a dapper groom, but none of them begin with a tired suit

WWHEN IT COMES TO nuptial menswear, many grooms don’t know what they don’t know. As with many getting-hitched elements, there is no hard rule on what anyone should be wearing to their wedding these days. But know this, that old brown suit isn’t going to cut it. Cody Hoppes with UWM Men’s Shop shares the essential building blocks for a polished and personal wedding look.

“We are here to help men discover what styles suit them, and what will help them look and feel their best on their wedding day,” says Hoppes.

THE CANVAS

The first step to designing your custom suit is selecting fabric and color. UWM Men’s Shop offers nearly endless selections, and any of their fabrics can be tailored into a formal tuxedo cut.

That construction, or canvassing, as it is known by the professionals, is customizable down to the last stitch.

It starts with the jacket. A onebutton closure is the standard contemporary look, but a vintageminded groom might opt for two, and a black-tie event might call for a double breast. Event formality also informs lapel style. The basic cut places lapel notches at the collarbone level, but a tuxedo-style cut sees them lower on the chest.

The shoulder style is where gentlemen truly begin to shape their overall look: roped, standard, unstructured—each looks different on every body. Luckily, personalized tailoring can ensure your jacket will fit like a glove no matter your selections.

PHOTOS COURTESY UWM MEN’S SHOP

From the seams of the pants to the pocket square and every stitch in between, a customized wedding suit becomes a keepsake of your big day. Relive your vows each time you don your jacket by adding a personalized inscription to your jacket’s lining. The wedding date, or a quote from your partner make sentimental additions.

According to Sean Bradley, owner of Tabula Rasa Stationers, there’s no reason a groom shouldn’t be able to get in on the glitz. Designer John Varvatos produces pieces with the right doses of both eye-catching shine and masculine edge.

BEST DRESSED

Head-to-toe accessories for the man of the hour

starting at $145, UWM Men’s Shop, SLC, uwmmensshop.com

“These days, there’s really no rule for what shoes the groom should wear,” says Cody Hoppes of UWM Men’s shop. “There are options out there for every fashion sense and for every style of wedding.”

Walk down the aisle sporting a true icon in a sophisticated shade of navy. A wedding-day watch is a timeless piece that can serve as a memory for years to come.

Breitling Navitimer Automatic 41 in Stainless Steel and Blue,

O.C. Tanner Jewelers, SLC, octannerjewelers.com

John Varvatos Brass Hammered Cuff Bracelet and Striated Cuff, $135 each, Tabula Rasa, SLC tabularasastationers.com

John Varvatos Longsword Brass Tie Clip, $298, Tabula Rasa, SLC, tabularasastationers.com

Mont Blanc Homage to Victoria and Albert Cufflinks, price by request,Tabula Rasa, SLC, tabularasastationers.com PHOTOS: (TIE CLIP, CUFF LINKS, TIES, BRACELETS) ADAM FNKLE

$5,050,

(Top to bottom) Luciano Patent Leather Wingtim by Michael Toschi, $695; Riley Pebbled Captoe Oxford by Salvatore Ferragamo, $795; Daemons Double Monk Strap Shoe in Navy by Santoni, $1,130. Nordstrom, Fashion Place Mall, Murray, nordstrom.com

Stance Butter Blend Dress Socks, $69, Stance, Fashion Place Mall, Murray, stance.com

For jacket linings, many grooms go for a simple solid, but why not open yourself—and your jacket—to some fun? “You’re mostly the one person who will see your lining, so I always encourage guys to have some fun and show off some personality,” Hoppes says.

PANTS

UWM Men’s Shop prides itself on having “perfected the trouser.” They begin with a stock trouser and build from there. More formal looks feature a tuxedo waistband and striping treatments, and any style can be customized with pleats, buckles and pockets. Their recommended pocket style is dubbed the “wide slanted,” as it lays flat, preventing a photospoiling pocket gape.

SHIRT

White is naturally the number-one seller for weddings, but there is more to consider here. Think size and style. UWM, for example, offers four body fits per neck size, and provides options for contrasting buttons, patterns and collars.

THE ACCESSORIES

Ties and pocket squares are the obvious and simple choice to add dashing contrast and color to a formal look, but it doesn’t have to stop there. Add flair with striking cufflinks, introduce a bit of shine with a bracelet or two, or create jacketsoff visual interest with a set of smart suspenders.

SHOES

For a more formal affair, opt for laceup wing tips. Cap toes and rounded toes are easy to pare down for more casual affairs. Loafers, sneaker soles or suede are ideal for an outdoor adventure wedding. If your ceremony is oceanside, Hoppes recommends Italian boat shoes to elevate your leisure outfit.

Bloom Service

Give your ceremony the gift of a larger-than-life backdrop, using advice from one of Utah’s master florists and inspiration from these lavish installations

Photographs by BRANSON MAXWELL / JESSIE AND DALLIN PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOS BRANSON MAXWELL

1 2 3 4

ALLOCATION

Betsy Borden, owner of Dancing Daisies Floral, encourages brides to put the majority of their floral budgets toward impact pieces that will leave an impression on guests. To maximize budget, she suggests downsizing bridesmaids’ bouquets and utilizing that money to create a larger “wow factor” for the backdrop.

FOUNDATION

It all begins with a strong foundation. Whether renting an arch or constructing your own, Borden stresses that a solid structure is critical for a safe and stunning floral installation. Sturdiness and dimension all play an important role. If your backdrop’s frame is too tall, it may not be able to support the lavish level of florals many couples dream of having. Alternatively, if your structure is built with overly large beams on the front, it risks a topple hazard with the added weight of blooms.

CONSTRUCTION

According to Borden, installations of this scale need to be planned with three different bloom types to maintain visual interest throughout the piece. Focal blooms such as rose, dahlia, and carnation pack a visual punch that is noticed right away. Linear flowers, such as snapdragon or delphinium, instill dimension and volume. Finally, textural blossoms—think hypericum berry, statice, thistle or even scabiosa— bring movement and life to an arrangement, taking it from impressive to over-the-top.

A recent favorite of Bordens is the ever-versatile dahlia: A button dahlia can bring a basic boutonniere to life, while the enormous dinner plate variety makes a sensational focal bloom.

HYDRATION

Proper hydration of floral installations is critical for long-lasting blooms. Luckily, any quality floral artist has your back. “We use a whole host of tools to keep the flowers looking fresh, from florist foam to water tubes,” Borden says. Heartier foundational blooms will last in floral foam, while more delicate flowers can be suspended in water using specialized tubing. Borden assures that if engineered properly, your picture-perfect backdrop will last every minute of the big day. dancingdaisiesfloral.com

VENDORS

VENUE: Tifie Preserve, tifiepreserve.com

STYLING: La Belle Fleur, labellefleurut.apphb.com

MODELS: Janelle Laswell, Mars Roots, Jamie Hashimoto

HAIR: Makeup and Hair by Michelle, @makeupandhairbymichelle

MAKEUP: Denise Christensen, dcmakeup.com

GOWNS: Fantasy Bridal, fantasy-bridal.com; Afa Ahloo, @afa.ahloo

RENTALS: Forte Rentals, forterentals801.com; Home Sweet Home, homesweethomeeventrentals.com

FLORIST INSTRUCTORS: Ace Berry, fulshearfloraldesign.com; Patience Pickner, floristchamberlainsd.com

WHOLESALE FLORALS: Utah Premier Flower Collective; JFS Wholesale, jfswholesale. com; The Floral Source, thefloralsource.com; East Texas Smilax, easttexassmilax.com

FARM TO AISLE

These impressive installations were arranged by two talented teams of florists at the 2022 Wasatch Floral Summit, sponsored in part by the Utah Premiere Floral Collective, a group of 17 growers committed to providing sustainable resources to the wedding industry. Each of their blooms are cultivated and foraged right here in the Beehive State. Visit our website for more: utahbrideandgroom.com/utah-floral-collective

PHOTOS: (OPPOSITE PAGE) JESSIE AND DALLIN PHOTOGRAPHY; (THIS PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) BRANSON MAXWELL, JESSIE AND DALLIN PHOTOGRAPHY, JESSIE AND DALLIN PHOTOGRAPHY

The Best of Utah

REAL WEDDINGS

As you prepare for your walk down the aisle, draw inspiration from the happy couples and talented players behind the seasons’ most stunning wedding celebrations. From Park City peaks to Salt Lake City’s finest restaurants, these soirées showcase love stories with style, personality and abounding elegance.

Farah & Geoff

LA CAILLE, SALT LAKE CITY

JUNE 4

Planning & Design by BELLE BODAS EVENTS

Photography by GREY GIRAFFE COLLECTIVE

THE COUPLE

Putting a spin on the typical tale of coworkers falling in love, Farah and Geoff instead became colleagues post-matrimony. Today, the spouses work together for a political organization, but their story began shortly after Farah moved from Utah to Washington, D.C. in pursuit of a career in politics. Geoff, who was a former employee of Farah’s company, stopped in for a visit and boldly asked Farah to dinner the first evening they met. As they say, the rest is history.

THE PROPOSAL

One summer, Farah invited her parents to visit D.C. Upon arriving at their final sightseeing stop (the office of the Speaker of the House), Farah was pleasantly surprised to find a staff photographer on site, snapping shots for a supposed promotional pamphlet. As the couple stepped onto the marble balcony to enjoy the Speaker’s famous view of the National Mall, the photographer’s true mission was revealed: to capture the powerful moment of Geoff’s proposal (and Farah’s forever “yes”).

THE WEDDING

Farah and Geoff’s marriage brought not only two people together, but two cultures. Farah is of Chilean and Honduran descent, while Geoff’s family is Chinese. To celebrate this blending of traditions, the couple went all in with a cultural celebration of the century held at Salt Lake City’s La Caille. The couple exchanged vows in an outdoor ceremony surrounded by lush tropical flora: massive green fronds teamed with vibrant red and white arrangements of roses, anthurium, and gladiola to create a striking path for the

REAL WEDDINGS

THE DETAILS

WEDDING PLANNING AND DESIGN: Belle Bodas Events, bellebodasandevents.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: Grey Giraffe Collective, greygiraffe.com

VENUE & CATERING: La Caille, lacaille.com

FLORAL: Cactus and Tropicals, cactusandtropicals.com/eventfloral

GOWN: Pronovias Privee via Kleinfeld Bridal; pronovias.com, kleinfeldbridal.com

OVERLAY SKIRT: Martina Liana Bridal, essensedesigns.com/martina-liana

CEREMONY SHOES: BHLDN, bhldn.com

ROBE: Robed With Love, robedwithlove.com

GROOM’S TUX: The Black Tux, theblacktux.com

STATIONERY & SIGNAGE: Made by Jen, @ madebyjen_

RENTALS & LINENS: Diamond Event & Tent, diamondevent.com

HAIR: Create on Location, msha.ke/ createonlocation

MAKEUP: Julianne Horseley, MUA, @juliannemakeupartist

GROOMSMEN SUITS: The Black Tux, theblacktux.com

VIDEOGRAPHER: Shey Allen Films, sheyallenfilms.com

CAKE: Annie’s Cakes, @annies.c.a.k.e.s

DJ: DJ Drew, getdjdrewmusic.com

PHOTOBOOTH: Snap Happy Photobooth, snaphappy-photobooth.com

RECEPTION VOICEMAIL PHONE: After the Tone, afterthetone.co

LIGHTING: Moonlight Utah, moonlightutah.com

couple’s entrance. Farah walked down the aisle in a strapless Pronovias gown featuring intricate lace details and a tulle illusion skirt. She accessorized with ivory heels embellished with palm leaves, linking her bridal fashion to the décor.

Inside, the wedding’s crimson theme took center stage as an homage to Geoff’s heritage, in which red is a lucky color. Belle Bodas Events strategically added enough color to each table to elevate the greenhouse space, but not so much to detract from the venue’s natural beauty. Larger settings were dressed in champagne-colored linens and towering arrangements of greenery. Round tables balanced the room with simple black linens and contrasting crimson centerpieces. Framed palm leaves served as menu displays, and bright red Chinese gift boxes welcomed each guest to their seat.

Overhead, glowing Chinese lanterns fostered a peaceful ambiance and a sense of dimension, delighting the eye no matter where it wandered.

THE PARTY

When their big celebration finally came, after postponements due to the pandemic, these lovebirds went all out for the party of their dreams. And while Chinese culture strongly influenced the décor, the dance floor is where Farah’s South American roots truly emerged. “We wanted the wedding to have a ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ vibe, while incorporating both of our families’ cultures,” says Farah. “Ultimately, we wanted to entertain and surprise people.”

Those surprises came in all shapes and colors, from an unexpected father-daughter Cueca dance accompanied by a live Mariachi band to a live artist painting the intimate ceremony and trumpeters sending guests off at the end of the evening, each with a slice of black-frosted wedding cake in hand.

“Utah is so beautiful and unique, that we wanted to give our out-of-town guests an experience they’d truly never had at a wedding before.”

Brigitte & Daniel

SUNDANCE MOUNTAIN RESORT, SUNDANCE SEPT. 5

Planning & Design by FUSE

Photography by PEPPER NIX

THE COUPLE

WEDDINGS

& EVENTS

Brigitte and Daniel started their journey as coworkers at an aviation software company based in Houston. Brigitte, who works in human resources, saw Daniel, a software developer, as a friend for two years before the couple embarked on their first date. The two were together for five years before tying the knot during their September celebration at Sundance Mountain Resort.

THE PROPOSAL

En route to a dream vacation in San Sebastian, Spain, Daniel treated Brigitte to a stop in London, her favorite city. As a flower lover, Brigitte had Kensington Gardens at the top of her itinerary. While walking the grounds, she heard their song, which is by Kacey Musgraves, and thought it was a happy coincidence created by street performers. It wasn’t until she saw a sign popping the big question that she realized what was truly happening. “It was so sweet to see all of the effort Daniel made to create a complete surprise for me across the pond,” Brigitte says. She responded with the easiest of “yeses” and the couple spent the remainder of their vacation as an “engagement-moon” in Spain.

THE CEREMONY

Brigitte walked down an aisle laden with brilliant white florals, wearing a dreamily romantic Galia Lahav gown with full length off the shoulder sleeves, a flawlessly fit corset bodice and a voluminous floral lace skirt. The ceremony entrances were set to “Landslide,” Daniel’s late mother’s favorite song. Brigitte was wed to Daniel by a mutual friend, Jonathan English, who

was the couple’s host for the London proposal surprise. Daniel surprised Brigitte once again and had the theme to The Princess Bride played to accompany his vows, referencing one of their first dates.

THE WEDDING

“Part of our wedding vibe was a love letter to Utah,” says Brigitte, who was born in Mountain Green. “I am so proud of where I’m from, and I wanted all of our friends from around the globe to experience all of the things I love about my home.” And experience, they did: Utah-local products and people were infused into every part of this celebration. The guests’ welcome bags featured Great Salt Lake taffy, and the welcome party was hosted by High West’s Whiskey Ambassadors while guests basked in the peaceful mountain ambiance of Sundance Resort.

Then came the party of Bridgerton-ball proportions. Cascading white-and-blush roses and wisteria draped the venue from floor-to-ceiling, pairing with sleek black signage to create the perfect London-esque backdrop for an evening of romance. “I’m a neutrals girl at heart. I didn’t want to select a palette that didn’t feel like me just because I was getting married,” Brigette explains. For added sentimentality, the event details featured blue herons, another nod to Daniel’s mother’s favorite things.

Brigitte entered her reception in a second simple and modern gown designed by Alyssa Kristin. The couple and their guests enjoyed a plated dinner including braised short ribs, pan seared chicken, vegetable strudel and fruit galette. Drinks included cocktails with a signature flair: each showcased a favorite liquor selected from two of the pair’s favorite bars. Dessert took the form of a showstopping, five-tier cake in multiple flavors— strawberry lemonade, samoa and carrot cake.

THE PARTY

DJ Joune brought the celebration to life, ushering in the newlyweds with “Kiss to Build a Dream On.” Brigitte made her grand exit as Mrs. in a third head-turning ensemble, a short and party-ready number by Nadine Merabi, with enough sparkle to last through the couple’s three-week Italian honeymoon.

THE DETAILS

WEDDING PLANNING & DESIGN: Fuse Weddings & Events, fuseweddingsandevents.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: Pepper Nix, peppernix.com

VIDEOGRAPHER: Jared Wortley Films, jaredwortleyfilms.com

VENUE & CATERING: Sundance Mountain Resort, sundanceresort.com

FLORIST: Artisan Bloom, artisanbloom.com

BRIDE’S ATTIRE: Custom Galia Lahav from Alta Moda Bridal, galialahav.com, altamodabridal.com

GROOM’S ATTIRE: The Black Tux and Hugo Boss, theblacktux.com, hugoboss.com

RINGS: Zadok Jewelers Houston, zadok.com

BRIDESMAID GOWNS: BHLDN and Saks Fifth Avenue, bhldn. com, saksfifthavenue.com

GROOMSMEN SUITS: The Black Tux, theblacktux.com

STATIONERY SUITE: Ann Elizabeth Print Studio, annelizabeth.com

SIGNAGE: Twelve30Creative, twelve30.com

RENTALS: Diamond Event and Tent, diamondevent.com; Vault Event Rentals, vaulteventrentals.com

LIGHTING: Moonlight Lighting, moonlightutah.com

LINENS: Nuage Design, nuagedesigns.com

NEON SIGN: Love at 1st Sign, loveatfirstsign.org

HAIR & MAKEUP: Sly Beauty, slybeautycosmetics.com

CAKE: Flour and Flourish, flourandflourishcake.com

CEREMONY MUSIC: Michael Lucarelli, michaellucarelli.com

DJ/Band: DJ Joune, djjoune.com

Maggie & Andrew SALT LAKE COUNTRY CLUB, SALT LAKE CITY

AUGUST 14

Photographs by MIKKI PLATT

THE COUPLE

Salt Lake City native Maggie and Palo Alto native Andrew met in fall 2019 in sunny California while Maggie was completing her studies at Stanford University. Now graduated—both from university and from girlfriend to Mrs.—Maggie works in finance for a work management software company. Andrew’s career continues at a Bay Area venture capital firm.

THE PROPOSAL

Knowing that Maggie has a love affair with flowers, Andrew took her for a weekend walk along the breathtaking paths of Filoli, the bay area’s historic gardens. Midway through their stroll, the couple came upon a full meadow of sunny daffodils. Before Maggie could catch her breath from the stunning view, Andrew got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife. Gifted with a beautiful ring, Maggie said “yes” to a beautiful life together.

THE WEDDING

Salt Lake Country Club holds a special meaning for the bride’s family as it was the venue for both Maggie’s parent’s wedding and her own, on the same date exactly 25 years apart. “I owe so much to my parents, and it was so special to be able to share this day and this place with them,” Maggie says. After a morning ceremony in the Bountiful, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the couple and their guests reunited at the Country Club for a whimsical reception full of color.

Beneath elegantly monogrammed banners and garlands of playful dangling wildflowers, tables robed in sky blue linens welcomed guests to the reception dinner. Florals of all colors and arrangements filled chic rose-gold vessels. A sunny yellow cake sat center stage, adorned with a deluge of vibrant petals, capturing Maggie’s vision of perfect summertime hues.

THE DETAILS

PLANNING, FLORAL AND DESIGN: La Fête Floral and Design, lafetefloral.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: Mikki Platt, mikkiplatt.com

VIDEOGRAPHER: Dane Christensen, @danskerdane

VENUE AND CATERING: Salt Lake Country Club, saltlakecountryclub.com

BRIDE’S ATTIRE: Alta Moda Bridal, altamodabridal.com

BRIDESMAIDS GOWNS: Needle and Thread, us.needleandthread.com

STATIONERY SUITE: The Write Image, thewriteimage.com

FLAGS: S Martine Design, @smartinedesign

LIGHTING: Moon Light Utah, moonlightutah.com

RENTALS: Diamond Event & Tent, diamondevent.com

DANCE FLOOR: In the Event, intheevent.com

HAIR & MAKEUP: Lesley Lind Makeup, lesleylind.com

CAKE: Flour and Flourish, flourandflourishcake.com

RECEPTION BAND: West Coast Music, westcoastmusic.com

“We wanted something fun, celebratory and f loral-focused,” Maggie says. “At the same time, we wanted a classy and timeless look. I loved the whimsy and elegance that came from this design.”

Maggie and Andrew arrived at their reception in a greenery-laden golf cart, dressed to the nines in a classic black tuxedo and a sparkling, floral-patterned gown with a flowing train and delicately detailed cap sleeves.

THE PARTY

Music was a must for these lovebirds–Maggie grew up studying classical music and Andrew loves to bust a move. Because of her love for music, Maggie opted for a live band from the West Coast to provide the soundtrack to their wedding party, rather than a DJ playlist. The band delivered an energy-packed evening filled with tender moments, including dancing with their parents to Nat King Cole and raucous surprises like a fully choreographed groomsmen

number set to a Bruno Mars hit. Atop a brightly lit dance floor and backed by striking mountain views, the newlyweds shared their first dance to “If I Ain’t Got You,” by Alicia Keys.

“We discovered the lighted dance floor while planning, and thought it was the perfect way to enhance the dance party,” Maggie says. Throughout the night, the stage shifted colors based on the mood of the song, luring guests to join the fold with every tune.

The wedding celebration for Maggie and Andrew became a de facto reunion for friends and family from across the country. “It was amazing to have an in-person celebration with everyone we love, and to finally be able to introduce people from throughout our lives to each other.”

THE HONEYMOON

After dancing the night away, Maggie and Andrew exited their reception to classic sparkler fanfare and then embarked on a honeymoon getaway to Lanai, Hawaii.

Kate & Dan

4U RANCH, PEOA

AUG. 28

Planning & Design by MICHELLE LEO EVENTS

Photography by HEATHER NAN

THE COUPLE

New York-based Kate and Dan met for the first time in Croatia, when Kate spotted her future husband across a bar, wearing a T-shirt coincidentally emblazoned with the name of her father’s Pennsylvania high school. The pair instantly connected thanks to their hometown roots, but parted ways when they headed for the airport. The couple later reconnected on Utah’s ski slopes, and six years after their meet-cute, became engaged on yet another ski trip to Zermatt, Switzerland.

THE WEDDING

In homage to the snowy mountains where they fell in love, Kate selected

Peoa’s 4U Ranch as the ideal backdrop for an unique melding of garden party, rustic ranch and elegant organic styles. “We wanted our wedding to have an intimate feel, and we wanted to be able to easily stroll through our wedding day events surrounded by the people and mountains we love,” she says.

Kate walked down the aisle adorned in a lushly laced, form-fitting Monique Lhuillier gown with a high neck and long sleeves, showcasing a sophisticated, romantic style. Flanked by pasteldraped bridesmaids, she said “I do” under a graceful, asymmetric floral arch surrounded by the ranch’s dramatic rock formations. The wedding-day floral

arrangements were designed to match a custom watercolor paper suite created by Studio Luzance. Kate fell in love with the delicate feminine details, and the lavender, blush and baby blue crest quickly became the brand of the big day.

“This paper suite was too sweet,” says planner Michelle Cousins. “It really captured that organic vibe and pulled the full event together.”

To accommodate guests between events, Kate arranged a variety of outdoor lounge areas, where attendees could enjoy Utah’s majestic views while sipping on custom margaritas and strawberry lemon mules.

For the reception, guests strolled to 4U Ranch’s reclaimed wood barn, where a neutral interior allowed the event’s feminine and organic design elements and colors to flourish in everything from floral centerpieces and hanging installations to dainty cake accents.

“We wanted the reception to look like you walked through a field of mountain florals, scooped them up and placed them on the table,” Cousins says. “Tinge Floral brought a great mix of bloom textures, colors and species to capture that organic mood.”

THE MENU

Culinary Crafts delivered loads of local flavor to the party with a lineup of Utah-

REAL WEDDINGS

THE DETAILS

WEDDING PLANNING AND DESIGN: Michelle Leo Events, michelleleoevents.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: Heather Nan Photography, heathernanphoto.com

VIDEOGRAPHY: NP Films, npfilms.com

FLORAL: Tinge Floral, tingefloral.com

VENUE: 4U Ranch, 4uranch.org

OFFICIANT: Kamrin Carver

CEREMONY AV: Wasatch Audio Visual, wasatchav.com

GOWN: Monique Lhuillierl, moniquelhuillier. com

PAPER SUITE: Studio Luzance, studioluzance.com

RENTALS: Diamond Event and Tent, diamondevent.com

LOUNGE/BISTRO/BAR RENTALS: Vault Event Rentals, vaulteventrentals.com

CHARGER RENTALS: Wild Event Studio, wildeventstudio.com

RESTROOM RENTALS: Simply Privys, simplyprivys.com

REHEARSAL AND WELCOME BARS: Decoration Inc., decorationinc.com

MAKEUP ARTIST: Kristen Packard Makeup, kristenpackard.com

HAIR: Kali Chris Hair, kalichris.com

CATERING: Culinary Crafts, culinarycrafts.com

BAR SERVICE: Top Shelf, topshelfutah.com

CAKE: The Dessert Studio, thedessertstudioutah.com

TRANSPORTATION: Snow Country Limousine, snowcountrylimo.com

REHEARSAL DINNER: Goldener Hirsch, aubergeresorts.com/goldenerhirsch

WELCOME PARTY MUSIC: The Birdwatchers, thebirdwatchersband.com

CEREMONY MUSIC: Tribeca Ensemble, tribecaensemble.com

BAND: New Soul Brigade, newsoulbrigade.com

AFTER-PARTY DJ: Life of the Party Entertainment, life-of-the-party.com

bred favorites: risotto balls and pork buns for cocktail hour and grilled Rocky Mountain Ruby red trout and grass-fed Utah beef flank steak as main courses, accompanied by sides of seasonal butternut parmesan risotto and grilled carrots. A nearly too-cute-to-cut cake by The Dessert Studio delighted with layers of almond, lemon and raspberry-flavored dessert.

THE PARTY

Kate changed her look for the first dance, removing her gown’s sleeves to reveal a strapless sweetheart neckline. She and Dan danced to “At Last,” played live by New Soul Brigade. The band also provided music for dances with the couple’s parents and throughout the reception. The afterparty began as the gathering moved venues, traveling to Goldener Hirsch’s newly renovated rooftop deck, which also hosted the wedding’s rehearsal dinner, welcome party and brunch. Kate arrived in a dance-floor-ready sequined minidress from Markarian, and the wedding party continued the celebration with a night of jamming with Life of the Party DJs.

THE HONEYMOON

The travel-loving newlyweds chose to wait out international travel restrictions, so rather than escaping to their destination right after the wedding, they planned a belated New Zealand honeymoon for December 2022.

Courtney & Damien

MONTAGE DEER VALLEY, PARK CITY SEPT. 25

Planning & Design by

Photography

by

THE COUPLE

MICHELLE LEO EVENTS

JORDAN BREE PHOTOGRAPHY

Courtney, a musical theatre major, met her sweetheart Damien, an electrical engineering student, while out on the town at Penn State University. Fast forward to the 2020s, and the two are all grown up: Damien works as a Solutions Architect at Google, and Courtney is living the dream as an actor in New York City.

THE PROPOSAL

Damien proposed to Courtney while on a visit to Paris, where she was performing in a musical. The couple went for a walk in Jardin des Plantes near Damien’s grandmother’s home. They followed a labyrinth-like path to Gloriette de Buffon, a historic iron-and-bronze gazebo overlooking the park. He set up his smartphone to snap a selfie, but to Courtney’s surprise, rather than posing with a smile Damien dropped to one knee. After she accepted his proposal, Damien revealed a packed picnic of champagne and macarons to celebrate.

THE WEDDING

Park City’s ski country topped the couple’s list of dreamy wedding venues, and for their early fall ceremony the majestic setting of Montage Deer Valley sealed the deal. “The stunning views and inviting fireplaces ticked all of our boxes for a cozy and chic celebration,” Courtney explains. “We wanted an intimate mountain wedding that captured the natural beauty around us.”

To mimic the spectacle of Utah’s fall landscape, Michelle Leo Events helped create a traditional color palette of warm autumnal tones with touches of eye-catching blue. Azure accents can be spotted throughout the day, including thistle and delphinium blooms mingled with aspen leaves in the bridal bouquet, brilliantly capturing the mountainside’s changing colors. There was no basic ivory in sight: candlesticks, table settings and even desserts all showcased the couple’s signature palette.

Courtney arrived on-scene in a trademark fullskirted Hayley Paige silhouette. She floated down the aisle wearing a pair of custom LaDucas, a classic theater performance shoe, with a touch of something blue.

Following an intimate ceremony on Montage’s patio concluding with a flower-toss exit, guests were welcomed to the rustic Vista Lounge by a unique escort display. Each guest was handed a glass of champagne with a custom acrylic seat number garnishing the rim. When everyone found their seats, celebratory toasts began without skipping a beat.

The simple, cozy and elegant decor created an inviting rustic scene with rich wood accents, vividly colored candles, glittering table settings and, of course, a heart-warming fire.

THE PARTY

Like most memorable celebrations, the reception kicked off with dinner. Pan-seared Utah trout, Montage’s grilled beef tenderloin, and ratatouillestuffed peppers topped the menu, followed by a host of pastries for dessert. Most notable were paleblue macarons in the wedding’s signature hue, as a nod to Damien’s proposal picnic. After dinner the wedding party welcomed an all-out dance fest, including performances from the couple and their families to hits such as “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk and “September.” Later, the party migrated down a level to Montage’s game room for bowling, signature cocktails and one of Courtney and Damien’s favorite NYC traditions—late night pizza.

THE DETAILS

WEDDING PLANNING & DESIGN: Michelle Leo Events, michelleleoevents.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: Jordan Bree Photography, jordanbreephotography.com

VIDEOGRAPHY: Nathan Pickett, NP Films, npfilms.com

FLORAL: Artisan Bloom, artisanbloom.com

VENUE, CATERING AND BAR SERVICE: Montage Deer Valley, montagehotels.com/deervalley

GOWN: Hayley Paige, jlmcouture.com/hayley-paige

SHOES: Custom LaDuca, laducashoes.com

BRIDAL HAIR PIECE: Dareth Colburn, darethcolburn.com

GROOM’S ATTIRE: Custom by Bindle and Keep, Brooklyn, bundleandkeep.com

WATCH: Daniel Wellington, danielwellington.com

BRIDESMAIDS’ GOWNS: Jenny Yoo, jennyyoo.com

GROOMSMENS’ SUITS: J. Crew, jcrew.com

INVITATION SUITE: Ayla Pena, The AYLA View, aylapena.com

SIGNAGE/STATIONERY: Etsy and Zazzle, etsy.com, zazzle.com

RENTALS: Diamond Event & Tent, All Out Event Rental, diamondevent.com, eventrentalutah.com

HAIR AND MAKEUP: Lesley Lind, lesleylind.com

TRANSPORTATION: Exclusive Excursions, parkcityactivities.info

BAND: The Salamanders, salamandermusic.com

CEREMONY MUSIC: Tribeca Ensemble, tribecaensemble.com

OFFICIANT: Anita Gordon, utahweddingminister.com

PHOTO BOOTH: Clementine Photo Booth, clementinephotobooth.rentals

Katy & William

ST. REGIS DEER VALLEY, PARK CITY

JUNE 18

Planning and Design by BLUEBIRD EVENT DESTINATION MANAGEMENT

Photography by SPARKLE PHOTOGRAPHY

THE COUPLE

Katy, a marriage and family therapist, met her husband William, who works in fulfillment for an e-commerce brand, on the rooftop bar of the Georgia Theater in Athens, Georgia. After eight years of long-distance dating off and on, Katy and William rekindled their sparks mid-pandemic and moved to Dallas to begin a more permanent life together. One Friday night, William enlisted a special helper (their goldendoodle, Dash) to present Katy with an engagement ring. After a romantic evening at her favorite restaurant, the couple returned home to find Dash posed perfectly with a ring on his collar. Spoiler alert: Katy said yes!

THE WEDDING

When it came to choosing the wedding venue, The St. Regis Deer Valley was a nobrainer. It is a destination Katy’s family has been frequenting for decades. Bluebird Event Destination Management and Artisan Bloom teamed to complement the mountain peaks with Katy’s dream décor: a garden party fit for royalty. “Flowers, flowers, flowers—that’s what I wanted” Katy says. “Our vendors really

REAL WEDDINGS

understood how much I love color and a bright environment.”

Katy walked down an aisle framed in rosy blooms wearing a fitted Monique L’Huillier gown with flourishing floral lace and off-theshoulder straps. On her way to join William, she had her father on one arm and a blushing bouquet in the hand of the other. At the pinkbacked altar, a wedding party 32-strong stood in support, with groomsmen in sharp blue suits and the maids each clad in a unique petal-hued dress. The couple was married by Katy’s best friend Jordan, who led a ceremony filled with sweet memories and laughter.

Guests followed a New Orleans-style processional to a tent on the hotel’s terrace for dinner and dancing. From the top down, the event’s design was a celebration of femininity, florals and classic beauty. At the peak of the transparent tent, dazzling crystal chandeliers glittered from all angles. The main focal point was a 12-foot floral wreath encircled in sprays of pink peony, ranunculus and rose. Garlands of greenery wound each fence pole, drawing the eye to the towering centerpieces atop sleek gold stands.

THE PARTY

The couple selected a classic wedding menu, with beef filet and Chilean Sea bass as main courses, and grilled cheese at the afterparty. Dessert included a cookie bar and two impressive cakes: a six-tier snickerdoodle cake dressed in large blossoms and a groom’s cake in the shape of The Master’s logo.

The Party Crashers crooned covers of classics as the couple and their guests danced together at the reception. “We didn’t love the idea of all eyes on us for a first dance, so we invited everyone to join in.” Shortly after the reception, a DJ began an hours-long University of Georgia-themed afterparty in the Deer Crest Club, where black and red balloons and Bulldog memorabilia celebrated the new couple. All through the night, Katy and William danced, cheered and partied with their guests.

THE HONEYMOON

Katy and William celebrated their marriage with an adventure in Maui, which included equal parts lounging by the ocean and touring the island’s landscapes and volcanoes by both bicycle and helicopter.

THE DETAILS

WEDDING PLANNING AND DESIGN: Bluebird Event Destination Management, bluebirdparkcity.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: Sparkle Photography, sparklephoto.com

VIDEOGRAPHER: Jared Wortley, jaredwortleyfilms.com

FLORAL: Artisan Bloom, artisanbloom.com

VENUE AND CATERING: St. Regis Deer Valley, marriott.com/en-us/hotels/slcxr-the-st-regisdeer-valley/overview

REHEARSAL DINNER VENUE: Kimball Terrace, kimballterrace.com

REHEARSAL DINNER CATERING: Culinary Crafts, culinarycrafts.com

BRIDE’S ATTIRE: Monique L’Huillier via Warren Barron Dallas, warrenbarron.com

GROOM AND GROOMSMEN ATTIRE: Simon’s Formal Wear, GA, simonsformalwear.com

BRIDESMAIDS GOWNS: Bella Bridesmaids, bellabridesmaids.com

STATIONERY SUITE: Paper Affair Dallas, paperaffairdallas.com

SIGNAGE: Zazzle, zazzle.com

RENTALS: Vault Event Rentals, vaulteventrentals. com; Diamond Event & Tent, diamondevent.com; All Out Event Rental, eventrentalutah.com; WILD, wildeventstudio.com

DANCE FLOOR: Queen of Wraps, queenofwraps.com

MAKEUP: Lesley Lind, lesleylind.com

CAKE: Ballerina Baker, ballerinabaker.net

RECEPTION BAND: Party Crashers, partycrashersband.com

DJ: DJ Dolph, djdolph.com

TRANSPORTATION: Driver Provider, driverprovider.com

PHOTO BOOTH: Clementine Photo Booths, clementinephotobooth.rentals

CEREMONY MUSIC: Maywood String Quartet, maywoodstringquartet.com

DINNER MUSIC: Eric Anthony, ericanthonymusic.com

Annie & Brad

SNOWPINE LODGE, ALTA

APRIL 17

Planning & Design by HOOPES EVENTS

Photography by KATIE EDWARDS PHOTO

THE COUPLE

Annie dove into the world of online dating after moving to Utah from Michigan, and after a few chats, she agreed to attend a party with a date. She never expected to find her soulmate that night, but after arriving, Annie’s original date introduced her to Brad, and their fate was sealed. “Let’s just say Brad was more my style,” Annie says. Today, after six years of dating and a stunning winter wedding, the couple works together at a quickly expanding wellness business headquartered in Austin, Texas.

THE PROPOSAL

Brad originally planned to propose while skiing Alta’s backcountry, but shifted

gears after an unfortunate spill the night before resulted in a broken arm. Instead, he took Annie for a walk along the resort’s Summer Road, where he told her all of the things he loved about her and used his functioning arm to pull a ring and a hidden miniature bottle of bubbly from his sling. They spent the evening celebrating Annie’s acceptance together at The Cliff Lodge.

THE WEDDING

The couple returned to Alta for their big day. Taking full advantage of the venue’s alpine glory and ski-in, ski-out capabilities, Annie and Brad worked with Hoopes Events to design a celebration with the good vibrations of

REAL WEDDINGS

a rustic ski trip, and the modern elegance of a mountain chalet.

It all began with a snowy ceremony where colorfully woven rugs marked the aisle and altar with striking contrast to the mountain’s all-white backdrop. Featuring jewel tones that Annie selected for the bridal party, the scene was a statement of bold color. Annie said “I Do” in a long sleeved, backless Daalarna gown with pearl and floral lace details, a cathedral length veil with Indian-inspired beading and white St. Laurent boots, perfect for tramping through the snow. Something borrowed—a diamond snowflake necklace of her mother’s—was accented by blue apatite earrings.

Brad wore a velvet black tux and a wooden bow tie custom engraved with mountain ranges to match those of the groomsmen. “We were married by my best friend from college, who is also an ordained minister. She brought so much holiness to our ceremony,” Annie recalls.

THE PARTY

The party moved inside for a cozy and elegant dinner, accented by more vivid rugs and sprays of colorful florals. “I wanted ‘rainbow’ flowers,” Annie says. “I love all colors and wanted them to be as vibrant as possible in contrast to the snowy background.” Guests signed in on a vintage “Ski Alta” poster then made their way to their colorful settings, each labeled with a different adventure destination. After dinner, the couple delivered a customized ice-cream sandwich feast, teaming Normal Club and Ruby Snap Cookies for their first-ever collaboration. From the bar, Telluride Distillery’s “Chairlift Warmer” schnapps became the drink of choice, along with obligatory Alta Bombs and a special Chianti Classico from Annie’s family origins for celebratory toasts.

The Morning Yells transitioned the crowd from cocktail hour to reception soirée with ease, starting with a salsa-heavy first dance to “Hooked on a Feeling,” performed by Annie and Brad. The celebration was full of unexpected surprises, from father-daughter dances and songs performed by family members, to Phish jam sessions. “Let’s just say the dance floor got weird in the best way,” Annie says.

THE HONEYMOON

Annie and Brad spent their first few days as husband and wife in a dramatically different locale—on the island of Maui.

THE DETAILS

WEDDING PLANNING AND DESIGN: Angela Menlove, Hoopes Events, hoopesevents.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: Katie Edwards, katieedwardsphoto.com

VIDEOGRAPHY: Vince Weddings, vinceweddings.com

FLORAL: Wild Flora Co., wildflora.co

VENUE AND CATERING: Snowpine Lodge, snowpine.com

REHEARSAL DINNER: Goldminer’s Daughter Lodge, goldminersdaughterlodge.com

GOWN: Daalarna, daalarna.hu

NECKLACE: Vintage Tiffany & Co., tiffany.com

EARRINGS: Raven + Lily, ravenandlily.com

RECEPTION OUTFIT: Sahroo, sahroo.com

GROOM’S SUIT: Suit Supply Tux, suitsupply.com

STATIONERY SUITE: Paper Place Austin, paperplaceaustin.com

RUGS: Boheme Project, thebohemeproject.com

RENTALS: Evergreen & Ivy, evergreenandivy.com

HAIR & MAKEUP: Stillwell Spa at Snowpine Lodge, snowpine.com

DESSERTS: Normal Club, normal.club; Ruby Snap Cookies, rubysnap.com

DJ/BAND: The Morning Yells, themorningyells.com

INSPIRATIONS from the experts

From a modern urban fête to a blissful, romance-packed ceremony, three teams of Utah’s top wedding pros get creative with vibrant colors, bold fashion statements and out-of-the-box details that showcase the many faces of stylish celebrations.

City Girl Chic

A harmonious marriage of sleek, minimal design and playful romance delivers a celebration fit for the most stylish of urbanites

Planning and Design by BLUEBIRD EVENT DESTINATION MANAGEMENT

Photography by PEPPER NIX

TTHIS ONE’S FOR THE sophisticated city girl. Meredith Parsons of Bluebird Event Destination Management blends a daring color palette and a dramatic vision to create a minimalist, “citychic” wedding day aesthetic that also captures the beauty and romance apropos of a nuptial celebration.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The invitation suite—a guest’s introduction to the wedding—is an indispensable tool for establishing your wedding style. In this suite, glossy text on matte black stationery teams seamlessly with layers of edgy geometric shapes, all encased in colorfully accented envelopes, teasing a taste of the urban dynamic to come.

IN FINE FORM

A solid foundation is critical for any well-designed event, and this team took the concept to heart. “Our inspiration came from our bride’s background as an architect, and the visual impact of the construction process,” Parsons explains. “Every piece of the decor had a frame, grounding the design in a very geometric way.”

Those frames can be spotted throughout the event. A sturdy white shelving unit serves as the base for a strikingly asymmetric backdrop. Boxy chandeliers repeat the motif, housing lively florals that bring visual interest to the apex of the reception tent.

BALANCING ACT

Teaming sophisticated design with a bold color palette is a true balancing act. Elegant juxtaposition reigns supreme here, with luxuriously textured fuschia florals layering a touch of romance atop the modern minimalist bones of the event. Paired with traditional roses and peonies, carefully curated species including

INSPIRATIONS

pink and black anemone, cymbidium orchids and calla lilies were chosen for their graphic forms, staying true to the event’s geometric theme.

By using the florals to deliver most of the color, Parsons was able to present them in fresh and profound ways, adding vibrancy and playfulness to an otherwise neutral scheme. Case in point: inverted blooms individually suspended above the aisle.

In keeping with the overall theme of balance, a clean-lined escort card display boasts a patterned map of Manhattan, embellished with pretty-in-pink details that direct guests in style.

THE DETAILS:

PLANNING & DESIGN: Bluebird Event Destination Management, Park City, bluebirdparkcity.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: Pepper Nix, peppernix.com

VENUE: St. Regis Deer Valley, st-regis.marriott.com

FLORAL: Decoration, Inc., decorationinc.com

CAKE: Flour & Flourish, flourandflourishcake.com

RENTALS: Vault Event Rentals & All Out Event Rental, vaulteventrentals.com, eventrentalutah.com

HAIR & MAKE UP: Lesley Lind, lesleylind.com

A Rosy Romance

A talented team of wedding pros celebrates romance and old-world charm at a picturesque pear-orchard villa

Planning and Design by FUSE WEDDINGS AND EVENTS

Photographs by BLAKE HOGGE PHOTOGRAPHY

WWITH ITS APRICOT STUCCO facade and vineyard-like setting, Pleasant Grove’s The Villa is a charming wedding venue that delivers sophisticated wine country allure inside a century-old pear orchard.

A SENSE OF PLACE

To complement such an elegant setting, Mara Mazdzer of Fuse Weddings and Events introduces a scene bursting with tender romance and powerful modern vignettes. Rather than choosing a traditional chiavari or rustic cross back chair, Mazdzer outfitted both the aisle and dining tables with sandy-hued wishbone chairs from Decoration, Inc. for a more contemporary flair. On the table, subtly shimmering linens create an ideal foundation for dreamy late-summer florals, a bounteous spread of succulent fruits and blissfully designed paper details.

PROVINCIAL PALETTES

Fuse Weddings and Events and The Flower Bar Co. selected a variety of delicate rosy and feminine hues—from summery peach to bubble gum pink—to mirror The Villa’s color-soaked facade. “This palette lent itself to a very organic mix of blooms, making every arrangement feel as though it could have been foraged right onsite,” Mazdzer says. Taking cues from the locale and the season, each arrangement captured the shift from summer to fall with a masterful mix

of blooms and lush greenery. “I like to choose florals that are in season locally, because it creates a unique memory for the couple,” says Shawn Chamberlain of The Flower Bar Co. “Each year, those florals will serve as a reminder of their special day.”

Transitional hues were not only embraced in floral elements; similarly subtle color gradients also made an appearance within paper goods. No two pieces featured matching shades, and there was no ho-hum ivory in sight.

OUT OF THE BOX

“Occasionally, wedding vision boards will include things that look amazing but aren’t necessarily functional,” Mazdzer says. In an effort to serve both pretty and practical, this team crafted an elevated escort display featuring personalized envelopes in shades blending from chic nude to warm raspberry pink, exquisitely displayed on mirrored panels. “This is an idea that could work on any scale and would deliver the same luxe and formal experience whether arranged like this or simply laid out on welcoming tables,” Mazdzer explains.

LEADING LADY

While many elements of this design are soft and romantic, the ethereal ball gown packs a sexy punch, boasting shimmering floral appliques and flirtatious corseted cutouts that ensure all eyes stay on the bride. “Bringing in an edge with this gown helped everything pop, and it delivered sharpness to an otherwise very sweet design.”

THE DETAILS:

PLANNING & DESIGN: Mara Mazdzer, Fuse Weddings and Events, fuseweddingsandevents.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: Blake Hogge, blakehogge.com

VENUE: The Villa, weddingsatthevilla.com

FLORAL: The Flower Bar Co., flowerbarco.co

HAIR AND MAKEUP: Beauty by Reese, beautybyreese.com

STATIONERY: Ann Elizabeth Print Studio, annelizabeth.com

CAKE: Flour and Flourish, flourandflourishcake.com

CHINA, FLATWARE, AND GLASSWARE: Wild Event Studio, wildeventstudio.com

CHAIR RENTAL: Decoration, Inc., decorationinc.com

LINENS: BBJ La Tavola, bbjlatavola.com

GOWN: Alta Moda Bridal, altamodabridal.com

TUXEDO: DC Tuxedo, dctux.com/tuxedos

MODELS: Megan Escobar and Devin Thomas

A Magical Mood

Hoopes Events holds the keys to infusing luxury and polish into the most fantastical event designs

Planning & Design by HOOPES EVENTS

Photography by BREANNA WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY

LLUXURY IS AN ELEMENT that elevates any and all parts of your wedding, no matter your unique vision. Whether you go for timeless elegance, glittering glamour or a striking scene in a box all its own, Tonya Hoopes shows ways to invite lux style to any wedding celebration.

MAKE IT YOUR OWN

Kick tradition to the curb with design decisions that are completely one-of-a-kind. In this

dinner scene, classic elements flourish with a moody and modern twist, taking Evermore Park’s rustic dining hall from Bavarian to bridal beauty. Deep shades of burgundy, ebony and violet complement a storybook venue, setting the scene for fantasy bridal drama that takes center stage. Glittering jewels stand out among dark leafy accents and an all-black fashion ensemble, delivering fresh character to a traditional red-and-black palette.

“Go bold and go bright,” says planner Tonya Hoopes of Hoopes Events. “Use color to your advantage to create a rich, luxuryevent look. Find ways to be creative, and add elements to your arrangements that make them uniquely you.” Take these florals as an example: rich pops of color stand out against nontraditional black-leaved foundations. Dark purple tulips, classic red roses and blushing calla lily brighten the palette for luscious centerpieces placed on every table.

SLEEK AND SOPHISTICATED

Try elegance on for size with fantasy-worthy bridals at dusk. A luxe lace gown teams with timelessly romantic candlelight and richly textured linens for a high-gloss sweethearts setting. For this sublime scene, details reign supreme: delicate lace sleeves and dainty jewels bring sophisticated polish to a fairytale bridal ensemble, all grounded by flowing florals and expertly curated table settings. Lux chargers foster the day’s palette with gilded edges and richly colored napkin settings that serve as a chic backdrop for a sleek, simple menu card.

GO FOR GLAM

Bring on the after-party with the perfect dose of sparkle. Eye-catching earrings, a glistening gown in a suave and flirty silhouette, and contemporary dessert displays are the recipe for success when it comes to a full-glam reception. “The cake is a great avenue to really play with tradition,” Hoopes says. Here, the team pairs a classic gold-accented round cake with a second ultramodern square tiered cake, complete with geometric details that bring deconstructed dimension to the dessert spread.

VENDORS

PLANNING AND DESIGN: Hoopes Events, hoopesevents.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: Breanna White Photography, breannawhite.com

FLORALS: Fleur and Stems, fleurandstems.com

VENUE: Evermore Park, evermore.com

GOWNS: Mary’s Bridal, marysbridalutah.com

CUSTOM BLACK GOWN: Sherbon

Clothing, etsy.com

JEWELRY: J. Brooks, jbrooksjewelers.com

CAKES: Cakes by Alessandra, cakeut.com

RENTALS: Diamond Event & Tent, diamondevent.com

To celebrate every moment of the wedding day, photographer Heather Nan curates and captures a collection of truly timeless bridal trousseaus styled by Marae Events

Photographs by HEATHER NAN

HERE COMES THE BRIDE

A soft and sweet off-the-shoulder tulle gown from The Bridal Studio primps for a day of romance. The sheer corset bodice accented by Swarovski crystals mirrors a whiff of sensuality and elegance delivered by a spritz of Chloé’s Naturelle eau de parfum. (ABOVE) Isabell by Tom Sebastien gown from The Bridal Studio Utah; O.C. Tanner Collection ring featuring a 1.62 carat oval diamond, O.C. Tanner Jewelers. (OPPOSITE) Pizelle by Sarah Seven from Frankie Jane Couture Bridal; Roberto Coin diamond hoop earrings; Coutgo kitten heel stilettos with rhinestone bow accent; Tuxedo via The Black Tux.

TTHE SUN HAS SET on the days of single-dress celebrations. Today, evergreen wedding ensembles are all the rage. From your first look to the getaway car and every magical moment in between, processions throughout the wedding day offer countless opportunities to curate signature fashion statements showcasing gorgeous gowns and dazzling accessories.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Structure rules the runway, and this silk faille sheath from Frankie Jane Couture Bridal flaunts a contemporary ruffle treatment ready for a highfashion love affair.

MOMENT IN THE SUN

An exquisitely angular satin sheath from Frankie Jane Couture Bridal provides the ideal canvas for chic accessories, including this lavender-hued bouquet popping with lace-like ranunculus and playful allium accents.

CENTER STAGE

Nothing says show-stopper like a multi-layered, lace-laden ball gown. With a full sleeve and button-backed bodice, this Alençon lace number by Rita Vinieris packs in the drama. ( ABOVE, CLOCKWISE

by

FROM LEFT ) Biltmore ball gown

Rita Vinieris from Frankie Jane Couture Bridal; Jennifer Behr Marjeta faux pearl-embellished satin headband, Jade Trau Poppy diamond stud earrings; Missoma Gold Huggies earrings, O.C. Tanner Collection Athena 3-row band stacked with Precision Set eternity band with oval diamonds, O.C. Tanner Jewelers (OPPOSITE) Chiara by Sarah Seven from Frankie Jane Couture Bridal.

TRIED AND TRUE

Exquisitely textured tweed fabric dripping with vintage flair goes hand-in-hand with an ultramodern plunging neckline in the Miriam Gown from Frankie Jane Couture Bridal.

HOW SWEET IT IS

Stunningly simple curve-hugging crepe and polished pearl accents are two perfect ingredients for a posh reception ensemble. Add an impressively intricate hairdo and dainty jewels to the mix, and the recipe is complete.

(ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) Suna pearl drop earrings with diamonds; Aria by Sarah Seven crepe halter gown with pearl accents from Frankie Jane Couture Bridal; Jennifer Behr Tori Voilette mesh-trimmed satin fascinator headpiece, Jennifer Behr Arianna crystal earrings, Rahaminov Sara ring featuring a 1.50 carat emerald cut diamond. (OPPOSITE) Miriam by Sarah Seven from Frankie Jane Couture Bridal; Coutgo square open-toe stiletto in white.

AISLE STYLE

Seal the deal in Spanish tulle, a lusciously flowing fabric perfect for the most romantic moment of the day: the vows. This strapless sweetheart features delightful daisy appliques for added personality.

CHEERS!

The journey from ceremony to reception deserves an eye-catching outfit change. Some gowns include built-in upgrades, like the Chiara with its oversized bow accent. Alternatively, slip into something more comfortable, such as this flirtatious, organza-draped mini dress that is equal parts fun-loving and fashion-forward. (ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) Chiara by Sarah Seven with bow belt from Frankie Jane Couture Bridal, Isabel Marant ‘A Wild Shore’ earrings; Rahaminov Sara ring featuring a 1.50 carat emerald cut diamond; White Glory mini-dress by Tal Kedem from The Bridal Studio, Cult Gaia Sonya earrings in gold, Rhinestone pumps in silver, available at The Bridal Studio. (OPPOSITE) Eden A-line strapless gown with floral sparkle applique from The Bridal Studio; Jennifer Behr Rissa earrings in crystal.

ONE FOR THE ROAD

Get paparazzi-prepped in Twenty & Creek’s swanky lower levels by donning a gown that’s sophisticated and high-glam. This strapless Chosen by Kyha gown features a miles-long crepe skirt and a bejeweled corset bodice to deliver both styles in high doses. (ABOVE) Stevie gown from Chosen by Kyha from The Bridal Studio; Kwiat Lyric diamond earrings; Glitter pointed toe heel in silver, available at The Bridal Studio; Groom’s Precision Set diamond band, O.C. Tanner Jewelers (OPPOSITE) The Vampire’s Wife sequinned mini in silver; Jennifer Behr Mirabelle hair pin; O.C. Tanner Collection Athena 3-row band stacked with Precision Set eternity band with oval diamonds, O.C. Tanner Jewelers; Coutgo kitten heel stilettos with rhinestone bow accent.

THE LAST HURRAH

Your getaway gown deserves enough sparkle for greeting guests and indulging in intimate moments alike. For your last look, try this fluttersleeved, silver sequin mini dress on for size.

VENDORS:

PHOTOGRAPHY: Heather Nan Photography, heathernanphoto.com

STYLING: Marae Events, maraeevents.com

VENUE: Twenty & Creek, twentyandcreek.com

FLORAL: Gather Floral, gatherfloraldesign.com

GOWNS: Frankie Jane Couture Bridal, frankiejane.com; The Bridal Studio, thebridalstudioutah.com

AFTER PARTY DRESS: The Vampire’s Wife, thevampireswife.com

RINGS: O.C. Tanner Jewelers, octannerjewelers.com

TUX: The Black Tux, theblacktux.com

MODELS: Ashtyn & Jordan via NIYA Models, niyamgmt.com

HAIR: Kali Chris Hair and Makeup, kalichris.com

MAKEUP: Kristen Packard Artistry, kristenpackard.com

CAKE: Flour and Flourish, flourandflourishcake.com

PHOTOS ASHLEY MEAGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Utah’s landscapes offer idyllic settings for cowboy-chic celebrations of any style

By MEGAN HULSE BARTHOLOMEW

Photographs by MEGAN ROBINSON PHOTO / HILLARY TAYLOR HARMON / ASHLEY MEAGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

FFROM HOLLYWOOD to high fashion, it seems everyone’s going cowboy. Weddings are no exception. Couples far and wide flock to Utah to celebrate their nuptials among the promontory peaks and crimson cliffs of the state's legendary Western landscapes.

BLACK TIE RUSTIC

Couples looking to bring high-end polish to their cowboy celebrations need look no further than Wanship’s luxury venue, The Lodge at Blue Sky. Just 30 minutes from Park City, Blue Sky delivers a new kind of ambiance for those wanting to embrace the true cowboy atmosphere found in the venue’s storied past as a working ranch.

Many rustic-leaning brides opt for wildflowers to grace their well-dressed tablescapes, and creating a luxurious look using such simple blooms is a Utah wedding planner’s specialty. “It takes careful planning to make an event look both elegant and effortless,” says industry expert Michelle Cousins.

For Nicole and Tyler’s barn nuptials, the Michelle Leo team exquisitely blended cowgirl country with high-fashion femininity using hardwood tables and chargers as a backdrop for organic vessels of dainty wildflowers and delicate chiffon linens. A rich palette of blues and warm neutrals quintessentially captures Utah’s transition from summer to fall, capping off this event’s theme.

According to Cousins, an expertly finished tablescape is key to visually conveying luxury in any celebration. “A completely set and designed table helps elevate any event, especially those that are more rustic,” she says. “A setting immerses guests in the ambiance with something beautiful and elevates their experience. It’s all in the details.”

Including comfort-food favorites on the menu throughout the celebrations makes the mood abundantly clear: microbrews,

Nicole and Tyler were married at Blue Sky Ranch in an elegant October ceremony full of rustic flair.

BBQ and cobbler all say, “Cowboy shindig, this way!” Food paired with fashion is a surefire way to involve guests in an event theme. This couple landed upon a rare “black tie rustic” dress code, inviting their loved ones to don their boots along with their suits to match Nicole’s custom-designed peplum gown and fringed footwear.

For added drama, Nicole made her grand ceremony entrance in iconic cowgirl style: pulled behind a team of spectacular black horses.

Ultimately, Cousins contends that events can be themed in every detail without erring on the side of kitsch. By mingling cowhide with chiffon and champagne, industrial metal details with on-trend wicker chandeliers, and other glamorous accents with Blue Sky’s bucolic atmosphere, this team fashioned a luxuriously formal event without a trace of inhibiting stuffiness.

BLUE SKY LODGE WEDDING

VENDORS

Planning and Design: Michelle Leo Events, michelleleoevents.com

Photography: Megan Robinson Photo, meganrobinsonphoto.com

Videographer: Branson Maxwell Video, bransonmaxwell.com

Floral: Amber Reverie, amberreverie.com

Venue and Catering: The Lodge at Blue Sky, aubergeresorts.com/bluesky

Rentals: Diamond Event and Tent, diamondevent.com

Chairs: Vault Event Rentals, vaulteventrentals.com

Chargers: Alpine Event Co., alpineevent.co

Cake: Lustr Creative, msha.ke/lustrcreative

Lighting: Moonlight Lighting Utah, moonlightutah.com

DJ: Ricky Barrera, @therickybarrera

HMUA: Marisa Rose, marisarosemph.com

Paper Goods: Twelve30 Creative, twelve30.com

RANCH REFRESH

Brides who long for western flavor but are not quite ready to give up a bit of playful glitz needn’t worry. For guidance, look no further than this fusion fête created by Leslie Price, owner of Leslie Dawn Events. At this après-vows affair, a historic vintage homestead and a Southwest-inspired palette meet the flashing-lights drama of the Nashville cowgirl. The result? A powerful design punch pairing modern simplicity with an upbeat palette.

To perfect the ranch refresh, Price has a few tricks up her sleeve.

“I would first find a color palette that really represents your personality and let it take you to unexpected places,” says Price. “This allows you to deliver a fresh take on many classic elements.” The happy-go-party-girl bride should never be dulled by a basic color scheme, and vibrant bride Hayley took the reins of a buoyant palette and ran with it all the way to the stables. Summery peach, glowing grapefruit pink, electric green and rich violet come together in a dazzlingly youthful mix, starting with a color-blocked invitation suite designed by the bride.

The palette continues day-of, modernizing Utah’s classic Kimball House into an of-the-hour hoedown. Traditional western trinkets including cattle skulls, wagon wheels and lasso rope get a 2020’s-funk treatment throughout the design, peaking in the form of a neon-hued photo booth.

Introducing the playful edge and contemporary punch that this bride craved, a greenery wall sporting flutes of lavender lemonade became the guests’ first experience of the party’s unique style.

“That was our theme throughout this entire wedding: blending something old and something new to create a never-before-seen style that was totally on-brand for this couple,” Price explains.

This bride's dream retro reception came to life in a colorful photobooth, capturing fun with guests throughout the evening.

Capturing this unique pairing of demure and drama, The Petal Coop delivered in blooms. Angular wildflower centerpieces teamed airy freshness with stylized structure, giving each bouquet a runway-ready finish. For added whimsy, each table setup included elegant— and edible— elements. Oranges, blackberries, peaches and figs contribute to the scene's striking colors.

“For a playful and modern bride, I love adding unexpected table elements,” says Price. “Here, the linens were a soft pink velvet, and the fruits brought a pop of color even bolder than what florals could deliver.”

The ode to the Southwest continues from the palette to the bride’s sleek and structured jumpsuit, with a dramatic homage to the past in tow. Floor-length fringe adds movement, glamour and on-the-town flirtiness while still keeping things beautiful and bridal.

THIS IS THE PLACE WEDDING VENDORS:

Planning & Design: Leslie Dawn Events, lesliedawnevents.com

Photos: Hillary Taylor Harmon, @hillarytaylorharmon

Venue: This is the Place, thisistheplace.org

Floral: The Petal Coop, thepetalcoop.com

Rentals: Diamond Event & Tent, diamondevent.com

Lighting: Moonlight Lighting Utah, moonlightutah.com

Catering: Cubby’s, cubbys.co/catering

Cake: Salt Cake City, saltcakecity.com

Bar Service: Cheers and Swizzles, cheersandswizzles.com

Photo Booth Furniture: Utah Vintage Rentals, utahvintage.rentals

Makeup: Aubrey Robertson, @aubreymakeup_

Hair: Simply Mindy, simplymindy.net

Groom’s Suit: Smith Bespoke, smithbespoke.com

Bride’s Attire: Rminé Bridal, rminebespoke.com

Stationery: Superlative Design, superlativedesign.co.uk

After an exotic destination wedding in Mexico, Hayley and Ryan hosted a celebratory reception at Utah's This is the Place Heritage Park.

RED ROCK ROMANCE

In today’s events climate, adventure lovers are embracing the destination micro wedding more than ever. Lazalu, a quaint venue nestled among the majestic formations of Zion National Park, offers unmatched vistas for outdoor enthusiasts like Samantha and Brett.

In this intimate celebration designed by Laura Stagg of Forevermore Events, every element is an ode to the venue’s striking red-rock views.

“To achieve a truly western look, we encourage our couples to mirror the landscape in their design, accentuating the atmosphere and immersing their celebration in the beauty that Southern Utah provides,” Stagg says. “Including the organic elements of the desert in the palette and florals adds a bit of that Wild West flair to the magic of the wedding day.”

A palette of warm desert hues carries the redrock theme from the ceremony to the reception

tables. Bridesmaids garbed in rust-colored satin impeccably mirror the bronzed cliffs on the horizon while copper and amber tones deliver a Zion-inspired palette to the couple’s rustic table settings.

A true desert tribute comes to life with indigenous cacti spotted throughout the floral design, appearing as succulent blossoms on catering tables, in individual pots amid simple cotton place settings and even as unexpected accents in the bride’s bouquet. Each arrangement delivers a decidedly freshly-foraged-from-Utah look, marrying seamlessly with a traditional boho scheme of dried fronds and neutral blooms.

The remainder of the décor is understated, showcasing soft macrame accents and ontrend acrylic signage that deliver a level of refinement without overpowering the park’s stunning scenery. Even the triangular ceremony backdrop features ample negative space, allowing expansive views to shine through as Samantha and Brett tied the knot.

Carefully curated moments deliver intimacy to this desert affair. They include raised-glass toasts made while clad in cowboy-chic furs, homemade jerky samplings bow hunted and prepared by the bride herself, and a cozy sweetheart's table at which Samantha finished her bridal ensemble with a well-matched ivory cowboy hat and fur jacket.

LAZALU WEDDING VENDORS:

Planning and Design: Forevermore Events, forevermoreevents.com

Photographer: Ashley Meagan Photography, ashleymeaganphotography.com

Rentals: St. George Party Rentals, stgeorgepartyrentals.com

Signage: Black Julep Studio, etsy.com/shop/BlackJulepStudio

Venue: Lazalu, lazalu.com

Hair: The Honey Salon, @thehoneysalonbride

Makeup: Chantry Wagstaff, @honeysalonbride

Floral: By Bloomers, bybloomers.com

DJ: Festival Sounds, festivalsounds.com

Caterer: Magleby’s, maglebys.com

Baker: CBJ and Company, @cbjandcompany

Hat: Tilly’s, @tillys

Gown: Beloved Couture Bridal, belovedcouturebridal.squarespace.com

Suit: Men’s Wearhouse, menswearhouse.com

Tie: Azazie, azazie.com

Samantha and Brett hosted their closest friends and family for an intimate micro-wedding in Zion National Park.

WEDDING VENUE GUIDE

The

guide to Utah’s reception venues

venue contact guest capacity on-site catering on-site bar serv. outdoor area on-site coord.

Log Haven 6451 E. Millcreek Canyon, SLC (801) 272-8255 log-haven.com

E. 6200 South, SLC

468-1515

707-2582

453-8488

990-9776 (Monaco)

990-9729 (Bambara)

274-0448

792-3161

581-0098

539-3130

587-9328 invitedclubs.com

La Caille 9565 Wasatch Blvd., Sandy (801) 942-1751 lacaille.com

Le Jardin 1910 Dimple Dell Road, Sandy (801) 326-2511 lejardinweddings.com

The Leonardo 209 E. 500 South, SLC (801) 531-9800 theleonardo.org

Little America 500 S. Main Street, SLC (801) 258-6700 saltlake.littleamerica.com

Louland Falls Parley’s Canyon Exit 131 on I-80W (801) 455-4989 loulandfalls.com

Magnolia Grove 1117 W. South Jordan Pkwy., South Jordan (801) 254-8794 magnoliagroveweddings.com

Market Street Grill Cottonwood 2985 E. Cottonwood Pkwy., SLC (801) 947-0542 marketstreetgrill.com

Marriott Downtown 75 S. West Temple, SLC (801) 531-0800 marriott.com

Marriott City Center 220 S. State Street, SLC (801) 961-8700 marriott.com

Marriott University Park 480 Wakara Way, SLC (801) 581-1000 marriott.com

McCune Mansion 200 N.

LEGEND

Guest capacity: Max number of guests.

On-site: The venue provides catering and bar services.

Off-site: For catering and bar services, the venue allows food and beverage to be brought in. If the bride and groom provide bar services, they may be subject to fees and required to supply a UDABS–certified bartender.

On-site coordinator: The venue has a coordinator to assist with your planning and day-of logistics.

Country Club

N. University Ave, Provo

Ridge Event Center

S. Sleepy Ridge Drive, Orem

Museum of Art

E. 400 South, Springville

Gate Weddings

West 2600 North, Pleasant Grove

374-1347

899-8000

491-5711

995-9996

Hotel 543 Park Avenue, Park City

(435) 649-3800 washingtonschool house.com

DoubleTree by Hilton 1800 Park Avenue, Park City (435) 615-8099 yarrowhotelparkcity.com

Zermatt Resort & Spa 784 W. Resort Drive, Midway (866) 937-6288 zermattresort.com

SOUTHERN UTAH REGION

Amangiri 1 Kayeta Road, Canyon Point

Bloomington Country Club 3174 S. Bloomington Drive East, St. George

Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club 2537 W. Entrada Trail, St. George

(435)675-3999 aman.com

(435) 673-4687 bloomingtoncountry club.com

(435) 986-2200 golfentrada.com

Lazalu 11 Kolob Terrace Rd., Virgin (425) 619-4299 lazalu.com

The Ledges Weddings 1585 Ledges Parkway, St. George (435) 634-4600 ledges.com

Moab Under Canvas 13784 US-191, Moab (406) 404-1861 moabundercanvas.com

Red Cliffs Lodge Milepost 14, Highway 128, Moab (435) 259-2002 redcliffslodge.com

Tuacahn 1100 Tuacahn Drive, Ivins (435) 652-3229 tuacahn.org

Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa Mile 17 Highway 128, Moab (435) 259-4642 sorrelriver.com

Zion Red Rock Villa 991 W. 230 South, Rockville (435) 772-3139 zionredrock.com

Zion National Park Lodge 1 Zion Lodge, Springdale (435) 772-7700 zionlodge.com

NORTHERN UTAH REGION

Bullen Center 43 S. Main Street, Logan (435) 753-6518 centerforthearts.us

Chantilly Mansion 170 N. Main Street, Layton (801) 593-9838

(801) 292-5501 eldredgemanor.com

The Grand Ballroom 165 S. Main St., Bountiful (801) 299-0088 grandballroomutah.com

La Cappella at Canterbury 197 500 S., Bountiful (801) 292-5053 lacappellaevents.com

Maddox at the Goble Lodge 1900 S. Highway 89, Perry 1-800-544-5474 maddoxfinefood.com

The Monarch 455 25th Street, Ogden (801) 893-6604 themonarchogden.com

Ogden Eccles Conference Center 2415 Washington Blvd., Ogden (801) 689-8600 oeccutah.com

The Ogden Union Station 2501 Wall Avenue, Ogden (801) 629-8680 theunionstation.org

The Riverwoods Conference Center 615 Riverwoods Parkway, Logan (435) 750-5151 theriverwoods.com

Snowbasin 3925 E. Snowbasin Road, Huntsville (801) 620-1072 snowbasin.com

Talia Event Center 22 E. 200 South, Clearfield (801) 510-6509 taliaeventcenter.com

Tuscany Garden Reception Center 1856 W. 4500 South, Roy (801) 837-6756 tuscanygardenroy.com

PREFERRED VENDORS

Bridal Consultants & Event Planners

Hoopes Weddings and Events

107 E. Fort Union Blvd., Midvale (435) 414-0090 hoopesevents.com

Serendipity Event Designers

4223 Vintage Circle, Provo (801) 592-8010 serendipityeventdesigners.com

Cakes & Caterers

Hearth and Hill 1153 Center Drive, Park City (435) 200-8840 hearth-hill.com hills-kitchen.com

Miss Essie’s BBQ 6064 S. 300 West, Ste. #11, Murray (801) 262-3616 missessiesbbq.com/catering

The Grand America Hotel 555 S. Main Street, SLC (801) 258-6770 grandamerica.com

Wee Bakes Farmington, Utah (385) 888-4128

Instagram @weebakes weebakes.com

Florists

Every Blooming Thing

1344 S. 2100 East, SLC (801) 521-4773 new.everybloomingthing.cc

Fleur and Stems 107 E. Fort Union Blvd., Midvale (801) 889-9089 fleurandstems.com

The Grand America Hotel 555 S. Main Street, SLC (801) 258-6703

grandamerica.com

Invitations

Watkins Printing 8522 S. 1300 East, Ste. #D101, Sandy (801) 566-4069

110 W. 1200 South, Logan (435) 752-5235 printwatkins.com

Wedding Attire & Accessories

Fred Meyer Jewelers Find a store near you at 1 (800) 342-6663 fredmeyerjewelers.com

O.C. Tanner Jewelers 15 S. State Street, SLC (801) 532-3222

416 Main Street, Park City (435) 940-9470 octannerjewelers.com

Photographers & Videographers

Utah Jive (801) 742-1662 info@utahjive.com utahjive.com

Reception Centers & Ceremony Sites

Alta Lodge 10230 UT-210, Alta (801) 742-3500 altalodge.com

Cactus & Tropicals

2735 S. 2000 East, SLC (801) 485-2542

12252 S. Draper Gate Drive, Draper (801) 676-0935 cactusandtropicals.com

Cleone Peterson Eccles Alumni House

155 S. Central Campus Drive, SLC (801) 581-6995 ecclesalumnihouse.utah.edu

Deer Valley Resort

2250 Deer Valley Drive South, Park City (435) 645-6624 deervalley.com

Ken Garff Scholarship Club

Rice Eccles Stadium, Ste 201

451 S. 1400 East, SLC (801) 587-9328 invitedclubs.com/clubs/ ken-garff-scholarship-club

Hilton Salt Lake City Center 255 S. West Temple, SLC joan.paz@hilton.com

(801) 328-2000 hiltonsaltlakecitycenter.com

Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City

170 S. West Temple, SLC slcrs-rfp@hyatt.com

(801) 596-1234 hyatt.com

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

12033 Lone Peak Pkwy., Draper (801) 355-3474 thelivingplanet.com

Memorial House

375 North Canyon Road, SLC (801) 521-7969 memorialhouse-utah.com

Natural History Museum of Utah

301 Wakara Way, SLC (801) 585-9538 nhmu.utah.edu/weddings

Pendry Park City 2417 W. High Mountain Road, Park City (435)800-1990 pendry.com/park-city/weddings/

Red Butte Garden

300 Wakara Way, SLC (801) 585-9563 redbuttegarden.org

River Bottoms Ranch

1374 N. River Road, Midway (435) 503-4379 riverbottomsranch.com

Snowbird Resort

9385 S. Snowbird Center Drive, Snowbird 1-800-232-9542 snowbird.com

St. Regis - Deer Valley

2300 Deer Valley Drive East, Park City (435) 940-5700 stregis.com/slcxr

Sundance Mountain Resort

8841 N. Alpine Loop Road, Sundance (877) 533-1929 sundanceresort.com/weddings

The Grand America Hotel 555 S. Main Street, SLC (801) 258-6770 grandamerica.com

The Ledges of St. George 1585 Ledges Parkway, St. George (435) 634-4600 ledges.com/wedding-events

This is the Place Heritage Park 2601 E. Sunnyside Avenue, SLC (801) 582-1847 thisistheplace.org

Twenty & Creek 2050 Creek Road, Sandy (801) 618-7142 twentyandcreek.com

Westminster College 1840 S. 1300 East, SLC (801) 832-2522 ecorrea@westminstercollege.edu westminstercollege.edu

White Shanty Venue 502 S. 300 West, Provo (801) 624-6070 whiteshantyvenue.com

Entertainment

Diamond Empire Band info@diamondempireband.com (720) 937-5185 diamondempireband.com

Rental

Diamond Event & Tent 4518 S. 500 West, SLC (801) 262-2080 diamondevent.com

Restaurants & Bars

Hearth and Hill 1153 Center Drive, Park City (435) 200-8840 hearth-hill.com hills-kitchen.com

Pig and a Jelly Jar 401 E. 900 South, SLC (385) 202-7366 227 25th St, Ogden (801) 605-8400

1968 E. Murray Holladay Rd, Holladay (385) 695-5148 pigandajellyjar.com

WB’s Eatery 455 25th Street, Ogden (385) 244-1471 wbseatery.com

Wedding Extras

All Points Travel 141 E. 5600 South, Ste. 100, Murray (801)466-1101 allpointstravelonline.com

Elysian Living Ely at American Fork 299 S. 850 West, American Fork (855) 495-1979 elysianliving.com/property/ ely-at-american-fork

Madison McCord Interiors 3960 S. Highland Drive, SLC (801) 277-5555 madisonmccord.com Instagram @madisonmccordinteriors

Other UFirst Credit Union Find a location near you at ufirstcu.com

Sunset Serenade

DREAMY HUES pulled right from a Utah sunset are making their way into wedding palettes, including everything from warm citrus orange to deep moody amber. In this radiant bridal bouquet by Leuca Floral, dried date palm, golden fern and bunny tail grass serve as a neutral foundation for glowing gazania and elegant yellow lilies. Delicate carnations, banksia protea and hanging amaranth add cloudlike texture, framing the central blooms in natural beauty.

PHOTO BY ROXANA B PHOTOGRAPHY