AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER

A bridal party celebrates poolside at The Grand America hotel before heading to a downtown park for a carefree tea under the open sky.

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

PHOTOS SYDNEY JANE PHOTOGRAPHY 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

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

High West Saloon Interior Horseback riding at the Lodge at Blue Sky

Nelson Cottage

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

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.