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PrintAlex & TJ
Images courtesy of Brody Dezember Photography (dezemberphoto.com)
BEFORE THE WEDDING
Occupations: TJ is a client partner for Franklin Covey; Alex is the buyer and manager of The Perfect Dress in Salt Lake City.
How the couple met: Alex and some roommates moved next door to TJ near the University of Utah.
How he proposed: “TJ lived in San Diego, so when I was visiting him one weekend he dropped me off at the airport and without me knowing he got on a flight to Salt Lake that was faster than mine,” says Alex. “When I got off of the plane (at 1:00 a.m.!) he surprised me at the gate and proposed. I never expected it! It was awesome!”
Bachelorette party: “My friends took me to Park City and we went out to eat and stayed at a condo up there,” says Alex. “We ended up opening gifts and just talking all night. It was really fun!”
Bachelor party: “My friends and I went to dinner at The Pie Pizzeria in downtown Salt Lake and just hung out and opened gifts,” says TJ.
WEDDING
Place: Salt Lake City LDS Temple
Date: March 20, 2008
The bride wore: An ivory and light gold Sottero Midgley gown from Maggie Sottero, and an ivory tea-length Casablanca wedding gown for the dinner and dancing.
The groom wore: A tuxedo that looked like a formal suit with an ivory shirt and tie.
RECEPTION
Place: La Caille in Sandy
Wedding music: “We wanted Michael Buble-style music—classy and fun—so we hired The Chris Wilson Band,” says Alex.
Wedding song: Michael Buble's version of "That's All."
Menu: Guests had a choice of chicken or steak with two different salads and seasonal vegetables. “The most incredible part was our dessert: we had fresh scones, with custard to dip them in, and fresh fruit,” says Alex. “It was a crowd-pleaser for sure.”
Cake: The four-layer cake featured shades of white and apple green to coordinate with the wedding colors. “It wasn't flowery or girly—it was just very contemporary with straight lines and a beautiful design,” explains Alex.
Wedding colors: Black and apple green. “The bridesmaids and mothers wore all black—it looked great combined with the black tuxedos,” says Alex. “As a gift to the bridesmaids, I gave them green jewelry—to accent the black—and they had all green flowers in their bouquets.”
Flowers: Arrangements included flowers in shades of apple green and ivory. “We had all of the classic wedding flowers with a few different blooms like spider mums, which are my favorite,” says Alex.
Décor elements: “We wanted everything to be very clean and contemporary,” says Alex. For intimate lighting, the couple placed apple green-colored lamps with fresh flower lampshades at the ends of the head table. Cored green apples with small candles in them decorated the perimeter of the cake; glass candleholders with lit candles hung overhead. The couple also used touches of black and white damask throughout the décor, including on additional lampshades, votive candleholders and a hanging banner printed with the letter “D” for Davis (the newlyweds’ last name).
Unique details: “One thing that was a little different at our dinner were the introductions of guests,” says Alex. “TJ and I always thought introductions done one-by-one around the tables were pretty boring, so we had a close friend of ours videotape everyone coming into La Caille and introducing themselves. Guests offered us advice and said some pretty hilarious things thinking that the video was just for TJ and I—let's just say they were pretty surprised when we put the tape in for all to see. Everyone was watching and laughing, and it was really fun! TJ and I still like to watch the video once in a while.”
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT
Alex and TJ’s answer: “The thing that we truly loved was the ceremony. Between the ceremony and the dinner we went and had lunch at Hires, and we just looked at each other and talked about how we could be done with the day. We didn't need the dinner, we didn't need the dancing—we finally had each other and we were good to go. Hawaii was waiting! But, we were really grateful to have so many friends and family that wanted to celebrate with us.”
HONEYMOON
Place: Kauai, Hawaii
A memorable moment of the honeymoon: “We took a helicopter tour around the whole island and it was incredible!” says Alex.
WEDDING ADVICE
“I grew up in the wedding industry so I'm full of advice, tricks and words of wisdom!” says Alex. “The most important thing is to just be yourself—in everything! The décor, the dress, the flowers, the music. Everything. Also, remember that it is your wedding—not your mom's, not your sister's and certainly not your best friend's. Take their ideas and use them where you need them, but make sure you don't get pressured into anything that you don't want.”
“The two things that you should budget for first are your photographer and your dress. They are the only things that you will have 50 years down the road—and you want to look incredible in those photos.”
“Be nice to your bridal consultant when you are shopping for your gown—we are only trying to help you! Want more advice? Come see me!”
SOURCES
Invitations: Jaffa Printing, SLC, 801-363-4189, jaffaprinting.com
Guest book: The Pink Daisy, SLC, 801-278-2300
Photography: Brody Dezember Photography, SLC, dezemberphoto.com
Videography: Final Touch, SLC, 801-947-9118
Bridal gown: The Perfect Dress, SLC, 801-568-3737, theperfectdress.com
Bridesmaid dresses: The Perfect Dress, SLC, 801-568-3737, theperfectdress.com
Tuxedo rental: Tuxedo Junction, SLC, 801-467-8216, tuxedojunction.com
Catering: La Caille, Sandy, 801-942-1751, lacaille.com
Cake: Granite Bakery & Bridal Showcase, SLC, 801-483-2253, granitebridal.com
Reception site: La Caille, Sandy, 801-942-1751, lacaille.com
