Photography by Breanna White
Planning & Design by Chelsie McRae
As a firm believer that she is, “only as good as the incredible vendors I surround myself with,” wedding planner Chelsie McRae gave her team of talented wedding professionals the freedom to follow their own muses with the concept of a sophisticated, maximalist event as a guide.
Back to Black
In an industry saturated with color, McRae flips the status quo on its head with a striking monochrome palette driven by alluring visuals, engaging textures and dynamic lighting. The seemingly-simple black, white and silver color scheme creates a canvas on which every carefully curated detail, from the ruched table linens and expertly laid flatware to the soft fog and artful lighting, shines with extraordinary technique.
Modern Edge
Taking full advantage of Utah’s hottest new venue, McRae embraces the sleek, modern design of the Grand Hyatt at Deer Valley with a blend of geometric elements and romantic details. Expertly staged white and silver draping by Lumiere Utah hangs vertically behind the sweetheart table in an innovative move that departs from the traditional method of swooping fabric. This practice of taking classic elements and imbuing them with a modern twist continues with chrome-painted monstera leaves and anthurium by Haus of Stems, selected by Jill Savage of Floral Rhapsody. Curated lighting by Peak Sound guides the eye to delicately crafted vignettes along the tablescapes, creating impactful visual moments throughout the design.
In a hidden speakeasy, two brides enjoy an intimate moment away from their guests. One bride wears a black satin a-line gown, the other a complementing mermaid cut with a plunging illusion neckline in the same color. Their dazzling ensembles create an arresting tableau against the backdrop of the bar.
Fabulous Florals
With a composition influenced by sharp lines and modern themes, McRae says it was up to Savage’s floral design to take the event from a high-end gala to a lush wedding. On the outdoor patio, delicately hung white hydrangea, Playa Blanca roses and bleached hanging amaranthus bring the ceremony space to life in the forefront of breathtaking valley-views. “The ceremony was meant to feel larger than life without interrupting the sweeping views of the Jordanelle Reservoir,” says Savage of Floral Rhapsody. “I wanted the florals to be visually engaging, with shapes and layers that guided your eye across the entire backdrop.”
Inside the ballroom, the floral arrangements continue to elevate the design. “We shifted the energy to a more intimate, atmospheric experience,” Savage continues. “Candle styling warmed the entire space, and the florals spilled from the tables to the floor to create a sense of depth and movement. The goal was for guests to feel wrapped in the design the moment they stepped inside.”
Utah Wedding Vendors
Planning & Design: Chelsie McRae, Life Moments Events, creatinglifemoments.com
Photographer: Breanna White, breannawhite.com
Videography: Alex Pizarro Productions, alexpizarroproductions.com
Venue and Catering: Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, hyatt.com/grand-hyatt/en-US/slcgp-grand-hyatt-deer-valley
Floral Design: Floral Rhapsody, floralrhapsody.com
Floral Wholesale: JFS Wholesale Floral, jfswholesale.com
Chrome Tropicals: Haus of Stems, instagram.com/hausofstems
Gowns: Versailles Atelier, va-bridal.com
Jewelry: Wilson Diamonds, wilsondiamonds.com
Draping and Custom Backdrop: Lumiere Utah, lumiereutah.com
Lighting and Projection: Peak Sound, peaksoundut.com
HMUA: Elyssa Anderson, elyssaanderson.glossgenius.com
Models: Kait Nielsen, instagram.com/kjuice7; Morgan McOlash
Rentals: CLM Event Rentals, clmeventrentals.com; Karla Edlinger Events, karlaedlingerevents.com
Paper: Ruby Jane Events, rubyjaneevents.com
Find more inspiration from our 2026 issue here.
