Regal Castle Wedding in Edinburgh, Scotland

You don’t have to travel to Europe in order to have the regal, elegant wedding of your dreams. With a whimsical fairy tale essence and a nod to ‘Pride & Prejudice,’ this castle inspired shoot by Brittny Hart will have you feeling like royalty, but stay tuned for Hart’s Utah-local recommendations.

Featuring 3D floral textured gowns by Aimee Bridal, creamy blush blooms by Elaine Minto and an intricate hand-painted invitation suite by Patrice Papier with the sleek background of Hopetoun House in Edinburgh, Scotland, wedding planning brides are invited to take inspiration from this elevated, dreamy and crisp visual approach to a castle wedding.

Calling back on the imagery evoked through Cinderella’s dash down the castle steps, the bride wears two flowy gowns with floral appliques. Meanwhile the groom’s sharp obsidian tuxedo by Slater Menswear provided a masculine, grounded feel to the images. This feature is a perfect fit for couples dreaming of a nod to tasteful, fairytale inspiration for their wedding day.

Careful to highlight the bride’s face without distracting from it, Brittny chose blush roses for the bouquet, adding a touch of babys’ breath in order to compliment the gowns’ floral designs. The combination of floral motifs creates an ethereal and eternal look.

Using soft buttery pinks for the paper suite, overlayed with graceful calligraphy and stately monograms, Brittny was able to capture the princess feel without crossing the line into ‘cheesy.’

In order to create this castle-esque look in Utah, Brittny recommends going to Wadley Farms or Castle Park Weddings, both of which boast grand architecture and majestic views.

Brittny states that her goal as a photographer is to document the event in a way that’s dynamic but also preserves the ‘true’ feeling of the day. She says, “I don’t want the bride or groom to look back and think, ‘oh that’s not as sparkly as I remember.’” Her personal style is ‘true to color and bold and vibrant.’ Whether it’s the texture of the flowers, or touches on the paper suite, Brittny is always thinking about details. If you’re a soon to be bride wanting to feel like a princess on your big day, then Brittney Hart is the photographer for you.

Love Brittny Photography Scotland Wedding from Love Brittny Photo and Video on Vimeo.

Vendors:

Planner – Coleen McKay
@coleeen_mckay
coleen@coleenmckay.com

Photography – Love Brittny Photography- Utah
@lovebrittnyphoto.video
info@lovebrittny.com

Venue – Hopetoun House, Edinburgh
@hopetounhouse
Donald Jackson, Donald.jackson@hopetoun.co.uk

Styling – Mademoiselles Beauty
@mademoiselles_salon_
mademoiselles@hotmail.co.uk

Models
Gail McKinley
@Gailmckinlay1
Christos Koumaradios
@your_lifecoach_chris

Invitation Suite – Patrice Papier
@patricepapier
Patrice Papier, patricepapierco@gmail.com

Ring – Forge Jewelry Works -Utah
@forgejewelryworks
FORGE Jewelry Works, forgejewelryworks@gmail.com

Floral – Elaine Minto Blooms
elaine@blooms.co.uk

Dress – Aimee Bridal, https://www.aimeebridal.co.uk/

Tux: Slater Menswear, https://www.slaters.co.uk/

Real Wedding: Alia & Ryan’s Autumn Nuptials at Twenty & Creek

Photo by Mikki Platt

Twenty & Creek
November 22nd
Planning & Floral Design by La Fête Floral
Photographs by Mikki Platt

The Couple

High school sweethearts Alia and Ryan met through mutual friends and are now sharing the college experience at Utah Valley University, where Alia is majoring in digital marketing and Ryan is majoring in business marketing.

While the couple had been planning their wedding for a few months leading up to the proposal, Ryan was determined to make the moment a surprise for Alia—and he almost succeeded. He decided he was going to propose on her birthday in September. To throw her off his trail, he told Alia that the ring wasn’t going to arrive until the end of the month. When her birthday came, Ryan had some of Alia’s friends take her out to dinner and shopping in Salt Lake City. But after dinner, she noticed her friend driving towards the Capitol instead, and “instantly knew what was happening.”

Upon arrival, Alia saw Ryan standing beneath the trees. When she approached her soon-to-be-fiancé, Ryan got down on one knee and proposed against the golden sunset. After some happy tears and an enthusiastic “yes!” both of their families, who had been waiting in the distance, cheered for the newly-engaged couple.

The Wedding

Following a sealing ceremony at the Draper LDS Temple, the party moved to Twenty & Creek in Sandy, where Alia had fallen in love with the sleek aesthetic and open layout. The bride wore a ruched satin gown with shoulder sleeves and a sheer veil, while Ryan wore a black suit with a boutonniere composed of blush florals that matched Alia’s bouquet. Both of them displayed their coordinating gold rings—his an elegant band and hers an oval diamond in a basket setting.

Surrounding a custom monogrammed dance floor, lush florals in understated white, brown and orange hues brought an autumnal vibe indoors by capturing the spirit of the season without overpowering the subtle details woven throughout the rest of the design.

The Party

After a dinner of herb-roasted airline chicken breast with garlic and sage butter gravy, creamy mashed potatoes and roasted haricots verts, Alia and Ryan had their first dance to “Biblical” by Calum Scott—a song which holds a special place in both of their hearts. The first number was followed by a mother and son dance to “Half the Man” by Jennifer Hart and a father and daughter dance to “Home Again” by UNSECRET.

During the reception, guests were served warm apple cider alongside crème brûlée cake. To end the night, the couple was sent off by sparklers while “A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay played in the background.

The Honeymoon

Following their wedding, Alia and Ryan flew to Cancún, Mexico to celebrate their union.

Utah Wedding Vendors

Planning and Floral Design: Allison Baddley at La Fête Floral, lafetefloral.com
Photographer: Mikki Platt, mikkiplatt.com
Videography: Emily Rain, emilyrainyamada.com
Venue: Twenty & Creek, twentyandcreek.com
Catering: Culinary Crafts, culinarycrafts.com
Rentals: All Out Event Rentals, eventrentalutah.com
Gown: Frankie Jane Couture Bridal, frankiejane.com
Suits: H&M, hm.com
Bridesmaids’ Gowns: Billy J, billyj.us
Hair and Makeup: Marisa Rose, instagram.com/marisarosemph
Music: DJ PBaby, djpbaby.com
Floor Wrap: Utah Floor Wraps, utahfloorwraps.com
Paper and Signage: La Madeleine Studio, lamadeleinestudio.com

After Party Wedding Photography

Photo by Christie Q Photography

“This celebration inspired a flat lay that integrated the day’s aesthetic with the evening’s energy. Just as each couple is intentional with the details of their day, I’m intentional in how I capture them, creating images that allow them to re-experience how the night felt as it unfolded. That’s why after-party images have become a personal favorite of mine.” – Photographer Christie Q on the art of the after party flatlay.

Photo by Christie Q Photography

Utah Wedding Vendors

Planning & design: Hoopes Events, hoopesevents.com
Photography: Christie Q Photography, christieqphotography.com
Floral: Floral Rhapsody, floralrhapsody.com
Catering: Magleby’s, maglebys.com
Rentals: Diamond Event & Tent, diamondevent.com

Old-School Menswear Gets a Fresh Look at UWM

An heirloom color story meets a modern cut in DominicCicerone’s wedding look. Photo by Eleutheria Photography.

Today’s grooms are taking advice and influence from heirloom style and embracing bolder palettes for one-of-a-kind nuptial ensembles.

One UWM groom, Dominic Cicerone, drew direct inspiration from his grandfather’s wedding suit. “There is something timeless and really nostalgic about it,” says Cicerone. His full wedding day look included a cream jacket, black tuxedo pants and black bow tie, all modernized for the present day.

“The term ‘old-school’ sometimes puts a wall up, because grooms don’t want to look dated,” says Cody Hoppes, sales specialist at UWM Men’s Shop, where custom suits are a specialty. “That’s not what we are doing. We are taking the traditional styles and hues your grandfather would have worn, and giving them modern tailoring for a fresh and timeless piece.”


Jayce, another UWM groom, selected a rich green sport coat to stand out against the Southern Utah landscape which served as backdrop for formal photos. Photo by Zandra Barriga Photography

Cicerone’s grandfather in his wedding suit from 1950. Photo courtesy of Dominic Cicerone

For Dominic’s look, the jacket was modernized with updated lapel tailoring, as well as changes to buttons for a sleek, on-trend profile.

According to the UWM pros, grooms are also embracing color: burgundy, green, browns and blues, reminiscent of classic-cut brands such as Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers. Visit UWM store for fabric details.

“Across the board, we are seeing far more saturated tones for bolder suits,” says Hoppes.

UTAH WOOLEN MILLS

6100 S. State St., Murray
uwmmensshop.com

Find more fashion tips for stylish grooms here!

Real Weddings: Annie & Wyatt’s Summer Celebration at River Bottoms Ranch

Photo by Whitney Hunt Photography

River Bottoms Ranch
June 7th
Planning & Design by Kate Elizabeth Events
Photographs by Whitney Hunt Photography

The Couple

Annie and Wyatt met growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and reconnected during Annie’s junior year of college while she was on a trip to Colorado, Wyatt’s new home. When Annie later moved to Denver permanently, a mutual friend set them up and the couple went on their first date the same day that Annie signed her new lease.

The couple eventually moved back to Utah, where on Valentine’s Day 2024, Wyatt planned a romantic date night at Butcher’s Chop House on Main Street in Park City. After dinner, Wyatt walked Annie through the snowy night and down to the bridge at the bottom of Main Street, where he got down on one knee and proposed with what Annie says is the most gorgeous ring she has ever seen.

Annie then turned around to see their friends capturing the moment. To celebrate the happy couple, the group went to Collie’s Sports Bar for a drink, where Wyatt told Annie about the last surprise he had planned: the next day, the couple would be flying home to Little Rock, Arkansas, to rejoice with family in their hometown.

The Wedding

Annie and Wyatt knew they wanted a venue that captured the natural beauty of Utah and were swept away by the sensational views at River Bottoms Ranch.

Driven by the beauty of the season, the day’s palette embraced an airy composition to complement the ceremony’s outdoor setting. An arched arrangement of brightly colored florals in blue, pink and purple hues created a light, summery feel while an assortment of vases at the aisle entrance elevated the design with a touch of stately elegance. The chic design was the perfect accompaniment to Annie’s showstopping walk down the aisle in a strapless fitand-flare dress with delicate beading along the bodice.

Photo by Whitney Hunt Photography

Inside the venue, exquisite florals continued to set the stage. Tulips, calla lilies, peonies and hydrangeas adorned the tables, and floral-printed plates added an element of whimsy to the place settings. To keep the design sophisticated, votive candles were weaved into the table decor.

The Party

Upon arrival at the venue, guests were treated to champagne with edible flowers to enjoy during the ceremony. During cocktail hour, four signature drinks were served, including a rosemary paloma, a smoked pineapple jalapeño margarita, a cucumber crush and a blackberry smash.

After a dinner of either beef tenderloin with citrus gremolata, local Rocky Mountain Trout with tomato jam, or a sage butter mushroom ravioli, the newlyweds took to the dance floor beneath tulip-adorned chandeliers while the Metro Music Club played “Everything” by Michael Bublé.

To end the night, the couple was sent off by sparklers before rejoining their friends and family for an after party at The Spur Bar & Grill.

Utah Wedding Vendors

Planning and Design: Kate Elizabeth Event, kateelizabethevents.com
Photographer: Whitney Hunt Photography, whitneyhuntphotography.com
Videographer: Kaye Shaye Film, kayeshayefilms.com
Venue: River Bottoms Ranch, riverbottomsranch.com
Florist: Janie’s Flowers, janiesflowers.com
Catering: Culinary Crafts, culinarycrafts.com
Bar Service: Top Shelf Utah, topshelfutah.com
Rentals: Diamond Event and Tent, diamondevent.com
Gown: The Wedding Atelier Private Label, weddingatelier.com
Hair and Makeup: Marisa Rose, marisarosemph.com
Cake: Aspen Cake Design, aspencakedesign.com
Music: Metro Music Club, metromusicclub.com; Oquirrh String Quartet, oquartet.com
Linens: BBJ La Tavola, bbjlatavola.com
Dance Floor: Utah Floor Wraps, utahfloorwraps.com

A Cowboy Chic Rehearsal Dinner at High West

For their rehearsal dinner at High West Saloon on Park City’s Historic Main Street, Amelia and Enzo opted for a cowboy-chic all denim dress code, and their guests complied with great enthusiasm. Photo by Alixann Loosle Photography

Planning & Design by Canvas Weddings & Events
Photography by Allixann Loosle Photography

Dress Code

In order to fully immerse your guests in your wedding weekend, it’s important to engage them right off the bat. And what better way to set the tone than inviting your friends and family to go all in on your theme?

For their rehearsal dinner at High West Saloon on Park City’s Historic Main Street, Amelia and Enzo opted for a cowboy-chic all denim dress code, and their guests complied with great enthusiasm. In keeping with the Western vibes, Amelia arrived on scene in top-to-bottom fringe, kicking off her weekend role as the bride in high style.

Decor

Although this bride was certainly inspired by the landscapes and vignettes of the Wild West, she didn’t consider her celebration a “themed wedding.” To avoid any comparison to the kitsch, wedding planner Rachel Petersen of Canvas Weddings and Events worked with the couple to infuse modern beauty into the design.

The welcome dinner featured bright, funky arrangements to offset the moody atmosphere of the Saloon, while on the wedding day itself, soft neutral blooms lent a delicate touch to stark dried florals at Blue Sky Lodge. Each combination was carefully curated for the ideal blend of thematic authenticity and undeniable elegance.

Experiences

Particularly when it comes to destination weddings, crafting quintessential experiences is another surefire way to invite your guests to step into your wedding vision. Amelia and Enzo curated a High West whiskey tasting for their friends and family, as well as specialty cocktails to get the full sampling of the High West portfolio and its odes to Western tradition.

Personalization

Amid the cheerful blush florals at the welcome party, details infused with Amelia and Enzo’s personalities peek cleverly from the table designs. Numbered signs and menus handdrawn by a friend of the bride depict all the fun-filled elements to hint at the wedding mood to come: cowboy boots, dainty florals, funky fonts. And at every setting, fish-shaped place cards welcome guests to their seats with a nod to Enzo’s love of the outdoors. According to Petersen and other pros, personal details such as these are key in crafting an event design that is as authentic as it is memorable. “Amelia wanted the wedding to feel natural, fun and upbeat,” says Petersen.”All of these infused details brought that vision, as well as she and Enzo’s fun personalities, to life.” canvasweddingsandevents.com SEE MORE OF THIS WESTERN-THEMED WEDDING: utahbrideandgroom.com/real-weddingamelia- enzo-at-blue-sky/

Utah Wedding Venors

Welcome Party Venue: High West Distillery, highwest.com
Wedding Venue: The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts, blueskyauberge.com
Planning and Design: Canvas Weddings & Events, canvasweddingsandevents.com
Hair: I Phill Pretty, iphillpretty.com
Makeup: Makeup by Cherisa, makeupbycherisa.com
Photography: Alixann Loosle Photography, alixannlooslephotography.com
Second Shooter: Evelyn Eslava Photography, instagram.com/evelyneslavaphotography
Videography: Shey Allen Films, sheyallenfilms.com
Band: Metro Music Club, metromusicclub.com
Ceremony & Cocktail Music: Nate Robinson Music, naterobinsonmusic.com
After Party DJ: DJ Matty Mo, djmattymo.com
Floral: Brya Designs, bryadesigns.com
Rentals: All Out Event Rental, allouteventrental.com
Rentals: BBJ La Tavola, bbjlatavola.com
Rentals: Indigo Utah, indigoutah.com
Stationery: The Print Mark, theprintmark.com

Ready to get your wild west on? Find more dreamy western wedding inspiration here!

Real Wedding: Sydney & Brandon’s Whimsical Celebration

Photo by Sarah Baltz of Sparkle Photography

Park Meadows Country Club
September 4th
Planning & Design by Fuse Weddings and Events
Photographs by Sarah Baltz of Sparkle Photography


The Couple

Sometimes, sparks fly in the most unusual of locations. For this couple, that surprising meet-cute happened in a dormitory elevator at SMU in Dallas, Texas. Now, years later, Sydney (a PA student) and Brandon (a real estate agent and financial manager) have taken the next step toward forever with their whimsical forest-themed wedding celebration.

But first, the proposal. On one of the couple’s many trips to Utah, Brandon planned a special surprise for the final hike of the outing. The pair took the lift to Silver Lake and enjoyed pastries among the scenery while reminiscing on their trip. Once pastries were eaten and the trip sufficiently recalled, Brandon got to one knee to make one last magical memory—Sydney said yes, all captured in secret by their soon-to-be wedding photographer, Sarah Baltz of Sparkle Photography.

The Wedding

With Utah a new destination for the majority of their friends and loved ones, the couple set out to craft the ultimate mountain experience for their guests. And with a pickleball welcome party followed by a Western-themed rehearsal dinner at Park City’s The Spur Bar & Grill—complete with local favorite artists Chanson and Creed—all fit the bill.

For the main affair, Sydney and Brandon embraced faith and a love of hospitality shared by those with roots in the South. Following a ceremony at St. Mary’s Church (where the pair’s Texas priest flew in to officiate), guests flocked to Park Meadows Country Club for a wholly unexpected, fairy-forest themed reception.

Upon arrival, guests entered through a greenery-lined hallway, outfitted with bells to request champagne served by floating, white-gloved hands through the garden walls. Then, drinks in hand, they strolled into the main dining room to find a dazzling floral forest—built from the ground up by Artisan Bloom. A moody foundation of rich forest green was the only color the bride was set on. The rest, a rainbow of whimsical florals and butterfly accents, stood out brilliantly against the dark backdrop. “Butterflies have long been something that connected me to my grandparents,” shares Sydney. “Many of the hanging butterflies were tags from gifts my grandma had given me over the years, and a tribute to my grandfather who passed in 2019.”

Sydney greeted her loved ones in a colorfully embroidered Anne Barge ballgown, next to Brandon in a classic black outfit from State & Liberty, a brand custom-cut for athletic builds.

The Party

On the menu, guests enjoyed red pepper soup and Greek salad, followed by entrees of filet, sea bass, chicken or cauliflower steaks. Alongside dinner, each table was presented with a raw bar and char-grilled oysters (in honor of Sydney’s New Orleans roots), as well as bird cages filled with sweet pastry selections and a traditional New Orleans-style wedding cake.

True to this couple’s style, the celebration was filled with one-of-a-kind experiences: from a live sketch artist to ski-signatures in place of a traditional guestbook. After changing into a flowing second look by Eva Landel, Sydney and her new husband danced the night away to a live band and southern horn line.

The Honeymoon

After Sydney’s clinical rotations for her degree, the couple will start 2026 with a honeymoon trip to Japan and Thailand.

Utah Wedding Vendors

Planning & Design: Fuse Weddings and Events, fuseweddingsandevents.com
Photography: Sparkle Photography, sparklephoto.com
Videography: Jared Wortley Films, jaredwortleyfilms.com
Rehearsal Dinner Catering: Culinary Crafts, culinarycrafts.com
Welcome Party Venue: The Spur Bar & Grill, thespurbarandgrill.com
Welcome Party Talent: Morgan Call Duo, utahlivebands.com
Reception Venue & Catering: Park Meadows Country Club, parkmeadowscc.com
Floral: Artisan Bloom, artisanbloom.com
Reception Band: Rhinestone Rodeo, rhinestonerodeoband.com
Paper Goods: Twelve30 Creative, twelve30.com
Invitation Suite: Rebekah Nicole Ink, rebekahnicoleink.com
Linens and Chargers: BBJ La Tavola, bbjlatavola.com
Rentals: All Out Event Rental, eventrentalutah.com; Diamond Event & Tent, diamondevent.com; Summit Event Rentals, cpartyrentals.com/summitpartyrentalsut
Entry Draping: All Out Event Rental, eventrentalutah.com
Champagne Wall: Skylark Productions, skylarkprod.com
Live Event Painter: Painted by Kelsey Jane, paintedbykelseyjane.com
HMUA: Jill Marie Makeup, instagram.com/jillmariemakeup; Marisa Rose, marisarosemph.com
Gown: Anne Barge, annebarge.com
Suit: State & Liberty, stateandliberty.com
Reception Dress: Eva Landel, evalandel.com
Bridesmaids’ Gowns: Dessy Group, dessy.com

Silver Linings at Deer Valley’s Grand Hyatt

Phot by Breanna White

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

Grand Hyatt

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

Grand Hyatt
Grand Hyatt
Grand Hyatt

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

Grand Hyatt
Grand Hyatt

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.

Creative Solutions for Wedding Flower Preservation

Haley Cunningham of Everbloom Preservation turns bouquets, boutonnieres and accessories into brilliant, one-of-akind keepsakes.Photo courtesy of Everbloom Preservation

Flowers are often one of the biggest expenses in weddings, and more and more brides are leaning toward extravagant arrangements with rare and exotic blooms. To extend their beauty long after your wedding day, Haley Cunningham of Everbloom Preservation can turn bouquets, boutonnieres and accessories into brilliant, one-of-akind keepsakes.

Cunningham uses high-quality resin to preserve the natural hue and form of each petal, and transform them into functional decor like bookends, coasters, ring holders, serving trays and even side tables. The personalization doesn’t end there, she works with each newlywed to incorporate wedding-day details and personality. “These pieces are really customizable,” she says. “You can include ribbons, invitations, polaroids and even jewelry.”

There’s no limit on personal touches, and some of her favorite designs have included cufflinks from the groom, framed photos of lost loved ones and even the collar of a four-legged ringbearer. Each of Cunningham’s pieces become a living time capsule of your special day, preserving not only the flowers, but the feeling of “I do.”

Local Floral Preservations:

Everbloom Preservation
everbloompreservation.com

Forever Floral Designs
foreverfloral.lovable.app

Pressed and Bloomy
pressedandbloomy.com

The Fleur Press
thefleurpress.com

Flowers of the Press
flowersofthepress.com

Celebration Makers 2026: Sheer Ambrosia Bakery

Sheer Ambrosia Bakery is about more than dessert; it’s about connection.

Photos Courtesy of Sheer Ambrosia Bakery

For Rita Magalde, owner and operator at Sheer Ambrosia, baking has always been more than a recipe. It began in her mother’s kitchen, where dough met the season’s harvest, and became a lifelong devotion to creating something both timeless and new.
Her baklava unfolds in 45 golden layers brushed with care and tasting of memory. In Rita’s eyes, baklava is more than dessert; it’s a connection.

She’s refined her recipe over the years, layering delicate sheets of thin dough, using a little less sugar and creating a pastry that’s crisp, fragrant and beautifully light, yet still moist.

Photo Courtesy of Sheer Ambrosia Bakery

Her mother’s influence runs deep. A Southern baker who used what was in season—blackberries in summer, pecans in fall—she taught Rita to bake with intuition and care. That legacy inspired a Greek-Southern fusion that is now Sheer Ambrosia’s signature, from classic honey walnut baklava to inventive variations featuring fruit and other varieties of nuts.

When working with couples, Rita treats tastings as both a collaboration and celebration. “Taste brings back memories,” she explains, “and each dessert tells a story.” Many couples choose her old-world style baklava as a way to thank guests for celebrating with them.

Photo Courtesy of Sheer Ambrosia Bakery

And because the baklava often disappears before the couple gets a bite, she now crafts a small nuptial cake just for them, a sweet thoughtful touch that reflects her philosophy: desserts should be personal, delicious and unforgettable.

At the heart of Sheer Ambrosia is Rita’s belief that every dessert should feel like a celebration, a memory and a gift all at once.

Top Tips

WHAT’S AHEAD: The future of Sheer Ambrosia is as golden and promising as the layers of its signature baklava. I’m exploring new ways to connect people through dessert with a focus on expanded online offerings, curated gift collections and custom creations for weddings and special events.

EXCITED ABOUT: I’ve always been a romantic at heart—I truly love, love. Being part of someone’s wedding day feels like such an honor, and I pour my heart into making it as special as possible. Many of my clients naturally become friends along the way, but whether we stay in touch or not, I always go above and beyond to make their celebration something they’ll never forget.

FRESH IDEAS: We want to help our couples create an event that is uniquely them. We have endless ideas on how to capture your vision to make your event extraordinary.

Photos Courtesy of Sheer Ambrosia Bakery

Rita Magalde
Owner & Operator

Sheer Ambrosia Bakery

1749 S. State Street, SLC | 801-891-6242
sheerambrosiabakery.com | IG @sheerambrosia

Gallery Stroll: Wedding Inspiration Worthy of a Painter’s Brush

Taking a page from the Stein’s book of bold palettes, abundant color is a driving force in making this design sing. Photo by Pepper Nix

Planning & Design by Soiree Productions
Photographs by Pepper Nix

The Venue

If elegance and European charm are on your vision board, look no further than Deer Valley’s iconic Stein Eriksen Lodge. Inspired by its namesake Olympian and his Norwegian heritage, the venue’s rich blue and burgundy palette, hand-carved artisan fireplaces and exquisite art collection serve as warm and sultry backdrops for a cozy mountain wedding.

The Decor

Taking a page from the Stein’s book of bold palettes, abundant color is a driving force in making this design sing. Case in point: beyond the typical gossamer white fabric floating overhead, this design employs a mix of rich chocolate and powdery bluegrey draping to give weight and a sense of place to every element of the reception.

Upon entry into the ballroom, dark, towering drapes frame a luxe scene: a plush vintage chair warming at the foot of an intricately carved mantel and a peek of a wintery landscape painting. On either side of the drapes, traditional Victorian garden vases overflow with towering florals in deep, saturated magenta, gold and pink, completing the ultimate receiving line photo opportunity. (Also the perfect dramatic backdrop for a bridal portrait to hang in a newlywed nest.)

Rather than setting guests up in a sprawling ballroom space, planner Kristin Spear of Soiree Productions also enlisted Wasatch AV to drape an intimate dining experience. Rich color continues from the freestanding arrangements, appearing in candlesticks, linens and fruit strewn across the tablescape as well as woven into individual bouquets, evoking the quiet grace of a still life painting. Finally, enclosed in a cocoon of textural white drapes, a full-color cake by Stein’s expert pastry team echoes the blue tones of the dinner setup.

The Look

The Charlotte gown by Floure Studio, available at Frankie Jane Couture Bridal in Orem, features an intriguing asymmetrical neckline and a regal basque-waist bodice. A Victorian-era darling that is gaining steam with modern brides, the basque waist is coveted for its ability to add shape and edge to a full-skirtedz ensemble. And speaking of skirts—this design sports a dramatic two-meter train of billowing silk satin, capturing light from all angles.

Utah Wedding Vendors

Photography: Pepper Nix, peppernix.com
Planning & Design: Soiree Productions, soireeproductions.com
Floral: Decoration, Inc., decorationinc.com
Venue: Stein Eriksen Deer Valley, steinlodge.com
Gown, Veil, Select Accessories: Frankie Jane Couture Bridal, frankiejane.com
Bridal Jewelry: J. Brooks Jewelers, jbrooksjewelers.com
Model: Martine Perez, via TMG, talentmg.com
HMUA: Kali Chris Hair and Makeup, kalichris.com
Draping: Wasatch AV, wasatchav.com
Rentals: Diamond Event & Tent, diamondevent.com
BTS Video: Jared Wortley Films, jaredwortleyfilms.com

Looking for something a bit more ‘pretty in pink?’ find more color-drenched inspiration in our 2026 issue!

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