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/

Design Your Floral Ceremony Backdrop

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

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 wedding ceremony backdrop base, 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 wedding ceremony backdrop will last every minute of the big day. dancingdaisiesfloral.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: www.utahbrideandgroom.com/category/inspiration/decor/

Photographs by Branson Maxwell / Jessie and Dallin Photography

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

Old Hollywood Glamour, Reimagined

Inspired by old Hollywood glamour, this styled shoot brings a fresh take on a timeless era

From luxurious fabrics and sleek silhouettes to extravagant details, such as intricate beading and bold makeup, it’s no surprise that the opulence of old Hollywood glamour continues to captivate brides and wedding designers alike.

With its exposed red brick walls, Crescent Hall—housed in the Historic Crescent Elementary Building in Sandy—creates a charming backdrop for this vignette, adding a touch of boldness to the soft allure of the rest of the design and playing beautifully with the brightness of the red florals.

The bridal gown evokes timeless glam with sheer sleeves adorned with pearl-like beads, while the groom’s crisp, black tuxedo emphasizes sophistication.

Cream-colored draping and votive candles create a classical, romantic ambiance while antique hydrangea and diflexus foliage along the halls and a chandelier draped with hanging red amaranthus and more diflexus foliage add a touch of liveliness.

The floral arrangements feature hanging red amaranthus, Moab roses, raspberry scoop scabiosa, ranunculus, chocolate lace, peach anthurium, hearts roses, Bernard carnation and mauve lisianthus.

Utah Wedding Vendors:

Concept & Design: Bloomique Flower Studio, @bloomique

Photographer: Oak Photography, @oakphoto.g

Venue: Crescent Hall, @crescenthall.venue

Dress: Sweetheart Bridal and Prom, @sweetheartbridal

Suit: DC Tuxedos, @dctuxedos

Cake: cake. by Alessandra, @cake.ut

Model Couple: @thetophams

Hair + Makeup: Janelle Ingram, @janelleingram

Lighting & Draping: Moonlight Lighting, @moonlightlighting

Rentals: Indigo Event Rentals, @indigo.utah

Candles: Candles Utah, @candlesutah

Real Wedding: Claire & Sam’s Colorful Celebration at River Bottoms Ranch

Claire & Sam
River Bottoms Ranch, Midway
September 17
Planning & Design by Michelle Leo Events
Photographs by Pepper Nix

THE COUPLE

Claire and Sam grew up mere miles from each other in Chicago but didn’t meet until much later in life when Bumble came calling. The pair adventured together for a little over three years before Sam decided to take things to the next level. While exploring in Washington, he got down on one knee at the picturesque Lake Serene, where the sound of epically crashing snow melt applauded Claire’s exuberant ‘yes.’  

THE WEDDING

Informed by their love of mountain views, Claire and Sam tied the knot at River Bottoms Ranch, just minutes from Claire’s parent’s home in Deer Crest. Working with Michelle Leo Events, the couple crafted a one-of-a-kind event design they dubbed “mountain chic.” Claire’s favorite green hues made appearances in bridesmaid’s gowns, table linens, paper suites and more, acting as a landscape-inspired foundation for floral arrangements popping with blue and orange blooms.

Florals lined both aisle and altar, welcoming Claire’s wedding day debut in a mermaid-cut, glitter-encrusted Pronovias gown, while Sam dressed in a navy blue Armani suit. Sam’s sister officiated an emotional ceremony, accented with readings by close friends and Jewish traditions in honor of Sam’s heritage.

In the venue’s stunning indoor-outdoor reception space, each guest was greeted with a whimsical charger and elegant orange orchid marking their seat. A raw bar and passed hors d’oeuvres kicked off the party, as the bar served custom cocktails: Sam’s “River Bottoms-Up” Negroni and the “Un Campari-ble Claire.” 

THE PARTY

Following dinner (complete with a classic Utah-inspired menu) came an evening packed with music by Groove Merchants. Sam and Claire showed off their dance lesson skills to “I Found You” by Alabama Shakes, and no Jewish-heritage wedding is complete without a resounding Hora. “With the blur of people and everyone smiling in celebration of our wedding, that Hora was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done,” Sam says.  

THE HONEYMOON

A few days after their mountain nuptials, Sam and Claire set off on yet another adventure to a scuba getaway in Fiji, followed by a ryokan retreat in Japan. 

UTAH WEDDING VENDORS

Planning and Design: Michelle Leo Events, michelleleoevents.com

Photography: Pepper Nix, peppernix.com

Venue: River Bottoms Ranch, riverbottomsranch.com

Florist: Artisan Bloom, artisanbloom.com

Catering: Culinary Crafts, culinarycrafts.com

Bar Service: Top Shelf Utah, topshelfutah.com

Rentals: Diamond Event & Tent, diamondevent.com

Lounge Furniture: Apex Furniture Rentals, apexluxuryfurniturerental.com

Lighting: Moonlight Utah, moonlightutah.com

Gown: Pronovias via Idina Bride Seattle, idinabride.com

Suit: Armani via Nordstrom, nordstrom.com

Bridesmaid’s Gowns: Jenny Yoo, jennyyoo.com

Groomsmen Suits: The Black Tux, theblacktux.com

Hair: Kali Chris, kalichris.com

Makeup: Kristen Packard Artistry, kristenpackard.com

Cake: cake. by Alessandra, cakeut.com

Ceremony/Cocktail Music:String Love Quartet, stringlove.com

Reception Band: Groove Merchants, groovemerchantsutah.com

Transportation: Snow Country Limousine, snowcountrylimo.com

Real Wedding: A Midsummer Dream in the Heart of Utah County

Brenna and Connor on wedding day. Photo courtesy of Jackie Siggard Photo

This classical Utah County wedding celebrated family, friends and loved ones with an intimate reception featuring a Utah staple

The Couple

Brenna and Connor met in March 2024 by the fate of a Hinge swipe. Although, it almost didn’t work out due to a ghosting of two weeks. But, the app had other plans and brought the two together once again. They began dating after Brenna’s nursing contract in the Bay Area, and came to find they both prioritized family, which is something they bonded over from an early stage. 

Surrounded by family members and friends, and much fuss of keeping secrets and popping hints about an upcoming proposal, the two were engaged a year later in March 2025 and married three months later on July 19.

The Wedding

The couple’s wedding was held at the Northampton House in Utah County. With the slogan “built for love,” this was the perfect place for Brenna and Connor to celebrate their love for each other. Between the stained glass windows and a long history of love, this hidden gem provided a day full of wedding essentials.

With the accompaniment from Connor’s best friend on piano, Brenna walked down the aisle with her mother at her side. The dress was from Blushing Bride Boutique and jewelry was simple, but tied to memories from Brenna and Connor’s first meetings.

Following the ceremony, the reception was everything the couple could have dreamed of with the sunlight through the stained glass and vibrant flowers, it only added to the bright future they saw for themselves. Even if it was 100 degrees out. 

The Party

Within the walls of the Northampton House, Brenna and Connor danced the night away with a surprise mother, daughter dance between Brenna and her mother. The couple’s first dance was accompanied by Sonya Spence’s “Let Love Flow On,” the perfect funky tune to begin their marriage with one another. This was also one of the first songs they listened to together, becoming their signature song throughout courtship. 

The reception almost relished in a spread of Chili’s triple dippers, but the night was instead met by the catering expertise of Crisp Catering bringing tacos and of course a Utah signature: a soda bar for all guests to enjoy. The two then cut into the lemon-flavored cake, provided by Granite Bakery and sent the night off joined by close friends, neighbors and extended family members.

Utah Wedding Vendors

Planning and Design: Kenna Creates Celebrations 

Photography: Jackie Siggard Photography 

Venue: Northampton House

Catering: Crisp Catering 

Gown: The Blushing Bride Boutique 

Alterations: Regina’s Alterations

Suit: Tuxedo Junction

Bridesmaid’s Gowns: Birdy Grey

Groomsmen’s Suits: Tuxedo Junction

Cake: Granite Bakery

Go Wild With Western Themed Menswear

Wild West, that is! For a Utah wedding, embracing the cowboy spirit is a must-have experience for a groom and his men. Luckily, local leather craftsmen saddle up to help.

1. Ettura Rivet Calf Belt, $395; and 2. Ettura Patchwork Alligator Belt, $950, UWM Men’s Shop, uwmmensshop.com  

  3. Custom Wool Hat, from $159, Fallen Sky Stone, fallenskystone.com  

Want to invite even more western style to your wedding day? Hire Fallen Sky Stone’s team to craft custom hats on-site for each guest with a luxury hat bar. (Pictured at top of page).

4. Ghostwood Bourbon Bag, $3,700, Hellhound Leather Co., hellhoundleatherco.com


Meticulously created by Utahn-native and master craftsman Gavin Ambrose, this celebration-ready bourbon bag features a beautiful rustic leather exterior and is entirely lined in a luxurious and durable English Bridle leather. Each bespoke bag is customized to your groom’s favorite bottle, and includes a custom valet tray for serving in style. 

5. Custom Wrapped Leather Flasks, $30, Hellhound Leather Co., hellhoundleatherco.com

6. Rattlesnake Jasper Bolo Tie, $395, Hell’s Canyon Bolo Co., hellscanyonboloco.com

7. JB Stetson Square Toe Dress Boots, $770, Bolt Ranch Store, boltranchstore.com

Get more menswear inspiration here.

Real Wedding: Lucy & Mitch’s French Countryside Wedding Design

Lucy & Mitch 
Private Residence, Draper 
June 8 
Planning & Design by La FÊte Floral & Events
Photographs by Mikki Platt

THE COUPLE

Lucy and Mitch met each other on a group date. The only problem—they were on different dates. Cut to 2023 and the stars finally aligned when Mitch asked Lucy out for the first time. Six love-filled months later, the couple was visiting New York when, on a walk through Central Park, Mitch surprised Lucy and popped the big question. She responded with an emphatic “yes!”

THE WEDDING

Mitch and Lucy were sealed in the Draper Temple. After the sealing, the wedding goers headed back to Lucy’s parent’s home for a grand backyard reception. The estate transformed into a  French countryside cottage and was infused with pops of powder blue against white linen, accentedwith lush greenery. 

Making her second wedding debut of the day, Lucy entered the reception in a demure Anne Barge ball gown adorned with silk floral brocade. The bride adored the gown so much that flowery motifs mimicking her gown made appearances in the stationary and signage as well. The bridal look was completed with classic white trimmed veil from Frankie Jane Couture Bridal, peep-toe kitten heels and simple pearl stud earrings. 

THE PARTY

Live floral garlands and decorative calligraphy lent an air of resplendency to the design, while a sweeping banquet table became a feast for the eyes framed with lush green arches and shimmering crystal chandeliers. A live string quartet set a romantic tone reminiscent of a regency-era soirée. Keeping with her passion for the arts, Lucy also hired live illustrators to capture the magic of the evening.The wedding day menu consisted of French favorites— crêpes and pomme frites—served from adorable vendor carts.

Guests also enjoyed a decadent dessert table piled high with macarons, pistachio cream puffs and more. When it came time to slice the cake, Lucy and Mitch cut into a classic two-tiered blue-and-white gateau. The top layer was a rosemary olive oil cake frosted with lemon curd, fresh raspberry and whipped ricotta buttercream. A vanilla bean cake with bourbon syrup, salted caramel and shortbread crumble made up the sugary-sweet bottom layer. After eating their fill of French sweets, the guests took to the dance floor, where tunes by Zak Osmond had them dancing into the evening.

Lucy donned her final look, a silk number by Ciao Lucia, and made her way through a sparkler-lit exit, hand in hand with her new husband. The couple made a smart getaway in a vintage blue Porsche and continued their post-nuptial celebrations during their Cancun honeymoon.  

UTAH WEDDING VENDORS

Planning & Design: La Fête Floral & Events, lafetefloral.com

Venue: Private Residence

Photographer: Mikki Platt Photography,
mikkiplatt.com

Videographer: Sarah Hunter

Florist: La Fête Floral & Events, lafetefloral.com

Catering and Bar Service: Culinary Crafts, culinarycrafts.com

Rehearsal Dinner: Hidden Valley Country Club, hiddenvalley.cc

Stationery Suite and Signage: Sophie Baddley, @s.martinedesign

Wedding Gown:Anne Barge, annebarge.com, via Frankie Jane Couture Bridal, frankiejane.com

Bride’s Shoes: Nina Shoes, ninashoes.com

Groom’s Attire: Nordstrom, nordstrom.com

Rentals:Diamond Event & Tent, diamondevent.com

Hair and Makeup: Marisa Rose, marisarosemph.com

Cake: Lustr Creative, lustrcreative.com

Reception Music: Strings of Elegance, stringsofelegance.com; Zak Osmond, zosmond.com

Live Illustrator: Mallory Clinger,
liveeventillustrator.com

Intimate “I Do’s” at Cape Kiwanda

This styled elopement on the Cape Kiwanda coast proves that an intimate “I do” can rival the beauty and grandeur of a full-scale wedding

Drawing inspiration from the romance of the shoreline, photographer Amanda Shupe envisioned a high-end celebration without the confines of a traditional venue, where luxury lives in the details and the scenery steals the show.

A shoreline bathed in the glow of the sunset created a dreamy canvas for this elegant elopement shoot. To elevate the design, Shupe incorporated large striated vases brimming with florals, evoking the stately ambiance of a grand castle.

The bride’s ruffled, off-the-shoulder gown introduced a touch of whimsy, its delicate layers catching the ocean breeze. At her side, the groom’s crisp white suit, accented with black-trimmed lapels and bowtie, amplified the ethereal atmosphere while adding a subtle note of sophistication, together creating an intimate moment that felt as timeless as it did charming.

Blush-colored roses, fuchsia peonies and peach carnations brought warmth to the design, mixing seamlessly with the cool blue tones of the ocean and serving as the main color palette for the design. 

In the world of photography, flash has become an increasingly popular tool for creating a relaxed, editorial vibe. For this elopement shoot, nighttime flash photography added a touch of Hollywood glamour, elevating the overall atmosphere and lending a cinematic quality to the images.

UTAH WEDDING VENDORS

Planning, Design and Photography: Amanda Shupe, http://amandashupe.com/, @amandashupephotography

Florist: Cloth & Sail Bloom Co., @clothandsail

Rings: Staghead Designs, http://stagheaddesigns.com/, @stagheaddesigns

Suit: DC Tuxedos, dctuxedos.net, @dctuxedos

CALIFORNIA WEDDING VENDOR

Dress: Clair de Lune, http://clairdelunesf.com/, @clairdelune.sf

Big Springs Field: Utah’s Go-to for Adventure Bridals

Photos by Lexie Mikayle Photography

Sarah Davis and Heber Theurer became husband and wife on June 27, 2025, growing their union on a foundation of friendship. Both originally from Utah, Sarah and Heber met at Brigham Young University’s Jerusalem campus in 2023. The students there were shortly evacuated to Greece when the Israel-Hamas war began. Shortly before sealing the deal, the couple met up with photographer Lexie Mikayle to capture their bridal photos against the striking views at Big Springs Field in Provo, Utah.

But First, The Love Story

“I remember looking at him and feeling so comfortable and so loved,” Sarah said, “There was nowhere else I’d rather be, and no other person I’d rather spend time with.” 

Sarah and Heber were initially drawn to each other by a simple thread: their mutual love for adventure, strengthened by the values they see in each other.

During their time together in Greece, Sarah fell in love with his thoughtfulness. She had been tirelessly searching for a specific turquoise necklace to match some earrings and a ring she had, but with no luck. On their last day, Heber surprised her with a custom turquoise necklace—he had secretly been searching the whole time, too. Sarah may not have found the perfect necklace but she did find the perfect man for her. “He is thoughtful and dedicated to the people he loves,” Sarah says, describing her husband. “I just want to be a lot like him.”

Heber deeply appreciates Sarah’s supportive nature. “[Sarah] wants to be your number one fan no matter what it is. I have seen Sarah celebrate the smallest of victories for me…things that I don’t even consider to be worth talking about. She gets excited about them.”

“It didn’t take long to realize that I didn’t want to picture myself without Sarah,” Heber shared, grinning ear to ear.

Being twin flames was all fun and games, until Heber needed to surprise Sarah for their engagement. Heber knew he had to be clever in order to ensure she didn’t catch on, and planned an elaborate trip with friends to Zion National Park—which Sarah thought was spontaneous. 

“We go to Zion and take a hike up to the beginning of the narrows where she was fully prepared to be proposed to, but then she wasn’t,” Heber laughed. “I faked her out and drove away.” 

After this decoy hike, they drove to an iconic lookout accessibly only by tunnel, which is where the proposal really happened.

“She didn’t talk to me that whole walk because she was cold, tired, hungry and sad I hadn’t proposed already,” says Heber. “But right at the end of that quick walk I finally got to surprise her!”

Sarah said “yes” to an elongated cushion ring in gold, accented with pavé-style side stones. Their invisible string was finally pulled tight. Their adventurous souls and caring hearts bound them permanently. 

The Bridals at Big Springs Field

These two fun and loving spirits will now get to continue their adventures for the rest of their lives. Their formal bridal pictures were taken at Big Springs Field in Provo, Utah. Sarah wore an ivory satin basque waist dress with a flowing skirt, and bright pink shoes. Flowing down from an updo peppered with pearls, her turquoise necklace, a simple veil completes her bridal ensemble. Heber wore a blue checked suit with a light pink tie—to match his bride’s footwear— and brown shoes, gifted to him by his grandfather.

UTAH WEDDING VENDORS

Planning and Design: Blue Glass Floral and Events, @blueglass_floral.events.design

Photography: Lexie Mikayle Photography, https://lexiemikaylephoto.com/, @lexiemikaylephotography

Venue: Cedar Hills Golf Club, https://www.cedarhillsgolfutah.com/

Florals: La Fleur, https://lafleurdesignfloral.com/, @lafleursaltlake

Gown: Perfect Dress Bridal, https://www.theperfectdress.com/, @theperfectdressbridal

Suit: Paisley & Gray, https://www.paisleyandgray.com/, @paisleyandgray

Real Wedding: Abigail & Connor’s Sunrise Elopement at Horseshoe Bend

THE COUPLE

Abigail, originally from Pennsylvania, and Connor, born in Ohio, met while working together at Crayola in Florida. After they were both transferred to Texas, a strong friendship bloomed into an even stronger romance. The couple has moved states several times since then, but today they call Florida home where Connor continues his work at Crayola and Abigail works in behavioral therapy.

THE PROPOSAL

After building a life in Arizona, Abigail and Connor were preparing to move back to Florida. With their belongings already shipped and the essentials, including two cats, loaded into the car, they did one final walk-through of the now empty apartment they’d called home for two years. Just as they finished checking every last drawer and closet, Connor asked Abigail for help with “one more box” before dropping to one knee. Amid happy tears and laughter, the newly engaged couple said goodbye to their Arizona chapter and set off on their next grand adventure together.

THE WEDDING

Abigail and Connor’s love for the Southwest began during a 2021 road trip with friends that took them through a series of national parks and monuments. One stop, Horseshoe Bend, left a lasting impression, and when it came time to choose a wedding location, the decision felt obvious. The stunning red rock views needed no added décor, and returning to Arizona to exchange vows felt like the most meaningful way to begin this new chapter. Wanting to create an experience that felt true to them, the couple kept the celebration intimate by inviting just ten people, including their photographer, and renting a house in nearby Utah for a full week of rest, connection and slowing down. Their ceremony took place at sunrise, followed by brunch and an afternoon of exploring with their photographer.

Abigail and Connor shared private vows on the cliff’s edge before inviting their group to witness the exchange of traditional vows, led by a close friend who has joined them on many adventures over the years. Instead of a traditional bridal party, the couple invited loved ones to stand with them, including their parents, Connor’s grandmother and close friends. Every detail was intentional, from Abigail’s embroidered veil and self-arranged wood florals to the buckeye nut in Connor’s boutonnière, which served as a nod to his Ohio roots. Her shoes matched his floral tie, creating a quiet harmony that reflected the thoughtfulness behind the entire day.

AFTER THE CEREMONY:

While guests settled in for a slow morning at the house, the newlyweds set out with their photographer, Mette, for a day full of adventure. Still dressed in their wedding attire, they hiked hand in hand to the Sand Caves, where they exchanged heartfelt gifts in the quiet stillness of the red rock. From there, they made their way to Coral Pink Sand Dunes, where they kicked off their shoes, played in the warm sand, and soaked in the joy of their first day as husband and wife.

UTAH WEDDING VENDORS:

Photographer: Mette Blackburn, https://metteblackburnphoto.com/

Dress: Elope Bridal Boutique, https://www.elopebridalboutique.com/

Floral: Sola Wood Flowers, https://www.solawoodflowers.com/

Caterer: Chef Dawn, Party in a Box Catering, https://www.partyinaboxcatering.com/

Utah’s Top Five Wedding Venues, According to The Knot’s 2025 Real Utah Wedding Studies

Traditions, Stats and Top Five Venues

Photo courtesy of River View Ranch Event Venue
Photo courtesy of Knot and Pine
Photo courtesy of River View Ranch Event Venue

The popular wedding planning website, The Knot, recently conducted a study on real people in real weddings in real states. Among the stats, find a list of Utah’s top five wedding venues.

According to a recent study by The Knot, wedding trends are on the move: the average age of the couple to be wed is twenty-eight, with the most popular engagement month being December. Researchers found that the most popular ceremony venue is a religious institution, for example, a church, chapel, temple, synagogue, mosque, etc. The top reception venue is a banquet hall with an average of 147 guests in attendance. 

Here, in Utah, weddings are described as budget-friendly, fun, elegant, romantic and/or simple. Some trends Utah brides hold high at their weddings are as follows: cake cutting, bouquet toss and a grand reception exit to the long awaited honeymoon. 

If you are a future Utah Bride or Groom and are wanting to know the state’s top spots to hold your own wedding traditions, you’re in luck: the Knot did the research for you. The top five wedding venues in Utah are as follows:

5. Shade Weddings and Events

Photos courtesy of Shade Weddings and Events

Shade Weddings and Events has a goal to create memories to last a lifetime. With three venues draped with luscious greens, ambient lighting and vibrant blooms, the staff is dedicated to giving you a naturally beautiful look to match your naturally beautiful self. With an abundance of decor included and an elite staff you can expect a seamless, stress free day.

4. The Snowpine Lodge

Photo courtesy of The Snowpine Lodge
Photo courtesy of The Snowpine Lodge

The Snowpine Lodge (a UBG Preferred Vendor!) at Alta Resort is a venue where Utah’s iconic mountains are brought to you. Weddings at Snowpine are a luxury experience with an expert service staff, a 10,000+ acre outdoor area and a 3,500+ square foot flexible indoor venue. Expect breathtaking views year round, from luscious green mountainsides to elegant snow white pines.

3. River View Ranch Event Venue

Photo courtesy of River View Ranch Event Venue
Photos courtesy of River View Ranch Event Venue

For northern Utah couples, River View Ranch Event Venue is a hidden gem. Located in south Ogden, the ranch’s facades are a testament to the love and hard work poured into it by its owners. This venue believes in the elegant and understated, they want to make everything as simple as possible for the happy couple. Visit River View for unmatched views of the Davis and Weber mountain ranges.

2. River Bottoms Ranch

Photo courtesy of River Bottoms Ranch Event Venue
Photos courtesy of River Bottoms Ranch

River Bottoms Ranch (a UBG Preferred Vendor!) boasts a quiet meadow tucked away in Midway Utah. This ranch was built with a family in mind, creating a perfect foundation for the new family that begins there. Full of stunning indoor and outdoor spaces, the ranch is minutes away from some of Midway’s top lodging experiences, making it the perfect spot for a full wedding weekend getaway in the mountains.

1. Knot and Pine

Photo courtesy of Knot and Pine
Photos courtesy of Knot and Pine

Knot and Pine is a venue crafted with simple elegance in mind. Located in, Alpine, this charming rustic barn is 4,500 sq. ft with ample seating. Once a functioning barn, the venue was carefully restored as the backdrop to the rustic bride’s dream day. However, unlike other more rural barn venues, Knot and Pine is close to city centers across Utah Valley, making it the ideal spot to gather with friends and loved ones.

Find more of our wedding planning and venue coverage here.

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