Looking for something with great character and depth? Choose a jacket with high quality thread and buttons.
Don’t want to wear a belt? Suspenders and braces are both stylish and functional.
Add personality with a punchy pattern like a polka-dot bow tie.
Unless the groom is wearing a black suit or tux, he should consider a rich shade of medium brown this season.
Accessorize with knit tie—like this one made by hand in Italy, and tied in a four-in-hand knot making it slightly oblong and narrow—and with a 100% silk picket square rolled by hand.
Bunches of blossoms will be springing into bloom any day now. And when looking for inspiration for your own wedding day, consider a whimsical bouquet to add an extra measure of romance. Mixing a nearly neutral blush-colored cabbage rose with a vibrant dahlia is the perfect combination of modern and vintage. This combo is bound to create an unpredictability fresh accent for any bride’s day.
Plus as an added bonus it gives you another chance to show off your gorgeous wedding ring! Hooray!
As bridal fashion runways unveil tailor-made gowns with feathers, plunging necklines, illusion bodices and floral appliques, there’s one thing to embrace right now in weddings: drama.
What does that mean for florals? Dimension, structured style and color are the latest rage. Local designers capture the trend with tight nosegays of exotic colors and bouquet alternatives like all-green wraps. If looking to add wow-factor, go bold with vibrant, modern stems.
Plum Alley
Shades of plum and merlot intermingle in this lush spring bouquet by Native Flower Company.Phaleonopis and cymbidium orchids take the lead with lavender, sweet peas, tulips and hellebores acting as best supporting blooms. Fern tips surprise the eye and layers of ribbon float in the breeze.
Green Scene
Don’t feel like carrying a bouquet down the aisle? Swap out the traditional bridal nosegay for an all-green wrap like this beauty by La Fleur Design.This garland features bush ivy, genestra, and eucalyptus.
Golden Hour
The tropical experts at Orchid Dynasty wrap twelve long-stem phalaenopsis orchids for sensational drama. With each stem boasting ten to twelve flowers, that’s over 120 orchids for a bride to carry down the aisle. Bonus: This cascading bouquet is grand yet it’s comfortably lightweight and will hold up to Utah’s varied weather.
Bold Statement
Talk about texture. Tulips, kumquats, hot pokers and dahlias combine to create a recipe worthy of a flower-win. Against all the bright wedding whites, this vibrant, citrus-hued bouquet from Jolley’s Gift and Floral won’t go unnoticed.
Tasks to tackle. Guests to greet. Bride to marry. A groom is the action hero of the big day and he should be dressed to look the part. Sure, the tux is a classic choice, but the right suit can dress today’s modern guy with equal style. Hip patterns, funky colors and slick fits provide grooms and groomsmen with more options than ever. Need help getting started? Take cues from these six suits that showcase the latest and greatest in men’s fashion.
Need a formal getup? Nothing beats a custom 100-percent Italian wool suit. Here, the royal color, batwing bow tie and lapel pick-stitching update a traditional tuxedo with edited elegance. “It’s all about simplicity to amp formality,” says Curtis Newkirk of Beckett & Robb, who wore this exact suit to his own wedding this year.
Casual is no less charismatic. A two-piece ensemble with pops of color- say for an outdoor wedding- is an informal way to dress formally. “For a garden wedding a tie is optional, but wear lighter or brighter colors,” says B.J. Stringham, the fifth-generation owner of Utah Woolen Mills. “We say ‘no socks’ for an outdoor party. Or wear the no-show ones.” An Isaia sports coat, Eton shirt and their best selling, washable, five-pocket trousers (“built like a pair of jeans”, he says) pack a punch for any outdoor affair.
Dressing with separates can be just as strong as a single suit. And with Beckett & Robb’s 15,000 fabric choices, countless pairings provide the perfect route to creating a personalized look. For cooler weather, this deep eggplant tweed jacket and four-season trouser adds visual dimension, plus the half-lined (as opposed to a typical fully-lined one) coat makes it more breathable.
Say yes to pattern-on-pattern. “We’re seeing a ton of pattern right now,” says Taylor Hawkins of Utah Woolen Mills. But don’t go overboard, he warns. Hawkins suggests mixing the scale of pattern- like a wide windowpane with a smaller check. And to avoid a clash, don’t forget to link pattern with a coordinating color- like the light blue and tan here.
Sunny skies call for this breezy blue suit. Leave the dark for evening functions and sport a hint of pastel during the day. “Light blue can complement certain skin tones and eye color to draw those features out of a man like blue eyes and blond hair,” says H.M. Cole owner Michael McConkie. “This Signature Series suit is easy to accessorize and is best for spring and summer weddings.” For example, a playful polka-dot patterned bow tie amps the whimsy for a daytime scene.
A gray suit- like this one from H.M. Cole’s Premium Series- is a staple in any man’s wardrobe. “It can be used in a variety of settings,” says owner Michael McConkie. “This is good news for a groom who doesn’t want to invest in a one-day wedding tux.” The neutrality of any gray-based suit- be it charcoal, black, or even navy- works against any city backdrop. “Light gray is also extremely easy to accessorize with black, walnut and bourbon shoes and most belts.”
Artists often pull inspiration from unexpected places.
Growing up, jewelry designer Kent Christensen was fascinated by his father’s work in his dental laboratory and realized the ways in which all the “tools, techniques and methods he used to make teeth,” combined were a creative process in themselves. So he tried experimenting in the same medium to make something else creative and even more beautiful: jewelry. He learned by practicing with pieces for friends and family, and “found it rewarding to be able to create something others appreciated,” he says.
Apart from dental technology, a good deal of his life experiences have inspired his work in a comprehensive way – a lot of that being time spent outdoors and in nature, surfing and backpacking, and even more specific areas such as archaeology, ceramics and many other forms of art.
One of the trademarks of Kent’s work is the inherent beauty in each piece. By using earth’s natural elements — “gold, silver, endless stones and gems” — and carefully picking out pieces that are unique and artistic on their own, he is able to utilize that natural beauty to enhance his work. He says: “I try to choose particular stones that are naturally artistic, then try to compliment it with a frame of precious metal in free form. I, hopefully, will match the natural art of that stone … I love the creative and more contemporary designs, but I feel there is as much art and beauty in a simple and subtle band.”
This view seems to set him apart from many others in the industry, traditionally speaking. He mentions that ones of his goals is to “get away from traditional design a bit.” “I don’t like prongs… although I appreciate the fine workmanship coming from fine jewelry stores, I’m a little bored. I prefer pieces that pop in a different way and have value as well.”
One of the most rewarding aspects of his work, and what he says is the most important thing to him, “is the reaction, then satisfaction, of those who consider my work meaningful enough to wear or to give.” He designs ten to twelve pieces in a week’s time, and loves challenging work, work in which ” materials and design come together in a type of organized chaos.”
For more, visit Kent’s Instagram (@rough.hewn) or new site here.
He can also be contacted for orders at rough.hewn.official@gmail.com.
Want to take your wedding toast to the next level? Ditch the Champagne and raise a glass of hard cider instead. And we’re not talking juice boxes, as the American misnomer suggests.
Cider is an centuries-old alcoholic beverage made with fermented apples, first made in Europe. The drink (categorized as medium sweet, dry or off-dry) is popping up on wine menus and squeezing its way onto liquor store shelves nationwide.
Similar to the craft beer industry, artisanal cider makers are making a name for themselves with their own unique varieties. Business is booming; people are drinking. “There is no better time to be a cider maker,” says Jimmy Santangelo, Beverage Director of La Salle & Trio Restaurant Group and Wine Academy of Utah. Cidercraft magazine quotes data from global marketing researcher IRI reporting cider sales “rose 85 percent from 2012 to 2013 and 58 percent from 2013 to 2014.” They’re expecting more increases. Santangelo says, “[Our restaurants] are celebrating cider because no one else in Utah is doing it.”
What does this mean for weddings?
“Cider in the new Champagne,” says Salt Lake magazine editor and culinary insider Mary Malouf. Because the new bubbly is refreshing and has about the same alcohol levels as beer, it appeals to a broader audience, making it a hit for big events. Hard cider isn’t only for toasting. Serve up a “his” or “hers” custom cocktail of hard cider and garnish with mint, pear or citrus.
Every girl knows that finding the perfect wedding dress is almost as important as finding the right groom . . . almost. Which is why it’s important to remember every detail of your gown.
Getting a picture of the dress by itself is an excellent way to showcase the uniqueness of your choice and relive the excitement of wearing it. The Dress deserves a little spotlight, especially if it’s as beautiful as this Art-Deco inspired number.
Celebrating love never gets old. Whether you’re neck-deep in wedding planning or only just falling in love, it’s never too cheesy—or old-fashioned—to reminisce on special moments with your loved on. This wedding, one of our favorites, is a throwback to a love-filled day, courtesy of Aaron and Makenna’s sweet bond.
UBG: How did you two meet?
Makenna: Before I started fashion blogging I danced for the Utah Jazz for a couple years. It was the funnest job. I met so many incredible people. but I never would have thought I would have met my husband through it. Aaron was asked to be in a Jazz commercial filmed at arena where we were practicing that night before the game. While we were practicing, we saw the commercial being filmed and I noticed a very good looking guy looking at me. We kept catching one of us looking at the other for a few minutes before we finally walked past each other. I was hoping Aaron would say something to me when I walked by but when he didn’t I was like, well I guess I won’t be seeing him again. A few weeks later Aaron found me on Instagram and got my number where we chatted for a while until he finally asked me out. Our first date was perfectly planned out and so romantic. After that and hearing his accent, it was game over. The rest is history.
UBG: How did he propose?
Makenna: This is my favorite story we have together in the past two years that we’ve known each other. I had been working all day and wasn’t expecting to see Aaron that day but he showed up at my house and surprised me with dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. After we ate, Aaron started getting nervous and fidgety while were driving around and acted like he didn’t remember how to get back to my house. On the way to my house Aaron undid his seat belt and was acting like he was about to James Bond it out of the car and that’s when I started to get a bit nervous because he’s usually so calm and collected. When we pulled up there were candles and flower petals lining the stairs leading up to this handmade teepee/tent with bedding, pillows, sparking cider and a chandelier inside of it and a movie screen set up between two trees. I have 2 teenage sisters and thought one of them was getting asked to the homecoming dance at her high school, so I was oblivious. I kept telling Aaron we should go inside and wait of her to see it so we didn’t ruin anything, but it took him pushing me into the teepee and starting this video to realize something was going on. When Aaron started the video and sat next to me, he started to cry and shake (this never happens). The video was this amazing video Aaron had made of all of our favorite cheesy romantic video scenes. After the movie scenes finished, pictures and videos popped up on the screen with our song playing in the background and I lost it. At the end, the words “Will You Marry Me?” popped up on the screen and I was sobbing. Aaron bent down on one knee and said “Makenna, I have been waiting for you my whole life. Will you marry me?” After trying to see through my tears I said, “I can’t even see the ring. (cue ugly crying face and sobs) Of course I will marry you.” Then all my family and friends popped out of the windows and doors of my house cheering. One of my best friends who just so happened to be our photographer ran out from behind a tree and said “I got pics of the whole thing!” and hugged both me and Aaron. It was the best day. I wish I could go back and relive it.
UBG: What were the unique elements that made up your wedding?
Makenna: My main focus on our wedding was draped florals, and gold accents. Some elements that really made our wedding was the color scheme. The focus was mainly on the gold accents. For example, we had a large floral canopy draped in flowers and white chiffon that circled that dance floor but put focus on the middle of the large space at the capitol. Another big hit was the greenery and florals wrapped around the banisters and up and down the stairs. We stayed very consistent to our style and our vision. We really wanted to go for a classic Great Gatsby theme. We wanted it to be something that we would look back at in 10 years and it could still be in style. Something unique that people loved was the photo booth we had. Both Aaron and I didn’t want your typical guest book that we wouldn’t really look at so it was fun to have a Photo Booth that really captured everyone’s personality and what kind of experience they had at our reception. It’s something we still like to go back and look at.
