No, you cannot live on kisses, Though the honeymoon is sweet, Harken, brides, a true word this is,— Even lovers have to eat.
— Louise Bennett Weaver and Helen Cowles LeCron
They say that on your wedding day you’re lucky if you get to eat a piece of your own cake. Between greeting friends and family, taking pictures, and dancing to your very expensive DJ, sometimes the simple things like eating are forgotten.
Having small tempting treats around, like these tiny fruit filled ice-cream cones, give even the busiest of brides an excuse to indulge. They are also a delicious little detail that your guests will just “eat up” (pun wholly intended)!
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It’s the one thing a bride doesn’t have to plan: her bridal shower. If your BFF or Aunt Jane wants to host a shower, send her this link for guidance. Melissa Hagen, a wedding business consultant knows how parties—big and small—are thrown in Utah.
Here, Utah Bride & Groom visits with Hagen to get the scoop on throwing a spectacular soiree for the bride-to-be.
UBG: WHO GETS AN INVITE TO A BRIDE’S SHOWER?
HAGEN: It depends on the group dynamic you want to achieve. Some brides will have a few showers to divide guests appropriately. One party for family and another for girlfriends is a good starting point. You might find some crossover in the guest list, and that’s okay. Just be sure to let those guests invited to both parties off the hook a little; there’s no need to bring a gift twice.
UBG: WHAT’S THE IDEAL TIMING FOR HOSTING A SHOWER?
HAGEN: Host a shower about one to two months prior to the wedding. The time of day will depend on what type of food the hostess wants to provide. A lunchean is great, but you could also do something mid-afternoon and serve hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Either is fun and sweet.
If you’re going to host the midday shower, avoid weekdays. Saturdays and Sundays are good options, just be sure to check local events and sports calendars. The more you are mindful of these things, the better your turnout. I’ve been to both Saturday and Sundays showers and for some reason the Sunday showers seemed better received and more laid back.
UBG: WHERE SHOULD A PARTY HOSTESS HAVE A SHOWER?
HAGEN: Try to keep this reflective of the bride and her personality. Of course the weather may dictate your location, but Salt Lake and Park City have some great venues and restaurants with private function spaces that would be fabulous for hosting a shower.
I love restaurants because it helps take some of the stress off: no food prep, serving or cleaning up. Parks (I’ve seen some pretty posh picnic-inspired parties), country clubs or private residences are other ideas. It really depends on your budget and the bride’s taste, but as always, my best advice: get creative and have the food catered.
UBG: WHAT’S THE PROPER WAY TO GIFT A BRIDE?
HAGEN: As the shower host, your job is to ensure the bride not only has a fabulous time, but has what she needs for her brand new life. My favorite registry option right now is Zola.com. Brides can add gifts from anywhere and strategically curate what they need. Brides, choose local shops too, and register at two or three places to give guests’ varying budgets options and check return policies before you begin.
As for opening gifts at the shower, this can be a topic of contention. Traditionally, a bride opens the gifts at the shower. However, if there’s a great turn out, opening gifts could take an excruciatingly long time. A bride may also feel awkward about it. Some family members will insist on the opening of the gifts for all to see, so I suggest meeting in the middle. Near the end thank the guests for coming to the party and add that the bride will open present now, and those who want to stay are welcome to. This excuses anyone who can’t, or doesn’t want to, stick around and doesn’t just dismiss the tradition.
UBG: WHAT DECOR IDEAS DO YOU SUGGEST FOR SHOWERS?
HAGEN: Decor doesn’t have to be over the top, but again, be creative. Steer away from tired themes and colors. To be unique, rent beautiful table linens, hire a florist to provide centerpieces and order custom cocktail napkins.
UBG: WHAT BEVERAGES SHOULD BE SERVED FOR A SMALL GATHERING?
HAGEN: Water is a necessity, but add something fun to it like cucumber slices and mint, or strawberries and lemons. I love drink stations. Large dispensers full of flavored beverages are practical and pretty. Right now, I’m loving lavender or mint lemonade, and peach iced tea. If you want to have alcohol, have pretty bottles of wine and sparkling wine on hand. Or set interesting decanters filled with vodka or gin near the drink station for guests to help themselves.
UBG: WHAT ELSE ARE MUST-DOS?
HAGEN: Two things: mail invitations and order a custom cake. A paper invite provides an experience that an e-vite doesn’t, plus it sets the tone for the event. Surprise the bride with a multi-tired cake. The pastry on display will be the centerpiece of the party and it doubles as amazing dessert.
UBG: HOW MANY SHOWERS DOES A BRIDE GET?
HAGEN: I recommend at least two to help party dynamics. But if your group is already great together, have just one.
One of our own is jumping into wedding planning mania and wants you to buckle up and come along for the ride.
Ashley here.
As Web Director and Social Media Manager for Utah Bride & Groom magazine, I get to interact with brides around the Beehive State. But the tables have turned … it’s now my turn to be one!
My sweetheart Evan and I met in high school where we shared mixed CDs and a few date nights. Fast-forward to today and now we share nine years of memories together.
After a surprise engagement in Zion National Park over the weekend, we’re busy planning our upcoming Spring wedding and couldn’t be more excited.
We want you to join us as we plan, prep and pin our way to our wedding weekend. I’ll keep you in the loop if you promise to pass along any ideas worth sharing (ashley@utahbrideandgroom.com <<< see how easy I just made it?).
Ready, go!
When it comes to wedding planning, Ashley has one trick up her sleeve. Read more here.
“The details are not the details. They make the design.”
— Charles Eames
When it comes to wedding planning, details make all the difference. Photographer extraordinaire Kate Osborne and expert planner Karley Parker of Scenemakers prove that details make the big picture come to life, as evidenced by this incredible real wedding.
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.”
