5 Tips for a Magazine Worthy Wedding

January 1, 1970

*note: This would be better as a collection of Real Weddings. I need to roundup my favorite ones and link to them throughout the article. These images should be another inspo blog.

written by Ashley Baker

There’s nothing better than scouring through gorgeous wedding photos on Pinterest, trust me, by the way have you seen our boards lately, they’re stunning. But, just in case you’ve ever wondered how to get that Utah Bride & Groom magazine worthy wedding for yourself, I’ve decided to let you in on a few of our secrets.

1. Set a Theme

Choosing a theme, such as boho-chic or city sleek, will help you remain cohesive and carry you throughout your planning process.

2. Location, Location, Location

I’ll say it again, ahem, location. How will the lighting will play with the décor? Is your wedding going to be inside or outdoors? All of these factors come into play.

3. It’s in the Details

Pay attention to the details. When planning, think about how the flowers, gown and makeup will look in each photograph.

See Perfect Wedding Dress and Bouquet Parings

4. It’s All About the Photos

Photography can make or break your wedding day memories. Since magazines are highly visual, excellent photography and photo editing is a must.

See 7 Things to Ask Before Booking a Wedding Day Photographer

5. Tell Your Story

Magazines are all about telling a compelling story. I’ve interviewed numerous couples over the years and one thing I’ve come to realize is that these stories are like snowflakes–no two are alike. Tell your story because that’s what will set you apart from everyone else.

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For more inspiration, check out our magazine!

Vendors

Photography Fox + Sloane Photography

Models Anna Hise and Colton Parker

Dress J. Noelle Design

HMUA Daphne Orullian

Floral Raw Floral

Cake Frosted Custom Cakes

Tie My Tie Shop

Candy Crush

January 1, 1970

Photos by Heather Nan Photography | Styling and design by Allison Baddley, La Fete

We Utahns are famous for a sweet tooth. The state’s refined taste for sugar has made national celebrities of bakers—Sweet Tooth Fairy, One Sweet Slice and The Mighty Baker—all winners in various TV baking competitions, all from Utah. Utah’s party scene featured candy buffets before they were cool and is currently creating a soda fountain revolution.

Cavity jokes aside, wedding stylist Allison Baddley of Le Fete says candy is more than corn syrup and sugar. It’s a, dare we say, sweet inspiration for a wedding. “Wedding inspiration can come from anywhere. With
so much neutrality the past few years, wedding design is begging for color and pattern,” she says.

If you are ready to party with colors aplenty, Baddley and her photographer friend Heather Nan shed new light on wedding design with four sugary-sweet patterns—bold stripes, iridescent waves, geometric kaleidoscope and monochromatic color blocking.

Waves

If you’re enchanted by mermaids or unicorns in your design, here’s a wedding style for you. La Fete’s Baddley dives deep into iridescent clouds of cotton candy. “This mood can go bad fast, but if you want a white, cream or beige wedding that makes your guests jaws drop, adding iridescence can help.”

Have your cake and eat it too

Fondant frosting blankets a “funfetti” vanilla cake with colorful sprinkles by Flour & Flourish, while delicate gelatin shreds decorate each layer. “Let the style of the cake shine,” says pastry chef Cassidy Harrison. “If a cake is simply frosted, go with varying layer heights. If you want to decorate with something unique, keep your cake’s shape simple.” Galaxy cheesecake and champagne cotton-candy cocktails from Cuisine Unlimited round out the space-age sweets, along with Maison Confiserie et Boutique’s pink vanilla cotton candy and cotton candy sugar strings.

Set a shimmery table

La Fete foraged feathery branches to add to a taupe-hued collection of protea, astilbe, lavender and Quicksand roses and blushing bride blooms. Pearlized glass vases and acrylic ghost chairs from Glass House add a see-through sheen to the milky linens and neutrally toned backdrop.

Don’t be shy

Hair and makeup artist Janelle Ingram creates ultimate sophistication with a classic chignon and flawless makeup. A dramatic shimmer-encrusted tulle ball gown ($5,500) from Bitsy Bridal elegantly pairs with Roberto Coin diamond pavé flower earrings in 18k white gold ($5,300) and a Pomellato amethyst Nudo ring with diamonds in rose gold ($5,800) from O.C. Tanner Jewelers.

Push the envelope

Announce your wedding day with something special. “Blush tones will forever be popular wedding colors, so I started there and added more depth and punch,” says Refine Studio’s Nikkol Christiansen. “An iridescent layer softens the pink and adds a fashion-forward statement to the suite. A modern edge takes form with unexpected type placement and minimal wording.” Jewel-toned cocktail rings—including this amethyst and rose gold beauty ($5,800) from O.C. Tanner Jewelers—add glow and glam to the mood.

Vendors

Photography: Heather Nan, SLC

Styling and design: La Fete, SLC

Invitations: Ann Elizabeth, Murray; Refine Studio, SLC; Ink Press & Co, SLC; The Write Image, SLC

Cakes: Flour & Flourish, SLC; Pippa Cakery

Flowers: Sage Floral, SLC; La Fete, SLC; Orchid Dynasty, SLC;
Tinge Floral, SLC

Hair and makeup: Janelle Ingham, Cottonwood Heights

Gowns: Bitsy Bridal, SLC

Desserts and cocktails: Cuisine Unlimited, Murray

Candy: Maison Boutique, SLC

Linens: La Tavola Linens, via La Fete

Photography assistants: Lexie Fuell and Claire White

Food styling: Derek Deitsch and Misky Merino, Cuisine Unlimited

Yellow chairs and tabletop decor: Glass House, SLC

Styling assistant: Carpe Diem Design, Layton

Model: Abigail Johnsen

January 1, 1970

This is the place. Or is it? Utah is blessed with hundreds of sensational venues, but how do you decide on which one is right for your big day? Cost, location and accessibility are all key factors to keep in mind.According to Alta Lodge’s Director of Sales and Marketing Rosie O’Grady, , there are five must-dos when choosing a wedding venue.

1. Determine Your Wedding Experience
“Your wedding venue should match the overall vibe of your wedding and what you hope your guests will experience. For example, if you’re looking for a mountain setting without a lot of distractions, so you’re able to focus on spending quality time with your guests, a venue like Alta Lodge might be the right choice for you,” O’Grady says.

2. Create a Checklist for Research and Planning
Planning a wedding on your own is fun and exciting, but there’s so much information out there to sort through that it can become overwhelming at times if you’re not organized. O’Grady recommends creating a checklist or spreadsheet to help you keep track of various tasks and information. She also recommends that if your venue has an event planner, that you ask them to keep a checklist that you can glance at throughout the planning process.

3. Ask What All-Inclusive Means

Oftentimes, venues claim that they’re are all-inclusive, meaning they take care of every last detail of your event, from planning, to food and drinks and even the wedding cake. While most venues actually perform all of these tasks, other venues may claim that they’re all-inclusive, but don’t provide event planning, catering or bar services, so it’s always a good idea to ask what services all-inclusive includes.

4. Ask for a Complete Charge Breakdown

“Budgeting for your event is important. It’s also good to know where your charges come from. Nobody should be caught off guard by hidden fees, so make sure your venue is transparent in everything they do. Ask about parking fees and any other charges they may not tell you about right up front. A venue should be willing help you make your event easy to plan and budget for,” O’Grady says.

5. Relax and Enjoy

Once you’ve determined where you’ll be getting hitched, enjoy your moment.

It’s no wonder Utah couples opt for outdoor weddings. One of Utah’s greatest asset is its expansive outdoor space. Alta Lodge is a favorite among the outdoorsy set due to the rustic lodging and sensational views.

“What makes the Lodge so cool is that it can be a one-stop shop for couples who are getting married. We offer a unique experience for everyone. We host a lot of destination weddings, and for locals, the lodge can create a staycation in the mountains,” she says.

For more information on a mountain wedding at Alta Lodge, visit their website and follow them on Instagram.

Fit Friday: Healthy Recipes to Prepare a Bride for Her Wedding Day

January 1, 1970

“I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you.”

Joyce Meyer

written by: Andrea Peterson

Follow us on Instagram at @utahbridemag and #UBGFitFriday for weekly fitness and health tips in our stories and on our newsfeed.

Fit Friday: Breathing and Mediation Tips for a Stress-free Bride

January 1, 1970

“Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health.”

Dalai Lama

written by: Andrea Peterson

Follow us on Instagram at @utahbridemag and #UBGFitFriday for weekly fitness and health tips in our stories and on our newsfeed.

Winter Florals Wonderland

January 1, 1970

Raise your hand if your Christmas decorations are still up, and it’s January! (Guilty as charged).

If you’re anything like us, you have the hardest time letting go of the holidays every year. So, we’re trying to keep the cheer in this chilly winter weather with this festive bridal shoot by Jackie Siggard photography.

The best way to chase away the blues in the winter, in our opinion, is to add a pop of color to your day. Whether it be a fancy cake (this one by Madeline Richardson), a bold lip (see Sarah Hicken’s deep palette) or an all-out crimson bouquet like this one by Emily White at Pear Blossom, the grey will be gone for good once those bright hues arrive on scene. We are loving the woodland Queen-worthy lace covering on the lovely bride by Elizabeth Cooper Design, and especially how Mother Nature added a little extra sparkle to the regal updo by Amy van Biljon.

Scroll on through for more winter-beauty magic with paper by Katie Blakely, jewelry by Stag Head Designs and oh so much more.

Vendors:

Photographer: Jackie Siggard Photo + Video | @jackiesiggardphotovideo
Videographer: Paul Siggard | @jackiesiggardphoto+video
Shoot coordinator : Heather Smith | @heathersmithstudios
Location : D & E Beck Christmas Tree Farm | @beckchristmastrees
Flowers : Emily White | @emily_pearblossom
Models : Ryan & Tia Moe | @ryanallenmoe | @tiarosephoto
Dress/Veil : Elizabeth Cooper Design | @elizabethcooperdesign
Hair : Amy van Biljon | @amyupdodesign
Makeup: Sarah Hicken Artistry | @sarahhickenartistry
Groom’s Ring & White Stone Ring : Staghead Designs | @stagheaddesigns
Suit & Tie : DC Tuxedos | @dctuxedos
Ring Box: EverlyBox | @everlybox
Invitation Suite: Katie Blakeley Creative Studios | @katieblakeleyphoto.design
Cake : Madeline Richardson | @cakebymadeline
Decor: Brambles and Blossoms | @bramblesandblossomsprovo |

January 1, 1970

Inspired by the style and colors of an English Garden just beginning to bloom, this styled shoot combines layers of traditional textures with contemporary touches.

Becca Dupaix of Blondie Events spends her days planning lavish bridal scenes with her business partner: her mom. And with a business partner so special, Dupaix wanted to create something special for her: a styled shoot with nods to all of mom’s favorite things!

In the case of this shoot, the pair worked with a team of incredible vendors to bring to life vignettes from classic 19th century British novels, aka the dream wedding of bookworms and Austen fans everywhere. For these scenes, Dupaix brought out the big guns in classic beauty, but with distinctly modern sense and sensibility.

The team utilized the sunny-window-backed, perfectly manicured terraces of Heritage Gardens and natural early spring blooms like hellebore and budding branches to capture the easy, effortless elegance of a spring afternoon.

“Spring in an English garden, much like the mountains of Utah, can be unpredictably cool, grey and damp,” says Dupaix. “So, we embraced those moody tones of rain clouds with dusty blue, soft ivory and heather purple.”

Relaxed, almost wild shapes emerge from the effortless arrangements backing the bridal party in this shoot. A stroll through a royal garden could hardly produce such a perfect floral landscape for “I Dos.”

“A balance between formality and modern whimsy was applied throughout the design, from the subtle leather details at the refined place settings to the bespoke stationary with cheerful accents; the classic tiered cake with delicate marble details and even the reserved A-line silhouette of the bridal gown with it’s exuberant beading.”

The result? a chic, inviting and joyful styling that would warm even the cloudiest of early spring wedding days.

We were honored and delighted to collaborate with a talented team of Utah wedding professionals, including:
Planning & Design: Blondie Events
Website: www.blondieevents.com
Instagram: @blondie_events
Photography: Nicole Wimmer Photography
Website: www.nicolewimmer.com
Instagram: @nicolewimmer
Venue: Heritage Gardens
Website: www.heritagegardens.com/
Instagram: @heritagegardens
Hair & Make-up: Youify You by Brittany
Website: NA
Instagram: @youtifyyou_bybrittany
Bridal Gown: Something Borrowed Bridal Rentals
Website: www.somethingborrowedbridals.com/
Instagram: @somethingborrowedbridals
Cake: Heritage Cakes
Website: www.heritageweddingcakes.com/
Instagram: hertage_wedding_cakes
Calligraphy: MK Designs
Website: NA
Instagram: @megkathleen_designs
Floral Design: Cranberry Lane Floral Design
Website: www.cranberrylanefloral.com/
Instagram: @cranberrylanefloral
Lounge Furniture: Shabby Chic Sisters
Website: www.theshabbychicsisters.com/
Instagram: @theshabbychicsisters
Models: Anjellica and Parker Hamrik (Bride & Groom), Katheryn Hawley and Ryan Travis Cook (Bridesmaid & Groomsmen)
Vintage Glassware, Linens, and Chairs: Diamond Rental
Website: www.diamondevent.com
Instagram: @diamondeventandtent

Additional Vendors Outside of UT:
Menswear: The Black Tux
Website: www.theblacktux.com
Instagram: @theblacktux
Bridesmaid Gown: Rent the Runway
Website: www.renttherunway.com
Instagram: @renttherunway
Table Runners: SnassyCrafter
Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SnassyCrafter
Instagram: NA
Bride & Bridesmaid Shoes: Betsy Johnson

Love at First Swipe: Annalise & Jeremy’s Antelope Island Shoot

January 1, 1970

Annalise & Jeremy

Photos by Kendra Bird Photography

Antelope Island

Annalise downloaded Tinder with the same mindset most users have when they first download the app. Maybe she’d chat with some cute boys, maybe not. Either way, the stakes seemed low. Little did she know, within 24 hours she’d match with Jeremy, with the man she was going to marry. The two struck up a conversation online and talked on and off before the talks fizzled out. A month later, Jeremy reached out again out of the blue and Annalise knew it was time for the two to meet in person. Before their first date, Annalise’s parents insisted Jeremy stop by their family home. “I remember opening the door to see him for the first time and just having a different feeling than I had ever had before. Jeremy was something special,” says Annalise.

After the two had been dating for a while, Annalise went – on her own – to Arizona for spring break. Jeremy showed up to the airport to pick her up with a dozen roses in hand and “in front of everyone at the airport got down on one knee with the most beautiful ring and asked if I would marry him!” says Annalise, “I – of course – said YES!”

“He proposed on Pi Day (3-14) we always celebrate by eating pie,” says Annalise. “It’s a fun little tradition that we love.”

The duo was engaged for five months, the majority of which Jeremy spent employed across the country in Pennsylvania. “It was really hard being across the country during our entire engagement, but we grew so much together during those hard times,” Annalise explains. “Jeremy was able to come to Arizona where I was living at the time, and spend the Fourth of July with me! We soaked up every single moment together until he was off again. The next time we saw each other was three days before our wedding!”

The stylization of this shoot is desert chic – an homage to Annalise’s Arizona roots. Adding the horse adds an element of rustic flair. The pops of warm tones present in the florals create an elegant focal point that beautifully contrasts Antelope Island’s neutral backdrop.

When asked about this shoot, Annalise exclaims, “Kendra is without a doubt, my favorite photographer! She makes you feel so comfortable, beautiful and she knows how to make it fun. After the shoot my husband said, ‘wow that was actually pretty fun!’ So, that’s how I know Kendra is amazing!”

Vendors:

Photographer: Kendra Bird Photography | @kendrabirdphotography

Dress: Latter Day Bride | @latterdaybride

Florist: Lettie Blossom | @lettieblossomdesigns

Horse: @robertalee30

Bride: @annaliseleavitt_

Groom: @jeremyleavitt8

Real Wedding: Brianne and David

January 1, 1970

Their love story was truly a Hallmark movie in the making. A wedding planner meets her dream man at her best friend’s wedding while on date with another guy.

But that’s exactly what happened on August 24th, 2020 in Fountain Hills, Arizona. She couldn’t resist checking out this blonde hair, blue-eyed guy that showed up mid-way into the party. She had an overwhelming feeling that she had met him before.

With only minutes to spare, the man she had had both of her eyes on finally came over to stand next to her at the sparkler sendoff for the newlywed best friend and her new husband. Thinking again that they had met before, she approached him with a twinkle in her eye and said, “you look so familiar. Have we met before?” The two strangers tried without success to discover where they might have met. Was it an online dating app like Mutual? Was it church institute? Was it somewhere he had played the piano? He finally reached out his hand and said, “Well I’m Dave. Nice to meet you. What’s your name?” She replied that her name was Brianne. “Well Brianne, we should get together for ice cream sometime when you are back in town. Do you come to Phoenix often?”

Just then, Brianne’s date came back and upon discovering that Dave appeared to be interested in his Brianne decided to have some fun with the situation. Standing behind Dave he did everything he could to make Brianne laugh by making funny faces and kissy lips with his brother (who was also in attendance). He was almost successful. But right before Brianne began to lose it, she attempted to separate herself from the situation by telling Dave that her feet hurt and that she would like to retrieve her shoes from inside the church and that he should come with her. The new friends made their way into the building and soon Dave had her number. The two then separated and Brianne went on with her original date. They were away on their dating activity for the evening riding electric scooters when he said over and over again to make fun of her “you’re going to marry that man.” Little did he know how true that statement would be.