Utah photography team Hayden + Megan capture a beautiful set of bridals in Northern Utah, among the mountain roads surrounding Tony Grove Lake.
This couple first met in a class in high school, making for the perfect meet-cute and a classic love story. The rest was history!
For their pre-nuptial bridals at Tony Grove Lake in Logan, Utah, Hannah & Bridger dressed to the nines, creating a beautiful memory ahead of their wedding day.
Bride Hannah donned a flowing gown with elegant bishop sleeves and button details, accented by a pearl-lined bow veil and a colorful bouquet from Lee’s Marketplace Floral. Her groom wore a sharp tan-checked suit, with a matching vest and vibrant floral tie to match the mood.
From the first save-the-date card to memorializing the final memories, turn to fine art-inclined venues and vendors to transform your wedding aesthetic into something gallery-worthy.
WE PROUDLY PRESENT…
If first impressions are the most important, then your invitation suite is the prime opportunity to introduce your guests to your personal wedding style. Christy Townsend—owner and lead designer of The Paper Vow (thepapervow.com)—creates luxurious, hand-painted custom stationery suites with the high-end couple in mind.
“Couples today think deeply about their invitations and how they can kick off their full wedding experience with that first perception,” Townsend says. “It’s all about their personal vibe, and the invitation is the perfect place to introduce what kind of mood your wedding will have.”
And this custom suite (above) sings of “rustic luxury.” Bespoke watercolors grace envelope liners and save-the-date cards, capturing Utah’s Carriage House venue and its surrounding landscape in artful splendor. Watercolor by Joelle Hanton Art. The Paper Vow can also include painted details from the day’s decor, portraits of pets and personalized monograms to be displayed on paper elements throughout the event—from menus to beverage garnishes.
The curation doesn’t have to stop there— Townsend’s attention to detail turns the full package into a work of art. When taking your suite from basic to luxury, paper becomes a medium all its own.
“A handmade paper with deckled edging, foil press or rich textures immediately elevates your invitation,” she says.
From there, it’s time to pile on the layers. Silk ribbons, blind-embossed typography, wax seals and more deliver the splendid, old-world flourish that your wedding craves.
EDIT NOTE: This article originally mentioned Sundance Resort. Carriage House is an independent venue, and is not associated wit the Sundance Brand.
CAPTURED ON CANVAS
COURTESY PAINTING WITH BAILEY
Bailey Moser of Painting with Bailey (baileymoser.com) captures your most cherished moments like you’ve never experienced. What began as a passion for acrylic landscape painting has launched her into a unique business providing couples with artistic, one-of-a-kind mementos of their wedding days.
Moser’s services include two forms of artwork: studio painting and live painting.
COURTESY PAINTING WITH BAILEY
Moser’s studio paintings happen after her clients’ wedding days. For these pieces, she takes photo and video references from your event and creatively translates them on canvas after the celebration. These paintings are ideal for anniversary gifts or capturing intimate elopements. They also provide a unique opportunity to include any VIPs who couldn’t attend the wedding, whether they be a pet left at home or a late family member.
For a one-of-a-kind experience on the wedding day, Moser can also paint your memories in real-time, capturing whatever special moment you choose.
“My favorite moment to capture is the ceremony exit,” Moser says. “Many couples pick the timeless and emotional ‘first kiss,’ but I love the movement and joy that can be captured in a painting of the ceremony exit. The dress will be flowing, and you can see the couple’s full faces.”
Although Moser’s work serves as a sophisticated preservation of the wedding day, her service also brings a level of cultured entertainment to the day’s turn of events.
“There are some slower spots in every wedding timeline, including cocktail hour or the moments right before ceremony seating begins,” says Moser. “In these moments, the entertainment aspect plays a big part—guests now have a more elevated experience. They have something to gather around to fill that space.”
Hoopes Events designs a dreamy wedding day fit for the finest of European nobility. Photography by Morgan Leigh Photography
FASHION FORWARD
Ask nearly any bride, and she’ll tell you—the most important element of her wedding plan is the dress. The lesson: Allow that perfect gown to inform your event’s theme and design. For this bride, a voluminous organza ball gown with detached sleeves inspires a world of provincial European magic.
The bridal party follows suit. This bride is blessed with a full court of maids, each dressed in a swath of color, lace and embroidered floral motifs fit for royalty.
Speaking of noble air, a bride with a stately eye needs more accessories than a simple veil. A bejeweled tiara fits the bill, adding the perfect dose of sparkle and extravagance.
NOBILITY-READY
Taking the theme in stride, a team of design pros takes a “more is more” approach to heart, transforming the pastoral grounds at Midway’s Homestead Resort into an opulently adorned reception site. Decadence graces every moment of the celebration, beginning with an al fresco luncheon table shining with gold accents—from slender candelabras to elegant gold chairs. Atop gilded chargers, quaint sky blue salad plates echo the floral motif introduced by the splendid set of gowns.
French garden party elegance weaves through the tablescape, emerging in winding strands of pearls, bunches of pristine white roses and lavish feather accents.
Across the property, a stylishly pleated tent illuminated by classic iron chandeliers fosters a fusion of old and new with a reception defined by a clean, white decor and richly textured floral arrangements. Nearby, a sitting area composed of vintage French lounge furniture invites guests to sip champagne and nibble pastries in high style.
PERFECT PATISSERIE
No garden-party celebration is complete without a mouth-watering spread overflowing with decadently baked and elegantly garnished pastries. Multi-colored macarons, triple-tiered mousses and a delicious array of other luxurious delights baked by Homestead’s chefs cover an outdoor dessert buffet, transforming the venue’s patio into a scene reminiscent of a French patisserie. Extend the experience by boxing up a few goodies and sending them home with guests as tasty favors.
THE PAPER EXPERIENCE
The quickest way to create an unforgettable luxury event is to ensure every moment is an experience for your guests. And when it comes to the paper goods, Ann Elizabeth Print Studio delivers style and substance in spades. Deep-colored and sophisticated botanical prints act as a design thread connecting each piece, from velvet-ribbon place cards to the sheer floral pocket housing the invitation itself.
Rounded edges on RSVP cards and an upscale, vertically-displayed menu evoke portraits hanging in a stately home or museum. Colorful programs printed on high-quality paper rest on each seat at the ceremony, giving each guest a guide through the events of the day.
Take center stage with a setting as special as you and your beloved. Aptly named, the sweetheart table is rapidly gaining favor among modern couples. Cherished as a striking focal point for the reception layout, it’s also an intimate getaway for bride and groom to enjoy within the bustle of the big day. What’s more, the lavishly styled vignette provides a picturesque backdrop for memorable photos you’ll savor for years to come.
Eliza and James’s first encounter occurred nearly a decade before their marriage, when they followed each other on social media. Eliza was a high school sophomore and James a senior upon their first connection, but until adulthood they remained virtual friends only. The two finally met in person in 2021 and the rest, as they say, is history.
One of the pair’s favorite activities while dating was sharing dinner together on the balcony of James’s Salt Lake City apartment. One evening about a year into their relationship, James surprised Eliza during their nightly meal by getting on one knee and asking her to marry him, with the lights of the city shining as his backdrop. Of course, Eliza accepted.
“We ate dinner on the balcony together almost every night the first summer we were dating,” Eliza recalls. “We like to say that is where we fell in love.”
THE WEDDING
The couple tied the knot in a bright June ceremony at a relative’s home in Salt Lake City. “I’ve always wanted to get married outside, in a place that is special to me,” says Eliza. “My mother was married at her family home and as the first child to get married in my family, carrying on the tradition felt right.”
Eliza’s wedding day vision included luxurious blooms and loads of color—a true garden party.
The first garden-chic moment (delivered by event planner Michelle Leo Events and Artisan Bloom) was the ceremony arch. A towering stone installation in the residence’s backyard served as the ideal backdrop for a bursting pink arch, where the ceremony vows and speeches took place.
Opposite James in his classic black, Eliza wore a multi-layered Lazaro A-Line gown with floral texture and a hand-embroidered floral veil to match the garden scene. Two bracelets from her late grandmothers played supporting roles in the accessory department, delivering shine to the bride’s otherwise sleek presentation. As Eliza walked down the aisle, she carried an equally sleek bouquet of pale pink calla lilies, in beautiful contrast to the full-bodied blooms which made up the event’s other arrangements. On either side of the couple, six bridesmaids wore peach-colored satin gowns, while the groomsmen stood uniformly in black suits and pink-accented boutonnieres.
The couple exchanged rings handed down by the groom’s family, following speeches about love delivered by James’s older sister and Eliza’s grandfather.
THE PARTY
Following the big “I Do,” the couple and their guests moved the party to a soaring sailcloth tent. In perfect harmony with the bridal party’s gorgeously paired attire, the guests’ attire also reflected the “garden party” theme. Every attendee arrived dressed to the nines in florals and linens, creating a guest lineup that appeared as curated as the design itself.
Peach and pink floral arrangements dotted the space, sitting atop vine-patterned linens that accentuated the garden-style appeal. Twinkling lights, strung along the seams and supports of the tent, sparkled in the reflections of tall floating candles, delivering a delightful dose of magic to the summer evening.
At the bride’s request, a side table included a “legacy display,” showcasing the wedding photos of family members, and tributes to loved ones who had passed away. “This was one of my favorite parts of our wedding,” Eliza says.
Guests dined on peach-and-burrata salad and an elevated version of “steak frites,” the bride’s favorite meal. Culinary Crafts presented hanger steak with chimichurri sauce and fries, with a side of classic Utah fry sauce. For dessert, two tiers of decadent wedding cake featured the couple’s favorite flavors: double chocolate and strawberry lemonade.
Following dinner, the party hit the dance floor. Eliza & James shared their first dance to “Forever After All” by Luke Combs, then spent the rest of the evening dancing with their loved ones. At the end of the night, the couple made their getaway in style, driving off in Eliza’s grandfather’s vintage Thunderbird before flying away to a Hawaii honeymoon.
Give your love wings to fly with an elegant fantasy wedding theme.
Photo by Ashlee Brooke Photo
Light and airy is the name of the game for today’s bride, and event designer Leslie Price of Leslie Dawn Events delivers effortless, breezy romance in a springtime setting.
A SENSE OF PLACE
Photo by Ashlee Brooke Photo
If you’re seeking a venue with modern elegance and sleek scenery, look no further than Sandy’s freshly refurbished Twenty & Creek. “I love the airiness of this venue,” Price says. “Setting things against that beautiful white backdrop makes everything feel super clean.” Thanks to the space’s muted tones and sparkling details, any palette will pop with impressive vibrance. Here, a medley of soft purple, rose and blue tones inspire visions of springtime meadows to a wedding lunch.
Photo by Ashlee Brooke Photo
Photo by Ashlee Brooke Photo
Photo by Ashlee Brooke Photo
EMBRACE THE MAGIC
Photo by Ashlee Brooke Photo
Inspired by butterflies and their graceful forms, Price’s team infuses layers of magic into each element of this wedding design. Colorful silk butterfly hairpieces adorn the bride, complementing her flowing custom gown that moves like fluttering wings with every step. Florals appear suspended along the venue’s stately fireplace and sloped bannisters, delivering whimsy to the room’s decor. Wafer paper wings and intricate sugar flowers enliven a carefree cake, while custom engraved plexiglass butterflies rest on the lip of each glass, leading guests to their seats in perfect harmony with the day’s theme.
Photo by Ashlee Brooke Photo
TEAM EFFORT
Photo by Ashlee Brooke Photo
Color has made a triumphant return to weddings this season. Whether you select a vibrant palette or something muted and soft, let texture and color tag-team your design for a powerful visual impression. “I love texture, whether in a floral arrangement or a tablescape,” Price explains. “In this design, texture is infused on the table as a contrast to the delicate blooms.” Crushed velvet linens and glistening gold foil establish a solid foundation for the buoyant floral arrangements topping the table.
SHAPING UP
Photo by Ashlee Brooke Photo
Experimenting with shape is another method of imbuing a design with visual interest. Rounded menu cards mirror the curves of beaded sapphire chargers, while hand-sculpted candle stands ground the table design, delivering dimension with undeniable romance.
After years in high school never connecting, one could say that Gabby and Caden were destined to find themselves together. It all started with a New Year’s Eve invitation from a mutual friend, when the pair ended up in the same car together while traveling to a cabin party. The two immediately fell for each other, and began dating the next week.
Fast forward to a sunny May Sunday, when Caden and Gabby planned a golf outing at Riverside Golf Club. Upon their arrival, they were told that the front nine was full, but the back was wide open and beautifully scenic. On the second hole, Gabby’s shot veered to the side, and as she ran to get it, Caden quickly stopped her in the cart (feigning that the area was off limits), and they headed to his ball on the green.
What Gabby didn’t know was that Caden was hiding a surprise: a beautiful setup of blankets, florals and photographs preparing for a proposal. At first, she thought the surprise was for someone else and was in a hurry to be on their way. It wasn’t until Caden got down on one knee that she realized the proposal was all for her. No doubt in her mind, she said yes!
A few months later, ahead of their wedding day, the couple posed for an intimate first look in Provo Canyon. In a black suit, Caden waited for Gabby to approach in her hand-laced sheer bodice gown with tulle bow details and a sparkling train. See more of the emotional moment:
Shannon and Matt were both Midwest transplants to San Francisco when fate landed them both jobs at the same company. After hitting it off in 2016, the pair chased each other through several cities and jobs before finally landing in Denver. One weekend, Matt arranged for both of their parents to visit, and he proposed to Shannon during a walk through their favorite park. After Shannon’s enthusiastic “yes,” she was surprised yet again when, upon returning to the hotel, she discovered several of her closest friends had also flown in to celebrate.
THE WEDDING
Shannon and Matt truly embraced Park City’s ski culture during their late-spring celebration at St. Regis Deer Valley.
“We wanted to bring everyone together for an intimate ski weekend,” Shannon says. “Park City was one of the first places Matt and I took a ski trip together.”
The couple captured the theme with a one-of-a-kind stationery suite, featuring a custom watercolor of the wedding destination and elegant letterpress invitations, all bound with a custom-cut gondola tag. The personalization continued on paper pieces throughout the wedding: from welcome bags to bar napkins with the pair’s pup printed on them.
Color brought a cheerful vibrancy to the wedding’s still-snowy winter setting. Embracing a “frosty spring” palette, the event’s design featured a neutral foundation with natural textures such as wicker lanterns, cream sofas and oversized leather ottomans—all brought to life by a bounty of blooms.
“We wanted all of the events to feel refined and upscale, yet still welcoming, cozy and fun,” says Shannon.
THE CEREMONY
Guests, warmed by roaring fires and cozy blankets, looked on as Shannon walked the aisle in a custom-designed Anne Barge gown, wrapped in an elegant white stole to match her bridesmaids. Matt wore a custom navy suit by Joshua Gold—his fraternity-brother-turned-personal clothier—ski-themed dress socks and a pair of leather oxfords purchased on a Portugal getaway with his soon-to-be-wife. Both bride and groom kept accessories minimal, but Shannon’s engagement ring got a new partner in the form of her great-grandmother’s wedding band.
The couple signed a hand-painted Israeli Ketubah and were wed by Rev. Anita Gordon under a chuppah draped with Shannon’s late grandfather’s tallis. Their vows were hand-written, and their labradoodle, Kona, barked her own vows as well.
THE PARTY
Following a welcome dinner at The Vintage Room apres-ski bar honoring Matt’s Mediterranean heritage with a raw bar, focaccia and paella, the couple worked with the team at St. Regis to design a menu celebrating the seasonal specialties of Utah. This included braised leek soup, a beet and Heber Creamery goat cheese salad, bison with huckleberry and ruby trout with root vegetables. Each dish was paired with wine from the couple’s favorite regions, including Marlborough, Willamette and Sonoma.
Dessert was no small affair. “We both love cake, particularly indulgent, nostalgic flavors,” says Shannon. Their cake boasted three decadent layers: Oreo, Boston Cream and coconut cream.
Signature drinks were poured all weekend long, including scotch-spiked cocoa, fig-and-herb spritz medleys, campfire whiskey Manhattans and Lavender French 75, made with the couple’s favorite Botanist gin and a sprig of fresh thyme. The couple fully customized their bar, outfitting every shelf with their preferred spirits from around the world.
Music City Groove had all guests dancing for the duration of the evening, including during the couple’s first dance to a John Legend ballad.
THE HONEYMOON
Shannon and Matt spent the days after their winter wedding decompressing in the sunny Cayman Islands, and spent their first anniversary in northern Scotland.
Jen and Dave’s love story began in epic fashion: while jamming at a Deadmau5 concert in 2010. Over a decade later, they sealed the deal in an equally fantastic celebration, full of disco, bright color and great music.
THE COUPLE
After their first meet-cute, the couple remained friends and concert-going comrades for eight years before finally connecting romantically (coincidentally, at another Deadmau5 show, which they consider their first date). For a few months, the pair pursued a long distance relationship between SLC and St. George, but after deciding they wanted to be together forever, Dave made the move down south. Shortly after, the couple welcomed their first child, and a second two years later.
THE PROPOSAL
“It was always in our plans to get married,” shares Jen, “But with the pandemic and all the changes happening in the world, we wanted to wait until the timing was right.”
In February of 2023, Jen and Dave took a couple’s trip to Belize with all of their closest friends. In the most romantic Valentine’s display imaginable, Dave walked Jen to a private pier overlooking the ocean before bending to one knee, professing his love and surprising his soon-to-be-fiancee with a proposal and a ring.
THE WEDDING
In fall 2023, Dave and Jen found their perfect time, and celebrated their love in a full-fledged 70’s soiree, which they dubbed “Roachella,” honoring their newly shared last name. To introduce their theme, their invitation suite included “flyers” with stage names and artist set times, and on the big day every guest was given a “Roachella” wristband for the occasion.
“We wanted a wedding that was unique, fun and felt like a party,” Jen says. To accomplish this vision of energy and whimsy, the couple worked with event planner Details by Laura Lee to create a design incorporating disco balls, vibrant florals, and velvet textures throughout the gorgeous Twenty & Creek venue in Sandy, UT. A palette of rust orange and marigold yellow, accented by pops of magenta, brought the retro vibes in full force.
In front of a crowd of their dearest family and friends, all clad in 70’s attire, Dave and Jen said “I Do,” backed by a backdrop of tapestry florals. Their daughter was the ceremony’s flower girl, and their year-old son acted as ring bearer, assisted by the family pug.
“It was so special to have our children be apart of our wedding day, as well as my little pug who had been with me through so many ups and downs over the years.”
For the occasion, Jen wore an ivory and mocha lace gown, accessorized with a fringe veil for a boho, vintage bridal look. “I am very simple when it comes to jewelry so I chose a dainty gold necklace and matching bracelet with tiny pearls formed into daisies.” Dave went full 1970’s in a rust-orange suit and colorful bolo tie.
THE PARTY
After the vows and a buffet dinner featuring spinach and artichoke dip, pulled pork sliders, salad and an assortment of mini desserts, DJ Sam VanCrisco kicked off a classic disco party. “We compiled a playlist of our favorite 70’s tracks, and sam weaved it all together.” The first disco track of the night was “Funky Town” by Lipps, Inc. which got everyone young and old on the dance floor.
Throughout the night, soulful covers of Beatles tracks, funk music for energized post-dinner dancing and modern remixes blared through the speakers while the newlyweds celebrated with their guests. Monster LED screens and speaker stacks by Tsunami Pro helped transform the wedding party into the iconic Studio 54. At the bar, guests enjoyed themed cocktails: a raspberry “mojo-ito” for the bride and a French ’79 in honor of the groom’s birth year.
Dave and Jen’s first dance was to “Alchemy,” by Above & Beyond, then they performed a daddy and daughter dance to “Butterfly Kisses,” by Bob Carlisle.
At the end of the party, the couple cut into a three-tiered cake in three flavors: white chocolate with raspberry cream filling, Italian cream cake with dulce de leech filling, and pumpkin cake with cream cheese filling. “They were all so delicious,” says the bride.
Take inspiration from centuries of beauty to bring timeless fashion to your wedding day look.
In McCune Mansion, one of Salt Lake City’s most historic venues, Belle Bodas event designers and In Frames Photography team up with Boda Bridal salon to showcase classic style with a modern twist.
Perfect pleats pair with sheets of diaphanous tulle for an eternally-chic bridal ensemble. A Regency-ready gathered strapless neckline transitions effortlessly into a modern sheath shirt, showcasing the best of all eras when it comes to comfort and structure.
Prestigio empire-waist gown in silky satin, Boda Bridal, SLC, bodabridal.com; Paulina cathedral veil by Jane Rhyan, janerhyan.com; Bouquet by Amber Reverie, amberreverie.com
Embrace simple elegance with the Gaia gown’s delicate straps, princess seams and snug satin silhouette. Layer on cathedral-length lace, and you are dripping with period drama demure.
Dare to be dramatic with glittering beadwork, an opulent ostrich-feather train and a flawless figure courtesy of intricate boning. And while the gown can (and should) speak for itself, add even more glamor with a pair of luminescent pearl drops.
With subtly crisp texture, a plunging angular neckline and a classic bodice adorned with ostrich feathers, the soft and sensual Moelleux gown redefines the traditional bridal look. Take the look old school with a time-honored tulle veil, or dive into the new century with unexpected accessories, such as this wide-brimmed (and fabulously feathered) white hat.
Moelleux heavy-weight satin gown, Boda Bridal, SLC, bodabridal.com; Feathered wide-brim hat by Morgan Spruill, SLC; Lennon cathedral-length tulle veil, Jane Rhyan, janerhyan.com; Bouquet by Amber Reverie, amberreverie.com
All rise for modern angles. Intricately pleated chiffon and mesh with strategically-stitched illusion cutouts deliver a modern charm and a sexy punch to a geometric bodice atop a classically tiered skirt.
You’ve heard of cottage core—this gown showcases a healthy dose of true “bride” core. True to its name, the Amour gown boasts a romantic off-the-shoulder bodice, a gentle gathered silhouette and deliciously silky fabric to wrap the bride in ageless luxury.
Amour off-the-shoulder satin gown, Boda Bridal, SLC, bodabridal.com; Poppy tiered tulle veil by Jane Rhyan, janerhyan.com;
Boho meets Bridgerton in this flowing number, featuring statement bell sleeves and a striking neckline, adorned with button-up pearl details.
Modern vogue and charming vintage collide triumphantly in this unexpected fashion moment. Intricate Italian-inspired lace overlays sharply-constructed diamond mesh for a voluminous look evocative of a graceful ballerina. For even more high-style flair, add detached puff sleeves for additional structure.
