Utah is home to some of the industry’s most talented and creative wedding cake vendors, and our feeds are constantly filled with nearly too-pretty-to-eat designs. If you’re planning a garden-party themed wedding, there’s no reason the florals shouldn’t adorn your dessert as well as your venue. Get inspired by these floral wedding cake designs, dreamed up by a few of our favorite local bakers.
1. Beautiful Blues by Flour and Flourish
Photo by Heather Nan
Dainty blue sugar flowers accent a simply scrumptious white double-tier again the pristine backdrop of Twenty & Creek venue.
2. Stained Glass Tiers by cake. by Alessandra
No future spooky season celebration will be complete without a moody stained-glass cake. Here, Alessandra Wortmann of cake. by Alessandra relied on stark black icing lines to showcase her one-of-a-kind design.
3. Wildflower Wonder by The Dessert Studio
Photo by Heather Nan
To match their mountain meadow ceremony setting, Utah couple Kate and Dan opted for the wild side of a floral wedding cake with intricately iced local blooms.
4. Meadow Moment by cake. by Alessandra
Photo by Pepper Nix
5. Sunshine Serenade by Flour and Flourish
Photo by Mikki Platt
The sunniest cake we ever did see delivered a full meadow of floral wonder to Maggie and Andrew’s country club celebration.
6. Dark Dessert by Annie’s Cakes
Photo by Grey Giraffe Collective
This wedding was full of the unexpected, including a black-frosted and vibrantly-decorated wedding cake. Annie Pugmire of Annie’s Cakes showed off her skills with a tumble of iced flowers to match the event’s decor.
7. Seaside Rendezvous by cake. by Alessandra
For the beach lovers at heart, bring on the sugar shells. This design by cake. by Alessandra evokes all the best feelings of the salt and the sea with rippled waves, pearl details and hand-sculpted tropical flowers.
8. Towering Petals by Ballerina Baker
Photo by Sparkle Photo
This seven-tiered marvel was decked in just as many flowers as the bride’s bouquet. Crafted by Ballerina Baker, this clean white cake is accented with a cascading waterfall of massive pink blooms.
9. Modern Neon by cake. by Alessandra
Dive into a contemporary disco vibe with a neon-accented brushstroke cake. Frilled magenta roses give an extra pop of color to this modern floral wedding cake design.
10. Marvelous Marble by Flour and Flourish
Photo by Pepper Nix
Designed for a stylist architect, this cake has is stunning from all angles. Sculptural blooms tiptoe down the center of the cake, meeting up with an innovative marbled base tier.
11. Hand-Painted by cake. by Alessandra
Wortmann’s art skills come out in full force when it comes to a palette of buttercream, with which she creates a bouquet-worthy spread of whimsical blooms.
12. Dried Foliage and Blooms by Montage Deer Valley
Photo by Jordan Bree
The perfect fall floral wedding cake features flourishing dried foliage and delicate dried blooms, artfully arranged int he dessert’s smooth buttercream coating.
Dreamy hues pulled right from a Utah sunset are making their way into wedding palettes, including everything from warm citrus orange to deep moody amber. In this radiant bridal bouquet by Leuca Floral, dried date palm, golden fern and bunny tail grass serve as a neutral foundation for glowing gazania and elegant yellow lilies. Delicate carnations, banksia protea and hanging amaranth add cloudlike texture, framing the central blooms in natural beauty.
Traditionally, when the topic of a wedding ring arises, the main priority is the bride’s ring. As a wedding planner who’s been in the business for almost a decade, though, Irene + Co Events is starting to see a pretty substantial shift in the ring conversation: let’s talk men’s wedding band.
Now, grooms are just as invested in finding their perfect-fit wedding rings, too.
And to me, that makes sense. You’re choosing to wear a piece of jewelry that’s symbolic of the love and commitment you have with your partner–but there’s no rule that says it can’t look like it was made for you.
With all the options out there, wedding band selection can start to feel overwhelming. And this might be specifically true for those who may have never chosen jewelry for themselves before.
The good news? This is a fun, exciting new adventure, and with a little help and guidance from me, you’ll be on your way to picking the perfect groom’s wedding band!
5 Ideas for Choosing the Right Men’s Wedding Band
Ring selection used to be fairly standard for men. You’d pick the material, you’d pick the fit, and you’d decide if you wanted any additional embellishments. Traditionally, there wasn’t a lot to choose from.
Nowadays, though, there are infinite possibilities out there and plenty of places to find the right ring. When I’m advising clients on their men’s wedding bands, these are usually the tips and inspo I point them toward.
Pick a Ring You’ll Actually Wear
This is always my first piece of advice! Your ring should be something that’s exciting to put on, something you want to wear often, and something you’re proud to put on your finger.
All the tips that come next are important, but to me, none are as important as this one: invest the time and energy into a ring that’s right for you so that you’ll be happy to wear it.
Consider Doubling the Men’s Wedding Band
Hear me out. It’s great to have a nicer, dressier wedding band that you can wear often. In fact, many men wear their fancier wedding bands every single day.
But if you’re someone who wants to be able to wear a ring while you do a variety of activities that go beyond the scope of your everyday routine (like at work, when you work out, when you go swimming, during outdoor activities, etc.), it could be beneficial to opt for two rings.
First, you could have your nicer, more formal ring. Secondly, you could find an affordable, durable silicon ring.
Wedding rings–as great as they are–can present a degree of risk or danger when dealing with tools, equipment, and other things (especially if they don’t fit properly). If you’re a man who always wants to wear his ring but doesn’t want to risk injury or damage to your nicer band, a second silicone ring might be a good choice for you.
Wood is a Unique Option
There’s nothing wrong with some of the more common wedding band materials out there. When you’re picking materials, consider options like:
Gold
Silver
Titanium
Tungsten
Cobalt Chrome
Carbon Fiber
But if you’re looking for something a little different, though, wood has become a popular choice. Those seeking a natural, more boho style for their band usually opt for wood.
Check out options on Instagram or Etsy–there are plenty of talented wood ring makers out there with a lot of choices in their selection.
Go Custom with a Bespoke Shop
Do you want something totally unique for your wedding band? It can be done! If you want to customize your ring but don’t feel like you have the creative ability to craft it yourself, there are so many vendors out there who specialize in creating custom wedding bands that are one of a kind.
A local Utah company, Staghead Designs, offers this exact service, and the results are always stunning. It can take anywhere from 3-10 weeks, so make sure you’re putting your request in early. You can even create something that matches your soon-to-be spouse’s band.
Make it Yourself
Guess what? There’s no rule out there that says you have to hire someone to make your band or find it in a shop. Yep, you can actually make your band yourself–and there are people out there who can help guide you.
For example, you could book a date night at Salt City Smithery and have their talented team walk you through creating your own custom silver wedding band from scratch. Not only will the ring turn out exactly as you envisioned it, but you’ll have that double layer of meaning because you made it with your own two hands.
A Few Extra Ring Tips to Consider
So, you’ve selected the wedding band of your dreams? That’s great news. You’re nearly finished with the exciting process. Here are some can’t-forget, last-minute tips you need to know before you finalize your band.
Think About Fit, Comfort, Style, & Budget
Comfort is going to be the biggest factor in wearing your ring, so make sure you don’t skimp on this process.
Try to balance style and budget with fit and comfort so you’re checking every box. Here are some important terms to know while you consider your wedding band fit:
Dome Band: This refers to the curving of the outside of the ring
Flat Band: This refers to a flat angle on the outside of the ring
Full Court: A full court has a round edge on the inside and the outside of the ring
Flat Court: A flat court is rounded to a point and then seamlessly transitions to a flatter surface on the inside
Don’t Forget Insurance
Insurance is a must for this new and exciting piece of jewelry. If the ring is lost, stolen, or even breaks, you’ll want to ensure you’re covered so you can replace or fix your ring. This is, unfortunately, a factor that many people tend to overlook.
A Ring Box is a Must
A ring box is a great add-on for a few reasons. First and foremost, it’s a great way to store your ring when you’re not wearing it. Second, it makes for great detail shots on your wedding day. And third, you’ll want your ring bearers to keep your ring in its ring box until it’s time to say your vows (that way, you can ensure it’s safe).
Think About a Ring Dish or Holder
For your everyday routine, be sure you invest in a ring holder or ring dish. This way, you’ll have a dedicated spot to put your ring when you get home, so you’ll always know where it is. There are even keychain options, like this one, that you can travel with.
Advice from a Wedding Planner–Choose the Ring You Love
After nearly a decade as a wedding planner, I’ve had time and experience to formulate my bottom-line opinion on men’s wedding bands–pick the ring that makes you happy. If you’re looking for more men’s wedding band advice or simply want to chat about your upcoming wedding, I’m always here to answer your call.
Courtney, a musical theatre major, met her sweetheart Damien, an electrical engineering student, while out on the town at Penn State University. Fast forward to the 2020s, and the two are all grown up: Damien works as a Solutions Architect at Google, and Courtney is living the dream as an actor in New York City.
THE PROPOSAL
Damien proposed to Courtney while on a visit to Paris, where she was performing in a musical. The couple went for a walk in Jardin des Plantes near Damien’s grandmother’s home. They followed a labyrinth-like path to Gloriette de Buffon, a historic iron-and-bronze gazebo overlooking the park. He set up his smartphone to snap a selfie, but to Courtney’s surprise, rather than posing with a smile Damien dropped to one knee. After she accepted his proposal, Damien revealed a packed picnic of champagne and macarons to celebrate.
THE WEDDING
Park City’s ski country topped the couple’s list of dreamy wedding venues, and for their early fall ceremony the majestic setting of Montage Deer Valley sealed the deal. “The stunning views and inviting fireplaces ticked all of our boxes for a cozy and chic celebration,” Courtney explains. “We wanted an intimate mountain wedding that captured the natural beauty around us.”
To mimic the spectacle of Utah’s fall landscape, Michelle Leo Events helped create a traditional color palette of warm autumnal tones with touches of eye-catching blue. Azure accents can be spotted throughout the day, including thistle and delphinium blooms mingled with aspen leaves in the bridal bouquet, brilliantly capturing the mountainside’s changing colors. There was no basic ivory in sight: candlesticks, table settings and even desserts all showcased the couple’s signature palette.
Courtney arrived on-scene in a trademark full-skirted Hayley Paige silhouette. She floated down the aisle wearing a pair of custom LaDucas, a classic theater performance shoe, with a touch of something blue.
Following an intimate ceremony on Montage’s patio concluding with a flower-toss exit, guests were welcomed to the rustic Vista Lounge by a unique escort display. Each guest was handed a glass of champagne with a custom acrylic seat number garnishing the rim. When everyone found their seats, celebratory toasts began without skipping a beat.
The simple, cozy and elegant decor created an inviting rustic scene with rich wood accents, vividly colored candles, glittering table settings and, of course, a heart-warming fire.
THE PARTY
Like most memorable celebrations, the reception kicked off with dinner. Pan-seared Utah trout, Montage’s grilled beef tenderloin, and ratatouille-stuffed peppers topped the menu, followed by a host of pastries for dessert. Most notable were pale-blue macarons in the wedding’s signature hue, as a nod to Damien’s proposal picnic. After dinner the wedding party welcomed an all-out dance fest, including performances from the couple and their families to hits such as “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk and “September.” Later, the party migrated down a level to Montage’s game room for bowling, signature cocktails and one of Courtney and Damien’s favorite NYC traditions—late night pizza.
A Utah Bride shows off not one but two stunning gowns in her bridal session at Provo Canyon’s summit, captured by BethMac Photography.
Bride Callie Marie Smith, today’s Utah Bride feature, pulled out all of the stops for her colorful fall bridal session taken earlier this year. Not wanting to skimp on classic beauty nor modern fashion pizzaz, Callie sported two beautifully unique gowns for her portraits. Meanwhile, Callie’s groom Seth sports a chic off-white suit and crisp shirt.
The first was a custom-designed Amy Mair gown, purchased from Versailles Atelier Bridal in South Jordan. With billowing bishop sleeves and an elegant loose fit, the satin gown drips with old-world charm. To top off the look, a cathedral veil with hand-detailed floral lace serves as the ideal bridal accessory.
Halfway through the session, Callie changed into a spunky ruffled number rented from Utah Gowns. A youthful sweetheart neckline tops a sleek, strapless bodice before the gown cascades into a mountain of pleats and puffs, including waist-length pleated tulle sleeves for extra drama.
Photographer: BethMac Photo, bethmacphoto.com
Models: Callie Marie Smith and Seth Smith
Sleeved Gown and Veil: Custom Amy Mair from Versailles Atelier Bridal, va-bridal.com
Strapless Gown: Rental from Utah Gowns, utahgowns.com
Brilliant bridal trends for the 2024 bride’s fashion inspiration.
Some of the bridal industry’s brightest minds came together earlier this month to show off their visions for the future of bridal fashion. Designers such as MoriLee, Ines di Santos, Nardos and more showcased 2024’s top trends for brides.
2024 Bridal Trends: Wedding Gowns
Asymmetric Necklines
One-shoulder. Architectural pleats. Dramatic capes. Designers came up with countless ways to add some off-center interest to their designs, which brides can lean into for an unexpected twist on their big day.
Bessie | Peter Langner28 | Ese AzenaborCatarina | Peter LangnerEave | Ines di Santo
Color
Whether it be a sleek nude, a gallery-worthy contrast of black and white, or a full explosion of exuberant hues, these designers are jumping away from the traditional ‘white.’
012 | NardosRose, Anthophillia collection | SoucyFlorence, Mystery Garden collection | Arava Polak25 | Ese AzenaborFacade | Ines di Santo30 | Ese AzenaborFinale | Morilee
Dark-Side Bling
After several seasons of pure Swarovski sparkle, a moody silver moment is making a comeback. Dark crystals adorn several of the runways’ most interesting looks, bringing opulence and decadence to the designs.
1225 | Morilee5 | Ese Azenabor23 | Ese Azenabor09 | Ese Azenabor
Geometric Patterns
Utilizing block stacks, negative space and creative fabric sculpting, several of the week’s gowns featured shapely patterns not soon forgotten.
6 | Ese AzenaborJosefin | Peter Langner7 | Ese AzenaborDesert Rose, Mystery Garden collection | Arava Polak002 | Nardos
Halter Necklines
The 2000s called – the halter is making a comeback. With a nod to high fashion, the neckline of the moment was an illusion halter, angling up toward the face but not strapped in like your ‘00s vision boards. These halters are something all their own.
Temple | Ines di Santo19 | Ese AzenaborLook 31 | Reem AcraCharlene | Peter Langner
The Mini Moment
All the rage as a bridal shower or getaway gown, the mini dress was ubiquitous in this season’s collections, boasting high-fashion appliques, beading and other lush treatments for the fun-loving bride.
010 | NardosEmily, Mystery Garden Collection | Arava PolakReflection | Ines di Santo12619 | MorileeLook 1 | Ese Azenabor
Sculpted Satin
Shining satin and crepe haven’t been en vogue for what seems far too long. No more – highlighting a soon-to-be-era trademark, 2024 bridal trends will be marked by lustrous fabrics in every collection, appearing gloriously structured and elegantly draped, each design showing off the materials’ trademark sheen.
Couple ShayLee and Chet have been together since last October. Bride ShayLee is currently interning for the Oley Foundation and will be graduating with a Bachelors in Communications with an emphasis on Civil Advocacy while groom Chet works in medical sales.
The Wedding
Inspired by the groom’s favorite color, rustic orange, the weddings unique color palette was comprised of neutral greens, terracotta, mauve and blush pinks culminating in a rich, earthy ambiance.
The bride’s halter-top dress was ornately beaded with floral appliques along the neckline and a layered a-line skirt that tapered into a flowing train.
ShayLee kept the finishing details of her wedding-day attire simple with subtle petal earrings, light jewelry and open-toed heels with mesh bows.
The bride’s wedding ring features a marquis-cut center diamond framed by dozens of smaller crystals. A v-shaped engagement band with alternating stones completes the set.
The bridesmaids wore dresses in a variety of different shapes and shades within the weddings color palette, ranging from the grooms signature rustic orange to softer pastels, allowing the bridesmaids some flexibility in their gowns while still honoring the brides vision.
The groomsmen wore uniform tan slacks, crisp white button downs, and floral-patterned ties that perfectly highlighted the grooms brightly-colored suit.
Leafy vines cascaded down the staircase and lined the wooden banisters bringing the fairy-garden feel to life inside the venue.
Beautifully curated center pieces made with ceramic tea-pots and elegant flower arrangements continue the theme into every detail of the decorations.
ShayLee united with her groom at the end of the aisle among their loved ones on an altar lined with flowers.
The Party
The menu stayed true-to-theme with elevated garden-party classics including; chicken salad croissants with granny smith apples, black Forest Ham and provolone with lettuce and tomato on pastry rosettes, smoked turkey and swiss with baby greens and havarti, fresh fruit on a three-tiered silver display, baby green berry salad with feta, berries, winter pears, candied pecans, and raspberry vinaigrette, imported and domestic cheeses with apples and grapes, 7-vegetable pasta salad, and vegetables with dip in tea cups. For refreshments lemonade with fruits, and water with fruits were served.
Not to be outdone, the dessert selection included; chocolate dipped berries, fruit tarts, gourmet brownies, petite lemon cakes with raspberries, cheesecake with fruit topping, key lime pies, and eclairs.
At the center of the fare was a three-tiered cake finely decorated with colorful flowers and macaroons, and finished with a cake topper bearing the couples names and the date. Each cake tier had its own flavor ranging from white cake with peach filling to white cake with raspberry filling to chocolate with salted caramel.
Fall has hit Utah in full swing, and we have been more than a little inspired by the brilliant mountain colors emerging this season. To inspire your wedding planning, pin these autumn wedding bouquets to deliver a pop of that crisp autumn palette at your own celebration.
1. Rich and Red
Each of the autumn wedding bouquets from Mikki & Zack’s Sundance Resort Wedding are packed to the brim with cool-weather accents, including elegant pheasant feathers, draping ferns, and rich red florals.
Planning and design by Leslie Dawn Events, Photo by Nhiya Kaye. Floral by Sax Romney.
2. Western Wedding Flair
Colorful protea, bleached peacock feathers, yellow ferns and other texture-packed details make up the beautiful bouquet at bride Harlie’s western-themed wedding at White Shanty. Embrace different varietals for a well-filled handheld arrangement.
Bouquet by MDG Floral, Photo by Mile by Makaily.
3. Sunset Serenade
Familiar fall leaves, ruby red dahlia and warm orange tones bring the sunset right to the bride’s fingertips in this autumn elopement gallery.
Floral by Nancy Williams, Photo by T Mayes Photo.
4. Gilded Greens
While the blooms themselves are a classic white, the autumn wedding bouquets crafted by these two grooms brought the fall palette to the tropical side, with gold-painted tropical leaves serving as the base of each arrangement.
5. Pretty Peaches
Many autumn wedding bouquets lean toward a fully fall color scheme, but the florals from this fall styled shoot do a beautiful job of blending the pretty pinks of late summer with the crisp neutrals that signify the shift to colder weather.
6. Naturally Neutral
Speaking of neutrals, this perfectly pumpkin-spiced wedding elegantly combined subtle florals with glittering fall details. (Yes, there were sparkly pumpkins. Take a look!)
Planning & Design by Stella & James events, Photo by Ashton McFarlane, floral by Madison Murdock
7. Pumpkin Spice
Orange daisies, creamy ranunculus, white roses and dried accents scream fall in Beckie’s autumnal bridal gallery.
8. Classically Chic
Dried foliage makes yet another appearance, this time in brilliant and classic white. Creamy roses and graphically detailed ferns team up in Brigitte’s bouquet for her fall Bridgerton-themed wedding.
According to Sean Bradley, owner of Tabula Rasa Stationers, there’s no reason a groom shouldn’t be able to get in on the glitz. Designer John Varvatos produces pieces with the right doses of both eye-catching shine and masculine edge.
Photo Adam Finkle
John Varvatos Brass Hammered Cuff Bracelet and Striated Cuff, $135 each, Tabula Rasa, SLC tabularasastationers.com
Photo Adam Finkle
John Varvatos Longsword Brass Tie Clip, $298, Tabula Rasa, SLC, tabularasastationers.com
Italian silk neckties, starting at $145, UWM Men’s Shop, SLC, uwmmensshop.com; Photo Adam FinkleStance Butter Blend Dress Socks, $69, Stance, Fashion Place Mall, Murray, stance.com
“These days, there’s really no rule for what shoes the groom should wear,” says Cody Hoppes of UWM Men’s shop. “There are options out there for every fashion sense and for every style of wedding.”
(Top left) Luciano Patent Leather Wingtim by Michael Toschi, $695; (Top Right)Daemons Double Monk Strap Shoe in Navy by Santoni, $1,130; (Bottom)Riley Pebbled Captoe Oxford by Salvatore Ferragamo, $795. Nordstrom, Fashion Place Mall, Murray, nordstrom.com
Breitling Navitimer Automatic 41 in Stainless Steel and Blue, $5,050, O.C. Tanner Jewelers, SLC, octannerjewelers.com
Walk down the aisle sporting a true icon in a sophisticated shade of navy. A wedding-day watch is a timeless piece that can serve as a memory for years to come.
Photo Adam Finkle
Mont Blanc Homage to Victoria and Albert Cufflinks, price by request,Tabula Rasa, SLC, tabularasastationers.com
Substance and style are of equal importance for Michelle Burgin, owner of Wee Bakes. She believes that wedding cakes should taste as beautiful as they look, and she has an arsenal of meticulously developed recipes to accomplish exactly that.
“I’m huge on flavor and on unique designs,” Burgin says. “If those two things are hit, that’s a win in my book!”
In keeping with her quest for quality, Burgin crafts all of her desserts–from cakes to cookies and beyond–entirely from scratch. With no store-bought shortcuts in sight, all Burgin’s flavors come from the source. Real fruit, hand-measured flour and rich butter are present in each recipe.
Burgin’s top-of-the-line flavors don’t, by any means, lack in the beauty department.
“ I never directly copy a cake. I always want to make it my own,” Burgin explains. “I always tell my couples that my creations will never be an exact replica, because I want to add my own style to it. I can take any inspiration and turn it into a magical moment for the big day.”
“I think cakes should taste just as beautiful as they look. Everything I make is from scratch, and I develop all of my own recipes. I only make flavors that I enjoy eating. For me, flavor comes first.”
– Michelle Burgin, Owner
Ask the Expert
What’s Ahead:
I am exploring different design techniques: isomalt, rice paper, sugar work and more. I love the modern edge that these abstract elements can bring to a dessert, and that couples are more willing to branch out.
Excited about:
This year, I will be focusing heavily on recipe development, and I have a host of new flavors up my sleeve. I hope to launch a blog soon and hopefully a cookbook in the future.
Fresh Ideas:
Start looking for ideas early, and book your vendors well in advance. Shipping is still a huge factor, so it is always better to have your vision established with plenty of time for execution. Weddings are once in a lifetime, but it is your special day and should be exactly as you envision it. Communication makes my job easier and makes your dream closer to a reality.
