Forget store-bought wedding gifts made in factories across the globe, there are plenty of talented craftsmen right here in the beehive state that make unique one-of-a-kind party favors. Maybe you’d like to shower your attendants with luxurious layers to keep them warm during your winter ceremony, or just want to share the love for locally-made spirits and goods. However your choose to thank your guests, these seven locally-made gifts are perfect for any Utah wedding.
Olive & Cocoa’s lightweightcashmere poncho. Chic over everything from skinny jeans to a cocktail dress. $188, arrives gift wrapped.
Hand-sanded and kiln-dried Montes Doggett charcuterie boards from O.C. Tanner Jewelers. $89 to $130, SLC.
Pendleton Zion National Park wool blanket. Pure virgin wool woven in the hues of Southern Utah’s iconic red rock desert. $269 to $319.
Seasonal gift sets from Salt Lake City-based Bitters Lab. A sample of six seasonal and classic bitters flavors like burnt honey & hops and plum & oak. $80.
Spirit of the Desert candle will remind them of Utah’s red rock splendor each time it’s lit. $34, (Ten meals are donated to the Utah Food Bank with every candle sold.), Indigo Highway, Park City.
High West Distillery’s Campfire whiskey, a slightly smoky blend of scotch, bourbon and rye whiskeys best enjoyed “with old friends and good-looking strangers.” Starting at $19, High West General Store, Park City.
2.5” Bird and Trout knife with a hand-carved handle that comes in four color combos. Includes a full-grain leather sheath. $219, New West Knifeworks, Park City.
Do you remember that iconic scene in Ariel, you know, the one where she and Prince Eric get lost in each other’s eyes while floating down a firefly-lit waterway? That whimsical feeling is exactly what a talented group of creatives wanted to capture in this bridal inspiration shoot—minus the singing sea creatures of course.
Setting the scene at Orem’s Sleepy Ridge golf course and wedding venue, a group of photographers, florists and event planners took full advantage of the nearby Utah lake to create picturesque boat bridals. “We chose the venue because we really wanted to have a bride in a canoe,” says photographer and planner Hailey Marie. The surrounding willow trees and tuscan-inspired architecture added an extra dose of Disney romance. “The pond with the willow tree was just absolute perfection,” she says. “I couldn’t be more happy with how it all turned out!”
Photo by Branson MaxwellPhoto by Hailey Marie PhotographyPhoto by Hailey Marie PhotographyPhoto by Hailey Marie PhotographyPhoto by Branson Maxwell
THE INSPIRATION
Like many creative projects, the inspiration for this bridal shoot was sparked during an unassuming scroll through the ‘gram.”One day I was scrolling on social media and I saw a photo with a bride in a canoe and in that moment I just decided I needed to do something like that,” Marie reflects. The savvy photography quickly pulled together a team of vendors and began envisioning a whimsical waterside scene filled with pastel hues and floral prints. “I wanted to showcase the idea of fine art and elegance, and I believe we pulled it off with my amazing team of vendors!”
Photo by Hailey Marie PhotographyPhoto by Hailey Marie PhotographyPhoto by Hailey Marie Photography
A BALANCING ACT
Of course, photoshoots on the water are bound to come with a few challenges. Once the model was safely seated in the canoe, which was adorned with sweet cream and peach floral arrangements by Tapestry Floral and Wild Earth Designs, the team had to figure out how to prevent the beauty from floating from shore. “We finally figured out to secure the canoe to one end of the tree and used a broom to push the other end away from the bank,” says Marie. The result? Stunning boat bridals that stand out from the typical inspiration shoot.
Photo by Hailey Marie PhotographyPhoto by Branson MaxwellPhoto by Branson MaxwellPhoto by Branson Maxwell
Simply put, hosting a wedding in Utah’s urban core provides a range of possibilities you won’t find anywhere else in the state. From Ogden to Provo, there are literally hundreds of vendors to choose from—ranging from awarding winning pastry chefs and florists to creative hair and makeup artists and farm-to-table caterers. The variety of options Utah’s urban and suburban areas offer is particularly diverse in regard to venues.
Memorial House is an elegant Georgian-style meeting hall built in 1920 at the base of downtown Salt Lake’s City Creek Canyon in leafy Memory Grove Park. Greenhouse wedding venues include Cactus & Tropicals’s airy and verdant locations in both Draper and Millcreek and Richard K. Hemingway Orangerie, on the campus of the University of Utah’s Red Butte Garden & Arboretum. Venues steeped in tradition and elegance include the large ballrooms and lush grounds at downtown Salt Lake City’s The Grand America Hotel and the venerable and ever-impressive Utah State Capitol Rotunda. Beautifully sleek and slightly edgy venues offering a blank canvas for hosting celebrations include Provo’s White Shanty and The Monarch, a former Ogden warehouse turned modern event venue with a cool, mural-adorned rooftop deck. And, finally, suburban venues with country-estate appeal include the lush grounds and European chateau-vibe at La Caille, located at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon in Sandy; the elegant gazebo and gardens, framed by views of Mt. Olympus, at Bellissimo Gardens at Tuscany; and Twenty & Creek (formerly Heritage Gardens), a completely reimagined, modern-meets-classic space bursting with details.
Spring and fall are lovely along the Wasatch Front, typically marked by soft and balmy days and cool nights. But really anytime of the year is a great time to wed in Utah’s cities and suburbs. One factor to consider however is large-scale special events. While over the last two years COVID-19 has curtailed conventions, FanX, Pioneer Day, Pride Week, and others, these large-scale events are likely to come back in full force in 2022 and certainly in 2023. Before landing on a wedding date at an urban venue, check calendars to avoid coinciding your wedding with big, public events, as they could provide transportation and scheduling hassles.
Highlight why the spot you chose to tie the knot is special to you—and reveal a bit more of you and your betrothed’s personality—by creating a brief-but-personal city guide with your favorite restaurants, bars, museums and retailers located nearby your wedding venue to send with your invitations.
Lauren & Leo Tag Ranch, July 17th Planning and Design by Marae Events Photography by Heather Nan
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Lauren and Leo, who are both Park City transplants (she’s from Torrance, Calif. and he hails from Newport News, Va.), met on the job at Montage Deer Valley. “We worked in different departments but realized a connection when we were out for drinks one night with a mutual friend,” Lauren says. “We hit it off instantly.” Fast-forward five years later: While each had moved on in their careers—Lauren sells real estate and Leo is both a whiskey blender for High West Distillery and recently launched his own wine label, Model Citizen—their relationship was stronger than ever. And, so, Leo decided it was time to bring it full circle. “He proposed to me back where it all began, on the Vista Terrace at Montage Deer Valley,” Lauren says.
THE VENUE
For their wedding, the couple “wanted to throw a big family party where we could all be outside and enjoy the beauty of Utah,” Lauren explains. As such, from the moment she and Leo arrived for a site tour at Tag Ranch, a working ranch and event venue bursting with upscale western charm, they knew it would be their wedding venue. “When we arrived at the ranch we instantly felt at home,” Lauren says.
THE BIG DAY
Marae Events’ Sarah Tucker helped Lauren and Leo zero in on a modern and neutral color scheme based in white, ivory, creme and sage green with black and tan accents. The couple was married at the ranch’s flagstone patio ceremony site under a rough-hewn timber arch flocked with free-form florals. Woven baskets heaped with grasses and greenery, inspired by the rolling hills surrounding Tag Ranch, lined the aisle to the arch. Additional baskets were filled with parasols and woven fans for guests to cool themselves with during the ceremony. Lauren wore a romantic off-the-shoulder, A-line gown with an embroidered tulle overlay from White April and fabulous open-toe gold heels with a pleated-bow embellishment. Leo dressed in a custom-made charcoal grey suit and vest. Lauren’s bridesmaids wore taupe chiffon gowns in styles they each chose. The groomsmen wore charcoal grey tuxedos. The ceremony was officiated by Leo’s father.
KING’S TABLE SHOWSTOPPER
Following a post-ceremony cocktail hour featuring drinks made with High West Distillery whiskey, guests made the short walk to a meadow behind the ranch’s barn where a long king’s table was set with flowers and creamy white linens. A canopy of billowing fabric shaded its entire length. “Guests at Tag Ranch usually dine in the barn or on the adjacent patio,” Tucker says. “I wanted to create a little more unique experience for Lauren and Leo’s wedding and proposed pulling the guests into the beautiful surroundings instead.” As Lauren and Leo’s wedding date approached, however, daytime highs climbed into the mid-90s. And so, with help from Moonlight Lighting, Tucker designed the table canopy to shade guests during dinner while deepening the overall aesthetic. The dinner menu was ranch-themed and included smoked Snake River pork shoulder with blood orange barbecue sauce, Dutch oven potatoes, roasted green beans and corn bread muffins with Utah honey butter. Along with the vanilla-custard wedding cake (made by the bride’s aunt), dessert included beignets served with chocolate, caramel and strawberry coulis.
THOUGHTFUL DETAIL
Instead of writing their own vows, Lauren and Leo paid homage to their shared Irish roots with what’s known as a handfasting ceremony. This ancient marriage ritual was made popular in Ireland and Scotland during the early Christian period and is the origin of the familiar expression “tying the knot.” “We were honored to have Leo’s sisters tie the knots for us,” Lauren says.
Everybody loves lush and colorful bridesmaid bouquets, but there’s no hard-and-fast rule that says your attendants are required to carry bunched blooms at your wedding. Creative alternatives include glowing glass lanterns, a colorful Shan (Chinese fan) or ever-chic floral hoops. Here, we’ve gathered our top five alternatives to the traditional wedding bouquet.
BLOOMING SHOULDER BAG
Ditch the handheld bouquet for a cheery clutch embellished with live florals—like this beauty created by Robert Upwall with Salt Lake City’s Every Blooming Thing.
Azalea Flower Company drew inspiration from freshly-picked summertime peaches when arranging this modern hoop arrangement. The arrangements are bursting with garden roses, essential spring tulips, and texture from delicate Japanese Andromeda and hanging amaranthus.
Photo by Clarity Lane
COLORFUL PARASOL
Vividly patterned parasols make a statement for any summer wedding. The artful accessories serve a dual purpose of protecting your bridesmaids from Utah’s powerful rays, and who doesn’t love a little added whimsy?
A struggle that every Utah florist knows all too well is the battle to keep bridal bouquets from wilting in the hot and arid climate. This stunning bride totes a dream-catcher inspired, macrame-dripping ring of cherry-branch florals in lieu of a traditional bouquet, because unsavory weather should never limit celebration of Utah’s natural beauty.
Ditch bright and bouncy blooms for something a bit bolder. Flickering lanterns add a dose of drama to your wedding, especially if your ceremony takes place at dusk. Just imagine your bridesmaids lighting up the aisle with romantic lanterns in hand. Just be sure to swap out the item with something a little softer for the bridal toss.
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
Of course, we love a blooming bouquet as much as the next girl. Check out these desert-inspired arrangements for your big day!
As traditional wedding venues book up, many couples are converting ordinary spaces into unique, exciting places to get married. We’re seeing beautiful weddings staged on a mountain, beside a forest stream, or in a rustic family barn. If you like the idea of doing something original, here are ten tips to help you turn practically any space into a magical, DIY wedding venue.
THINK BIG
Free your imagination to any place that has special meaning to you as a couple. That may be a museum or art gallery, the beach, a favorite campsite or national park, a nightclub, a ski resort, or even the place you first met. The possibilities are endless.
Photo by Cole Hights
BE PRACTICAL
As you dream big, bear in mind that when you create your own wedding venue, you’ll need to supply everything that a traditional venue would generally provide. That includes water, electricity, restrooms, transportation, parking, accessibility, and permits…the list is longer than you think. But if you’re willing to work with your planner and address each aspect of the event thoughtfully, creating your own wedding venue can be pure magic!
PRIORITIZE
Assuming that you and your chosen one have agreed on your wedding priorities and budget (you have had that talk, right?), think about how well those priorities line up with the venue you have in mind. Are stunning photos at the top of your list of must-haves? Is your priority to make sure the whole clan can be there? Or is your first concern to treat your guests to an amazing sit-down dinner and then party and dance the night away? Whatever your top priorities are, make sure the space you’ve chosen can offer them. You may not be able to afford everything you dream, but you’ll get what’s most important to you if you prioritize.
Photo by Ashlee Brooke Photography
SIZE MATTERS
If the space you’re considering is huge (like, say, a horse pasture or the Bonneville Salt Flats), there are tricks to make a venue feel smaller and more intimate. However, if a space is too small to accommodate your guest count, there’s no way to fix that except to trim your guest list.
As a rough rule of thumb, for a seated dinner you’ll need about 12-14 square feet per guest, or 8-9 feet if you’re serving cocktail style with some sitting and some standing. Add another 4-5 feet per guest if you want to add dancing. You’ll also need room for your caterer, a head table, cake table, bar, gift table, etc., but the measurements really depend on the particular venue. That’s why the eye of an experienced planner is crucial. Do a walkthrough together and make sure your space can handle everything you have in mind.
AMENITIES
At a minimum, you’ll need to provide the basics: food, water, electricity, and restrooms. (Nothing can turn a dream wedding into a nightmare faster than a problem with restrooms.) If the space you’ve chosen doesn’t already have restroom access—enough to avoid long lines—it’s worth hiring professionals. Electricity can be supplied by a generator, but remember that ordinary generators are way too loud; you’ll need a whisper generator or two. If your site doesn’t have clean water, you’ll have to pack in enough for drinking, washing, and on-site food prep. Consult your caterer about any food and beverage issues.
PROTECT YOUR GUESTS FROM THE ELEMENTS
If some of the festivities will be outside, you’ll need to protect your guests from too much sun, wind, rain, or other inclement weather—not to mention bugs. A tent, kata, yurt, or marquee are all good options, but make sure you know how they’ll be transported to the site, set up, and taken down.
In hot months, start dinner around 7:30 to avoid the heat of the day. But if you’re going to be in the mountains, move that start time up to around 4:30. Trees will provide enough shade, and the sun sets much sooner in the mountains. Plus, the air is thin, so temperatures drop quickly.
VIEW THE SPACE THROUGH YOUR GUESTS’ EYES
This is where DIY wedding venue planning really starts to get fun!
Think of the celebration as distinct stages that move your guests from one event to the next throughout the night. What do you want them to feel and experience in each stage? Maybe you want them to feel welcomed and relaxed with a lounge vignette with comfortable sofas and a murmuring brook in the background? Or maybe you want them to enjoy a fun display of relics or memorabilia that shares your personal connection to the place? Whatever it is that you love about your chosen venue, find ways to weave it into your guests’ experience.
LIGHTING
There’s no better way to add beauty and mood to your DIY wedding venue than with the creative use of lighting. Uplights placed near walls or drapery can create a muted, open feel that makes a space seem larger. On the other hand, a canopy of bistro lights can make a space feel more intimate and enclosed. Candlelight is a surefire way to heighten the romantic mood, while fairy lights add a playful whimsy. Lights are easy to transport and are an inexpensive way to create the right mood in your wedding venue.
PERMITS, LICENSES, AND INSURANCE
Before you finalize plans for your venue, make sure you’ve taken care of any required permits, licenses, or insurance. Depending on where you want to create your venue, there may be parking permits, fire permits, fireworks permits, or noise ordinances to deal with. A fire marshal may even need to do a walk-through prior to the event. Some cities require a special use permit for a wedding, and state parks generally do too. (Those park permits take time, so get started early!) If you’re planning to set up a tent or other temporary structure, some municipalities require a temporary building permit. An alcohol license may also be required if you’ll be serving any kind of alcohol.
Contact the city or county where you’re planning to host your event and find out what legal hoops you may have to jump through. It may also be worth looking into insurance for your event, especially if you are holding it in a museum or some other setting with a threat of significant property damage.
WORK WITH A PLANNER AND VENDORS
Creating a wedding venue of your own opens up all kinds of beautiful possibilities, but also a lot of challenges. You probably don’t want to deal with every one of those issues on your own, so look at your budget and decide which worries are worth passing off to the pros.
Our main advice here is that you work with an experienced wedding planner. A planner’s expertise can save you time, money, and trouble. Your planner may also have recommendations of local vendors who can greatly reduce the headaches of converting a space into a wedding venue.
If you’re throwing an outdoor wedding, make sure to incorporate eco-friendly practices that are easy on the earth, and your budget.
Elizabeth and Hill were friends throughout college but didn’t go out on their first date until they both were seniors. After completing their undergrad, the couple’s dating evolved into a long-distance relationship when Hill took a job in his hometown of Midland, Texas as a petroleum engineer and Elizabeth moved to Austin to attend graduate school. Then, in July 2020, while on a hike at Brighton Resort during a visit to Utah, Hill popped the question. “Hill was sprinting up the mountain while I was struggling to catch my breath,” Elizabeth says. When we finally stopped for a break, he got down on one knee while I was putting up the hammock. Then we went back to Park City where both of our families were waiting for us at lunch. It was so special, and I had no idea any of it was going to happen.”
THE WEDDING
“I’ve visited Utah every summer and winter since I was born,” Elizabeth explains. “And I’d dreamed of getting married at Deer Valley from the time I was a little girl.” The couple zeroed in on the Montage Deer Valley for its amazing views and delicious food. Forty guests attended their intimate celebration which began out on the Montage’s sweeping lawn, framed by vistas of the rolling Wasatch Mountain Range. Elizabeth wore a classic and clean-lined gown with a plunging neckline in both the front and back. Her veil belonged to Hill’s sister, “so I had something borrowed,” she says. Snowy peonies, delicate white lilacs and bouncy lace scabiosa composed her tonal-white bouquet. She was attended by two bridesmaids, who wore pale blue chiffon dresses in styles they each chose. Hill wore a custom-made tuxedo he’s owned previously with a pair of cowboy boots embossed with “BC” for Buffalo Creek ranch, which his family owns in West Texas. Like Hill, his groomsmen wore their own tuxedos. The ceremony was officiated by the same Presbyterian pastor who officiated Hill’s parents’ and sister’s weddings.
A FRESH AMBIENCE
Florals played a big role in Elizabeth and Hill’s beautifully traditional wedding scene. Artisan Bloom’s Kellie Jackstien utilized local delphiniums to guide the design of an abundant and graceful ceremony arch, which was also layered with white garden roses and local viburnum. “The result was a beautifully composed floral blend that both fits the mountain setting and reflects the elevated luxury associated with Deer Valley,” Jackstien says. When guests moved inside to the Empire Lounge for dinner following the ceremony, they were greeted by a dreamy and romantic ceiling installation made from cascading delphinium and spring greenery. The dining table centerpieces—fragrant peonies, white lilac, ranunculus and Lysimachus—dramatically ran the length of each table, but were kept low to promote across-the-table conversation. Fresh sprigs of lavender appointed each place setting.
FOCUSING ON THOUGHTFUL DETAILS
Elizabeth and Hill infused their wedding with their backgrounds and personalities in many ways, including giving their guests “Davenport Granola”—made by Hill’s mother—in their guests’ welcome bags. “My mother makes a mean but delicious Paloma, so that was the perfect selection for our signature cocktail,” Elizabeth says. After everyone left the dance floor at the end of the evening, the couple enjoyed a final dance to “Annie’s Song” by John Denver. “It was my favorite moment of the night because it was just us,” Elizabeth says.
While teetotaling is a distinct part of Utah culture, that doesn’t mean your wedding events need to be dry. Following are seven unique boozy activities for your wedding weekend in Utah.
The Fox School of Wine’s three-hour of tour of historic Park City locales travels to five stops around town where you’ll sip a different wine at each, led by the school’s Headmistress and Executive Sommelier, Kirsten Fox (40 people maximum).
At the base of Park City’s Town Lift, High West is the world’s only ski-in, ski-out distillery. Photo courtesy of High West: Dan Campbell.
Sample a handcrafted whiskey flight following a tour of the first whiskey distillery to open in Utah since Prohibition, Wanship’s High West Distillery(10 people maximum).
Learn the art of the Old Fashioned along with dozens of other cocktails with a private class (20 people maximum) fromCaputo’s Market & Deli.
Tour and taste your way through Salt Lake breweries with City Brew Tours. Their private tours include up to 16 samples of different craft beers, behind-the-scenes looks at the brewing process and an experienced beer guide. Tours can even be customized to include a photographer or videographer, so you can look back on the experience for years to come.
Sip and Vibe SLC offers private mixology classes accommodating groups up to ten. Book their bachelorette party class, or spirit-specific classes like Tequila with a twist. Each course is 60-90 minutes and includes spirits, glassware and guaranteed banter.
Photo courtesy IG Winery
Learn wine tasting techniques from experienced sommeliers at IG Winery in Cedar City. Their exclusive Barrel Room Tasting offers an intimate boozy adventure with five of their wines, including one pulled directly from the barrel.
Top Shelf’s private bar experiences cover everything from the Whiskies of the Wasatch to the exotic flavor of Tiki. Each class covers the basic principles of mixology and includes instructions on creating 3 classic cocktails with all spirits provided.
The classic men’s wedding band? It’s not going anywhere. But for those guys looking for a less traditional way to ring up, the jewelry world is responding. Today’s increasingly popular men’s engagement rings range from diamond-studded gold or platinum bands and signet rings to others featuring colorful precious stones and distinct metals, from silver to steel titanium. Wedding band offerings are just as varied. Gold or platinum bands are true classics, and assorted finishes—from matte or polished to brushed, hammered or even engraved—can give them a personalized edge. So too do mixed-metal combinations. And guys aren’t overlooking diamonds, either. “Many men want designs that stand the test of time but have a modern twist,” says Dominique Anderson with O.C. Tanner Jewelers in SLC. Fortunately for these chaps, current options have them well in mind.
Rings (L-R): Flat step brushed finished ring in 18K yellow gold, Precision Set, $1,620. Black sapphire pavé ring in sterling silver, John Hardy, $995. Brushed platinum ring with 18K rose gold accent, Coge, $2,660. Star sapphire signet ring in 18K yellow gold, O.C. Tanner Collection, $10,610. Brushed platinum and polished 18K yellow gold ring, Coge, $1,980.
Your wedding is made of little details hand-picked to match your personality and love story, and nowhere is this more apparent than in wedding cakes and flowers. As the centerpieces of your celebration, vibrant floral arrangements and sweet delicacies deserve an extra dash of charm, and they definitely need to find cohesion. To help you find the perfect flower and cake duo, we’ve enlisted the wedding industry’s most trusted professionals to offer a little inspiration. In hues ranging from vibrant to subdued, über-creative event chefs and artisan florists create wedding dessert displays that are a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
A radiant palette of summery yellow, orange, pink, peach and a touch of soft purple is showcased in this irresistible floral and dessert pairing: a refreshing honey lemon tart (below)—adorned with sliced plums, peaches and grapes—and an asymmetrical bouquet of Lisianthus, caramel antike roses, parasol spray roses, dahlias, Mokara orchids, beehive ginger and lavender.
“We’ve curated more than 10,000 menu items over the 38 years we’ve been in business and love creating something delicious that reflects an event’s theme or the personality of those hosting it,” says Meagan Crafts, owner of catering mogul Culinary Crafts.
Flowers by Native Flower Company. Photo by Heather Nan.
Cool green sword ferns, privet and leggy gloriosa lilies create lovely juxtaposition to pink antike roses, Stuartina eucalyptus and dahlias in this exuberant, woodland-inspired floral arrangement. The appeal of this classic color combination is repeated in pistachio-crusted raspberry rose tarts with a pistachio and edible rose petals garnish (below).
Tart by Culinary Crafts. Photo by Heather Nan.
“Food that is aesthetically stunning just tastes better. And we’ve found that the best-looking food comes from using fresh, seasonal and local ingredients,” says Crafts.
