Real Wedding: Best Friends Turned Soulmates

June 9, 2022

Kayman & Derek
River Bottoms Ranch, Midway, May 14
Photography by Braden Young Photo

THE COUPLE

Derek and Kayman met in their hometown, Orem, while they were both in junior high. Almost instantly they became best friends, which lasted through high school. “I actually took Derek on his first date,” Kayman says. After they both graduated, Derek took a job at Kayman’s father’s company and “one thing lead to the other and we started dating.”

THE PROPOSAL

After they had been together for just over a year and a half, Derek proposed to Kayman on Christmas Day. He began by playing a slideshow he’d made of pictures and memories from their time together up to that point. At the end of the slide show, he asked her to stand while he got down on one knee. “I was so excited that I just went straight in for the kiss,” Kayman says. “I guess he knew what my answer was!” Derek had also arranged for both of their families to sneak in while the slideshow was playing, and so after Kayman eventually said yes, a crowd of their loved ones came in to offer the couple their first congratulations.

THE WEDDING

Kayman and Derek wanted to host a wedding celebration with touches of both modern and traditional elements. With those parameters in mind, they were immediately taken with River Bottoms Ranch, where the venue’s crisp-white barn, serene pond and green horse pastures are all framed by views of Mount Timpanogos. Kayman, who freelances as a florist, chose a soft and lush color palette of golds, pinks, blues, greens, peaches, dark greens and burgundy to complement the venue’s bucolic setting. The couples’ ceremony was held outdoors in front of the property’s pond, between two luxuriant floral columns with still-snowcapped mountains in the background. A string duet provided ceremony music. Kayman was attended by her two sisters, cousin and two best friends. Derek’s groomsman were three of his older brothers, and his nephew served as the ring bearer. The flower girl was a close family friend whom Kayman affectionately refers to as her niece. Another of Derek’s brothers officiated. The couple was sealed in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Provo Temple the next day.

THE RECEPTION

Following the “I dos,” 100 wedding guests moved inside River Bottoms’ airy and light-filled barn to sit down at long, flower-flocked tables for dinner. The menu included Italian chicken pasta, filet mignon, Caesar salad, breadsticks and raspberry lemonade. The dessert course featured a beautifully modern, two-tier cake decorated with sugar petals by Flour & Flourish. One tier of the cake was Samoa flavored (like the Girl Scout cookies); the other, crème brûlée. Later, 100 more guests arrived for the reception where they were served sliders and fries, chocolate cake and Oreo, berry and strawberry cheesecake-pie shakes. The Diamond Empire Band provided music for dancing, which included Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” as a tribute to Derek’s family’s dedication to baseball; “All Star” by Smash Mouth—one of Derek’s favorite songs which Kayman asked the band to learn as a surprise to him; and “Nothing Can Change this Love” by Sam Cooke, which played during Kayman and Derek’s first dance as a married couple. The couple exited the reception in the bride’s father’s bright-blue 1950 Chevrolet. Two weeks after the wedding, Kayman and Derek moved to Texas where Derek is earning a graduate degree in physical therapy and Kayman is teaching dance at a competitive dance studio.

SIGNATURE MOMENT

Just before the ceremony began, Kayman and Derek took a moment to recite their vows to each other with no one else around. “It was something that we wanted to keep special between just the two of us,” Kayman says.

THE PLAYERS

Planning & Floral Design: Rachael Ellen Events
Photography: Braden Young
Bridal Gown: Alta Moda
Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka, zappos.com
Bride’s Send-off Dress: Dillard’s
Groom’s Suit: Jos. A. Bank Clothiers
Videography: Russell Alboroto
Catering: Magleby’s
Reception Music: Diamond Empire Band

Utah’s ranches make for some beautiful wedding backdrops. Here’s all you need to know about planning a ranch wedding.

Bridal Shower Inspiration at Sunday’s Best

June 7, 2022

Don’t get us wrong. We firmly subscribe to the notion that nothing says sophisticated like a wedding palette of blushing pinks, pastel blues, sage greens or champagne beiges. But just because these aforementioned hues epitomize romance doesn’t mean bright and saturated tones can’t be dreamy and stylish. For those a little timid about going full-tint at their wedding, however, Michelle Leo Events presents a vibrant way for color-conscious couples to have their cake—or in this case, brunch—and eat it, too.

Photography by Heather Nan

Zimmerman Concert linen and silk minidress.

A FESTIVE CANVAS

As soon as you walk through the door of Sunday’s Best, a seven-days-a-week-brunch spot located unexpectedly along State Street in suburban Sandy, you know you’ve arrived somewhere special. There, shiny metallic gold hardware and boldly geometric tile merrily juxtapose with soft velvet upholstery and lively floral wallpaper. The restaurant’s vibe—combined with its deliciously creative food and cocktail menu—is unmistakably fun, cheeky and chic. In other words, an ideal location to host a memorable engagement party, bridal shower or post-wedding brunch.

LAYER IT UP

Using Sunday’s Best’s aesthetic as a starting point, Michelle Leo Events’ Event Planner Isabel Rokeach established an exuberant color story based in jewel-toned pinks, purples, teal and green with gold accents. Rokeach set half of the event tables with creamy, lattice-textured table linens, artistic watercolor-printed chargers and Sunday’s Best’s topaz-blue dining chairs. Other tables were set with velvety teal tablecloths, gold lattice placemats, dusty rose dinner plates and the restaurant’s mauve velvet chairs. Gold-toned silverware at all place settings provided continuity between the different yet complementary guest tables.

Molly pink dinner plate and aspen flatware by Wild Event Studio.

TOTALLY TONAL FLORALS

Taking cues from the black, magenta and gold floral wallpaper adorning the restaurant’s foyer, Decoration, Inc. created showstopping yet low-profile centerpieces in bright and cheery magenta, warm coral, deep red and bubble-gum pink. Floral varieties included garden spray roses, dahlias, anemones, peonies, orchids and nerine lilies.

MUCH MORE THAN EYE CANDY

To come up with delicious signature sippers that reflected the event’s vivid color palette, Rokeach didn’t have to look any farther than Sunday’s Best’s thoughtful cocktail program. The just-picked pink Strawberry Fields (bourbon, sake, mint and ginger beer) was served elegantly in coupes and Baccarat crystal Bubble Box champagne flutes, while the Sunday’s Best Spritz (grapefruit, cointreau, sparkling wine and yuzu) and a White Peach Bellini (white port, sparkling wine, seltzer and lemon) provided pops of sunset red and tangerine orange, respectively. And the paint-brush embellishment on the event invitations was repeated in the almost too-pretty-to-eat macaroons and hand-dipped chocolates Summer Time Sweets created for the event. “Through the use of layered textures, unique patterns and intentional pops of bold, flirty colors, this look captures a mid-century-modern vibe aimed at leaving a lasting impression,” Rokeach says.

Macaroons and hand-dipped chocolates by Summer Time Sweets. Engagement Ring by O.C. Tanner Jewelers.

THE DETAILS

PLANNING & DESIGN: Michelle Leo Events
PHOTOGRAPHY: Heather Nan
VENUE: Sunday’s Best
HAIR: Kali Chris
MUA: Kristen Packard Artistry
FLORAL: Decoration, Inc.
PAPER PRODUCTS: Rebekah Nicole Ink
MOLLY PINK DINNER PLATE & ASPEN FLATWARE: Wild Event Studio
COOKIES: Summer Time Sweets
BACCARAT CRYSTAL “BUBBLE BOX” CHAMPAGNE FLUTES AND ENGAGEMENT RING: O.C. Tanner Jewelers
DRESS: Zimmerman Concert linen and silk minidress
MODEL: Avrey Evans

See more wedding party inspiration here!

Celebration Makers: The Lodge at Blue Sky

June 4, 2022

Located 20 minutes from Park City, The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection, sits nestled in the Wasatch mountains on a 3,500-acre ranch. Surrounded by panoramic peak and valley views, Blue Sky offers an impressive and diverse selection of ceremony locations, both indoors and outdoors. “Each space showcases Utah’s wild elegance and profoundly reconnects guests with the natural environment at every opportunity,” says Cait Ferguson, Event Sales Manager for The Lodge at Blue Sky.

One of the largest venues is an 8,000-square-foot rustic barn that once served as the original indoor riding arena for Blue Sky, crafted from upcycled local barnwood. For more intimate gatherings, two mountaintop yurts each boast stunning mountain and valley vistas with expansive outdoor terraces for outdoor ceremonies, while a wood-burning stove keeps things toasty inside for private dinners or post-ceremony toasts. A log cabin dating back to the late 1800s serves as Blue Sky’s outpost saloon, and the adjacent high-alpine field remains popular for ceremonies, receptions or rehearsal dinners.

The team members of Blue Sky are genuine stewards of the earth, and have truly taken the theme of nature-based weddings to heart. Impressive sustainable practices are implemented with each event. Blue Sky uses zero single-use plastics; sources many of its ingredients from within 100 miles of the resort; grows most of its own produce, eggs and fresh honey at the female-led Gracie’s Farm; composts all food from Yuta, the signature restaurant (so that it can be used in regenerative farming initiatives); utilizes biodegradable clay discs at its world-class sporting clay range; and has its own wastewater treatment facility to thoroughly clean any wastewater before it gets returned to the earth. These examples are just a few in the long list of sustainability initiatives used at Blue Sky.

In today’s industry, couples have never-ending options for unique ways to exchange their vows and celebrate with their loved ones. Whether you are looking for an epic mountaintop elopement by helicopter, an intimate ceremony in the cozy fire-lit Yurt, or a large-scale celebration in the restored bar, Blue Sky has a setting to fit each couple’s signature style.

“I’m constantly inspired by our clients and talented vendors. Listening to their stories, being a part of the creative process and witnessing a vision come to life with our property as the backdrop is exhilarating.” —Cait Ferguson, Event Sales Manager

Ask the Expert

WHAT’S AHEAD

This pandemic has truly shown that with creativity and flexibility, anything is possible when it comes to celebrating love. This season, as couples continue with that passion, our team will also continue to curate the best possible guest experiences by infusing Western-inspired activities and meaningful moments into each celebration.

EXCITED ABOUT

We have truly loved the surge in micro-weddings and elevated elopements. Couples are more focused on what matters most: reconnecting with loved ones and forming lifelong memories. Smaller ceremonies are also not necessarily tied to weekends; intimate weekday celebrations are ideal and usually have more availability than Saturdays, which can book up quickly. Weekday ceremonies can be parlayed into a longer, more meaningful vacation for all.

FRESH IDEAS

Intimate weddings and elevated elopements allow you to get creative with your budget, leaving more room to spend on meaningful experiences to enjoy with your loved ones such as fly fishing, organic farm school classes or crystal bowl sound bathing meditation.

27649 Old Lincoln Hwy., Wanship | 435-336-6400

Click here to see a real wedding at this beautiful mountain venue.

Real Wedding: Midsummer Matrimony

June 2, 2022

River & Ian
La Caille, Sandy, June 19
Photography by Pepper Nix

THE COUPLE
River and Ian both grew up in St. George where they became high school sweethearts. “He actually asked me to be his girlfriend on a bridge,” River says with a laugh. Four years and a move to Utah Valley later, River returned home one day to find her house decked out in rose petals and fairy lights and a sign that read: “Put on your favorite outfit and meet me at the location I sent you.” Following the pin Ian had texted to her, the pair met at a bridge in Heber City where he finally popped the question. To many, the overpass might appear ordinary, but to the couple, it signifies the beginning of their love story. “It was so special and such a full circle moment!” River recalls.

THE VENUE

With the help of their planner, Michelle Leo Events, the couple was able to hold the wedding of their dreams just four months after getting engaged. Drawn by its lush garden spaces and sweeping views of Little Cottonwood Canyon, River decided La Caille was the ideal place for their midsummer matrimony. “It was truly a magical wedding that came together so perfectly in such a short time span,” she says. To complement La Caille’s lush and whimsical beauty, the wedding team adorned the space in a palette of blush pink, sage and cream. Brilliant white and green flower arrangements lined the grounds, while a canvas tent kept guests cool during the ceremony. The overarching theme of the alfresco wedding was “Soft, pretty and dreamy,” River explains.

THE RECEPTION

After River and Ian recited their vows and sealed the deal with a kiss, they joined their guests inside La Caille’s greenhouse dining room. The venue’s in-house catering team served a delectable, coursed meal beginning with a Caesar salad, followed by a choice of free-range chicken breast served with roasted fingerling potatoes, herbed carrots and rosemary jus or New York Strip with caramelized onions served with au gratin potatoes and grilled asparagus au poivre. Vegetarian guests were treated to an equally delicious alternative, wild mushroom herb gnocchi paired with heirloom carrots, celery, fennel, Utah farm-fresh corn and mushroom brodo. The feast was made more romantic by the sparkling lights of the indoor canopy and delicate tablescapes adorned with blush garden roses, cream sweet peas and eucalyptus strands.

SIGNATURE DETAIL

To satisfy the couple’s sweet tooth, they included a brownie bar with an assortment of tasty toppings. “Ian and I are not big fans of cake, and we actually always had brownies instead of cake at our birthdays,” River explains. Other reception favorites included the soda bar and signature drink menu, which consisted of a strawberry iced soda and a French cream soda.

FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE

River recalls a particularly heartfelt moment shared with her father. During the dancing portion of the evening, the father and daughter duo swayed to Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” “This was the song my mom had on the radio when they drove to the hospital to have me,” River explains. “It was very special and there were lots of tears.”

THE PLAYERS

Wedding Planning & Design: Michelle Leo Events
Photography: Pepper Nix
Stationary Suite: Minted
Other Paper Goods: Twelve30 Creative
Venue & Catering: La Caille
Rentals: Diamond Event & Tent
Bride’s Ceremony Dress: Fantasy Bridal
Bride’s Reception Dress: Pritchett Bridal
Hair & Makeup: Lesley Lind Makeup Atelier
Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal
Groom’s Tuxedo: Express
Groomsmen Attire: Generation Tux
Videographer: Jared Wortley Films
Florist: Urban Chateau Floral
Cake: Cake by Alessandra
Entertainment: Utah Live Bands

See more real wedding inspiration here.

How to Make the Perfect Wedding Film

May 31, 2022

“I approach every wedding as both the director and cinematographer of a mini-movie that, in the end, will hopefully make couples laugh, gasp and cry,” says Jared Wortley, wedding videographer and owner of Jared Wortley Films. Though his career path veered briefly to physical therapy after he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Wortley has focused firmly on artistic visual storytelling for the last decade. Along the way, he’s learned what makes the difference between a simply good wedding video and a truly memorable one that a couple watches again and again throughout married life. “Much of it is about the prep that happens before the wedding day,” Wortley says. Here are his tips for making sure your wedding film is one you’ll always cherish.

CONSIDER EVERY MOMENT

“Wedding filmmakers generally work by the hour and so, to come up with a budget, I advise couples to think about the last event on their wedding itinerary and then work back from there,” Wortley says. He advises couples to think also about those events that are not part of the actual wedding day—shots like drone footage of the wedding venue, first-look images or the rehearsal dinner, when people outside of the wedding party traditionally offer toasts and well wishes to the couple.

WRITE YOUR OWN VOWS

“Repeating what an officiant says simply does not have the emotional power of original words that a couple reads or recites to each other on their wedding day,” Wortley says. He also encourages those who are giving toasts to prepare their speeches in advance rather than winging it.

CREATE A FIXED SPOT FOR TOASTS

Ensure that toasts make it to the final cut of your wedding film by designating a place at the reception where guests can go to give them. “A mic stand and a table to place a drink on is a great way to control both the lighting and sound,” Wortley says. “But we always have a remote mic on hand for the inevitable rogue groomsman who wants to rove around the room while delivering their toast.”

REMEMBER THAT LESS IS MORE

Wortley will often gather upwards of 12 hours of footage to create a single 10- to 15-minute wedding film. “My intent is to beautifully highlight the couple and their day but also leave the viewer wanting more,” he says. “I can certainly make a longer piece, but then viewers usually get bored.”

Read our tips for choosing the right wedding photographer here!

3 Sustainable Wedding Ideas

May 24, 2022

It’s no secret that weddings are not environmentally friendly. From the thousands of airline miles required to gather far-flung friends and family to single-use wedding attire to exotic floral décor and imported food and drink, the carbon footprint for even a modest event can be significant. But we submit that celebrating love is perhaps more important now than ever. As such, we’ve gathered three ideas for planning a memorable nuptial celebration that minimizes the next-day carbon guilt.

Sustainable Wedding — Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock

CHOOSE A REUSED, LAB-GROWN OR ETHICALLY RESOURCED DIAMOND

An inherited engagement or wedding ring diamond is, of course, the most environmentally friendly choice, not to mention the most meaningful. Those without access to legacy gems can buy new at a retailer that procures all its natural diamonds from ethical sources, like O.C. Tanner Jewelers. Another option is to choose lab-grown diamonds, which helps save the planet from high-impact mining practices required to unearth the precious gems. “Aside from where and how lab-grown diamonds are formed, they are optically and molecularly the same as natural ones,” says Joe Maughan with 9th and 9th Jewelers.

2. CHOOSE A GREEN-CERTIFIED VENUE

Ask your planner about venues that adhere to earth-friendly energy efficiency, recycling and water conservation practices. A few of Utah’s more notable eco-friendly venues include the Montage Deer Valley in Park City, a LEED-certified building that was named a platinum GreenLeader business by TripAdvisor; Zion National Park’s Zion Lodge, which has received Green Seal’s prestigious Gold certification; and Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort, powered completely by a new in-house cogeneration power system that’s 50% cleaner than coal-based energy sources.

3. GIVE REUSABLE CUPS AND SERVE SINGLE-SOURCE BEVERAGES

To avoid the water and waste presented by glassware and canned and bottled drinks, give each of your guests a personalized, pint-sized, stainless-steel cup at the rehearsal dinner with the request that they use it to catch the tap beer and wine, water and even homemade root beer served over the course of your wedding weekend.

Find more tips on eco-friendly wedding planning here!

Real Wedding: Remote Ranch Romance

May 23, 2022

Taylor & Austin
4U Ranch, Peoa, July 16
Photography by Gideon Photography

THE COUPLE
Before heading out on a date with someone else, Taylor, who is founder and CEO of the women’s golf clothing brand, Draw & Fade Modern, agreed to stop into a friend’s office party. It was there that she met the company’s senior director of offline sales and operations, Austin. “He was dating someone else at the time, but as cliché as it is, it was love at first meeting for both of us,” Taylor says. A few months later, the two met for a round of golf. Two years after that, Austin proposed. “We were on vacation in Italy and he rented a boat to ‘explore’ Lake Como,” Taylor recalls. “He even hired a photographer to capture his proposal but had her disguised as a deckhand so I wouldn’t suspect anything. It was pretty perfect.”

WEDDING WEEKEND
Taylor and Austin anchored their three-day, wedding celebration at Peoa’s 4U Ranch. “We had seen a handful of other venues in Park City, but didn’t think the hotel settings were for us,” Taylor says. “4U is so remote and set against a picturesque mountain and river with no onlookers; it was perfect for us.” The ceremony, attended by 85 guests, was officiated by Taylor’s brother, Garrett, and included vows the couple had written themselves. Seven bridesmaids and six groomsmen stood with the couple during the ceremony. The couple hosted other events during their wedding weekend including a rehearsal dinner/welcome party at Promontory Club’s Outfitter’s Cabin and a send-off brunch the day after the wedding.

THE SCENE
Taylor and Austin’s wedding colors reflected the creamy beige and dusty green palette of the rolling landscape surrounding 4U, with pops of burgundy for contrast. Marianne Seale, with Bushel & A Peck Floral Design, set a dramatic tone at the riverside ceremony site with an asymmetric phantom arch made with multiple rose varieties, larkspur, dahlias, magnolia greens and feathery pampas grass. An Aperol Spritz signature cocktail was served to guests with passed hors d’oeuvres immediately following the ceremony. To acknowledge Taylor and Austin’s engagement locale, the dinner menu had an Italian theme, served to guests at two long, king’s tables. The cake, by Flour & Flourish, was the same sweet potato flavor served at the bride’s brother’s wedding. Among the gifts the couple gave their guests were ballet flats, given to women at the reception, “because we knew it was going to turn into a huge dance party and wanted everyone to be comfortable,” says the bride. Taylor and Austin took their first dance to “Yours to Keep” by Jordan Mackampa. The New York City-based Shag Horns, a band the couple had seen while out on a date before they were engaged, provided the music during the dancing portion of the reception. Guests enjoyed burgers and fries from In-N-Out Burger as late-night snacks.

MEANINGFUL DETAIL
Taylor and Austin made seating place cards from wine corks that they individually inscribed with a date and event specific to each guest. “We based it on a tradition we have as a couple of writing the date, what we were doing, who we were with, etc., on a wine cork after we’ve finished the bottle,” Taylor says. “The place cards took a ton of time to do and lots of looking through calendars and photos, but was well worth it in the end.”

THE HONEYMOON
Taylor and Austin had initially planned to tour Australia and Fiji for their honeymoon, but with COVID travel restrictions still in place, decided instead to go back to Italy. There they spent 10 days in Tuscany wine tasting and “eating as much food as possible.”

VENDORS
Planner: Michelle Leo Events
Photographer: Gideon Photography
Stationary: Ashley D. Studio
Venue: 4U Ranch
Rentals: Diamond Event & Tent
Bride’s Dress and Shoes: Vera Wang and Loeffler Randall
Bridesmaid gowns: Jenny Yoo
Hair & Makeup: @NatalieClarkStudio
Groom’s Tuxedo: Bonobos
Groomsmen Suits: The Black Tux
Videographer: Ryan Hinman
Florist: Bushel & A Peck
Caterer & Bar Service: The Blended Table
Cake: Flour & Flourish
Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Music: Nicholas James
Reception Band: Shag Horns
Photo Booth: Couth Booth
Balloon Installation: Pop! Park City
Transportation: Snow Country Limousine

Like the ranch scene? Here’s another beautiful ranch wedding.

Celebration Makers: Serendipity Event Designers

May 21, 2022

There’s something about falling in love that makes magic come to life. Karla Edlinger, owner of Serendipity Event Designers, is a believer in magic, but it’s not her own love story that inspires her; it’s yours.

Edlinger has been working as a professional wedding planner and designer for more than a decade, and has the perfect spell for creating lasting memories.

First, Edlinger and her team sit down with you as a couple, to chat about everything under the sun. They want to know you, feel you, and understand your story and dreams. Then comes the vision. Along with the usual suspects like venue and headcount, Serendipity Events encourages clients to think about what they want their day to look and feel like. Once she understands your fairy tale, Edlinger uses her decade of experience to tackle the details that make your event special.

“The environment we create together is the most important thing,” says Edlinger. “The things people will see and hear, touch and taste, matter.” Those sensory and emotional minutiae are what make Serendipity Weddings unforgettable.

Edlinger and her team only take two events per month, devoting their full attention to creating you an event that has soul, vision and memorable flair. Book Serendipity Events for a dose of magic on your wedding day.

“I believe that wedding planning and event design is a full collaboration process,” Edlinger says. “You invite me into your lives and dreams, and I craft them together into one perfect set of beautiful memories.”

Ask the Expert

WHAT’S AHEAD

It’s time to level up the design and production of weddings in Utah. We didn’t come to this earth to play small, so I’m challenging myself to transform every moment into a magical experience. I believe that Utah brides deserve the best: they always have such a special light to them. This year, my goal is to create events that capture all the magic inside each bride that comes to Serendipity.

EXCITED ABOUT:

Another year of working in Utah’s wedding community. You need to know that I love what I do and with whom I do it. My job is to create extraordinary experiences. That’s why we surround your event with partners that love what they do as much as we do!

FRESH IDEAS:

The key to perfected wedding details is a sensory approach: consider the colors, textures, sounds and smells that will bring your perfect wedding to life. These elements all meld together to create an immersive nuptial experience that can only be described as “utterly you.”

4223 Vintage Circle, Provo

We’ve got more wedding planning tips for you here.

Everything You Need to Know About Mountain Weddings

May 19, 2022

The appeal of committing to your partner against the grand scale of a sweeping mountain vista is a no-brainer. Your pictures will be fabulous, of course, and there’s just something about that clean, mountain air that makes any celebration that much sweeter. In the second part of our On Location series, we are sharing everything you need to know about mountain weddings in Utah.

Choosing a Venue

Those looking for the ritzy-meets-rustic vibe that mountaintop wedding venues provide can consider one of the many options offered by Utah’s ski and snowboard resorts, including the sleek and modern The Summit at Snowbird, perched at 11,000 feet above sea level; Deer Valley Resort’s Empire Lodge; the rustic and refined Bearclaw Cabin at Sundance, framed by fantastic views of Mt. Timpanogos; and the glass-flanked deck at Snowbasin’s John Paul Lodge, situated at 9,000 feet with unbeatable views of Mount Ogden. A few of the state’s non-ski resort-operated mountain venues include Stein Eriksen Lodge, Montage and Goldener Hirsch Inn—three super-lux properties located near Deer Valley Resort’s ski slopes and mountain biking and hiking trails; the Snowpine Lodge, a gorgeous Scandinavian-modern hotel tucked into Alta Ski Area’s base; and Log Haven, a historic inn turned five-star restaurant and event venue in verdant Millcreek Canyon.

Timing

Not surprisingly, warm, sunny days and cool nights in July, August and September make summer and early fall the most popular times of the year for mountain weddings—and therefore the hardest months of the year to book. May and June can be a lovely time of the year at high altitudes, when top temps range from the mid-50s to mid-70s and peaks are still snow-capped. Skies across the west are also less likely to be hazy from wildfires in the early- to late-spring as well. But the possibility of rain—and even snow—still looms into June in Utah’s mountainous areas. The weather can be similarly difficult to predict in October and particularly November, which is considered the shoulder season in the mountains. But decreased wedding venue and tourism demands in the spring and late fall can mean greater affordability. And, of course, a winter wedding in the mountains can be downright magical. Expect, however, to pay top dollar for a mountain venue December through March, as you’ll be competing with the throngs of skiers who descend on Utah every winter.

The Elements

Keep in mind that most of your guests will likely be unaccustomed to altitude, so having sunscreen, lip balm and water on hand both at your ceremony—and perhaps in out-of-town guests’ welcome bags—will go a long way in making your big day comfortable for everyone. Place a woolen pashmina or throw blanket on seats at an outdoor fall or winter ceremony to help take away the chill and give your guests a lovely take-home gift.

All in the Details

Riding a chairlift to and from your ceremony can provide an off-the-charts highlight for your mountain wedding, but if your guest list includes those who are afraid of heights, you’ll need a transportation alternative. Also, if you plan to use a chairlift- or tram-serviced venue, be sure to clearly communicate the latest time guests should be on board to arrive at your ceremony on time.

Likely Utah’s most barebones-rustic and economical mountain wedding venue is the Church of Dirt, located at Guardsman Pass between Park City and Brighton. There, perched at 9,700 feet above sea level, a rickety chuppah and rough-hewn benches are surrounded by sweeping, 360-degree ridgeline views. There’s no official booking system for the Church of Dirt. Couples simply leave a piece of wood inscribed with their name and wedding date onsite and hope for the best.

We gave the complete guide on ranch weddings too!

Arm Candy: Floral Wedding Jewelry

May 17, 2022

Corsages are a traditional gift for VIP guests outside of the wedding party: important peeps like the mothers of the bride and groom—including grandmothers, godmothers and stepmothers—and, in religious ceremonies, the passage reader. A more modern take on these traditional tokens of recognition is a graceful fresh-floral bracelet, like this one created by Robert Upwall with Salt Lake City’s Every Blooming Thing.

Floral Wedding Jewelry — Photo by Adam Finkle

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