Alicia & Sean Weddings at the Villa, Cedar Hills, Sept. 4 Photography by Grey Giraffe Collective
A CAFFEINATED MEET-CUTE
Alicia and Sean were introduced serendipitously through a mutual friend at a local Starbucks. Alicia was there for a quick caffeine fix, but she ended up leaving with so much more. Unbeknownst to their shared buddy, introducing the two was just the beginning of an extraordinary romance. The pair are still sipping coffee together nine years later.
CHECKING-IN FOR LOVE
After nearly a decade together, Sean decided to make things official. He planned a romantic staycation at one of Alicia’s favorite hotels, the trip was spontaneous yet sentimental—perfect for commemorating the big moment. “I walked into the room to find it covered in rose petals,” Alicia recalls. “He popped the question right then and there, and we celebrated with dinner and massages the next morning!”
OWLS IN ITALY
The couple was engaged for two years until they landed on the charming tuscan-like venue to host their intimate ceremony. Set in a historic pear orchard in Cedar Hills, The Villa offered stunning alfresco spaces and quaint terracotta cottages. “The cherry on top was when the venue owner told us owls come to nest during the spring,” Alicia says. “Sean is a huge owl lover, enough so to have an owl tattoo on his side. We were sold once we hear that.”
PIZZA IN THE GARDEN
To complement the venue’s natural beauty and organic theme, Alicia chose a palette of Ivory, butter, peach, blush, french blue and garden green. The outdoor dining area was dressed in simple white cloth and understated tableware to achieve the “whimsical garden villa” atmosphere that the couple desired. For the wedding menu, Alicia and Sean wanted to ensure a variety of options to meet their guest’s dietary preferences. Catering by Fiore Pizza Truck and Sobe Eats provided several pizza options, including vegan slices, two salad options, a full tostada bar, and a mocktail bar serving mojitos and sangria.
We can’t help but applaud those that go big. The dreamers and creators that take their visions to the limit, and then one step further. Whether it’s working off a bold color scheme or a shooting at fairytale-like location, executing an inspirational styled shoot is what the bridal community does best. Here, a team of experts come together at the castle-esque venue Wadley Farms to tell a story of splendor, whimsy and red hot romance.
To achieve the storybook wedding feel the team wanted, Wadley Farms provided multiple charming indoor and outdoor areas, something photographer Hailey Marie was adamant about. “We chose to host the styled shoot at Wadley Farms because the style of the shoot was classic and timeless, mixed in with modern romance, which is exactly what Wadley Farms provides!” Hailey says. Throughout the day, the team created beautiful scenes in the courtyard, indoor ceremony area and front entrance. “We wanted to make sure we incorporated as much as we could at each station in order to ensure the best content” explains Hailey.
Stepping outside of the typical wedding color schemes, the team of vendors challenged themselves to use bright shades of red. “Red is not a common theme when it comes to weddings,” says Hailey. “We wanted to challenge ourselves to do something bold and different, while still being romantic and timeless.”
To contrast with the muted natural tones of the indoor ceremony, the talented team incorporated bright pops of red in floral arrangements and tableware. “We used rich shades of red paired with the classic light pink to offset the reds with our florals, table set-ups, and cake!,” says Hailey. The result is a stunning photoshoot that proves bold reds and storybook romance never go out of style.
Utah is experiencing a culinary renaissance. From world-class chocolatiers to renowned artisanal cheesemakers, this state has developed a food landscape that’s as unique and diverse as its famous parks and recreational areas. Your Utah wedding is a chance to show out-of-state guests that this is the place…for fantastic food. Here’s how.
As your guests arrive, you’ll want to make sure they have some nibbles and drinks to enjoy before dinner begins. A charcuterie board featuring Utah fruits, meats, and cheeses is a fantastic option. Utah boasts several cheese-makers that rival the best cheeses made anywhere, including Rockhill Creamery, Heber Valley Cheese, and Beehive Cheese. Sample a variety to find what you like. Among our favorites include Honey Lavender Cheddar (made by Heber Valley) and Aggiano, Barely Buzzed, and 2021 winner Red Butte Hatch Chili (all made by Beehive).
If you’re also going to offer alcohol, why not give your guests a taste of something unique and local? You may want to work with your planner or caterer to customize your own signature cocktail utilizing Utah’s finest spirits like Beehive Distilling’s Jack Rabbit Gin, High West or Black Feather Whiskey, or Distillery 36’s internationally acclaimed “Brigham Rum.” It’s also a good idea to have an assortment of local beers on hand from Epic, Uintah, or Squatters.
Interesting fact: The name “Brigham Rum” is a nod to Mormon leader Brigham Young who commissioned Utah’s first alcohol distillery in the 1860s and controlled the production and distribution of “spirituous liquors” in the state. After Prohibition, production of any kind of alcohol was illegal in Utah until 2006 when High West Distillery opened in Park City. Since then, Utah’s spirit industry has been has been thriving. (Photo Courtesy of Culinary Crafts)
For the non-drinkers on your guest list, you can offer a fun soda bar, boba teas, or “mocktail” versions of your signature drink.
Utah is an agricultural state, and one way we really shine is with our year-round production of local greens. Start dinner with a selection of legumes from Utah’s excellent traditional or hydroponic producers including Bangerter Farms, Snuck Farms, or Brickhouse Growers.
Entrées offer lots of enticing ways to feature locally sourced foods, but a perennial Western favorite is fresh trout.
If fish isn’t your thing, Morgan Valley lamb and Moroni turkey are two great Beehive state alternatives. Red Bird chicken and Snake River beef and pork are also very popular in Utah, especially the American Wagyu beef. You can even go a little more “wild” with local buffalo, deer, or elk!
For more localized wedding menu inspiration, click here!
‘Tis the season for hot cocoa by the fire, holiday celebrations with loved ones, and yes, of course, engagements. December is the most popular month for proposals, with almost 20% of couples popping the question. It’s no surprise, after all, what better Christmas gift than the promise of forever?
For wedding photographers, capturing an intimate proposal moment requires patience, intuition and stealth. Picture, hiding-in-the-bushes-stealth until he/she finally lowers onto one knee for the big moment. In this sweet Grand America proposal, Ashlee Brooke Photography perfectly captures the magic of the occasion and the spirit of Christmas.
Christmastime at the Grand America is a fondly held memory for many Utahns, their seasonal window displays and lit-up gardens making for the perfect holiday activity. This stunning photo session takes place in the Grand’s center courtyard, where bubbling fountains and a 20 ft tree set the scene for a memorable proposal. The team at Belle Bodas Events helped the future groom bring his vision to life with classic flickering candles in glass vases. The scene is simple yet elegant, ideally suited to the grandeur of the venue.
The future bride wears an emerald velvet gown by local dressmaker Natalie Wynn Design. The flattering silhouette features puffed long sleeves and a keyhole cutout on the back, perfect for keeping warm in Utah’s chilly season. She pairs the look with gold drop pendant earrings and an emerald-cut diamond by June Rings.
Our favorite thing about this proposal is the theme of purposeful simplicity. Don’t get us wrong, we love a fairytale engagement as much as the next girl, but there is something to be said about letting love between two people take center stage. Of course, you shouldn’t need to embellish a venue like the Grand America anyway. To schedule your own photoshoot, visit the Grand America website to make an appointment.
What began as a strong friendship between Kendall and Brian naturally evolved into love after spending a winter skiing together. Those that play together stay together, right? Breathe in the scent of pine and let the snowfall tickle your cheeks in this warm-your-soul wedding at Sundance Resort.
After the reception, luminaries led guests to the Redford Center for an after party where late night desserts were served and the dancing continued into the wee hours.
OCCUPATIONS
Kendall is an employment specialist at Montage Deer Valley, and Brian is a sales engineer at Technoform Glass Insulation. They currently reside in Park City.
HOW THEY MET
Brian and Kendall met their freshman year at the University of Colorado at Brian’s fraternity party. They noticed each other from across the room, and Brian asked Kendall to dance. Following an evening of dancing and foosball, Brian walked her back to her dorm and asked for her number. After several weeks of hanging out as friends, he asked her out for a real date on her birthday. “He showed up with flowers and a wonderfully written card,” Kendall recalls. “I knew there was something there.” They fell in love the following winter in 2003 while skiing and spending time in the mountains together.
THE MOMENT THEY KNEW THEY FOUND “THE ONE”
Brian knew when living in Beaver Creek and “life together seemed so perfect and easy,” he says. Kendall says she knew, “When we were living in different states, and all I wanted was for us to be together. At that time I realized I could never imagine being with anyone else.”
In lieu of a guestbook, friends and familysigned these antique skis after the photographer captures them in the newly fallen snow. No need for blooms in this fragrant boutonnière tied with hemp.
THE PROPOSAL
On a Thanksgiving trip to Pennsylvania with Kendall’s family, the couple made plans to attend a Penn State football game. Kendall’s dad was a quarterback for Penn State, and the campus was where her parents met, making it a special place for the entire family. Early that morning, Brian and Kendall met her family on the field for what she thought was a Christmas photo of the family.
A fresh blanket of Utah snow falls for the lucky couple.
After a few photos, Brian asked Kendall to walk with him down the field to the end zone. “I began to shake when he started talking about how I was the love of his life and that this was an amazing trip he would never forget,” she says. “He said he never wanted to live without me, and before I knew it, he was pulling a little box out of his pocket and bending down on one knee. ”
Ecstatic and surprised, Kendall said yes. Despite the cold weather, Kendall eagerly threw off her glove and put the ring on.They celebrated after the game with Kendall’s entire family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
MENU
Caesar salad, blackened salmon and pork, roasted potatoes and vegetables.
Chartreuse—a unique winter choice of color-—was repeated throughout the ski-centric wedding, from the groomsmen’s ties to the candlelit tables.
WEDDING SONG
“Someone Like You” by Van Morrison.
Ski pass escort cards led guests to tables named after ski resorts Kendall and Brian have visited together.
UNIQUE ELEMENT OF THE DAY
Instead of a traditional father-daughter and mother-son dance, “We organized a dance medley with a number of family members that made the biggest impact in our lives in the order they came into our lives,” Kendall says. First, the couple danced together. Next, Kendall danced with her mom and Brian with his mom. Then Kendall danced with her brother and Brian danced with his grandmother, and after that, Kendall danced with her stepfather and Brian danced with his stepmother. Finally, Kendall and Brian came back together to dance to Kendall’s favorite country song “Crazy” by Pat Green.
Their monogrammed logo was used throughout the wedding day.
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT
Bride’s: “Listening to my husband say his vows and knowing the love we felt for each other. Then, of course, the music and the dancing that followed.”
Birch-wrapped candles line the aisle.
Groom’s: “Dancing with my friends, family and my lovely bride to the amazing music played by the band.”
Tiny details like a mossy flower girl basket, the couple’s flower-clad dog, Izzy, and cowboy boots help define the rustic yet elegant mood.
Planning a wedding in the midst of a pandemic presents unique challenges but also incredible opportunities. If you hear wedding bells in the future for 2022, here are some hints for how to create a safe and sensational celebration.
Think Big by Thinking Small
To make your wedding safe and enjoyable for all involved, you may have to get innovative. Hot tip: Micro-weddings are the new posh. By trimming the guest list you can reduce crowding and relax your budget. Brides are also starting to realize what mind-blowing experiences they can create for 20 guests instead of 200. In the last year we’ve seen small weddings in the middle of the Salt Flats, light tunnels created in the middle of a forest, dinner under a waterfall, and delectable ten-course meals. With a short list of intimate friends and family, you’re free to open your imagination and entertain your most elusive dreams.
Weigh and Minimize Risks in Advance
You owe it to your guests to identify risk factors and take reasonable precautions to minimize them. If asking Grandma to fly in from out of state poses too much risk, consider hiring an event production company to set up filming and virtual streaming for family and friends who can’t attend in person. Avoid crowd congestion and allow for social distancing by opting for an outdoor venue. Or, consider implementing a thought-out event design that prevents “clumping.”
A lot of couples alter their seating areas to accommodate the health concerns of their guests. Adding elements such as bubble tents or igloos, private dining areas or family lounge spaces. Some innovative food options that promote further safety include:
Plated meals encourage everyone to stay seated and require no extra contact surfaces between guests.
Boxed meals allow guests to take food with them instead of sitting for a formal meal.
Butler-passed appetizers in lieu of standing buffets promote social distancing. Charcuterie cones are always a huge hit.
Customize
There are plenty of items to customize on your big day, invitations, favors, and place cards—to name a few. But the pandemic blew open a door for creating new details to customize. Masks, sanitizer, soap, towels, water, or even social distancing/selfie sticks can be practical and personal. Get creative and lean into keeping your guests safe. You find fun new ways to make your wedding unique.
Communicate Expectations
As the host of your celebration, it’s up to you to communicate your safety plan to your guests. A classy insert with your invitation lets people know in advance whether they’ll need to do a temperature check on arrival, show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test, wear a mask, maintain six feet of distance, or whatever safety procedures you choose. Don’t worry about pleasing everyone: You can’t. Everyone’s situation is different. If you communicate clearly and let people know what to expect, they’ll be able to make their own choices about how to celebrate your day with you.
Get Help
The best way to enjoy your big day while staying safe is to hire a social coordinator. Your event planner or day-of coordinator may be perfect for the job. Along with a trained catering team, your social coordinator will direct traffic, answer questions, resolve problems, and make sure that everyone has a safe and spectacular experience.
Meagan Crafts is a local expert and Marketing Coordinator of award-winning catering company Culinary Crafts. You can learn more about their services here!
With the warm wedding season behind us, many might assume it’s time to close up shop and settle in for an idle hibernation. But for adventurous brides and tenacious photographers, the forthcoming winter months promise creative opportunities. Ethereal snow-dusted mountains and deep evergreen forests set the perfect scene for dramatic bridal photography. Brilliant white gowns appear to melt into the frosted landscape, offering a stark contrast to pops of color in bouquets and menswear. Even natural light gains a surreal quality as rays reflect off of snowfields and hilltops.
As Utahns wait patiently for our first snow, we’re featuring a frosty photoshoot that offers plenty of inspiration for cold-weather creativity.
Sarah and Jordan have always felt a connection to the outdoors and spend much of their free time exploring the Wasatch’s many hikes and hideaways. It was only right that the two commemorate their shared love of nature with a plein air bridal session. The couple found wedding photographer Alexa Dotson, and together the group braved the icy weather to capture these stunning images.
Sarah’s gown was well suited for the frosty season, featuring delicate lace details on the sleeves and sheer paneling on the sides. She paired the elegant look with a sparkling tiara to achieve an ice-princess-meets-modern-bride look. Jordan opted for a classic tailcoat tuxedo for a more formal appeal. Together, the pair appear as Mother Nature royalty as they wander the majestic alpine landscape hand in hand.
The dignified nature of Park City’s alpine backdrop is enough to elevate any wedding to grandiose majesty. But when combined with the minds of skilled planners from the Bluebird Event Destination Management team, the mountain venue Goldener Hirsch is transformed into an avant-garde locale. As seen in our 2021 issue, this contemporary inspiration shoot highlights the best in local blooms, organic textures and dramatic scapes. Take a look at these never-before-seen images that prove why alpine ceremonies reign supreme for Utah brides.
The Goldener Hirsch provides multiple opportunities for stunning photo ops. The Austrian-inspired ski chalet offers both historic charm and clean backdrops ideal for creative scene makers. “We took one look at Goldener Hirsch’s expanded space, and knew we had to highlight the modern design elements of the renovation while honoring the tradition of the hotel, as it’s a real Park City staple,” says Meredith Parsons, founder of Bluebird Event Destination Management. The team took full advantage of the venue’s scenery, particularly the rooftop which offers breathtaking vistas of the surrounding Silver Lake Village.
The creative team hyper-focused on locally and sustainably sourced design elements, including dried flower arrangements placed throughout the venue. Floral designer Sarah Winward incorporated wild tumbleweeds and natural foliage to make a connection with the outdoors. The golden sheen of each stem reflects the natural light flooding the reception areas, and the feather-like texture offers an ethereal glow.
The bold and angular architectural elements are softened with multicolored floral arrangements and modern candle ware. Dark moody hues provide a dramatic backdrop for bridals before or after the ceremony.
The table setting continues the use of staw-coloured flowers and dried blooms, including a large installation hanging above. For tableware, Parsons chose masculine colors and shapes that compliment Goldener Hirsch’s surrounding architecture while contrasting with lighter elements. “The dark blown-glass candlesticks prop up neutral candles, while the glossy black table finds its counterpart in the fluffy, airy clematis performing as the table’s star florals,” she says.
Ann Elizabeth Print Studio created elegant stationery combining dark blue-gray tones with watercolor details. The artistic renderings of pine trees and mountain scapes offer a glimpse into the ceremony that will follow.
Ethereal, effortless and timeless. These are the words that wedding photographer Jadie Jo lives and breathes by. Her love of natural light and all things natural means she’s often up at dawn chasing the sunrise with brides-to-be. After capturing the soft glow of morning’s rays, she’s off to photograph celebrations of love with not a second to waste. Such is the life of wedding photographers.
To showcase her work in the industry, and bid farewell to the final days of the 2021 wedding season, we chatted with Jo about her delicate editing style, future projects and advice for newlyweds.
UBG: Tell us about how you got started in photography. What sparked your passion?
I picked up a camera my last year of high school for an art class I decided to take for extra credit, and I ended up falling in love with it. Not long after graduation my friends started asking me for portraits and it just went from there. I never really considered a specific field, I just ran with opportunities that came my way. A friend of mine would photograph weddings every now and then, so I asked him if I could shadow him. From there I began to get confident handling equipment on my own. Soon I realized “Oh I am an official wedding photographer now!”
UBG: You work in many different fields: weddings, portraits, fashion and editorial. What is the full range of projects you work on?
I do anything with people, mostly lifestyle. I take family portraits and editorials during the off-season but I definitely specialize in weddings. I also like to put together styled shoots where I get creative control to put an idea together. Most things I do connect in some way to the wedding industry, I would say weddings are definitely my jam. It’s just such a beautiful thing that I get to photograph people on the happiest day of their life celebrating.
UBG: Just looking through your portfolio, your editing style seems to be very bright and airy, yet refined and soft. How would you describe your style?
Exactly that, light and airy yet clear and crisp, and always timeless. That’s a big word for me. I love that I can look back at my work from ten years ago and say that my style still holds up.
UBG: Can you talk more about “natural light” photography and why you are drawn to that style?
I don’t necessarily know why I’m drawn so much to natural light. Studio light is neat and fun to play around with. But there is something about the softness of natural light that is unlike anything else. The elegant glow of natural light sets the tone for gorgeous photos every time.
UBG: Considering how much you work with natural light, when are the best times to go out and shoot?
I like to go out a of couple hours before the sun sets, but my favorite favorite favorite is a sunrise. There is nothing like sunrise light, it’s usually more crisp than evening. Of course sunset glows are gorgeous, and there are usually different colors mixed in so you never know what you’re going to get. But the morning light has a clean look, almost a white aura if that makes sense.
UBG: This year is just the beginning of what’s sure to be a wedding boom. What has been your experience navigating the 2021 wedding season?
It’s been “go, go, go,” and I’m currently catching my breath. Of course it was a great year after little to no weddings, and I welcomed it. I had a lot of fun this year and was reminded constantly why I love doing what I do.
UBG: Do you have a favorite or most memorable project, either wedding related or not?
There are so many I can’t even pick just one. But I did shoot a wedding over the weekend that was probably up there. The bride was from the South so the whole day had a sort of Southern charm. Her colors were blue and white, so it was very aesthetically pleasing and I was able to photograph so many beautiful tiny details.
UBG: You’ve traveled around the world capturing intimate moments between loving couples, are there any that stand out to you when you think back?
Cabo was beautiful and really fun to photograph on the beach. I also love going to the East Coast and to California. Anywhere with water seems to call to me [laughs].
UBG: Do you have any upcoming projects or shoots that you can share with us?
Oh my goodness, well usually during my slow season I set up styled shoots that allow me to keep creative juices flowing and add to my portfolio. It’s been such an insane year I haven’t had much time to think about it, but once I settle down and catch up on editing I will definitely get to work on projects.
UBG: I’m interested to hear about your styled shoots, what kind of aesthetic or mood do you lean towards?
Really whatever I’m feeling creatively. I have a really good friend that I love collaborating with, her brand is called Wild Rose. Her aesthetic is very Anthropologie, Free People and just always outside the box but very beautiful. So I’ll try anything, whether that’s a new location or a dress that is gray instead of white.
UBG: What is one piece of advice you would offer an engaged couple?
My biggest advice would be to not listen to what everyone else wants for your wedding and do exactly what you want. Don’t worry about offending people— it’s your day and should be exactly how you’ve dreamt it.
You can find more photographers in our Behind the Lens series here.
As golden hoursets on vibrant fall leaves, autumn’s magic is undeniable. The smell of crackling fires paired with crunchy crimson leaves is enough to make just about anyone long for a day on the farm. That’s why The Wild Oak—a former historic apple orchard warehouse located along a country road in Lindon—has become a beloved event space melding modernity with tradition, perfectly suited to provide fall wedding inspiration.
FORAGE YOUR FLORALS
When it comes to floral arrangements, there’s no need to play by the rules. “Combining unexpected flower combinations is a great way to create visual interest,” explains Carly Olson, venue manager at The Wild Oak. “We wanted to create cohesiveness between the location and the decor, so we focused on utilizing locally sourced and foraged botanicals,” Olson adds.
“We erred on the side of florals over greenery for the centerpieces and bouquets in order to build depth and texture.” She also suggests using color creatively. “Adding blueberries to the warm-colored bouquets was the perfect way to create contrast and make the combinations unique.”
BUILD OFF THE BARNYARD
The orange-hued, sun-bleached wood used for the pergola and trellis puts a spotlight on warm tones in this celebration’s overall design. “Reclaimed wood can provide a vintage feel and still appear elegant and polished when it’s formed into minimalistic structures,” Olson explains. “Simple décor at the altar places focus on the couple and allows for stellar images of your ‘I dos.’”
SET YOUR SCENES
The key to making an event feel intimate in a large venue like The Wild Oak is to create vignettes throughout the space. “When you thoughtfully decorate and designate certain areas for different components of your celebration, you offer guests an interesting and dynamic experience that encourages them to enjoy one another’s company as well as the party itself,” Olson says. “The trick is making sure to provide your guests with clear pathways so that the event flows seamlessly from one segment to the next.”
CHOOSE YOUR HUES
Golden hour’s buttery-colored evening light provides a picture-perfect ceremony backdrop. “Autumn-inspired color schemes rely heavily on warm tones, so it’s important to create aesthetically intriguing pops, like different textures and metallic touches, so that the design doesn’t all blend together,” Olson says. “Deep shades of orange and burgundy are key when it comes to creating a cozy autumnal atmosphere.”
