Affected by Noah’s Closure? Find your new venue here.

February 12, 2020

Lost your venue due to Noah’s closure? Luckily, the venues of Utah have your back. The following is a list of venues that are offering discounted pricing for brides left suddenly without a venue:

The Azalea | 11277 Kestrel Rise Rd, South Jordan | theazalea.net

The Bungalow | 235 S. 100 West, Pleasant Grove | bungalowwedding.com

Clarion Even Center | 463 E. 100 North, Payson | clariongardens.com

Cleone Eccles Peterson Alumni House | 155 Central Campus Dr, Salt Lake City | http://ulink.utah.edu/s/1077/16/start.aspx

Ember SLC | 623 S. State Street, SLC | emberslc.com

Gardner Village | 1100 W 7800 S, West Jordan, UT | gardnervillage.com

Heritage Gardens | 2050 E. Creek Road, Sandy | heritagegardens.com

JADEN Event Center at Trolley Square |602 E 500 S P-#103, Salt Lake City | jadeneventcenter.com

Log Haven | 6451 E. Millcreek Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City | loghaven.com

Magnolia Grove | 1117 W South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan | magnoliagroveweddings.com

Marriott Hotels: Provo | 101 W. 100 North, Provo | marriott.com

Marriott Hotels: University Park | 480 Wakara Way, SLC | marriott.com

Memorial House | 375 N. Canyon Road, SLC | memorialhouse-utah.com

Millennial Falls | 12375 S. 1300 East, Draper | millennialfalls.com

The Monarch | 455 25th Street, Ogden | themonarchogden.com

River Oaks Golf Course | 9300 S. Riverside Drive, Sandy | sandy.utah.gov

Salt Mine Production Workspace | 7984 S. 1300 East, Sandy | meetatsaltmine.com

Sleepy Ridge Event Center | 730 S. Sleepy Ridge Drive, Orem | sleepyridgeweddings.com

Statehouse | 631 E 700 South, Orem | statehousevenue.com

This Is The Place Heritage Park | 2601 E. Sunnyside Ave., SLC | thisistheplace.org

Thomas S. Monson Center | 411 E S Temple, Salt Lake City | monsoncenter.utah.edu

Wadley Farms | 35 E. 400 North, Lindon | wadleyfarms.com

Walker Farms | 26 S. 500 East, Lindon | walkerfarms.com

Contact the venues directly for their specific discounts and offers. Best of luck!

There are also a number of restaurants and caterers offering discounts:

Franck’s Restaurant | francksfood.com, offering discounted luncheons and evening events.

LUX Catering & Events | luxcateringandevents.com, offering discounted catering.

Tuscany SLC | tuscanyslc.com, offering discounted luncheons and evening events.

If you are a venue offering discounted pricing for Noah’s brides, please email megan@utahstyleanddesign.com to be added to this list.

Honeymoon in Style with Suits From Albion Fit

February 12, 2020

THIS HONEYMOON AIN’T OVER

“The heart of Albion has always been a love story. One of a boy and girl who met at work, became best friends and got married,” says Liz Findlay, who opened the Albion Fit’s flagship at City Creek Mall in 2012 with her husband and she hasn’t looked back once.

What began inside her family’s Guatemalan factory years ago is now an athleisure-wear giant with four brick-and-mortars (in SLC, Dallas, Scottsdale and Dallas), alongside a behemoth online presence that flaunts bubbly—and often, tan—adventure seekers.

It’s been quite the adventure for the Findlays, as well. “Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity be a part of our customers’ adventures, and yes, their love stories, too,” Findlay says of Albion’s user-generated honeymoon content appearing on social media. “It’s a privilege to be a part of so many women’s most treasured memories. It’s the best part of what we do.” albiontfit.com

Game Changer: Kings of Rings

February 6, 2020

Enso Ring co-founder Brighton Jones almost broke his ring finger during a rock-climbing excursion when a small body shift caused his metal wedding band to catch on a rock. “Fortunately, my ring broke off a piece of rock, instead of my entire finger,” Jones says.

He studied various ring materials during global travels. Soon after, Brighton partnered with his childhood buddy Aaron Daly to design and sell comfortable, fashionable and affordable silicone rings, ideal for guys and gals with an active lifestyle. The concept was so exciting, that even entrepreneurial reality show “Shark Tank” gave the Lehi-based boutique their seal of approval.

Say “I do” with a precious-metal-infused ring or customize a thank you gift for your wedding party that includes stackable rings and bracelets in your wedding hues.

Aside from being easy on the newlywed pocketbook ($25-$35 each), the rings appeal extends beyond your wedding celebration. Their Ring for a Reason offers a portion of ring proceeds to health and humanitarian programs including Global Citizen and Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC). ensorings.com

The Game Changers in Utah’s Wedding Industry

February 6, 2020

Local visionaries transforming the wedding scene, locally and beyond.

SHRED TO WED

“C’mon now, you can do anything for 30 seconds!” Christopher Olsen shouts into his mobile mic over the sounds of dance-club beats and blasting fans. If you’re looking to crush your big-day fitness goals (and max out calories on your smartwatch), meet Shred415.

Olsen and his BFF-turned-business-partner Adria Swindle knew Shred415 was a perfect fit for Salt Lake. “We both love to travel and enjoy trying new fitness studios when we travel. When we took our first Shred415 class in Chicago, we were immediately sold and knew that we needed to bring this concept to the Salt Lake fitness community,” Swindle says.

Skull crushers, anyone? Every Shred415 workout incorporates 4 intervals of 15-minute rounds (hence, the “415”) between cardio on Woodway treadmills and strength exercises on “decks” that include burpees, hammer curls, jumping squats, up-downs, mountain climbers, skaters and so on. The Millcreek space is purposely small, but packs a punch as the lights go dim and the music pumps.

“Shred415 is more than a workout. We welcome and encourage people of all fitness levels. Lights are dimmed, music is loud and our certified instructors are there to motivate and help clients achieve their individual fitness goals,” Olsen says. “We also offer childcare, towel service and many more amenities to make your workout experience enjoyable.” shred415.com

How to SHRED for the Big Day:

Shred to WEd is a program that brides and grooms can experience for the three months leading up t their wedding day. The program is $139 for each of the three months. “This is a great discount from our regular unlimited monthly membership,” Swindle explains. Brides and grooms can ‘shred’ as many times as they want before the big day.”

KINGS OF RINGS

Enso Ring co-founder Brighton Jones almost broke his ring finger during a rock-climbing excursion when a small body shift caused his metal wedding band to catch on a rock. “Fortunately, my ring broke off a piece of rock, instead of my entire finger,” Jones says.

He studied various ring materials during global travels. Soon after, Brighton partnered with his childhood buddy Aaron Daly to design and sell comfortable, fashionable and affordable silicone rings, ideal for guys and gals with an active lifestyle. The concept was so exciting, that even entrepreneurial reality show “Shark Tank” gave the Lehi-based boutique their seal of approval.

Aside from being easy on the newlywed pocketbook ($25-$35 each), the rings appeal extends beyond your wedding celebration. Their Ring for a Reason offers a portion of ring proceeds to health and humanitarian programs including Global Citizen and Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC). ensorings.com

Say “I do” with a precious-metal-infused ring or customize a thank you gift for your wedding party that includes stackable rings and bracelets in your wedding hues.

THIS HONEYMOON AIN’T OVER

“The heart of Albion has always been a love story. One of a boy and girl who met at work, became best friends and got married,” says Liz Findlay, who opened the Albion Fit’s flagship at City Creek Mall in 2012 with her husband and she hasn’t looked back once.

What began inside her family’s Guatemalan factory years ago is now an athleisure-wear giant with four brick-and-mortars (in SLC, Dallas, Scottsdale and Dallas), alongside a behemoth online presence that flaunts bubbly—and often, tan—adventure seekers.

It’s been quite the adventure for the Findlays, as well. “Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity be a part of our customers’ adventures, and yes, their love stories, too,” Findlay says of Albion’s user-generated honeymoon content appearing on social media. “It’s a privilege to be a part of so many women’s most treasured memories. It’s the best part of what we do.” albiontfit.com

Real Wedding: Historic Beauty at the Utah State Capitol Building

February 4, 2020

Catherine
& Branden

Provo City Temple, Provo + Utah State Capitol Building, SLC

January 19th

Photos by Jacque Lynn Photography

THE COUPLE

A matchmaker introduced the two executives (Catherine is a Chief Product Officer and EVP of Engineering at Domo, and Branden is the CEO for Gear.com). Four months in, Branden and Catherine headed to St. George for Thanksgiving weekend where Branden enlisted the help of his four children—ages 9, 10, 10, and 15—to help with a proposal inside Snow Canyon State Park. One hundred feet below an overlook where Branden and Catherine stood, the pint-sized foursome held a 30-foot sign that read, “We love you, Catherine. Will you marry our dad?”

THE WEDDING

Catherine and Branden chose the Provo City Temple because of its historic beauty. “We were privileged to have a friend of the family and General Authority Seventy, Elder Kim B. Clark, perform the ceremony,” Catherine says. A ring ceremony and reception at the Utah State Capitol followed. “A big reason for doing the ring ceremony and reception was to give the children an experience that would help mark the start for us as a blended family.”

THE MOOD

“With the grand backdrop of the historic Rotunda at the Utah State Capitol Building, we wanted a refined yet jubilant mood. We wanted our closest friends and family to feel the emotions and the love that we had experienced in our relationship with each other as we became a blended family with Branden’s children,” Catherine says. “We took our cues from the Rotunda, selecting florals in fuchsias and magentas. These colors contrasted beautifully with navy—navy velvet tablecloths, navy invitations and prints, all with touches of gold.”

THE MENU

Catherine and Branden drew menu inspiration from Germany, as both of them had served missions there for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Brats and pretzel bites started the meal, a winter salad followed, and entrees included Cabernet-braised short ribs with creamy polenta or chicken breast Marsala with artichokes and capers.

THE PARTY

The newlyweds kicked off festivities at the end of the ring ceremony. A gospel choir surprised guests by following the bridal party and singing “All You Need Is Love” while descending from the rotunda staircases. Later, Catherine offered a musical performance to the children: “Lighthouse,” an original composition written by Catherine and performed by a family friend Natalie Hill Jensen, accompanied by Catherine on the grand piano. “At night, when I would listen to the children’s prayers, they would always pray to not have bad dreams,” Catherine explains. “These children had lost their mother to cancer, and their tender prayers at night touched my heart. Because I have always composed music, I felt one of the most personal gifts I could give them at the wedding would be a lullaby, one they could listen to at night.”

“The lullaby was the most memorable moment for me,” Branden adds. “I had seen the incredible effort Catherine put into writing and refining the song, but to hear it in person, sung by Broadway singer Natalie Hill Jensen, brought tears to my eyes. It’s a gift to the family that we will treasure forever.”

THE HONEYMOON

Catherine and Branden celebrated their honeymoon with a trip around the world:
Hong Kong, Rome, Naples, New York and
the Bahamas.

Scroll on for more classic details from Catherine & Brandon’s big day:

VENDORS:

Photography: Jacque Lynn Photography, Sandy | @jacquelynnphoto
Wedding planner: Fuse Weddings & Events, SLC | @fuseweddingsandevents
Catering: Culinary Crafts, SLC | @culinarycrafts
Ceremony site: Provo City Center Temple, Provo
Reception site: Utah State Capitol building, SLC | @utstatecapitol
Flowers: Decoration Inc., SLC | @decorationinc
Rentals: Diamond Rental, SLC; Performance Audio, SLC | @diamondeventandtent @performanceaudio
Linens: La Tavola | @latavolalinen
Bride’s ring: Innovative Custom Jewelry, Heber City | @innovativecustomjewelry
Groom’s ring: Sierra West, Orem | @sierrawestjewelers
Invitations: Fuse Weddings & Events, SLC | @fuseweddingsandevents
Ceremony gown: Alyssa Kristin via Alta Moda Bridal, SLC | @alyssakristinbridal via @altamodabridal
Reception gown: Yolan Cris via Alta Moda, SLC | @yolancrisbridal @altamodabridal
Flower girl dresses: Etsy
String quartet: String Quartet Utah, SLC |
Gospel choir: Unity Gospel Choir, SLC
DJ: DJ Elliott, SLC
Videography: Chris McClain, SLC | @chrismcclainfilms
Photo booth: Couth Booth, SLC | @couthbooth

Snowbasin Resort Named Winner of The Knot Best of Weddings 2020

January 30, 2020

Our friends at Snowbasin Resort released an exciting announcement earlier this month: Their venue was selected as one of The Knot’s Best of Weddings for 2020! All their brides left such rave reviews on The Knot and Wedding Wire that they launched up to the top of the rankings, as part of only five percent of national venues to get the honor!

“These winners represent the best of the best wedding professionals that engaged couples should consider booking for their own unique wedding,” explains The Knot’s site. And who can blame the brides for choosing these views? Last year, we featured Ayesha & Sean’s epic mountain bridals, taken at (you guessed it) one of Snowbasin’s lovely meadow venues!

Tonja Hanson, Executive Director of Sales at Snowbasin Resort shares, “Snowbasin Resort is thrilled to be recognized by the Knot as a top wedding venue across America. Snowbasin Resort offers a custom individualized approach for every bride and groom; from their personalized venue tour, hands on detailed planning process, and the meticulous assistance on their special day. With engagement season in full bloom and Valentine’s Day fast approaching, Snowbasin would love the opportunity to work with couples near and far to create their perfect day.”

You can tour their venues on their site here, or you can simply enjoy the scenery by browsing the rest of Ayesha and Sean’s meadow-magic bridal session!

Real Wedding: Alec & Blake’s Masculine Meadow Wedding

January 28, 2020

Two dapper grooms come together in an epic-views, modern-lined and masculine meadow ceremony at Park City Mountain Resort.

THE COUPLE

Alec (an athletic event producer from Orem) & Blake (a commercial real estate pro from Sandy) met online in a modern fairytale, and dated for 18 months before Blake pulled off an epic surprise proposal, complete with the pair’s dogs, hundreds of memories in photos hung from trees, and a classic, one-knee question. Alec said yes!

THE WEDDING

After a bachelor party at the HardRock in Las Vegas, Alec & Blake tied the knot on June 8th, 2019 in a elegant, masculine, mountain-view-laden ceremony with fun-loving twists for a fun-loving couple. The wedding party and guests traveled up a ski lift to a sprawling meadow at the top of Park City Mountain Resort, where a peaceful setting and a driftwood backdrop waited for the vows. After the “I Do’s,” guests returned to the reception at Legacy Lodge via the Alpine Slide. Each guest was given a custom-embroidered handkerchief for their “Tears of Joy” during the ceremony, featuring the logo of Alec & Blake’s big day. Talk about a production!

Blake’s brother provided festive background music for the aisle procession and post-vows, honoring the family’s Scottish heritage with traditional bagpipe melodies.

“We both love being outdoors, and since we both find so much peace in the mountains, we thought it would be the perfect place to get married,” says Blake. For the dinner and reception, the Lodge was decked out in brilliantly layered succulents, modern-lined driftwood centerpieces and burgundy accents, which the couple selected to bring a more masculine mood to the event. Set against a simple palette of black and cream, the deep red and gold certainly got the job done, including in the velvet smoker jackets the grooms wore for their first dance and afterparty.

THE MENU

The grooms and their guests enjoyed an epic menu by Park City Resort, which included Red Wine Tenderloin, impressive charcuterie spreads, Utah-sourced salads, and selections of pesto salmon with Champagne citrus butter sauce and pancetta chicken with Pine nut and chevre stuffing and balsamic pomodoro dressing.

Later in the evening, guests also enjoyed bits of the couple’s three-layer, rainbow-dyed and succulent draped wedding cake, and snacked on soft pretzel bites.

THE PARTY

Alec and Blake describe their big day as a night full of “love, more love and acceptance.” During toasts, the fathers of the grooms gave toasts, which the couple and the guests claim were the best wedding toasts ever given, full of love and joy for the union of their sons. After dinner, the party continued as guests danced away to a playlist of 2000’s dance hits and oldies, and wiped their happy tears while watching Alec & Blake perform their first dance to “Wasn’t Expecting That” by Jamie Lawson. Alec surprised Blake by recreating the dance between David & Patrick on “Schitt’s Creek,” a favorite show of the couple.

The couple now reside in their new home together in Riverton, and though they went to Scotland just before the big day, hope to return to Europe soon for a honeymoon!

Scroll on for more of Alec & Blake’s elegant wedding day.

VENDORS

Heading North: Woodland-Foraged Wedding Florals in Tamarack, Idaho

January 20, 2020

Sarah & Tyler

August 31, 2019

Private Residence

Tamarack, ID

After a sealing at the Meridian Idaho Temple, Sarah and Tyler celebrated with a dreamy, meadow-magic ceremony at a private residence in Tamarack, ID. Bubbling over with elegant, organic and nearly whimsical foraged wedding floral placements, the berry-accented décor immediately draws the eye.

THE DÉCOR

The largely Utah-based party pro team (including Kindred Rising Events, Alice Shoots People and The Potted Pansy) worked closely with the mother of the bride to bring the natural foliage around the beautiful home venue into the design. Upon visiting the home, the designers were immediately inspired by the forest paradise, lined with aspens and meadow grasses. Taking full advantage, they created a palette of foraged wedding florals like we’ve never seen before.

To make the wooded oasis a little more bridal, bride Sarah knew they would need to add a bit more sparkle. That’s where Idaho Tents & Events came in: the planners erected a clear tend in a clearing to give the guests a view of the trees and lakeside as they dined with the couple, and Idaho Tents & Events delivered the stars. They strung over 12,000 lights in the tent!

The surrounding fauna also contributed to the decor within the tent. Not wanting the interior décor to distract from the exterior clearing’s beauty, Mandy Ogaz with Potted Pansy foraged for natural elements such as berries, wildflowers and aspen trunks from around the family’s property, and used the logs to house her incredible, ruffled-rose laden arrangements. Varied sizes of containers added interest and texture to each tabletop, with just a few traditional brass vases and candlesticks to add height and dimension, as well as catch the light from the “stars.”

Delicate, intricate wildflower fronds also themed in each bouquet, perfectly matching the huckleberries scattered among the tablescapes for yet another whimsically natural touch. Wooden boxes from Sage & Thistle tied the natural to the glamorous as the centerpiece of each setting.

Each personal setting was accented with an intricate violet goblet, to further incorporate the color of the huckleberries, and added a delicious pop of color. The wedding was held during huckleberry season, so those rich berry hues couldn’t be resisted. Custom sage linen and gold chargers accented china plates, but each table had something unique: each was named for a different mountain in Idaho, or that had significance to the bride and groom.

“They were a fun conversation starter, and added a personal touch to each table,” says Erica Paine, of Kindred Rising Events.

THE CEREMONY

For the ring ceremony, Sarah and her family knew they wanted to have it in a particular grove of aspen trees that had a view of the lake.

“We didn’t need to do much to this area because it was already so beautiful and peaceful, but we definitely wanted to add an arch to back the beautiful union,” says Erica. “Mandy Ogaz of the Potted Pansy created the most beautiful arch, full of aspens, greenery, flowers, and other plants they foraged from the property.”

The arch itself is indeed so perfectly natural, it almost looks as though it sprang up from the ground, ready to provide the ideal backdrop for these lovers, their friends and many nieces, cousins and nephews.

THE PARTY

The team brought the meadow back to the house for the dinner, with simplified centerpieces on round tables. A dance floor at the back of the house was backed by a larger-than-life banner of Sarah & Tyler at their bridal shoot by Alex Colberg, and flanked by large aspen trunk stools and slabs of wood with living edges, of course foraged from the property. The wood serves as tables for dessert and seating for those needing a break from the dancing.

“It was a beautiful and perfect night. Alice Cannon from Alice Shoots People captured the beauty and love shared that day through her incredible photography. The guests danced the night away, and we sent off the bride and groom with love, laughter, and through a cloud of bubbles.”

Scroll on to see every last perfectly matched detail of Sarah & Tyler’s big day!

VENDORS

Design, Planning, and Coordination: Kindred Rising Events & Design | @kindredrising
Photography: Alice Shoots People | @aliceshootspeople
Bridals/Banner: Alex Colberg | @alexcolberg
Florals: The Potted Pansy | @thepottedpansy
Furniture & Tent Rentals, Lighting: Idaho Tents & Events | @idahotentsandevents
Decor Rentals: Kindred Rising and Sage and Thistle Events | @sageandthistleevents
Flatware & China Rentals: Event Rent Idaho | @eventrentidaho
Catering: Remington’s, Cascade, ID

Harlie & Tanner’s Desert Rustic Wedding at White Shanty

January 16, 2020

Harlie & Tanner
September 20, 2019
White Shanty Venue

Two swing-dancing lovers tie the knot in the rustic-chic wedding of the decade at White Shanty wedding venue.

THE COUPLE

In a romantic twist of fate, Harlie and Tanner met swing dancing in Provo, Utah in November of 2017. Harlie was supposed to be on a blind date, but her date canceled, and Tanner had traveled in on a whim from Richmond on the perfect night. Two years later, Tanner surprised Harlie again in January of 2019, when he got down on one knee at the Provo City Center temple.

“It ended up being a super memorable and special moment for us both,” says Harlie. “Nobody was there but him and I – I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way!”

THE WEDDING

In September, Harlie and Tanner were married in the Payson, Utah temple, and celebrated at the White Shanty venue, a space that fit the couple’s unique style perfectly. With a country-vintage vibe and a stunningly rustic palette (think lush greens, rich mauve and berry hues, and a spectrum of neutrals), the evening was packed with ideal fall party needs.

Harlie sealed the deal in a fun, flirty and fabulously feathered lace-sheath from J. Noelle Design, with illusion sleeves and a dream-come-true cathedral-length train. Tanner completed their unique cowboy-bridal look with a near-rose suit jacket from JC Penny, and of course a cowboy hat and impressive belt buckle. The bridal party kept it sleek and simple in white shirts and dresses, with pink floral accents.

The day’s décor was peppered with dripping greenery, and naturally textured floral. Harlie’s bouquet flawlessly complements her unique gown, with its accessories of bleached greenery, feathers and the smallest petals on the biggest blooms for an even deeper “feathered” look.

Macrame hangings bring rustic style to the venue’s walls, teepee photobooth and even to the cake.

Deep red florals and ruffled ribbons carry the desert palette throughout the wedding design, all anchored by those richly textured greens and scattered succulents. The couple’s unique ranch-chic style was solidified with cowhide rugs and antlers anchoring the other, more traditional elements of the day’s decorating. The reception also featured matching game and activity tables, keeping everyone from grandpa to the youngest niece or nephew entertained for the whole party.

THE MENU

Copper Grill Catering brought the autumn favorites in full swing, with a variety of hearty appetizers and small bites and a fully-stocked pie bar. Other crowd favorites included spice cake donuts, a whole palette of jams and apple cider slushies to wash it all down.

The wedding cake (created by Sky Smith of Pomelo Cakes) was a simple vanilla cake, with coconut and cookie butter fillings.

“Cutting the cake was pretty funny,” Harlie shares. “We both got each other real good with our cake slices!”

THE PARTY

Of course dancing was involved in the big day, since it was what brought the happy couple together. Harlie and Tanner had their first dance and husband and wife to “Dance With Me” by Morgan Evans and Kelsie Ballerini.

“Since dancing was kind of how it all started we really tried to get everyone involved in enjoying ending the night in how all this came to be. ”

Harlie & Tanner took a twist on tradition with their pre-dance-party activity: the bouquet/garter toss. Traditionally, we all know who throws what: these lovebirds decided to mix it up! Harlie slingshotted the garter (that she pulled from Tanner’s leg) and Tanner tossed the florals into a sea of eager groomsmen. Two of Harlie’s young cousins caught the items, making a fun and laughable memory for everyone in attendance!

“Seriously, the most perfect day, in my book. I will forever cherish the moments and pictures that I received from our wedding day. There is nothing we would change about this day. Everything turned out exactly how we wanted it!”

See more of Harlie and Tanner’s perfect day:

Suit coat is from JCPenny

VENDORS

Photography: Mila by Makaily | @milabymakaily
Gown: J. Noelle Designs | @jnoelle.design
Suit: J.C. Penny | @jcpenney
Floral: MDG Floral | @myfloralhobby
Cake: Pomelo Cakes | @pomelo.cakes
Venue: White Shanty | @whiteshantyvenue
MUA: Katie Livingston | @katielivingston1
Couple: @T_crooked_e @harliem
Photobooth: @teepee_photo_booth
Catering: Copper Grill Catering

Real Wedding: Old-School Meets Whimsical Wedding at Castle Park

January 10, 2020

A Utah Valley florist designs her own wedding with a whimsical take on old-world classics.

Jenessa & Parker

April 20, 2019

Provo City Center Temple & Castle Park Events

THE COUPLE

Parker pulled out all the Prince Charming stops when it came to proposing to Jenessa, his girlfriend of seven months. He arranged in secret with the bride-to-be’s best friend to gift the pair false tickets to The Nutcracker, but when he came to pick her up from her job at Springville Museum of Art (also the location of their first date at a service event), it became clear that Parker had an entirely different plan in mind. A friend handed Jenessa a letter as she headed out of her office, and she immediately knew something was up. The letter led her on a little tour of the museum, where all the galleries were lit up with candles, small gifts and love notes detailing all of Parker’s favorite moments in their relationship. In the final gallery, she found Parker on one knee. She said yes!

They had a relatively quick engagement, because Parker’s sister, who plays professional soccer, was only going to be in town a few weeks out of the year, and the couple wanted to be sure everyone they loved could be involved.

THE WEDDING

Jenessa and Parker were sealed in the Provo City Center Temple, on April 20, and had a ring ceremony and reception at The Lower Ballroom at Castle Park. “The venue had the amenities I wanted, but also a little bit of visual interest with the stone floors and arched ceilings that we could work with creatively. I had a vision for having crawling vines and the columns and backdrop at the venue provided the perfect canvas to bring that vision to life

Jenessa is a masterful florist (and co-owner of Bloom Girls Floral based in Provo), so naturally the floral palette came first and foremost in the wedding plans. She owns the company with a friend from the Museum world, and they specialize in luxurious, spunky arrangements.

“Inspired by the Dutch floral paintings of Art History, we are drawn to whimsical, lush, and spontaneous arrangements. You know those gorgeous moody blooms from 17th Century art? Our work draws from those bold and luxurious combinations, but we aim to add a fresh and modern twist to the classics.”

She went with a fresh and bright palette driven by coral hues (hello, Pantone color of the year!).

“It is so cliché, but coral was a driving color because of my love for Juliet garden roses and Clooney ranunculus,” says Jenessa. The bride used her favorite blooms, teamed with luscious, clean cut greenery and a singular, romantic style to create an event packed to the edges with natural beauty and what Jenessa calls “old world Italian influence.”

THE MENU

Marvellous Catering brought the class with a menu full of finger foods both sweet and savory: prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, tomato-basil soup shots with grilled cheese sliders, Italian wedding cookies and strawberry-balsamic panna cotta featured among the favorite dishes.

The bride’s cousin, Janell Peay, provided an eye-popping tower of a cake in three tiers. One layer was chocolate for the bride, another vanilla + lemon compote for the groom, and the final layer was a surprise, waiting for the couple to sample on their first anniversary. What could it be?

Jenessa added cascading florals to the cake, for an effortlessly elegant, show-stopping display. “As a florist, I’ve placed flowers on many many cakes, but it was such a small joy to be able to decorate my own!”

THE CELEBRATION

After the intimate ceremonies and reception snacking, Jenessa and Parker spent their evening dancing with all of their closes family and friends. The couple’s first dance was to “You Are the Reason” by Calum Scott and Leona Lewis. “It’s a beautiful duet that we felt captured our feelings for each other.” Parker is an excellent Latin dancer, so naturally the traditional first slow dance was followed by several latin numbers.

Jenessa and her father have a special bond, and both are all about appreciating the beauty in life. They shared a father-daughter dance to Rod Stewart’s “What a Wonderful World,” which proved to be one of the most special moments of the day.