Wedding Band 101

It’s officially engagement season, congratulations all around! But as we creep into wedding season, another ring question reigns supreme: what kind of bling comes after the proposal ring? We got the scoop on wedding and anniversary bands from J. Brooks Jewelers, to help all those couples who aren’t sure what style to go with next. Victoria Angulo, the Marketing & E-Commerce specialist for J. Brooks, sat down with us with her insights on finding the perfect band to represent your marriage:

The Wedding Band

Fit 

From a designer’s standpoint, some rings are not necessarily made to accompany a wedding band. For example if you are choosing a halo or other fancy-shaped engagement ring, the crown or halo may be set too low to have an anniversary band fit flush next to your ring.   There are two main options here:

If [flush] is the particular style you want, I would be sure to find or make a ring that’s crown is set high enough to have a ring fit underneath, OR plan to have an anniversary band specially made with a curved style to trace your ring.

Style

 

As far as style goes, we are seeing more of an eclectic stack look be very popular! This meaning a combination of shapes, colors & styles. For example, maybe pairing your solitaire yellow gold engagement ring with a platinum geometric band & classic yellow gold pave set band. Mixing colors & styles in very fun way to add variety to your everyday wear.

We always encourage our customers to choose platinum if they like a white-silver metal. Platinum is our preferred precious metal due to its color & durability. Since platinum is a pure white metal, the color will never change like it does with white gold. In addition, the durability of platinum is higher than any other precious metal, making the prongs of platinum rings last typically twice as long.

Rose Gold

Brooks thinks rose gold has officially made its way as one of the classic metal colors. With that said, we don’t see rose gold going out of style anytime in the near future. Historically, rose gold was actually the most preferred metal color during WWII. Whether it be as the entire ring’s metal color or simply an accent, rose gold is simply the perfect color for those with that rosey pink skin tone.

From 2018 to 2019

In 2018, our most popular diamond shapes were round, oval & cushion diamonds. A rose or yellow gold oval halo was the most popular style of the year! Along with that, we saw solitaires make a very real impression, along with geometric shape bands & halo rings.

 

We at J. Brooks anticipate fancy shape center stones, 3 stone rings, stacked rings & distinctive halos to be the next engagement ring trends. As for jewelry in general – all things delicate & stacking!

A parting thought:

One of the ideas our jewelry store has proposed to our clients, is to have a stack band represent each of your children, with hope to one day pass those bands to each represented child. This gives you an exciting idea to look forward to when getting engaged or purchasing an anniversary band – giving you a reason to add an eclectic look to your style while building your heirloom collection.

 

Want to learn about picking the perfect engagement ring first? Try our Engagement Ring Guide on for size!

Real Wedding: Ashley + Staley

THE COUPLE

Ashley and Staley Havili met on Bumble and it was love at first click. After 18 months of chatting and dating, they were engaged! The proposal was sweet and simple: After spending the day at Sundance, Staley popped the question on the Alpine Loop.  Three months later – on September 15, 2018 – they were married in the Salt Lake Temple!

THE WEDDING

They celebrated at the Grand America Hotel, with over 400 guests. There was no wedding party, as the couple couldn’t pick only a handful people out of their large families.

“While a 400+ wedding seems giant, it was actually small for us,” Ashley says. The guest list included mostly family and very centered around their loved ones. In the ceremony, they dedicated the first chair to Ashley’s mom, who passed away 1o years ago.

“We gave her a bouquet and a sign,” says Ashley. “It was important that I have her there in spirit.”

THE MOOD

The rich elegance of The Grand America served as the perfect setting for Ashley’s vision. She plans corporate events for a living, so her vision was easy to complete. She wanted an elegant, classy and timeless celebration, highlighted by her simple (but stunning) Anne Barge gown, delicate tropical florals and glittering gold accents. With Ashley’s touch, the wedding became the perfect mix of bright Tongan culture and high-class wedding affair!

 

 

 

THE MENU

The only requirement for the food was that the Havilis wanted lots of it! Catered by the Grand America staff, the wedding had plenty of options from salad to short rib, salmon to grilled eggplant rollatini. Sticking with tradition, for dessert they served cake. But not just any cake: a 5 layer wedding cake by Posies for You, with the flavors vanilla pineapple, chocolate raspberry, allspice with cream cheese, vanilla with buttercream and chocolate with swiss buttercream. To keep guests dancing all night long, they also served a “late night snack” of sliders, chicken fingers, french fries and donuts.

 

THE MUSIC

Mr. and Mrs. Havili danced their first dance set to “Giving It All (to You)” by Haley and Michaels. Later in the evening, the party incorporated aspects of Staley’s Tongan culture through dance. Several cultural dances were performed by various family members, but Ashley was the star of the show, performing a traditional Tongan bride dance, a Tau’olunga.  The Havilis ended the night escaping through a tunnel of sparklers to their romantic honeymoon. Scroll on for more of this magical celebration!

Vendors:

Gown/Veil: Anne Barge Designs at Alta Moda Bridal

Groom’s suit: H.M. Cole

Floral/Decor: Every Blooming Thing

Photography: Travis J Photography

Planning Assistance: www.littlebirdeventsbyabh.com

Venue: The Grand America Hotel

Cake: Posies for You

Get to Know Alpine Barn: Korey + Tanji’s Winter Wedding

Groundhog Day told us we’re getting an early spring, but the weather hasn’t really looked that way, does it? In efforts to break through the rainy greys, we want to introduce you to a new, spring-ready venue with a Real Wedding twist!

Say hello to Knot & Pine’s Alpine Barn venue located in Alpine, Utah. If you saw our Malta Bridals post from earlier this year,  you’ll remember our gorgeous power couple, Korey and Tanji Smith. The Smiths were one of the first couples to seal the deal at Alpine Barn. Now we get to tell you their sweet story and share wedding details!

Courtesy of the Knot & Pine website

The Couple

Photographer and now husband Korey Smith told us that he met his new wife, Tanji, on the LDS dating app, “Mutual.”

When they matched, Tanji was living in St. George and he was in Orem, so they did a lot of FaceTime before they met. Their first date? A trip to Vegas to see the Blue Man Group!

As for the proposal, Korey made it a complete secret.

“We tricked her into thinking I was doing a photoshoot for someone the day I proposed,” says Korey.  “I arranged with another photographer to meet me at the Provo City Center temple to take photos of him. He offered to snap a quick shot of Tanji and I and I got on one knee and asked her.  She did not see it coming.”

Talk about a sweet surprise!

The Wedding

Korey and Tanji held their big celebration at Alpine Barn after a ceremony at the Provo City Center temple on December 1, 2018.

Knot & Pine’s Alpine Barn venue holds between 450-550 guests and has a maximum seating capacity of 120. The venue can be reserved for any 6 hours between the hours of 10am-10pm (and they say that’s flexible too!).

Here’s a perk: they only do one event a day, which means that they can try to accommodate early set up times! That’s one less thing to worry about. Alpine Barn’s rustic atmosphere was the perfect backdrop for the wedding’s neutral color palette, complete with brilliant white florals by none other than Provo’s Campus Floral. 

“The venue was also so beautiful,” Korey says. “Natalie the owner was very easy to work with and the final result was more amazing than we could have ever asked for.”

One of the most magical parts of the Alpine Barn venue is the delicate lighting. Those breathtaking string lights are included in the space!

Amenities included in rental:

10 Farm Style wood tables (measuring 9’x40)

8-12 Crossback Wood Chairs per table (plenty of seating for between 80-120 guests)

Two 9′ Buffet tables

Cake table

2 gift tables

A sign in table

Other features includes a top-of-the-line sound system, a TV in the entryway, a bridal suite AND groom’s room (with TV and lounge space!). 

Alpine Barn also provides a prep kitchen and options for in-house Floral, Catering, Cakes, and event planning services. Sounds like you can just kick your feet up and pick the pretty details rather than worrying about all the technicalities.

 

The Menu

The wedding dinner was catered by Sweeto Burrito (yum!), and cupcakes by Danielle Jones wrapped up the night.

After a long day of love, the newlyweds ended the night with romantic dancing on Alpine’s intimate dance floor, and as they say: lived happily ever after. Keep on scrolling for more images!

If you missed our feature of the Smith’s bridals in Malta (that Korey took himself!), you can peruse them here! 

Vendors

Photography: Cameron Dever Photo | @camerondeverphoto
Gown: A Bridal Center, Provo | @bridalcenter
Tux: Formed Fit | @formedfit
Floral: Campus Floral, Provo | @campusfloral 
Catering: Sweeto Burrito | @sweetoburrito
Cake: Danielle Jones, Wedding Cake by Danielle | @wedding.cake.by.danielle
Venue: Knot & Pine’s Alpine Barn, Alpine UT | @knotandpine

Make History: 5 Timeless Invitation Trends

Every bride craves a classic feel for her big day. If you’re a discerning bride looking to dive headfirst into traditional styles, get ready to kick off your old school and sentimental wedding with historically stylish stationery suites from every era.

Calligraphy

Similar fonts on traditional envelopes and modern elements tie the old to the new with flawless flair.

Taking the usual wedding-day mantra “old, new, borrowed and blue” to heart, Mikyla Marie Manu of Ink & Press, Co. crafts a coordinating suite that is one-of-a-kind. Delicate calligraphy and antique stamps, featuring landmark  buildings and renowned historical figures from Victorian times and beyond. The old styles paired with new trends —set by Manu herself—present a blend of modern and traditional design elements sure to wow every recipient on your guest list. Ultra-modern etched invitation pieces on transparent acrylic slabs make the message crystal clear: Your big day is not a party anyone wants to miss.

Botanicals

Whether it’s Utah’s snow-capped slopes or red rock canyons, the state boasts a long-held reputation as the ultimate outdoors destination for adventure-folk from all corners of the globe. If your wedding is at one of Utah’s many epic destination venues, why not celebrate Utah’s beauty with gorgeous nature-packed stationary?

Thick cards with colorful borders by Smitten by Design at The Write Image deliver a mountain lodge vacation right to your guests’ mailbox. They can ski or ride right into a retro resort postcard from majestic snowy peaks of your ceremony location.

Not a winter wedding? No problem. Lush botanical spreads have local flora of all shapes, sizes and heights sprouting right there on the page, showcasing Utah splendor before guests even arrive.

Hand-Painted

Take a walk on the modern side with artsy hand-painted designs by Ann Elizabeth Print Studio. Today’s artsy brides are about all things locally-sourced and locally-made. Creativity runs wild with layers of whimsical elements.

Watercolor paint pairs with solid metallic gold foil, cursive handwriting meets strong, solid type and bold sweeps of acrylic play with thin, smart fonts. All wrapped up in brightly-colored envelopes with transparent bands. Dainty, hand-painted watercolor ferns on small invites means no two cards you mail will be the same—each will be unique. Just like your wedding.

Monogram

Innovative shapes and cuts of invitation cards catch the eye, even with the simplest designs.

Two names merging as one, a type-set representation of love. Not only does the letter-inspired motif capture the classiness of paper elements, but its subtle addition completes the task that every wedding invite should: It makes the day all about you!  

Tabula Rasa paper suites take all of the swoon-worthy trends of the Golden Age, but with a modern and minimalistic twist. Varied shapes and sizes add just the right amount of dapper, keeping simple suites looking elegant. A healthy pop of color and sparkle spices things up, adding  flair while avoiding the busy appearance of an overkill design. Less is more in this era of wedding style, and these cards prove that simple can be as elegant as ever with the right snazzy design.

Sealed

The perfect contrast: distressed edges add delicate notes to lavish suites.

When it’s your time to shine, there is no reason you shouldn’t pull out all the stops. Make your greetings stand out from the rest with iridescent wax seals and exquisite packaging that exude extravagance and status in the most traditional of displays. Ink + Press Co. goes above and beyond with Old English casings as the memorable and sophisticated trend of customized seals steps back into the modern limelight. And what better way to glam up age-old methods for the modern bride than with a little sparkle? For the romantic and luxurious at heart, glimmering wax, ink and foil take antiqued looks to the next level.

Browse some of our favorite paper vendors in our Vendor Guide! 

I Do, Take 2: The A-Z of Planning a Second Wedding

Chapter one of starting a blended family? Throw a spectacular wedding. This summer, I witnessed two “second” weddings, both very different from each other. One was set inside an enchanting garden with a taco truck and the other was hosted and catered by a country club. One casual, the other formal. Both magical.

As different as the celebrations were, they had notable things in common. Dear Millennials, take note. Gen X knows how to celebrate love and party like rock stars. Here’s what all engaged couples can learn from second-time-around nuptials.

It’s okay to be the center of attention and throw yourself a big party. 

Rachael Hunt married Dave Stockham in August surrounded by 75 guests on the lawn of a family home in Holladay. The couple’s six children took part in the ceremony.

 

As tempting as it may be to play it cool by sneaking off to the courthouse, you’ll disappoint friends and family. Mom, Dad, friends and siblings lifted you as you fell, skinned your knee and ugly-cried until there were no more tears left.

They also rejoiced in watching you be resuscitated by meeting a new partner. They are begging to celebrate you, love and happy beginnings. Now’s not the time to be humble or shy. Send out invites. Buy a gown. Buy a new suit. Hire a taco truck. Go.

Writing love letters never goes out of style.

“In sickness and health” takes on new meaning when you’ve pulled someone out of thier darkest dark or have been yanked out of your own. Waxing poetry on love, playfulness and adventure shouldn’t be reserved for the young. Write your own vows, love letters, toasts, intentions and affirmations. Remind yourselves—and the village protecting you—what loving partnerships are all about.


Asking for favors is cool.

No doubt, hiring party professionals to orchestrate a soiree is a must. Asking for recommendations from your trusted tribe is a cinch. It’s even likely that you have friends that either have careers in or have spent years cultivating the skills of graphic design, floral design, guitar playing, bartending, woodworking, salsa making or writing. They aren’t “in training” to be these things; they are legit talent. Ask for the help. Repay later. Or never. They don’t expect it.

Don’t feel guilty about leaving people out. 

Aly Hill married Matt Wikstrom on a hot September day at the Salt Lake Country Club surrounded by 281 guests, 50 of whom were aly’s kids’ friends.

Once you hit 40, it’s likely you know a chunk of your hometown. Sure, you have hundreds of contacts via social media, the school association, your gym and kids’ activities, but who is it that counts? One of my bride friends said, “We invited the people who were with us from the beginning of our relationship together and supported both of us.” Who champions this new partnership? Who supports the kids? Who can your family lean on in a crisis? That’s your village of support. Everyone else should understand.

Remind your kids how essential they are to the union.

Should you include your children in the ceremony? Yes! Parents instill life lessons to their offspring every day, sometimes every hour of the day. Those little eyeballs watch everything under a microscope. What better way to demonstrate commitment—even through tough times—than to involve the kiddos in the ceremonial pledge.

Don’t sweat the small stuff.

The pressure to impress wears off by midlife. Instead of focusing on superficial details, mid-lifers get right to the point: the words, the ceremony and becoming a married unit. (Food and alcohol are a close second, of course.) Anyone who has planned a party—even professionals—will tell you something will go wrong. Couples who have been through divorce, death, financial challenges or identity crises scoff at the party hurdles and hit the dancefloor.

Aly & Matt’s Wedding Vendors

Venue: Salt Lake Country Club, SLC

Planner: Fuse Weddings & Events, SLC

Photos: Pepper Nix, SLC

Flowers: Blooms & Co., SLC

Band: Millennial Beat

Welcome Dinner: Squatters, SLC

Rachael & Dave’s Wedding Players

Venue: Private Residence

Photos: Reed Rowe, SLC

Rentals: Diamond Rental, Murray

Taco truck: Fácil Taqueria

Bartender: Maxwell’s, SLC

Vase rentals: Native Flower Company, SLC

DJ: DJPauly, SLC

Graphic design: Sarah Boyle Creative, SLC

Timeless Fashion Inspiration at Ember SLC

Warm tones, vintage details and one breathtaking makeup look are just a few of the elements that make this shoot a winner. When heavy lace and old-fashioned furniture meet inside photographer Hillary Taylor’s vision, our beauty radar starts going off the charts.
Alexia Nilson, another photographer on the shoot, shared a bit about their inspiration:
“This shoot captures two important truths: simplicity is a value that shouldn’t be underestimated, and earth tones are always a good idea!”
We couldn’t agree more. The simplicity of the floral arrangements in this case is a huge bonus: textures and statement flowers galore! This talented team managed to put together a timeless moment, packed with inspiration that will live on for seasons and seasons.

Vendors

Venue: Ember SLC | @emberslc
Photographer: Alexia Nilsen Photography | @alexianilsenphotography
Florals: Gather Grow Floral, Sara Drussel | @gather.growfloral
HMUA: Miranda Eagleston | @mirandastyleshair
Models: Emma Pearl, @emmapearlw (no website) | Carrington Rodriguez, @c_rod003 (no website)
Cake: Karla 

Classic Wedding Invitation Trends on the Horizon: Calligraphy

Every bride craves a classic feel for her big day. If you’re a discerning bride looking to dive headfirst into traditional styles, get ready to kick off your old-school and sentimental wedding with historically stylish stationary.

 

Calligraphy

Taking the usual wedding-day mantra “old, new, borrowed and blue” to heart, Mikyla Marie Manu of Ink & Press, Co. crafts a coordinating suite that is truly one-of-a-kind. Delicate calligraphy and antique stamps, featuring landmark buildings and renowned historical figures from Victorian times and beyond. The old styled paired with new trends – set by Manu herself – present a blend of modern and traditional design elements sure to wow every recipient on your guest list. Ultra-modern etched invitation pieces on transparent acrylic slabs make the message crystal clear: Your big day is not a party anyone wants to miss.

A Summertime Black and White Wedding in Park City

There is nothing more timeless than a black-tie wedding, especially when the party is surrounded by Park City and Deer Valley’s summertime mountainside. How did Rachel Affleck of Rachel Ellen Events design and execute this memorable St. Regis Deer Valley wedding? Take a look.

—written by Val Rasmussen

—photos by Pepper Nix

When planning the wedding, the bride wanted to stray from any sort of theme or color palette. I loved the challenge to create something timeless and classic while staying true to her personal chic aesthetic. We opted for a classic black, white and silver palette that allowed for the beauty of the mountains to stand out. 

I loved the escort cards which were personalized notes from the bride and groom to every guest. They made their guests feel so important and loved.

I can’t forget to mention the 22 hanging floral installations in their clear tent complete with orchids and roses. We opted for hanging pieces to allow the tables to be primarily covered in candles so the dinner would have an intimate glow to it. It was a lovely night for a wonderful couple.

As far as the design goes, my favorite element has to be the black cake with white sugar flowers. Cassidy of Flour & Flourish created the most impeccable white orchids, ranunculus, tulips and garden roses to adorn this classic cake with a modern twist. The black felt unexpected yet totally timeless, which I loved.

 

Vendors

Photo: Pepper Nix, @peppernix
Design + Planning + Floral: Rachael Ellen Events, @rachaelellenevents
HMUA: Quai, @queen_quai_
Dress: Amsale, @amsale
Venue: St. Regis DV, @stregisdv
Band: Changing Lanes, @changinglanesband
Paper Goods: Ink & Press Co., @inkandpressco
Rentals: Diamond Rental, @diamond_rental_events
Cake: Flour & Flourish, @flourandflourish

Need more black and white wedding ideas? Don’t miss this Washington School House fashion shoot or this minimalist Real Wedding.

Summer Wedding Inspiration: Sun-Kissed Romance

With recreation options aplenty, friends in vacation mode and outdoor party spaces readily available, summer is the hottest time to get married. But, desert heat comes with a downside. There are a few ways to beat the heat, and photographer Jacque Lynn and Tinge Floral’s Ashley Beyer join forces to show us how.

PICK A DATE

Thrive on desert heat? Fortunately for you, Utah has plenty of it. If you desire a July or August wedding, Northern Utah offers desert-inspired venues like Red Butte Garden and the sand-saturated shorelines at Conestoga Ranch in Bear Lake. Here, photographer Jacque Lynn and her team hit up Little Sahara Sand Dunes for a sunset bridal session. If a June or September wedding is more your thing, head to Southern Utah where The Ledges in Saint George, Desert Pearl in Springdale or Sorrel River Ranch in Moab offer cool hot spots.

PICK DROUGHT-TOLERANT FLOWERS

 

Few blooms survive out of water in 90-degree dry weather. Maybe you pinned hundreds of wedding blooms, but experienced florists like Tinge Floral’s Ashley Beyer urge brides to consider blooms that won’t droop in these desert temps. Pick blooms like strawflower, cottage yarrow, sumac, blushing bride protea, brown lisianthus and foraged Utah grasses. Distant Drum and Honey Dijon roses add softness to the desert blooms.

GET IN TOUCH

When it comes to summertime wedding fashion, cool textiles—plus a steady stream of sunlight—are a must. Create a tactile experience by choosing sheaths made with embroidered lace, breathable fabrics (hello, chiffon and silk) and flowy silhouettes for chic comfort. Orem’s Pritchett Bridal suggests fit-and-flare shapes with cap sleeves, lace netting or deep V-necks enhanced with delicate floral appliques.

THINK WITH YOUR HEAD

Steven Robertson—owner of 1 Salon (Millcreek’s newest beauty go-to) and creator of the funniest hair Instagram feed @stevenrobertsonhair—likes to think out of the proverbial wedding box when it comes to hair. His desert-hair recipe? Beach waves, warm highlights and desert breeze tolerance. A lacy head cap adds a little Southwest flair.

PACK LIGHT

Go easy on accessories and keep beauty pure. Bare feet (or simple sandals, if you must) and fine-layered jewelry from Katie Waltman don’t distract. Meanwhile, Kristen Packard’s makeup palette keeps desert brides clean and slightly sun-kissed. And because we’re in nature, sunscreen and water should also be on the checklist. 

Vendors

Photography: Jacque Lynn Photography, SLC

Hair: Steven Robertson, SLC

Makeup: Kristen Packard, SLC

Floral: Tinge, SLC

Gowns: Pritchett Bridal, Orem; BHLDN, bhldn.com

Jewelry: Katie Waltman, Millcreek

Model: Kennedy Shaver, McCarty

Fields of Gold

Tamy is a Brazilian that moved to Utah for school. At first her English wasn’t too good, and she had a difficulty expressing how she felt in her second language and felt embarrassed to even talk. When She met Kevin everything changed. He spoke Portuguese from serving his LDS mission in Portugal, and they quickly connected. Over the year they dated, he helped her learn English and begin building her confidence in the language. You wouldn’t believe she wasn’t born into an English speaking family when she said her vows at the altar on her wedding day. The love they had for each other was perfectly communicated in the words they spoke and deep in their eyes that stared into the others, and their first look in an intimate Provo Canyon aspen grove was filled with that same tender love.
A note from photographer Branson Maxwell:
“I am always looking for nature that inspires me. I was actually taking a family hike up near Squaw Peak when I saw some wildflowers growing along the road. I took some photos, and followed them for quite a ways. The higher up the mountain I went, the more I found and soon enough I found fields and fields of these yellow wildflowers. But, not surprisingly, I wasn’t the only photographer who knew about them. There were many others taking photos at the same place (which is fine), but for Tamy and Kevin first look photos I wanted it in a secluded and intimate spot so it could just be them two. That is why when Kevin saw Tamy in her dress for the first time, it was in a peaceful aspen groove off the beaten path.”
Vendors:
Gown: BHLDN
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