This Summer in Utah has been buzzing with love, and also mosquitos, but that didn’t stop this couple from having photographer Alyssa Sorenson capture their beautiful anniversary pictures.
THE BACKSTORY
Lily and Jack worked with Alyssa when shooting their engagement photos, but when she wasn’t available for their wedding day, the couple felt they had missed a few images in their portfolio of love.
With their two year wedding anniversary coming up, what better time to slip into her favorite white dress again?
“I love [Lily’s] never too late attitude,” Alyssa shared, “It is definitely never too late to get back into your wedding attire and celebrate your relationship.” And so they did…
SURPRISING SITUATION
The setting? Antelope Island. The kicker? Mosquitos.
Alyssa told us the mosquitos were apart of the story and she even found herself holding back on photoshopping them our of the photos. “I love to play with light, movement, and emotion.” Alyssa said, “Lily and Jack went along with my shenanigans like pros. They chased each other, got tangled up in the tulle from Lily’s dress, fell to the ground, and got right back up to do it again.”
Fighting with mosquitos without a care? That’s love.
THE DRESS
Lily’s dress is from Fantasy Bridal, and we love how the dress isn’t overpowering on her – its beautiful simplicity and elegance just adds to the shoot.
THE BLOOMS
The bouquet is by Alexa Johnson from Lilly and Iris: the greenery mixed with the golden pinks, yellows and whites blends seamlessly with the scenery at Antelope Island. Keep scrolling for more of this fun shoot. It really is never too late to capture your story, so share it with us if you do!
Salt Lake magazine executive editor Mary Brown Malouf is a consummate entertainer, oenophile, can recite the history of lace and personally knows every top chef in the city. How does a party master “go with the flow” when her daughter gets married? To all the mother of the brides out there, this is for you.
1. Prepare to be Surprised
Anna and Michal had been together for years; we all expected them to get married and yet when Michal proposed, it was a huge surprise to Anna. He went down on one knee at Log Haven on her birthday and presented her with a custom-made diamond ring that included some of her great-grandmother’s stones. He even hired a photographer to hide in the bushes and take candid pictures of the whole occasion and made sure my husband and I would be there right after the proposal to join them for champagne toasts and dinner. His meticulous planning for the proposal moment was a hint of how this wedding was going to be planned: I was not going to be the boss of this event—these two had very definite ideas. That was my surprise.
2. Remember Who’s Boss
Anna knew where she wanted to get married before she knew who she wanted to marry. Log Haven was always going to be the setting for her fairy tale. I closed my eyes and figured I’d find the money somewhere. And I braced myself for the onslaught of details and decisions ahead—I used to own a catering business so I’d seen the ugly underside of the beautiful occasion. At Log Haven, they had the incomparable and super-experienced Faith Sweeten to advise. So I stepped back and waited to be asked questions instead of making lists. The one thing I could do in preparation for the wedding, I did: Shut up and bought myself a pair of turquoise cowboy boots. Check.
3. Embrace the Family Affair
Anna’s father lives in Dallas and he has a lot of opinions, too. In fact, the whole union spotlighted all the complications of blended families and modern times. My 92-year-old father made the trip heroically from Dallas, nephews—one of them the officiant—drove from New Mexico and Texas, son and stepdaughter drove from L.A. Anna’s dad’s family was in something of a feud, so we had no idea who would show up. My dear first ex-husband came from Lake Tahoe. Michal’s parents came from Missouri and brought Polish relatives. AirBnB solved lodging problems. And the ringbearer was Boris, Michal’s giant Lab-Dane, who could clear a table of wineglasses with one happy swipe of his tail.
4. Say Yes to her Seven-layer Dream Dress
For Anna, it was, and always had been, all about The Dress. This was not going to be a simple linen shift. Anna flew to Dallas and went shopping with her father (who owns a fashion store in Texas) and his fashionista friend, thinking she’d come back to Salt Lake and find her real gown shopping with me and her bridesmaids. But, not surprisingly, I got a call. “Um, Mom. I think I’ve found my dress.” She sent me phone photos of her top three choices and told me which one she loved. I knew she felt she was disappointing me by finding a dress with her dad, but it was irresistably lovely—seven layers of blushing lace and embroidery and chiffon. And she was so happy. After all, this was her experience, not mine—I’d already had three weddings of my own.
5. Honorably Accept Your Given Job Duty
Because of my job at the magazine and the people I know in the hospitality business, I directed Michal and Anna to all the best in the business. Pamela Olsen of Native Flowers embraced their idea of lining the outdoor aisle with stone cairns leading to the flower-covered arch. Sublime baker, Lauralee Morrison at Cakes de Fleur was surprised but not intimidated when Michal showed up with several detailed sketches of the cake he’d envisioned while hiking with Anna—a fantasy mountain with a waterfall of flowers flowing down the tiers. They wanted the menu to focus on local food and there’s no one better than Log Haven’s chef, Dave Jones, for that. Amber Billingsley made her famous High West gelato to go with the cake. I helped Anna shop for bridesmaids gifts and made Boris’ ring pillow out of sari scraps. My sister and I arranged the rehearsal dinner—a casual Mexican-themed buffet at Rico’s warehouse, made possible by Jorge Fierro. The Most Involved Groom In Nuptial History, Michal had spreadsheets of guests, arrival times, lists of things to be purchased and when, hours for each event and really, what’s left for a mother of the bride to do?
6. Savor the Moment, That’s What
My son and I walked my father down the aisle. Our friend Travis Peterson from the Utah Symphony played the trumpet as the wedding party processed to Holst’s Jupiter. And as Anna and her father started down, flower cannons hidden in the cairns went off, showering the bride with rose petals. Michal wore a suit made by Anna’s father’s store in Dallas. I wore my cowboy boots and pink lace; I cried. My husband Glen had died the previous January—I missed so much him being there and being proud of Anna and Michal with me. His absence lent poignance to the happy, healing evening. Anna and Michal are doing it right—gather your friends and family around and hold them tight and remember to make the moment count. Of course, that’s something a mother of the bride should be teaching all along.
Photographer Chelsea Shattuck works with a team of free-spirited wedding pros to create this boho-chic inspiration shoot, to help every hippie in love with planning for her perfect, playful wedding day.
The first step? Finding the perfect location. For this shoot, Chelsea romped out to Jolley’s Ranch in Springville, Utah. Surrounded by trees and frolicking fields galore, the ranch is the perfect grounds for celebrating your peaceful, follow-them-anywhere type of love. Not to mention, there are countless barns, pavilions and wooded beauty to serve as a backdrop for your “I dos.”
Next stop, décor! The best way to set the mood for an event (nuptial or otherwise) is to find perfectly-personalitied furniture, floral arrangements and details to welcome your guests. For the ultimate free-wheeling, shabby-chic party, we suggest following Chelsea’s pastel-packed and natural lead. Drawing from the natural, dainty beauty of those chamomile daisies, Chelsea sourced a pair of woven, peacock-backed chairs from Evergreen and Ivy present the bride and groom with just a whiff of drama. Foraged tables of untarnished wood stumps showcase the stunning array of treats and details. Stark white platters and pails set the tone of simplicity. Antique tea sets serve up warm drinks and high style. And perhaps best of all, frilly doilies flank floral pastries by Loria Stern, which are the definition of too gorgeous to eat. The floral touches across all aspects of the decorating will bring your wild and free spirit along for the ride, trailing whimsy in its path.
Speaking of whimsy, prepare to take that charm to the next level with a mint-green photo bus, both for your faux-getaway enjoyment and the entertainment of your guests. This particular van is available for rent, from Photoboothbus, should you be in desperate need of darling for your big day.
The most tricky step for nearly every bride is finding her bridal look, as it is certainly one of the most important decisions of your big day. For a boho-esque wedding, woven gowns might just be the only fit. This delicate knit floral number at Something Borrowed Bridal on Ruby proves that lace is the way to go for an easy, breezy beauty on your wedding day. Throw in a simple and peachy makeup look and untamable curls, and you have yourself an innocent and pure look that Chelsea regards as the epitome of “bohemian bridal.”
For the final touch, all you need is a sunny and warm afternoon to chase the light through, and you are prepared to say “yes please, I do.” See more of this pastel-perfect shoot, and of Ruby & Sterling’s heart-melting chemistry below!
Editor-turned-stylist Tessa Woolf has been a long-time fixture of the Utah wedding scene since 2006 when she started as an editorial intern for Utah Bride & Groom magazine. Woolf harnesses a zeal for style, travel, writing and rosé. After years of scribing other people’s wedding stories, she is now penning her own love story. But before she said “I do,” her tribe of creative friends threw her a bridal brunch that was purely Tessa.
While it may seem daunting to impress an expert stylist and editor, Woolf’s gal pals know the recipe for high-fashion fun. Fuse Weddings & Events’ Mara Marian—along with Decoration Inc.’s Amanda Hansen and Blended Table’s Emery Lortscher and Colour Maisch—rewrite the rules for the bridal brunch.
1. MAKE HER JAW DROP
How do you create magical moments from the get-go?
Marian: When I design, I try to focus on what we call “unexpected design opportunities”—areas that don’t need a design element. Things like bars, tables, linens and seating are obvious, but they’re not going to blow your mind. Working with Amanda of Decoration Inc. is always fun because she also loves to play with space and design “off” the tables.
Adding color to the garage door panels was her idea, and it was such a fun welcome. Plus, they ended up being a steady photo backdrop for guests throughout the party.
2. RETHINK BRUNCH
What was the inspiration for the brunch menu? With an all-woman guest list in mind, Blended Table kept the menu heavy enough to be brunch-appropriate, then added easy, small bites that were also cute, including little pancake stacks, adorable round mini breakfast sandwiches, tiny hash-brown nests and small biscuits.
Tessa’s Bridal Brunch – September 30
• Mini Stacked Pancakes Topped with Blueberries & Maple
• Mini Breakfast Sandwiches
• Trifle Fruit Cups
• Hash Brown Nests
• Mini Biscuit with Clotted Cream and Jam
• Mini Lemon Tart, Chocolate Petite Decadence, Mini Olive Oil Cupcake with Mascarpone frosting
• Rosé Bar and Mimosas
3. SERVE ROSÉ ALL DAY
Or at least after 10 a.m. legally in Utah. Are mimosas not enough for brunch?
Marian: Tessa loves rosé wines. When we go out, it seems like she’s tried nearly all of them. As Amanda and I began planning the shower, having a single rosé option wasn’t enough for us. Rosé slowly evolved into a theme and ultimately became the central focus of this festive design. Because the Blended Table space is really a blank canvas, we brought in all shades of pink—from the linens and balloons to lounge furniture and florals. This personal detail was not lost on Tessa nor her friends.
4. MOVE GUESTS AROUND
Marian: How do you keep the conversation going? I always love interactive elements. Having something “to do” helps take pressure off introductions, small talk and forced socializing between guests who don’t know others and might find these situations a bit uncomfortable (more people than you might think!).
At a shower or cocktail party, I always plan some seating—but never enough seats for every guest. You don’t want to create an environment where everyone just sits and chats with the people they know well. Ideally, the party has a lot of energy and guests feel compelled to move around. In this case, guests could head to the bar to grab some rosé, chat with some folks, play rosé pong, grab a bite, take some pics or make a bouquet.
5. OFFER THEM A FAVOR… OR TWO
What inspired this bouquet bar?
Hansen: We tried to strike a balance of girly, glamour and edge. I knew Tessa had seen hundreds of arrangements in her day and thought an edgier way to add floral was to have a large bouquet bar. We kept the shades soft and girly, but displayed them against black for a more current look. We used seasonal blooms, including dahlias, fragrant garden roses, hydrangea and added some bleached and dyed fern for texture.
Marian: The reed diffusers were prosecco-scented and were from Katie Waltman Boutique. The boutique’s owner and namesake Katie Waltman, who attended the shower, is a good friend of Tessa.
Need more bachelorette party inspiration? Check out our full guide.
Taylor Swift’s “Style” gets stuck in our heads every single time we view this gallery, because a timeless bridal silhouette never ever goes out of style, in our book! This bride may not have that “red lip” topping off her look, but instead went for a much more traditional beauty look: cute-as-a-button natural glow, and an eyeshadow with just a touch of drama. Perfectly suited to her wildflower-orange bouquet, no? Put it all together, and you get the ultimate set of classic bridal statements.
Whether this groom embodies a “James Dean daydream” or a “James Bond heartthrob,” we haven’t quite decided, yet, but either way, those clean lines in timeless black and white give us all the old-time vibes we’ve been dreaming of.
This beautiful session by Megan Robinson Photography, plus one vision of couple serve as some incredible inspiration for the modern bride looking for timeless bridal imagery.
Rompers, raw bars and round arches are the hottest wedding musts. Last year’s flings are out- bring on the 2019 wedding trends!
LAST YEAR: Rectangular Arbor with Asymmetrical Florals
THIS YEAR: Oversized Round Arbor
Think out of the box like the pros at Bluebird Events and Decorations Inc. did and make over the traditional ceremony statement piece. This version at Blue Sky Ranch is a circular showstopper made of driftwood and fresh blooms. Mic drop.
LAST YEAR: Donut Bar
THIS YEAR: Raw Bar
Stein Eriksen Lodge loves to lay on the luxury. Go for a display of ice-chilled oysters, lobster and shrimp topped with a grand ice sculpture.
LAST YEAR: Reception Gown
THIS YEAR: Reception Romper
Brides are savvy. They don’t want to party in their beaded ballgowns, so a reception change is a must. So what could be more comfortable—and super chic—than a halter-top pantsuit to get jiggy on the dance floor?
See the latest of Utah’s wedding inspiration here!
One of our favorite parts of this little blog, is that we get to share things with you that you won’t see in the printed book! And one of those favorites is engagement sessions. We’ve been gathering them since the winter months, and are so excited to finally share with you a few of our favorite 2019 nuptial announcement photos so far!
Leading couple Parker and Sarah have known each other their whole lives, and chose to have their engagements shot in their favorite season: snowy winter. The pair both love being outdoors, so naturally, up a canyon was the perfect romantic hideaway. We are loving the too-darling sledding action shots, and the red contrast on the white snow. Contrast is the best way to make your photos stand out, and action is the best way to say “Hey! We are a lot of fun!”
Every couple has that “special spot,” whether it’s where they met, the first kiss or simply a happy memory. Why not include those moments in your shoot? Shelby & Jontrell had just graduated from Utah State University and are moving away from Logan soon, so they wanted to do a fun session to remember their time together there, and brought their sweet goldendoodle, Lemon, along for the ride. Photographer Kevyn Bruce says that this couple was easy going and fun, which made for great candid shots (clearly)! The cutest photos are often the most candid, so don’t be afraid to get a little silly.
These lovely ladies were shot by Missy’s sister, Kristi of Kristi Alyse Photography. Of the shoot, she said: “It was beautiful there, as always, with the romantic glow coming off the water. Their many years of strong friendship has made them a very loving and supportive couple, which I think shines through the photos. Also, aside from photographer, I got to play make-up artist for both of them!” We can’t help but feel like the photographer’s proximity to the couple let her get some of those intimate moments just right- the love is blooming right off the screen!
Nothing like a little snowfall to pack a punch of drama into any shoot. The neutral colors of downtown SLC are the perfect backdrop for this couple’s bold outfits and bold beauty. We are especially loving how photographer Maddie Morris found every perfect opportunity to take advantage of some of the gorgeous architecture and iconic locations that are just steps away in our little snowy home.
“Hedgehog quills, Harry Potter, and blossoms may seem like the strangest combination, but after hanging out for a bit with Dallin and Schuyler we can’t think of a more perfect grouping! The air had a bit of a chill to it during this spring blossom engagement at the Utah State Capitol, but with these two it was hardly noticeable. The two of them looked incredible down to the very shoes that they will be wearing on their wedding day!” – Photographers Jessie & Dallin.
We love couples sharing their interests in their shoots, whether it’s in an airplane, on the beach or cuddled up with each other and a good book in the iconic Capitol Hill Blossoms. What’s more, who couldn’t love that tiny little fur baby? (Psst. His name is Wilbur!)
5. Morgan and Braden, Antelope Island by Jordy B Photo
Braden claims that “time stood still” when he saw his fiancée, Morgan, for the first time; that it was like a spotlight shone down on her and he was instantly smitten. We are feeling the exact same way about these photos of the couple! *insert heart eyes emoji here* These two make one pretty darling couple, and we are loving the outfits, the smiles, the lighting and especially the personality! Nothing is cuter than a couple unapologetically in love – and these two are the perfect example.
Ok, we have a confession: this isn’t actually an engagement shoot. These cuties had just gotten married, but Makelle wanted to take some fun photos playing in the snow. And boy, are we glad she did! Snow gives couples a good excuse to keep cuddling, which Kevyn Bruce says makes for the most romantic photos. Romantic, playful or just plain darling, we are loving every angle of this shoot.
If you’re on the hunt for quaint backdrops, but still want that iconic Utah vibe, Main Street Park City is the location for you. And this too-cute-to-handle couple (seriously, those ice cream parlor shots have us simply melting) fits right in! Shot by Jadie Jo photography, they set up the perfect bunch of love-filled moments to show off to friends and family ’till death do they part.
9. Andrew and Brandy, Surprise Proposal by Alexx Acor
Who knew we could be so enamored with a storm?! After 3 years of dating, Andrew decided he wanted to make Brandy his forever, so he enlisted photographer Alexx Acor to help his propose. He designed her ring entirely himself, and set up the perfect secret plan. He wasn’t deterred by the dark clouds, and despite the weather pulled off a heart-melting proposal. He got down on one knee to the sound of Katy Perry’s “A Thousand Years,” and Alexx captured the couple’s I Do moment just as the rain began to fall. How much more magical could it get?
Featuring this location twice, because the photos are oh, so nice! But here, the blossoms are almost overwhelmed by the bride-to-be’s stunning and perfectly flounce-y floral gown. And we aren’t mad about it! Fiancée Alexa rounds off her engagement shoot look with fairy-like heels and her mother’s bridal earrings! Alexa and her groom Tyler (who were set up after Alexa’s younger sister practically begged them to date) show off all their best sides in this sunshine-filled Utah Capitol shoot.
Still craving more engagement inspiration? See all of our favorites here!
With summer coming up, warm and tropical everything has been on photographer Melanie Loitz’s mind. Sharing a vision with fellow photographer, Adam Black, the two collaborated on this tropical wedding inspiration shoot. The Wild Willow studio made for a great location because of its versatility, and allowed the team to create an island paradise right here at home.
“The mood we were going for was laid back and chill, much like at the beach. Every little detail, down to the macrame on display and the macrame on the bouquet was perfect for the beach! We had a lot of swaying, a lot of sunlight, and a lot of playing the ukulele—basically everything you need for a perfect beach wedding!”
The groom actually played the ukulele so he was serenading his bride while Loitz was capturing some sweet moments from behind the camera. The bride and groom wore matching bracelets by @mytribebracelets and that added some more sweet detail.
“Everything was just dreamy at this shoot and it made me wish I had planned my wedding on the beach,” Loitz shares. Scroll on down to see some more of those wanderlust-inducing dreamy moments:
Christy Bishop of Park City-based Lemongrass & Co. masters the art of bridal gift-giving.
Do yourself a favor and avoid gift-giving anxiety. Did I spend enough? Will she like it? Will I offend her? How can I ever repay her for all she’s done? Amidst the tornado of wedding planning, it’s easy to be stumped for gift ideas, but Christy Bishop of Lemongrass & Co. shows how to perfect the craft by using careful planning, developing thoughtful themes and executing hands-on details.
“My gifts are completely custom-designed for my clients. I craft them based on their personal preferences and color palettes,” says Bishop. She curates boutique products—like trendy jewelry, ring dishes and body oils—and artfully arranges collections inside artisanal boxes or baskets. To finish off the presentation, Bishop can add fresh blooms and calligraphy-embellished tags, “Quality and detail are essential with each gift,” Bishop says.
For the Maids
Will you be my bridesmaid?She won’t say no to a necklace, candle, matches, shortbread cookie and nail polish. $55
For the Maid of Honor
Give her a favorite scent like
Joe Malone along with a scarf, ring dish, candle, matches and shortbread cookies. $175
For the Out-of-Town Guests
Say, “Enjoy your stay!” Spa essentials come in a crochet basket that folds flat—fitting comfortably into luggage upon their return home. $80
For the Moms
Thank the moms with a bundled bubble bath, lotion, candle, eye pillow, lavender pillowcase insert and shortbread cookies. $167
If there’s one thing we can’t get enough of this wedding season, it’s the colorful gown trend. From the burgundy red Vera Wang gown you can spot in our glossy pages this year, to the stunning, hand-painted skirts that were on display at our annual White Party, a rainbow of wedding looks have blessed our feeds, mixing up the bridal beauty game in the process.
This dusty blue number by Janay Marie is no exception, and boy does it have our hearts all aflutter!
Jessa Etheridge and Amanda Wood were the masterminds behind this dreamy shoot, and that serene, cool blue tone was at the centerfold of their inspiration. The hue forms the perfect complement to the white rocks and sagebrush vibes in the desert region of Elberta, Utah, and according to Etheridge, that was exactly the tone they were looking to set for the project.
Not wanting to take any focus away from the color in the gown, the team enlisted Jessa Bergstrom of Lennox Flora to create the perfect bouquet for the look. And didn’t she deliver: a stunning bohemian piece with wonderful greenery and white floral, with just the right amount of blush to make the bouquet pop off the page.
Hair and makeup wizard Laura Barton, who specializes in bridal looks and is a longtime friend of the team, lent her skills as well, putting the icing atop this already breathtaking shoot, making the bride an absolute vision. The couple is the perfect match: in chemistry, looks and love! We are particularly loving the obviously practiced and perfected posing technique that this team brought to the table. No basic canned stances here, just pure true love magic.
The bouquet is by Alexa Johnson from Lilly and Iris: the greenery mixed with the golden pinks, yellows and whites blends seamlessly with the scenery at Antelope Island. Keep scrolling for more of this fun shoot. It really is never too late to capture your story, so share it with us if you do!
3. Missy and Bre, Antelope Island by 
5. 
5. Morgan and Braden, Antelope Island by 
7. Makelle and Joseph, Beaver Resort, 
The groom actually played the ukulele so he was serenading his bride while Loitz was capturing some sweet moments from behind the camera. The bride and groom wore matching bracelets by @
