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
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.
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.
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.
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.”
What happens when a pilot-slash-entrepreneur and his architect finance plan their wedding? Plenty. These two mavericks knew a ballroom wouldn’t fit the bill for their nuptials, so Jason and Tim booked an airplane hangar for a party that defied wedding-day gravity. with a little ingenuity, Jason and Tim madeover a cold commercial space into a room filled with fun, love and laughter. Want to know how? take not with this checklist for creating high-flying, warehouse-wedding style.
1. Find A Warehouse Space
“We wanted to find a unique and not-so-common venue, and because Jason is a pilot we started discussing the possibility of doing the wedding at a hangar,” Tim says. “it turns out it is quite difficult finding good hangar space to rent, but luckily the staff at Atlantic were very accommodating. This was the absolute perfect venue for us.”
2. Make A Big Statement
A massive hangar needs to be filled with a comparable conversation piece. “We included a vintage warplane that we had flown down from Heber. We displayed it next to our 1965 Shelby Cobra, which really made people gawk when they walked into the space.”
3. Set the stage
Ditch the traditional ceremony decor and, literally, build a stage with a sensational architectural backdrop. “We used the glass hangar doors as the backdrop to the ceremony.”
4. Make it a family affair
Jason’s stepfather performed the ceremony. Meanwhile, the grooms had their mothers and grandmothers walk them down the aisle. “We wanted to honor the women who brought us into this world by putting them on stage with us,” Jason explains. “Sure, we have friends we would have liked to include in our line, but they got to go to the bachelor party, so they took a back seat for the women.”
5. Cue the lights, music and performers
“We had a drag performance by Coko (whose real name is Sean Michael Hariston). Ever seen a drag show at a wedding? The pictures say it all.”
All About the Couple
Jason Olsen & Tim Thorpe
Jason’s hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Tim’s hometown: Sandy, Utah
Currently reside: Salt Lake City, Utah
Wedding date: 05-26-2018
Photography by: D’Arcy Benincosa
What do you do? Jason owns two Prestman Auto dealerships and is also the founder and CEO of Image Studios 360, a salon suite company in nine states with 25 locations. Tim is an architect, and two years ago he ventured out and opened his own architectural firm, J&T Architecture.
How did you meet? Through a mutual friend. “Tim moved into a house that one of Jason’s friends lived in. They introduced us and we hit it off immediately,” Jason says.
How long did you date before getting engaged? Six years
Who proposed to whom and how? Jason proposed to Tim. He arranged a trip to Palm Springs with four of their closest friends for Tim’s birthday weekend. Jason had more than his birthday planned out, though. To celebrate, they all stayed in for dinner. For dessert, everyone sang Happy Birthday as Jason presented Tim a cake with a topper that read: “Turn Around.” When Tim opened his eyes and read the sign, he turned around to see Jason on one knee.
Bachelor Party? “Vegas, of course!” Jason says. “The weekend was great, and everyone came home with quite the hangover.”
On the prowl for bridal bouquet ideas? You’re in luck. We’ve gathered our all time favorite wedding florals (and your top picks from our Pinterest) for you to add to your floral inspiration vision board.
1. Let it Shine
Photo by Alixann Loosle Photography
Bring glamour, whimsy and just right amount of sparkle to your wedding celebration with a bouquet packed with pastels like this beauty by Orchid Dynasty.
Keep it rustic with fall tones like copper and deep pink. This arrangement by Salt and Flora relies on raw, foraged materials and exciting textures to bring elegance and just a hint of woodland fairy to any bridal display.
https://utahbrideandgroom.com/earthy-glam/
3. Blushing Blooms
Photo by Jessica’s Photography
Soft, sweet and simple: the perfect recipe for a blushing bride. Keep the focus on you (because you, my friend, are simply gorgeous!) with a small handheld bouquet. Lush greenery by Dahlia Event Planning and Floral Design adds enough drama to this tiny number to still pack a blooming punch.
Summer blooms usually bring to mind bright wildflowers and bursting greenery, but this summer bouquet by La Fete Floral certainly makes a seasonal splash without them. As our editor Val Rasmussen writes: “Those peonies may take center stage, but I’m staring at the astilbe, veronica and caramel-colored mini garden roses.”
Schofield Floral’s Eleanor Mika brings the romance with a waterfall of violet and fuschia. Classic lilac and flowing greenery ground the arrangement, while a stunning monochrome palette makes it modern, with added texture to take your breath away.
https://utahbrideandgroom.com/ballet-bride/
6. Southwest Style
Photo by Jessica White
Pay homage to everyone’s favorite desert state with a modern, southwest-inspired bouquet. Rugged yet refined, an arrangement full of sunset tones and succulents bring the heat of summer to any season. Asymmetrical arranging like the above by The Potted Pansy bring the drama and keep every eye fixed on you.
Long-stems in a proper little nosegay arrangement screams elegant, and the pale pink palette brings a hint of country flair to this Honey of a Thousand Flowers bouquet. Simple and breathtaking: every bride’s perfect combination.
Bohemian brides are taking the industry by storm, and who better to set the tone than Tessa Barton and Sarajane Johnson at Lily and Company?! Delicate accent flowers and wild greens help create the magic for the perfect summertime forest fête.
Monochrome bouquets are all the rage, but this arrangement by St. Thomas Floral Design proves that a bursting, rainbow bouquet is far from out of style. Highlighting the woodsy beauty of the Utah Mountains, these blooms set the tone for a night of romance and fun.
Our featured bride, Callie, lived up to every definition of a “red lip classic” wedding, from her makeup to her shoes, and especially her pink-pumped bouquet. Classic roses mingle with peony and ranunculus blooms, all wrapped up in a pretty pink bow. We are loving this flow by Mayflowers floral design – colors galore, accented by perfectly placed greenery.
When Korey Smith was sent to Malta to direct a commercial soon after getting engaged, he saw a once in a lifetime opportunity. Packing up his inspiration, tripod and bridal getup, he and his fiancée headed to the island together, where Korey took their bridal photos. Much more gorgeous than the same-old-same-old of Orem, Utah, if you ask me!
Despite taking most shots with a tripod and a timer, Korey’s images feel intimate, with natural poses. Perks of being in love, perhaps?? But above the romance, he was also able to capture incredible colors and scenery, and the beauty of his bride perfectly mirrors the classic, breathtaking views of this ancient city.
There are few color combinations as classic as black & white.
Every decade has its own interpretation of black and white—so what are the keys to designing with the dazzling duo right now? Stylist and event planner Allison Baddley of La Fete knows. For proof, Baddley marries black and white, mixing matte finishes with elegant accents inside Park City’s historic-meets-haute Washington School House. Meanwhile, photographer Heather Nan balances sexy and sweet fashion. Here’s how they pulled it off.
Pair rough with refined
Photo by Heather Nan
Want to keep matte finishes exciting? Partner them with shimmering metallics and sultry shapes. “I’d call this look: Blanc Noir,” describes Baddley, a Francophile-at-heart whose signature style weds feminine and masculine details. “My creative side is definitely French.” Velvety linens set a backdrop for hand-thrown dinnerware. Modern menus, printed on translucent paper, sit atop nubby, linen napkins.
Peddle New Blooms
Photo by Heather Nan
Sure, when it comes to white wedding flowers, roses rule. But Baddley showcases atypical beauties like luminaria, astilbe, fuzzy grasses and skeleton fern to steal the show. “This is a very seasonless look,” she explains. “You can use most of these flowers any time of the year. Spring, winter or fall. They even work in the mid-summer when you’re wanting to cool off.”
Edit. Then, edit again
Photo by Heather Nan
Coco Chanel is claimed to have once said, “Before you leave the house, take off one accessory.” Well, the same can be said about floral design. “I added a few stems of black foliage to the centerpieces and mantelpieces, then removed them,” Baddley explains of her composition process. “Black can overwhelm quickly.” She limits the charcoal to simply shaped items like plates and candle holders, along with subtle accents in the paper suite.
Add Feminine Mystique
Photo by Heather Nan
Leave it to Heather Nan—who adds boudoir to her photography repertoire—to pull out the stops by adding dark lace and inky gems to a bride’s wardrobe. Onyx and black diamonds go above and beyond to foster the luxe look. Feeling shy about signing up for a boudoir photo-shoot? Nan encourages all brides to do it. “Not only is it an empowering experience, but the images also make a great gift for your groom,” Nan says. “Brides put a lot of work into their health and body during wedding prep. It’s as great as a gift for the bride as it is for the groom.”
Push the Envelope
Photo by Heather Nan
If a strict, two-tone palette is too stiff for you, loosen up with paper options. A paper suite by Refine’s Nikkol Christiansen showcases various papery, including handmade, cotton-pressed and vellum. “In keeping with my less-is-more aesthetic, I intentionally created white space on each piece so there was plenty of breathing room, allowing the important details to be the focal point,” Christiansen says.
Eat the Cake. All of It
Photo by Heather Nan
For ten years, Cassidy Hansen of Flour & Flourish has made an art form out of wedding pastries. “Some brides want something totally out of the ordinary, so here, we’re doing a modern white cake,” she says. One of our most popular flavors is Samoa, which works in this design. It’s made of two layers of vanilla cake, two layers of chocolate cake, two layers of coconut caramel and a layer of chocolate buttercream.” Baddley recommends Flour & Flourish’s vanilla crème brûlée. Bon appetit!
Spring resides just around the corner. With 24 hours a day and 365 days in a year, selecting a party date may seem overwhelming. Luckily for us, stylist Erica Kopp (who also styled this fashion editorial) and photographer Megan Robinson showcase the benefits of throwing a springtime brunch. Whether for a bridal shower, engagement party or even the wedding itself, a springtime soiree harnesses the warm sun, delicate blooms and soft shadows.
Stay Co. stylist Erica Kopp explains. “Inspired by the fleeting beauty of lilac, we created this editorial to capitalize on its beauty in time. A color palette consisting of tones of lavender, plum, dusty pink and creams—links the affinity of table pieces and model—creates an inviting scene. It’s meant to be analogous to the feelings of relishing an evening soiree with close friends and enjoying the beauty of your surroundings. Location consisting of greenery and cobblestone was carefully picked to add density to the fresh elements of the editorial. Carefully aligned shadows in the images were intentionally created to add depth and to highlight the beauty in each element.”
