We are welcoming winter with a romance-packed shoot from Hawkeye Photography. Ashley Hawkes, the photographer, shared a bit of their inspiration:
“When the world is cold and sometimes it seems colorless, mother nature still finds a way to provide little pockets of colorful beauty such as a bright singing cardinal bird, or in the enticing winter berries that seem to beat all odds. This time of year we are drawn to love and the colors that represent that feeling. We wanted to inspire the winter, holiday, and early spring bride who dreams of a elegant wedding while still incorporating the colors of the season. The accents are modern and rich in textures, contrasts, and colors. The gown pushes the traditional envelope with a red fringed lace top and a cloud like tulle bottom. The hair kept in a simple classic chignon up do with an edginess to the makeup palette. The table was adorned with metallic and classic blacks/whites complimented in contrast with bright winter fruits and greens. The usage of stripes in both the linens and on the cake keep the feeling masculine and clean.”
Those reds sure do pop in the quiet muted tone of the rest of the images, and we can’t get enough.
The bouquet has us head over heels for this crimson trend!
Karen Manotas and Steve Merrell met studying in a coffee shop in Salt Lake City, and Steve slipped his number into her papers. She didn’t call until a week later, when they coincidentally met again at a different shop. Four years later, Steve proposed over tea at the same table where they first met.
THE WEDDING
Karen and Steve were married in a classic ceremony in La Caille’s vineyard venue.
Both of Karen’s parents escorted her down the aisle to read her vows to her soon-to-be husband and stepdaughter. The bridesmaids wore rose gowns, and the groom’s party arrived in grey suits. The bride paraded down the aisle in a fitted, classic lace dress by Martina Liana, complete with a gorgeous low back and sweetheart neckline. Long lace illusion sleeves billow from her sides, the perfect look for an autumn wedding.
The couple chose Utah as their nuptial destination as a way to treat friends and family who were travelling to celebrate their wedding. “I am originally from Florida and moved to Utah 6 years ago for medical school,” Karen says. “Since then I have fallen in love with the mountains and our picturesque skyline.”
THE MOOD
“Our vision for our wedding matched the venue: romantic and elegant with a modern touch,” Karen says. The decor mirrored the lush floral theme of La Caille’s spaces, with varied candelabra centerpieces wound up in fresh eucalyptus, succulent terrariums and bursting flower arrangements. Each table was draped in rose velvet lined and surrounded by champagne chivari chairs, matching the gold accents in the tablescapes. Karen drew inspiration largely from La Caille’s stunning spaces, and worked with AOO Events to finalize the elegant final vision.
THE MENU
For their reception dinner, the couple and their guests were served from a classic La Caille buffet wedding menu. Karen’s favorite dish was the short ribs. “The ribs were to die for,” she says. “I loved that we actually got to eat our full dinner, it was one of our main goals for the night!”
For dessert, the couple had a 3-tiered gold and blush wedding cake created by Salt Cake City. The top two tiers were banana cream and vanilla cake, and the bottom was raspberry bliss, all covered in clean white buttercream.
THE RECEPTION
The reception took place in the Grand Pavilion greenhouse, with lush flowers and greens lining every surface. The bride’s big-day vision included an abundance of candles, so every free space was illuminated by romantic candelabra and votive arrangements in gold to compliment the blush palette linens from Mosaic Linens. Assorted ranunculi, dollar and gunni eucalyptus, roses, succulents and king proteas adorned every table.
Dancing was one of the favorite memories of the night. The couple had their introductory first dance to the tune of “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray La Montagne. Karen’s father is Colombian, so the father-daughter dance became a fun-filled Salsa showcase, and a tender moment for everyone involved.
Above all, the couple shared that they were glad they took the time to simply enjoy themselves on their wedding day.
“Friends had mentioned to me how they had felt like their wedding day was ‘one big blur,’ and that they wished they would have taken the time to enjoy their wedding,” Karen says. “During our wedding day, I did not feel like that at all! I remember talking with and dancing with each and every person, Steve and I ate a full dinner including dessert, and we had time to take in all the details and work we had so carefully planned in the leading months.”
Matte black is having a moment. Velvety, sleek and rich, the finish can take a palette from dark and harsh to sophisticated and elegant. While we’ve often seen it paired with gold for a trendy combo, we are loving the surprisingly chic black-and-blue combo put together by stationer Elizabeth Santa Cruz and photographer Breanna White.
Those table settings (especially the flower petal mats) flow together effortlessly, and the cake! Super subtle, but clean and classy just the same. The beflowered paper suites deliver what every bride didn’t know she even wanted – totally vintage, with only a hint of modern flair – and invite you to step right into the pages of your favorite old-English novel. What could be more romantic? Matte black makes an entrance here as well, offering just enough base for the colors of the suites to pop magnificently.
“I want to be a mermaid when I grow up.” A common dream when a girl is young, but usually outgrown by the time their nuptials roll around. But what if that need not be the case? Madison Lauren Designs brought new meaning to mermaid style with this photoshoot at the Saratoga Hot Springs.
“For this photo shoot, we wanted to try something that we hadn’t seen before and put us out of our comfort zone a bit,” said Madison Satterlee, the dress designer.
With the months of snow-capped settings upon the horizon, the quest for color in photoshoots can become a challenge. As the autumnal reds, oranges, and browns fall far too fast, Satterlee took a different palette approach: deep blues and delicate pastels.
The hot springs offer a lagoon of blue hues year round, surrounded by traditional lakeside greenery. Brilliant sunrises and sunsets bring just the right about of sparkle to the table.
The details of the dress give it even more of a water goddess vibe, with the flowy, delicate lace detailing, and the statement-making two piece cut. “I made sure to use a fabric that was light and airy, and would be able to move with the water.” Satterlee said. This whimsical-bohemian hybrid dress partnered with the serenity of the hot springs allow for any bride to fulfill their childhood mermaid fantasies.
The fairytale look is completed with a fresh, soft-hued flower crown.
Fall is in full bloom, no question. What better way to usher in the season, than to create with autumn’s showiest petals. Whether you need ideas for tablescapes or weddings, Cactus & Tropicals gives “wild side” a whole new meaning. During the garden boutique’s annual event showcase, we spotted wild, neutral-toned, Utah-inspired fall blooms. Here’s what Cactus & Tropicals suggests for spectacular fall floral art.
1. Neutral Palette
Quiet tans, vibrant rust and rich red hues were the stars of the night, creating a look that celebrates the fall colors that adorn the Utah peaks this time of year.
2. Stay True to Your Season
Even though spring is usually hailed as nature’s most beautiful time for blooms, who says nature’s prep for winter can’t be gorgeous, too? Not Cactus & Tropicals. Dry grasses and stalks add height and dimension to arrangements throughout the venue.
3. Naturally Inspired
Even the desserts followed the design course of the night, with wood painted, intricately design and delicately adorned cakes.
4. Let Some Color In
Color-packed bouquets aren’t limited to just spring and summer brides. On display was a rainbow of fall floral arrangements to match every bride’s color scheme.
5. Think Big
Stacked arrangements with tall stalks are sure to catch the eye at an entrance, on a table, or anywhere else that needs some dimension and sprucing in your venue.
Amanda and Andrew met at a party at University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and Andrew kept returning to the same house hoping to see her again. They hit it off for the rest of their college years, and moved to Denver together after they graduated. 11 years after they met, Andrew proposed in Steamboat Springs while at dinner celebrating selling their first home. “Andy is a very private person, so it was really special for me that he proposed in public like that,” Amanda says. “It came as a total surprise, because I was really happy with our life and hadn’t pushed him on it at all.”
The couple traveled to Park City for a small wedding at the Washington School House Hotel in June 2018. Amanda fell in love with the bright venue after seeing it online, and her wedding-day color scheme reflects that. “The moody colors and dark photos that are trendy right now are not our style, and not what I wanted to capture,” she says. Instead, she mirrored the natural light of the venue with soft blush florals, elegant gold bridesmaids’ gowns and ocean blue accents. “I wanted the setting to feel very romantic, and for our guests to feel love and happiness being there.”
Amanda walked down the aisle to “God Only Knows” in a clean-cut Rosa Clara gown with a dramatic low back. Her niece Izzy acted as flower girl, wearing a floral and greenery crown that matched the bridal bouquet, and watched as the couple exchanged handwritten vows in front of 50 family members and friends.
THE MOOD
“Our venue made the reception feel like a giant house party,” Amanda says. “I remember dancing and having meaningful conversations with everyone there.”
The reception was a fun and youthful celebration. Amanda and Andy are all about adventure, and their 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon (affectionately called Bertha) was a huge part of the wedding. Their engagement, formal and bridal party photos were taken with the van, and she even got her own greenery crown. VW van confetti with the couple’s initials was spread across all of the tables, and the silhouette was subtly incorporated into much of the décor. The feminine blush tones in the floral design added just enough elegance to take the reception from basement bash to the soiree of a lifetime.
THE CUISINE
The couple had a traditional wedding dinner menu, but were sure to have lots of options. “A lot of my family came all the way from Florida, and I wanted to make sure we were accommodating of everyone,” Amanda says. There were chicken, red meat and fish options, but a must have for the couple was an open bar.
“We had signature cocktails, but nothing too cheeky.” A classic margarita for Andy, and sweet tea vodka with lemonade to represent Amanda and her southern charm. The cake was a clean-cut masterpiece with one layer of chocolate ganache on chocolate cake, and another of yellow cake with berry filling.
THE TUNES
Changing Lanes learned “Steal Away” by Robbie Dupree for the couple’s first dance, and played the Beatles and Jackson 5 for the father-daughter and mother-son numbers. “Changing Lanes made the reception a blast, they were absolutely phenomenal to learn all of those songs for us,” Amanda says.
Amanda’s favorite moment of the day was cutting the cake. “It was the first time since the ceremony that everyone was in one room together,” she says. “It was so special to look around and see all of the people I love together, celebrating with me on the happiest day of my life.”
Keep scrolling on for more gorgeous shots of the bright + white celebration.
Obviously, one of the main concerns with planning a winter wedding is the weather – and here in Utah we definitely experience unpredictable weather changes. One of the best pieces of advice we could give a couple hoping for a winter wedding is to keep your eye on the weather. Check it in advance as well as in the days leading up to the wedding. You’ll also need to be prepared to have a contingency in place, i.e. if you need to rent a tent if you have an outdoor space at your wedding. The rule of thumb is that if there is a 40% likely chance of weather, you should make contingency plans and if it is a 60% chance, its going to come down – so make sure you adjust your schedule and rentals if needed.
2. Embrace the Season
Winter is a beautiful season and there are so many inspirations you can take from it to incorporate in your day. Think about the festive elements, glistening snow, the fresh smell of pine, and the cozy feelings you get from seasonal food and drink – which we love, of course! Really embracing the winter vibes and bringing it into your day is a great way to get guests in the winter mood.
3. Work With What’s In Season
Not only do we suggest using what’s in season within the decor, especially if you are trying to work within a budget, but you can also really make your menu come to life with seasonal foods. Pomegranates, citrus, pears, winter squash, etc. Using these flavor powerhouses not only embrace the tastes of the season, but also create a truly delicious dining experience.
4. Dress Accordingly
If you are getting married in the winter, you also need to think about your attire. We want to make sure you are stunning on your big day as well as warm. Whether you decide to wear a dress with sleeves, which can totally be amazing, or you get a dress with a beautiful stole or caplet, there are so many options to add a little something extra to your wedding day look – that will also keep you cozy and warm.
5. Plan Extra Time
During the winter, another concern is the additional time it takes getting around – especially if it storms. You’ll want to make sure you plan in buffer time just in case it takes a little longer to get from point A to point B, for both you and your guests.
6. Only Have 1 Location/Venue
On the same note as the previous tip – having your wedding at one venue or location can be a stress saver. Look at places that have options to add a tent to their outdoor spaces, so you have a weather contingency plan, or spaces that can host all of the happenings of your wedding. Whether it be in separate spaces at the same venue or in the same space with a room turn during the cocktail hour. Also, if you are hiring transportation for your guests, it’ll be easier to get them to one location rather than multiple ones.
7. Photographs & Lighting
One other thing to keep in mind is that the amount of daylight during the winter is much more limited than in the summer. You’ll want to make sure that you plan your formal and bridal portraits either during the daylight hours or make sure that your photographer can handle the low light for those portraits if they are taking place during the darker hours. Another thing that can help is adding accent lighting to help bring more brightness into the spaces. Plus it really adds to the festive vibe!
8. Comfort Food & Beverages
Back to the food (our favorite)! Not only do we love creating seasonal menus, but in the winter, we love treating guests to comfort food and warm beverages which, if it’s cold outside, they will really appreciate, we promise! Whether you serve hot toddys, coffee, hot chocolate, or wassail, there are SO many fun beverage options to offer your guests as they arrive to your wedding. Plus, this also allows you to get the guests really excited about the food offerings to come. As far as comfort food goes, think warm and cozy favorites like butternut squash ravioli with sage brown butter, pumpkin soup, roasted vegetables, etc. Plus, dessert can be another way to get winter-y! So many beautiful flavors and fun ways to decorate!
9. Coat Check
Another practical tip? A coat check for your guests to store their winter coats because they will absolutely be wearing one in the cold weather.
10. Careful About Holiday Dates
Lastly, because the winter has so many holidays, make sure that you consider those dates when you are thinking about when to host your wedding. That’s not to say you can’t have it on (or near) a holiday, but you do need to be aware that this might add to your bottom line, price-wise, and that some vendors might be unavailable, either because they are booked out or because they are taking time off for the holiday. Also, if you are hosting a destination wedding, your guests might be looking at higher prices for travel since it’s prime season or they’ll have conflicting plans. On the other hand, it might be easier for your guests to travel to your wedding, since they will potentially have more time off, but you’ll need to plan far enough in advance that they can join you.
We hope this helps you plan your amazing winter wedding! And, remember, Culinary Crafts is here to help if you need a caterer or any more advice to make your wedding perfect! Happy planning!
Looking their best is at the top of every bride’s priority list on their wedding day, and hair can often be the biggest hurdle in that goal. Up or down? How do I make it stay? What if I don’t have enough volume for my dream style? Jennifer Johnson, owner and stylist at ProDo Blow Dry Bar in Draper and Orem has the solution to any wedding-hair worry.
How To: Choose Your Perfect Wedding Hairstyle
1. Choose a style that you feel comfortable in.
Hair by Randilee Wilde.
If you love the way you look with your hair down, don’t wear it up just because you think you should, and vise versa. Don’t go with a style just because it’s trendy. Make sure you feel your best – your confidence show in your photos!
2. Think about your veil.
Hair by Nikki Morgan.
Will the veil be able to be incorporated? Will it cover up your style? These are important considerations. Also, make sure you have someone designated to pin it in place if your hair stylist won’t be there. Try to have them at your hair appointment so the stylist can show them exactly how to secure it in place.
3. Plan Hairstyles around your dress.
Hair by Nikki Morgan.
Put your dress on and try a few different styles in the mirror. Different cuts look better with different hairstyles. If you have an open back, you might want to show it off by wearing your hair up. Maybe something off to one side will compliment your dress more than wearing it all back. If you have a classic style, got with classic hair. If you can’t decide, find a few friends that you know will give you an honest opinion.
4. Gather as many photos as you can.
Photos by Adam Finkle.
It’s important to have a clear vision, to communicate to your stylists exactly what you are looking for (and NOT looking for). One photo can show how much volume you want, one can show how you want to back to look, etc. But be realistic with your own hair, and understand that it might look a little different based on your hair qualities.
5. Extensions!
Pro Do stylist Madison Sharkey prepping extensions for a client.
Extensions are an excellent way to create more volume and length for you big day. Clip ins offer this without the commitment of getting a full head installed. Buy them ahead of time and take them to your stylist to trim and blend them, so they can think about how they will incorporate them into the style you want.
Day-Of Wedding Hair Tips
1. Wash your hair the day before.
Hair by Josie Moser.
Clean your hair before your wedding day if you’re getting an up-do. Second-day hair offers better hair for us stylists to work with!
2. Easy Shirts are Best
Hair by Nikki Morgan.
Don’t forget to wear a button or zip up shirt to your hair appointment so you don’t messy up your lovely locks when getting dressed.
3.Give yourself plenty of time.
Pro Do stylist Josie Moser.
There is nothing worse than running behind and feeling stressed out right before your ceremony. Play it safe and double the amount of time you think you’ll need – you never know what could come up.
4. Start with Tighter Curls.
Hair by Hannah South.
If you are leaving your hair down and curly, start with you curls a little tighter then you’d like at first, and let them relax throughout the day. Also, consider the weather. If there’s a chance that is could be windy or really hot, consider pinning at least some of it up, so it doesn’t get ruined.
5. Pack an Emergency kit.
Image courtesy of Liz Venuto and Got Beauty
Pack a bag to take with you to your venue that includes: hairspray, a comb, bobby pins and a curling or flat iron just in case of emergency. Put someone in charge for the day that will keep an eye on your hair and if something doesn’t look right, they can pull you aside and fix it. This will ensure your hair looks great in all your pictures, not just the ones in the beginning.
Above all, the most important thing is to choose and create a style that makes you look and feel your best, to amp up the happy on the best day of your life!
A struggle that every Utah florist knows all too well is the battle to keep bridal bouquets from wilting in the hot and arid climate. For this Zion shoot, Bloomers Flowers & Decor skirted the issue by keeping things minimal (but still gorgeous!). This stunning bride totes a dream-catcher inspired, macrame-dripping ring of cherry-branch florals in lieu of a traditional bouquet, because why should the weather limit any celebration of Utah’s natural beauty?
Photographer Julie Crawford, of Magnolia & Ember Photography, says that Utah is one of the most incredible places she’s ever been, and wanted to keep all elements of this shoot earthy to match the landscape.
The groom’s wood ring has an inlay of dinosaur bone that was dug up in Utah, a perfect homage to our state, and to love. As Watsky would say, “She didn’t give me butterflies, she gave me pterodactyl!”
The accessories, plus her delicate lace gown, are giving us all the bohemian vibes we needed today.
It’s officially holiday season, and for those in the U.S.A, Halloween is just around the corner. For those in Mexico, however, the next big celebration is Dia de los Muertos, “the Day of the Dead” from October 31 to November 2. According to photographer Brittny Hart of Love Brittny Photography, because the dates overlap America’s Halloween, American culture has twisted it to be a dark, spooky holiday. However, the real intent of the holiday is to celebrate and honor ancestors who have gone on before. Mexicans decorate an ofrenda, an offering table or shrine, with photos of the deceased, an abundance of food, marigold flowers (the petals smell so strong and deliver the message of love to the souls passed on) and sugar skulls. This holiday is a celebration of life and family.
Disney’s recent movie COCO is all about this holiday. So Love, Brittny decided to styled shoot based on the film!
We love the traditionally bright colors (especially the red in that RING!).
We love that the venue on the invites is a cemetery (so fitting, for either holiday!).
We love the groom’s traditional mariachi suit, and that gorgeous tiered gown on the bride!
But most of all, we love that the coordinators of this shoot used hispanic models, and hispanic stylists on scene for a truly authentic look.
As Brittny says, “What a wonderful twist… to be married on a holiday that celebrates families!”
Styling/Suites: Elizabeth, 
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