We understand that choosing the right vendors makes a huge difference in your wedding experience–from the day you embark on the planning process to the last day of your honeymoon.
Our friends at Culinary Crafts sat down with one of their favorite couples for this Q&A about how they chose their wedding day vendors. Stefan and Taylor Berg give us the rundown on their experience with hiring wedding day vendors, from the food to the flowers, cake and venue.
The couple, not originally from Utah, were familiar with Park City because the bride’s family owns a vacation home there that she and Stefan had visited several times. According to them, they always loved their visits to Utah and they knew as soon as they were engaged Park City is where they wanted to host their wedding.
Here’s what Taylor and Stefan shared with us about how they selected their wedding vendors even though they lived out of state:
First, tell us about your wedding.
Stefan: “Having our friends and family come to such a beautiful place made the wedding extra special. We really wanted to surprise everyone with something, so we decided to keep the actual wedding venue a secret. On our wedding day we gave everyone instructions to be at one of three pick-up spots at a certain time. Our wedding planner had arranged for three buses to pick up our guests and drive them to our wedding location, Blue Sky Ranch. We heard that the guests were buzzing with excitement during their ride, “Where are we going”, “Why are we on a bus?”, “What’s happening!” When they arrived at Blue Sky, they were in awe of how beautiful, serene and remote the ranch was. The views of the mountains were breathtaking. Our wedding was off to a fantastic start.”
Taylor: “Yes, that was such a fun thing to do! I especially loved how intimate and romantic our wedding location was. It felt magical and was everything I hoped for. I’m still getting calls and emails from guests about how much they enjoyed the food, drinks and dancing, and the whole experience at that beautiful ranch.”
What were the first steps you took to find your wedding vendors?
T: We didn’t want to rush the planning process so we set our wedding date for 16 months after our engagement. We have friends who live in Park City, so we asked them for some recommendations, and then we started researching vendors online. Mostly, we looked at vendor websites, but we also read some reviews and looked at Pintrist pages. After we felt like we had researched enough, we narrowed our choices down to a handful of vendors and made appointments to meet them on our next trip to Park City.
S: Yes, we met with a variety of vendors on that first trip….florists, caterers, wedding planners etc. It was really important to meet them in person. Looking at their websites and work samples helped us narrow down who might be a good fit for us, but meeting them in person was key to making a final decision. In some cases we had been really excited about a vendor’s website, but when we met and talked with them, things just didn’t click. It’s really important to meet your key people in person!
How did you work together when deciding which vendor to hire?
S: We each researched things that we were interested in, and then shared what we found. We stayed in communication about all our ideas, and, we both met with the key vendors. When it came time to make a decision it was pretty easy to tell which vendor was best for us based on our research and the connection we had with them during our meeting.
T: Stefan is a foodie, so it made sense for him to take the lead in researching caterers. I had a lot of ideas about what I wanted the ceremony to be like, and the celebration in terms of decoration and style, so I took the lead on the wedding planners and florists.
How did you know when you found the right vendor?
T: After meeting with a vendor we discussed our impressions privately. It was pretty easy to tell if a vendor had really listened to our vision. We could tell if they were genuinely interested in getting to know us. If they asked questions that helped us express what we wanted, I felt like they were really making an effort to understand us.
S: Right. We ended up picking vendors that we got a good vibe from, who were easy to talk to and who answered our questions. Having a good connection with our vendors made the rest of the wedding planning a much smoother process. Were there any vendors that stood out to you?
S: Our vendors were all amazing and I truly mean that! It’s hard to pick only a couple that stood out. But the two that come to mind first are CulinaryCrafts and Bluebird Events.
T: We met with Mary from CulinaryCrafts on our first planning trip to Park City. We were excited to meet her because the food shown on her website looked so delicious and her presentations really caught my eye. We scheduled a tasting so that we could sample some of the foods we wanted at our wedding and meet some of the people on her team. We loved it! By the end of the tasting we had planned the entire menu and felt like we had found a friend in Mary.
S: Mary and her team listened to our vision and put their own special creative twists on the food to make it unique for our menu. Even after the wedding, our guests could not stop talking about how fantastic the food was and how friendly the catering staff was. Being a foodie, it was very important to me that the food at my wedding be amazing. Thanks to CulinaryCrafts, it was!
T: Agreed! Finding the wedding planner though, took a little longer than we expected. I think it was because this person is “in charge” of everything. So it’s very important that you have a sense of confidence and trust in your planner. We met with a few planners before we talked to Merideth at Bluebird Events. The other planners were all very nice, but some of them couldn’t assure us that they would be the person at our wedding. Personally, I knew I wouldn’t be comfortable with this. After I had spent a year working with a planner, I would want that person to be at the wedding to oversee everything. When we met Merideth, I knew at once that she was the right person for us. She immediately caught our vision and she assured us that she would be at our wedding to over see everything.
S: Yes, Merideth was wonderful to work with. She handled more details than I could keep track of, had great ideas, and kept everything flowing smoothly on our wedding day. Who were some of the other vendors you worked with?
S: Our photographer, Blake Peterson’s work also stood out to me. It was cool to see the action photos of skiers and snowboarders on her website. I coach high school basketball and have photographers come to our games to take pictures of the kids and her work reminded me of that.
T: Blake is a childhood friend of mine who I absolutely adore and I admire her work. I wanted to make sure I felt comfortable with the person taking all of the photos as I knew these would be memories we would look back on and share with our own children one day.T: Artisan Bloom’s work was truly breathtaking and exceeded our expectations. I felt their work captured the romantic vibe I wanted and they took our vision and made it even more fabulous with their gorgeous flower arrangements. I really felt their work made a beautiful statement and awed our guests.
S: We hired Jared Wortley as our videographer. His work is magical. He captured all the details of our special day and now we have a video we can watch to be reminded of what a wonderful experience we had.
T: I loved the band, Changing Lanes! It was so fun having musicians who interacted with our family and friends. We wanted our guests to have fun and enjoy the night, and the band kept everyone entertained and on their feet.
S: And of course, our venue, Blue Sky. This was the perfect venue for our wedding. It was secluded with beautiful scenery and ambience. We knew it was the right place the minute we saw it. LeAnne, their coordinator, was beyond helpful with any questions we had. We also really liked that we were able to bring in our own vendors. LeAnne provided suggestions, but we could choose our own vendors.
What is something you wish you knew about finding wedding vendors before you started planning your wedding?
S: Finding the vendor that you have that special connection with is really important. Knowing that your vendor really gets your vision and is thinking on your behalf is key. I hadn’t realized how important that would be to make the whole process less stressful and more fun, but looking back it was the most important thing.
Getting hitched alone or accompanied by only a few friends offers intimacy, beauty and, ultimately, a focus on what matters most: marrying the love of your life. Photographer D’Arcy Benincosa joins floral designer Sarah Winward to enlighten Utah couples on the art of eloping with unforgettable style.
Try a minimalist approach. Rachael Affleck of Rachael Ellen Events and photographer Kenzie Victory reject the conventional overdone décor, princess gown and endless guest list. Instead, they focus on what matters most—a couple beginning its life together. Follow these five tips to harness sophisticated style for a Scandi-chic winter celebration.
Minimal of color can be magical, especially when a site is dark and moody. Leslie Price of Leslie Dawn Events and photographer Alixann Loosle enter La Caille’s deep forest at dusk to create a quiet design that caresses and calms. This enchanting retreat captures the charm of a captivating storybook romance.[vc_masonry_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1519270183946-35da74ab-03d9-5″ include=”13647,13648,13649,13650,13651″]
Holy Trinity Cathedral & Grand Hall at the Union Pacific Depot
The Couple
Peggy (a marketing consultant) and John (a wealth advisor) met at a Greek concert in Las Vegas when Peggy’s friend recognized John from a parody video she saw on YouTube.
Peggy’s friends partied that night with John’s friends, then, after four years of dating Peggy, John was ready for the next move. “Given that we had met at a Greek concert, I saw the perfect opportunity to fittingly propose at one,” John says. “Peggy and her girlfriends had planned a weekend getaway to Vancouver to see one of their favorite singers.
Unbeknownst to Peggy, I had notified the concert organizer of my plans to propose and was able to coordinate a moment with the musician to bring her on stage. Once she walked on, I came out with ring in hand and asked her to marry me in front of the entire audience. Amidst tears and cheers from the crowd, she said ‘yes.’”
The Wedding
Salt Lake City’s 100-year-old Holy Trinity Cathedral hosted Peggy and John’s traditional Greek Orthodox ceremony.
“The location was particularly meaningful to us because John’s parents and grandparents were also married there,” Peggy says. “The Greek Orthodox Sacrament of Marriage is unique in many ways, but primarily in that the ceremony has remained almost entirely unchanged since its origination centuries ago.”
Peggy created a personalized touch to the traditional ceremony by adding a sentimental inscription in John’s ring for him to discover during the ceremony.
The Mood
“We opted for an elegant, black-tie affair with a neutral color palate to underscore the historic beauty of the Grand Hall,” says the bride. “In typical Greek fashion, however, our wedding was themed around one word: party!” Food action stations, custom cocktails, musical performances and traditional Greek plate-breaking amped up the celebration.
The Menu
Live food stations included flaming Saganaki cheese appetizers and an ice-sculpted cocktail luge. A formal plated dinner began with spinach and arugula salad topped with tart cherries, sweet ricotta and hazelnuts tossed with a local honey vinaigrette and garnished with edible flowers. Next, caterers served chicken rotolo stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, Parmesan cheese and prosciutto or a beef tenderloin medallion with natural jus.
To top off the meal, loukoumades (Greek donut holes fried on sight and tossed in honey and powdered sugar), mini cannoli, and goat cheesecake bites with raspberry compoteand chocolate bouchon were served for dessert. Late-night offerings included mini Greek gyros and mini souvlaki skewers provided by Aristo’s Greek Restaurant, movie theater popcorn, milk chocolate sea salt popcorn and chocolate chip sea salt cookies courtesy of The Blended Table.
I’m head-over-heels for this beautiful styled shoot done right in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City. Photographer Ashley Smith captures exquisite details, while the Potted Pansy’s florals add an organic textural element when paired with Betsy Couture’s gorgeous gown and model Audrey Seidel’s fierce posing game.
This shoot has ‘big city vibe’ written all over it –I feel like it’s straight out of an episode of Gossip Girl (Serena, is that you?)–and I can’t believe how lucky we are to have this much talent located right here in Utah. I’m so excited to share this with you, keep scrolling to see all of the amazing images.
Ten months before Molly said yes, Seth met his future wife. “We were set up on a blind date by one of Molly’s friends from preschool and one of the firefighters on my crew,” says Seth, a wildland firefighter who grew up in Henniker, New Hampshire. Currently, Molly (an attorney) and Seth reside in Molly’s hometown of Salt Lake City.
The Wedding
Molly and Seth didn’t think twice when choosing a wedding venue. “Seth lived in Park City when he first moved to Utah, and we thought it would be nice for out of town guests to see Park City,” Molly explains.
“We visited the Montage and didn’t even visit any other potential venues.” The autumn date was a no brainer, as well. “We picked the date because I wanted a fall wedding, and Seth’s firefighting schedule ends in November.”
The Mood
Fusing contemporary décor and autumnal surroundings, the duo chose a palette of aubergine, fuchsia and gold. “I knew I wanted aubergine as the base color to give it a fall feel, but we really wanted something different and memorable,” the bride says.
An ultramodern altar hosted glass towers of deconstructed floral arrangements featuring lush hydrangeas, calla lilies and phaleonopsis orchids. The drama intensified inside. An X-shaped-table layout and aubergine-hued pendants anchored the room.
Lush floral runners flowed across tabletops and floating candles sparkled inside tall glass vessels. Uplighting and plush draperies dressed the ballroom walls.
The Menu
Molly and Seth kicked tradition to the curb. “We didn’t want the usual steak, salmon or chicken,” Molly says. “We really wanted a fall theme with a Utah twist.”
Sweet and savory starters included lobster corn dogs with caper aioli, rosemary panna cotta with citrus and shaved beet, scallops with prosciutto and sage, and a Camembert mousse served in cones with citrus marmalade and shaved walnuts. Waiters poured soup—a Utah trout chowder with potato fondant, celery and corn—table side “to make it feel extra special,” Molly says.
Guests had their choice of either an eggplant fritter with squash noodles, tomato coulis, arugula and shaved Parmesan (Molly doesn’t eat meat); a buffalo tenderloin (a unique option both Seth and Molly’s mom loved during the tasting) with Paris potato mash, asparagus, blistered heirloom tomatoes, sauce béarnaise; or a seared Chilean sea bass with thyme polenta, artichoke tomato succotash and beurre blanc.
The Tunes
The Gold Standard jazz trio played crooner covers. Molly and Seth took the dance floor as husband and wife to Zac Brown Band’s “Whatever It Is.”
Most Memorable Moment
“A few minutes before the ceremony started, Seth and I snuck away to read our vows and drink a little Champagne.
It was a spontaneous and emotional moment where we got to remember the reason for the day and reconnect before we became the center of attention,” Molly says.
Our editorial team sat down for a Q&A with Squatters Pub and Brewery’s Judy Cullen to find out what it’s like to host a wedding at the local relic. Here’s what she has to say.
Let’s dive right in, can you share some background?
“As everyone knows, the craft beer industry is booming, and Squatters and Wasatch were among the first in the state of Utah to provide hand crafted brews to thirsty Utahns. As a matter of fact, Greg Schirf, the founder of Wasatch, was responsible for lobbying to get the liquor laws changed in 1986 to allow brew pubs. Both Squatters and Wasatch beers have been recognized nationwide for their beer, winning over 125 awards in total from the Great American Beer Festival, the World Beer Cup and the North American Brewers Association Beer Awards.”
Tell us a little bit about what it’s like to host a wedding at Squatters?
“Squatters and Wasatch offer an unparalleled private party experience, particularly for weddings, rehearsal dinners and receptions. Like any venue worth their salt, we provide a state-of-the-art audio-visual system, experienced and friendly service and décor to enhance your guest’s experience.
But where else but Squatters or Wasatch – Salt Lake and Park City’s original brew pubs, respectively – can your guests sample the freshest brew master seasonal ales and lagers straight off the line, brewed in-house? Looking to create an unforgettable reception or rehearsal dinner experience? Ask our Private Event Manager about adding a beer school component to your celebration.”
Can couples host a wedding at any of your locations and how many people can you accommodate?
“Squatters in downtown Salt Lake combines the charm of original, historic architecture in a contemporary urban setting. Our individual private event spaces can be customized to cater to nearly every taste.
Wasatch Sugar House is in the heart of the hip and bustling Sugar House area, and features a modern, urban feel with exposed ceilings, barn wood accents and a private bar. And of course, pouring both Wasatch and Squatters hand-crafted beers.
Wasatch Park City is located at the top of historic Main Street, with patios that overlook the energy and activity on Main Street. The Pub also features private bars, full A/V and a variety of award-winning beers from which to choose.
All 3 venues can accommodate parties of 25 – 200, with menu options to suit every taste and budget.”
As an expert in your industry, what tips of the trade or advice can you offer couples who are shopping for venues?
“There are many event venues, so you need to find something that makes you unique and stand out. We think that we have that covered in that we offer a unique product (craft beer), in very unique and beautiful settings. You also need to be flexible with regards to your clients’ needs and tastes, as they can vary widely. We are proud of how we accommodate everyone’s different tastes.”
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To learn more about weddings at Squatters, find them on our vendor listing or check out their website.
No one ever believes me but yes, I met my husband in a bar in Boston on a random Thursday night. It always happens when you least expect it! Tim and I took a last minute trip up to his family’s lake house in Wisconsin in the middle of a snow storm to get away from it all. He—alongside our dog—got down on one knee in front of the fire and he pulled the ring from our pup’s sweatshirt hoodie he was wearing. I was over the moon happy but so surprised I couldn’t get the words out to say yes.
THE RED BALLGOWN
“I never wanted to look like a “bride” with the big white dress – its just not me. Instead I wanted to go for a look that could have walked down the red carpet with the best of them. I looked at dress after dress and didn’t even want to try them on until my bridal consultant asked if I thought about wearing color? After that everything just fell into place. She pulled out three dress: red, blue, and green. I tried on the red and didn’t want to take it off. It was the first and last dress I tried on. The rest was easy. The dress was such a statement that it needed next to nothing in terms of accessories. The color was enough! I wore a fun necklace for the reception from Very Wang. It added that little bit of party sparkle.
THE WHITE TUX
It was a Tom Ford white tux jacket with black pants. I guess someone had to wear white 😉
THE FIRST LOOK
Tim and I were together before the ceremony and I couldn’t have imagined it any other way. He sets my mind at ease and the minute I saw him I knew the day was going to be perfect regardless of what happened behind the scenes.
THE CEREMONY
The wedding weekend was designed to celebrate Park City and its amazing landscape. Mountain Elegance might be the best way to describe our theme. We had this big plan to get married outside on the side of the mountain and let the landscape be our backdrop but then it rained. This wasn’t a few showers here and there, this was inches of rain from dawn until dust. We quickly moved to plan B and set the ceremony inside in a perfect loft space over the reception. Our florist did an amazing job bringing the outside in by using aspen, moss, local flowers, natural wood benches and much more to our intimate space. The aisle was lit with oversized lanterns and small flower arrangements that set the perfect tone and complimented the soft rain on the windows. The view from Empire Canyon Lodge is just spectacular and the staff understands what good service truly means.
I heard the music start for the flowers girls, there was a little rustle of people in their seats turning around to look and then I heard my little niece Olivia say, “No mommy I don’t want to go down the aisle.” I started to laugh and even more so when I peeked and saw my sister swing her up in her arms and carry her down. The funniest part of the ceremony was the look on our families faces when they realized our good friend John was not just doing a reading for the ceremony but was the actual justice of the peace.
THE RECEPTION
Silver Lake Ski Lodge at Deer Valley was transformed by Tulips and Thyme into a country chic dining area with dark wooden farm tables and crisscross chairs. Reclaimed wooden chandeliers were suspended at various heights and were dressed with a multitude of candles and greenery which helped to light the room and create a soft romantic environment. The tables were decorated in shades of ivory and taupe with stunning burnt gold glass chargers, white dinner china accented with soft purple linen napkins. Each table was uniquely designed with the colors of fall – deep scarlet, reds, oranges and gold – all representing flowers and foliage celebrating the season. Included in the variety of floral arrangements were locally harvested flowers as well as garden roses, ranunculus, scabiosa pods, privet berries, cabbages and small succulents in earthen pots. Tulips and Thyme designed amazing flowers to extend over the length of the tables and cascade down the side. It was just beautiful. The inspiration for the décor was my wedding dress—romantic, sophisticated, but at the same time, a little whimsical. My bouquet was perfect. I asked that it be an assortment of ivory and soft green to set off the dress and it came out amazing.
THE PUPPY CAKE
We wanted to make Brewer (our dog) part of our wedding ceremony but since he couldn’t travel to Park City, we thought the next best thing was to have him there in spirit and in cake.
A FEW FAVORITE MEMORIES
Tim and I snuck away from cocktail hour and had a glass of Champagne in the dining room. We took a few minutes alone to take it all in and just enjoy the moment before the craziness of the reception began. We even jumped on the dance floor and did a quick practice run of our first dance to settle our nerves.
I loved spending the morning with all of the women in the family. Hair was getting done on one side of the room while make up was done on the other and food and drink was everywhere. It was a revolving door of ladies and oh so much fun.
SOMETHING OLD, NEW, BORROW, BLUE
I love this tradition: Old – I carried a silk handkerchief that has been down the aisle over 30 times from my mothers side of the family. Borrowed – the incredible tear drop diamond earrings were my mother in laws. Blue – My engagement ring is a blue sapphire.
I’m glad we had a small wedding and created that intimate feeling where everyone feels very much a part of every moment. I’m thrilled that our families and friends were willing to travel to Park City, UT and put up with that stress for the festivities. I’m also glad that Tim and I came in one day early and left one day later to relax just the two of us.
ADVICE FOR ENGAGED COUPLES
I wish I hadn’t felt rushed the day of the wedding. But there are so many moving pieces its hard to relax and enjoy it. I worried about everything. In the end the worrying didn’t help and I had hired the best team possible.
First, take a deep breath. Try to relax and enjoy this wonderful moment with your future spouse. Marriage is an exciting life journey but most people dread the wedding part. Yes, it can be overwhelming, but it makes a huge difference having an experienced event planner by your side during this process. Our friends at Temple Square offer these 9 things you need to know before meeting with your event planner to help you make the best out of that first encounter.
Date of the Event
Weather, weekday versus weekend, and time of year are just a few details that can impact your wedding date. You will want to pick a date that will work best for maximum attendance of your guests. An outdoor wedding and reception can be tricky as Mother Nature has a mind of her own! Checking the weather almanac is a great start to see the history of weather on a particular date.
Budget
Your event coordinator should be helping you with your budget. You need to make sure you state your maximum per person and in return; they should respect your wishes. But ultimately, it is your job to keep an eye on what you’re spending overall. You should budget out all aspects of your wedding from flowers, food and venue to entertainment, wedding party gifts, etc. This can add up quickly. Keep track of what you’ve committed to spending.
Guest Count
Have a basic idea of your guest count and realize it can and will fluctuate. Most venues have a minimum amount of food and beverage or guest counts required for their banquet space. Start compiling a list as soon as you become engaged.
Menu Ideas
Perusing websites, bride magazines, and other weddings you attend can give you an insight into what type of food and beverage you would like to see served at your special event. Although most wedding venues have set menus, many chefs respond well to custom menus. Normally these have a slight surcharge attached to them.
Wedding Colors
Do you know the Pantone color of the year or do you have a vision in your mind of your wedding and the colors you would like highlighted for your special day? Colors out of the norm will most likely have to be special ordered while popular and on-trend colors are almost always on hand at reputable venues either through the venue itself or through their outside contractors.
Audio Visual and Entertainment
Will you have a live band or a DJ? Will you be showing a wedding video? Do you want specialty lighting to ‘spot’ your table centerpieces? These are all questions you will be asked (and many more) by an experienced event planner. Try to think about your special day from start to finish and take notes to ask your event coordinator.
Involve the Groom
Grooms should not be a guest at their own wedding. Today more and more grooms are actively participating in the wedding planning process. Let him express his opinions and listen to what he is saying when it comes to making the final decisions.
Know This Will Be a Busy Time
An experienced event coordinator has been through this many more times than they can count; glean from their wealth of knowledge and insight. They can see potential hiccups long before you can even imagine them and they’ll help you avoid all the pitfalls.
Love Your Event Coordinator
If you don’t feel a ‘connection’ to your event coordinator, don’t be afraid to request a different one. This is one of the most important days of your lives and you need to feel confidence and at ease with this person. A professional will understand if you just don’t click and won’t take it personal as they only want the best of feelings between you both.
Most importantly, be open to feedback and suggestions. Sometimes what you envisioned won’t fit your budget or your venue style, and your event planner will be ready to help you navigate that. Get wedding planning started by scheduling a free consultation with one of the event planners at Temple Square today.
Salt Lake-based photographer Jadie Jo along with a team comprised of talented local wedding pros, used simple, organic elements to design this whimsical styled shoot. Get ready to be swept away.
“We opted for an elegant, black-tie affair with a neutral color palate to underscore the historic beauty of the Grand Hall,” says the bride. “In typical Greek fashion, however, our wedding was themed around one word: party!” Food action stations, custom cocktails, musical performances and traditional Greek plate-breaking amped up the celebration.
Live food stations included flaming Saganaki cheese appetizers and an ice-sculpted cocktail luge. A formal plated dinner began with spinach and arugula salad topped with tart cherries, sweet ricotta and hazelnuts tossed with a local honey vinaigrette and garnished with edible flowers. Next, caterers served chicken rotolo stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, Parmesan cheese and prosciutto or a beef tenderloin medallion with natural jus. 
THE CEREMONY
