10 Holiday Hostess Gifts That Girly Girls Will Love

December 5, 2017

written by: Sadie Upwall

We’ve just had a vision of your future – it involves mistletoe, ugly sweaters, intoxicated relatives and a potentially excessive amount of pie. Sound familiar? When it comes to the holidays, we all pretty much know what to expect from our annual hooplas. The party-goer golden rule is to always provide a small token of appreciation to the person who brings us together. Here are a few of our favorite holiday hostess gifts from Got Beauty…certain to ensure unbridled enthusiasm and complete favoritism from the one with the mostest!

Travel Mugs

Because there’s not much better than a sip of your favorite hot beverage while your ride is warming up in the morning.

Pink Flamingo Neon Light

The perfect pop of light and color to brighten up minimalist and eclectic households alike.

Voluspa Candles

With gorgeous reusable containers and scents ranging from fruity to earthy, you simply cannot go wrong with these candles.

Coffee Mugs

Complement the best ritual of the day with a mug that speaks to the heart and mind of your hostess.

Accessory Pouches

Girls love owning a lot of little things, so naturally they’re going to love having cute bags to put them in.

Party Games

Cute and quirky party games are a favorite of every perfect hostess.

Travel Goodies

For those who prefer to stay glam at 30,000 feet and beyond.

Notebooks and Journals

For the introvert hostess who has random spurts of extraversion (we know you’re out there).

Gold Glittery Sparklers

We know it’s not the 4th of July, but that’s no reason not to brighten up a cold, dark night.

Walrus Bookends

Animal lovers and Alice in Wonderland fans alike will swoon over this library addition.

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For more ideas and inspiration, check out our magazine!

Christmas-Themed Photo Shoot

December 4, 2017

“Meet me by the mistletoe.”

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Vendors:

Photographer: Allison Quist Photography

Couple: Morgan + Josh

For more inspiring imagery, check out the magazine!

Perfect Wedding Dress and Bouquet Pairings

November 30, 2017

There’s something magical about wedding bouquets and dresses, the combinations of which, if paired correctly creates a striking and elegant look.

Pam Hlaing and her team at Bitsy Bridal give us inspiration on how to do just that with their new 2018 gown collection, whimsical bouquets and beautiful imagery.

“Copper has been such a surge in the weddings trends these days,” says Hlaing “We wanted to pair it with the rich elegance of older traditional elements of French designs, but keep it modern enough to appeal to todays modern brides.”

Bitsy Bridal’s series is full of various textures that feature six different styles of wedding bouquets, six different bridal hair and makeup looks, and six different incredible gowns. All of which fit right into a modern French garden look (which is so hot right now), but still unique enough to match each bride’s individual personality. The color palette is complex, with deep and rich tones.

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The sweetheart inspirational table scape was set with traditional plating and greenery, coupled with modern copper accents, and luxurious French pastries.

The cake was kept simple and allowed to showcase itself with a modern marbled bottom tier and hand painted florals hinting at the florals found in the French garden and mirrored in invitation suite.

The oversized macramé swing was meant to elude to the playful side of a garden, draped with raw silks and greenery.

The photography was kept very light and airy but with rich tones, textures, and depth to keep your eye moving through out the imagery.

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Vendors:

Dresses: Bitsy Bridal
Photography: Hawkeye Photography
Life Looks Photography

Flowers: The Pear Blossom
Mille Fleur Design
Simple Petals
Leuca Floral
Lilly and Iris
Poppy & Bloom Floristry

Swings: Ballantyne Design

Invitation Suite: Cassia Leigh Designs

HMUA:
Team 1: Beauty by Brooklyn
Makeup by Katina

Team 2: Shauni Sue Beauty
Katie Adair Makeup

Models:

Amber McEwen

Mallory Stack
Paige Steadham
Harli Marie McShinsky
Lauren “Layla” Hunsaker
Alyssa Brooke Richards

Videography: Brad Winegar

Romance at Utah State Fair Park

November 28, 2017

“A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you.” ~Unknown

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Vendors:
Catering, Planning, Design, and Wedding Cake: LUX Catering and Events
Florals: LUX Floral and Design
Photography: Haley Hoover, Sarah McClure, David Daniels
White Dresses: Fantasy Bridal
Red dress: Custom from Vietnam
Tie: FloralTieOnline
Ring: Schubach Jewlers
Venue: Utah State Fair Park
Rentals: All Out Event Rental, Tavolo (a #ubgvendor!), Utah Vintage Rentals, Alpine, Diamond Event Rentals (a #ubg vendor!)
Linens: Nuage

For more wedding inspiration, check out our magazine!

A Park City Picnic For Two

November 27, 2017

“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.” ~ A. A. Milne

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Vendors:

Photography: Kamera Lynn Photography
Floral: Diamond Tip Design
Bridal Gown: Janay Marie Designs
HMUA: Kiki West; Signature Brides
Jewelry: J. Brooks Jewelers
Calligraphy: Trinsica Calligraphy
Bakery: Sugar Rush Custom Cake
Decor: Haight & Ashbury Home
Three Noisy Birds
Oliver and Princess Natasha
Cooks Cutting Boards
Models: Josie and Brian Camp

For more wedding inspiration, check out our magazine!

Hosting Thanksgiving as Newlyweds

November 22, 2017

Written by: Melissa Barreiros

Thanksgiving is all about counting your blessings, eating great food and enjoying the company of friends and family. Now that you’ve volunteered to host this special dinner at your home, it’s important to plan ahead to avoid any potential disasters. We’ve got you covered with some tips to planning a successful Thanksgiving dinner.

1. Plan and Arrange Seating for your Guests

After finalizing your Thanksgiving guest list, plan the seating arrangements ahead of time to provide a seamless transition from mingling to dinner. Chances are your newlywed, dining-room table may not fit all of your guests comfortably. Get creative and move some of your furniture out of the way to accommodate additional folding tables and chairs.

2. Start Prepping Ahead of Time

Prepping the meal ahead of time, will help ensure a seamless and hassle-free Thanksgiving dinner. Chopping up vegetables or making your signature pie the day before, will go a long way to simplify your day of Thanksgiving to-dos.

succulent_wedding_table_setting — Click to see more of this tablescape inspiration: 7 Ways to Incorporate Succulents Into your Wedding. PC Lyndsey Kay Photo

3. Get creative with your Centerpieces

Even though Thanksgiving is all about tradition, think about going non-traditional with your centerpieces. Rather than a traditional cornucopia, think about using succulents instead. Our sister magazine, Utah Style & Design, has great tips on creating the perfect tablescapes to fit your Thanksgiving dinner.

4. Ask for Help

Getting your friends and family involved in the Thanksgiving meal planning is a great way to bring everyone together before the holiday. Ask for their help to contribute a favorite side dish to accompany the main meal.

thanksgiving_tablescape_inspiration_utah_bride_groom — Click to see more of this tablescape inspiration: Table Manners. PC: Hardcastle Photography

Thanksgiving dinner is really a time for friends and family to come together and celebrate gratitude. It is easy to get caught up in the stressful details and miss out on an enjoyable evening with the ones you love. Focus on creating unforgettable memories and enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner with one another.

Featured image above can be found in: Boho-Chic Wedding Inspiration. PC: Alexis Foust and Jessica Ajeman Photography

Engagement Ring Shopping: A Guide

November 21, 2017

By Melissa Barreiros

So it’s time to go engagement ring shopping, congrats!

Whether you hit the jewelers together or he braves the challenge on his own—choosing the symbol that will represent your lives together is a fun and exciting time. However, there’s a lot to know about rings, such as the cut, carat size, clarity and color all of which, can make a trip to the jewelers a daunting task if you don’t know what to look for.

I reached out to local engagement ring experts, O.C. Tanner Jewelers, to put together a this useful guide about things keep in mind to simplify your ring shopping experience.

1. Set Your Budget

Determining your budget is essential to know before heading to the jewelers. However, this doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your idea of a perfect engagement ring. For example, you can save hundreds and even thousands of dollars by selecting an emerald shaped diamond versus a round shape.

meg_ring_utah_bride_groom — Click to see more of this real wedding: Megan and Jeffrey. PC: Alicia Ann Photography

2. Decide On The Shape And Cut

From round to square and everything in between, understanding the shape of the diamond goes a long way at making your trip to the jewelers easier. Keep in mind that the shape of the diamond does not reflect the cut of the diamond. The ideal cut reflects light creating the most brilliance, while a diamond that is cut too deep or shallow will lose light and brilliance.

3. Choose The Metal For Your Band

Traditionally, engagement rings were primarily yellow-gold or silver. Today, there are a variety of metals used for engagement rings, such as rose-gold and even platinum bands.

engagement_ring_shopping_utah_bride_groom — Click to see more of this engagement ring idea: Mountain High. Credit: Brushfire Photography

4. Consider The Carat

Carat refers to the overall weight of diamond. Carat size is a personal preference and our friends at O.C. Tanners take great care in sourcing diamonds that have exceptional cut, clarity and color so their diamonds are beautiful, no matter the size.

5. Color And Clarity

All diamonds have some degree of color. The near colorless and diamonds with the least imperfections are the highest clarity.

engagment_ring_shopping_utah_bride_groom — Click to see more of this engagement ring idea: Make A Statement with Mountain High Fashion. Credit: Brushfire Photography

6. Choose A Setting

Choosing the setting of an engagement ring is crucial to showing off the diamond you’ve chosen. Solitaire or a single diamond settings are the most popular setting right now because of their simplicity and ability to easily change out the center stone.

7. Buy certified

How important is buying certified? According to Dominique Anderson, Marketing Manager at O.C. Tanners, it’s very important.

“Buying certified is the only way to guarantee the quality and value of the diamond. With it, you have the assurance that the diamond being represented to you has been graded by an independent third party,” she says.

8. Have fun with it

There’s a lot to know about diamonds and it is easy to stress about understanding all the intricacies that go into picking the perfect engagement ring. An experienced jeweler is there to guide you through the engagement ring purchasing process—have fun with it!

Featured engagement ring above: Make A Statement with Mountain High Fashion. Credit: Brushfire Photography
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For more wedding planning inspiration, check out our magazine!

Wedding Dress Shopping: 6 Must-Read Tips from the Pros

November 20, 2017

Shopping for a wedding gown is an exciting and fun time, but it can be overwhelming if you’re unsure of what to look for. Our friends at Gateway Bridal & Prom have offered these tips of advice to help you choose the best dress for your wedding day.

FYI:

Gateway Bridal is having a huge sale on gowns this week in their White Friday event. If you’re getting married in 2018, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

1. Determine Your Budget

It’s always a good idea to have a general price point of what you’re willing to spend on a gown before you hit the bridal stores.

2. Set An Appointment

Most wedding dress shops are better able to tend to your needs if you’ve set an appointment. Setting aside a specific time will allow them to give you their undivided attention and advice for when you’re gown shopping.

3. Know The Latest Trends

“Brides right now are typically coming into the store looking for winter and spring wedding dresses,” says Gateway Bridal’s sales manager and sketch artist, Clair Safeer. “Big trends this winter are long illusion sleeves and high necklines. For spring, we’re still seeing a big push toward delicate, feminine lace gowns, often in a loose, flowy, bohemian style. Off the shoulder sleeves have also been really big.”

4. Customize Your Look With Accessories

“Play with accessories, they really help to customize your bridal look,” Safeer says. If you already know what accessories you’ll be wearing bring them with you to your appointment to see how they enhance your gown.

5. Find A Dress That Makes You Feel Special

“My biggest piece of advice while looking for a gown for your big day is: find something that looks and feels like the best version of you. More and more often, we’re seeing brides personalize their day, and little details can make all the difference,” she says.

6. Enjoy The Process

“Remember that this is a fun and exciting time of your life. If wedding planning is starting to stress you out, step back, a take a look at the big picture. You are about to create a new life and family with your best friend and that’s what matters the most!” says Safeer.

Gateway Bridal’s White Friday Sale:

Dates: Friday, November 24 & Saturday, November 25, 2017

Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Address: 360 West Broadway, Suite #101

Details: The sale includes bridal, prom, formalwear, and temple dresses. Bridal gowns prices start at just $99, while prom, formalwear and temple will start at $29. Appointments are strongly suggested for bridal. Hurry, appointments are filling fast! Visit their website for more information.

Fairytale Wedding at Wadley Farms

November 17, 2017

“Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” ~Franklin P. Jones

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Vendors:

Bride and Groom: Mr. & Mrs. Callahan

Photographer: Maria Corona Photography

Bride’s Gown: Alta Moda – Galia Lahav, Gala Dress

Vineyards: Wadley Farms

Reception: Noahs Event Center

Caterer: Scott Harris

Videographer: Julian Lipio

Make Up: Chelsea Blackledge

Groom’s Suit: Tailor Cooperative

Bridal Party Wedding Attire: Saved by the Dress

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To see more inspiring weddings, check out our magazine!

2018 Wedding Dress Trends: Looks from the Runway

November 16, 2017

Written by Ashley Baker

The 2018 Bridal Fashion show in New York City, donned some of the hottest haute couture from the most notorious designers in the fashion industry.

Recently, I chatted with Pam Hlaing of Salt Lake’s Bitsy Bridal to find out what looks brides can expect for the new year. On the runways she spotted classics with oh-so-elegant updates.

“Designers and brides are trying to branch out and go for more unique styles versus the cookie-cutter gowns that we saw in the early 2000’s,” says Hlaing, “I’m very excited about all of these trends.”

We hope you are too!

1. Cap Sleeves

“Cap sleeves are in. Women are going for more of a modest look lately. Brides are worried about their arms, so they’re trying to cover problem areas with sleeves,” Hlaing says.

The sleeves you choose for your dress impact the overall vibe and style of the gown. According to Hlaing, strapless gowns are on their way out.

2018_wedding_dress_trends — Image credit: Hawkeye Photography

2. Blush and Champagne Colors

3. Plunging Necklines

“I’m seeing a lot of half-modest situations,” she says. Many brides are wanting to cover their arms yet emphasize the bust, so plunging necklines are all the rage right now.

4. Accentuated Backs

“I’m seeing a lot of plain, clean gowns with accentuated backs so far. This will carry over into 2018 too,” Hlaing says. I’m also loving this stunning gown!

5. Simple, Yet Glamorous Gowns

6. Caviar Beading & Art Dec’o Patterns of the 1920’s

“Brides are in the market for unique beading,” says Hlaing.

“Various types and styles of beading are on the rise, designers have listened to requests from brides and so they bring in [sic] gowns like that.”

Glitter and beading play under lighting and the combination adds an element of glamour to the gown.

Sparkles help prevent brides from being washed out by the snow in the winter months.

“Cheap glitter is out while high-end glitter or beading such as Swarovski crystals are in.”

Hlaing advises, “bead fully, or don’t bead at all.”

Geometric patterns and art-deco from the 20’s and 30’s are also hot trends for 2018.

7. Intricate Lace

While sparkles are great for winter months, lace makes it’s debut in the spring and summer.

“Unique patterns are requested often. Brides are wanting glamorous, beaded patterns in the lacing,” Hlaing says.

The “Art Dec’o”, style of visual arts from the 1920s, inspires Michal Medina’s “Modern Love” collection.

Did we miss anything? Which trends are your faves?

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Click here to see a list of Utah’s best local wedding gown vendors.

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