Written by: Ashley Baker | Photography: Hawkeye Photo by Ashley
Utah couple Sabree and Tate were lined up by their families. Tate proposed to her on their one-year dating anniversary at the Layton Bird Refuge. He had a painting made for her, which he had waiting at the refuge.
The painting depicted him proposing to her at sunset at the same location, which was exactly how he did it that moment. The picture was displayed during their wedding and now it hangs in their home.
Whether you plan to wed in the fall, winter, spring or summer, you can create your dream wedding in Utah. Consider the following seasonal ideas and suggestions when planning your big day.
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Fall
(September-November)
For more fall wedding inspo see: Gold Rush PC: Rebekah Westover
Catering:Select seasonal eats like bread bowls with leaf impressions, a soup bar, glazed sweet potatoes, and a selection of fresh-baked pies instead of cakes (try apple, pumpkin or pecan). Fall is also the season of artichokes and apples—both are great for eating and decorating, see a list of our preferred vendors, here.
Creative Touches: Incorporate items like wheat stalks, gourds, pumpkins, leaves, raffia and twigs throughout your décor. See a list of our preferred vendors here.
Attire:Wedding gowns come in a variety of colors other than white—consider a light gold, champagne or blush-colored gown. See a list of our preferred wedding gown vendors here.
Venue: Prepare for rain or shine with large rented tents and/or an indoor facility option. See a list of our preferred venues here.
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Winter
(December-February)
For more winter wedding inspo, see: Chill Factor PC: D’Arcy Benincosa, SLC
Catering: Include rich, comforting food and drink items like a hot chocolate or apple cider bar, a soup bar, prime rib, steak, rack of lamb, cheese and chocolate fondues, and buttercream, chocolate or red velvet cakes, see a list of our preferred vendors, here.
Creative Touches: Incorporate items like twinkle lights, ribbon, evergreen sprigs, aspen branches, ornaments, crystals, mirrors and feathers throughout your décor, see a list of our preferred vendors here.
Attire:Stay warm and stylish with cozy accessories like a faux-fur shawl, velvet cape, fluffy muff or leather gloves, see a list of our preferred wedding gown vendors here.
Venue: Sidewalks, stairs and parking lots can be icy and slippery in the winter, so have ushers available to help guests get to the door safely, see a list of our preferred venues here.
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Spring
(March-May)
For more spring wedding inspo, see: Life is Sweet PC: : Mikki Platt
Catering: Choose citrus fruits like lemons and limes, fish, pork, chicken, baby vegetables and green salads for a refreshing menu. See a list of our preferred vendors, here.
Creative Touches:Incorporate items like parasols or umbrellas, polka dots, bird and butterfly motifs and cherry blossoms throughout your décor. See a list of our preferred vendors here.
Attire:Spring lawns are often soggy from rainstorms, so consider wearing wedge sandals rather than heels so you won’t sink into the ground when walking around or taking pictures. See a list of our preferred wedding gown vendors here.
Venue: Backyard weddings are ideal in warmer spring months. Consider renting upscale portable restrooms like Royal Restrooms (royalrestrooms.com) rather than having guests traipse in and out of your home. See a list of our preferred venues here.
Catering:Select flavored waters, a lemonade bar, fresh fruit, pasta salads, potato salads, corn on the cob, barbecued meats, and an ice cream bar for a casual summer menu. See a list of our preferred vendors, here.
Creative Touches: Incorporate items like picnic blankets, Adirondack chairs, flower motifs and seersucker patterns throughout your décor. See a list of our preferred vendors here.
Attire: Wear a hoop slip underneath a full gown. Hoops move a gown’s fabric and netting away from your legs, making it easier—and cooler—to move around. See a list of our preferred wedding gown vendors here.
Venue: Summer temperatures can be scorching hot. If your ceremony is outside, think carefully about where: North- and east-facing locations, and shaded areas, are your best bets. Consider providing guests customized fans or personalized water bottles. See a list of our preferred venues here.
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For more wedding planning inspiration, check out our magazine!
Traditionally, the bride’s family assumes the burden of most wedding costs, a custom most likely translated from ancient traditions of providing a dowry to attract a husband. While it is still not custom to ask the groom’s family to pay for any more than what is listed below, modern in-laws often offer to help with more. Whatever the case may be, all parties should start budgeting now for their share of the nuptial fees.
The Bride
* Groom’s wedding ring
* Groom’s wedding gift
* Bridesmaids’ gifts
* Personal stationery
The Bride’s Family
* Invitations
* Services of wedding planner
* Wedding gift for the couple
* Bride’s gown, veil and accessories
* Bride’s family’s attire
* Bride’s trousseau
* Bridesmaids’ luncheon
* Lodging for out-of-town bridesmaids
* Rental of sanctuary or other wedding site
* Fee for services performed by officiant
* Music for ceremony and reception
* Flowers for the ceremony site
* Bridesmaids’ bouquets
* Reception expenses (including the rental fee,catering, wedding cake, bar, music, flowers, decorations, gratuities)
* Engagement and wedding portraits
* Ceremony and reception photography
* Videography
* Transportation for the bridal party on the wedding day
* A traffic officer, if needed for parking
The Bridal Attendants
* Purchase of apparel and all accessories
* Transportation to and from the city where the wedding takes place
* Contribution to gift from all bridesmaids to the bride
* Bridal shower or luncheon
The Groom
* Bride’s engagement and wedding rings
* Bride’s wedding gift
* Gifts for best man and groomsmen
* Groom’s own attire
* Marriage license
* Clergy or judge’s fee
* Bride’s bouquet and her going-away flowers
* Flowers for the mothers and grandmothers
* Boutonnieres for all men in the wedding party
* Groomsmen’s gloves, ties and/or ascots (if not part of the rental)
* Transportation for officiant, groomsmen and groom’s family
* Lodging expenses for officiant, if from out of town
The Groom’s Family
* Lodging for out-of-town groomsmen
* Their own wedding attire
* Their own travel and lodging
* Wedding gift for the couple
* The rehearsal dinner
The Best Man & Groomsmen
* Wedding attire
* Transportation to and from the wedding city
* Contribution to gift from all groom’s attendants to groom
George and Jennie first met at church while living in Eagle Mountain.
George grew up in a charming town near London and Jennie is from Cedar Fort. The pair met shortly after George moved to Utah from England. Jennie was dating someone at the time she met him, but George was determined. Through his sincerity and persistence he was able to convince Jennie to go to lunch with him, as friends, of course.
“I felt comfortable, like I could completely be myself with him,” Jennie says. They were engaged just a few months later and were married not long after that. Though they were raised in different cultures and parts of the world, they knew they were meant for each other.
Michelle and Braden began as friends in high school, but they weren’t interested in dating each other until college.
“We hung-out a ton, without ever even thinking anything of it, we were just friends,” Michelle says. “We both went on our missions and after we returned home, Braden ended up going to school at BYU.”
The duo quickly rekindled.
“We shared a mutual group of friends and we all did things together as a group,” she says. ” I quickly realized that I liked Braden. It was a little awkward at first, because we’d always just been a bunch of friends, but we went out on a few dates and really enjoyed our time together. It was all she wrote after that.”
Local couple Quinn and Erika first met at a mutual friends’ wedding. Erika was a bit hesitant to jump into a relationship, but Quinn was patient and their love blossomed over time.
“Quinn and I met at a wedding. His best friend married a friend of mine,” Erika says. “I was so hesitant to fall for him, but he was patient. It took six months after he asked me out for me to actually go on a date with him. Eventually, we began dating and two months later I realized that Quinn was the only guy I wanted in my life. A month later, he told me that he loved me. I followed soon after, although I think I’d known it for a while.”
“Quinn proposed to me on September 13, 2017. He told me that we had to drive out to the Salt Flats to help his sister who was stranded with a broken down car. We got there at sunset. Then, he blindfolded me and led me to a spot that had a large heart shape made out of rose petals on the ground. He professed his love for me and asked me to marry him. It was so romantic and beautiful,” she says.
Unless you’re off to Las Vegas for drive-through nuptials, most weddings take anywhere from six months to a year to plan. Our helpful planning calendar can help you get started.
* Orchestrate a meeting between your parents and future in-laws
* Discuss the budget with your groom and both families
* Reserve the ceremony site, reception site and officiant (see our list of local wedding venues here).
* Select members of the wedding party
* Meet with potential wedding consultants (see our exclusive list of planners).
* Select a gown and schedule your fittings (see our exclusive list of local gown vendors).
* Interview and sign contracts with vendors such as the photographer, baker, florist and caterer. (Remember, sometimes the best vendors can be booked as much as a year in advance. See our list of photographers, caterers, bakers and florists)
* Buy wedding insurance
* Make a guest list with both families (remember your budget)
* Order save-the-date cards for out-of-state guest (see our list of paper goods providers).
* Ask friends and family who are not in the wedding party to participate by presenting special readings during the ceremony or by greeting guests at the reception
* Plan the bridesmaids’ luncheon and groomsmen’s dinner
* Determine the need for baby-sitting services for guests during the wedding
* Discuss menu details with the caterer
* Send your guests information on local accommodations
* Schedule a time for the rehearsal
* Select wedding extras: the guest book, ring, pillow, favors and, of course, something old,something new, something borrowed and something blue
* Arrange transportation from the ceremony to the reception for the two of you, your immediate families and the wedding party
4 to 6 weeks before the wedding
* Mail your invitations
* Write thank-you notes as wedding gifts arrive
* Have programs printed for the ceremony
* Discuss life insurance, a will and other legal documents with your fiancé
* Select gift for fiancé
* Submit wedding announcements to local newspapers
* Work with the baker to design a special groom’s cake to surprise the groom at the rehearsal dinner or reception
* With the reception in mind, take a few dance lessons to perfect your technique
* Choose a hairstyle that complements your headpiece and schedule time with a makeup artist (see our list of vendors here).
For local couple Katy and Spencer, all it took for her to capture his heart were fresh baked pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and a dash of resilience.
“My roommate and best friend had a boyfriend, and I met Spencer through them. One night, my friend’s boyfriend came to our place and told us that Spencer was sitting out in the car, so I suggested that he should come in and say “hi.” Katy says. “He finally came inside and he was a little shy, but I had just baked some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and gave him some —as the old adage goes, they way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, right? He took the cookies and left shortly after that.”
Katy realized as soon as she laid eyes on Spencer that she had to get to know him.
“I can’t describe this very well, but when I saw and met Spencer, I had this overwhelming feeling that I needed him in my life. Whether we were just friends or even something more. I knew I needed him somehow,” she says. “A week later we went on our first date and we were inseparable ever since! A few months later, he did try to break up with me, but I put a stop to that. Then, two years into our relationship, he confessed that he didn’t even like the cookies I’d baked the first night we met and he ended up giving them to his buddies. My attempt to woo him with food failed, but I guess I did something right in the end —four years later, we were married.”
