For local couple Ashley and Cameron, it was love at first sniffle. “Cameron and I met December 2016. I had just moved from Alaska to Sugar House,” Ashley says. “One day while I was at church, I was extremely sick and I felt like the guy down the bench was trying to look at me, but he wasn’t.”
“He was sitting next to another girl, but I just felt drawn to him. I was so congested that I left soon after, not really giving that moment a second thought.”
According to Cameron, he felt sorry for the sick girl sitting on the other side of the pew. He wanted to get her a tissue, but thought it would be weird, so he didn’t. The following week at church, both Ashley and Cameron attended the dinner social.
“We ended up sitting next to each other,” says Ashley. “He invited me to his New Year’s Eve party, which didn’t actually exist yet, he planned it the day of after he found out that I was going to be there.”
“I threw the whole party for her, just so I could talk to her again,” Cameron says.
“Cameron has told a lot of people that it was love at first sight. I’ll tell you, I’ve never been so grateful to be sick before,” Ashley says.
“I had one class my senior year— it was English—and the only reason I even went was because of Dawson,” Lauren says. “I had the BIGGEST crush on him, but I was way too awkward and shy to do anything about it. Two-years later, I commented on his Snapchat story and then we just kept talking.”
Dawson adds, “I was way too shy to talk to her, so I just admired from afar. When she commented on my snap story I was freaking out. We never stopped talking after that.”
Pumpkin spice lattes, watch out. You may be the darling of fall’s arrival, but for those of us (me) who pass on your caffeinated froth, your much-anticipated arrival rolls out the red carpet for other menu items filled to the brim with autumn flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and clove.
Salivating yet? For party hosts itching for candlelit dinners and hot toddies, the catering team of Cuisine Unlimited showcases new autumn delights including spiced apple cider, savory thumbprint cookie with fig jam, butternut squash and bacon with rosemary vinaigrette, and maple and mustard glazed chicken.
I gleefully sampled their new offerings at Cuisine Unlimited’s rollout event this week and here are a few of my sweet and savory favorites.
Bailey’s Chocolate MousseChampagne Mousse with Fruit and MintCreamy Cauliflower and Apple Soup
Maple and Mustard Glazed Chicken with Roasted Winter Vegetables, Brussels Sprouts and Pear Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette, and Butternut Squash and Bacon with Rosemary Vinaigrette
Maple Pecan and Brie Tart, Egg Nog Creme Brulee
Butternut Squash and Bacon with Rosemary Vinaigrette
Maple Bourbon Bread Pudding (Butter Rum Drizzle not shown)
Top to bottom: Butternut Squash Latke with Sour Cream and Apples, Creamy Pumpkin Soup Shooter, Sweet Potato Hummus Cup, Mini Carnitas Tamal Muffin
For Utah couple Shona and Tanner, all it took was a Friend Request on Facebook. She sent him a quick DM and that was all she wrote.
“We had gone to the same high school and were friends on Facebook. He was a senior while I was a freshman,” Shona says, “ I just said ‘hi’ and put it out there. We started chatting back and forth and went out for hot chocolate the very next day.”
“He proposed on New Years Eve, which is also my birthday,” she says. “We went to Kneaders to get the french toast; he was getting a lot of phone calls, so I knew something was going on.”
“It was December and snowing outside. After breakfast, we drove up to Mueller Park in Bountiful where he had a whole set-up in the middle of a grove of trees. There were pictures of us on our first dates strung up and a tree-lined pathway covered with roses. He got down on one knee in the freezing snow and he just proposed right there,” she says. “I said, yes, it’s about time!”
“Fashion has become really fun,” says local fashion stylist Penny Goodwin. This globetrotting trendsetter should know. Since 1969, Goodwin has directed fashion for advertising campaigns, editorial shoots, TV, runway and everything in between. “There’s an edge now that is present and it’s the innate balance—a yin and yang, so to speak—that is the most flattering.” From the runways to street fashion and, yes, into the wedding world, fashion is all about striking the right harmony from head to toe.
“Too much of one thing is too easy, too common,” Goodwin says. For your big day, she recommends testing the waters. “Showcase a piece that no one would guess you’d wear.” What better place to test Goodwin’s theory than at the St. Regis Deer Valley, a venue noted for its unique mix of rustic warmth and uber luxe. Through fit, fabric and cut, color, accessories, hair and makeup, a fashionable marriage of style can live happily ever after.
Sweet + Sassy
Mom may adore the modest raw silk gown with crystal neckline, but you’ll love adding a vintage moto jacket to make your inner rebel shine.
The Look: “Peony” gown, $1,325, The Perfect Dress, Holladay; vintage jacket: Maeberry Vintage, SLC; similar found here; Mary Frances estate handbag, $330; William Goldberg platinum ASHOKA diamond ring, 2.01 ct diamond, $35,700, O.C. Tanner Jewelers, SLC.
Fit + Flare
Fit and flare silhouettes are hot and timeless. Be the belle of the ball twirling in layers and layers of pink-hued English netting.
The Look: “Arquette” gown by Allure, $1,855, Gateway Bridal & Prom, SLC; blue amethyst and diamond 14K white gold estate ring, $1,100, Chalk Garden Co-op, SLC.
Modest + Mysterious
For the Victorian or vixen, a bolero covers up top, yet still bares a racy neckline. Plus if you’re on white-dress overload, metallic gold provides a statement alternative.
The Look: Justin Alexander gown, $1,875, The Brides’ Shop, SLC; Enzoani bolero, $840, The Brides’ Shop, SLC; Rahaminov 18k white gold Forevermark diamond ring, 1.02 ct. oval diamond encircled with 1.0 ct. round diamonds, $17,480, O.C. Tanner Jewelers, SLC.
Boho + Big City
Embroidered roses climb the back of this satin and Venice-lace number while a tailored mermaid shape ups the ante with city flare.
Long sleeves ooze prestige, but the off-the-shoulder lines and the curve-catching fit provide a modern-day sexy vibe.
The Look: Gown: “Tyrion” by Casablanca, $1,245, Gateway Bridal & Prom, SLC; cathedral length veil with two rows of ribbons and lace appliqués: by Erica Koesler, $375, Gateway Bridal & Prom, SLC
Old fashioned + New low
From the front, classic lace waltzes down the aisle, but give your guests the ultimate surprise when you reveal a deep plunging peek-a-boo back.
Slip into this blush dress where artful ruching meets architectural tailoring. Opt for no jewels and a soft updo to keep all eyes on the stunner of a gown.
The Look: Gown: “Madison” by Monique Lhullier, $4,990; Alta Moda Bridal, SLC.
Minimal + Memorable
Jeweled cap sleeves and a sparkling slim belt add just enough volume to an otherwise quiet sheath.
The Look: Gown: “Marisol” by Maggie Sottero, $1,398, The Brides’ Shop, SLC.
Tease + Tea-length
With embroidery, a sweetheart neckline, beaded eyelash fringe and illusion sleeves, there is no shortage of sweetness. Red-hot heels and smart aleck shades provide a shot of attitude.
Utah couple Jordyn and Zachary first met in high school. ” He was dating my best friend and then she lined us up,” Jordyn says, “we went out on a date and the rest is history.”
The weather was typical for Utah, clear skies and sunny in the morning and snowing by nightfall. “We saw dark clouds roll in and then all of the sudden people were walking in [to the capitol] soaking wet,” Jordyn says.
Utah photographer, Bri Bergman, teamed up with local professionals to create this gorgeous shoot. From the cakes to the florals, we love everything about this styled session.
About the Shoot
The models for this session, Spencer and Kamri, are high school sweethearts and a real Utah couple. Photographer, Bri Bergman says, “they were an absolute joy to work with. Between Kamri’s sweet personality and Spencer’s quirky goofiness, you can feel the genuine love and connection between the two of them. My favorite part of this shoot was doing a first look. Spencer’s reaction was adorable and he couldn’t wait to see the love of his life all dolled up in white and lace. When she finally turned him around, he kept saying how lucky he was and how much he loves her. He definitely brought us all to tears a bit!”
Will there be wedding bells in their future? We certainly hope so.
Our food experts here at Utah Bride & Groom magazine, have teamed up with a local caterers to bring you the tastiest sweet and savory food trends for 2018.
Utah wedding season may be winding down, but my Insta feed is on fire with tons of wedding inspiration and resources. Here’s a look at all the trends, people and products catching my eye this week.
If you really want to make heads turn at your wedding, engagement party or rehearsal dinner, how about a fresh floral crown, necklace or bracelet? These from Farmington-based floral boutique Dancing Daisies Floral will do the job.
Winter is coming. But unlike the House of Stark (any Game of Throne watchers out there?) whose motto reminds them to prepare for dark times to come, our editorial team gets a tingly sensation when we spot snowy destination weddings like this one at St. Regis.
Pepper Nix Photography
This confetti entrance is TO. DIE. FOR. In fact, I adore this glamorous wedding at the Union Pacific Grand Hall so much, we’re going to be featuring this soiree in our 2018 print issue. Be on the look out. Fuse Weddings & Events knocked this one out of the park.
Elisha Braithwaite Photography
Before we get to winter, let’s talk about this summer bouquet by La Fete. Those peonies may take center stage, but I’m staring at the astilbe, veronica and caramel-colored mini garden roses. This monotone palette is perfectly pretty for a La Caille wedding.
Jacque Lynn Photography
Oh, and I can’t take my eyes off of New York Fashion Week. NYFW brings LOADS of wedding inspiration. Get ready for strappy lingerie (for all shapes and sizes, yay!), cape sleeves, high necklines, fringe and colorful embroidery.
Braxton and Bri were always just good friends in high school until they discovered that they were hiding their feelings for one another.
“Braxton and I first met in high school,” says Bri, “we hung out often and we just became really good friends.”
It turns out they both liked each other as more than just friends.
“We had a secret mutual crush on each other, but the timing just wasn’t right for us to date, so we never did,” she says.
A few years after they graduated high school, they were able to rekindle their sentiments.
“We reconnected after Braxton returned home from his two-year LDS mission,” she says, “We instantly became friends again.”
Braxton and Bri went on a camping trip to a pond with some friends. A few days into the trip, they plotted some alone time together. The two took off to the pond together, leaving their friends back at the camp.
“One night, we ventured off on our own and then we decided to jump into this beautiful, moonlit pond.” It was that moment that they realized they were soul mates. “That weekend, we both felt things shift and our relationship changed,” she says, “we went on our official first date a week later, and we were inseparable for the rest of that summer.”
Braxton and Bri were engaged by November and married the following May.
“I wanted our wedding to have a timeless feel: romantic and elegant,” Bri says. “Braxton and I both love the city so we knew the Capitol would be a great place to host our wedding reception. It’s the heart of Salt Lake City and it was everything we were looking for.”
A moment of comic relief:
“Since the Capitol is a state landmark, we had about one-hundred tourists crash our wedding. They were taking pictures of the Capitol and our wedding!” says Bri. “They must have been touring the city and since they were so enthusiastic and kind we couldn’t be mad about it. They didn’t stay long, so it’s just a funny memory we’ll always have from our special day. It was the best day ever.”
