Proving that the magic and excitement of a wedding can last far beyond the reception, after eight years of marriage, Hunter and AnneMarie decided it was time to take the bridals they deserved.
Sabrina from Oak Photography helped the couple find the perfect place for their anniversary photos. They chose White Space Studios in Sandy “because we love the intimacy of the white backdrop alongside brick walls. Not only does it provide an intimate look, but the way the light hits subjects in that particular studio only amplifies the love you see between this couple in the photos.”
AnneMarie is dressed in her own wedding dresses, making it that much more special. The photos transpire the depth, meaning, and love that is clearly held in their marriage; and was captured beautifully by Sabrina from Oak Photography.
Her hair and make up was beautifully done by stylist, Anna Kuznetsova. AnnieMarie’s bouquets were done by two florists. One was created by Cami Weston from White Magnolia Florists (@thewhitemagnolia.florist), and the other by Calli Veenendaal from Bloom Bus Utah (@bloombusutah).
Vendors:
Photographer: Sabrina Oak Photography @oakphoto.g
Hair & Make up: Anna Kuznetsova (@stylist_anna_kuznetsova)
Location: White Space Studios in Sandy (@whitespacestudios)
Florals: The White Magnolia Florist (@thewhitemagnolia.florist) and Bloom Bus Utah (@bloombusutah)
Hanna and Walker first met online while home in Utah on a break from college studies. Both college athletes, the pair hit it off and dated for a year before getting engaged. On the day of the big ask, Walker had set up a faux photoshoot for Hanna to attend at the salt flats. She nearly missed her big moment due to sudden illness, but was convinced to “attend” anyway. When she arrived, she kept telling her sisters they needed to move somewhere else, as a proposal was being setup near their location. Imagine her surprise when her own partner arrived on scene. She said yes!
THE WEDDING
Hanna and Walker were married first in a sealing ceremony in the Taylorsville temple. Hanna emerged revealing a form-fitting delicate lace gown from Moments Made Bridal, with unique alterations by Gabardine Alterations. Walker wore a custom deep tan suit from Perfectly Suited by Garth, including a custom lining for the special day.
Following the temple, the couple and their loved ones headed to the ever-timeless Twenty & Creek venue in Sandy for a ring ceremony and reception celebration. The couple were married by the bride’s sister, then headed directly to the afterparty.
Planner and florist Details by Laura Lee decked the venue’s beautiful great room in white tables with stunning pink florals and glistening candles. Every chair got a dainty lace bow, adding even more feminine beauty to the day’s decor. Hot pink blooms and elegant greenery (plus gorgeous gilded accents) adorn every corner of Twenty & Creek’s divine spaces.
THE MENU
Guests were treated to handheld pizzas by Box Bite, and a wide array of snacks on a table-long charcuterie spread. Mini cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes matched the main dessert, with each guest getting their own little white-chocolate raspberry treat.
THE PARTY
The June Brothers band welcomed the wedding party out to the patio for fun-filled dancing in the evening light. The newlyweds shared a first dance to “Lucky” by David Payne, sang as a cover serenade by the father of the bride. Afterward, the couple danced, sang, and played round after round of mini golf with their friends and family. At the end of the night, they made their getaway in matching “his and hers” Nike sweatsuits, fitting for a pair of athletes!
Pictures are worth a thousand words, and during life’s big moments, it’s crucial to choose the right photographer and capture the images you’ll cherish for the rest of your life.
Expert photographer Pepper Nix is an elite professional who knows her trade inside and throughout, with 20+ years of experience in the wedding industry.
Averaging 30 weddings per season, this in-demand photographer is your go-to expert for the events in your life you never want to forget.
As a former journalist who dreamed of shooting for National Geographic, Pepper states it only took one wedding to know she’d found her calling.
“I had a friend who was asking me to photograph his wedding, and I kept saying no,” Pepper recalls with laughter. “It wasn’t until the couple officially asked me while down on one knee that I’d said yes. How do you say no to that? To my surprise, it was the most fun and most rewarding work I had ever done. I’ve been photographing weddings ever since!”
When you work with a top-level expert like Pepper, you’ll be amazed not just by the pictures you’ll receive, but more importantly, you’ll genuinely enjoy your experience.
“I still feel lucky that I get to be a part of one of the biggest and happiest days of my clients’ lives and am a witness to their special moments. Plus, I’m wicked fun and have a blast with the people I get to photograph! When you find the right photographer you can just meld with, you’re guaranteed to have a good time!”
Pepper Nix, Photographer
Ask the Expert
Excited About:
Working with couples who understand the importance of planning and trust my experience and artistry. Sticking to a timeline and scheduling the right moments to take photos is essential, which is why I highly recommend working with a wedding planner! Using a planner will help ensure your day goes smoothly, and they can handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on other details.
Fresh Ideas:
Don’t overlook some of the fantastic parts of our beautiful state when choosing your location for engagement photos or bridal portraits. Park City and Big Cottonwood Canyon are gorgeous, with a variety of locations close together so you can go to more than one spot! Props are fun, a blanket to sit on, champagne bottles to spray, something fun from home!
With 2020 a few years past, one wedding trend that is here to stay is the micro wedding. Celebrating with just closest friends and family means the ability to upgrade almost everything on a wedding day, whether it be the menu, the types of flowers in the design, or the rentals.
While often utilized for larger events, Siempre’s beautiful view of the Salt Lake Valley along with their stunning grounds perfectly fit an intimate environment. When designing this styled shoot, inspiration was drawn from the aesthetic of a high-end, champagne-filled dinner party. One where old-school elegance meets modern sensibilities. The color scheme is based around ivory and tan tones with rich golds incorporated throughout the design.
“The invitations are the guest’s first impression of the event, beautifully designed by Anthology Custom Print,” says Courtney Bush, wedding designer. “From the deckled edges to the floral blind deboss, the suite immediately ushers your guests into the refined celebration ahead of them.”
No matter the event size, the rotunda creates a grand impression for when a couple says, “I do.” Dressed in a stunning A-line gown from Fantasy Bridal, the bride is accessorized in pearls from her veil to her earrings. Lexi Harker Beauty enhances her natural beauty through a stunning half-up hairstyle and glamorous makeup style.
Regarding the groom, the white jacket tuxedo from DC Tuxedos calls to mind the era of old Hollywood. The couple’s wedding bands, provided by Forge Jewelry Works, blend traditional and modern styles.
Layered ground pieces and floral urns from Bronte’s Floral provide depth and create focus on the couple. Additionally, since they are portable, they can be repurposed elsewhere throughout the evening if desired where a large installation cannot. The bridal bouquet and groom boutonniere delicately complement both the couple themselves and the ceremony florals surrounding them.
While most meals at Siempre take place indoors, with a smaller group, dining can be out on the veranda overlooking the valley. From the velvet tablecloth, the pearlescent flatware set, and the gold details strewn throughout, everything on the table was hand-picked to evoke a sophisticated and luxurious aesthetic. As seen on the menus, even the meal, every course being flavored with champagne, has been carefully curated to reflect the experience the couple envisioned for their night.
Just because it is a smaller event does not mean the celebration is deserving of a smaller cake. This stunning creation by Event Cakes by Han features a delicately placed rose petal design rising along five tiers, complemented by the ivory and gold tablecloth by BBJ La Tavola. With its grand size, the cake cutting is a perfect way to usher in the rest of the evening’s celebrations.
Hanna and Walker first met online while home in Utah on a break from college studies. Both college athletes, the pair hit it off and dated for a year before getting engaged. On the day of the big ask, Walker had set up a faux photoshoot for Hanna to attend at the salt flats. She nearly missed her big moment due to sudden illness, but was convinced to “attend” anyway. When she arrived, she kept telling her sisters they needed to move somewhere else, as a proposal was being setup near their location. Imagine her surprise when her own partner arrived on scene. She said yes!
THE WEDDING
Hanna and Walker were married first in a sealing ceremony in the Taylorsville temple. Hanna emerged revealing a form-fitting delicate lace gown from Moments Made Bridal, with unique alterations by Gabardine Alterations. Walker wore a custom deep tan suit from Perfectly Suited by Garth, including a custom lining for the special day.
Following the temple, the couple and their loved ones headed to the ever-timeless Twenty & Creek venue in Sandy for a ring ceremony and reception celebration. The couple were married by the bride’s sister, then headed directly to the afterparty.
Planner and florist Details by Laura Lee decked the venue’s beautiful great room in white tables with stunning pink florals and glistening candles. Every chair got a dainty lace bow, adding even more feminine beauty to the day’s decor. Hot pink blooms and elegant greenery (plus gorgeous gilded accents) adorn every corner of Twenty & Creek’s divine spaces.
THE MENU
Guests were treated to handheld pizzas by Box Bite, and a wide array of snacks on a table-long charcuterie spread. Mini cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes matched the main dessert, with each guest getting their own little white-chocolate raspberry treat.
THE PARTY
The June Brothers band welcomed the wedding party out to the patio for fun-filled dancing in the evening light. The newlyweds shared a first dance to “Lucky” by David Payne, sang as a cover serenade by the father of the bride. Afterward, the couple danced, sang, and played round after round of mini golf with their friends and family. At the end of the night, they made their getaway in matching “his and hers” Nike sweatsuits, fitting for a pair of athletes!
We love a Red Rock moment, especially when there’s bridal beauty involved! This gallery from our friends down in Arizona captures all the desert deliciousness we love most.
Sophia and Truman were craving a bit of adventure following their Arizona wedding celebration. So in true desert-lover fashion, they packed up their wedding attire and set out to find an epic backdrop for some unforgettable bridals. Sophia, the blushing bride, grew up near Page, AZ and spent her childhood years exploring the landscapes of southern Utah and northern Arizona. She wanted images captured in a place that captured her and her husband’s love for the land.
The pair enlisted photographer Sammie Photo to join them on their quest, and embarked on a full-day, off-roading journey to find the perfect spot. They finally landed among these breathtaking cliffs at White Pocket, taking advantage of the swirling forms at sunset for truly magical galleries they will cherish for years to come.
When it comes to planning weddings, couples usually (and rightfully so) get lost in the bigger picture. They’re thinking about how they want the day to feel, how they’ll want to remember their wedding, and even how their guests enjoy the experience.
And honestly? I can’t blame them. Those are all exciting, beautiful things they should focus on, and it’s always my hope that a couple gets blissfully caught up in what their dream wedding looks and feels like.
The only issue with that is that the big picture takes priority, and the details–especially important ones–sometimes take a backseat. One of those important details that often gets lost in the mix?
Choosing the right officiant for their ceremony.
As a wedding planner, I’m well acquainted with the moving parts and intricacies of planning a wedding. After nearly a decade of experience, I’ve learned that one of the elements that can make or break a perfect-fit wedding ceremony is choosing the right officiant.
But with so many options out there, how can you even begin to know how to pick the right person to officiate your wedding?
I’ve got plenty of tips and lots of experience in this department, so in this blog, I’ll be sharing every detail I’ve got up my sleeve for choosing the perfect-fit officiant for your special day.
What is as a Wedding Officiant?
First things first, let’s get a little foundational education out of the way. I’ve often found that couples don’t usually know who qualifies as a wedding officiant.
Most think that officiants have to be religious figures–pastors, rabbis, priests, etc. And while these individuals are typically ordained to lead and legally wed couples, they’re not the only people out there who qualify as officiants.
A wedding officiant is a person who performs the ceremony, signs your marriage license, and, in most states, legally marries a couple.
A wedding officiant can be anyone who is legally permitted to perform a marriage ceremony. So, yes, a priest or a rabbi can be an officiant, but anyone who’s legally ordained can technically perform a ceremony and sign on the “officiant” line of your marriage license.
Though every officiant is a little different, most often, though they write and perform your ceremony. A great officiant will know how to write a beautiful ceremony script that aligns with your vision of an ideal wedding ceremony.
In most states, couples are required to have a wedding officiant for their ceremony to be legal–but this isn’t true in every state. For example, in Colorado, couples can self-solemnize–this means that neither officiants nor witnesses are required for their ceremony to be legal.
That being said, even when officiants aren’t required, they’re still a staple in most ceremonies because they help guide the couple through their ceremony in a natural, meaningful way.
Tips for Choosing the Right Officiant for Your Wedding Day
There are so many unique officiants out there that can offer you a variety of strengths, but ultimately, the main goal is to choose an officiant that matches a couple’s personality, understands their goals, and fits right into their experience.
As a planner, I’m always looking for new ways to vet officiants to ensure they’ll be the right fit for a specific couple–when the vibe is right, a couple’s vision of their perfect wedding day can truly come to life.
Here are a few of my tried and true tips for choosing an ideal officiant for your wedding day.
Interview More Than One Candidate
To me, it’s best practice to choose a few different officiants to interview. While it’s totally possible you could find a stellar officiant on the first interview, it never hurts to scan your options and see who is out there. Usually, I choose two or three candidates that might be the right fit, then let my couples interview them and select the officiant that works best for them.
Book Ahead of Time
Often, officiant selection gets overlooked–and that can leave the couple scrambling to find whoever might be available. Truthfully, I think officiant selection should happen anywhere between nine months to one year before your wedding so you can really get a feel for who is right for you. This gives you plenty of time to find–and choose–an officiant that makes your wedding dreams come true.
Take Notes During the Interview
If you, as the couple, plan to lead the interview, make sure you’re feeling out a few things about the officiant. Consider factors like:
Do your personalities work well together?
Is it easy and natural to communicate with this officiant?
Do they seem honest and transparent about their process?
Are they professional–online and in person?
Do you feel like you could trust them to do the best job?
Are they a good storyteller?
Can they hold interest?
Consider Professionals But Don’t Overlook Personal Ones
Yes, there are infinite possibilities for professional officiants out there–and lots of them would be fantastic choices for your ceremony. But just because a pro could do the job doesn’t mean someone close to you couldn’t do it just as well–if not better!
The professional vs. personal debate is always a tough one for couples. On one hand, if they choose a professional, their loved ones can sit back, relax, and enjoy their wedding. On the other hand, a family member or a friend knows the couple so much better–it could be more meaningful (and personal) to have them lead their ceremony.
Anyone can get ordained online–it’s easy! And to be totally honest, you don’t technically have to have your wedding officiated by an ordained minister if you plan to “get married” at the courthouse ahead of time or after your wedding. If you’d like to have someone you love wed you and your future spouse, but you don’t have time to get them ordained, this could be a seamless way to make that happen.
(Just remember–you do have to take care of it at the courthouse, or else you won’t be legally married!)
Having someone leading your ceremony that has a deeper connection to you can be incredibly special. A potential downside in this scenario is that it’s likely you’ll have to take a more active role in writing the ceremony. If you already planned on being hands-on in the process, though, this could be a meaningful way to experience your ceremony.
Wedding Planner Pro Tip: If you do plan on asking a friend or family member to officiate your ceremony, consider checking out tools like Provenance for help writing and creating ceremony scripts.
Check Their Status
If you’re opting for a professional officiant, you’ll want to make sure they’re legally ordained before you hire them. Take a peek at the list of registered officiants on your county’s website to ensure they’re a good pick.
Lean on a Planner to Help Get all the Details
Don’t be afraid to rely on your planner to help you with the whole process. Share a list of questions with them that you want them to ask–and you can even have them guide the interview if you’d like.
Consider questions like these:
Are you available on my date and location?
Can you sign a marriage certificate in the state of Utah?
How long have you been officiating weddings? How many have you done?
What kinds of ceremonies have you performed in the past?
Why did you start doing this?
How many weddings do you officiant on average per year?
What is your process of creating a ceremony script?
Will you help me obtain a marriage license or at least tell me what to do?
Where can I find reviews, or can I please have a past client to call as a referral?
Do you help with vows?
Have you worked with my planner before?
How much are your services, and what exactly do they include?
Are you available for our ceremony rehearsal?
Are you inclusive of all types of religious, non-religious, LLGBTQIA+, and civil weddings?
What time on the wedding day will you arrive?
What is the average time of a ceremony you usually perform?
What will you typically wear to perform the ceremony?
Do you have any requests or requirements to perform this ceremony?
When will we see the first draft of the ceremony script, and how far in advance of the wedding will we receive the final?
If you are unable to attend our wedding due to illness and such – do you have a replacement plan?
What do I need to bring to the ceremony? What will you bring?
What do you read the ceremony script from? Book? iPad? Paper?
How do you handle the logistics of the marriage license post-wedding?
Are you able to customize our ceremony based on our request?
What to Know About Marriage Licenses in Utah
Every state is different–every county is, too. I suggest applying for your marriage license through Utah County–even if you’re getting married in a different county in the state. In Utah County, your license can be completed online. They will email you several PDF’s that you will forward to the officiant and wedding planner.
Once you’re married, you will immediately receive a legal digital copy of your license via email, followed with a hard copy the county clerk will mail–all for the low cost of $50.
The Ultimate Hack for Choosing a Great Officiant: Picking a Great Wedding Planner
At the end of the day, the best thing you can do for your officiant picking process (and to be honest, your entire wedding planning process) is choose a wedding planner that understands your vision. At Irene + CO Events, we’re always ready to help our couples find their right officiants–I’m sure your wedding planner will be, too!
First impressions happen once. If your goal is to create a lasting impact on your wedding day, it’s important to focus on the technical details such as lighting and sound equipment.
No one wants their important moments interrupted by a screeching microphone that wasn’t set up in the right place or a piece of equipment falling because it wasn’t mounted properly. Working with top industry professionals like Skylark Productions will allow you to focus on making memories rather than fussing with complicated equipment.
Skylark is Utah’s premiere AV company with an outstanding reputation for quality and professional services. As a partner business of Utah Live Bands, Skylark offers innovative and creative services that turn standard events into magical experiences.
Focused on continually expanding their offerings, they are constantly building their inventory of staging and lighting elements. By incorporating the latest technology and most state-of-the-art equipment, they aim to bring their client’s vision to life that exceeds all expectations.
“Our goal is to be the obvious resource for clients who want something uniquely theirs and is worthy of their high standards,” explains owner, Michael Tobian.
Skylark discovered early on from their clients just how hard it is to find a team of experts to run lighting and AV equipment, so they’ve designed their business model around customer satisfaction.
“We want to spend time getting the sound and equipment perfect, providing the extra effort and expense to make the final experience breathtaking. We are the top experts in our field and our team is the very best and most experienced.”
Michael Tobian, Owner
Ask the Expert
What’s Ahead:
We are constantly pushing our offerings in terms of innovation and creativity, but also in the scope of our services. We have really built an inventory of resources that allows us to do things that nobody else can. Some of the most fun conversations we have with our clients are when we learn about their weddings and come up with one exciting idea after another. It might deal with lighting, decor, guest experiences, etc.
Excited About:
The clients we get to spend time with, discussing the design, look, and feel of their event and then custom building the design to their preferences. We love adding creative and innovative elements not seen at other events.
Fresh Ideas:
We love a challenge! We once created a lightning storm simulation right inside the venue for a client! We’ve turned ballrooms into winter wonderlands, executed cirque floor shows during dinner, made custom stage facades, backdrops, and bar fronts, live-streamed entire wedding ceremonies and receptions with multiple cameras for family members unable to make it and more. If you need ideas, call us and we’ll be happy to chat. Even if you don’t end up hiring us, let’s brainstorm about how to make your event fun and unique!
Office manager, Elle, and table games dealer, Tad, began their love story in a local bar in their hometown of Spokane, Wash. in February 2017. After a four-year love story, Tad popped the question in Las Vegas. Tad planned to take a photo with his future bride in front of the Love Sign inside the Venetian Resort, the same spot that their first photo as a couple was taken. The newly-engaged couple were greeted with applause and their wedding planning journey began.
THE WEDDING:
After a three year engagement, the wedding morning began with a sign from the universe: an eclipse. Wedding guests and party members were able to witness the astronomical event before witnessing another.
The Washington-based couple ventured away from home for their Red Rocks wedding. Ellee and Tad selected the scenic Sunset Grill in Moab as their wedding venue.
“We visit Moab yearly to go camping and Sunset Grill is one of the restaurants we like to visit right before we leave,” Ellee said.
The black and white wedding showed off the couples’s love for neutral colors, as well as enhanced the cowboy-western appeal of the experience. The couple opted for neutrals in order to not overwhelm the wedding with too much color, so the focus of the event could be the happy couple and to highlight the scenic red rocks background.
Ellee walked down the aisle in designer Alena Lena’s “Armeria” dress. The fluffy-tulle dress with off-the-shoulder long sleeves complimented the bridal look. Ellee’s remarkable black veil and black and white hair color complimented the wedding colors, as well as the beautiful scenery of the wedding.
Tad donned an off-white suit jacket with complimentary black pants and all-black Vans shoes to match the color scheme. The groom included a photo of his father, to honor and include him in the wedding after his passing in 2016.
Ellee was accompanied by her bridesmaids, her two younger sisters, her best friend and her sister-in-law while Tad’s three best friends took their place by his side as the couple tied the knot. The bridesmaids stunned in their black dresses of various styles while the groomsmen sported black tuxes.
The wedding ceremony commenced as Ellee was walked down the aisle by the couple’s three-year-old and concluded with the newlyweds sealing the deal with a romantic kiss next to the red rocks and unique southern Utah landscape.
THE PARTY:
Ellee and Tad started their marriage off with a bang. After officially tying the knot, the newly married couple celebrated with a shot. The reception, also held and catered by Sunset Grill, featured a menu of fettuccini alfredo, pasta and salad. Signature drinks of the night included Ellee’s Jalepeño Margarita and Tad’s Jameson mule. The venue also provided a house sunset lemonade for the wedding.
The wedding cake, made by Sugar Shaker Bakery, was a decadent chocolate cake with a sweet raspberry filling. The one-tier, heart-shaped cake took on a vintage look with its black and white frosting with “Married AF” written in cursive frosting.
The couple’s guest book was an acoustic guitar signed by the guests. The decor for the event included string lights, a black sign with the new couple’s last name in neon letters and a black Jenga tower.
Ellee’s Alena Leena flowy dress was switched out for a sleek and more danceable gown from Meshki, a black leather jacket and a pair of black cowboy boots to show off her western side. A violinist played music during the cocktail hour while the reception was “DJed” by a speaker and a playlist.
The couple’s first dance was to “I Think I’m in Love with You” by Chris Stapleton. The groom also performed his own special version of the iconic early 2000s song “Ignition” as a gift to the bride.
When he was ten years old, Kade was part of a little league team. Little did he know that the sister of one of his teammates and the daughter of his coach, eight-year-old Olivia, who was sitting in the stands would be the love of his life and his bride over ten years later.
“He played second base and my Dad described him as ‘coachable, responsive, hardworking and respectful, even as a 10-year-old kid.’ I wasn’t the biggest fan of watching him play back then, but watching him play sports now is one of my favorite things to do,” Olivia said.
After over ten years of knowing each other and seven months of dating the two are ready to finally tie the knot.
Since their love story began with parks and childhood, Kade took it back to their roots for his intricate proposal. The groom planned a scavenger hunt around the couple’s hometown where he took her to places significant to her, their relationship and their childhoods. At each stop, Kade left a love note for Olivia. In the end, Olivia found her beau in a sentimental park where she was greeted with a bouquet of roses, glimmering lights and a sign that read “marry me.”
The young couple took their dazzling winter bridal photos outside of La Caille in Sandy. The groom’s plaid dark forest green suit jacket paired with Olivia’s wintery floral arrangement and form-fitting lacy wedding dress paired well with their wintery photo shoot.
“I wanted our outfits to be appropriate for the time of year, especially getting married so close to Christmas,” Olivia said. “I thought that his sport coat was fitting for the occasion, it was unique, and a classic look. It complimented my dress perfectly, and fit Kade so well.”
The bride’s dress included a mock neck, and intricate art deco-style lace from head to toe. The mermaid-esque gown was only the second dress the blushing bride tried on and it was love at first sight. It was classy but unique and the neutral-toned lining made the dress’s distinctive lace stand out even more.
