Tip Tuesday: Taking Care of Your Skin

written by: Emily Lopez
This weeks Tip Tuesday talks more about what lies beneath your makeup. Taking care of your skin should be your top priority. Exfoliating your skin can make a significant difference in the way your makeup looks and feels, and doing it on a regular basis offers several benefits. Not only will it give you smoother makeup application, it can also improve skin texture, even out skin tone, prevent blemishes, and also minimize the appearance of pores. There are 2 different ways to exfoliate: Manually & Chemically. You can manually exfoliate by using a Clarisonic, microderm pen, or by washing your face with a gritty cleanser. You can chemically exfoliate by purchasing a cleanser with glycolic or lactic acid, or take it to the next level by scheduling an appointment with an aesthetician for a chemical peel (Great excuse for a pamper session ) If you don’t exfoliate, start now! Your skin [and makeup] will thank you.
(Photo credit: Kate Osborne Photography)
Here are a few of my favorite tried-and-true exfoliating products:

Capturing the Bridal Beauty Amongst the Outdoors

Ashlee Fetters and Jesse Hardy met long before they fell in love and have their families to thank for it. At 12 years old, their souls first crossed paths. Jesse lived next door to Ashlee’s aunt and uncle. “I always had a big crush on him,” Ashlee says. Eight years later as young adults, they reconnected over Facebook. The school-girl crush came back and soon the two began dating. “I feel like I’m living out my 12-year-old girl fantasy,” Ashlee says. “I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.” They both admit they still give each other those young love butterflies.

Since the couple’s wedding is an outdoor garden theme, photographer Sydney Reid wanted to capture vast nature shots filled with plants and greenery for Fetters’ bridal shoot.

“When shooting a bride, you want to always make sure they stand out in the most dramatic way possible,” photographer Reid says. But capturing beauty amongst Utah’s gorgeous landscape is not always easy. Reid found the perfect little post right off the road. The sensational scene was a quick trip from the car, key for avoiding a far traverse in a wedding gown. Ideal as it was, the team fought off other photo seekers. “We had to juggle different angles and time the shots just right so we didn’t get any cars in our photos.”

Reid’s photography style is collaborative. Although she has creative and beautiful shots ideas, she believes it is important to ask the bride ahead of time for certain shots they may want or have imagined. “Because we all know brides have been dreaming of these moments for years. It’s my job to give it to them.”

Don’t forget all the details that go into a shoot. Yes, that gown is dazzling, but brides put so much thought into every last bit of their appearance. “So you want to make sure to capture ever little detail from her veil, to the way her hair is styled, the intricate lace on her gown and of course the ring.”

“This shoot was so fun. Ashlee has so much personality and we could have stayed in those mountains and shot all night. She is so open minded and just went with the flow, especially when I made her test her balancing skills on the log.”

Relax and enjoy the ride. “Images turn out 100 times better when your client and you are relaxed and having fun,” Reid recommends. “It’s a thrill to capture the most important day in a couple’s life.”

DETAILS

Bride: Ashlee Fetters
Photographer: Sydney Reid with Sydney McCall Photography
Shoot Location: American Fork Canyon

Real Weddings: Glamour on the Mountain at The St. Regis

Danielle Kasirer & Jaime Schwartz – 7.3.16

THE COUPLE
Jaime (a plastic surgeon) and Danielle (a preschool teacher) met on a blind date. The Los Angelenos dated for seven months before Jaime popped the question over the Fourth of July weekend. He proposed to Danielle with Champagne and roses in the same spot they subsequently were married a year later: The St. Regis Deer Valley.

THE WEDDING
“Deer Valley holds a special place in my heart,” says Danielle. “My family has been going there for over 20 years.” Danielle and Jaime hosted a welcome dinner at St. Regis’ Deer Crest Club on Friday. On Saturday, all guests attended the Deer Valley Music Festival (featuring the Utah Symphony) and after the concert, everyone enjoyed drinks, dessert and dancing at The Spur on Park City’s Main Street. Sunday’s ceremony included religious articles that belonged to their grandfathers. “We had two talitot that belonged to both of my late grandfathers to adorn the top of the chuppah,” Danielle says. “And we used Jaime’s late grandfather’s tallit to be wrapped in.”

THE MOOD
“We wanted an elegant rustic theme,” Danielle explains. Dahlias, garden roses, lisianthus, ranunculus and blushing brides decorated centerpieces and bouquets. Five crystal chandeliers dangled from the rafters of a clear-sided tent, and candle-filled hurricanes flickered on the tops of long farm tables.

THE CUISINE
The wedding night menu offered elegant kosher-style cuisine including entree selections of Koosharem Valley Utah trout, seared tofu and mushroom ravioli.

THE TUNES
Danielle’s three-year-old son Oliver played a large part in the festivities. “Jaime and I considered the wedding to be about the three of us becoming a family,” Danielle says. “Because of that, Oliver had a part in our first dance and he was lifted up on a chair during the horah. That was his favorite part.” The Party Crashers, a local band, performed live. Rascal Flatts’ “Bless the Broken Road” introduced the newlyweds’ first dance.

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT
“The first look,” Jaime describes. “I didn’t realize how emotional it would be.”

the details

Photography: Logan Walker, SLC
Wedding planner: Soirée Productions, Park City
Catering and venue: The St. Regis Deer Valley, Park City
Flowers: Artisan Bloom, Draper
Rentals: Soirée Productions, Park City
Cake: Carrie’s Cakes, Sandy
Videography: Ryan Hinman, Draper
Dress: Ines Di Santo, Lovella Bridal, Glendale, California
Rings: XIV Beverly Hills, California
Invitations: JAM Invitations, Beverly Hills, California
Entertainment: The Party Crashers via Green Light Booking, Pleasant Grove

Agricultural Wedding: Get Choppin’

Locally-harvested cuisine from Utah’s top five caterers.

Farm to table isn’t new. For years, menus have boasted local food for good reasons: it is undeniably fresh, environmentally friendly (saves transportation costs) and supportive of locally-owned business.

What is new is entire wedding menus filled top-to-bottom with locally-grown gourmet offerings, not just a single dish. From appetizers and salads to entrees and desserts, five Utah caterers prep their favorite farm-fresh dishes.

“If serving fresh local foods is something you are passionate about,” says Mary Crafts-Homer, owner of Culinary Crafts, “you can actually visit some of the local farms that your caterer uses, or visit the cheese maker that supplies cheese to your caterer, or any number of local excursions your caterer may recommend. What a fun date for the foodie couple.”

Pictured:

Mezzaluna-chopped Salad

Fricasee of forest mushrooms

Hearty greens

Slide Ridge honey vinaigrette served on a wood plank

House-made artisan bread

Black pepper brioche with Utah sea salt butter paddle

Pumpkin cornmeal roll with honey cranberry compound butter

Rocky Mountain red trout, mesquite grilled with tomato jam

Grilled local asparagus with torched pine nut butter

–

See the other caterers we featured: Food by: Cuisine Unlimited | Blended Table | Utah Food Services | Done To Your Taste

See more inside the

Photographs by: Jessica White Photography

Food by: Culinary Crafts

HIGH BROW: EYEBROWS ARE BACK

written by: Christie Marcy

Trends come and go. One generation’s Brooke Shields is another’s Cara Delevingne, but one thing is for sure—brows are back.

Vanessa Lavey, owner and brow stylist at Big City Brows in Sugar House, says there’s a good reason for that. “The brow is the frame of the eye and your eyes are the first thing people see when they meet you,” she says.

“It is all about a big eyebrow right now,” Lavey says. “You do have to have genetics to make that happen, so I work with clients to determine what they want and what’s possible.”

Lavey says there’s a lot that goes into a good brow—waxing, tweezing, trimming, tinting and microblading among them. “There’s some subtleties,” she says. “It’s about your face, your brow bone, your brow color, volume and texture. My job is to ask, ‘What is the maximum amount of drama and beauty we can bring to your face?’ ”

“Every hair matters,” Lavey says with a laugh. “I really love helping women to look great without a lot of makeup. Then they can just feel pretty and go on with their life.”

It’s not just brows. Big City Brows also works on eyelashes, forgoing the ever-popular lash extensions and focusing on a temporary procedure called the Lash Lift. “It  puts your natural lashes on display and lifts your lashes up and out,” says Lavey. “Your natural lash is actually being styled, too, now.”

Fake fuller-looking brows with Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel, available in 3 shades, $24.00, sephora.com

Lavey’s tips for great brows:

1. “Less is more.” Less work, that is. “Don’t overdo it. It’s better to be a little bit messy.”

2. “If you’re doing your own maintenance, don’t get so close to the mirror. Ask yourself what your brows will look like from a normal distance and look at yourself from farther away. Some of those hairs that look messy close up are really part of your shape.”

3. “Don’t just let your hair stylist do your brows—find a great eyebrow stylist. Even an awesome hairdresser is going to wax your brows really fast and without attention to detail. They are an expert in hair. Go to an expert of brows.”

774 E. 2100 South, SLC, 801-970-5555, bigcitybrows.com

Cruising with the Cocktail Caravan

written by: Andrea Peterson                    photos by: JadieJo Photography

Objective: Make Yummy Drinks. Destination: Where the Party at.

You won’t find sleeping bags inside this camper. Your hiking boots and fishing tackle are going to have to stay outside. There’s only room in this metal bungalow for martini glasses, tasty bitters and a large assortment of spirits. Rebuilt from its bare bones up, this 1960s Shasta trailer has been fully restored and turned into a complete functioning mobile bar. This bar is on the go and headed to a party near you.

Throwing a party? Getting hitched? Need to win over the executives? Or just wanting to gather family for a fun time? The Jack Rose Caravan is one of Utah’s only mobile bars for hire. Unlike other bartending services, the trailer is fully equipped with running water and ready to roll out or, shall we say, roll into the good times.

According to owner Burt Hoagland, “the mobile bar scene is huge in Australia, New Zealand and parts of Europe right now, but it hasn’t really caught on in the States.” He wants to change that.

Hoagland is no bar-hopping college kid. He’s got deep roots in the industry. His grandfather owned a bar for 25 years and his uncle owned several watering holes in and around Salt Lake and Park City, “I’ve been in the industry for a lot of my life and I have a passion for making events memorable,” he says.

The bar’s staff is trained in traditional bartending and can create whatever type of bar best fits your event. They’ve thawed cold ski bunnies with steaming hot-cocoa bars in the winter and encouraged executives to loosen their ties with refreshing alcoholic lemonade drinks infused with essential oils. And don’t worry—they can also shake up a classic martini.

The entire Jack Rose team has many years of bartending and service experience. “The recipes are mainly traditional craft cocktails. But we always get together and put our own spin on things and come up with our own recipes as a group. We spend a lot of time online, researching new trends and making sure we offer the best quality out there.”

Right now Hoagland’s favorite cocktail is a Strawberry-Raspberry Mojito. But catch him after last call and he’ll admit he’s traditionally been more partial to the whiskey drinks.

“Jack Rose is definitely a craft cocktail bar, but we also do much more,” says Hoagland. If your stomach starts growling, Jack Rose offers food options. They recently partnered with Caputo’s to offer meat and cheese boards during cocktail hour.

 

This saloon on wheels may shortly turn into a thirst-quenching fleet to allow for more events throughout the year. Hoagland says they will “travel anywhere in Utah and the surrounding states if our clients are willing to pay for travel and a few other expenses.” But for now—with just the one trailer—the calendar is filling up fast. For booking you can go to jackrosecaravan.com/contact or call 801-671-5155.

Tip Tuesday: What is a makeup Primer and why should I use one?

written by: Emily Lopez of Em’s Beauty Bar

So what is a primer anyway? And does it really make a difference? Primers offer a smooth layer between your skin and your foundation. No matter your skin type, it helps smooth over skin to fill in fine lines, wrinkles, pores, dryness/oiliness, or any imperfection you may have, helping to give you a flawless finish to your makeup. Primers also help your extend the wear of your makeup (an absolute must for brides!). Always apply serums and moisturizers to clean skin first, then prime (a little goes a long way generally. A pea size amount is a good rule of thumb) and then your skin is prepped for makeup! Can foundation Primer be used on your eyes? In my opinion, No. Primers made for your face are a little too thin and slippery. I recommend getting a separate Primer made specifically for eyes.

(Photo credit: MT Photo & Film)
 
Here are a few of my favorite, tried-and-true makeup primers:

Vibrant Villa – A Bold Colorful Wedding

Bold is back and braver than ever. Megan Chytraus of Perfect Statement and photographer Claire Marika reveal the how-tos of a hosting a red-hot fiesta.

Pack a Punch
What better season than spring to roll out the red carpet for a Latin American-inspired scene boasting bright hues and whimsical patterns? “I love this color-packed playfulness,” says designer Megan Chytraus of Perfect Statement. “What a blast to play with vibrant colors and patterns. Plus, it’s so different from the clean and simple palettes we’ve seen in the past few years.”
be creative and carefree “Open your pinata to find your seat.” Bet’cha never heard that one before. Chytraus prompts guests to their seats with mini pull-string “pinatas”—white paper lanterns, actually—dressed with streamers and ribbons. Names written in calligraphy formalize the tone a bit, while keeping the look fun and casual.


Get Prickly
Move over succulents, here come the cacti. Succulents are enjoying their moment, but cacti—like rabbit ear, prickly pear and echinocactus—take a tablescape to the next level. “We created the fun and playful feeling of a bright Mexican fiesta without compromising on the romantic and classic style details a couple would want for their wedding,” says Chytraus of her workwith Sax Romney florist Ed Kubicek. Textural blossoms including dahlia, aster, thistle and pincushion protea boost the lively mood.

Stay Focused
With so much color, pattern and texture, how does one avoid a cluttered clash? “Choose your focal points,” Chytraus says. “Using a simple canvas—like the simple wooden table here—allows more room for smaller components, such as the place settings, to stand out.” Setting the scene, the Springville Museum of Art provides an elegant, easy-on-the-eyes backdrop.


Change It Up
Sure, you can use one gown to take a bride from entrance to exit, but why not have three? Chytraus suggests a simple backless gown for the ceremony, a vibrant red dress for the reception, and a sassy short dress for the send-off.

See more inside the

–

The Details

Photography: Claire Marika, Sandy
Design: Perfect Statement, SLC
Invitations: Lynn and Lou, SLC
Floral Designer: Sax Romney, SLC
Venue: Springville Museum of Art, Springville
Cake: Vanilla House Bakery, Mapleton
Model: Daisy Piedra
Hair and makeup: Pretty Edgy, SLC

Photo Op: Golden Hour Romance

Justin and Gabriela’s love goes beyond high school sweethearts. They met in 7th grade. Lucky for the two of them, they school scheduling stars aligned and they ended up in a class together. Slowly, their feelings for each other grew from friendship to more and Justin and Gabriela began dating in high school. “We have been together for 7 years and look forward to many years to come,” Gabriela says.

There are two times of the day that add romantic lighting to ones engagement and wedding photos—just after sunrise and moments right before sunset—otherwise known as the golden hours.  The light is redder and softer than when the sun is higher in the sky. Thankfully for photographer Brianna William’s clients, her favorite time of the day comes long after one would have to get up early in the morning. “I love shooting between 7:30-8:30pm, it has the absolute best lighting,” Williams says. “And the temperature is always nicer—which makes the couples more relaxed and not sweaty.”

“The location for [Justin and Gabriela’s engagement sessions] has the perfect trees for the light to come through,” Williams says. Although lighting is key, Williams believes it is most important to make sure the couples just always make sure the couples are relaxed & know what kind of poses you’re expecting from them. “Always start off the shoot with movement. Get them running and laughing and then the rest of the session they’ll be comfortable with each other.”

Just because this time of day is a favorite among photographers doesn’t mean it is always the easiest to capture on film. According to Williams, “The hardest part is not getting to harsh of light. You have to stand in the perfect spot.” But add an adoring couple into the mix and magically romantic photos are easily expected.

–

DETAILS

The couple: Justin Ayala and Gabriela Rodriguez

Photographer: Brianna Williams Photography

Location: Green Canyon, in North Logan,UT

Instagram: @bwillsphoto

Facebook: @bwillsphoto

Pastry Perfection: Utah Wedding Cake Trends

‘Eating good food is my favorite thing in the whole world. Nothing is more blissful.” –  Justine Larbalestier

[Featured image from Cakes by Katelyn]

There are so many things to be wowed about when it comes to a wedding: the couple’s love, the gorgeous gown, the epic venue, the merry entertainment and the taste-teasing menu. Be it a casual barbecue-inspired buffet or formal-plated meal; the wedding dining experience almost always ends with one thing: an impressively-designed, architecturally-built, meticulously-concocted wedding cake. Here are some great ideas for your upcoming nuptials.

‘Let them eat cake!’ is one phrase every wedding guest can’t wait to hear. Give your guests something sweet to look forward to—a minimalist inspired wedding cake that’s easy on the eyes and taste buds. Read more here.

Cake by Le Loup Cakery.

A multi-tiered confection does not just appear out of nowhere. It takes time, detail and years of experience to create. Grand America’s Executive Pastry Chef Xavier Baudinet checks off each one of those on the list. Chef Baudinet excels at pastry, chocolate, gelato and confectionary with ease and skill. Read more here.

Cake by The Grand America Hotel and photo by Brushfire Photography.

Bold is back and braver than ever. What better season than summer to roll out the red carpet for a Latin American-inspired scene boasting bright hues and whimsical patterns? Read more here.

Photography by Claire Marika and cake by Vanilla House Bakery.

Summer weddings are perfectly timed for a farm-to-table flair. Fresh fruits and vegetables aren’t limited to cuisine. They can be used in decor as well, including bouquets and centerpieces.  Top delicious pies and cakes with delicate sugar fruits and veggies for extra farm-fresh taste. Read more .

Decor by Sage & Thistle, cake by Bake Me a Kake and photo by EK Studios Photo & Video.

Though it’s customary to watch the bride and groom cut their wedding cake, some guests might leave slightly disappointed wishing they had one last sweet bite to end the night. Lucky for them, gone are the days of leaving a reception with a less-than-satisfied sweet tooth. Try having scrumptious treats that not only serve as the perfect wedding favor, but also fulfill those late night cravings. Read more here.

Ruby Snap Cookies
1...808182...112Page 81 of 112

ABOUT US

Utah Bride & Groom Magazine is the premier authority on luxury weddings and the essential resource for brides planning their special day in Utah.

FOLLOW US

Copyright © 2026 Utah Bride and Groom Magazine | Website by Webaholics