The pains of prepping for a wedding can put a lot of unneeded stress on a bride and groom. You know you need a little me time. Time to treat yourself to a little extra pampering. The temperature is heating up outdoors which means ladies—it’s “Sandel weather!” Take your season old piggly wigglies out on a date for a little mani/pedi. Men, you know your frostbitten beards are just yearning for a toasty towel and clean shave. And we all can’t deny—regardless of season—we’d love an on call every day massage therapist. So here are our picks for some of the best places around town to indulge in a little self-spoiling.
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Making It. Thanks to Utah’s amazing scenery and snow, Salt Lake has more places designed for pampering than many cities. But everyone’s definition of luxury is different and that’s why, of all the high-end, “world class” resorts and spas within reach, I like Sundance the best. The spa has character and Indian flute music besides all the treatments, the woods come right up to the walkways, the buildings aren’t so huge that they dwarf the landscape you’re there for, But the big deal for me is the Sundance Art Studio, where you can sign up for a class in painting, pottery, jewelry-making and other arts. There is probably nothing better for your brain and more relaxing for your spirit than creating something. Modern life tends to ignore this truth—unless you consider making money as creating something which I don’t. sundanceresort.com
Every once in a while you need to sit back and get yourself shaved by a professional barber, if only to slow down and recalibrate your outlook on life. We’d recommend Stefahn’s Barber Shop and urban-pioneer business (they’re courageously bringing civilization to SLC’s wild west side). Sure, the Internet is infested with high-tech, low-cost and vintage razors—but are you going to wrap your own face with a hot towel? Bring yourself a cuppa? Or wax your nostrils. Not likely. Just let go …
I have short hair and I get it cut at one of those walk-in strip mall places because I’ve never seen the point in spending $100 bucks on hair that is literally going to get cut off the next time I’m at the salon. However, I do put a premium on my brows and lashes—perhaps in part because of my short hair. So, I heartily recommend a brow wax, lash lift and all-around tint from Big City Brows. I’m telling you, you have no idea how much this is going to change your life until you have it done and the heavens open up and the birds sing—and I’m not even being hyperbolic. Vanessa is the best—and she does facials, too.
I love a good spa day, and it’s been tricky finding a good one since I moved here. I did eventually find one that I really liked: The Westgate Park City spa.
It has a relaxing adult pool,jacuzzi and lovely saunas and steam rooms. Treat yourself, I promise you’ll love it!
My husband knows that if he is ever bewildered by what to buy me for any occasion that he can fall back on a gift certificate to the Kura Door Japanese Spa in the Avenues. It’s my favorite way to relax and I love that you could hang out there all day in a robe sipping tea.
Easy-breezy gowns for the spirited, sun-kissed bride.
“The mountains are calling and I must go,” said John Muir in his most famous quote. Every year, the indisputable romance of mountain life lures engaged couples to Utah from all over the country. These wanderers and outdoor thrill-seekers celebrate our canyon breezes, grassy slopes and vast views.
It may seem challenging to compete with all this mountain majesty, but with the right head-to-toe look, a bride shines through. High-altitude style calls for lightweight gown fabrics, jaw-dropping jewels and messy-hair-don’t-care beauty. What better place to showcase this spirited attitude—luxe yet carefree—than Deer Valley Resort’s Empire Canyon Lodge and Cushing’s Cabin.
6. Rahaminov cushion cut diamond ring in rose gold with pave diamond shank, $50,000*; Roberto Coin New Barocco earrings rose gold with black and brown diamonds, $3,700*
Fruit makes a tasty addition to summer wedding centerpieces.
Photo by Jessica Peterson
Look, fruit is a summertime favorite for a reason. It’s fresh, it’s flavor-packed and it’s really beautiful. And in Utah, we grow plenty of it. Why not showcase it in your outdoor centerpieces? That’s what floral designer Allie Couch of Cosmo Muse did when she teamed local plums, peaches and cherries with exotic dragon fruit, halved citrus and vibrant anemones. “It’s perfect for the whole outdoor, farm-to-table thing,” she says. And here’s another Kessler tip: Place your colorful arrangement in a stylish footed bowl to elevate its impact.
Shae and Sam met at a karaoke night their freshman year at Utah State University. They dated for a few months before Sam left on an LDS mission. Shae, too, went on a mission, but the couple reunited “right where we left off,” Shae says. Sam sealed the deal when he proposed to Shae at her Big Cottonwood family cabin.
THE WEDDING
“My whole life, I’ve dreamed of having a summer wedding and getting married in the Salt Lake City Temple,” Shae says. Sam’s uncle performed the LDS Temple sealing in June.
THE MOOD
Shae’s family hosted the reception at their home. “I [also] wished for a fairy tale wedding,” Shae continues. “Having it in my childhood backyard just made it that much more special.” Wedding colors included cream, navy, pink and orange.
THE CUISINE
Sam opts for meats, but Shae prefers salads. Menu items included a mix of their favorites like tri-tip sandwiches and salads, mixed berry salads, macaroni and cheese and sweet-potato fries—deep fried on the spot for guests. But the dessert table stole the show. “My Grandpa Lee, who passed away a few years ago, owned Lee’s Donuts in Ogden,” Shae explains. “We used his big shop sign and displayed a photo of him when he was younger making donuts.” They served maple bars, donut holes, sprinkle donuts, whoopie pies, soft-serve ice cream, watermelon sours, gum balls and a three-tiered cake featuring layers of poppy seed, coconut, and red velvet and chocolate.
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT
“Before dancing, the DJ introduced the wedding party,” Shae recalls. “Each groomsmen walked in with a bridesmaid, then did a fun dance move. Then, hearing the DJ announce us as Mr. and Mrs. Sam Orchard made the day so real.”
I am the first person to call up friends for a night out—on a weekday or weekend. I’m a fan of a spirit-filled Tuesday night. Let’s be honest, the bars are quieter, bartenders are chattier, and there is no need for the animalistic pursuit of an empty barstool. But, some Tuesdays I hear my wallet screaming, “FEED ME,” my alarm clock taunting, “T-minus 6 hours until work,” and my mother’s voice chastising, “No drinking and driving!”
Thanks a lot, inner dialogue. I’m am now left standing in the middle of my kitchen wondering how I should entertain. I’m not a bartender, mixologist or liquid chef. I don’t make things—I drink things.
But the home bar doesn’t have to be intimidating, according to bar expert Natalie Hamilton. It’s just alcohol. It doesn’t bite. (Though some might argue; flirt with the wrong tequila and things might get a little feisty.)
Home bar craft cocktail-making is real simple. Start by picking out three of your favorite drinks. “They are the ones you are going to want to drink the most—and chances are you’ve had the most.” This helps with concocting your ideal version of that drink. Do a quick Google search for recipes and hit up the local liquor store for ingredients. Here are a few tools that will make prep and mixing easier, but don’t over-think it—Hamilton admits she’s made cocktails in cereal bowls.
BAR TOOL BASICS
Left to right: Mixer/Shaker, Stirrer/Bar spoon, Strainer, Jigger (measuring tool) and Whatever glass you want to pour your drink into. (Sippy cups will not be judged.)
Here are some recipes from our friends over at Salt Lake magazine:
Colorado’s Grand Mesa beckons with wine, food and scenery.
I spent a fall day cycling country roads, weaving through orchards of peach, cherry and plum trees, lush fields of lavender and vineyards heavy with grape—stopping only at wine tasting rooms to sample locally made libations.
I wasn’t in Bordeaux or Napa. I was on the Western Slope—in Palisade, Colorado—on the Fruit and Wine Byway.
The climate on the Western Slope is similar to Rhône Valley and Northern California—the long, hot, high desert days allow grapes to ripen with sugar levels at ideal levels while cooler nights create acidity, two essential qualities for any winemaker. An added bonus to the high elevation (4,728 ft., among the highest in the world for vintners’ grapes) is that pesticides are used sparingly because there are fewer insects to kill. The end result is not only award-winning wines from vinifera grapes (lots of syrah with bold layers of coffee and caramel) but also unusual wines made from fruit growing in the nearby, and often onsite, orchards.
To start your tour, check out a beach cruiser, complete with a basket for gear, at Rapid Creek Cycles, on the charming main drag of Palisade. Grab a map ofsuggested routes to more than 20 bicycle-accessible winemakers. A three-speed cruiser will do just fine—the route is not strenuous and is mostly through flat land, but you will get a workout if you’re a novice cyclist, especially after a few tastings.
Palisade is a sleepy farming town in the shadow of the Grand Mesa—the largest flat-top mountain in the world—just outside of Grand Junction. On any given day you’re guaranteed to be one of at least a handful of cyclists on the roads, thoughyou will also share the pavement with cars and heavy farm equipment. The people driving them will wave at you as they pass. I even stopped to chat with residents in their yards. In season, the roads are lined with farm stands weighed down with colorful, fresh produce.
Peaches being harvested during late summer.
Each winery has its own personality—some are refinished-but-still-rustic barns, others are upscale new construction—but allhad knowledgeable and friendly staff who guide tastings based on wines you already know. Gift shops offer wine-themed wares and wine (and it’s after you buy a bottle or two that you realize the true purpose of the basket on your beach cruiser). At each stop, you’ll meet wine lovers from all over the country.
In the tasting rooms, you can sample as many wines as you’d like—small pours are best for trying as many as possible, and palate cleansers are provided. Part of the reason that Colorado wines are so highly rated is variety; try them all—but pace yourself. There’s a lot of wine to taste.
If mountain biking and beer is more your thing, neighboring Fruita is your destination. The 117 miles of trails around the small town have a reputation as being among the best mountain-biking terrain in the West. Plus, there’s a crop of small microbreweries in town. Try Suds Brothers for lunch or the tiny,charming Copper Club. A sign at the door tells patrons to bring their own food. Inside, you’ll find knowledgeable barkeeps, board games stacked on the tables and a dog-friendly policy.
After a day of cycling and imbibing, head 20 minutes southeast, to Grand Junction. A far cry from the truck stops that line its I-70 exit, Grand Junction is a gem of a mountain town with recreation, dining and drinking activities that mirror the small town feel of Palisade and Fruita, but on a larger scale.
Main Street is the hub of activity, tree-lined and gloriously devoid of a single chain restaurant or shop. There is a smattering of fountains and the city’s Art on the Street program has commissioned more than 100 permanent and rotating sculptural pieces. The public art on the thoroughfare sets your expectations—Main Street is anchored by culture.
Locally owned shops include Benges, a more-than-a-century-old upscale women’s shoe store, Enstrom Candy (try the toffee), a handful of toy stores, salons, books stores, art galleries, farm-to-table restaurants and breweries. The Avalon Theater, a beautifully renovated art-deco building, pulls triple duty as a cinema, performing arts center and convention center.
Fountains in downtown Grand Junction.
On Tuesday nights, Grand Junction provides residents and guests with the Dinner and a Movie program—show your receipt from any downtown restaurant and get two people into a preselected second-run film that night at the Avalon, free of charge.
Avalon Theater
Speaking of dinner, there are plenty of culinary options along Grand Junction’s Main Street. Rockslide Brewery offers standard brewpub fare and, of course, a spectrum of microbrews, while 626 on Rood is a wine bar with thoughtfully constructed farm-to-table cuisine. Dream Cafe is a diner-style restaurant perfect for brunch, with cinnamon rolls the size of your head and an extensive mimosa menu.
In all, I spent three days in the area, sleeping in Grand Junction and mostly dining there. Then, I left my comfortable basecamp to explore the nearby Colorado National Monument—32-square miles of sandstone canyons and plateaus, perfect for more cycling, hiking, or just taking in the spectacular scenery.
Colorado National Monument
I also took advantage of girly thrills like pedicures, shopping and champagne brunches.
Shifting from wilderness adventure to rural grace to urban amenities was as seamless as switching gears on a bicycle.
Pink and blushing brides go hand-in-hand. Tinge Floral’s Ashley Beyer chooses this demure palette—combining foxgloves, astilbe, ranunculus, peonies, Distant Drum shrub roses, cottage yarrow, blueberries, Sally Holmes heirloom roses, heucherella and spirea foliage for a signature look. “I tend to be attracted to blooms and foliage that feel softer and are more approachable,” says Beyer, who uses peaches and mauves for depth and dimension. The best news about the bridal blush? It’s no longer limited to spring and summer weddings. “You can use Juliet garden roses— which are similar to peonies—year-round. Pink is really unexpected for fall or winter. I love pinks with darker foliage like persimmon or plum.”
Heather Nan Photography -Utah Wedding Photographer
Elizabeth Dye Genevieve gown, $2,400, Harlow Brides, SLC; Penny Preville Oval Diamond and Moonstone Earrings in rose gold, $6,165, O.C. Tanner Jewelers, SLC and Park City
For more gorgeous floral color combinations go here.
Best for Party Props WISH
Redstone Center, Park City
If you’ve ever been a stumped party planner, Wish is your new best friend. This cheerful Park City boutique—owned by party planner extraordinaire Emily White of Haute Hostess—stocks party props like confetti-filled balloons, tissue tassels, laser-cut cake toppers, wrapping paper and temporary tattoos, many of them crafted right here in the Beehive State. Who’s ready to party now? wishparkcity.com
Best for Stationery TABULA RASA
Trolley Square, Salt Lake City
Stroll inside Tabula Rasa and you’ll realize there’s nothing in Utah like it. Best known for custom wedding invitations, this Parisian-like boutique is filled to the brim with fine paper, silk ribbons, leather-bound journals and witty books. All proper ladies and gentlemen welcome. tabularasastationers.com
Best for Registry (and Gifts, too) NEW ORIENTATION
Foothill Village, Salt Lake City
Take our advice: Register for fine tableware. Bone china—dishwasher safe and durable enough to be used in hotels including the Four Seasons—lasts year after year (long after that tea kettle or crockpot kicks the bucket). New Orientation’s cozy boutique carries both traditional and contemporary table settings. As a bonus, New O stocks affordable, yet fashionable, bridesmaids’ gifts like jewelry and makeup bags, too. neworientation.com
Best for Party Fashion APT 202
9th & 9th, Salt Lake City
Wedding fashion goes way beyond the big day. Consider what to wear for the shower, engagement party and rehearsal dinner, too. Apt 202 offers edgy-to-elegant, party-ready looks from brands like Splendid, Jenny Bird, and Cupcakes and Cashmere. No clue what’s hot? Owner Ashley Rothwell-Campagna and her team do, and they make it easy and fun choosing what’s just right. If these fashionistas don’t love it on you, they’re honest and take time to make the right match. apt202boutique.com
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See more inside the
Love matches, $6; Confetti fountains, $13; Use Our Hashtag chalkboard, $18, all from Wish, Park City
Giveaway Closed – Congratulations to Alayna Herbert Crane!
The Paint Mixer offers a unique mix of art and fun for all ages and requires no prior art experience or artistic ability. Guests follow a 2-hour step-by-step instruction to recreate the featured piece of art. Music, mingling with others and wine instruction help to create a fun and relaxed social setting perfect for tapping into one’s inner artist. Perfect for a date night!
The Paint Mixer celebrates the start of the summer season with offerings that cater to many popular passions – pets, LGBTQ pride, dads, and cheese. As always, a talented team of artists provides step-by- step instruction for participants to create their masterpieces in a social setting. June highlights include celebrating National Cheese Day with Beehive Cheese Company, pet portraits to honor our furry friends during National Pet Appreciation Week, face painting at the Utah Pride Festival, and celebrating dads with Father’s Day-themed paintings. Both 21 and over and all ages painting events will be held at the Salt Lake City (Sugar House) and Park City Main Street studios.
Here is your chance to win a date night at The Paint Mixer at either the Sugarhouse or Park City location.
Nothing says “let’s party” like a dress with bare shoulders, exaggerated ruffles and a high-low hem. Add oversized sunnies and this two-piece brings sass and class to a casual wedding or rehearsal dinner.
THE WEDDING
THE MOOD
Best for Stationery
Best for Registry (and Gifts, too)
Best for Party Fashion
