The moment you have a ring on your finger, your mind locks on one thought: the gown. Imagining a ball gown with layers and layers of tulle? A mermaid cut dress with a beautiful lace bodice, or maybe a long, long train? The best part? According to Janelle Carlson at Allyse’s Bridal at The Shops at Riverwood in Provo, Utah – the gown you first imagine usually ends up being completely different than the one you buy, fine tune, and wear on your wedding day.
“The best part of the process for me is watching a bride try on gowns and falling in love with something they never imagined,” remarked Carlson.
Allyse’s Bridal is most well known for their extensive inventory (about 1,500 dresses in stock) of “modest” dresses with sleeves in all shapes and lengths. A favorite in the shop is the “illusion” sleeve—a sheer sleeve with a lace overlay. This week Allyse’s stocked a light gold satin dress with ivory lace overlay, also available in a blush colored satin with ivory lace overlay.
Allyse’s also prides itself on being a casual shop. “We prefer appointments, but walk-ins are always welcome,” says Carlson. “Our staff is patient. We’re not pushy. We focused on helping the bride find the perfect dress. If it just isn’t right? There is always a seamstress at the store that can make all necessary alterations.”
Seeking the latest in floral couture? Look to the lapel. Traditionally, centerpieces and bouquets get all the oohs and ahhs, but as designer Ashley Beyer of Tinge Floral proves, the gent’s boutonniere can also be a wedding-day hero. The pint-size posies offer big opportunity to showcase your style. This trio of boutonnieres boasts Beyer’s favorite cuts: astilbe, heirloom roses, heuchera foliage and cottage yarrow. And, by the way, guys like pink, too.
Everyone loves a before-and-after story, and isn’t that what every wedding is? Before there were two, and now there is one. But, of course, it’s not that simple. To successfully get to after from before requires big planning, talented professionals and more than a leap of faith.
With so many options out there, it’s easy to get lost in a Pinterest menagerie of fonts, flowers and fondue fountains all leading to dead links and an #epicweddingfail.
We’re here to help. Not only do UB&G’s guides showcase the products and the prettiness, we also present WHO is behind Utah’s picture-perfect weddings. This issue unveils planners who orchestrate every Real Wedding feature (starting on page 81), caterers who are tapped into local cuisine (“Agricultural Wedding,” page 136), venues for every budget and style (Venue Guide, page 155), and florists hip to the hottest buds and hues (“Singular Sensation,” page 144).
Before you know it, the big day will be here and with the right planning and pros, the happily forever after begins. Enjoy the journey!
Happy New Year. The latest issue of Bride & Groom is out. Get inspired by our 9 favorite Utah weddings and the best wedding venues. In a store near you!
Marsala, Rose Quartz, Serenity and Radiant Orchid: Move over. You have nothing on 2017’s Pantone Color of the Year: Greenery. Green is the new black; it compliments every hue. While wedding backgrounds, backdrops, fillers—and even menus—almost always flaunt fresh greens, it’s about time green-clad details get their day in the spotlight.
It’s fair to say the Utah Bride & Groom team is cartwheeling over our 2017 issue. Hitting the newsstands on January 1, a new redesign brings engaged couples hundreds of expert tips and Utah resources.
But first, we bid farewell to our last issue glowing with Greenery-inspired wedding fashion and design.
Whether you believe in coincidences or not, sometimes the universe takes romance into it’s own hands for a little fun and magic, well that and of course the everyday grocery list. Courtney and Zach Fonda’s initial meeting was anything but the usual story. “We always reflect on the time we met, it’s very special to us,” recalls Courtney. It wasn’t across the room at a dance party, it wasn’t two desks away in grade school, but it was across the produce section at the local grocery store in the small college town of Rexburg, Idaho. “I was instantly attracted to his smile. I told my friend that I thought that boy ‘over there’ was really cute.” And why else would you bring a friend along to the grocery store, but for them to help you select the best frozen pizza and encourage you to give your phone number out to a cute boy in the produce aisle. “By the time we had checked out, I had finally dug up the courage to take my sales receipt and quickly scribble my phone number on it. He called the next day and the rest is history,” exclaims Courtney.
Some people will scare newlyweds with horror stories of their first couple of years—warning the twosome that those will be the hardest years of their marriage, but for Courtney and Zach they never understood those warnings. For them, marriage has been the best two years of their lives, “sleep overs with your best friend, movie nights, adventures with our little pup and constantly laughing.”
For their wedding photos, photographer Whitney Justesen worked with Courtney and Zach to create a vision that matched the couples love for each other. When deciding where to shoot the magical wintry images, Sundance instantly came up and seemed like the perfect location. But just like that day in the produce aisle at the grocery store, the Universe intervened, because what would a winter photo shoot be without a flurry of snowflakes? “We definitely did not plan for the craziest, most beautiful winter storm ever. I mean that snow was coming down. It made for the most magical images of all time,” remembers Courtney.
“Whitney was such a dream to work with + she captured the most romantic images of my husband and I. It was just my husband, me and my photographer wandering in the mountains. It was so amazing!” – Courtney Fonda
Do look through their blog posts and not just their website to see their work. Their blogs typically show full wedding days, whereas their website typically show fewer images of their best work. It’s good to see a full wedding day (or a few) to know what to expect when receiving images from your big day. If they don’t show full weddings on their blog, it doesn’t hurt to ask!
Do your research when hiring a wedding photographer. There are a lot of different styles of wedding photography, and it is so important that you choose a photographer that reflects the style of your big day! Look through their portfolio, ask questions. Is their style posed and more classic? Or is there more movement and ‘in the moment’ captured? How does the photographer work with their clients to make it look natural? What kind of lighting do they use, natural light? What about during receptions when there may be low light? It’s doesn’t hurt to ask.
Do go over their collections and everything they offer. Be sure you are clear with exactly what you will be receiving. Ex: How many images will you be getting back from your wedding day and how will they be delivered?
Do make sure that the wedding photographer has a contract for you to sign and requires a deposit for your date. Go over the contract thoroughly and be sure to receive your own copy of it as well for your own references.
And most importantly, DO meet with your photographer upon booking, if you can. You will be spending a lot of time together so it’s good to be sure your personalities and styles mesh well with each other. If you can’t meet with your photographer for any reason, request a phone call to just chat or ask your photographer questions over e-mail about themselves to get to know them a little bit better! Your photographer will appreciate it!
Do Not bring photos you found online for your wedding photographer to replicate exactly. Photographers are artists, they love their creative freedom and feeling the trust from you. If you bring images that you want done exactly, they won’t turn out how you expect. Instead, you may give your photographer a ‘general’ shot list if you must, but most of the time a professional photographer already gets everything you would have on your list. Trust them and let them have their creative freedom. That is, after all, why you hired them.
Do Not plan a tight timeline for your wedding day. Nothing on your wedding day only takes a few minutes, and anything can happen to fall behind schedule. You don’t want to feel rushed, or your photographer to feel rushed either. Be sure you plan enough ‘cushion’ time for your photographer to get the shots they need and not while in a hurry. You will get better images this way and your photographer will appreciate it!
Do Not let family get in the way of your professional photographer. It happens all too often when guests have their own camera and think that they can stand in the middle of the isle during the ceremony. I’ve even had it where an ‘Uncle Bob’ sat on the floor right in the front/middle of the isle covering the lower half of the bride and groom for the entire ceremony, fist kiss and all! It is not rude to let family know to please stay in their seats, and if they must take photos on their iPad or cell phone, be discrete. You are paying a lot of money for your photographer to capture this important moment, let them be the ones to do this. The professional images will turn out better anyway.
Do Not wait to book a photographer for your wedding. Even if your wedding date is a year away, your ideal photographer may be booked up by the time you inquire about your date. Your photographer should be one of the most important decisions for your big day, don’t wait to book!
Do Not over think things on your wedding day. Not everything may go according to plan or be absolutely perfect. If you just try to enjoy every moment and have fun, nothing else matters. Your photos will turn out better this way as well with a happy, stress-free bride! www.jadiejophotography.com jadiejo@jadiejophotography.com Instagram: @jadie.jo
Facebook: JadieJoPhotgraphy
Just because the temperature has taken a dive into the lower digits and just because our green mountains have turned a chilly shade of white, it doesn’t mean Utah’s landscapes have closed up shop for gorgeous wedding shoots. The windy snow and contrast of the dark pines painted a perfect winter picture for Adam and Isabel’s 2015 wedding photos.
Florist Jacelyn Bolton’s pick of dazzling reds, pinks and dark greens, popped in front of the bride’s dress. “When choosing florals for a winter wedding it is important to utilize the colors and types of flowers and foliage that fit within that season. This will help create a sense of balance with the overall look of your wedding,” says Bolton. She also warns be aware of temperature and length of the photo shoot. “If you are taking pictures for hours in the cold it is important to pick less delicate florals in your bouquet. Lilies are beautiful, but do not do well in cold temperatures, try substituting with a rose,” advises Bolton.
Although beautiful lacy gowns compliment the blankets of snow and dancing snowflakes, they don’t exactly keep the brides toasty warm. The bride remembers the day being absolutely freezing, “Under my dress I wore sweatpants and boots. The photographer actually got a picture of me running up a hill carrying my dress and you can see my sweatpants and boots underneath. But it all was worth it because these are pictures that I will cherish forever and I love them!”
Isabel first spotted Adam in the testing center of their University. They had both just finished their tests and were waiting outside for the results. She immediately noticed him and suddenly couldn’t have cared less about her test score. All she knew was she needed to be introduced to him, but wasn’t quite sure how that would happen.
As far as she knew, they didn’t have any mutual friends so she needed a plan b. She started to notice him everywhere; the Crossroads (the University cafeteria), in between classes in the halls, and eventually at the gym every day at 5 pm. “Call me a stalker, or just smart,” says Isabel, but she started to memorize his schedule and so happened to be everywhere he was. “Is this getting weird yet,” she jokes. She continued to see him around, and by some miracle found out her roommate was dating a guy who knew him. She asked her roommate’s boyfriend to set her up with Adam.
“Side note, all along I had been calling Adam “Ryan Gosling” because I didn’t know his name, but he looked like Mr. Gosling. I was seriously smitten,” confesses Isabel.
Well, those months of hard work stalking him finally paid off. They got set up on their first date and “he was not only so handsome, but he was such a gentleman,” she says. They went mini golfing, made cookies and had amazing conversation. He opened her doors, paid for her, and never once made her feel uncomfortable. “Everything was going perfectly. Luckily for me, he continued to ask me out. We had our first kiss outside my apartment, and within two months we were exclusive,” says Isabel.
She knew Adam was the one for her, and he felt the same. As young as they were (Isabel 20, Adam 23), “I knew he was my forever,” she says. On August 30, 2015 Adam and Isabel were visiting his family in Arizona. They went to get dinner at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort. When they got there, they told them it would be a 15 minute wait so Adam led her around the grounds of the resort to pass the time. He walked her to a gazebo that was lit up with beautiful music playing in the background. “I thought we were invading someone else’s event,” she exclaimed. They walked up the steps to a table setting with flowers and sat down. A server approached and asked what they wanted to eat and drink. “By this point I was stunned,” says Isabel. After they ordered, Adam pulled Isabel up to slow dance to the music in the background. After the song ended, he got down on one knee and proposed to her, “I had never felt so loved and in love,” says Isabel.
