Why not brighten the go-to hue of every wedding gown with an unexpected splash of color? Trust embroidered flowers and tinted appliqué to add just the touch of summer to any white-drenched bride.
— Ashley Jolley
Flavorful Flair
Infusing wedding cakes with savory flavors has taken the bridal industry by storm. Lavender, saffron and basil are just a few gems that offer a sweet surprise to guests and an even sweeter beginning to a new chapter with your better half.
— Ashley Jolley
Add the Herbs
Freshen up your wedding with Mother Nature’s most flavorsome handiwork: herbs. Great for décor or cuisine, herbs give your wedding the sweet smell of spring.
Apart from their natural vibrant colors, herbs also make for natural aphrodisiacs. Not only will they leave your guests with mouths watering, they’ll leave you more than ready for your wedding night. 😉
So inhale deeply and dig in to the crisp aroma of your wedding’s freshest bite.
— Ashley Jolley
Lilac Love
Combine lilac, sugar and a little bit of love and voilà! you’re left with the perfect wedding favor.
— Ashley Jolley
Weatherproof Wedding
Though April showers bring May flowers, there’s no need to chance spring rain on your big day. Instead of risking it, bring the outdoors in and celebrate in weatherproof style.
— Ashley Jolley
Cut It Out
Your upcoming nuptials offer a reason to stand out and shine. A low cut neckline will give you the edge to wow your guests, stun your groom and satisfy your style.
— Ashley Jolley
Make & Stow: Handcrafted Perfection
Make & Stow is an Oregon-based company that handcrafts a variety of wooden pieces—cutting boards, coasters, photo boxes, and keepsakes. We caught up with owner, Amy McVey, to talk about the inspiration behind and creation of this unique company.
What motivated you to begin this company?
Erich is a wedding photographer, and years ago he decided he wanted to create wood presentation boxes to deliver prints to his clients. Luckily, his parents, David and Pamela, own fine art and commercial framing stores, and have a ton of experience with wood and the kind of craftsmanship that something like this would require. Erich was able to work with his dad to design and build wood boxes for all of his clients.
Over the years, Erich continually received questions from clients and fellow photographers alike, asking where they could purchase wood boxes like the ones he used. After some thought, we (Erich, David, Pamela, and I) decided to go into a business together to create Make & Stow, so that we could offer these beautiful handmade wood boxes for photos and other keepsakes to everyone!
The boards quickly followed as an additional item for Make & Stow, and actually came about quite organically. Charcuterie makes a frequent appearance at our family gatherings each week and with all of the beautiful solid wood now at our fingertips for the boxes, we almost instantly began creating serving boards for our own use. Adding them to the official Make & Stow collection seemed like a natural next step.
I love the idea of wooden boxes for keepsakes and photos. Was that the original idea?
The original idea was for the boxes to hold photos (for Erich’s clients). The keepsake idea came about when I began using one of the larger boxes to hold all of mine and Erich’s memories: letters, ticket stubs, polaroids, wedding vows, etc. I had kept everything in an ugly cardboard box for years, and when I moved all those keepsakes over to a beautiful, handmade wood box, those mementos were no longer shoved in the back of a closet out of site in the eyesore cardboard box.
Instead, they were on a shelf in our living room, in a beautiful wood box that allowed us to look at the memories often, to enjoy the keepsakes, and to add to the collection more frequently and easily. I loved having our memories so accessible and more visibly celebrated and treasured. We figured others would like to have that same ability too, so keepsake boxes were born!
What inspires you as you continue to expand and create a variety of products?
I think there are a few different things at play in regards to our drive to continue to grow, improve, and move forward. First and foremost, we absolutely love and believe in our products. We use our boxes and boards on a daily basis in our own homes, and feel so strongly in their usefulness, their beauty, and their ability to elevate and celebrate not only the most epic of days (weddings) but also the more average yet equally important moments in life (family dinners with charcuterie on a serving board).
Erich and I are also very driven when it comes to work, as are David and Pamela. They have run and grown an extremely successful framing business over the past 30 years, and they are incredible mentors and business partners who push, encourage, and guide us through this journey as business owners. It is so much fun to brainstorm ideas, think of what we can do next to most benefit our customers, and grow Make & Stow in new ways. This is our family business, our livelihood, and our passion. It makes it easy to stay inspired when you love what you do (and who you get to do it with) so much!
How does the landscape and scenery of Oregon influence or spark your creativity?
Where we live—we are surrounded by forests, greenery, and the rugged wilderness of Oregon. The beauty of the natural, solid wood we use for all Make & Stow products is certainly a reflection of our environment, and a way for us to bring part of the great outdoors in to our homes.
What’s your favorite piece in the collection and how do you use it?
It’s so hard to choose just one favorite! Can I just say my favorite is all of our serving boards? We have about six in our kitchen and they are used every single day—from dinner prep tasks like chopping veggies, to hosting friends and serving elaborate charcuterie, to quiet nights alone with Erich when we feel lazy and just want some fruit, cheese and bread for dinner in front of the TV. Our boards are in constant use in our home. I love them!
What’s the most interesting or creative way you’ve seen your pieces in use?
Oh gosh we’ve seen just about everything! Our boxes have been used to deliver wedding invitations and to hold wedding photo albums. They are used as custom gift boxes (we also offer custom engraving services, so you can really personalize each piece), for anniversaries, birthdays, client welcome packages, and even a product presentation gift for a European press event for a high end shoe designer.
What has surprised you most about starting this particular company and brand?
I think the most surprising thing has been the incredible customer encouragement and support. Our customers are the best! Not only do they value and invest in our handmade products, but they frequently send us emails—even thank you notes in the mail! They let us know how much they like their box or board, or how much they appreciate our customer service. The personal connections and relationships we’ve been able to nurture with our customers is such an unexpected added bonus to running this business.
These pieces are handmade and designed in Oregon. How has that helped you better connect with your local community and environment?
Knowing where each piece of wood comes from and every set of hands that have played a part in the creation of each piece is so special. It keeps our emotional investment in each product so strong and personal. We also have a strong connection to our local community—everything is made by hand here in our hometown of Salem, Oregon by a small team of skilled craftsmen.
What do you think the aesthetic of Make & Stow products symbolize?
The overall aesthetic of our products is based on timeless authenticity. There are no bells and whistles with our products. They are created by hand, honoring the natural beauty of the wood they are made with, and made to elevate the environment they are placed in (i.e. adding character to a kitchen island without detracting from the overall design of the space).
Are you currently working on any new projects? What do you envision for the future of Make & Stow?
We have a few new projects in the works—our wheels are always turning! We are set to launch a new variation of our serving boards with more character (wood knots, interesting grain, live edges, etc.) These are personally my favorite kinds of boards. Boards with those “imperfections” have so much added beauty and depth! For the future of Make & Stow, we just hope to continue to grow, connect with our customers, and offer beautiful, timeless pieces that are cherished for years to come.
— Emily Gardiner
All images courtesy of Make & Stow
Instagram Champs: Summer High
Summer is in full swing, as evidenced by our latest roundup of local social media stars.
Dancing florals by @tesscomrie
Red-hot sweetness by @new_orientation (see more of this Utah Bride & Groom shoot here)
Frost by @octannerjewelers
Summer in a bottle by @heathernan
Wedding Favor Sweets
Though it’s customary to watch the bride and groom lovingly cut their wedding cake, I often find myself missing the opportunity to indulge in it. Between the dancing, sparklers and send-off, that beautiful masterpiece frequently retains its shape, with only a single slice taken from its center.
Some guests (like myself) leave slightly disappointed, wishing they had one last sweet bite to end the night. But gone are the days of leaving a reception with a less-than-satisfied sweet tooth. We’ve come up with five scrumptious treats that not only serve as the perfect wedding favor, but also fulfill those late night cravings.
Ruby Snap Cookies
Let’s just say that Ruby knows what she’s doing.
Each melt-in-your-mouth cookie is made with love and flavors range from a spicy chocolate with a chile ganache center, to a classic vanilla bean sugar cookie. Wrap each cookie up in cellophane and send them off with your guests. Trust me: these tasteful treats will leave them begging for more.
You can find—and indulge in—Ruby Snap at 770 South 300 West in SLC and are available for wedding catering.
The Chocolate
Voted the best dessert spot in Utah Valley, The Chocolate serves up just about any dessert you desire. If you want individually packaged cupcakes to favor your guests, a cupcake tower for guests to grab on-the-go, or even homemade chocolate chip cookies, they’ve got it all!
The Chocolate is located in Orem and West Jordan.
The Sweet Tooth Fairy
You can’t say the word “dessert” without thinking of—and drooling over—The Sweet Tooth Fairy. Though known for their delectable cupcakes, cookies, and cakes, I’d like to highlight a smaller, yet mighty item: the cakebite. Just as the name implies, these little desserts provide a huge amount of flavor and satisfaction in just one bite.
Place two or three cakebites into a box wrapped with ribbon and you’ve gifted your guests with a small bite of heaven. You can find The Sweet Tooth Fairy at various spots throughout the Beehive State or you can access their website here: www.thesweettoothfairy.com.
Startup’s Candy Company
If you’re looking for a more unique wedding favor that doesn’t break the bank, Startup’s Jumbo Pops are the perfect fit. This family-owned company has been perfecting the art of candy-making since 1823. They offer thirty different Jumbo Pop flavors, including fruity and non-fruity suckers that can be bought in bulk. What a fun way to send off your guests (especially the kiddos), with an individually wrapped pop that sells at 0.75 cents a piece.
Startup’s Candy Company is located in Provo, but are available for online orders at startupcandy.com.
Chocolate Covered Wagon
The list would be incomplete without including the Chocolate Covered Wagon, a local shop that has been featured on both the Food Network and the Travel Channel.
With a wide variety of sweet treats, it’s impossible to not be inspired. Any number of their carmel apples, gourmet popcorns or salt water taffies can provide the ideal wedding favor treat. Continuing that list would be their beautifully hand-dipped chocolate-covered strawberries. These babies can be easily wrapped-up and made in bulk to leave with guests. Jump on the bandwagon (pun-intended) and check out these locally-made creations: www.chocolatecoveredwagon.com.
In the Life: Emmily Jones
After a brief stint in college (which I quickly decided was not for me), I spent five years working for a major corporation. While my ambitious side looked forward to the continued movement up the corporate ladder, my creative side was feeling increasingly stifled. I also had a strong desire to be my own boss and set my own hours. I finally decided to start my own creative business—Gatherist.
This has given me the chance to work for myself, apply the business and organizational skills I acquired from my earlier career, and most rewardingly, find an outlet for my creative instincts. I have a very goal oriented way of thinking, mixed with a messy creative process. It’s an interesting juxtaposition. I can’t properly feel creative until everything is in order and organized, yet my creative process becomes incredibly messy. But I’ve found that this approach yields the very best results.
STYLE
I tend not to follow the latest fashion trends simply because I’m more interested in focusing on other priorities. You’ll generally find me wearing jeans and my favorite baseball cap from Madewell, with a ball of messy hair underneath. I prefer clothes that are comfortable, functional, and neutral in color. I’ve been working lately on simplifying my life and with that, my wardrobe.
BEAUTY
I’m the roll-out-of-bed and get-to-work type. On those rare occasions when I do get ready for the day, I keep things very natural and simple. I use Tarte’s Amazonian Clay foundation, and I’ve been loving Glossier’s Boy Brow. I put mineral powder on after foundation and finish with Benefit Badgal Lash mascara. My signature fragrance is Joie’s Folle de joie… it’s heavenly. I never wear lipstick, nail polish, or much jewelry. A staple that I take everywhere is Molton Brown’s lipsaver… life-changing I tell ya.
OFF-DUTY
I’m a new mom to Theodore and still trying to wrap my head around the fact that he’s already one-year-old! My husband and I have been married for five years. We live in the 9th & 9th area of Salt Lake City and adore it. When I’m not working, I’m taking walks around the neighborhood with my little family and our rambunctious dog Oskar, or simply staying home and snuggling Theo. I’ve always been one for adventures and often spontaneously. On any given weekend when I’m not working, which is rare, we may jump in the car and take a quick road trip to California on a whim. These quick trips are always rejuvenating for me.
All photos by D’Arcy Benincosa & Jill Thomas