“Love consists in desiring to give what is our own to another and feeling his delight as our own.”
— Emanuel Swedenborg
Photograper: Kenzie Gossling Photography
Dresses: Hope Ave and Free People
“My dress is mostly my own creation. A few months ago, Bailey and I were shopping in Las Vegas when I found the most beautiful shirt. I told him that if it was the top of a wedding dress, it would be the one that I would buy. He replied, ‘why don’t you just make your dress out of it?’
My grandma taught me to sew when I was in middle school and I’ve been a pretty avid seamstress since. I never planned on making my own wedding dress, but I realized that my fiancé was right—I wasn’t going to find a dress made by anyone else that would perfectly fit my style! So I bought the shirt, lined it all, modified the sleeves, and added a simple gathered skirt cinched with a piece of my great grandmother’s lace.”
Couple: Madi Shiba and Bailey Holmes
Photographer: Heather Ellis Photography
A mother’s treasure is her daughter.
— Catherine Pulsifer
Give your mom something to smile about this weekend and surprise her with a handful of goodies you can find throughout the community.
Sunday Suppers; Arte Haus Collectif
Organic Gold Hammered Hoop Necklace; Katie Waltman
Watercolor Floral Pillows; Studio McGee
Tape Measure; O.C. Tanner Jewelers
Faux Peonies; O.C. Tanner Jewelers
Aesop Resurrection Hand Balm; The Stockist
Vea Earrings; Bohem
Where’d You Go, Bernadette; The King’s English
What happens when Pantone’s colors of the year collide with some of Utah’s bridal creatives?
Magic.
Fashion
The inspiration came from Chantel Lauren’s newest dress: Mae. This dress epitomizes the modern, free-spirited bride. The dress defies the traditional wedding dress with it’s rich blue color and multiple layers of tulle and dyed fabric. We accessorized the dress with two different headpieces made by Dani Hagemeister, one that was formal and elegant, and the other more edgy. The first headpiece was made of pearl teardrop earrings, and was laced into the bride’s hair. The second was made of blue gemstones, which complemented the dress and emphasized the modern, bohemian look. We also added a minimalist veil to this look that fell simply and covered the brides face in a mysterious way.
Venue
This dress set the mood for the whole shoot, and led to the idea to shoot at Finca. Finca is darker and moodier inside, which creates a romantic, intimate feel. The light streaming in from the few windows is soft and dreamy. When paired with the beautiful floral wallpaper, the result is a whimsical, modern looking space.
The light, fresh look of Finca inspired the idea to do brunch, which consisted of a yogurt bar catered by Milk Honey Yogurt. The yogurt bar included delicious flavors, such as, lavender, honey, and lemon. The flavors were adorned with fresh lavender, lemon shavings, and local honey. The toppings included dried fruit, nuts, rich colored citrus fruit, chocolate and coconut shavings–which gave the spread a natural look. Milk Honey Yogurt also created a two-layer cake, with the top layer being off-set, creating a modern, casual look. The brunch was styled to be inviting, kind of messy, and of course, delicious.
Paper Goods
The menus and invitation were all hand drawn by Hannah Leuk, who used a bold gold lettering on black paper. There were two styles of menus, one that matched invitation in coloring, and the other a softer pink paper, with delicate black lettering.
Beauty
The hair and makeup, done by Abigail Hill, finished the modern, bohemian, bridal look. Shae Powder was the model, and she was chosen for her bohemian style and dramatic features. The formal hair included a messy braid laced with the pearl headpiece, and was complemented with softer, natural makeup. For the second look, the bride let her hair down and showed a messy, wavy hairstyle. The blue stone headpiece was laid on top of the bride’s hair, and stood out against the flowing curls. To really emphasize the edgy bridal look, a deep purple lipstick was applied.
Tablescape
The dinner setting, styled by Kristin Rocke, was set up in one of Finca’s private rooms, with light streaming in, highlighting the floral wallpaper in a dramatic, yet subtle way. The floral centerpiece consisted of romantic roses, purples, and rich greens. The flowers tied the blue of the dress to the soft, neutral colors for the table layout. The flowers were a little messy, with greens cascading from the vase, which emphasized the casual, edgy, theme. The table linens included a natural gray, which complemented the gray, textured appetizer plate that was on top of soft pink main dish plate. The table layout included more neutral colors, which made the vibrant pink glasses stand out. Candelabras and votives were essential to creating an intimate feel, and also provided a classic touch to an otherwise contemporary setting. The finishing touch to the table layout was the black silverware that further emphasized the edgy, modern look to the whole shoot.
This shoot was meant to be romantic and intimate, while also feeling fresh and light. The mix of contemporary and classic aspects created something edgy and soft, and casual with formal touches. This shoot represents modern, bohemian styled brides who are free-spirited and to be authentic and to express themselves creatively.”
Vendors
Photographer: Keri Michelle Photography (@kerimichellephoto)
Venue: Finca (@finca_slc)
Florals: Nora Peterson (@norapeterson)
Stylist: Kristin Rocke (@krockedesign)
Calligraphy and Handlettering: Hannah Leuk (@hanbanan)
Headpieces and Veils: Dani Hegemeister (@dananihandmade)
Videographer: Shey Allen (@shey_allen)
Model: Shae Powder (@shaepowder)
Dress and Designer: Chantel Lauren Designs (@chantellaurendesigns)
Yogurt Bar and Cake: Milk Honey Yogurt (@milkhoneyyogurt)
Hair and Makeup: Abigail Hill (@styledbyabigail)
Jessica St. Thomas of St. Thomas Floral has been in the business since she was the sweet age of sixteen, having got her start working in a local flower shop in Draper, Utah.
While later pursuing her Bachelor’s degree she continued to work at other flower shops where her knowledge about basic floral design grew and from which her inherent love of art and design, her degree in interior design, and her years of experience working with and around flowers gradually became a full-on career.
Now, continuing work as a florist and mother of three, Jessica gives us a peek into her life and work.
“I look at all kinds of design for inspiration in my work. Art, interiors, architecture, [and] fashion all come into play when thinking up a wedding design or color palette. I also look at nature and the way that it naturally portrays beautiful color stories and blends texture so perfectly,” says Jessica, a dark-haired Utah native who remains one of the state’s most prominent wedding florists.
It doesn’t come as much of a surprise that someone who works with plants would be inspired by nature, and Utah has a lot to give in that area, making it an—maybe unexpectedly—ideal home for an artist like Jessica. Especially, as she tells us, given the seasonal changes and changes in climate throughout the year.
St. Thomas says, “Designing with different color palettes keeps me motivated and feeling fresh. The seasonal changes excite me and bring in so much inspiration for my arrangements. I like to draw people to my designs with the shape of the bouquets. I think shape is what initially gets someones attention, and then I hope to intrigue them with my color patterns and tiny texture details.”
It appears to be working. Jessica’s arrangements are beautiful and grand, elegant designs you might see in the Palace of Versailles—and that’s not to mention the pretty little headpieces, flower girl headbands, boutonnieres, wrist corsages and other wearable arrangements she expertly crafts.
As many working moms know, balancing a career with motherhood is not always easy, but is certainly something to be admired as well as to be proud of. St. Thomas seems to have things under control: “We’ve turned our unfinished basement into my shop, equipped with my very own walk-in cooler. It has made running my business from home so much more efficient … If things come up during the day, my girls just have to tag along … They have become pros at processing and prepping the flowers with me!”
As for her personal style, St. Thomas talks about the confidence that comes with a bit of life experience and how that, along with her floral work, influences what she wears. “Now that I am in my thirties I feel so comfortable in my own skin and have really come to find my own style.”
It is that simplicity in her wardrobe that reflects how colorful her designs tend to be, and the two things complement one another. “Although I love to use color in my designs, I tend to be pretty simple when it comes to fashion,” she says, “I love a good tunic and black pants and like to add interest with bold patterns or layering rather than color. I think flowers are my way of purging all the color out of my system!”
As told to Utah Bride and Groom
For more information on her work or to contact Jessica, visit her site at stthomasfloraldesign.com
Photos by Heather Nan and Travis J Photography
Little Sahara desert inspiration for your wedding day
Photography by Heather Nan
Is rain in the forecast for your big day? Not to worry. All shows must go on, so proved photographer Heather Nan, whose goal it was to design a party scene infused with desert details. A sharp shooter who has seen hundreds of weddings, Nan exhibits passion for unearthing that “something new.” Yet despite a bad weather report, she headed 115 miles south of Salt Lake to the dunes and sagebrush flats of Little Sahara Recreation Center. What came of it was something she never expected: five ways—even through wind and rain—to have a white-sand wedding in a desert state most known for its red rock.
Yes, canopies provide sun and rain protection (and thus should be a part of any outdoor party back-up plan), but who doesn’t appreciate practicality mixed with style? In party terms, a rental tent (transported and set-up by event companies) marks a party boundary within a large landscape. It can house hundreds—or just shelter a couple—for the ceremony, or “sweetheart table,” as seen here. Dress a basic rental with drapery, lights or lanterns for a completely custom look.
“Don’t be afraid to stray from a traditional wedding color palette,” suggests Nan who, with the help of wedding planner Allison Baddley of La Fête, adds jewel tones like emerald and sapphire. Moroccan-inspired jewelry and watercolor invitations breathe life into an otherwise pale palette.
Most couples dream of a flawless day, yet no party big or small is without its glitches. “My personal vision today was sun-drenched and bright. Basking in the desert sun—can you see it?” Nan asks. But the weather forecast called for rain clouds. “Though they weren’t the images I had in my head, the results had their own unexpected beauty.” Couples can easily do the same. “Embrace your story, your day.”
“When planning a wedding, less is just more,” says Baddley. She focuses on must-haves like unique location, fashion, flowers and menu—the rest of the experience is up to the folks celebrating. “My message to most of my brides is: Don’t overdo the details because they get lost. There is really a fine line between making it classy and perfectly beautiful— and being overdone.”
Listen up, couples. The dough spent on a planner is money, time and headache saved overall. With a contact list of verifiable vendors, it’s a planner’s job to execute events within a set budget and timeline. Most work with a variety of vendors, so couples still maintain control over the final product. “Truly. If you can only afford hourly consultation, do it,” says Nan. “The right planner will polish your vision, make it yours and save you time and money.”
VENDORS
Photography: Heather Nan Photography
Floral design: La Fête Floral & Design
Gown: Leanne Marshall
Veil: Gateway Bridal
Groom’s attire: Urbana Custom Clothier
Jewelry: O.C. Tanner Jewelers
Furniture and rugs: C.G. Sparks
Catering: Cuisine Unlimited
Paper: Wildfield Paper Co.
Pillows, place settings, flatware and cocktail glassware: Anthropologie
Pillows, napkins and napkin rings: West Elm
Makeup: Kristen Packard Artistry
Hair: Kali Chris Hair
Cake: Pippa Cakery
Ribbon and table runner: Silk & Willow
Venue: Little Sahara
Models: Susie Clawson and Garrett Noel
Party pros launched the upcoming wedding season in style.
Photographs by Angela Howard
As blooms sprout every spring, Utah Bride & Groom magazine kicks off the wedding season with its annual White Party. The event celebrates the work of pros from across the Mountain West and treats them to an evening free from their wed-based work. While partying with industry friends, attendees sample the latest and greatest in wedding stationary, decor, food, flowers, transportation, makeup and music.
Venue/cuisine: La Caille Restaurant
Planning/design/fashion show: FUSE Weddings & Events
Paper goods: Ann Elizabeth Print Studio
Flowers: Esprit Wholesale Florist
Floral design: Artisan Bloom
Photography: Angela Howard Photography
Videography: Elements in Motion
Sprits: Southern Wine & Spirits-Pacifi
Rentals: Creative Coverings, In The Event, Alpine Event Rentals
Men’s fashion: True Gentleman
Women’s fashion: Gateway Bridal & Prom, Harlow Brides, Betsy Couture Vintage Wedding Gowns, Malmrose Bridal
Hair and makeup: Lesley Lind Makeup Design
Entertainment: Gold Standard Music, Couth Booth Photo Booth Experiences, Voodoo Productions
April showers may bring May flowers, but all we see is sunshine in our Instagram picks of the week.
The month to jump start us into wedding season perfectly captured in calligraphy via @celestecclark
Bright and cheery bouquet via @stthomasfloral
This bride is the brightest thing in the room via @tesscomriephoto
Delicious and glowing all in one via @ellies.cakes
Simple and dainty to brighten any bridal party via @gatherist_
Now that it’s April nearly every tree is in full bloom, the skies are blue and we can’t help but open our windows at every opportunity.
Spring is here and even warmer weather is on the horizon. Since we’re seeing new baby blooms crop up on every corner, in terms of wedding inspiration, we’re in pretty good shape: while floral crowns are fairly common and occasionally overdone, this Pin caught our eye. Try pinning smaller blossoms—such as Baby’s Breath—throughout loose, natural hair. For a bride it’s an understated, sweet look (just like Spring itself).
Follow us on Pinterest for more #weddinginspo.
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