Hours after their wedding Dawn and Isaac invited loved ones to watch and take part in their Korean Tea Ceremony at the Grand America Hotel. All watched as they showed their love and respect to elders and loved ones, serving tea and hearing heartwarming words of love and wisdom from them. This was easily one of my many favorite parts of the wedding which is why I’ve chosen to share their day in two parts because there’s so much I want you to see. Their day was easily very sacred and special and I enjoyed seeing them celebrate their religion, culture and loved ones. Thanks again for having us so involved in your day and lives you two.
Dawn and Isaac’s wedding was one I couldn’t wait to begin and once it did, I honestly didn’t want it to end. They had a full day of celebrating with an early morning first look together at the Grand America Hotel just before heading to the Salt Lake City Lds Temple where they were married. After spending some time creating some of my favorite fine art portraits from a wedding, we made our way back to Grand America to witness quite a production of an evening. They began with a cultural Korean Tea Ceremony followed by a reception/dinner which was full of surprise musical performances by both the bride and groom to one another and a wild night of dancing. Visually and emotionally their day was amazing. I couldn’t quit smiling as I edited through their images and still wish to relive the day. Dawn and Isaac – I truly can’t thank you enough for being fully honest and trusting when it came to how I documented your day. Thank you for trusting my process and vision. Most importantly though, thank you for sharing your friendship and love.
Toward the end of summer we packed up to spend a full weekend in Ukiah, California with Alicia and Taylor and honestly they were some of our favorite people to meet and be around. Their celebration could have easily extended into a full week and everyone would have been thrilled to stick around with them. Not only are they incredible designers, makers and event planners, they also knew what was most important for their wedding other than the marriage aspect.
When planning our wedding day, Taylor and I focused most on guest experience and working to show our guests how grateful we were for their effort to come to our big day, their presence in our lives, and our hope for their continued support throughout our marriage.
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On Friday they hosted a welcome party inspired by the first time they met back in the 1st/2nd grade. Their class spent weeks preparing for a play called Bleezer’s Pizza Parlor, so they ordered a ton of pizza, transferred it to custom designed Bleezer’s Pizza Parlor boxes and screened the play for all of us to join in and watch their beginning. It was the perfect way to kick off a weekend celebrating them.
The next day was wedding time. Every little detail from the custom wood signage, maps, stationary, escort card wall, etc., was designed, welded, and hand created by them. The amount of detail they personally put into their wedding along with their impeccable taste was overwhelming in all good ways. They even went to the length of writing every guest a handwritten letter for their escort cards. Their wedding was a labor of love and together they gave loved ones an unforgettable experience.
The morning of Liza and Aj’s wedding was spent at the Salt Lake City Lds Temple where they were sealed together in their church with close loved ones. Since they chose to be married on a Thursday, the temple grounds were fairly empty and they were able to enjoy themselves without the rush that commonly comes with a weekend wedding here. After they came out of the temple we took some quick family photos with extended family who attended the sealing, then took our time around the grounds for portraits.
After their sealing at the temple we headed to Red Butte Gardens where they had their ceremony with even more loved ones. The gardens had just barely turned green and they were the only wedding under the wisteria this year, which was gorgeous. Multiple friends and family gave speeches during the ceremony and afterward contributed to watering a beautiful rose bush that Liza and Aj would take home to care for. Their day was beautiful and full of so much emotion. We were so happy to see their cute selves together and married.
It was a rainy day when Minji and Paul were married at Log Haven in Millcreek Canyon. Days like this will forever be my favorite, when the rain amplifies the lush green trees around us and the smell of damp pine is in the air. The canyon was pretty peaceful and quiet, leaving these two alone to celebrate and be close with loved ones.
They chose to have a late evening wedding followed by dinner and late night dancing. One of my favorite things about them though is how they began the evening with a first look alone together near the lake. The fact that they chose to begin together rather than spend hours on end apart says so much about them and their relationship. They were able to take their time to emotionally connect before jumping into the festivities which set such a lovely tone for the ceremony and rest of the evening. We spent a few moments here before joining loved ones across the road for the ceremony. Loved ones gave readings, family married them, and the evening was easygoing and everything a part should be.
An overwhelming sense of love and friendship comes over me when I think of Carla and Landon, especially after the time we spent with them in Cancun. This was both Todd and I’s first time in Mexico and my first time anywhere tropical. We were in town for a little less than 1.5 beautiful days and every single moment was amazing. If any of you are considering travel for your wedding/honeymoon, view on and grab some inspiration from these two.
The morning of their wedding Carla and Landon met us outside of their resort for sunrise engagements on the beach. Being from the west coats we aren’t used to seeing the sunrise on the ocean and it was such a neat thing to watch as we photographed. Shortly after taking these sunrise portraits they encouraged us to put down our cameras, grab some breakfast and snag a coupe of swimsuits from the gift shop for a day at the pool with them. This right here is what speaks volumes about the type of people Carla and Landon are. Here we are in Cancun with a million different ideas and potential photographs racing through our minds, yet they just wanted us to relax and enjoy ourselves with them. And in all honesty this was fairly difficult for us to do because we truly wanted candid portraits of them cuddled up on their beach chair or sipping fruity drinks. It was definitely a different experience for us and one we’ll never forget.
After relaxing poolside we went back to our rooms to freshen up before the ceremony. Carla and Landon helped one another get ready in their gorgeous glass room that overlooked the water. Then Landon made his way down to the beach where Carla would soon join his side. The ceremony was symbolic and beautiful. They laughed and cried together and even shared toasts and cake. The evening ended with them by one another’s side on the sandy beach just as it began.
Sara and David were married on a snowy Saturday in February at the White Memorial Chapel in Salt Lake City, Utah. What inspired me most about them was just how in tune they were with one another on their wedding plans. What mattered to them most was keeping their day simple and centered around what was absolutely necessary. And for them that was to have close loved ones, good food and to simply be married. Their day was honestly a true reflection of them and it was beautiful.
They began the day getting ready in their home in the Salt Lake City avenues. The morning was slow as they shoveled the walk, talked in the living room and eventually helped one another get ready. Sara did her own hair and makeup in a matter of minutes, they laced up their boots and began their walk across the hill to Capitol Hill.
Once we arrived at the White Memorial Chapel we took some time for portraits outside in the snow until loved ones started to arrive. Their ceremony was one of my favorite parts of the day. They casually walked down the aisle without making it too formal, and before exchanging vows they invited a few loved ones to share words of love and support for them. It was really neat seeing how they tailored a wedding ceremony to fit what was important to them.
After their ceremony the night eventually ended over dinner at the Red Iguana II just west of downtown. They had great food and drinks and even the live band came over and performed for them. Overall it was such a beautifully intimate day that I’m so fortunate to have seen so closely. I can’t thank you both enough for having me there! Honestly the emotions I experienced have inspired some ideas for what I may do on my own wedding one day.
We were driving through Big Cottonwood Canyon for Sidney and Matt’s first look when rain turned to snow and we were suddenly engulfed in thick fluffy flakes. The storm calmed just long enough for them to see one another before picking right back up forcing us into my favorite grove of pines. They partially planned their wedding for October in hopes of getting some weather and it definitely delivered. I’m so happy they set aside time that morning to experience the start of their day together in weather most cross their fingers to avoid.
After some time in the mountains we all made our way to the neighboring canyon for their wedding at celebration at Millcreek Inn. Sidney’s father walked her down the aisle to live music, her sister kept an eye on her train and brother brought up the rings. They had an intimate gathering of close loved ones and what stood out was how important it was to center their celebration around family. More and more we are seeing couples keep things smaller with a unique feeling of intimacy. After their ceremony they had a relaxing dinner and a small dance party to wrap the night.
Sidney and Matt, we truly can’t thank you enough for having us along especially for every beautiful moment of the day. Thank you for the trust you gave in our image style, for allowing us to be so hands on and for rolling with every bit of weather and sticking to your plan anyway. Yours is one we’ll always remember.
Torrie and Nick were married in San Francisco, California where they first met and shortly after fell in love. Naturally this beautiful city where their relationship began is where they chose to celebrate their wedding. We can’t thank them enough for having us along!
Their day began while cozied up in bed together during the sunrise. It set a very calm and peaceful feel to the day and a common theme of togetherness that was important to them as they got ready and went about the rest of the day. They gushed over each other while getting ready, helped one another dress and spent every moment that morning together like this. Then they drove from San Francisco to Muir Woods where they found a quiet area to read their vows. Both had pages and pages, all full of specific words of love and support.
After their vows we made our way to the San Francisco City Hall where their parents and friends joined them for their ceremony. One of our favorite things was seeing them really enjoy their date together while still having plenty of time to celebrate with close loved ones later on. Following their ceremony everyone joined them for dinner and rinks at West of Pecos in downtown, ate way too much food and had informal speeches at their parents hotel.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for having us out to celebrate with the two of you. The weekend was amazing and the love we’ve seen you share together is inspiring. You two deserve all the happiness you’ve found in one another.
Jen and Juri and many of their loved ones traveled into Utah with loved ones all the way from San Francisco to Sweden, so they could celebrate their love in the mountains. For the large majority it was their first time visiting Utah which made for an incredible experience. All they wanted for their wedding was for everyone to have a good time creating new memories with them and because of that the entire day couldn’t have been any better. They laughed, cried, and truly showed everyone the best time.
Our favorite moments from the wedding were mostly during the ceremony. They merged their two families by pouring water from here and Sweden into a glass that they both took a drink from. The way they mixed different traditions and made a few of their own was so personal and special.
The sense of community and love during Peggy and John’s wedding was so strong throughout the entire day. I was amazed by the amount of loved ones who came from all over to share in their love and to support them on such an important moment of their lives. From the moment I walked into the room they were getting ready I was overwhelmed by the amount of kindness shown by everyone. They truly made us feel like a part of their family and community. We can’t thank them enough for it, it meant the world to us.
Peggy and John were married in the Holy Trinity Cathedral in the heart of our downtown metropolitan area, and held one hell of a party at the Grand Hall which lasted well past midnight. Although it took everything not to share every single image that we took that day, here’s a lengthy post of our favorite moments.
Photography: Elisha and Todd | Event Planning: FUSE Weddings and Events | Hotel: The Little America Hotel | Ceremony: Holy Trinity Cathedral | Reception Venue: The Grand Hall at The Gateway | Hair/makeup:Jill Marie Makeup, Carissa Deppe | Ceremony Musicians: Flavia Cervino Wood (violinist), Michael Lucarelli (guitar) | Catering: Blended Table, Aristo’s, Theia Mercy’s Desserts | Greek Band:Oneiro | Surprise Musician: Otis Day | Dj: Mike Varanakis/DJ V | Gown: Berta | Cake: Carries Cakes
