I never imagined myself having a December wedding. The snow and I, we don’t get along. Unless we are skiing, then we are cordial.
Anyone
planning a December wedding in Utah, I will tell you now, when you take your
pictures, it’s going to be freezing cold.
So, when you take your bridals/wedding pictures you’re going to have
fun, but you’re going to be desperate to get back in the warm car and get your
butt home.
However,
the snow makes for some pretty AMAZING pictures and I think it was totally
worth it.
DESIGN
This is Lindsay Grabau, her company is Dashwood + CO.
-I texted her on the daily about what lace I should use for my veil, her opinion on the venue, flowers, EVERYTHING. She even told me RJ should have a white, straight across pocket square BEFORE the James Bond movie came out! That's how good she is. She helped me pick out my dress too!
GROOM'S SUIT
Look at that pocket square, thanks Linds!
Suit, vest, & shirt: Calvin Klein--"slim fit"
Tie & Pocket Square: Banana Republic
HAIR
Styled by: Alyse Peterson
By far the best in Utah and her prices are very reasonable.
Insta: @hairbyalyse
Cut, Color, & Extensions
Lacey from Platinum Studio salon in Orem.
MAKEUP
Jessica Marie Makeup
Jessica & my photographer, Ashlee Brooke are buddies so Jessica will give you a discount if you have Ashlee as your photographer. Jessica airbrushed my make up on so it lasted through all the snow and the cold! She is hilarious. Also, she has amazing taste and I bought the lipstick she used on me from Mac after my wedding. It's called "Rebel" and I love it! Jessica did a better job than I could imagine.
Insta: @jessicamariemakeup
Dress
BHLDN --Anthropologie's wedding line
Alterations: Shantel Bjornn (562)-481-1222
Shantel added the sleeves under the lace and made all the other alterations in order for it to fit nice and snug while allowing me to still be able to breathe. AMAZING PRICES and a great eye for detail. Shantel even made my veil!
FLOWERS
Flowers: Jen Sampson located in Draper, UT. Jen's prices are the best I could find in the area.
Jen: (801)-597-8320
BRIDESMAID'S DRESSES
Brand: Mika Rose.
I watched these puppies until they were on sale and I snatched them up! It helps that I had super good lookin' bridesmaids, anything would've looked good on them.
GROOMSMEN OUTFITS
Sweaters/Pants: Kohl's. I've never been a big Kohl's shopper, but I love these sweaters! I found sweaters at JCREW that I loved and they were super pricy, but Kohl's had the same ones!
Bowties: JCREW
WARNING: Do not buy wool socks for men at JCREW. I ordered wool socks for my groomsmen and they wouldn't even fit my foot!
VENUE
Alpine Art Center
(801)763-7173
I loved all of the greenery in the Alpine Art Center. They were also great to work with and did all the set up/clean up. Again, very well priced, I believe the venue was under $1,000. However, I do recommend renting your own speaker system, the one at the Alpine Art Center isn't very loud.
FOOD:
Utah Celebrations Catering:
(801)-836-3508
We did a flaming crepe bar. The bottom picture is the owner of the company, Stephen Swallow. Stephen and his staff set everything up on their own and sent Ryan and I with a to-go box because you do not get to eat at your reception! I know it looks like it, but the man in the corner is not on fire, Stephen is a professional so I didn't have to worry about that ;)
Cake
Sam Keele- THE BEST BAKER EVER.
I showed Sam a picture off Pinterest and he made the cake EVEN better than what I showed him. Great prices and really easy to work with. Sam does every style of cake and makes it taste delicious, which is important when your husband shoves it in your face, hair, and eyelashes.
WARNING: Your husband may agree not to smear cake all over your face, but he will.
Phone: 801-368-2433
Email: baykerboy@aol.com
awesomeweddingcakescheap.com
VIDEOGRAPHER:
Captilife Films
The far left is our videographer and also my friend from freshman year. KC & Daniel did an amazing job with my engagement and wedding video. I love being able to re-live my wedding day with a video.
PHOTOGRAPHER:
Ashlee Brooke Photography
As you can see Ashlee is incredible at editing photos, she has an eye for it! An artsy eye! She understood it was freezing cold and we wanted to get out of there as fast as possible, but still capture the good stuff. I was grateful when another wedding group wanted to stand in our arch at the temple where we were taking photos even though there were others open and Ashlee told them kindly that they had to wait. Ashlee was able to direct people efficiently and I like that. When it is frigid outside I do not want my photographer frolicking around. Ashlee knew what she was doing and she got it done. I also may have texted her and asked her a million random questions like, "Wish nail polish do you like more?". Ashlee was patient with me and RJ's crazy BYU football schedule.
So that was my wedding! My advice is:
1. Book all the big important stuff first like venue, photographer, and BRIDESMAID'S DRESSES!
2. Ask your husband for help. Tell him you love him too.
3. Do not snap or get impatient with people, even when you're tired/stressed.
4. It's harder planning weddings while in nursing school.
5. Kiss your husband lots, even if it looks mushy in pictures.
6. Keep the double chin pictures, those are the funnest!
7. Talk about budgets openly.
8. Thank your parents and in-laws PROFUSELY.
9. You will be sad when you do not get to spend time with the people who came to see you get married. Thank them and hopefully they will understand. You will never forget those friends who drove hours in the snow to see you, but hardly get talk to you at your wedding.
10. Treasure your beautiful wedding photos, but also treasure photos like this:
