Nicole & Damon’s September Magic

If you ask most locals what the perfect day in Park City is, they will either tell you a blue bird day following a huge snow storm, or a day at the end of September. End of September offers bright sun, mild but warm day time weather, a little crisp night air, and tons of colors- greens, reds, yellows and golds.  When Nicole and Damon knowingly chose September for their wedding, it was destined for some of that mountain fall magic. The couple played to the fall using oranges and purples for their colors as well lots and lots of candles. It was a gorgeous fit in our rustic mountain lodge.

Location: Red Pine Lodge

Photographer: Mike Schirf, www.mikeschirf.com

Wedding music: Joe Muscolino Band, www.joemuscolinoband.com

Ceremony Music: Mike Lucarelli, www.lucarelli.com

Wedding Cake: Carries Cakes, www.carriescakes.com

Flowers/Decor: Green Dahlia

Décor elements: Bright flowers in oranges, purples and ivory, with tons and tons of different shape and style candles, real moss table runners, aspen bark accents and gold and purple up-lighting. The windows were also lined in tea lights to really make the room glow.

Menu: Guests were treated to a plated dinner with pistachio crusted Utah trout, filet mignon with caramelized shallot demi glace and a grilled vegetable and polenta napoleon.

Most Unique Moment (according to the Bride): Walking down the aisle, holding both of her Dad’s arms and seeing Damon, her future husband.

We also thought some of the more memorable moments were having her dog Fergie walk down the aisle. She was just so cute! And, the sister of the groom, who had the most incredible voice, sat in with the Joe Muscolino Band for a few songs during the reception. The team was totally impressed!

If we can make some Red Pine magic happen for you, let us know! grandinfo@thecanyons.com

Shannon & Matt’s Soft and Romantic July Wedding

Situated amongst the aspen trees, mountain stream and wild grasses at 8,100 feet, the Red Pine Lodge often lends itself to a rustic elegant style when it comes to choosing decor. We have seen almost every color of the rainbow work in the lodge, but often couples will elect to use more mountain style elements like branches, river rocks and grasses. So, when we saw Shannon and Matt’s totally romantic and more feminine approach to decorating the lodge, we definitely took notice. Unanimously, we all decided that the juxtaposition of the pastel colors, soft flowers and unique ornate touches against the natural woods of Red Pine was a total success.  The bride and groom were also very clever in tying in the mountain theme too by naming the tables after favorite ski runs and using some rustic curly willow.

  

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Red Pine Lodge

Photographer: Opie Foto, www.opiefoto.com

Wedding music: DJ Jake Russell, www.highriseaudio.com

Hair & Make-Up: Whitney Lewis, whintey.lewis.stylist@gmail.com

Menu: Buffet high lights avocado & crabmeat parfait and baby tomato and mozzarella skewer hors d’oeuvres, Prime Rib with horseraddish cream carvery and housemade cheese ravioli with citrus pesto cream and fennel

Cake: Carries Cakes, www.carriescakes.com

Flowers: Every Blooming Thing, www.everybloomingthing.cc

Décor elements: Lanterns and candles, garden style ornaments, soft pastel flowers including peonies, roses, hydrangea and some lillies, aspen bark, soft ribbons.

Most Unique Moment (according to the Bride): The music list playing at dinner was composed of the guests’ wedding songs.  So, many couples either kissed or stood up and danced when they heard the song they first danced to the day of their own wedding come on.  I think it reminded them what a wedding celebration is really all about. And, there was a real moose that made an appearance during dancing too!

Dave & Summer’s Perfect Farm Wedding

Ever since I posted about my wedding last year I have received an overwhelming amount of inquiries about “farm weddings.” Where can one get married on a farm with a mountain view in Park City? Finally, the answer, Copper Moose Farm.  The Canyons and I had the privilege of assisting a long time colleague with his wedding this summer at Copper Moose, and I just fell in love with the venue.  Canyons does offer offsite catering services for those interested in a location other than at the resort.  These photos from Britt Chudleigh really capture how spectacular this venue can be.

     

Copper Moose is a CSA (community supported agriculture) site. Their request is that we develop a menu using local, sustainable and organic ingredients, and flowers from their gardens where possible. This venue would be a true farm to table experience for your guests. For more information, please contact Brooke at bhafets@thecanyons.com.

Location: Copper Moose Farm

Photographer: Britt Chudleigh , www.chudleighweddings.com

Wedding music: DJ Aaron Howard

Menu: Buffet menu featuring grilled chicken & beef  kabobs, grilled summer vegetables and creamy vanilla ice cream with fresh berries for dessert.

Cake: Kumbaya Kitchen

Flowers: Allison Harbertson

Décor elements: Blue glass bottles, antique apothecary style bottles, teals and oranges with floral arrangements also including pinks and yellow with billy balls, peonies, dahlias and wild flowers.

Party Rentals: Alpine Event Rentals and Diamond Rental

Most Unique Moment: So many, but two stand out: 1) The couple provided lawn games like corn hole set by the greenhouse and an antique farm truck, and 2) The ceremony was uniquely intimate set in a round pattern with the couple in the center—Summer’s sister in-law conducted the service.

June Wedding at Red Pine Lodge

For those not aware, we had a record-breaking winter in terms of snowfall this year. The result: beautiful green late spring/early summer weddings with snow capped peaks. Jessica and Jason are no exception! With perfect temperatures, natural decor and a bright pallet, this wedding hit a high note at the end of June.

Photo by Opie Photo

 

Photo by Opie Photo

Photo by Opie Photo

Photo by Opie Photo

Photo by Opie Photo

 

 

Photo by Opie Photo

Location: Red Pine Lodge

Photographer: Opie Foto, www.opiefoto.com

Wedding music: DJ Pualy, www.djpaulywedding.com

Menu: Buffet menu featuring Sugar & Spice Rubbed Pork Loin with buttermilk mashed potatoes and Chicken Breast stuffed with goat cheese and pancetta and pine nuts.

Cake: Carries Cakes, www.carriescakes.com

Flowers: Every Blooming Thing, Salt Lake City, www.everybloomingthing.cc

Décor elements: Daisies, River Rocks, Turquois Table Runners, Pine Trees– actually lots of tree elements and branches

Most Unique Moment: At the end of toasts, the bride and groom lead the entire wedding in a rendition of “That’s Amore.”

If we can bring “amore” to your life, please contact us at bhafets@thecanyons.com

The Value of Lighting

When considering what your reception venue will look like, most brides will think about the tables– what colors will they use, what linen, which flowers, but the power of ambient lighting should never be overlooked as a finishing touch.

Erin and Jason’s wedding at Red Pine Lodge offers a perfect example of how adding that lighting can really take an event from an 8 to a 10+.  Flowers for this event were provided by Silver Cricket. Specialty table linen was provided by BBJ Linen. These stunning photos were taken by the very talented Mitch Burt from Zuma Photo, who continue to be our favorite Preferred Photography Vendor. The bride and groom hired Party Train to get their guests going. And of course, the lighting was designed and provided by Five Star Audio Visual, our on-site provider and preferred vendor for Canyons Resort.

Photo by Zuma Photo

 

Photo by Zuma Photo

 

Photo by Zuma Photo

 

One other really cool touch that can be used in many different ways, is the “Custom Gobo.” This is an image of your making, much like the Bat Signal! Most couples will do their initials, or a symbol that they use throughout their wedding materials.  It can be shot onto a drape or screen, on the center of the dance floor, or for a winter wedding, out on the ski slope!

 

Photo by Zuma Photo

If we can help you with those little details, please do not hesitate to contact us, bhafets@thecanyons.com. 

May Wedding in the Mountains

May is a very relaxing time of year in Park City. The noise and hustle of the winter tourists has slowed and the snow begins to melt. Right now, the aspen trees are starting to bud, the streams are full and every now and then you get a totally spectacular sunny day in the upper 70s. We had this very gift of a day for the wedding of Alicia Del Rosso and Scott Bennett on May 7th this year.

Alicia and Scott held their event at the Escala Lodge, now managed by the Hyatt. Flowers were provided for the bridal party by Every Blooming Thing, spectacular photos were taken by MJ Morgan, and the crowd was entertained by Complete Music. Our Canyons team provided the Mediteranean themed menu for the wedding reception. Alicia did a wonderful job with the decor, and actually built the centerpieces, sewed the table runners and even hand crafted the table numbers and escort cards (in the shape of sunflowers) by pasting individual petals for each one.  The space looked beautiful and the bride was glowing!

Wedding Ceremony, MJ Morgan

The Wedding Ceremony took place in the Sunrise Chapel, which suited their 50 guests perfectly.  Five Star Audio Visual draped the walls with white and set blue up-lighting to tie in the color scheme.

Sunrise Chapel, MJ MorganEvery

 

Every Blooming Thing provided personal flowers, MJ Morgan

After the ceremony, the guests moved to the Escala Ballroom and Piazza for the reception while the Bride and Groom took photos.

Sunrise Chair Lift, MJ Morgan

 

Escala Lodge, MJ Morgan

 

MJ Morgan

 

Alicia & Soctt, MJ Morgan

Guests moved to the Escala Ballroom for the wedding dinner and reception. They enjoyed a menu of Mediteranean flavors including crispy artichoke hearts, tomato basil soup with a goat cheese crema, garlic stuffed leg of lamb and saffron poached salmon with shaved fennel. The couple served assorted cupcakes for dessert, topped with little Leggo snowboarders.

Leggo Cake Topper Snowboarders, MJ Morgan

 

Escala Ballroom, MJ Morgan

 

For more information on planning a wedding at Escala, please contact Brooke Hafets, bhafets@thecanyons.com.

Decor Ideas and More from the Winter Season

Well, it is the beginning of May, but it still is feeling a lot like winter in Park City. With the flakes still flying, it seemed like a great time to look back at some of our great winter events from 2011.

We hosted a winter wonderland themed Sundance Party in the Cabin. Thanks to Zuma Photo for the image.

Our new Food Carts in the Village inspired this Chocolate Bar with gourmet cocoa flavors. Linen provided by Wildflower Linen, photo by Zuma Photo.

The room was decorated with potted aspen trees. The blue uplighting and white twinkle lights gave the room a great ambience. Lighting provided by Five Star Audio Visual, photo by Zuma Photo.

Liquid Nitrogen anyone? Canyons jumped on the molecular gastronomy craze with this candy apple foie gras creation. Featured, Chef Ruben Aguirre, photo by Zuma Photo.

No winter wonderland would be complete without an ice luge! This uplight masterpiece offered guests ice cold house special pear martinis. Ice luge by Iceworks, photo by Zuma Photo.

 

Pleased to Present Rehearsal Dinner Options in our “Re-Created” Canyons Village

Looking for a unique and delicious option for a rehearsal dinner? Then search no further than our “re-created” Canyons Village. Three new and unique options await to entice the taste buds!

For a more intimate group, the Alpine House has a sophisticated and eclectic atmosphere with a small bites menu. All of our cuisine is cooked in the kitchen’s wood fired brick oven. The patio space offers a fire pit with lounge furniture. This location is ideal for a reception style event, or less formal intimate rehearsal dinner.

The Farm is a true farm to table restaurant concept with the flavors being earthy and seasonal. 25 local farms have been sourced for our product. We pride ourselves in showcasing the best of what the local area can offer, keeping the menu sustainable and fresh. Chef John Murcko, recently voted Best Chef in Utah, has lead in the creation of this brand new offering here at Canyons Resort.

I am particularly proud to be able to represent a space like The Farm. The fact that we have really committed to the idea of using local flavors and sustainable food is something that I personally believe in. The space has a very earthy feel to it, but still keeps a clean modern style, which I think is so unique. There is a lot of natural light and playfulness with the décor. A lot of the recipes also come from Chef Murcko’s own mother’s book, and I think you can taste the cozy kitchen table feeling even though the presentation is elegant and contemporary. But truly, my favorite part of the Farm is the lounge. The bar just invites you to sit and stay a while, and the small bites menu offers unique tastes like the Pork Belly Rockefeller, Short Rib Pasties and Utah Beet & Feta Cheese.

In addition to our restaurant spaces, which are all available for semi-private dinners as well as “buyouts,” we can also offer more casual rehearsal dinners and welcome receptions at the Umbrella Bar, in the heart of the resort village. The location has deck space for 150 people plus a circular bar with great views of the ski resort. It would be the ideal location for a southern BBQ style event or relaxed buffet.

 Check out what our friends at Soiree are saying about our new restaurant venues at http://www.soireeproductions.com/blog/

 For more information or to book one of these locations for your rehearsal dinner, please contact bhafets@thecanyons.com.

Everything is better with a Little Frosting on it…

In my opinion, a wedding cake is really the exclamation point at the end of your wedding meal sentence. Whether your event is casual, formal, modern or whimsical, there is a cake shape, style and flavor that will work for you.

Placing cakes as the centerpiece is gaining in popularity.

History would lead us to believe that the wedding cake has been an important tradition since the Roman Empire. But my favorite wedding cake historical trivia is that the idea of a stacked cake started in the middle ages, where wedding guests would bring small cakes (like cupcakes) and stack them in a pile. If the bride and groom could kiss over the pile then it would bring good luck to their marriage. The tradition of feeding each other the cake is supposed to symbolize the support each person will give to the other in the marriage. So, whether you choose a whimsical tower of stacked cupcakes or the elegant look of a tiered round or square cake, they should all bring prosperity to your new lives together and a tasty treat for all.

Photo by Bruce Gardner

The Canyons was able to launch our own pastry team over the past year, and the results so far have been fantastic. Chef Cindy Willam, from Talisker Club, offered a huge variety of butter cream, fondant and cupcake options for a third of our weddings this year. Some of the highlights for me were her banana bourbon cupcakes, the red velvet—the cream cheese frosting is to die for, and the chocolate cake with kahlua mocha butter cream frosting.

Canyons is still continuing our partnership with Carries Cakes as well. When it comes to beautiful detail and unusual design, you can’t beat Carries.

Carries Cakes really delivers on the details on this cake... check out the individual leaves.

This was my grooms cake. Carries was able to create the red velvet cake in the shape of a trout.

 

Photo by: Zuma Photo

As part of our wedding menu packages for the resort, a wedding cake is included in the listed menu prices. Please do not hesitate to contact the Romance Department with any questions, at 435-615-8066 or bhafets@thecanyons.com.

DIRECTOR OF ROMANCE GETS HITCHED!

Thank you so much to the many of you that have asked me about my wedding. In short, it was AMAZING. I could not have asked for anything more and loved every minute of it. A special thank you to all of the vendors that helped me pull it off, including Soiree Productions. 

And now, for the details! Thank you so much to Zuma Photo for allowing us to use these photos…

First, the background…

How the couple met: Brooke’s roommate at the time came home one night from work and said, “I have met the perfect guy for you…” The rest was history (about 8 years of history).

How we got engaged: On a camping and fly-fishing trip on the Olympic Penninsula in Washington. He proposed in the middle of the river and the ring was hooked in to a fly box.

The Wedding Ceremony…

Location: Flying Colors Farm, Park City

Date: September 25, 2010

The Bride wore: an Ivory Jenny Yoo Gown from White Couture

The Groom wore: a very casual J Crew sports coat with kahkis

The Reception…

Location: Flying Colors Farm

Wedding music: Swagger – who were AMAZING!!

Wedding song: Crazy Love by Van Morrison

Menu: Goodwood BBQ catered a full menu of pork, ribs and brisket with all the fixin’s!

Cake: Carries Cakes delivered 100 pumpkin chocolate chip cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and a grooms cake in the shape of a trout.

Colors: Pumpkin and Chocolate

Flowers: Silver Cricket in Park City, UT

Décor elements: Pumpkins, straw and fall leaves made up the theme for the event. Alpine Events also really made the space look fabulous with wooden barn lanterns.

The After Party…

Location: Sidecar Bar on Main Street

Music/Entertainment: DJ Jake Russell spun until 1 AM and provided Karaoke

Menu: Fat Kid Pizza and Homemade Cookies!

The Most Memorable Moment…

Bride’s answer: Standing with The Canyons Resort in the background under our chupah made of fly rods and maple leaves on a bluebird sunny day.

Groom’s answer: Watching my uncle play harmonica with Swagger—he wailed!

Whitney Lewis did my hair and I totally loved it

My wedding shoes...

My Jenny Yoo dress was perfect for the barn and was so comfortable.

Silver Cricket did an excellent job on our arrangements. We really used the fall and barn theme.

Silver Cricket also had the brilliant idea to fix fly rods to our ceremony site. The groom and I loved it.

Our dog TJ got a little "decor" from Silver Cricket also. I think he felt special.

The girls all picked dresses they liked in chocolate from J Crew, but I picked their jewelry from Elizabeth Plum

Carries Cakes made little marzapan pumpkins for our fall theme

Carries also made a grooms cake in the shape of a trout with red velvet.

Alpine Events hung the bistro lights and barn lanterns that really pulled the whole thing together.

Instead of favors, we did a pumpkin carving station. Erik and I had our first real date at a pumpkin carving party.

The band was incredible and kept the party going all night.

Clearly, the groom loved them!

The party continued at Sidecar where DJ Jake kept us dancing until the wee hours.

If I leared anything from my experience that I can share, I think that the most important thing is to remember to have fun. It is supposed to be a day of celebration, don’t forget to laugh!

Don't forget to laugh!

Thank you again to all my vendors that really made my dreams come true.

Photography: Zuma Photo

Flowers: Silver Cricket, Park City

Rings: Park City Jewelers

Invitations: Graphix Solutions

Rehearsal dinner: Grappa on Main St.

 Bridal gown: White Couture

 Hair and Makeup: Whitney Lewis…nothing short of fabulous! 

 Decorations and rentals: Alpine Events and Soiree Productions

 Catering: Goodwood Barbeque

 Cake: Carries Cakes

 Entertainment/Music: Swagger & DJ Jake Russell

 Wedding planner: Kristin Spear, Soiree Productions

 Officiant: Mayor Dana Williams

 Guest lodging: The Canyons Resort