utah wedding photographers

vintage charm wedding ben lowmond bigelow hotel ogden utah

1920s Vintage Classy Wedding at the Ben Lomond, Bigelow Hotel in Ogden Utah | MaKellun + John

, , , , , , , , 0

MaKellun and John met in college at a party. One of her friends had a huge crush on John, but he had his sights set on MaKellun, and for good reason. She has a very laid back, go with the flow kind of attitude, so much that John played a significant role in planning their wedding. Makellun was dressed head to toe in 1920’s glamour, from her hair, her stunning dress, and all the way down to her jeweled shoes.

Held in what used to be the Ben Lowmond Hotel in Ogden, now names the Bigelow Hotel. The extravagant venue maintained the turn of the century charm with unique features throughout. High ceilings with intricate detail in every square inch, pin tucked leather wrapped wall behind the front desk. The charming Bigelow Hotel was absolutely stunning, as was the beautiful Bride and her Husband to be.

The Best Man and Maid Of honor gave some touching toasts, as did the parents of the Bride and Groom, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room as John’s mother offered her beautiful poetry to her now married son.

What a treasure it is to capture moments like this for my couples, as their Videographer and Photographer it gives me so much to look forward to when I get to edit their full wedding. I did edit a few images for this blog post, more to come soon I promise!

 

 

Located on Historic 25th Street of downtown Ogden, Utah Ben Lomond Suites Historic Hotel started life as the five-story Reed Hotel in 1891. In 1927 the hotel was completely reworked in an attempt to create a fire proof hotel. Eleven stories were added and the hotel was renamed the Bigelow Hotel. In 1933 Marriner S. Eccles aquired the hotel and renamed it the Ben Lomond Hotel. Then in the 1980s the 350 room hotel was completely renovated and converted to a 120 suite condo-hotel. The Ben Lomond is the last of the three “grand hotels” in Utah that is still being operated as a hotel. Evidence of this legacy can be seen in the crystal chandeliers, marble floors and decorative ceilings as you enter the lobby of this historic hotel, which is listed on both the Utah & National Historic Registers.

Kathryn + Aaron Wedding Teaser Video | Park City, Utah

Kathryn + Aaron Wedding Teaser Video | Park City, Utah

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0

Kathryn and Aaron had been friends long before they decided to tie the knot. Both the Bride and the Groom come from intensely loving family, you could feel the love in the room, as Kathryn’s sister put it, it was “tangible”. Their friends came from near and far off places, to witness the joining of two amazing people, and two amazing families. Aaron’s Brother had some great words of wisdom from motivational speakers such as Winnie the Pooh, and the Power Rangers. The wedding was supposed to have been held outside, but with snow in the forecast they opted to marry inside where they could warm themselves by the fire afterward. The snow didn’t stop the couple from letting the photographer and myself to shoot some pictures and video outside in the snow immediately following the beautiful ceremony. Here is a quick teaser video, enjoy!

 

 

Teirza + Trent First Look Video

Teirza + Trent First Look Video

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0

I have shot so many First Looks over the years of being a Videographer, but I don’t always get this sort of reaction. It just so happened that the Groom had a microphone on him for the Ceremony. The Bride and Groom finished getting ready, each then taking a few minutes to read a letter written by the other. Trent was in tears, it was beautiful. This is his reaction to seeing his Bride for the first time in her wedding dress.

 

Dan & Seila Proposal Video @ Liberty Park Salt Lake City, Utah

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0

Dan and Seila (pronounced Shay-La) met through some mutual friends, for him it was love at first sight, for her it took some time. Seila served her LDS mission with one of Dan’s friends. When they returned home after 18 months, the friend decided to set Dan and Seila up on a blind date. They enjoyed each others’ company, but she wasn’t quite ready to jump into a relationship, she turned him down twice when he asked her to go steady. After getting to know Dan a little better, she couldn’t resist his kind nature and unmatched wit.

The proposal was amazing, and it went off without a hitch! Dan, along with lots of help from some amazing friends, on his birthday, popped the question. His group of friends were holding a “surprise” birthday party for him at the Park, she was his transportation to the park where his friends were waiting. Little did she know, when he ran across the park for a “bathroom break” he was running ahead of her to the already decorated pavilion where the proposal would all go down.

Family and friends waited eagerly nearby for a celebration after the big question, and hopeful YES answer. The day was beautiful, the timing was just right, and with everyone pulling together it was a pretty cool proposal. Take a look at their video!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vintage Wedding At Barbwire & Lace, Trent + Teirza

Vintage Wedding At Barbwire & Lace, Trent + Teirza

, , , , , , , , , , , , 0

Trent and Teirza were so awesome! When I film a wedding, I am there to do everything in my power to make sure everything does smoothly. Not just with what I am responsible for, but if the DJ forgets a cord and I have one, I am always willing to lend a hand.

Shortly before the Ceremony, they had each written a letter to the other, each of which was read in the privacy of their dressing rooms. Having known nothing of Trent prior to this moment, it was clear as he read his letter that there was something special about him. As a single solitary tear rolled down his cheek, there was no doubt in my mind that this guy had something that Teirza would cherish. It takes a lot for a guy to be emotional, and he had it.

They were surrounded by family and friends as they married their best friend under a beautiful pergola, in what appeared to be the streets of the wild west. The old fashioned theme wedding was nothing short of amazing. Family and friends mingled and had fun with lawn games, there was no shortage of entertainment, and the dance floor lit up as soon as the DJ dropped the first beat. As they closed up the night, the street was lined with sparklers as well wishers ushered them onto the next chapter of their lives, as they begin married life together.

Below are a few images we quickly edited so they’d have something to share with family and friends, hope you enjoy!

 

 

The 17 Hottest Wedding Trends according to Bridal Guide

1. Vintage glamour (with a twist). Picture an industrial warehouse decked out with ornate, over-the-top centerpieces and set aglow with strands of twinkling lights and candles. You get the picture: a whimsical mash-up of old and new.

2. Encore metallics. Brides continue to embrace copper, rose gold, and pewter because they’re so versatile, says Sara Fried, of Fete Nashville. Not only do they work with other colors for a look that’s at once relaxed and fun, they are ideal tones for a black-tie evening. Pro tip: “Use shine strategically,” says Sarah Chancey, founder of Chancey Charm Weddings, in Atlanta and 11 other cities. “Metallic linens on every table is too much: better to save the shine for the head and display tables.”

3. Neutral territory. From charcoal to blue-greys, or grey-browns, “This color palette is perfect for the bride who wants to achieve a classic, sophisticated feel that won’t seem dated or look too trendy in years to come,” says Michelle Cousins, the planning guru behind Michelle Leo Events in Utah.

4. Surprise settings. Today’s couples want a wedding that will blow their guests away, and one of the key elements to an unforgettable event is the choice of venue. “Any place with a large plot of land or a distinct building — or both — will allow couples to really personalize their wedding and help them tell their unique story,” says Amy Cagginello, founder of Amy Champagne Events in Connecticut.

5. Swoon-worthy blooms. Peonies, garden roses, ranunculus, dahlias and other “soft-petal” blooms are the top-requested flowers from coast to coast — and for good reason. “They epitomize romance,” says Zoe Gallina, creative director of Botanica international Floral Design in Florida. Peonies, in particular are in high demand, with one planner noting that some brides will time their weddings to take place when peonies are in peak season. Loose rose petals, used as a “garland” or runner atop tables or scattered among floating candles, are another trend that’s coming on strong.

6. Sophisticated whimsy. At the other end of the trend spectrum, gallina says flowering plants like king- and pink-ice protea, along with assorted bold tropical blooms and small potted plants, lend a dose of stateliness for brides who want arrangements that feel natural and organic — yet elegant.

7. Paper form follows fashion. “Wedding invitation styles often mimic what’s happening in fashion and home decor,” says Jill Ryder of Shindig Bespoke, a custom design studio based in new York City and Philadelphia. For 2017 that means mixing two patterns, like stripes and florals, on the backs of cards or on envelope liners, as well as textured paper.

8. Handcrafted. “Hand calligraphy is such a strong trend that it’s not uncommon for brides and grooms to learn how to do it themselves,” says Chancey. Fortunately for those with a less steady hand, sites like minted and Wedding Paper Divas feature a wide range of invitation suites that look hand-calligraphed.

9. Local specialties. With more couples infusing pride of location in their hometown celebrations, local flavors are taking the spotlight. For example, in Utah, buffalo is often featured as both a main course and as an appetizer, says Cousins. In Vermont, maple flavoring can make several appearances in the menu. Gulf shrimp is on display in various parts of the South, and so on. (The trend carries over to drinks.) “It’s an extension of the farm-to-table trend that popped up a few years ago,” says Chancey, “but even more fun for the guests.”

10. Paired up. Wine-and-cheese pairings have become a familiar site at cocktail receptions, but the idea of matching different foods with different drinks is being carried over to other types of beverages and appetizers, says Hall. “It elevates the guest experience by keeping folks active and engaged,” she says. Some duets to consider: wine and pasta, cake and craft beer, margaritas and guacamole, or for a wedding brunch, try mimosas and pastries.

11. What’s old is new again. Bartenders and mixologists are moving away from the very sweet and/or colorful pours in favor of old-time classics, including the moscow mule, a Pimm’s Cup, and the sidecar.

12. Sugar high. Tall cakes that look as if they leapt off the pages of your mother’s wedding album are suddenly in vogue. “After the last few years of pies, cake pops, doughnuts, and cupcakes, there’s been a strong shift back to tiered wedding cakes,” says Bosse. “There’s something nostalgic to people about wedding cake.” As for the height aspect of the trend, she says tall cakes lend visual interest to a dessert table and allow for some very creative artistry — anything from hand painting to jeweled accents.

13. Sweet satisfaction. S’mores stations and candy bars have been around for a few years, but one new dessert trend is to forgo a formal dessert course and instead serve guests passed desserts and/or set up several grazing dessert stations so guests can mingle and sample, “just like cocktail hour,” says Cagginello. “It keeps the energy going.”

14. Snap and chat. Sara Fried says her clients are loving the newest takes on the traditional photo booth. “There’s the slo-mo booth, the animated GIF booth, the flip-book booth and others,” she says. “All are amazing ways to keep guests fully entertained.” Most booths will text the content directly to smartphones, so your friends can share immediately on social media — and you get copies of everything at the end of the night.

15. Cut and share. Instagram video edits are an increasingly popular package option from videographers, says Lisa Ashley, owner and curator of the Wedding Artists Collective, a specialty group of wedding photographers and videographers. These 60- to 90-second films “have the look and feel of a cinematic trailer and are wonderful representations of the day,” she says.

16. Reaching new heights. Couples can’t get enough of the unique perspectives offered by drone technology for both videos and aerial stills, and pros are following suit, offering packages that include drone footage as an add-on option. Poised for take-off: professional-quality, user-friendly drones for non-pros (and perhaps a wedding guest), such as EHang Ghostdrone 2.0, which is controlled by your smartphone via the EHang Play mobile app.

17. Setting a mood. Lounge areas have been an important decor element at wedding cocktail hours for years, but as after-parties come into fashion wedding pros find themselves setting up more lounge-style seating vignettes closer to the dance floor. “We’ll also change the lighting so the room or tent has more of a club feel,” says Cousins.

 

 

vietnamese tea ceremony wedding salt lake city utah

Leang + Ben Wedding Salt Lake City Utah

, , , , , , , , , , 0

It’s so interesting to me how differently people are being brought together nowadays. Leang & Ben met online, on Facebook of all places. He sent her a friend request, and rightfully so, she was a bit reluctant to accept his request. After a short *coughs* 4 months, she finally accepted, based on a single mutual friend. Fast forward 6 years later, May 20th 2017 they finally tied the knot!

Their traditional Vietnamese Tea Ceremony brought both sides together with a dash of humor, and a lot of Asian hospitality. I have always loved experiencing different cultures wedding traditions as they are so different from American wedding traditions.

 

In the process of shooting video for their wedding, I managed to shoot a few still shots, here are a few of my favorites. Don’t forget to subscribe for all future blog posts if you want to see their video as it unfolds!

 

 

Vietnamese traditional weddings.

While traditional clothes of Vietnam have always been very diverse depending on the era and occasion, after the Nguyễn Dynasty women began to wear elaborate Áo dài for their weddings. These dresses were modeled after the Áo mệnh phụ (royal Áo dài) of Nguyễn Dynasty court ladies. The style of the Nguyễn Dynasty has remained popular and is still used in current-day Vietnamese wedding attire. The difference between the Áo mệnh phụ and the typical Áo dài is the elaborateness of its design. The former is usually embroidered with imperial symbols such as the phoenix and includes an extravagant outer cloak. This gown is preferably in red or pink, and the bride usually wears a khăn đóng headdress. The groom wears a simpler male equivalent of the dress, often in the color blue.

Previous to the Nguyễn Dynasty, it is likely that women simply wore fancy, elaborate versions of Áo tứ thân.

Engagement

An engagement ceremony usually occurs half a year or so before the wedding. In the past, most marriages were arranged by the parents or extended family, and while children were sometimes consulted, it was nearly always the parents’ final decision. It was not unusual for the bride and groom to meet for the first time at the day of their engagement. However, in the last few decades, Vietnamese women and men marry based on love rather than arranged marriages.

The wedding

Preparation for the traditional Vietnamese wedding begins with choosing a date and time for the marriage ceremony. This is decided by a Buddhist monk, Spiritual leader, or fortune teller due to the spiritual nature of the occasion. This tradition may change if the family is Catholic.

The wedding consists of an extensive set of ceremonies: asking permission to receive the bride, receiving the bride at her house, and bringing the bride to the groom’s house. Both Vietnamese and oversea-Vietnamese who desire to have a hybrid traditional Vietnamese and Western-style wedding will often incorporate the last two ceremonies with the Western-style wedding.

At the end of the ceremonies, there is a wedding reception for the two families and guests.

 

 

Teaser Tuesday, Meet Tagoui & Brent

, , , , , , , , 0

Tagoihi & Brent’s story is nothing short of awe inspiring. They’d grown up all their lives just blocks from one another, shopped at the same stores and surely crossed paths many times along the way. Although they should have gone to the same High School, Brent opted to go elsewhere. But, after school he’d go visit his father who then worked at Granite High School, where Tagoihi went. Years passed and their lives went on, working in the same hospital, yet never riding the same elevator together. Tagoihi’s prayers were answered when Brent created a profile on Match.com. They met, dated, and fell in love. Brent wanted nothing more than to have his father meet his wife, but with his passing in 2009 that was simply not a possibility.

While reminiscing about their childhoods and how their lives must had crossed so many times, the pain of Brent not being able to have his Bride meet his father ate away at him. That was until one day, discussed Brent’s after school rituals of visiting Granite High School to visit his dad. Little did the both know, Tagoihi had actually met Brent’s father years earlier and they were great friends. Although on their wedding day, Brent’s dad may have not been there in person, but without a doubt, he was there in spirit. No doubt was there a heavenly influence acting in their lives all of these years, waiting for the perfect time for the two to finally meet and live happily ever after.

I am honored to introduce their Teaser Video! More to come, stay tuned!

wedding video teaser ryan hender films

Teaser Tuesday, Shannon + Will @ Memory Grove Salt Lake City, Utah

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0

Shannon met out of chance, and traveled the globe in search for adventure. Having known each other since elementary school, they had known each other almost all of their lives. From the moment Will met Shannon, he was smitten. He told her early on that he would marry her one day, and like Will does, he honored that promise. The adventures they started so many years ago, has blossomed into something out of a fairy tale, or even National Geographic. I am honored to introduce the official Teaser for Shannon and Will. The teaser is just a precursor of what is to come, stay tuned!

SHANNON + WILL TEASER