Thanks — A Lot

BRIDAL SHOWER THANK-YOU NOTES BY Polka Dots and Daisies (www.polkadotsanddaisies.com)

WEDDING THANK-YOU NOTES BY Ann Elizabeth Invitations (www.annelizabeth.com)

SAGE ADVICE Thank-you notes!

There's one trend that will never go out of style — the art of the thank-you card. Kindly and promptly send thank-you notes to your guests (of both the bridal shower and wedding reception variety). It's a classy move, it is. 

And while you're at it, send thank-you notes (or even flowers!) to both sets of parents the day after the wedding. They've worked so hard to make your wedding dream a reality, and they deserve to be showered with a little praise.

Men In Black

PHOTO BY Sweet Memory Garden (www.sweetmemorygarden.com)

WHAT TO LOVE It's raining (grooms)men!

WHAT TO LEARN Too often, the groom and his manly men don't get the photo love they deserve. Give your men some of the lights, camera, action. 

Get Crowded

DEARLY BELOVED DETAIL The crowd!

Capturing those group shots may not happen in a snap — but they're worth every extra minute they take. Trust us — you won't be able to get enough of these charming faces as you flip through your album in years to come.

BRIDE & GROOM Ashleigh and David

PHOTO BY Dan Hixson Photography (www.danhixsonphotography.com)

BRIDE & GROOM Jenni and Ronnie

PHOTO BY Lindsay Jane Photography (www.lindsayjanestudios.com)

Cowboy Take Me Away

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Lindsay Jane Studios (www.lindsayjanestudios.com)

BRIDE AND GROOM Holly Culverwell and Michael Murphy HOMETOWN Herriman BRIDE’S OCCUPATION Medical Claims Adjuster at Farmers Insurance GROOM’S OCCUPATION Service Manager at Petersen Marine WEDDING LOCATION Wadley Farm in Lindon HOW YOU MET We rode the school bus together since elementary school. To tell you how much we liked each other … he threw a battery at me on the bus in fifth grade. FIRST DATE He turned me down when I asked him to senior dinner dance in high school, so we didn’t go on a date until the summer of 2004. He took me to a rodeo. DATED FOR Five years ENGAGED FOR Four months THEME Rustic/Western FIRST DANCE We practiced before the wedding, so it went pretty well. It was, however, my first dance with my dad. He chose the song “My Little Girl” by Tim McGraw — good choice, Dad. FAVORITE MOMENT Right after the ceremony I had my DJ crank up the song “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz. I was relieved and excited at the same time. UNEXPECTED MOMENT About three minutes before the ceremony, the zipper on my dress broke. It’s pretty funny ... now. SIGNATURE DETAIL I decorated with pinecones. HONEYMOON Road Trip to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone Park

Cruise Control

PHOTO BY Bryant Livingston Photography (www.blphoto.com)

SAGE ADVICE Whatever you do, hide your car from your plotting compadres (and from the looks of things, maybe even hide yourself!).

As fun as it is to have your getaway car, ahem, decorated, save yourself a honeymoon trip to the car wash by keeping it undercover. 

You might even try planting a decoy car — now there's a fun twist of events.

All Dressed Up

BRIDE Colleen

PHOTO BY Jon Woodbury Photography (www.jonwoodbury.com)

DRESS BY The Balcon (www.thebalcon.com)

One of our featured brides, Colleen, relied on glorious glamor for her Provo wedding. Her groom donned a camera-loving top hat and coattails, and she had her dress made by designer Emily Nelson, who specializes in modest couture and is the owner of The Balcon in New York City.

For more on Colleen's wedding and courtship, click here and head to page 46-47.

Close Call

BRIDE & GROOM Jenna and Jake
PHOTO BY Kenneth Linge (www.kennethlinge.com)

WHAT TO LOVE The pure joy on their faces gets us all verklempt (we really are just a bunch of softies). And the black and white feels classic — not overdone.

WHAT TO LEARN You can't get enough close-ups! The stunning emotion just can't be beat when you invite the camera into your closest, most beautiful moments.  

Details ... Check!

Are you a bride that loves a good check mark? Do you write down to-do items you've already done just so you can cross them off? 

Oh wait, that's just us? 

Well, either way, this article is a must-have for every bride. In our 2010 issue, we published an all-inclusive checklist for you and your honey. From invitations to photos to teeth whitening, we've got your wedding planning covered.

So click here and select the "checklist" tab on your bottom left — your to-dos are waiting!

Care To Dance

PHOTO BY Jessie Alexis Photography (www.jessiealexisphotography.com)

THE GROOM'S EXPRESSION The cutest.

SAGE ADVICE Dance the night away

If your venue can swing it and your heart desires it, take to the dance floor. Dancing with your hubby and your dad — in front of your nearest and dearest — will be moments for the memory books.

On The Streets Where You Live

HAPPY COUPLE Haley and Graden

PHOTO BY Photography by McKenzie (www.photographybymckenzie.com)

WHAT TO LOVE This swoon-worthy photo (taken on the streets of Park City) is a staff favorite. From the playful angle to the sweet smooch to her glorious bright pumps (more yellow, red and orange, please), we get swept up in the romance of it all (much like Haley's love-popping leg).

WHAT TO LEARN We live in a gorgeous, gorgeous place. Find engaging moments by exploring our photo shoot playground to the fullest.

Blushing Bride

PHOTO BY Dan Hixson Photography (www.danhixsonphotography.com)

DEARLY BELOVED DETAIL Kiss and makeup

No question — you want to look like yourself on your wedding day. But a little extra glam from an expert makeup artist will have you (and your pictures!) looking oh-so-sharp and fabulously fresh.

"Some brides get put off by it, but you need to wear more makeup than normal — your pictures will turn out so much better," says Darcy Moody, owner of Suggestions Salon in Orem. "You won't regret wearing enough makeup."

Don't Rain On Your Parade

PHOTO BY Annalisa Photography (www.annalisaphotography.net)

SAGE ADVICE Weather be darned! Rise and shine on your wedding day.

When your wedding day weather is questionable, answer it with a resounding "no worries." Rain and snow will only put a damper on your wedding day if you let them. 

And besides, umbrella pictures? Please and thank you.

The Big Picture

PHOTO BY Studio Lush Photography (www.studiolush.com)

OBSESSION Those eyes! We know, right? 

When it comes to your wedding, photography is the MVP. And this is no cliche.

It captures EVERY detail for you to ooh and coo at for years to come — which means it's one area you don't want to rush or skimp.

In case you missed it in the 2010 issue of Utah Valley Bride, click here and select the "Photography" tab on the bottom left to learn 12 ways to click with your photographer.

A Match Maid in Heaven

SAGE ADVICE Calling all bridesmaids!

Too many weddings are letting bridesmaids fall by the wayside. But if you can swing it, grab your best girlfriends and have yourself a party. Not only will you be surrounded by your friends' smiling (and oh so helpful) faces on the big day, your pictures will be punctuated with gorgeous gals in fabulous frocks. 

BRIDE Cassidy

PHOTO BY Kenneth Linge (www.kennethlinge.com)

 BRIDE Tamara

PHOTO BY Photography by McKenzie (www.photographybymckenzie.com)

BRIDE Karissa

PHOTO BY Lindsay Jane Photography (www.lindsayjanephotography.com)

Meet Kenneth

PHOTO OF Kenneth Linge

PHOTO BY Henk Van Kooten (www.henkvankooten.com)

MUST MEET
Kenneth Linge, Instudio by Kenneth Linge (www.instudiophoto.com)

MUST FOLLOW
His Web site
His Blog
His Facebook

You've heard of Kenneth Linge, right? Please tell us you have. This photo mastermind is a local gem who photographs everything from weddings to families to commercial photography. You name it, Kenneth has gloriously captured it.

Plus, he spends much of his time giving back to the photography community through INTSOP — the International School of Photography — where he teaches tricks of the trade all around the globe.

We here at Utah Valley Bride are thrilled to know and regularly work with Kenneth and his superbly talented wife/partner extraordinaire, MaryLyn. Especially since that means we get photo shoots like these to grace our glossy pages:

See the magazine online here.

So what are you waiting for? Go forth and meet.

How Sweet It Is

BRIDE & GROOM Caitlyn and Clayton

PHOTO BY Ashlee Elizabeth Photography (www.ashleeelizabethphoto.com)

SIDENOTE How much do you love saying the bride and groom's names together? We've been sing-songing them all morning.

WHAT TO LOVE Caitlyn is barefoot, relaxed and completely in love. Don't you just adore her smitten little smile?

WHAT TO LEARN Not every pose needs to be formal and fancy. Sweet moments like these are just as essential.

Badgley Mischka Trunk Show

 DRESS BY Badgley Mischka (www.badgleymischka.com)

PHOTO COURTESY OF Avenia Bridal (www.aveniabridal.com)

The divine Avenia Bridal is hosting a Badgley Mischka Trunk Show next weekend on March 12-13! Call for an appointment and gain access to the famously fabulous dressmaker's new collection (type that five times fast). 

What's more, Badgley Mischka's lovely gowns can be altered to add shoulders and sleeves if desired. There's a gown for every bride, indeed.

Happy trunking!

EVENT DETAILS

What Badgley Mischka Trunk Show

Where Avenia Bridal; 708 N. 1890 West, Provo

When March 12-13, 2010

Time Call to schedule an appointment.

More Info Call (801) 373-0194 or visit www.aveniabridal.com.

Dare to be Different

 BRIDE Hannah

PHOTOS BY Magnifique Photography (www.magnifiquephotography.com)

BOUQUET BY Princess Lasertron (www.princesslasertron.com)

SAGE ADVICE Ignore the rules!

One of our favorite featured brides in this year's Utah Valley Bride is Hannah Goodrich, who threw an "Alice in Wonderland" themed wedding. (Yes, you read that right, dear readers.) And from her fabulously felt fabric bouquet to her stripe stocking legs, we're just smitten with her bold (and gorgeously memorable) affair. 

For more on Hannah and theme weddings, click here.

Flower Power

The 2010 issue of Utah Valley Bride has been out for three months, and we're still sweet on the eye (and nose!) candy we featured in the flower article.

If you need a refresher, click here and head to the "Flowers" tab on the bottom left. 

To give you a taste, here's just a sample of bouquets that will have your hands clapping with delight. 

That broach? Consider our feet swept.

BOUQUET BY Blossom Sweet (www.blossomsweet.com)

These vibrant colors make us smile — and swoon.

BOUQUET BY Orem Floral (www.oremfloral.com)

Artichokes in a bouquet? Yes, please.

BOUQUET BY All Occasion Floral (www.alloccasionfloraldesign.com)

Pretty in pink, indeed.

BOUQUET BY Garden Path (www.oremgardenpath.com)

Cheers

BRIDE & GROOM Courtney & Hyrum

PHOTO BY Photography by McKenzie (www.photographybymckenzie.com)

DEARLY BELOVED DETAIL Big tiny touches

Details don't have to be costly. Just look at Hyrum and Courtney's sweet (but not sugary) send-off. With a perfectly penned "Just Married" and cans of Diet Coke trailing from their getaway bike, the creative couple left a lasting impression with little to no expense. 

Love it.