Something Blue

Oh, hello Tiffany & Co. 


Utah Valley Bride would like to officially welcome you and your gorgeous 3,500-square-foot self to Utah. (Specifically, the new City Creek Center in the SLC.) Just the thought of your little blue boxes has us all verklempt. 


Ladies and gents, the iconic jewelry center opens Thursday, March 22. (As if you so didn't already know that.)

Pinterest Interest

We're on Pinterest, folks! And it's a beautiful, beautiful thing.


Want to crush along with us? Follow us here. 

Got You Cover-ed

We love you, 2012.


And you know why? Because it means the brand new issue of Utah Valley Bride is out.


All together now: Squee! 


Its 156 glorious glossy pages are overflowing with local love, pictures galore, local vendors and ideas that will make your heart spin.  


Here's a peek at the four covers that will be distributed throughout the year. The Winter issue (photographed by the oh-so-lovely Jessie Alexis Photography) is on newsstands now. 


Now get a-planning! 

WINTER 2012 (On newsstands now!)

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

SPRING 2012

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Rebekah Westover Photography (www.rebekahwestover.com)

SUMMER 2012

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Tamara Elise Photography (www.tamaraelisephotography.com)

 FALL 2012

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Alixann Loosle Photography (www.alixannlooslephotography.com)

Wedding Wonderland (aka Alta Moda Sample Sale Alert!)

It's a marry season, indeed.


It's time for Alta Moda Bridal's Annual Sample Sale! You know, the day when 50-plus covetable couture gowns go on sale at 50 to 85 percent off.


Yep. That day. Just the thought of it makes us giddy.  


Brides — you cannot miss this event. Did you hear that? You. Cannot. Miss. This. Event.


And because we're givers, here are the divine details ...


WHEN Saturday, Dec. 10
TIME 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
HOW First-come, first served (no appointments)
DETAILS 
- No holds and all sales final
- Gowns sold as-is
- Most gowns suited for street sizes 4-12
- For those brides with modest needs, there will be dozens of gowns that can accommodate temple-ready options
- Space is limited; only one or two key decision-makers per bride


For more information (and to check out pictures from last year's event), check out Alta Moda Bridal's blog post here.


Marry shopping!

Going Strong (Contest Alert!)

JUST DREAMY

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

There's no need to pinch you. Because this is so totally real.


The good folks over at the Utah Commission on Marriage are hosting a StrongerMarriage.org DREAM WEDDING CONTEST. 


The contest will follow one Utah couple through the most important steps of marriage preparation and education, and then reward them with a dream wedding. 


Umm, OK!


To enter, couples can logon to www.facebook.com/strongermarriage, upload a photo and explain why they deserve to win a dream wedding. The deadline to enter is SUNDAY, OCT. 9, so get your engaged little selves to Facebook pronto. 


Commission board members will select five finalists to be announced on FOX13's Good Day Utah on Oct. 14, after which fans and viewers will be invited to vote for the winning couple on the Stronger Marriage Facebook page. 


What are you waiting for? Make this dream your reality!


To learn more, click here. 

It's Our Party ...

... and you can advertise if you want to.

The time is fast approaching to say "I do" to the 2012 Utah Valley Bride! Don't miss your chance to reach thousands upon thousands of local brides who are engaged to the wedding planning process. 

They don't call us the local wedding bible for nothin'.

E-mail this address and we'll put you in contact with one of our fun ad reps. Until then, enjoy this lovely parting shot from Meredith Carlson Photography.

PHOTO BY Mereditah Carlson Photography (www.merephoto.com)

Oh, Snap!

FREE wedding day photography?


I to the do!


Check out the details of this ah-mazing opportunity from the always lovely Photography by McKenzie. 


(Click to enlarge.)

The Mary-ing Kind

BIG Congratulations to Mary Crafts, who got married today in Utah Valley.


The wedding queen of our town — whose company Culinary Crafts makes your weddings deliciously divine — is a dear friend to Utah Valley Bride and an inspiration to everyone she meets. 


We love you, Mary! Happy Wedding.

PHOTO BY Kenneth Linge (www.kennethlinge.com)

Our lovely editor, Jeanette Bennett, is pictured here with the divine Ms. M (make that Mrs. M!). This was back in 2003 when Mary graced the cover of our sister publication, Utah Valley BusinessQ. Jeanette will be attending the reception tonight, and the Utah Valley Bride staff CAN. NOT. WAIT to find out what the culinary queen serves at her own wedding! Oh, and her dress. We always want to know about the dress, right ladies?

Oh They Say When You Marry In June ...

Since June is almost over (it's shocking to us, too), we had to give a shout-out to all of our June brides.


So enjoy this charming clip from "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers," and remember — when you marry in June, you will always be a bride.

Happy Campers

Happy Friday!


And to celebrate, does this picture make you as happy as it does us? We thought so. 


So gleeful. So simple. So love. 

PHOTO BY Rebekah Westover Photography (www.rebekahwestover.com)

Friday Fun

Happy Friday, bridal blog land!


Here's hoping your weekend is as carefree and adorable as this cute local bride, Jennifer. 


(And yes, weekends can totally be adorable.)

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

A Little Love

Don't have enough space in your purse for the 2011 Utah Valley Bride? 


Then check out its travel-size partner, the Bride Digest, found in the March/April issue of sister publication Utah Valley Magazine. 


(But in all seriousness, you should really have a purse big enough for your 2011 Utah Valley Bride, mmmkay?)


This delightful digest has quick tips, little treasures and vivacious vendors you'll want to get engaged to — and fast. 


This is Utah Valley, after all. :)


You can pick up a copy of the March/April issue at Barnes & Noble in Orem, Borders in Provo, local grocery stores or at our office in Orem (424 W. 800 North, Ste. 201).


Happy traveling!

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

Avenia Bridal Has Moved!

One of our most favorite wedding gown havens, Avenia Bridal, has moved to a new location in Orem. We here at Utah Valley Bride are so happy for them. LOVE these ladies of Avenia. (Special shout-out to Lisa and Nancy!)

They request the pleasure of your company at the address below, anytime between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Avenia Bridal

228 E. University Parkway, Orem

Pictures of the new digs are to come, but in the meantime, please go visit them. And their dresses. You should definitely visit their dresses. 

FUN FACT: Utah Valley Bride's very own graphic designer, Leah, got her dress at Avenia Bridal. Aren't they pretty?

Virtual Vows

Oh, the beautiful Web we weave.

www.utahvalleybridemagazine.com

That's right! The 2011 magazine is officially online, which means you have some scrolling to do. Take a walk down our virtual aisles, and even flip through the magazine in a way that just ... clicks.

So go ahead. Get hitched to us.

Our homepage .... Utah Valley Bride.

Our magazine .... virtually speaking.

Always A Bridesmaid

Now, this is what you call pretty maids all lined up in a row.

Lily & Iris, a new boutique for bridesmaids and moms, has made its way to Utah — and wedding parties will never be the same. 

Opening JANUARY 4, this charming store in downtown Salt Lake (brought to you by the equally charming folks at Alta Moda Bridal) will have the most important women in your life dressed to the divine on your wedding day. We're talking designers like Cynthia Rowley, Amsale, Lela Rose, Ivy & Aster, Watters, Lynn Lugo, Dessy, Fancy, Sarah Danielle and Anna Elyse.

Oh, and did we mention there are grand opening promotions? Because there are so grand opening promotions.

For the first 25 brides to visit on Jan. 4 ...

Buy five gowns, receive the sixth gown FREE. Receive a sixth gown of equal or lesser value for free when you purchase five gowns at full price. Buy gowns for your five bridesmaids, or get a party dress for yourself! Or get the value of your most inexpensive dress toward a reception gown for yourself. The options are endless!

For anyone shopping in January ...

Receive 10 percent off your entire order if you place your order during the month of January (Jan. 4 - Jan. 31).

Utah Valley Bride is counting down the days to Jan. 4. Are you?

Fancy

Ivy & Aster

Lela Rose

Sarah Danielle

Marry Christmas

Now, this is a gift.

The 2011 Utah Valley Bride sauntered (yes, sauntered) into our offices this week — and we can hardly contain our glee. After months of gloriously gorgeous hard work, our 164 glossy pages request the pleasure of your perusal.

Below you'll find a glimpse at our four covers for the year — one for each dearly beloved season. (You'll find the Winter issue on newsstands after you've given your honey a New Year's kiss.)

So be of good cheer, engaged ones. It's here.

SPRING 2011

PHOTOGRAPHER Rebekah Westover Photography (www.rebekahwestover.com)

COVER COUPLE Rachel Skalla and Drew Parcell, Provo

SUMMER 2011

PHOTOGRAPHER Photography by McKenzie (www.photographybymckenzie.com)

 COVER GIRL Julie Price, Highland

FALL 2011

PHOTOGRAPHER Dan Hixson Photography (www.danhixsonphotography.com)

COVER COUPLE Amanda Gedicks and Blake Moore, Orem

WINTER 2011

PHOTOGRAPHER Nichole V. Photography (www.nicholev.com)

COVER GIRL Sarina Thomas, Provo

Here's The Deal

It's the most wonderful time of year, indeed.

Alta Moda Bridal is hosting its annual sample sale — a gorgeous gathering where gals and gowns "meet cute." It's THIS Saturday, Dec. 11.

You. Can. Not. Miss. This. Event. 

Like, for real. 

At last year's gathering, the Alta Moda staff arrived to a couple dozen brides anxiously lining up outside their wintry doors. And that fact alone warms our wedding-loving hearts. 

The deets ...

WHAT Alta Moda Bridal Annual Sample Sale

WHERE Alta Moda Bridal, 637 E. 500 South, Salt Lake City

TIME 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

FYIs 

* You’ll find more than 50 couture wedding dresses marked down 50 – 85 percent. Gowns start as low as $400, with many under $1000.

* There will be dresses from all of your favorite designers: Vera Wang, Melissa Sweet, Monique Lhuillier, Augusta Jones … and the list goes on.

* Gowns are sold as-is. 

* No appointments (first come, first served).

* No holds, all sales are final. Come ready to buy (and swoon). 

* Most gowns are suited for street sizes 4-12. 

* Space is limited — bring only one or two key decision makers. 

Miss Us?

What's that you say? You miss us desperately? You were spoiled by the daily sneaky-peeky posts and want us back on your Google Reader?

It's hard to blame you. :)

The problem is we're sorting through photo after photo of reckless gorgeousness. I mean, who has time to blog when you're looking at pictures like the one below from Rebekah Westover Photography?

But rest assured. We are still here. We're still working on the 2011 issue that will grace your manicured fingertips come January. And we're still going to blog said reckless gorgeousness 'til your wedding do us part. (Though if you still want to read our pretty posts after your nuptials, we, like, totally understand.)

In any case. Be patient with us, and stay tuned. 

We're just getting started. 

PHOTO BY Rebekah Westover Photography (www.rebekahwestover.com)

It's Our Party ...

... and you can advertise if you want to.

The time is fast approaching to say "I do" to the 2011 Utah Valley Bride! Don't miss your chance to reach thousands upon thousands of local brides who are engaged to the wedding planning process. 

They don't call us the local wedding bible for nothin'.

E-mail this address and we'll put you in contact with one of our fun ad reps.

Until then, make yourself merry with this parting shot — courtesy Oakstream Photography.

WILL YOU ... ADVERTISE WITH US?

PHOTO BY Oakstream Photography (www.oakstreamphotography.com)

SIDENOTE How is it that Oakstream Photography's engagement sessions never get old? Sigh.

Did You Know ...

... the 2009 edition of Utah Valley Bride was voted the No. 1 magazine in Utah by the Society of Professional Journalists?

Well, it so was. 

We don't mean to toot our own horn, but we just can't help ourselves. :)

Thanks, SPJ! Means a lot.