Wedding Inspiration Category


wedding venues Utah

Wedding Venues Near You That Won’t Break Your Budget

Best Wedding Venues Near

Tying the knot with your loved one is a once in a lifetime event; hence, you want it to be perfect. However, all soon-to-wed couples are working on a budget and are surely looking for ways on how to cut down their wedding cost. The wedding venue takes up a big portion of the wedding budget. But did you know that there are a lot of venue options that are affordable and will suit your budget? Here are some ideas on wedding venues near you that won’t break your budget:

The courthouse

If you have a very limited budget and also working on a tight timeline, having your wedding at a courthouse is one of the best options for you. Aside from its convenience when it comes to preparation, civil weddings are affordable as it only usually costs a small fee depending on your city. Also, courthouses allow a limited number of guests only so it will significantly cut down the costs of other wedding happenings on that day. 

Vacation home

Hosting your wedding at home is definitely a great way to cut down on wedding costs. But if your home isn’t big enough to accommodate a large number of guests, you can explore renting a vacation home. A vacation home offers privacy and enough space for a wedding party while also doubling as a place to spend the night after a festive yet tiring day.

You can find a lot of options that will suit your preferred style, location, and budget in various websites like Airbnb. Prices vary depending on the size, location, and time of the year you will book the place. However, it is still a cheaper option instead of renting out a hotel’s function room. Make sure to inquire if they allow parties as some vacation rentals do not allow event functions.

Local park or garden

Having your wedding ceremony in your local park or garden will provide you with a picturesque wedding for only a minimal cost. Since you already have the beautiful nature as your backdrop, you only need to add a few decorations to align it with your theme and achieve the look of your dream wedding. Your local authority might just ask for a small fee for the usage of these public spaces. They might also ask you to acquire a wedding permit and insurance. 

Aside from being an affordable option, it provides a lot of space which can accommodate a large number of guests. But since this is an outdoor venue, make sure to consider and monitor the weather condition on your wedding date and prepare a contingency plan.

Historic site

If you are a couple who loves going on history tours or exploring art museums, why don’t you have your wedding at a library or a museum. These historic sites will provide a unique and memorable backdrop to your wedding. This option is not popular among soon-to-wed couples so you have a higher chance of getting a great deal and renting these venues for a cheaper price.

With libraries or museums, you get to save money on your wedding venue while also reminiscing your memories in that library or museum.

Backyard

For wedding venues that won’t break your budget, look no further. Why not consider hosting your wedding in your own backyard? You wouldn’t need to pay for a rental fee and you have the freedom on how you want to set-up the venue. Just make sure to acquire necessary permits and inform your neighbors beforehand. You will be having a party and people will be coming over; hence, there will be noise and a lot of cars will be parked along your street.

Choosing the right venue for your wedding can be a challenge especially if you are working with a limited budget. Wherever your wedding venue may be, always keep in mind that what will make it truly remarkable are the special moments during your big day – the vows that you will make to seal your love to one another.

Trending Destination Wedding Locations for 2021 and 2022

Trending Destination Wedding Locations for 2022 and 2023

Trending Destination Wedding Locations

Having a destination wedding is the dream for some couples especially those who love traveling and going on adventures. But with a lot of options of beautiful destinations, it can be difficult to choose the best location for your destination wedding. To help you out, we’ve narrowed down the options and listed down the trending destination wedding locations for 2020 and 2021.

IcelandWedding

Iceland has become a go-to location for destination weddings. With its gorgeous lakes, beautiful hills, and scenic views, it has always been a travel favorite so it’s no surprise that it’s becoming one of the places that couples prefer to get married in. The only downside is that having a destination wedding in Iceland can be a bit pricey but if you have some money to spare and you want to go all-out for your wedding, getting married in Iceland can be a one-of-a-kind experience. You and your guests will surely enjoy the views that this country has to offer.

Negril, Jamaica — the new BahamasTrending Wedding Locations

Negril, Jamaica is the new Bahamas. Both places are known for their long stretches of sandy beaches and turquoise-shaded waters. But if you want a more intimate and private wedding, Negril is a perfect location for small weddings. Its secluded resorts provide a romantic and unique atmosphere that most couples look for in a destination wedding. Also, in Negril, you get to experience authentic Jamaican culture and its infamous cuisine.

ThailandTrending Destination Wedding

Thailand is definitely the place to be if you want a destination wedding that can also double as your honeymoon location as it is a country that has a rich and unique culture. It has tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins, and iconic temples that you can visit after your wedding day. With all these places that you can explore, it is best to allot at least a week if you plan on having your destination wedding in Thailand. Phuket is a great location to have your wedding as it is home to several romantic hotels which can make a beautiful backdrop for your ceremony. We recommend having a local who can speak your language to help you coordinate with the logistics so you won’t have a language barrier and avoid miscommunication.

Amalfi Coast, ItalyWedding Locations for 2021 and 2022

If you both love spectacular food and wine, Italy can be the best place for your destination wedding. It would be great to get married at Amalfi Coast because of its spectacular scenery. Its soaring cliffs and the sparkling sea provide a great backdrop for your wedding. No wonder it has become a bucket list destination. If you want to spend your honeymoon here, there are a lot of pastel-colored villages to visit, beautiful beaches to lounge on, and you can even take a vintage Italian sailboat cruise along the coast.

Ibiza, Balearic IslandsTrending Destination Wedding Locations for 2021 and 2022

Ibiza will definitely be enjoyed by you and your guests because of its magical scenery and tranquil vibe. Ibizan traditional architecture is a perfect backdrop for your destination wedding. Its chic rural vibe will give your wedding a unique look that will surely be remembered by you and your guests.

Destination Wedding Locations Within US

If you can’t afford to travel outside the state or just prefer nearer locations, there are still a lot of beautiful location options for your destination wedding:

  1. Have a beautiful beach wedding in Florida
  2. Enjoy the colorful backdrop of the vibrant lights in Las Vegas, Nevada
  3. Achieve your dream greenery wedding with the lush landscape of Livermore, California
  4. Get married with the scenic rocky mountain view in Aspen, Colorado

Before you decide on the location of your destination wedding, ask yourself first: what is the place that is remarkable for both of you? Do you have a dream destination? How about a favorite cuisine? These can help you identify which is your dream location for your destination wedding. Your wedding will be more memorable if it will be in a place that is relevant to both of you. After all, wherever you are, what’s important is that you are together celebrating your love for each other.

Outdoor Wedding ideas on a Budget | Utah Announcements

5 Outdoor Wedding Venue Ideas

Weddings become more remarkable when they have a picturesque backdrop. This is why couples and wedding planners give a lot of effort and attention to the decor and backdrop set-up during the wedding ceremony. A picturesque and beautiful wedding backdrop is easier to achieve with an outdoor wedding venue.

Here are five outdoor wedding venue ideas to help you achieve your picture-perfect wedding:

Beach Wedding

Nothing beats the scenic view that a beach wedding could offer. Take advantage of the beautiful sunset as your backdrop while you are saying “I do” with your greatest love. The relaxing sounds of the waves crashing will make this wedding even more romantic. Add to that the cool breeze of fresh air that your guests will definitely love as they get to take a quick break from the city. 

What’s also great about beach weddings is that they don’t need too many decorations. A simple set-up will suffice as the breathtaking view itself will make any wedding look impressive. You can choose a local beach as your venue or be a little extra and make it a destination wedding by doing your ceremony at your favorite beach far from the city. As a way of saying thanks to your close friends and relatives for coming, you can treat them to an overnight stay so they can enjoy the sunrise at the beach the next morning.

Botanical Garden Wedding

If you want to have a dreamy and romantic wedding, consider having a botanical garden as your wedding venue. Botanical gardens have well-maintained foliage that will complement your floral-themed wedding. You can have almost every decor that you need when you do your wedding in a botanical garden. You just need to provide some additional items to go with your wedding’s color motif.  

Imagine walking down the aisle surrounded by beautiful flowers. What a dreamy and romantic scene, right?

Forest Wedding

For couples who love adventures and nature, a forest wedding is a perfect option. Look for local woods or state parks where you can have your wedding but make sure to acquire the necessary permits that you need for you to be able to use the land. You wouldn’t want your perfect moment to be interrupted by incomplete requirements and documents.

The forest is also a perfect venue for a rustic wedding or a greenery-inspired wedding. You’ll easily have all the natural elements that you need. Complement it with a natural color palette to complete the look of your dream wedding. 

Backyard Wedding

For a budget-friendly outdoor wedding venue, look no further as you can easily have your wedding in your own backyard. Aside from letting you save money since you wouldn’t need to rent out a venue anymore, a backyard wedding is lovely and homey. You can use the extra money to decorate the venue and make it as impressive as you like. Decorate it with string lights to make the atmosphere feel romantic and cozy. 

This is perfect for couples who want to have an intimate wedding and those who plan to invite limited guests. Just make sure to advise your neighbors about it so they wouldn’t be surprised by the noise and the cars that will be coming into your neighborhood. Read more about backyard weddings in this article

Estate Wedding

If you want a beautiful backyard wedding but don’t have enough space to accommodate all the guests that you want to invite, you can consider having an estate wedding. Look for an estate, country home, or manor that you can rent out. With this, you get to choose the perfect setting for the look that you want. 

You can even take advantage of historic houses in your area. It would be a memorable experience to get married in a place with an interesting story. Furthermore, historic houses usually have an eye-catching infrastructure.

 

Outdoor weddings are perfect if you want to have natural elements for your wedding or you do not want to spend too much time decorating a venue. Having your wedding in an outdoor venue is a great way to set the mood and atmosphere easily. In outdoor weddings, you do not need to start from scratch to make the venue look good as the elements in the venue itself will do the job.

5 Easy Ways to Cut Wedding Costs | How To Cut Wedding Costs

5 Ways To Cut Wedding Costs

When you were a kid, you might have already dreamt of your future wedding. You have probably already imagined how you’ll be walking down the aisle. We’re pretty sure you’ve always had a picture in your mind on how you would like your special day to be. You are free to dream big. We all know you deserve the perfect wedding. But when reality hits, you’ll realize that everything should be based on your budget and it should be one of the first things that you need to consider when planning your wedding. 

Fortunately, keeping your wedding costs down doesn’t mean that you also need to downgrade the quality of your wedding. We’re here to provide you with 5 ways to cut wedding costs without compromising the elegance of your big day.

1. Cut down the number of guests.

One of the main things that you can do to keep your wedding budget down is to minimize your guest list. Invite your family and closest friends only. You do not need to invite the barista who became your and your partner’s acquaintance due to your frequent visit to your favorite coffee shop. Your wedding is a special day for you and your partner so you wouldn’t want it to be attended by people whom you barely know.

Always remember that for every additional headcount, that entails an added invitation, meal allocation, extra booze, and many more. Keeping your guests into a minimum will significantly lessen your expenses.

2. Cut the cake early.

You are probably thinking how this will be able to help you cut down your wedding cost. But this hack will save a few hundred bucks. How? It’s simple. Cutting the cake is usually done during the last part of the reception and is also the last major happening in the program. After this, people are usually just enjoying their dessert, drinking, or socializing on the dance floor. 

If you cut the cake at a later time, your photographer and videographer would have to stay longer which means longer hours to pay. If you cut the cake early, they’ll be able to capture this important moment early and leave the reception one to two hours earlier.

3. Skip the wedding favors.

Another thing that significantly affects your wedding cost is the wedding favors. Imagine having to give out a wedding favor to each of your guests. Although you are able to cut down the number of your guests, wedding favors for each of them are still a lot. If you skip this portion, you get to save a lot. Or opt to give out simple and affordable wedding favors that will be useful to your guests.

In most cases, wedding favors are just items that your guests bring home after your party and eventually throw out. Because what will they do with some trinket with your wedding date carved on it? Even if they don’t throw it out, it will probably just collect dust in their cupboard. Most importantly, they went to your wedding for you and not for the goodies.

4. Do it yourself.

This is a basic money-saving tip for almost every occasion. If you can do it yourself, why hire someone else to do it? This will literally save you a lot of money. But it will also require more time and patience. 

You can start with the simple things like the decorations in your reception. Keep in mind that  although you won’t be spending for a supplier, you still need to take into consideration the amount of money that you will need to spend on the things that you need for your projects.

5. Hire local suppliers.

Our last tip will benefit not only you and your partner but also the small business owners in your area. Before you even go far, look around your area. Ask friends and family for recommendations. Find reliable partners within your area or in the location of your wedding. If you hire suppliers within your wedding location, it will lessen your costs for logistics.

By hiring local suppliers instead of well-known wedding vendors, you get to save money as well as support local businesses. 

Not everything is necessary.

We all know that you want to have all the necessary things (or so you think) for your wedding. After all, it just happens once in your life. But when you actually assess and think about it, you’ll realize that not all of these are necessary. When you take your budget into consideration, you will definitely identify which items are really important. Some are just added expenses which, honestly, won’t affect your wedding even if you leave them out.

 

All of these are just material things. What’s essential in your wedding is the fact that you are getting married to the one you love – and that’s what makes it perfect.

How To DIY Wedding Invitations

How To DIY Wedding Invitations

Have you already created your wedding planning checklist? How about your budget? Were you able to allocate a specific budget for each item on your list? Do you find it hard to divide your wedding budget among everything you need for your dream wedding?

Most couples have already become practical when it comes to their wedding preparation. As much as possible, they do not want to spend too much money as they’d rather save it for their future. To lessen their wedding expenses, they opt for do-it-yourself planning. If they can do some things by themselves, they don’t see the need of hiring someone else to do it. This will help them save a few bucks.

One thing that soon-to-wed couples DIY are invitations. Since it is personal and easily customizable, some couples prefer to do it on their own. Here are the things that you need to consider when creating a DIY wedding invitations:

1. Layout

Wedding invitations aren’t just about the design. What makes a good invitation is the layout. It is how you were able to showcase all the necessary details to your guests. Don’t forget the most important details such as the date, time, and location of your big day. Keep these information the focal point of your invitation.

To help you get started, you can look for templates online. Or if you are feeling crafty, feel free to do it from scratch. Ensure that your layout is organized. Avoid overwhelming graphics and complicated layout. Other elements on your invitation shouldn’t distract the reader from the main details of your wedding invite. 

2. Font

Choose your font carefully. Your choice of font will greatly affect the overall look of your invitation. It will set the mood and tone, not just of your invitation, but also of your wedding. More importantly, choose a font that is easy to read. You wouldn’t want your guests to misread the details of your big day and end up attending on a different day, would you?

For a cohesive look, do not use more than three font styles. Too many font styles in one layout will make your design look cluttered. Once you’ve chosen the font styles, you can apply it to other items such as Save The Date cards, Thank You cards, and other decors during your wedding. This can serve as a unifying element of your wedding theme.

3. Embellishments

Think about how you will spice up your invitation. An additional embellishment is a perfect way to put a unique touch to your invitation. The advantage of making a DIY wedding invitation is you can get creative and more personal with the embellishments. Add a monogram wax seal to your envelope or include lace, twine, or dried flowers – you can customize it according to your wedding theme.

You can also spice it up with the envelope. Including an envelope liner might be a tedious task for a DIY project but it will surely upgrade your invitation to a whole other level of elegance.

4. Printing

After you create your own design for your wedding invitation, it is advisable to have a professional printing service to ensure the quality of your invitations. You wouldn’t want the invitation that you worked hard on to be compromised just because of low quality print and paper. Besides, you will be distributing it to your guests as an announcement of your big day. It is just proper to make it not just presentable, but also impressive.

Quality should still be your priority

DIY invitations give couples the freedom and more leeway to customize their invitations. It can be a fun and memorable experience while also being able to cut down on costs. But there are things that are, ideally, shouldn’t be shortchanged and best left to the experts. No matter how much you want to save money on your wedding, you should still prioritize quality. After all, it is your big day. You deserve a perfect and momentous wedding.

For professional printing services, you can check out Utah Announcements for high-quality prints that will conveniently be delivered right to your door. From invitations, inserts, RSVP, and Thank You cards – we can print it for you! No need to struggle too much about your DIY wedding invitation as you can simply download our invitation templates, create your own design, and we’ll take care of the printing.

If you ever change your mind and decide not to DIY your wedding invitation, we’ve got you covered as well! At Utah Announcements, we also create customized wedding invitations that you will surely love. Check out sample designs in our portfolio.

Backyard Wedding | Backyard Wedding Planning ideas 2021

Guide To Planning A Backyard Wedding

Walking down the aisle of perfectly-grown green grass sprinkled with fresh white flowers, a refreshing breeze of fresh air touches your skin, your family and friends’ attention is on you, beautiful string lights open the reception area — are you dreaming of this kind of wedding?

Backyard weddings are warm, intimate, and can give you a uniquely sentimental and relaxed vibe. It is the perfect choice for couples who love the outdoors. Also, it provides a lot of benefits as it can be fully personalized and is a great option for a budget wedding. 

But since a backyard wedding is an outdoor wedding, it also requires careful logistics planning to be a hassle-free wedding. Here’s a quick guide for the best wedding planning of a backyard wedding: 

1.Choosing a Date

Since your wedding will have an outdoor venue, the first thing that you should consider when choosing your wedding date is the season. Schedule your wedding at the right season. Will it be too cold? Will it be too hot? Make sure that you pick the time of the year when you and your guests will be comfortable staying outdoors. 

Aside from the season, there can be instances when the weather doesn’t turn out how you expected it to be. So you should always be prepared with a contingency plan. Secure tents on the day of your wedding so you can use it in case it rains. 

2. Permits

Some areas require certain permits to conduct a backyard wedding. Be sure to check with your local authorities to avoid problems during your big day. Since you will be bringing in various suppliers and vendors to help you with setting up your wedding, also check if there are necessary permits that they need to acquire.

More than securing permits in compliance with local rules and regulations, you would also want to get permission from your neighbors. This doesn’t mean that you need to acquire an official permit from your neighbors. Since you will be having a celebration in your backyard, it is advisable for you to inform your neighbors beforehand about what will happen on that day. This is to manage their expectations since visitors will be going in and out of your area and the noise from your celebration might disturb them. You wouldn’t want to be reported by your neighbors due to public disturbance on your special day, would you?

3. Space and Set-up

Check the area that you’ll be utilizing for your wedding. Months before your big day, make sure that you plan the maintenance of your backyard. This is to give time for the plants to lush, flowers to bloom, and for you to clear out everything that needs to be cleared.

Measure the area. Will there be enough room for all your guests? Make sure to not compress the chairs and tables too much. There should be ample space for your guests to move around comfortably. Also, keep your older relatives in mind as they might need a dedicated space to feel more comfortable.

Allocate an area for the other festivities that you want to include in your wedding – a dessert bar, drinks booth, etc. Since it will be a backyard wedding, you might want to add a platform for the dance floor so your guests will be able to move safely and most importantly, for the newly-wed couple to safely enjoy their first dance as husband and wife.

4. Logistics – Electricity, Restroom, and Parking

One more important thing that you need to consider for the best wedding planning is the logistics. When it comes to outdoor venues, logistics can be quite more challenging. 

You should ensure that you get enough power to keep your lights and sound system working. It would be best to rent a power generator to supply electricity. Have it set up in a way that wouldn’t disrupt the wedding elements and decorations. Make sure that the wires won’t get in the way of your guests.

Is your restroom enough for all your guests? How about the parking space? You need to find an available parking space for your guests or organize a carpool system. You wouldn’t want all your guests to park their cars outside your house and block your neighbor’s driveway.

5. Time to be creative!

Once all the logistics concerns have already been settled, it’s now time to be creative! Let your imagination fly. Go back to how your love story started. Include personalized elements to your wedding. After all, this is about both of you and the celebration of your love. 

If you are on a budget, this is the perfect time to DIY the decorations. What’s great about backyard weddings is that they do not need fancy decorations to look beautiful. Simple and natural elements as decorations can make the atmosphere dreamy, warm, and intimate. You can even opt to make the decorations personalized for an added sentimental value to your venue.

Backyard Weddings – A Perfect Choice During This Time

Due to the pandemic, most couples prefer small and intimate weddings. Hence, a backyard wedding is one of the top choices among couples for their wedding theme. Besides, with a backyard wedding, you can maximize readily available resources and work with a limited budget. It can help you save money for the family that you will be building in the future.

 

Wedding Invitations Utah

How To Choose The Right Wedding Invitation

You’ve already started in the process of planning your wedding. Isn’t it exciting? But before you get all carried away with the thrill of finally getting married, make sure that you keep everything ironed out.

First things first – how will you announce your wedding? You might get caught up with all the things that are needed on your wedding day but you shouldn’t forget an essential item at a wedding – the wedding invitation.

Wedding Invitations Give The First impression

Your wedding invitation serves as an official announcement of your big day. It deserves to be the best. You shouldn’t look at it as just a simple piece of paper stating that you are getting married and you are inviting your guests. It gives the first impression to your guests. Whatever preparations you are doing to make your day perfect, that should also reflect on your wedding invitation.

First Consideration: Budget

Before you decide on what type of invitation you want to have, you can start by identifying your budget. Your imagination can run wild on what invitation you’d like for your wedding but your budget will determine the most feasible option. You probably already have allocated a part of your wedding budget for the invitations. So just make sure to stick to that.

By setting your budget, it will be easier for you to narrow down your options. What type of paper would you like to use? What type of printing? Will there be special executions? Keeping your budget in mind will also help you avoid going overboard with your design. 

Your Wedding Theme Will Determine Your Style

Aside from your budget, your main consideration for your wedding invitation should be your wedding theme. What’s your overall wedding theme? What is your color motif? Since your invitation is the official announcement of your wedding, it should also complement your overall theme. It is ideal to plan ahead and finalize your overall theme before you get into the details. You wouldn’t want your wedding invitation to look misplaced from all the elements on your wedding day.

So, what will be your wedding theme?

Classic

If you prefer the simple and traditional style, a classic wedding might be the best option. It is also the most versatile option when it comes to personalizing the wedding. Here are some invitation ideas for your classic wedding:

Alexis and Samuel

Floral

If you want to be more romantic for your wedding, a floral wedding is perfect for you. To complement your floral-themed wedding, here are some wedding invitation ideas:

Brynnli and Hyrum

Greenery

Do you love floral weddings but want to be a bit different? A greenery wedding is the perfect alternative. It uses natural elements like plants which will give a lush look to your wedding. Here are some greenery-inspired wedding invitations to complete your greenery-inspired wedding:

Alie and Jensen

Rustic

If you are planning on an outdoor wedding, you can explore doing a rustic wedding. This is a great choice for outdoor venues as rustic theme utilizes natural elements. What’s good about this style is that it is also budget-friendly as the decorations can be DIY-ed. Here are some rustic wedding invitation samples:

wedding invitation

Your Wedding Invitation Should Be About You

These are just some ideas that can inspire you when choosing your wedding invitation. At the end of the day, it will still depend on your own liking and preference. More than the budget and your theme, the most essential factor that you need to keep in mind is if your invitation will reflect your story as a couple. Be creative. Feel free to modify and personalize that simple piece of paper that will contain the details of one of the most important days of your life.

If you have an idea or you need help in creating a customized design for your wedding invitation, contact us through our website or give us a call at 801-810-6065. We’d love to be a part of this special milestone in your life.

5 Wedding Must-Haves For The Ultimate Ceremony

5 Wedding Must-Haves

Dream weddings don’t happen overnight. It’s a product of careful planning and thorough considerations in order to build the best once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Certainly, it comes with seismic waves of stress, too. You’ll face multiple decision-making hurdles, and perhaps get stuck with some choices along the way.Fret not! Dream weddings can be made less stressful when you build this piece by piece, taking note of all these essential must-haves to include in your special day.

1. Photographed Memories

First on the list is to secure that your memories are captured well. Ensure that the key wedding moments will be captured – from walking down the aisle to the reception venue. Best if you include a mini photo booth by the entrance of the venue to encourage guests to keep the memories with you.

Pro Tip: Include a disposable camera on every table in the reception venue and encourage guests to take photos themselves! Capture all the little things so you can re-cherish your dream wedding anytime.

2. Kids’ Corner

Yup, kids are definitely adorable. They take the cutest portion in the wedding procession. But, truth be told: kids are definitely the most difficult guests to control in the wedding reception – especially in the middle of their mood swings. To ensure that these little angels enjoy it as well, it’ll be best to create a kids’ corner where they can play and binge-watch cartoons throughout the night. Let the kids seize their good time, as the adults savor solemn moments in the main reception area.

Pro Tip: Create a mini-themed costume party for the kids to enjoy! You can even hire magicians so they can be kept entertained and amused in their corner.

3. The Wedding Playlist

Take a trip down memory lane with every beat! Weddings certainly bring back the happy moments you’ve shared in the past – recalling all your firsts and definitely savoring the lasts as boyfriend and girlfriend. Of course, these memories include a song or two to remember. Build your wedding playlist from the special songs you’ve shared in these moments. Feel your heart flutter with every beat throughout the night!

Pro Tip: Create a mini clip for every special song! Include the memories you’ve shared in these special songs for an added bucket of tears to shed.

4. Overall Theme

Consistency is the key to achieving your dream wedding. Certainly, you’ll be overwhelmed with choices as you start the wedding preparations. To ensure that you’re making the right choice, best if you have an overall theme to follow for your wedding. This will guide you in choosing the essential little details – from the color palette to decors and dresses.

Pro Tip: Themes should blend well with your chosen wedding and reception area. To save money, best if you mix and match available resources in building your preferred theme. It doesn’t have to be templated. Remember, uniqueness and creativity will make your dream wedding stand out.

5. Striking Invitation Cards

Last but definitely not least, a striking invitation card is also a wedding must-have. Of course, you’d want to excite your guests for this momentous event, right? Sharing this milestone with your significant circle makes this event even more special.

PRO Tip: Free yourself from stress in planning this! Thankfully, there are institutions like Utah Announcements that grants you an opportunity to build your dream wedding invitation with a professional taste. It aims to personalize your experience with a simple 3-step online ordering process. Hassle-free yet innovative wedding cards, yes?

A wedding isn’t just a celebration of love. It’s a celebration meant to honor a special moment with your friends and family. Prepare for this big day with these five must-haves for a smooth and memorable wedding experience!

Wedding Planning

8 Wedding Planning Tips for your Greenery Inspired Wedding

Greenery can transform any wedding from simple to elegant and luxurious. You can have a greenery-inspired wedding for any season and in many different ways. There are many different flowers and herbs to choose from depending on where you are from and what season you are planning your wedding. Here we are going to share some Wedding Planning Tips to make your wedding perfect.

Greenery can easily be paired with different colors such as white, gold, wood, and more! From centerpieces to hairstyles, it doesn’t take that much effort to incorporate it into your wedding decor. Here are some Wedding Planning Tips to have the perfect greenery-inspired wedding.

wedding planning tips

1. Look For a Simple Wedding Venue

For greenery weddings, think of your wedding venue as your blank canvas! This is where you can start visualizing how you want to set up your wedding. It doesn’t have to be grand because your design will make your wedding shine no matter how plain the empty wedding venue looks.

Greenery weddings are usually held outdoors but you can also hold it inside a tent or even in a building. Just make sure that the venue can hold the audience capacity that you prefer.

2. Choose the Right Greenery For You

There are so many types of herbs and florals that you can choose from. Some of the most popular greenery to choose from are myrtle, eucalyptus, and fern because they can easily be used for any type of design.

If you’re looking for something different, try to experiment with succulent. Succulents are effortlessly gorgeous and can be used as table decor, bouquets, and giveaways. Try to mix and match to see what’s best for you!

wedding planning tips

3. Go For an Earthy Green Wedding Invitation

Your wedding invitation will be your guest’s first sneak peek of your wedding. Make a statement by creating an elegant wedding invitation with earthy and greenery tones. You can create the perfect greenery wedding invitation without all the stress by hiring professional invitation designers.

4. Decorate Your Ceremony Backdrop with Herb and Floral Garlands

A beautiful greenery wedding isn’t complete without an altar or background that is filled with lush greenery. Depending on your chosen venue, you can drape the greenery on the walls, on a metal stand, or whatever fits! Make sure to fill and style that area because it where the magic will happen.

5. Fill Your Table Decorations With Florals And Herbs

Another wedding must-have is to decorate your wedding centerpieces with lush greenery. Place greenery on the tables and around the chairs for the guests to truly feel the fresh atmosphere from when they enter the room or the venue. You can even go above and beyond and decorate the lights, walls, etc.

wedding planning tips

6. Match it with your Hairstyle

A simple way to match your theme is to style the bride’s and bridesmaid’s hairstyle with greenery. A few ideas are wearing a flower crown, tying your hair with greenery, draping it below, and other accents that can give your hairstyle a boost. Work with a professional hairstylist to make your dream wedding hairstyle come true. 

7. Match your greenery theme with your guests’ outfits

Have your guests wear a color or clothing style that will complement the greenery theme. This can be either plain white, gold, or whatever it is that fits your whole theme. Having a unifying attire can impact the look of your wedding more than you may think.

8. Prepare Greenery-inspired Food

Of course, your wedding will not be complete without any food! And why not take the extra step and match your food with your theme. Greenery-inspired cake and pastries will surely be a delicious addition to your wedding.

wedding planning tips

These are just some tips to make your greenery-inspired wedding as elegant and stress-free as it can be. The only problem you might encounter is how to keep the herbs fresh for your wedding day, which can be solved by proper refrigeration. Achieving your dream greenery wedding can be cheap and easy if you plan your wedding correctly.

Decor Ideas for your Winter Wonderland Wedding | Winter Wedding Invitation

Decor Ideas for your Winter Wonderland Wedding

They say the one you are with during the first snowfall is the person you will spend a long time with or if you will be lucky enough, the person you will be with forever. That’s why aside from the festive feel of winter brought about by the holidays, it is also a very romantic season.

Although winter is an off-season for weddings, weddings during winter can be made extra romantic by the gorgeous snow. The celebration of love brings warmth in this chilly season. To have that dreamy wedding, here are some winter wedding decor ideas:

1. Keep the color palette simple.

To accentuate the whites of the winter season, focus on a monochromatic color scheme. Since white is a neutral color, you can easily pair it up with another color. Choose one and play with the different hues of that color. 

To give a warm feel, you can opt to use deep shades like burgundy, emerald, or copper. You can also apply this to the utensils. Use copper and rustic-toned cutlery instead of the classic silverware to make it look more elegant. Then, mix and match it with decorative accents of the color you chose.

2. Utilize branches and pine cones for a rustic feel. 

Take advantage of the natural elements in your environment. Since the tree’s branches shred during winter, you can use those branches as part of your decoration. You can use it to make an arch and provide a grand addition to your wintery landscape.

You can also upcycle pine cones by using it as a cardholder, table decoration, garland, or even as a wedding cake decoration. With just a few modifications, you’ll be surprised at the numerous decors that you can come up with simple pine cones.

3. Add lights and candles to make it look romantic.

Instead of too many florals, explore utilizing candles. For the ceremony, you can line up candles on the aisle to offer a warm and inviting atmosphere. Also, candles will make the setting more romantic.

In addition to the candlelights, make the setting more dreamy by putting up string lights. Avoid colorful lighting. Stick to the natural shades of candlelight for a more elegant feel.

4. Drape knit blankets as a chair decor.

Although winter is a chilly season, you cannot expect all your guests to attend the wedding wearing too many outfit layers. Be ready with blankets to keep them warm throughout the ceremony. 

Drape knit blankets over the chairs to complement the overall set-up. Aside from its practical use of keeping the guests warm, it will surely upgrade the cozy atmosphere of your wedding.

5. Set up a hot beverage bar.

If guests do not want to cover up their outfit (of course, you would love to flaunt your outfit of the day) with a blanket, a hot beverage bar can be the answer! 

Set up a bar that will offer the guests coffee, hot chocolate, or tea. Decorate your bar with DIY decors using branches and pine cones and add candles to be consistent with the overall feel of the wedding. It can be a nice welcome treat to the guests when they get to the venue. This will surely keep them cozy all night.

Have you already pictured your winter wedding? 

After you’ve thought about all the details of the big day, don’t forget to also think about the pre-wedding essentials. Start with your invitation. Check out our designs for possible winter wedding invitation ideas. To help you create the perfect winter wedding invitation for you, feel free to contact us at 801-810-6065.

invitation design

Why Great Invitation Designs Matter

Weddings are one of the most precious events that one may experience in his/her lifetime. Weddings are often built from childhood fantasies. That moment when you are finally walking down the aisle to reach your eternal love. It doesn’t end there though. Your heart races even faster when you see the tears falling down from your loved ones – droplets of sheer delight and pride to have shared this momentous event with you. Your heart screams joy and excitement, teardrops of bliss concealed behind your veil.

Is this one of your life goals, too? Most of us do. However, gathering a bunch of people with different priorities, preferences, and hectic schedules doesn’t come easy. It requires extensive planning and consideration. 

One of the critical elements of wedding planning is the wedding invitation. It marks the first connection of the couple to their attendees. Simply put, this makes a first (and lasting) impression on your desired audience. Invitations usually encapsulate the journey that a couple has been through, painting their story with a powerful design. 

Preferences in design vary depending on personal taste. Some opt to go minimalist; some are laced with splendor. Still, to make your wedding invitation matter, several factors have to be considered – from font face to texture.

Making your invitation design appealing 

Capturing one’s attention doesn’t come easy. It involves complex psychological processes to ensure that a design hits the senses right. Of course, visuals build the basic block in standing out.

Adding the right pictures, knowing where to place these pictures, and even identifying the words to put in between are just a few considerations to take when designing the visuals. These etch a memory that you can share with your invitees. 

Nowadays, texture also plays an imperative role in designing invitations. This is heavily driven by the couple’s paper choice. Rustic themed weddings opt for a homely kraft paper choice, others opt for the felt paper to amplify touch and connection. Scented paper is also a popular choice now to excite the olfactory sense of audiences. Determining these factors sets the mood of your wedding’s ambiance.

Making the right choice

With the complexity needed in building an effective design, couples need to source for a professional partner with a keen eye for detail. Technical skill in designing and photoshop is a must. 

Thankfully, there are institutions like Utah Announcements specially dedicated to this endeavor. Utah Announcements is a professional wedding invitation designer that grants you an opportunity to build your dream wedding invitation with a professional taste. It aims to personalize your experience with a simple 3-step online ordering process.

Free your invitations from templated judgments as you get to work 1:1 with a professional designer. You’ll work hand-in-hand in customizing graphics, color palette, even fonts to capture a picturesque invitation suite. Collaboration happens online, at the comfort of your own home. Best of all, it offers transparent and all-inclusive pricing to help you with precisely planning your wedding expenses. 

Make your wedding memorable; build a remarkable impression. Remember, you ought to invite…and excite. 

Erica-and-Jeff-2-300x200 Wedding Invitations

Salt Lake Wedding Dance

Salt Lake, Utah Wedding Dance

One thing you are sure to find at any wedding reception is dancing. The Bride and Grooms traditional “First Dance,” is always a highlight. A great way to take the first dance to the next level is to sign up for dance lessons to perfect your moves.

Farrah Valdez is the only ballroom dance instructor who specializes in wedding dance preparation in Salt Lake City. With over five years of teaching experience, a bachelor’s degree in ballroom dance, and over 25 years of dance experience, she is fully qualified to help anyone prepare. Her training includes: ballet, jazz, hip hop, modern, ballroom, Latin, salsa, swing, and more. The variety of her background allows her to create a unique dance for every couple she works with.

Erica and Jeff

Erica and Jeff

Farrah started teaching dance at a studio in San Diego in 2011. It was there that she realized she loved teaching couples preparing for their wedding, and that there was a real market for wedding dance lessons. She started her own business and since then her mission has been to help people feel comfortable dancing at their wedding, have fun during their lessons, and create a custom dance unique to their goals.

Why wedding dance lessons? The biggest reason is because it give couples confidence dancing in front of their friends and family, and given it is a formal occasion and the only time they will ever “perform,” why not take advantage?! The second reason is because it is a part of the wedding planning process that couples can do together, and a part of the wedding that is fun and not stressful. Lastly, because it makes the wedding unique! Guests will love to see what the bride and groom have put together, and the potential for creativity is endless.

Every engaged couple has a different vision of how they want their dance to look on their wedding day. The majority of people just want to feel comfortable, and not “look stupid.” (That’s a direct quote, by the way, from 70% of her couples!) In those situations the couple wants to learn some basic steps, enough to not repeat the same step, and finish with a simple dip. The next group is looking for more then the basics, and they want to learn a larger variety of steps and some choreography. The last group wants to impress their audience with something original, perhaps an unexpected song choice, a fully choreographed dance, include members of the family or bridal party, or they want to do a medley of different songs and/or styles of dance. No matter what the goals, Farrah can help everyone!

What drives her in this business is seeing people’s progress, and watching their confidence grow. She loves to watch people develop a love of dance. Lastly, she loves seeing the photographs and videos after the wedding is over. She says, “It is a real honor to be included in someone’s wedding. I feel like I am a part of a time in their lives that they will always remember. I love knowing that I have helped them, and in most cases, took their vision beyond what they expected, and created something they and their guests will never forget!”

For more information about Farrah’s dance background, pricing, and faqs, you can visit her website at Salt Lake Wedding Dance She is also available for dance lessons outside of weddings, such as group choreography, group lessons, single lessons, and on-location lessons.

Fall Wedding Inspiration

The colors are changing and the temperature is dropping – fall is just here! The beautiful scenery is great inspiration if you are planning a wedding in the next couple of months. Incorporating small, subtle fall elements in your decor and theme will help you create a current and seasonal feel throughout your big day. Follow our suggestions for the perfect autumn wedding!

1. Go Rustic
Whether it’s a barn or burlap, fall is the perfect time for a rustic wedding. It doesn’t get more rustic than a barn venue, but if that is not an option, include smaller elements to create that same vibe. Anything wood, such as a tree slice cake stand or barn wood signage, is a good place to start.

2. Get Cozy
If the temperature hasn’t fallen too low, you can take your guests outside to enjoy this wonderful season. If your venue will allow it, set up a firepit with smores supplies for a camp-style feel. Add warm, assorted blankets to keep guests cozy and warm while they are outside. You could also serve hot chocolate and cider to keep the cold away. As long as your guests are comfortable, they will have a blast!

3. Create A Seasonal Color Palette
Reds, oranges, yellows, and browns are traditional fall colors but don’t let that limit you! Fall is a time for deep shades – think burgundy, plum, navy, and scarlet. These darker colors will be a great complement to the changing season.

4. Bring The Outdoors Inside
With colder temperatures, it can be difficult to have a fully outdoor wedding (especially when it gets closer to winter). Bring elements of the outdoors to your indoor venue to make it feel like autumn. Using leaves or pinecones in your decor, such as center pieces, can make it seem like you are right outside.

 

5. Design Your Invites With The Theme
Your invitations are the first exposure guests will have to your wedding. Include rustic elements like wood or burlap to create a fall theme that starts as soon as your guests open their invites.
Check out some of our categories from our portfolio to get started with some fall wedding inspiration for your wedding invitations. Just a reminder, all our designs can be 100% customized to fit your exact style and wants.

Burlap Wedding Invitations
Rustic Wedding Invitations
Wooden Wedding Invitations

What to Include in Your Wedding Invitation Suite

There are a lot of pieces that go into your invitation suite and it’s easy to get confused. From a save the date to an RSVP card to a reception card, all these pieces can start to run together. This post is all about eliminating that confusion. We are here to explain to you every piece that you can include in your invitation suite and what it’s used for. Keep in mind that not all these pieces are required, or even necessary. It’s up to you to determine what you need and how that fits with your style. Don’t feel pressured to include any items unless you see them as necessary or just plain cute. Keep reading for our tips on what to include in your wedding invitation suite!

1. Save the Date Card

If you are having a long engagement and know your wedding date 6-8 months in advance, this is a great way to give your guests a preview of the wedding. This is especially important if guests will need to make travel arrangements. On the card, include the couple’s names and the date and location of the wedding. You can also put a link to your wedding website for more information. If you will only be engaged for a short time, skip this step and go straight to the wedding invitation.

2. Wedding Invitation

This is the most important piece of your entire invitation suite. This piece should include all the major details the guests should know: names of the couple and the date, time, and location of the wedding. Some brides choose to treat this piece as more of an announcement of the marriage and include details about any wedding events on separate cards (which we will explain further down on the list). Alternatively, if you want a wedding suite with fewer pieces, you can use the main invitation to invite guests to the ceremony and/or reception. You can also use this piece to let guests know of your registry and other details about they may need to know about the wedding, like what attire is expected or if kids are allowed.

3. RSVP card (and envelope)

This piece is a small card your guests can use to let you know if they will be attending your wedding. Traditionally, this also includes a stamped envelope for your guests to send their responses back in. To avoid this extra envelope, make your RSVP card a postcard instead. Just make sure to include a stamp on it!

4. Ceremony Card

This piece lets your guests know where and when the actual marriage ceremony will be taking place. If you are not inviting all of your guests to the ceremony, it is best to include this information on a separate card. Include any pertinent information such as the date, time, and location.

5. Reception Card

This piece is much like the ceremony card but instead lets your guests know where and when the reception will be taking place. If you include this information on your invitation, you can skip this step altogether. If not, include any important information like the date, time, and location on this card.

6. Directions Card

Make sure your guests know where your wedding is and how to get there – you can’t always trust the GPS! This is especially important if you are holding a destination wedding or your wedding is in a hard-to-find area. You can approach this piece is two ways. First, you can simply list the directions to the venue. Second, you can include a map of where the venue is and how to get there. You should also include this information on your wedding website.

 

7. Accommodations Card

This piece is reserved mainly for destination weddings and out-of-town guests. Make sure anyone that has to travel has some direction as to where they should stay when they get there. You can often get a lower rate if you book a block of rooms so make your guests aware of this option. You should also let them know on this card if you are paying for their accommodations.

8. Rehearsal Dinner/Luncheon Invitation

Many couples choose to have a dinner the night before or lunch the day of their wedding. If you are doing this, give the information to your guests on a separate card. Just like the wedding and reception card, include all important details especially the date, time, and location. Typically, the wedding party, family members, and out-of-town guests are invited.

9. Bridal Shower Invitation

If you want to skip a step down the road, include an invitation to your bridal shower in your invitations. This makes it easier when the shower comes along because you do not have to send out a separate invitation.

10. Social Media Card

Use social media to collect pictures from your wedding. There are a lot of apps you can use that allow guests to upload photos to a shared drive. Alternatively, you can create a hashtag and have your guests include it on all their posts at the wedding. You can use a social media card to let guests know of this ahead of time so you are more likely to get more photos.

 

 

 

What to Wear to Your Engagement Shoot

Your engagement photos are a big part of your invitation and a way to show your guests your unique personalities. While it may seem like a no-brainer, picking out what to wear to your engagement photo shoot can be tough. You pick outfits every day but this one is different. This one will be posted on refrigerators for months and you want to look your best. Follow these tips for a perfect engagement shoot ensemble.

1. Coordinate, not match.

When picking outfits for you and your fiancee, you want to make sure your outfits are similar and complement each other. However, do not match exactly. Wearing the exact same color shirts, pants, and shoes can be a little too matchy-matchy and outdated. Instead, opt for colors that go well together without being the same. This is a great time to work in some of your wedding colors to set the tone for your big day.

2. Remember the season.

The clothes you pick will differ depending on the time of year. The clothes you pick for a winter shoot are going to be very different from the clothes you pick for a summer shoot. Pick clothes that you will feel comfortable in with special consideration of the temperature; don’t wear a strapless dress if it’s below freezing outside! You’ll look your best when you’re comfortable, not when you’re shivering. Stick with warm clothes with sleeves for fall and winter. In spring and summer, feel free to go strapless and wear light fabrics.

3. Mix colors and neutrals.

Color is a great way to make your photos more exciting, but many shy away from it because they don’t want to be too bold. Wearing too many neutrals can wash you out so play with different colors until you get the right mix. Whether it’s a bright piece of statement jewelry or a colorful shirt, make sure you incorporate some fun.

4. Bring a few extra pieces. 

Most people bring two different outfits to their photo shoot: a casual one and a formal one. You can also bring additional pieces. You may get to your location and find your outfit doesn’t work in that setting. Having an extra shirt or piece of jewelry can solve that.

5. Be Yourself.

The most important thing to remember when taking your photos is to be yourself. The best pictures are those in which the subjects look happy and comfortable. You want to look like yourself in your photos, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go buy a new outfit. Just stick with pieces you know and love so you look natural and beautiful.

Thank You Card Inspiration

You’ve spent lots of time thinking about the design but very little thinking about what you want your thank you cards to look like. So many generous people gave you gifts and you want to show them how much you appreciate them!

There are a couple key things to know about thank you cards. Formal etiquette says that you should send them out within two weeks of receiving the gift. However, this can be difficult when you get so many gifts at once. A good rule of thumb is to try and have your thank you cards out 2-3 months after the wedding. To help you finish them in time, try to develop a formula for what to say in the card that you can customize based on the individual and gift.

To save money on thank you cards, send out postcards instead of cards in envelopes. This can help you save money on postage and you will not have to buy envelopes. We offer 250 thank you postcards for $80 and 500 postcards for $100. This includes the custom design fee and shipping.

 

Winter Engagement Photo Ideas

The air is getting colder and that can only mean one thing – it’s almost winter! Winter weddings are so beautiful and you have so many unique opportunities you wouldn’t have during any other season. For those brides that are getting married this winter, you are probably getting ready to do your engagement photos. Take a look at some of our ideas for a perfect winter engagement shoot.

1. Play in the snow.

White is the traditional color of weddings so why not fill your engagements with beautiful white snow?! Snowy photos are a unique way to set yourself apart from other warmer season weddings. It’s also a great way to layer cute clothes for many different outfit options.

2. Head indoors.

Maybe it’s just a little too cold outside, but that shouldn’t stop you from having an adorable photo shoot. There are many different studios that offer great natural lighting in an indoor setting. This is a great way to have a cozy shoot without freezing.

3. Use blankets.

The chilly weather is a great excuse to incorporate a cute blanket into your photos. There are lots of great options, from patchwork quilts to more simple wool blankets. Not only will they keep you warm, but it will be a great excuse to snuggle up close to your fiance.

4. Get with the holiday spirit.

If you’re getting married close to Christmas, why not incorporate some holiday flair in your shoot? Whether it’s a simple pine tree or something a little more festive, like mistletoe or a string of lights, using these props is a great way to celebrate the holidays and your upcoming nuptials.

5. Layers, layers, layers.

An outdoor photo shoot in the middle of winter will be cold. But that doesn’t mean you need to be! Wear lots of layers and a warm coat to make sure you don’t freeze to death while posing for your pictures. The best pictures are the ones where both of you are comfortable so make that a priority. Also, what’s cuter than a beanie and winter jacket?

Make the most of the beautiful winter season coming up and take some photos! We can’t wait to see them printed on your invitation.