Can you imagine a more happy place than at Ivy House Weddings, one of the wedding venues in Salt Lake City on February 25, 2012?  I was there to witness an event that put smiles on every guest in attendance.

The bride loves paper lanterns, so her family decorated above the wedding cake alcove and above the refreshment buffet tables with large red, orange, and white paper lanterns of various sizes.  It created such an enchanting feel to the evening.  The entire family came early to set up the dream wedding their bride has dreamt about since the age of 8 years.  Several sisters-in-law helped hang the paper lanterns along with the father of the bride.  A couple of brothers created the framework wrapped in white fabric from which to hang the lanterns above the refreshment tables.

Another sister-in-law, nieces, and grandmother helped stuff black rocks, lush green moss, red painted willows, cranberries, and sliced clementines down into a tall glass vase.  These would make the striking centerpieces on all the tables.  Others helped set up the displays of bride and groom photos decorated with smooth black rocks and votive candles.  I dare say that Salt Lake wedding venues have never seen such an elaborate collection of busy bees accenting Ivy House’s backdrop for this bride’s perfect celebration.  This is one of many advantages to booking with Ivy House weddings – the bride can decorate as she sees fit.  Of course, within reason; but all in all there are few limitations.  All the while, the bride’s mother kept the wheels turning and filled in all the little last-minute details awaiting her daughter’s arrival.  The couple got married the day before, which made for a more relaxed actual wedding day and now the time for partying had arrived.

Refreshments matched the bright atmosphere – trays and platters of fresh fruit and petite rolls to be filled with broccoli cheese soup.  For the more hungry guests, they could savor a slice of melt-in-your-mouth prime rib.

After greeting more than 350 guests, the bride and groom followed with the traditions of throwing the bride’s bouquet and the groom flipping the garter, which he carefully fetched.  This couple chose to do this entertaining from the balcony!  Not all Salt Lake City wedding venues offer this platform to highlight the honored couple. 

From there is was time for the brother’s of the bride to get her iPod playlist going for dancing.   The most romantic and emotional first dance was witnessed by all.  It was beautiful to see the love that radiated from this couple.  Then it was father’s turn.  Of course, he was cut-in by the bride’s brother, then another brother, then another.  Five brothers in all stole a dance with their younger sister then passed her back to her father.  Again, what harmony and love was expressed at this wedding reception.  The groom danced with his sweet mother and then the guests took over, at the lead of the bride.  I have never seen a bride dance and dance and dance like this energized woman.  Her smile and energy was very contagious.  The children, bridesmaids, best men, brothers and sisters-in-law all found themselves at some point on the dance floor – dancing with the bride, by the bride, or with others.  

One did not have to be on the dance floor to catch a huge smile.  Grandmas and Grandpas sat in chairs close by and couldn’t stop beaming as little ones came up to them dancing.   Of all the photos I took of this reception, 75% of them are just of the dancing.  Did I mention the traditional bunny-hop found it’s way into the mix as well.

After more than an hour of dancing, it was time for the couple to wind things down and depart.  They had been having so much fun that this is when they finally stopped to have a bite to eat while they watched one of two DVD shows that were playing.  By the time they were done, most of the set-up had been taken down by family and the family was prodding the newlyweds to leave for a sparkler send off out the door!  At least 20 sparklers were lit and formed a gateway to their waiting car that was just-married approved decorated.  Even some orange slices from the centerpieces dotted the car.  

Truly, all wedding receptions in Salt Lake City should be this fun and beautiful.  Ivy House Weddings reception center was the catalyst for a beautiful celebration honoring this beautiful couple.  It also reflected on the union of their beautiful families.