Tag Archives: wedding reception

Beautiful Celebrations, Real events, Receptions

Utah Wedding Venues Give Bride’s Choices

November 30, 2014 Wendy Pettit Leave a comment

Lexi and Connor had had their gorgeous wedding reception at one of Western Garden’s Utah wedding venues, Ivy House Weddings. Their base linens were Ivory topped with a navy topper linen. Atop this, the bride chose the reception center’s standard candle with their vibrant boxwood green wreath. This set a happy yet cozy mood reflecting the couple’s zest for life. Their guests were invited to put on fun attire and take memorable photos in the groom’s changing room where a photo booth was set up. The groomsmen were in charge of this activity and they had a blast doing it.

Ivy House is one of the reception centers Salt Lake City offers that has Cold Stone Creamery (Draper store) as one of their preferred caterers. Lexi chose to use them rather than self-cater, which is allowed by Ivy House. Along with the high quality ice-cream, the family provided several sheet cakes to serve the guests. A family friend created the masterpiece wedding cake which was displayed in the cake nook upon the Ivy House cake pedestal which is available if the bride is bringing her own cake rather than use one of our recommended cake designers.

Lexi and Connor hired Chelsey Rae Photography as their photographer who took beautiful photos of the couple outside before dark and of their special first dance as husband and wife in front of the romantic fireplace. Their evening culminated with the traditional Ivy House sparkler send off and with such a big crowd of family and friends, extra sparklers were brought in. The wedding venues Salt Lake City brings to our Utah brides are many, but few are as classic and easy to work with as Ivy House. As you view the many happy faces of the guests, you can see that Salt Lake City wedding venues like Ivy House are happy places to be.

Beautiful Celebrations, Real events, Receptions

Real Events at Wedding Reception Venues in Utah – February 15, 2014

July 10, 2014 Wendy Pettit Leave a comment

The mother of this bride deserves to be awarded this year’s most dedicated mother of the bride award at all wedding reception venues in utah. Not only did support her daughter in all the stress and details of planning her daughter’s wedding, but she also dealt with the stress and time to make the wedding cake. That in and of itself is enough to make any mother have her nerves completely frazzled and ready for a day at the spa.

The cake is a solid four tiers of exquisite unique decoration styles on each level. It appears to have a fifth tier made up of gorgeous coral & white roses and blue chrysanthemums. She created a beautiful masterpiece that was the envy of any of any Utah wedding venues.

The couple enjoyed a beautiful sit down dinner for about 100 guests of family and friends that was hosted by Utah Celebrations. Their photographer was the wonderful local professional Margaret Evans.

Comments from Kate, the Maid of Honor, included “Everything was wonderful and everyone was very helpful. The facilities are absolutely beautiful too.” We invite you to check out wedding places in Utah like Ivy House Weddings for a stress free beautiful wedding celebration!

wedding reception mantel decorations

Beautiful Celebrations, Real events, Receptions

Real Events at Wedding Venues in Utah 02-22-2014

July 1, 2014 Wendy Pettit Leave a comment

Today I’d like to share about this wedding celebration that took place in the cold of winter, but you’d never guess it. Liz and Matt added their touch of style and personality to the classic lines of Ivy House, one of our wedding venues in Utah; thus creating a Utah wedding reception with simple elegance that reflected the love they share together.

Liz chose beautiful pastel peaches and pinks and accented with golds, silvers, and ivory including a touch of lace. It was elegant, warm, and inviting. Not only was this Utah wedding reception a beautiful site, but even the sounds were elegant. Liz and Matt invited a friend to come play the harp as background music before the dancing began with their iPod music. The string instrument definitely added some class to the event that matched the classic charm of the style of this wedding venue.

The tables were covered with ivory base linens and topped with gold pin tucked toppers. Atop this was the centerpiece option of our tall Silver candlestick centerpiece to which Liz accents with color coordinated ribbons, a touch of mirrors, votive candles, and photos of her and Matt within beautiful silver frames. Again, it was absolute simple elegance as you will see in the photos.

Table Centerpiece at wedding reception places in Utah

We are one of the Utah reception centers that allow for self-catering and that is what Liz and Matt opted to do. They brought in a variety of scrumptious desserts and platters of fresh fruit. Loving neighbors kept the serving tables full for the guests.

Simple elegance can include a lot of fun too. They created their own photo booth with streamers in their wedding colors hanging from a garden harbor as the background and a few fun props. These photos were glued into the guest book and signed by all their fun family and friends.

Liz hired Natalie Gray of The Cake Market to create her exquisite cake. It was a unique two tiered ruffly and pearled masterpiece with a beautiful rose bouquet on top. The flowers were done by First Blossom, and her videographer was Dan Kettle with Elements in Motion.

Utah wedding venues are fortunate to have photographers like Lori Romney Photography and we were pleased to have her photograph Liz and Matt at Ivy House. As you can tell, her work is beautiful and we hope she returns with another bride and groom to our reception
centers in Salt Lake City.

Liz’s mother wrote: “Wonderful venue! It was beautiful. All the staff was so helpful. So glad we had it here!”

Beautiful Celebrations, How-To Tips, Planning your event

Wedding Planners at Wedding Venues in Utah

May 24, 2014 Wendy Pettit Leave a comment

Booking with wedding venues in Utah that have in-house wedding planners is worth it. One way to ensure that you can enjoy your dream day and free yourself from the stress and hassle of preparations and organizing the day itself, is to hire a professional wedding planner or book with a venue that has one. Here are some reasons why a third party planner is worth the expense or better yet, worth booking with a venue that has one.

Two of you – You can not be in two places at the same time. As talented as you are, you can’t be finalizing the last minute details or solving last minute problems while you are getting your hair done, doing the last minute makeup and hair touched up, or even walking down the aisle. A separate coordinator, a wedding planner, can take care of all those little things so that you can focus just on you and your wonderful man!

Utah wedding reception venues with wedding planners — You have more competent hands available to help in those crunches just before the ceremony.

Time Saver – It takes time to track down ideas and combine all the details together. Wedding planners at wedding places in Utah can help point you into the right directions for what you want. They have already gone through the planning process hundreds of times, so they can help you cut the corners where you can.

Money Saver – Wedding planners are familiar with other vendors in your area. They know who offers a good product at a good value and who are professionals. If your wedding planner is honorable, they don’t accept commissions from those vendors referred by them. Their best interest should be in you, their client, as they are representing the wedding venues in Utah.

Added Knowledge – Wedding planners can give you valuable input as you decide on important aspects of the wedding day. They are already aware of what can possibly happen so that you can prepare for contingencies. They are full of experience and advice, especially those wedding planners at wedding reception venues in Utah like Ivy House Weddings at Western Gardens Downtown.

Reception centers in Utah have helpful wedding planners — Your wedding planner can give you tips on all the choices you have to make so you get what YOU want!

Time-tested Methods – If you know that you’re not the most organized of persons, a wedding planner is highly recommended. After all, they are making a living out of being organized — they have their own methods to ensure that things for your wedding reception are planned and implemented well. Aside from these, wedding planners are also in-the-know with regards to the latest trends in a wedding.

Don’t run yourself ragged and look stressed and tensed up on the day of your wedding. If you utilize a reception center with a wedding planner, you’ll be more apt to arrive at your wedding reception venue in Salt Lake City feeling gorgeous and relaxed for the best day of your life! Your wedding day is your day – you deserve to enjoy it to the fullest!

About Our Venue, Beautiful Celebrations, Real events

Helpful Utah Wedding Venues

August 2, 2013 Wendy Pettit 1 Comment

We are coming into fall, a perfect time to celebrate your love. Utah wedding venues include Ivy House Weddings (at Western Gardens Downtown) where you can cozy into a wonderful celebration honoring you during your wedding reception. Ivy House offers everything from allowing self-catering to almost everything a bride needs to prepare for. Your wedding reception will be one that is stress-free and a beautiful dream come true.

Here is a recent comment from a mother of the bride:

“Thank you for your accommodating manner and style. It was so comforting to have everything handled with ease so I could enjoy the full experience of my daughter’s wedding. Thank you for your support & for doing such a lovely and helpful job. Best – Chandra (May 2013)

Beautiful Celebrations

Saying It with Photos at Wedding Reception Centers in Utah

November 6, 2012 Wendy Pettit Leave a comment

This bride was very effective at expressing her style at her wedding celebration at Ivy House Weddings, one of Western Garden’s wedding reception centers in Utah. She used several photos to demonstrate her and her beau’s personalities for their guests. A favorite photo was one showing only the bottom of the couple’s shoes with the written words “I Do…Me Too”. Another photo showed the couple with their hands up in the air configuring their fingers to create the word “Love”. Very clever and definitely relayed the camaraderie this couple enjoys together.

Jungle green was the bride’s primary color, but she accented the Utah wedding venue with leopard prints in a throw rug for the wedding line and linen toppers for her table centerpieces. Even the groom’s cake was decorated with the leopard motif.

Uniquely, this bride had her guests put thumbprints on a large poster with a tree drawn on it. With different shades of green, the thumbprints became the leaves on the tree. By the end of the reception, the tree was full of greenery wishing the newlyweds a healthy fruitful life. Just so you know, moist wipes were provided for the guests to wipe the ink off their fingers.

Also, can you imagine the smile on the groom’s face when he entered the groom’s room to prepare himself for the evening. There he found on the counter, a photo of his bride staring at him and one of her high heels strategically placed by the photo. This scene was worth a thousand words.

The bride chose our preferred cake designer Carrie’s Cakes to create her green and white masterpiece. This is one of two cake designer partners at this Utah wedding reception center. Magelby’s was the caterer serving sandwiches, fruits, and vegetables. Her photographer was Kristina Bath and Videographer was Taylor Allred. Garden Elegance was her florist.

Bride’s Mother wrote: “The staff is very helpful and accommodating. We loved everything. It was just beautiful!”

Beautiful Celebrations

Reception Centers in Utah Host Charming Decorating Ideas

September 5, 2012 Wendy Pettit Leave a comment

A most beautiful and elaborately decorated wedding celebration is featured today. Reception Centers in Utah don’t all need this incredible detailed decorating, but this bride’s mother-in-law orchestrated a beautiful celebration with the backdrop of a simple elegant Utah wedding venue. Any future bride can glean all kinds of creative wedding ideas to set their wedding reception apart from others.

A delicate feminine theme was woven throughout the hall. With pastel pinks and whites and a hint of gold, green, and deeper pink, Ivy House Weddings at Western Gardens Downtown became a magical wonderland for over 300 guests to enjoy. For easier reading, I’ll make a list of the creative ideas from which to glean for your own party at almost any of the Utah wedding reception centers. I will begin at the first entrance to the venue and proceed throughout!

1. Window Decals on Entrance Main doors – Ivy House granted permission to place personalized window decals representing the new couple’s initials. With ribbons hanging from the outdoor majestic lamps, this was a nice preview as to what the guests were about to enter.

2. Wedding Garland – very clever and delicate touch to the entrance inside the main doors. Created by stringing together paper & foil cupcake holders and pink and cream lace doilies. All guests walked under the garland upon entering the main reception hall.

3. Floral Arrangements – Both windows inside the main room were adorned with floral arrangements. A large floral arrangement in one, and delicate individual flowers in another. A very nice touch! Other displays of floral, photo, and trinket designs dotted the hall on various hutches and dressers.

4. Votive Candles – On the spiral staircase leading to a romantic Romeo and Juliet balcony, the family had placed double votive candles on every step. Romance was definitely in the air! Candles were extinguished when the couple ascended to toss the bouquet and garter!

5. Wedding Cake – Next was the cake alcove. Wow! This mother must have been an interior designer. Between the lace woven through the arbor and so many little trinkets dangling, as a whole, the 3-tiered cake became the center of an art masterpiece.

6. Mr. & Mrs. Mantel – The couple chose to have a formal line in front of the decorated mantel. A Mr. and Mrs. swag of pink pennants accented the majestic fireplace.

7. Lattice Photo Display – After congratulating the newlyweds, guests walked past a display of photos hanging from rick-rack on a lattice divider. Very clever and very functional as well.

8. Simple delicious refreshments – Then to the refreshment favorite of the newlyweds – taquitos created by a family friend. Salsa and rice complimented the treat. Sweet treats were also offered. Fruits, tarts, and cupcakes topped off the menu.

Credit is in order for the florist Skyline Floral, Kathy Ford the caterer, Ivy House preferred cake baker Cindy Crump of Heritage Cakes, and the incredible photographer Amanda from Campbell Photography.

The mother-in-law wrote the following review of their experience at Ivy House…. “Loved having our reception @ Ivy House. Everything was perfect! Jenny was great to work with. The facility is beautiful, clean, with so many extras – beautiful centerpieces, linens, DVD & sound system. LOVED that there were no “surprise” charges for such things! Employees of Western Garden were so nice to pitch in & help carry in things for us. All in all – a wonderful experience! Bride’s room was so beautiful & so nice to have a place to put personal items & change clothes. Only suggestion: I know it’s the Western Gardens restrooms; they are clean and nice but if it could be a bit prettier in there with a fun plant decor!”

This beautiful couple was surrounded by beautiful decor and beautiful people. What an enjoyable and pleasant celebration of true love at Ivy House Weddings. Wedding reception centers in Utah would love to have hosted this bride and groom’s gathering.

Beautiful Celebrations

February 25, 2012 – Wedding Venues in Salt Lake City and Paper Lanterns

April 4, 2012 Wendy Pettit Leave a comment

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.

Beautiful Celebrations

Utah Weddings with COLOR at Ivy House Weddings

March 22, 2012 Wendy Pettit Leave a comment

One of the first decisions made and a most important attribute of any wedding is the color scheme a bride will use in her reception halls. Many Utah brides started at a very young age dreaming of their Utah weddings with certain favorite colors. The color the bride chooses will radiate the kind of woman she has become and the kind of ambiance she wants her guests to feel at the celebration honoring her and her husband.

Factors that should be considered in completing your color scheme are simple: 1) Obviously, a color that you love, 2) the season for the celebration, and 3) the wedding venue you’ve chosen.

#1 – The color you’ve been dreaming of is most important. However, be prepared to have it be the main bold color or possibly an accent combined with other complementary colors. For example, red is a beautiful autumn and winter color for weddings. Spring, not so much. However, red coupled with yellow and a hint of orange is a beautiful combination for a spring wedding. Your color can serve as the main event or as a beautiful accent.

#2 – The season does make a bit of difference on your color palette. Again, be prepared to have your favorite color coupled with others to create that ambiance for a complete event. Spring colors like baby blue and pale yellow can work in the winter by adding some accents of black or browns. The atmosphere you create inside will compliment the outside.

#3 – Sometimes the wedding venue you choose will have a bearing on the color tones you finally put together. You want your colors to make a statement. Remember, you are creating a feeling and a flow for all your guests to experience. If your venue is a garden type with plants all over, then kelly green might not make a statement but rather blend into the green already there. Maybe a waste of money. However, a soft green coupled with white would be stunning.

View the color wheel found at Budget Brides. It is complete with seasons, the meanings of the colors, and easy to see visual of complimentary colors (two colors that lie directly opposite each other on the color wheel), and tertiary colors (three colors of equal distance from each other on the wheel). These color schemes are pleasant to the viewer. There are other color schemes. For example, monochromatic colors – using different shades of a color for a more dramatic effect.

Many wedding reception centers in Utah, like Ivy House Weddings at Western Gardens downtown, lends itself to any color scheme. From bold reds to soft pastel peach, most color schemes will work beautifully in well put together wedding places. With your creative touch, your expressive personality, and the right reception venue in Utah, your wedding celebration will be most memorable for you and for your guests.