Christina Vaca & Ryan Pelo – 11.7.15
THE COUPLE
Salt Lake residents Christina and Ryan met in Chicago while attending Northwestern University for their doctorates in physical therapy. After five years of dating, Ryan proposed during a vacation with his family at Cannon Beach, Oregon.
THE WEDDING
Before moving to Utah, Christina and Ryan planned their wedding from Chicago. “I had always dreamed of a late-fall or early-winter wedding, but in Chicago, that meant it would be have to be indoors,” Christina says. “I had fallen in love with the mountains on our previous trips to Utah.” Two days before the wedding, they treated the bridal party to a tour of Olympic Park, where they met athletes from the World Cup Skeleton Team. The Riverhorse hosted a rehearsal dinner.
THE MOOD
“Stein Eriksen Lodge offered everything we could wish for, from the outstanding service, an outdoor ceremony with the mountains as our backdrop—as well as the ability to have all of our guests within a close proximity at the mid-mountain resort,” Christina explains. “The ballroom has a glass-paneled wall that opens up to a perfect view of the mountains. This was critical for the balance of elegance and rustic lodge flare.”
THE CUISINE
Passed hors d’oeuvres included smoked-salmon mousse, Creminelli salami, fried artichoke hearts, Maine crab cakes, Kobe-beef short ribs and pork belly. The dinner menu featured mushroom soup and heirloom tomato arugula salad with a choice of tenderloin and sea bass, rack of lamb and shrimp or wild mushroom vegetable risotto. A taco cart offered late-night party nosh.
THE TUNES
DJ Craig Chambers emceed the evening music list that included Kodaline’s “The One” for Christina and Ryan’s first dance.
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT
“From inside, I watched our photographer position Ryan for our first look,” Christina recalls. “Instead of feeling nervous, I felt this overwhelming sense of calm knowing that the man that I love unconditionally and who had supported me over the past seven years was going to become my husband.”
See more inside the
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THE DETAILS
Photography: Sparkle Photography, Park City
Wedding planner: Soirée Productions, Park City
Catering and venue: Stein Eriksen Lodge, Park City
Flowers: Artisan Bloom, Draper
Hair and makeup: Paula Dahlberg, SLC
Rentals: Soirée Productions, Park City
Gown: Modern Trousseau, Bella Bridal Salon, Oakbrook, Illinois (available at Alta Moda Bridal, SLC)
Suits: Brooks Brothers (available at City Creek, SLC)
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Jenny Yoo (available at Gateway Bridal, SLC)
Entertainment: Craig Chambers, SLC
Videography: Nathan Pickett Films, Layton
