written by Val Rasmussen | photos by Logan Walker
Rachel Rossicone & Joey Gardiner
St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Park City and Gardiner Residence at Wolf Creek Ranch, Woodland
The Couple
Rachel and Joey met at California Polytechnic State University where they were study partners during a Beatles Music Appreciation class. Two years later, Joey (a sales and marketing executive for his family’s company, Treehouse California Almonds) proposed to Rachel (employed in online marketing). “Joey is a man of romantic gestures,” Rachel says.
Her groom—a hobbyist pilot—invited Rachel on a flight up the California Coast on his birthday. But instead of landing for a romantic dinner, he surprised her with a fly over of his family’s Bakersfield, California farm to unveil a sign below that read, “Will you marry me?”
The Wedding
The couple set their sights on Woodland in Summit County—where the groom’s family owns a vacation home—to host the reception and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Park City to celebrate the wedding. “It is a beautiful church out in the wilderness,” Rachel describes. “The large windows allow you to see the magnificent red and yellow fall colors of the trees. The wedding date meant a lot to us because it was Joey’s grandma’s birthday.”
The Mood
“We love how pretty the outdoors are in Utah,” says Rachel who, with Joey, opted for a rustic-chic party. Vintage antler chandeliers dangled like statement earrings from a clear-tent ceiling. Wood tables held lace table runners, wooden candle holders, table cards flaunting graphics of aspen trees, gilded gold antlers and classic florals in yellow, white and turquoise hues.
“We wanted to bring the colors and plants from nature into our wedding.” Vessels spilled over with garden roses, tulips, lavender, dusty miller and rosemary.
The Menu
Influenced by the family’s roots in agriculture, the menu boasted the season’s rich harvest. “We wanted the menu to represent our favorite things in Utah,” Rachel explains. “We wanted our guests to literally get a taste of Utah’s finest.” Elk-carpaccio crostinis, butternut squash lollipops and port-wine braised pheasant corn cakes kicked off the menu.
The salad course served up local spinach and romaine, local pears, gorgonzola, candied almonds and dried cranberries with a caramelized onion balsamic dressing. Mesquite-grilled Rocky Mountain red trout was paired with Granny Smith apple chutney, seared cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, tomato, lentils and micro greens. Additionally, grass-fed local beef tenderloin tantalized taste buds alongside corn cilantro risotto and julienne vegetables.
The Tunes
Music sets the tone for any wedding, starting with the heartfelt ceremony and ending with an electrifying reception. So what’s better, a DJ or a live band? Rachel and Joey opted for both: SLC-based DJ Craig Chambers and Beverly Hills-based “James Gang Band” of West Coast Music. The happy newlyweds danced to Ryan Bingham’s “How You Get The Girl.”
Players
Photography Logan Walker for Pepper Nix Photography, SLC
Planner Soirée Productions, Park City
Catering Culinary Crafts, SLC
Bar High West Distillery, Park City
Ceremony St. Mary of the Assumption, Park City
Reception Private residence, Wolf Creek Ranch, Woodland
Flowers Decoration Inc., SLC
Rings Geoffrey Young Design, San Francisco, California
Invitations Ann Elizabeth Print Studio, Murray
Gown Casablanca, available at Gateway Bridal, SLC
Suits John Varvatos, johnvarvatos.com
Bridesmaids’ dresses Adrianna Papell
Band James Gang Band, West Coast Music, Beverly Hills, California
DJ Craig Chambers Disc-Connection Inc., Bountiful
Videography Chris McClain Productions, West Jordan
Officiant Mike Fish, St. Gabriel, Poway, California
