written by Val Rasmussen
photos by Pepper Nix Photographers
Take it from the pros who know: White design is hot.
If you want to know what’s next in party design, look no further than the Utah Bride & Groom magazine’s annual White Party. Whether you’re planning a luxe hotel reception or small dinner party, this year’s “Fête en Blanc” showcases the hottest design trends you’ll want next year.
Get those Pinterest boards ready for: White done right. Fête en Blanc boldly goes where no Utah party has ever gone before.
2019 Wedding Trend #1: Book a local architectural gem.
Want to really impress your guests? Go big with the venue. In its short life, the Natural History Museum of Utah has quickly become one of Salt Lake City’s crowning architectural achievements. Departing from the dark and dated museums of yesteryear, the award-winning, LEED-certified icon not only rests it’s copper-clad walls against the city’s foothills, it overlooks a city that locals are so obviously attached.
2019 Wedding Trend #2: Roll out the white carpet (of flowers).
Sure, white flowers are a timeless wedding tradition, but Kellie Jackstien of Artisan Bloom (shown below) ditches the loose leaves and vines in favor of high-impact lush groupings. Esprit Raw Flowers (our favorite local bloom wholesaler) shipped in crisp white blooms—like anthurium, hydrangea, hyacinth and roses from South America—to roll up stairs, sprout out of geometric vases, and cover Couth Booth‘s photo backdrop wall.
2019 Wedding Trend #3: Get creative with your dress code.
What does one wear to a White Party? You guessed it. Truth be told, I have wedding “friendors” tell me months prior to the White Party that they are already looking for their outfit. It’s a big deal. Because guests must know what to wear anyway, ditch the common “formal” or “informal” request, in favor of “white cocktail attire” or “luncheon florals” or “James Bond sexy” or “Western chic.” Need help in customizing a dress code for your party? Ask your planner. I’m sure they have plenty of ideas up their “white cocktail attire” sleeve.
2019 Wedding Trend #4: Craft a menu to arouse every sense.
If you’re hungry, you may not want to read further.
Honestly, I don’t know how caterers do it, but the Culinary Crafts team does it right. Every nibble these days must be perfectly balanced. Sweet and savory. Fresh and filling. Luxurious and budget-conscious. But most of all, cuisine (and cocktails, too) must arouse every sense—sight, taste, smell, touch and sound.
Sound is the story to tell behind every morsel. Whether its locally-sourced, taken from a family recipe, inspired by travels, or sampled from favorite restaurant, a well-rounded 2019 party menu reveals the hosts personalities.
2019 Wedding Trend #4: Up your rental game.
Let’s take a moment of silence to let go of the drab party rentals of the past: standard round tables, fold up chairs, polyester linens, clear glass vases and faux-concrete pedestals. Remember those? Yikes.
Thank heavens Eclective Hive recently waltzed into the Salt Lake Valley with a cool breeze of rental collections. Choose from daybeds, hammock, bars, benches, structures, and more in styles like art deco, industrial, Parisian or global.
2019 Wedding Trend #5: Hire the pros.
One might think that by running a bridal magazine, we would know how to plan our own party. Sure, we know pretty when we see it, but it’s a another ball game when it comes to logistics. Enter Fuse Weddings & Events.
Fuse has done so many events, they have it down to a science. Producing a experience takes more than an eye for design. Crowd flow, vendor timing, parking, space planning, signage, lighting and audio doesn’t equate with most DIY planners. Party “pretty” is a mere sliver of what these pros do. Take our advice: Hire a wedding planner. It will save you time, headaches and, best of all, they’ll keep you on budget.
Once you’ve hired a planner, they can help you select the rest of your party team. Want to know some of our favorites? They’re all listed at the bottom of this post. Good luck and congratulations!
This year’s sponsors include:
Venue: Natural History Museum of Utah // Catering: Culinary Crafts // Planning & design: Fuse Wedding and Events // Floral design: Artisan Bloom // Esprit Raw Flowers // Photography: Pepper Nix // Videographer: Chris McClain // Entertainment: Dave Bowen Orchestra, TapSnap and Couth Booth // Rentals: Eclectic Hive // Treats: Cakes by Socorro and Retro Rentals // Invitations: Ann Elizabeth Print Studio // Jewelry: Diamonds Direct
White Party 2018 from Chris McClain Productions on Vimeo.
