Jon & Tito
Sept. 17, 2022
Blue Sky Lodge
Planning and Design by Fuse Weddings and Events
Photography by Jeremy Chou
THE COUPLE
Jon & Tito first met in 2009, as friends while in separate relationships. “We stayed in touch throughout the years, even when Tito relocated to Los Angeles for work.” Nearly a decade after their initial friendship, Tito (newly single) moved to NYC to take a new job with L’Oreal. Jon’s late husband had passed away that summer, and the pair decided to reconnect over a friendly dinner. That dinner quickly turned into a first date, leading them through deep discussions well into the night.
In August 2020, to celebrate Tito’s 37th birthday, Jon arranged a beautiful starlit dinner for 20 of their closest friends at the couple’s New Jersey home. After dinner, Jon gave a champagne birthday toast to Tito that stretched into a profession of love and desire to spend the rest of their lives together. He produced a surprise ring from his pocket—and without a dry eye in sight, Tito gave Jon a big hug and immediately accepted the proposal.
THE WEDDING
These two stylish grooms knew they wanted a venue that could be dressed up and dressed down simultaneously, and Wanship’s Blue Sky Lodge was the perfect choice.
The couple’s pasture-view outdoor ceremony was held on the lawn and featured exquisitely minimalist florals and decor. Elongated gold vessels lined both aisle and altar, presenting elegantly draped monochrome calla lily bouquets, backed by bunches of dense greenery. Guests looked on, seated in sleek black chairs. Jon and Tito were each escorted down the aisle by their mothers, and were married by Jon’s brother, Steven, with rings presented by the couple’s dog, Chloe, who arrived on-scene decked in burgundy florals and white tulle frills. Both Tito and John sported custom midnight blue tuxedos. For the reception, they swapped their classic black ties for feathered ones, and Jon donned suspenders patterned with the scales of justice, gifted to him by his parents when he entered law school.
The stately, masculine decor continued at the reception. “We wanted a masculine, dark and sexy vibe for our wedding that also respected the natural scenery of the mountains.”
Within Blue Sky’s barn venue, neutral tones accented by burgundy blooms and details enrich every surface. Rich, leather-like browns stand out against matte-black and metallic foundations, with every detail glittering under the venue’s strings of lights. The room’s centerpiece was a branch chandelier, dripping with brilliant white orchids.
THE PARTY
A plated dinner for all 110 guests awaited beyond the barn doors. The menu’s Utah trout and bison nodded to the rustic venue, while late-night burgers and fries coupled with dancing in true party style. The couple chose a unique all-black cake accented with violet figs to foster their sleek, minimal vibe, and inside was a surprising chocolate and peanut butter dessert. Led by DJ Chu, Tito and Jon danced the night away with their family and friends, sipping signature cocktails named for the couple’s Asbury Park, Chelsea, and Park City homes. Their first slow dance was to “Stand by Me” by Skylar Grey, immediately followed by an upbeat Puerto Rican salsa to “Suavemente” by Elvis Crespo, in honor of Tito’s Caribbean heritage.
THE HONEYMOON
Jon and Tito enjoyed three days at the Bulgari Hotel in Dubai exploring the city and adventuring on dune buggies. They followed it with a St. Regis stay in the Maldives, snorkeling and diving in the crystal blue waters.
VENDORS:
Wedding Planning and Design: Fuse Weddings and Events, fuseweddingsandevents.com
Photography: Jeremy Chou Photography, jeremychou.com
Videography: Robert Michael Films, robertmichaelfilms.com
Venue and Catering: Blue Sky Ranch, aubergeresorts.com/bluesky
Grooms’ Attire: Custom by Tailor Cooperative, tailorcooperative.com
Floral: Decoration Inc., decorationinc.com
Rehearsal Dinner: High West Saloon, highwest.com
Signage and Paper Goods: Twelve30 Creative, twelve30.com
Rentals: Wild Event Studio, wildeventstudio.com; All Out Event Rental, eventrentalutah.com; Diamond Event & Tent, diamondevent.com;
Lighting: Moonlight Utah, moonlightutah.com
Linens: Nuage, nuagedesigns.com
Hair: Jill Marie, @jillmariemakeup
Makeup Artist: Tatum Wetzel, tatumwetzel.com
Cake: Flour and Flourish, flourandflourishcake.com
Ceremony Music: String Love, stringlove.com
Reception DJ: DJ Chu, echotalent.com/chuonwax
Photo Booth: Clementine Photo Booths, clementinephotobooth.rentals
Transportation: Snow Country Limousine, snowcountrylimo.com
Ceremony AV: Park City Audio Visual, pcavutah.com
