Real Wedding: A Deer Valley Dream

July 20, 2022

Elizabeth & Hill
Montage Deer Valley, June 5th
Planning & design by Bluebird Event Destination Management
Photography by Heather Nan

HOW IT BEGAN

Elizabeth and Hill were friends throughout college but didn’t go out on their first date until they both were seniors. After completing their undergrad, the couple’s dating evolved into a long-distance relationship when Hill took a job in his hometown of Midland, Texas as a petroleum engineer and Elizabeth moved to Austin to attend graduate school. Then, in July 2020, while on a hike at Brighton Resort during a visit to Utah, Hill popped the question. “Hill was sprinting up the mountain while I was struggling to catch my breath,” Elizabeth says. When we finally stopped for a break, he got down on one knee while I was putting up the hammock. Then we went back to Park City where both of our families were waiting for us at lunch. It was so special, and I had no idea any of it was going to happen.”

THE WEDDING

“I’ve visited Utah every summer and winter since I was born,” Elizabeth explains. “And I’d dreamed of getting married at Deer Valley from the time I was a little girl.” The couple zeroed in on the Montage Deer Valley for its amazing views and delicious food. Forty guests attended their intimate celebration which began out on the Montage’s sweeping lawn, framed by vistas of the rolling Wasatch Mountain Range. Elizabeth wore a classic and clean-lined gown with a plunging neckline in both the front and back. Her veil belonged to Hill’s sister, “so I had something borrowed,” she says. Snowy peonies, delicate white lilacs and bouncy lace scabiosa composed her tonal-white bouquet. She was attended by two bridesmaids, who wore pale blue chiffon dresses in styles they each chose. Hill wore a custom-made tuxedo he’s owned previously with a pair of cowboy boots embossed with “BC” for Buffalo Creek ranch, which his family owns in West Texas. Like Hill, his groomsmen wore their own tuxedos. The ceremony was officiated by the same Presbyterian pastor who officiated Hill’s parents’ and sister’s weddings.

A FRESH AMBIENCE

Florals played a big role in Elizabeth and Hill’s beautifully traditional wedding scene. Artisan Bloom’s Kellie Jackstien utilized local delphiniums to guide the design of an abundant and graceful ceremony arch, which was also layered with white garden roses and local viburnum. “The result was a beautifully composed floral blend that both fits the mountain setting and reflects the elevated luxury associated with Deer Valley,” Jackstien says. When guests moved inside to the Empire Lounge for dinner following the ceremony, they were greeted by a dreamy and romantic ceiling installation made from cascading delphinium and spring greenery. The dining table centerpieces—fragrant peonies, white lilac, ranunculus and Lysimachus—dramatically ran the length of each table, but were kept low to promote across-the-table conversation. Fresh sprigs of lavender appointed each place setting.

FOCUSING ON THOUGHTFUL DETAILS

Elizabeth and Hill infused their wedding with their backgrounds and personalities in many ways, including giving their guests “Davenport Granola”—made by Hill’s mother—in their guests’ welcome bags. “My mother makes a mean but delicious Paloma, so that was the perfect selection for our signature cocktail,” Elizabeth says. After everyone left the dance floor at the end of the evening, the couple enjoyed a final dance to “Annie’s Song” by John Denver. “It was my favorite moment of the night because it was just us,” Elizabeth says.