Inspiration

Sustainably Sophisticated at Goldener Hirsch

A newly modernized space sets the scene for a refreshing, contemporary celebration.

April 12, 2021

Part of Park City’s magic is its ability to meld classic with contemporary. “Embrace tradition, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box” is the top tip Meredith Parsons gives for keeping a celebration fresh within Deer Valley’s old world atmosphere. The Bluebird Event Destination Management founder teams with her favorite cast of creatives to show off local blooms, au courant hues and the alpine majesty of Silver Lake Village. She shares her secrets to creating an avant-garde Park City party.

LOOK LOCAL

For this project, Parsons places an emphasis on utilizing locally-sourced design elements that seamlessly blend into the alpine environment. For the sake of sustainability and belonging, floral designer Sarah Winward goes above and beyond to acquire local blooms. “The soul of this community is tied to the outdoors, and we set out to celebrate that,” explains Parsons. “By using tumbleweeds and foliage native to Utah, we were able to incorporate elements of the high-mountain desert that gave the overall design a sense of place.” Not only does the floral design reflect the locale, it also balances the prominent concrete architecture utilized throughout the property. “I chose these specific botanicals because of the way their structural elements complement the streamlined, angular look of the venue,” explains Parsons.

CELEBRATE YOUR SPACE

Parsons encourages couples to meld their vision with their venue by taking cues from the space. “The inspiration for this photo shoot was the venue itself,” Parsons says. “We took one look at Goldener Hirsch’s expanded space, and knew we had to highlight the modern design elements of the renovation while honoring the tradition of the hotel, as it’s a real Park City staple.”

KEEP IT CURRENT

The modern, minimalistic design of the venue fosters contemporary artistic choices. For the ceremony, Parsons opts for Lucite chairs that give an of-the-minute edge to the neutral locale. The concrete wall provides sleek lines and a minimal background, which keeps the focus on the couple and the floral installation floating above them. For the table settings, Parsons chooses masculine, contemporary flatware that offers a modern flair.

CREATE CONTRAST

What is the key to making dark, moody tones work in wedding design? According to Parsons, the trick is creating balance through contrast. She builds depth and character with high-contrast hues offset with neutral tones and soft textures. “For example, the dark blown-glass candlesticks prop up neutral candles, while the glossy black table finds its counterpart in the fluffy, airy clematis performing as the table’s star florals.” Embracing negative space, Parsons allows the venue’s clean lines and bold colors to create visual interest