The Red Earth Venue, Moab
May 5
Planning and Design by Aloha Bridal Connections
Photos by Maggie Bradshaw
THE COUPLE
Native Texans Jodie and Evan met during a mutual friend’s birthday dinner. From that night bloomed a beautiful relationship filled with laughter and adventure. Five years later, Evan decided to pop the question. During a vacation to one of the couple’s favorite beach locales, Key West, Evan brought Jodie to Smathers Beach where he lowered onto one knee. To Jodie’s surprise, photographers popped out of hiding places to capture the incredibly magical moment.
SOUTHERN UTAH DESTINATION WEDDING
To showcase their love of travel and the outdoors, Jodie and Evan chose to host their celebration at The Red Earth Venue in Moab, complete with jaw dropping red rock views and rustic bohemian flair. Each detail, from the guests attire to the event’s floral design, was meticulously thought out to reflect the couple’s love story.
A palette of earthy taupes complimented the venue’s desert surroundings, while warm berry tones added pops of color. “Earthy tones symbolize our grounded love,” Jodie says. “The rich warm hues represented our fiery passion.” For added luxe and comfort, chic loungers, fire pits and fresh florals adorned the al fresco celebration. The couple was joined by 45 of their closest friends and family members, “allowing us to fully savor the breathtaking desert views with the people who meant the world to us,” Jodie recalls.
Against the stark crimson cliffs, Jodie was a vision of bridal beauty in her off-shoulder beaded gown by Louvienne. “Every moment I spent in it made me feel like an absolute queen,” she says. Floating down the aisle, Jodie focused on her husband-to-be dressed in his dapper sand-hued suit by Adam Ross. Of course, the couple could not take their next step into forever without the presence of their pooch Oliver, who joined Jodie and Evan at the altar in his adorable custom wedding attire.
Throughout their special day, Jodie and Evan prioritized private moments for just the two of them. Before the ceremony, the couple shared their vows back-to-back with only the solitude of the Moab desert as their witness. Between their tears of happiness, Evan couldn’t resist reaching back to feel Jodie’s dress and envision her bridal look. Another intimate memory, the couple stole away during the reception to snap a few golden-hour photos. “It allowed us to slow down and savor the incredible day we had crafted together,” says Jodie.
RED EARTH VENUE RECEPTION
Self-proclaimed foodies, Jodie and Evan wanted their menu to showcase their love of culinary exploration, and the catering pros at Moab Chef were up to the challenge. Guests enjoyed a selection of appetizers during cocktail hour, complete with customized napkins with Oliver’s face and drinks from mobile bar service The Tipsy Trailer. Once the party moved inside Red Earth’s Glass House venue, Jodie and Evan hit the dance floor for their first dance to ‘Kiss Me,’ by Dermot Kennedy. “We’ve seen Dermot perform while we were dating, again during our engagement and even had the pleasure of meeting him in person as a married couple,” Jodie shares. “His music is deeply intertwined with our love story.” Between dancing and celebrating, guests enjoyed a dessert bar loaded with a variety of treats, from cupcakes to gluten-free cookies and a smattering of salads and dinner options. The couple’s three-tier white wedding cake was topped with sweet blooms and frosted with almond buttercream. As dusk settled on the desert horizon, Jodie and Evan toasted “forever” with their closest circle.
POST-WEDDING ADVENTURE
Moab offers a bounty of excursions for thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts, and the married couple wasted no time enjoying them. The wedding party reconvened for a day-after brunch and then hit the trails for a private sunset excursion in Hells Revenge dune field. Jodie recalls the unique experience as the perfect end to their celebration. “It was a pulse-pounding adventure that we highly recommend to anyone seeking unforgettable memories.”
UTAH WEDDING VENDORS
Planning and Design: Aloha Bridal Connections, alohabridalconnections.com
Venue and Catering: The Red Earth Venue, theredearthvenue.com
Photographer: Maggie Bradshaw, maggiebradshawphoto.com
Floral: Details by Lauralee, detailsbylauralee.com
Gown: Lovely Bride, lovelybride.com
Gown Designer: Louvienne, louvienne.com
Veil: Toni Federici Veils, tonifederici.com
Menswear: Adam Ross Custom, adamrosscustom.com
Hair and Makeup: Tara Johnson, Fringe with Benefits,
@fringewithbenefits801
Videographer: Abshire Films, abshirefilmsphotos.com
Cake: Sweet Serendipity Moab, @sweetserendipitymoab
Catering: Moab Private Chef, moabchef.com
Bar Service: Tipsy Trailer, tipsytrailerbar.com
DJ: DJ Beardly, djbeardly.com
String Quartet: Black and White String Quartet, bwsq.co
