Claire & Sam
River Bottoms Ranch, Midway
September 17
Planning & Design by Michelle Leo Events
Photographs by Pepper Nix
THE COUPLE
Claire and Sam grew up mere miles from each other in Chicago but didn’t meet until much later in life when Bumble came calling. The pair adventured together for a little over three years before Sam decided to take things to the next level. While exploring in Washington, he got down on one knee at the picturesque Lake Serene, where the sound of epically crashing snow melt applauded Claire’s exuberant ‘yes.’
THE WEDDING
Informed by their love of mountain views, Claire and Sam tied the knot at River Bottoms Ranch, just minutes from Claire’s parent’s home in Deer Crest. Working with Michelle Leo Events, the couple crafted a one-of-a-kind event design they dubbed “mountain chic.” Claire’s favorite green hues made appearances in bridesmaid’s gowns, table linens, paper suites and more, acting as a landscape-inspired foundation for floral arrangements popping with blue and orange blooms.
Florals lined both aisle and altar, welcoming Claire’s wedding day debut in a mermaid-cut, glitter-encrusted Pronovias gown, while Sam dressed in a navy blue Armani suit. Sam’s sister officiated an emotional ceremony, accented with readings by close friends and Jewish traditions in honor of Sam’s heritage.
In the venue’s stunning indoor-outdoor reception space, each guest was greeted with a whimsical charger and elegant orange orchid marking their seat. A raw bar and passed hors d’oeuvres kicked off the party, as the bar served custom cocktails: Sam’s “River Bottoms-Up” Negroni and the “Un Campari-ble Claire.”
THE PARTY
Following dinner (complete with a classic Utah-inspired menu) came an evening packed with music by Groove Merchants. Sam and Claire showed off their dance lesson skills to “I Found You” by Alabama Shakes, and no Jewish-heritage wedding is complete without a resounding Hora. “With the blur of people and everyone smiling in celebration of our wedding, that Hora was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done,” Sam says.
THE HONEYMOON
A few days after their mountain nuptials, Sam and Claire set off on yet another adventure to a scuba getaway in Fiji, followed by a ryokan retreat in Japan.
UTAH WEDDING VENDORS
Planning and Design: Michelle Leo Events, michelleleoevents.com
Photography: Pepper Nix, peppernix.com
Venue: River Bottoms Ranch, riverbottomsranch.com
Florist: Artisan Bloom, artisanbloom.com
Catering: Culinary Crafts, culinarycrafts.com
Bar Service: Top Shelf Utah, topshelfutah.com
Rentals: Diamond Event & Tent, diamondevent.com
Lounge Furniture: Apex Furniture Rentals, apexluxuryfurniturerental.com
Lighting: Moonlight Utah, moonlightutah.com
Gown: Pronovias via Idina Bride Seattle, idinabride.com
Suit: Armani via Nordstrom, nordstrom.com
Bridesmaid’s Gowns: Jenny Yoo, jennyyoo.com
Groomsmen Suits: The Black Tux, theblacktux.com
Hair: Kali Chris, kalichris.com
Makeup: Kristen Packard Artistry, kristenpackard.com
Cake: cake. by Alessandra, cakeut.com
Ceremony/Cocktail Music:String Love Quartet, stringlove.com
Reception Band: Groove Merchants, groovemerchantsutah.com
Transportation: Snow Country Limousine, snowcountrylimo.com
