Private Residence, Salt Lake City
Sept. 10
Planning and Design by Norman Weddings
Photography by Kiana Bates Photography
THE COUPLE
Michajah and McCabe met in the design program of their college in St. George Utah. The pair, along with Michajah’s best friend and roommate Nayvi, became fast friends through the duration of their college experience. After graduating in May 2021 and breaking off a long-term relationship, Michajah discovered possible feelings for her former college friend McCabe. After reconnecting, McCabe eventually admitted he had had feelings for her for a long time. “Everyone but me seemed to know about it, and I was somehow the last person to figure it out,” laughs Michajah. “After it all came out, I realized he was my best friend and that I wanted his love forever.”
That July, the pair became an official couple, and by September McCabe had bought a ring. He held onto the bling until May 2022 so that he could propose in Bear Lake where he first asked Michajah to be his girlfriend. In Michajah’s words, “It was an obvious yes.”
THE WEDDING
Just a couple of months later, the couple sealed the deal with the ultimate vintage-chic ceremony on a family friend’s Salt Lake City estate. As the director of a Makerspace for Utah Tech University, Michajah had all the resources she needed to design her own custom wedding. It began with the stationery: Armed with a pattern from an heirloom handkerchief, a simply-chic palette of black, white and brass and a monogram that she dreamed up herself, this bride hand-picked and laser-cut each piece of the invitation suite, complete with ticket stubs to introduce their “Rock Meets Royal” theme. “The vibe suited us so well,” says the bride. “At a glance, McCabe and I appear to be exact opposites but we just work together so well.”
From there, Michajah added her signature flair to every table with handmade and vintage decor items that she meticulously sourced to fit their desired vibe. Crystal mugs, hand-cut and lettered signage, thrifted teapots and retro cherubs were the highlights of the design, “I was loving anything eclectic with ornate details,” Michajah says. Amid it all, a romantic and whimsical spread of colorful florals brought the classic and cool fairytale event to life. “Having a beautiful space ensured our wedding would feel like a fairytale.”
Michajah walked down the aisle to a quartet rendition of “Something Just Like This.” She was draped in a long-sleeved satin gown, complete with an elegant plunge front, open back and oversized bow to bring her signature edge to the look. Waiting for her under a be-floraled iron arch, McCabe stood in a classic black tuxedo. After a laugnter-and-love-filled ceremony perfomed by minister Greg Jorgenson, the couple returned down the aisle, this time as husband and wife.
THE PARTY
Soon after the ceremony and cocktails, the couple shed their bridal attire in favor of a cutoff denim jacket for McCabe and a lace corset for Michajah, to join their guests for the wedding party of the century. Following a meal of salmon and prime rib and an afternoon of lawn games and disposable-camera selfies, the groom jumped on stage to join his bandmates as their group NVM performed a full rock show that guests danced along to. “It was the first time our family members from out of town were able to see McCabe play live,” Michajah explains. The band played “Fade Into You,” by Inhaler for the couple’s first dance, and served as the soundtrack to a truly rock and roll evening.
At the end of the evening, Michajah and McCabe cut into a stunningly elaborate, six-tier cake, adorned with decadent fondant swirls and vintage Wilton cherub pillars, reminiscent of the iconic Grace Kelly confection. The flavors included gluten-free tiramisu, chocolate caramel and white-chocolate raspberry.
Throughout the event, guests had a ball applying custom, temporary tattoos drawn by the groom, and curating their own “ink” to match McCabe’s impressive sleeves.
THE HONEYMOON
Continuing the celebration after their big day, the couple spent the following days at the Little America, staycationing and brunching with their closest friends.
VENDORS
Planning and Coordination: Norman Weddings and Events, normanweddingsandevents.com
Venue: Private Estate
Photography: Kiana Bates Photo, kianabatesphoto.com
Floral: The Vita Fiori, thevitafiori.com
Cake: Maile Cake Design, mailecakedesign.com
Gown: Mary’s Bridal, marysbridalutah.com
SUITS: Tuxedo Junction, tuxedojunction.com
Rentals: All Out Event Rental, eventrentalutah.com; Mountain Event Rental, mountaineventrental.com
Videographer: Ivry Media Works, ivrymediaworks.com
Catering: Culinary Crafts, culinarycrafts.com
Ceremony String Quartet: KateLyn Syphus, syphusmusic.com
Reception Band: NVM, nvmworldwide.bandcamp.com
Inspiration for Utah Weddings
