A Timeless Backyard Wedding in Salt Lake City

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Rachel and Sean’s wedding was the perfect mix of elegance and intimacy against the stunning Utah’s foothills. Hosted in the backyard of a historic stone home from the 1800s, the couple balanced their vision of a black-tie affair with a relaxed celebration surrounded by their closest family and friends. With simple décor and the natural beauty of Salt Lake City shining through, their wedding was a timeless and personal celebration of love.

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Style: Classy, Intimate, Romantic, Timeless
Time of planning: 9 months
Number of guests: 80
Setting: The backyard of a historic house
Season: Fall

Sean was working at an NPR station in Park City when Rachel, who had some time off between grad school and her new job, moved to town for the summer. After her mom forwarded Sean’s bio from the station’s newsletter, Rachel boldly emailed him with the subject line, “Interested in a blind date?” At first, Sean thought it was a scam, but after rereading the email and doing some digging, he realized she was real and agreed to meet for coffee. Their first date, a couple of weeks later in downtown Park City, sparked a connection that’s lasted ever since. In December 2022, while on a sunset trail hike with their dog Penny, Sean proposed on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Rachel had a feeling a proposal was coming, but didn’t expect it to happen mid-hike with a treat bag around her waist — a perfect and unexpected moment that marked the next chapter of their love story.

Their wedding was personal and elegant, shared with their closest family and friends. The bride initially dreamed of a black-tie backyard wedding, while the groom wanted a larger celebration with all his loved ones. To find the perfect balance, they hosted a classic, elevated wedding in the backyard of a charming stone home from the 1800s. With the stunning Utah foothills as their backdrop, they kept the décor simple, letting the natural beauty of Salt Lake City shine through.

The day was perfectly captured by a talented videographer, Tanner Castro, who transformed their wedding into a cinematic love story. Every tender moment, from the heartwarming vows to the quiet glances between the couple, was beautifully woven together, preserving the emotions and joy of the day in a way that felt timeless and personal. The video truly told their love story, highlighting the most meaningful and touching moments.

Wedding Morning & Fashion

The wedding morning was a truly special time for both Rachel and Sean, as they spent it surrounded by their loved ones. Rachel looked stunning in a Madison James boat neck gown featuring a fitted torso, low back, and a sweeping train. The gown captured her vision of blending classic elegance in the front with a modern, unexpected twist in the back. For her “something borrowed,” she wore her grandmother’s gold bracelet, while her “something blue” came from the blue tab on her cream-colored Rothy‘s loafers, adding a touch of personal charm. Rachel’s makeup was kept soft and natural, with her hair styled in a low ponytail, giving the wedding look a relaxed yet elegant feel. It was the perfect reflection of her understated, timeless style.

I wanted to look and feel like myself, just a slightly elevated version! Everything about my look was very me. I wanted my friends and family to see it and say, “Oh, that’s so Rachel.”

Rachel, The Bride

Sean looked classy in his slim-fitting black tuxedo, adding a personal touch with their wedding date monogrammed on the inside pocket of his jacket. For a fun twist, he wore ruby red socks with croissants, a playful nod to an inside joke between the couple. This mix of timeless elegance and personal flair perfectly captured Sean’s style and sense of humor.

First Look

The first look was an incredibly special moment for Rachel and Sean, one of the highlights of their day. They couldn’t wait to see each other and share their personal vows before the ceremony and celebration with family and friends. In a private, intimate setting under a canopy of trees, away from the bustle of the house, they exchanged heartfelt promises. It was a quiet, emotional moment just for the two of them, allowing them to fully soak in the day’s significance before stepping into the celebration.

For me, this wedding was unique because I filmed Rachel’s sister's wedding a few years prior in Park City. As a vendor to be able to film not just one but two weddings from the same family is truly an honor. It was so special to see so many familiar faces again and document Rachel & Sean’s wedding. This was one of my favorite weddings that I have filmed to date.

Tanner Castro, The Videographer

Ceremony

Rachel and Sean exchanged vows beneath the orchard trees, with the setting sun casting a golden glow over the Salt Lake Valley behind them. Surrounded by their closest family and friends, the intimate ceremony felt deeply personal and heartfelt. Rachel’s brother-in-law officiated it, while a few family members gave meaningful speeches. There were moments of laughter, happy tears, and constant smiles as they celebrated their love. The ceremony was a beautiful blend of joy, love, and intimate connection.

One of my favorite moments was after the ceremony celebrating with family inside the Atkin House and signing the marriage license with their immediate family, the emotions shared were full of joy and excitement.

Rachel, The Bride

Reception Decor & Celebration

The reception took place under the charming pergola on the other side of the venue, where guests also enjoyed a lively cocktail hour featuring hors d’oeuvres, champagne, and local brews from the Wasatch Company, a beloved brewery in the area. Adding a unique touch to the evening, a string quartet played modern pop hits, creating a perfect blend of elegance and fun. The atmosphere was both relaxed and celebratory, setting the tone for the rest of the celebration.

Dinner took place beneath the same orchard trees where the ceremony was held, with local favorite Vessel Kitchen providing a delicious meal. As night fell, the trees lit up with string lights, creating a magical backdrop for heartfelt toasts at the end of dinner. For the dancing part of the evening, Rachel made a stylish outfit change into a chic white suit, perfect for the lively celebration ahead. After the formal dances, the couple wowed their guests with a choreographed first dance to “Always and Forever” by Donna Lewis, starting a night of fun and dancing under the stars.

The night ended as Rachel and Sean made their grand exit through a sea of bubbles, but instead of the traditional getaway car, they surprised everyone by hopping onto a tandem bike. It was a fun and unexpected moment that perfectly reflected their unique style and playful spirit, leaving their guests cheering and smiling as they rode off together.

Advice from the couple:

• Stay in the moment as much as you can. Easier said than done, but we actively planned the schedule to ensure we would have time just the two of us as couple throughout the day and night where we could enjoy the present as a newly married couple.

• Add your own touches to all aspects. Just because other weddings typically have something doesn’t mean you do – nothing is set in stone and on your wedding day, you get to do exactly what you want, regardless of what tradition might be saying you should do.

• Trust your vendors – they’ve done hundreds of weddings before and will do a great job with yours! Your job on your wedding day is to enjoy the day; whatever happens behind the scenes is something your wedding vendors can handle without you stressing about it.