There’s always one thing about every wedding we publish on SMP that stops us in our tracks and makes us go “woah… that’s AMAZING.” For today’s wedding – it’s the gorgeous black and blush barn reception. Everything about it is breathtaking – the greenery adorned chandeliers, Rachael Ellen Events’ soft, feminine blooms, not to mention that insane CAKE. We don’t about you, but this day made us completely rethink what styles were possible at a ranch venue. Head on over to the full gallery to see all the inspiring details – beautifully captured by Sophie Kaye Photography!
From Rachael Ellen Events… Lauren and Johnny were married on a gorgeous October day in the mountains of Midway, Utah. Their gorgeous venue, River Bottoms Ranch, stands tall in the valley of the gorgeous mountain ranch property amidst fields of grass, sprawling views of the mountains, and a quaint pond. Lauren describes herself as someone with classic and feminine style. Johnny, on the other hand, prefers a look with a bit more edge and grit. We were eager to find a way to cohesively combine these two styles into something that was totally unique to the two of them and their love.
Lauren wore a gorgeous long sleeve beaded gown – perfect for the chilly fall mountain temperature. Her gorgeous dark hair was worn in a classic chignon for her ceremony and changed into a glam center part for her reception. Johnny wore a custom burgundy suit and a sleek black tie – the perfect look for their chic, Autumn wedding. Lauren’s bridesmaids wore gorgeous blush dresses and the groomsmen were in sleek black suits and skinny black ties. The paper goods were the starting point for their wedding look. We opted for black paper for their invitations – black being the perfect marriage of chic and gritty. The gold foil added an elevated sense while the old-world monogram gave the look a bit of a moody spin.
We opted for details such as gold wax seals and scrolled name cards to create a romantic combination between the two looks. The florals were inspired by Lauren’s sweet and soft personality while also maintaining an autumnal feel. We focused on feminine blooms such as Quicksand roses, local Dahlia, and Majolica spray roses. Paired with fall foliage and a few touches of dark burgundy, the overall look was romantic yet moody. Most of the product for the floral staircase and ceremony install was forged from the surrounding Utah mountains and sprinkled with patches of garden roses to keep with the romantic feel.
The table decor was another area where we knew we needed to create the perfect balance between their two styles. The foundation for our design was a black velvet linen – this felt both chic and elevated while also contributing to the darker mood that Johnny loves. We paired these with gold and ivory petal chargers to bring in a feminine edge, modern flatware and glassware, and dusty lavender taper candles. These more modern elements balanced the feminine, garden inspired feel of the florals. One of our favorite details from the evening were the two custom neon signs that we had made for the couple. The one above the fireplace and lounge area read “I was made for loving you, baby” while the other above their bar area read “The Whites.” Another favorite design detail was the escort display which was gold shelving filled with glasses of bubbly topped with name tag scrolls. Each guest grabbed a glass before heading to their seat to enjoy dinner and toasts. The guests enjoyed a lovely Autumnal dinner, live jazz music, and heartfelt toasts before Lauren and Johnny cut into their custom black wedding cake complete with sugar flowers created to match our floral arrangements. After the cake cutting, Lauren and Johnny shared a dance before the rest of the group joined them. They danced into the late hours of the night before ending with a sparkler sendoff.
Photography: Sophie Kaye Photography | Wedding Planner: Rachael Ellen Events | Florist: Rachael Ellen Events | Cake: Flour & Flourish | Ceremony Venue: River Bottoms Ranch | Reception Venue: River Bottoms Ranch | Catering: Blended Table | Hair and Makeup: Janelle Ingram | Jazz Band: Jacob Khalil | Paper Goods: Lettering by GRG | Rentals: Diamond Event Rentals | Wedding Designer: Rachael Ellen Events