Tell us about yourself. I’ve been happily married to my best friend for 8 years. I have a grown daughter and one granddaughter. The only children I have at home now are my two cockatiels and a sun conure. I moved to Utah from Idaho 15 years ago for one ski season. I fell in love with the snow and I fell in love. I’m an avid fan of the outdoors and love to be in the mountains. I have been performing wedding ceremonies in and out of the state of Utah since 2003 and can’t imagine doing anything else.

What events or situations brought you into the wedding business? It was through my own wedding. My minister was unavailable. He referred me to a number of officiants but unfortunately (or fortunately) none returned my calls. I soon realized on my quest for an officiant that there was a huge need in the Salt Lake area for an officiant that would be willing to go anywhere, at anytime, for anybody. I was married at the Lady of the Snow chapel at Alta, but you would’ve thought I was asking officiants to go to the moon.  I feel couples should be married in the location of their choice because many times, the location itself is significant to them.

What person or people inspire you, in terms of what you do? All the wonderful wedding/event coordinators I work with at many different locations inspire me. They have a huge job with a lot of responsibility. If anything goes wrong it is their task to resolve it immediately, even if it’s something unrelated to their duties… they are first in the line of fire.  These awesome coordinators work so hard to make sure their couples get the wedding they’ve been promised. It is customer service to the max. I salute each and every one of them as they have a big job and always perform it with a smile.

For what religious affiliations do you perform weddings (if that makes any sense!)? Because I am nondenominational, I perform ceremonies for any and all religions, pleasing not only the bride and groom with the service but their families as well.  This is especially important in interfaith ceremonies.

What is unique about your approach to your business? The business is mine. This is what I do, all I do and what I love to do. To be a professional in anything, you can’t do it “part time” or as a “hobby.” I’m basically on call 24/7 for my couples. When a couple calls or sends an email I can assure them that I will respond within 24 hours.  I’m available to meet with them morning, noon, night, or weekends. Everyone is busy and on different schedules. I make sure my schedule fits theirs… not the other way around.

What unique offerings do you provide to your clients? I offer my couples lots of options when it comes to their wedding ceremony. They may have a religious, nonreligious, spiritual or commitment ceremony. One ceremony does not fit all. I invite couples to add anything personal they would wish to include or even write their own ceremony if they would like. It’s their wedding and should be EXACTLY the way they want it. My couples get to choose what they would like to have so each ceremony is unique and different.

Why is hiring a professional officiant so important? Let’s face it; public speaking is people’s number one fear. A wedding is too important of an occasion not to have someone who is not only comfortable with speaking in front of large groups, but who can also help the couple feel relaxed and able to enjoy the moment.  Also, there is a rhythm and a flow to a ceremony. Laughter, tears and of course, more laughter.  The ceremony should flow smooth so the guests enjoy it. As a professional I arrive 30 minutes early to the wedding location to make sure things are set up as planned. Is the aisle set up wide enough for both the father and mother to walk the bride in as she has requested? Is a table set up for the Unity candle or Sand ceremony? Where are the rings? Etc. (I’m also the one with the scissors, needle, thread, bobby pins, and even band-aids)

Based on your experiences, what wedding-planning and wedding-day advice would you want all couples to know? No matter how much time you plan for getting ready, add at least another 30 minutes. Weddings are extremely fluid and there are so many moving parts that you need to be prepared for the unexpected. Worse case scenario is- you’re ready to go 30 minutes early, giving you time to enjoy the moment rather than being frantic up until the last second or even worse, running late. A late start to your wedding means lost time you will never get back on the other end.

What mistakes do many couples make concerning their wedding day (especially in relation to your business)? They simply wait too long to hire an officiant. The officiant seems to be the last thing they think about and sometimes call two weeks before their wedding. Often it’s a wedding scheduled for a Saturday evening in June and chances of finding someone are slim to none. I’ve had many couples tell me they merely forgot about that part.

How do you keep working as a wedding officiant from not being work? One of my favorite quotes is “If you do a job you love, you will never work a day in your life.” That is how I feel about uniting couples in marriage. I think I have the best job in the world. I get to go to beautiful locations on one of happiest days of their lives.

What advice do your offer to your couples in terms of keeping the marriage alive? Keep a sense of humor, never take each other for granted and communicate, communicate, communicate. Despite what women think, men CANNOT read their minds.  Both bride and groom always need to share their thoughts and feelings.  When things go wrong try to see some humor in it, talk about it and move forward.

Who is one of your favorite wedding vendors and why? Without a doubt it is Michael Lucarelli. He is a classical guitarist that plays at many of the weddings I officiate. I’m always so happy to see him.  Not only is he an amazing musician (he can play anything), he has a great aura around him (probably from being a yoga master) that sends out peace and tranquility. I always have to get a hug from him before the ceremony begins.

What would be your ideal wedding to perform and why? It’s a Sunday night and I’m watching Desperate Housewives. The doorbell rings. My husband answers the door. He escorts a couple in who wishes to be married. I ask if they can wait for a commercial break. They say sure. Commercial comes on, I unite them in marriage and they live happily ever after.  (Just kidding. I really don’t have an ideal wedding. I love them all!!!)

What is your favorite place to have a wedding? Because I’m an outdoors kind of person I’ll take a mountaintop wedding any day. Just being out in nature adds a very spiritual feel to the ceremony.

The best wedding you have officiated at and why? I would have to say, my daughters. I united her and her husband a year ago in Boise, Idaho. She’s a firefighter and the fire department brought in an antique fire truck for the occasion.  The home page of my website has a picture of her, her husband and the fire truck.

What is the coolest thing you have seen at a wedding? It wasn’t something I saw that was cool, the whole wedding was cool. I performed a ceremony in a hot air balloon over Park City. Two balloons to be exact. The bride, groom, two witnesses, the pilot and I were in one balloon and they had five friends in a second balloon.  With radio contact between the two balloons, everyone could hear the ceremony as it took place. It was a beautiful summer morning and when we made our landing the champagne flowed. Definitely a very cool, unique wedding.

I also performed a wedding for a bride whose grandmother had recently passed away and she loved red shoes. Everyone attending the wedding, both men and women, wore red shoes in her memory.

Tell us about your greatest accomplishment this year. Writing this blog post!!!!!!

Visit Anita Gordon’s Website - www.utahweddingminister.com

UtahWeddings.com met up with Hilary Anderson, owner of Alta Moda Bridal Boutique in Salt Lake City. Hilary shared with us her passion for couture bridal dresses and why she does what she does.

Tell us about Alta Moda Bridal Boutique. Alta MODA bridal is a special order bridal boutique with a focus on couture gowns and high service. We carry some of the best made and most fashion-forward designs available.  Never waiting too long to bring something new to Utah, we are constantly working on adding interesting ideas, services, and designers for our brides.

What brought you into the bridal dress business? My interest in couture clothing and a penchant for well-made items led me to work in the bridal industry. A complete love of the bridal business now keeps me here.

What person or people inspire you, in terms of what you do. I have made friends with several boutique owners in many different states. We all share a love for what we do and seeing their joy and success leads and inspires me to be more creative and attentive.

What is unique about your approach in what you provide? Alta MODA strives to give every bride full attention and personal service; never stuffy or formal, but always professional and enjoyable. Our gowns and staff keep Alta MODA on the forefront of all things wedding.

What unique offerings do you provide to your clients, and how is Alta MODA unique in the Utah wedding industry? With 12 exclusive designers, we have the most varied and comprehensive selections of gowns in the state. Not only are all of our gowns unique to Utah, but many of the designers we work with have custom designed exclusive pieces just for Alta MODA brides.

What couture lines do you offer and what can they expect when buying a dress from Alta Moda? Our selection continues to grow, this year adding the quintessential American designer Vera Wang to the mix. Our other designers include: Monique Lhuillier, Anne Barge, Atelier Aimee, Melissa Sweet, Rosa Clara, Amy Kuschel, Model Novias, Amy Michelson, Augusta Jones, Ines Di Santo and McCaffrey Haute Couture. We also now offer two exclusive in-house lines.  All couture, already modest.

A couture gown, like couture service, is about attention to detail and unmistakable quality. A couture gown will come alive in photos.

Based on your experiences, what wedding-planning and wedding-day advice would you want all couples to know? Savor the wedding planning process. The wedding day itself will sweep by you away and be gone in a flash. Taking time to relish in the plans, your  family, and the decisions will give you pause to enjoy the actually day.

What mistakes do many couples make concerning their wedding day? Timing. So often, a couple will try to fit so much into so little time. Give your events space and then add an extra 30 minutes to an hour between events to allow room for spontaneity, glitches, and travel.

How do you keep what you do from not being work? Passion! I love what I do and can’t ever imagine not doing it.

Do you have a favorite designer? Presently, my favorite designer is Rosa Clara from Barcelona. Her designs take what is classic Spanish tradition and recuperates them in fresh, modern ways. She crafts silhouettes that no other designer has yet to achieve.  A bride wearing a Rosa Clara gown will make a statement, all while having a classic feel.

What trends are you seeing in wedding dresses this year? There are three big trends coming for wedding gowns:

1. Full skirts are back – the new traditional.
2. Modern and architecturally inspired.
3. New Necklines - from one shoulder to sleeves.

How is a wedding dress an investment? The wedding dress is the one and only true fashion statement a modern woman gets to make.  Make it right.

Visit the Alta Moda Website - www.altamodabridal.com

UtahWeddings.com did a Q&A session with Kale Fitch of Kale Fitch Films this week.  This is our first of many sessions with local wedding vendors that will help you get to know them on a more personal level, while understanding their business philosophy and why they do what they do. Enjoy!

Tell us about your business. Tell us about yourself and why you do what you do. My name is Kale Fitch with Kale Fitch Productions and I am a wedding videographer in Utah.  I have been in the business for over six years and have enjoyed every minute of it.  I love working with happy couples on their wedding day and making great videos that they can watch for years.  I do what I do because it is something that I am very passionate about.

What brought you into the videography business? Film classes in High School really got me hooked on everything to do with videography.  After High School I worked on quite a few projects with various production companies (rock crawling, mountain biking, music videos, etc.) and then started buying gear and editing equipment for myself.  A friend that was a wedding videographer needed help with a wedding he had and I tagged along as the second camera man.  After shooting that first wedding I knew I wanted to make a name for myself in wedding videography.  Although I have shot a multitude of projects there is just something about wedding videos that really brings out my passion and creativity for film.

What person or people inspire you, in terms of what you do? I pull my inspiration from a lot of sources. I think every great wedding video starts with the couple themselves and I try to bring their personality and emotion out in each video.  Anybody can pick up a camera and a tripod and make a movie but it takes a lot of creativity and inspiration to tell a story in a wedding video.  I think every great videographer has their own unique style and that pushes me to further my own and make myself a better film maker with each passing video.

What is unique about your approach in what you provide? I really love the urban and contemporary look of film and creative angles. Yes there are shots that are set up and staged but I don’t want the same look in each video.  When someone hires me they may get some of the similar shots but I make each one new and exciting with different techniques and looks.

What unique offerings do you provide to your clients? How is your offering unique in the Utah wedding industry? I offer quite a few different choices in my packages.  A few popular videos this year have been the bridal videos and engagement videos, I think those show a lot more than just a photo montage can at a reception.  These are available as an add on to any package.

What different packages do you offer? I offer four different packages ranging from 2 hours of coverage to entire wedding day coverage.  I try to offer something for everyone because I know planning a wedding can be expensive.  Every package can be customized to fit the wedding and the couple.  When you book my services you can expect a personal and professional experience.

What mistakes do many couples make concerning their wedding day? I think one of the mistakes couples make is getting their budget planned and leaving videography to the last (usually cutting it out due to lack of budget).  I am not saying cut back on the important things on your wedding day (cake, flowers, etc.) but a lot of couples miss out on having an awesome professional wedding video.  I firmly believe wedding videography is an essential investment!

How do you keep what you do from not being work? I think when you do what you love you can’t consider that working.  I make every shoot different from the last and incorporate new equipment and techniques if things start to seem the same to me.  I think what I do is very rewarding and gives me the chance to be creative and interact with great people.

Why book a professional videographer? Honestly you get what you pay for, not just in wedding videography but any industry.  Hiring a professional videographer is so important, make sure you look at their work, talk about what kind of equipment they use and how they store the footage for future use.  I get asked quite a bit to fix videos that were shot by “Uncle Bob” and what I hear the most is “If we would have only known how important a video would be to us.”

What situations on the wedding day make it easier for you to achieve a good finished product? I have really shot in every situation imaginable and still came out with great videos.  But I think if the bride and groom can relax and really have fun on their wedding day it always makes for an easier time on catching some great footage.  Don’t sweat the small stuff!

What trends are you seeing in the wedding industry? In wedding videography? A lot of videographers are moving towards higher end equipment and High Definition is becoming the standard.  It’s really amazing the quality we are producing as an industry now compared to even 10 years ago.

How is a wedding video an investment? Wedding Videos are such an important investment.   I guarantee it is something you will take out years down the road and be glad that you had a professional videographer there to capture it all.

Contact Kale Fitch Films

Phone Number - (801) 633-6152
Website - www.kalefitchfilms.com
Email Address - kalefitch@hotmail.com

Jennie wrote:
Where can I purchase a dress for big busted petite size 6 dress? Desperate!

Hi Jennie,

Almost all wedding dress shops have the ability to custom tailor a pre-existing dress to your specific needs. Shops such as Latter-Day Bride and Fantasy Bridal have the ability to take something off of the rack and make modifications based on your body type, height and weight.

If you aren’t looking for a pre-made dress, your best option may be a fully custom job by someone such as Nancy Barrus Couture. Her dresses are hand made to your specifications, making each gown a completely unique creation. Be sure to allow enough time for a custom job to be completed. If your wedding day is fast approaching, ordering it now versus later is a safe bet.

Julia L. wrote:
I was wondering where I can rent a chuppah or something similar in Utah. Wedding arches are not my style. I am not Jewish, but I love the look of them.

Hi Julia,

Chuppahs - or at least modifications of them - have popped up in ceremonies throughout the world, with many couples unaware of their deeply religious connections. Traditionally used in Jewish weddings to symbolize the future home to be built by the couple, Chuppahs are created by stretching a cloth or linen over 4 poles and are often carried to the ceremony. The ceremony takes place under the cloth and often contains an opening in the cloth, in order to allow the sky to shine through.

Most rental houses such as Diamond Rental should have the ability to rent you the necessary elements to create one for your wedding. However, because of their fairly simple construction, many event coordinators or couples resort to making a Chuppah themselves. A handful of sturdy wooden poles or tree limbs covered with a few yards of white cotton fabric will give you a simple, yet elegant “home” for your own wedding.

Chuppah Photo by Brody Dezember Photography.

Jennifer wrote:
I am planning a wedding for February. However, winter is definitely not my favorite time of year and I am struggling with decorating ideas and photography ideas to make a beautiful winter wedding. Any suggestions?

Hi Jennifer,

Planning a winter wedding presents additional challenges beyond the standard wedding planning routine. Things such as checking the weather history, planning for travel, anticipating bad weather and expecting no shows are all things to consider. Above all, the most important consideration is having a back-up plan. You should never have an outdoor wedding in Utah without a back-up plan.

In terms of decorating, whites, silver and gold are great colors for a winter theme wedding. Think in terms of decorating for the season within the winter season. If it is Christmas, ornamental adornments would be great. Snippets of pine, bowls of cranberries and crystal icicles are always a good idea.

For February, take advantage of after-christmas sales. White holiday lights, hot chocolate and sugar cookies can make a terrible day something cozy. White tulips and snow-themed centerpieces can serve as excellent floral and table-top accents.

As for photography, pick someone who has extensive experience with shooting in inclement weather. A Professional wedding photographer will be highly skilled at adjusting for the weather, and may even do a pre-wedding shoot when the weather is good. You may not get some sweeping scenic shots if the weather is bad on your wedding day , but rather some creative interiors.

Brytnie wrote:
My sister is been asked to be the maid of honor at her friends wedding in July and the bride just asked her for a down payment for a $500.00 dress?? The bride is already married for 2 yrs and has 2 kids and they are just now celebrating. My sister has never been informed about buying her own dress, let alone a $500.00 dress. So my question is who is supposed to by the bridesmaid dress?

Hi Brytnie,

Ah, the joys of having friends with expensive tastes. In answer to your question, it is short and sweet. Your sister pays for the dress. It is one of the obligations of accepting the role of being a bridesmaid or maid of honor. Enough said about that.

The larger issue here is that the bride is already married! Thus the marriage is more of a renewal of vows situation rather than the actual ceremony and celebration. The bride should have the courtesy to consider the financial imposition this places on her friends. A $500+ investment for a renewal-of-vows dress should at least come with the assurance that it will be a practical purchase. The bride should make a choice based on the ability of her bridesmaids to be able to wear the dress time and time again. Classical colors and styling would be great options and would make the purchase of the dress more of an investment versus a throw-away item.

If the bride hasn’t taken these things into consideration, your sister always has the option of not accepting the role. It is never disrespectful to be up front with the bride about financial limitations. It may also alert the bride that her dress choice is beyond what people can afford. Unfortunately though, many brides take offense to a maid of honor passing on the role and the friendship may suffer. Have your sister persist in not allowing this to happen. In the long run, her honesty about her financial situation will be the best decision.

Darci wrote:

who do you recommend to clean and preserve a bridal gown, what should I spend?

Hi Darcy,
There are many methods and prices involved in the preservation of a wedding dress. Such methods include wet or dry cleaning, museum methods and boxed methods. Often times, dress preservationists will even make slight repairs to the dress (fixing a stitch, reattaching beading, etc.) prior to the preservation process.
Museum preservation methods are often the most thorough and the most expensive. The dress is cleaned and pressed, then hung on padded hangers and covered with multiple layers of cotton. Dresses also may be laid flat in an acid-free box or drawer and stored in a climate-controlled environment (often a cool, low-humidity room).
Most brides opt for the more affordable, yet effective method of having their dress boxed. This involves cleaning, repairing and pressing the dress, then storing the article in an acid-free container that is impervious to light and dust. Again, pricing may vary depending on the thoroughness of the preservation process.
The best local option is YourValet Dry Cleaning. YourValet is a member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists and has years of experience in the preservation of wedding dresses and other heirloom articles of clothing. They can be found on UtahWeddings.com, under Bridal Shops and Attire.

Heather wrote:
I am planning a valentines day wedding. Am I going to have a small reception do to the holiday or will I still have a nice turnout?

Hi Heather,

Weddings that surround holidays are always a gamble in the attendance department. Christmas weddings can be poorly attended due to weather concerns, higher travel costs and last-minute holiday planning. The same is true for Thanksgiving and summer holidays (Labor Day, 4th of July, etc.).
One thing to consider is that you are holding your wedding on a day that is often reserved for couples to celebrate their own relationships. You are asking them to put aside a day for them in order to celebrate with you and your new husband. If you want to have a good turnout, make it worth it for your guests. Definitely have dinner available, or at the very least heavy hors d’oeuvres. If that isn’t in your plans, then you may want to schedule your event later in the evening, to allow your guests to at least have dinner by themselves.
In terms of actual attendance, it is impossible to say how many will attend. Unless you do RSVP’s, attendance is always a shot in the dark. Having your event on a holiday makes your guest list even more of a guess.
Best of luck.

Jennifer wrote:
I am getting married at rose sach gardens on Oct 3rd, 2009, its the first Saturday of the month. Rummor has it that since my wedding always falls on the first Saturday that it rains. I have heard from several people that is the case and should change are date!! Someone help me calm down. Rain is not a option, becuase its all outdoors.

If anyone has had a wedding on the first Saturday of October without rain please tell me it is not true!

Hi Jennifer,

Sounds like you are falling prey to urban wedding legends! Obviously, the deeper you get in to the year, the more opportunity there is for the weather to turn on you.

The only way to gauge the opportunity for rain on your wedding day is to do a search for the weather history of that date. A good place to start is www.weather.com . The website provides an accurate forecast for the past three years on your wedding day. If all else fails, speaking with your wedding coordinator at your event location is a good place to start. He or she should be able to give you an accurate understanding of weather issues for that area.

Also, you should have a back-up plan. Even if it requires you to provide umbrellas for your guest, there needs to be some consideration for the worst-case scenario.

Remember also that rain on a wedding day is good luck!