Cozy Winter Wedding at Canyons Resort Utah

Canyons Utah winter wedding | Pepper Nix Photography

Jessi and Nick’s classic winter wedding at the Canyons Resort is a perfect picture of classic winter elegance. I love Jessi’s faux fur wrap, rustic elegant bouquet and gorgeous ruffled wedding gown. And don’t you just love how she styled her bridesmaids. Be sure to check out the full gallery. Every lovely detail was expertly captured by Pepper Nix.

Canyons Utah winter wedding | Pepper Nix Photography

Jessi + Nick
Canyons Resort, Utah
March 11, 2012

Why a Mountain Wedding?

Nick and I love to ski. It is something we have been doing since we were very young. Additionally, when we first started dating it was something we did together several times a week. We also love, love, love the mountains, fresh air, and fantastic perspective their majesty brings!

Wedding Day Weather

It could not have been more perfect. If we were skiing we would have called it a Blue Bird Day!

What were some personal details you incorporated? I have my mothers ring in my bouquet, we sent each other letters, and did a champagne toast while we were getting dressed.

Number of guests that attended

125

Where did you get the inspiration?

I knew we wanted things that were a bit more sustainable and that could be recycled or used again. Oh, we did use Sari’s as part of our center pieces These were reminiscent of our two month in India together. It is one of our favorite places!

How did you choose to personalize your wedding?

Getting married outside in the snow. The planner was a bit apprehensive, but I stuck to my guns and am glad I did. We also did a whole weekend of event.

I had all my bridesmaids pick their own dresses. I told them blue, above the knee, and no sleeved. They all picked out dresses that were incredibly flattering and somehow it worked out. Additionally they all wore printed black tights. I bought them coats and boots to keep them warm. One of my bridesmaids, Christina, made muffs (instead of flowers) and we all had a fantastic time making crass poses with them.

What was Your Favorite Part of the Reception?

Dancing with all of Nick’s Citadel classmates. We also rented 4 housed in the canyons village where all of our close friends and family stayed. We had several meals together, did a pub crawl down Main Street, went skiing, and had a blast. I loved that our wedding was a whole weekend!

Moments you loved, hated, cried, laughed or giggled at:

Loved-champagne toast, skiing with friends on Saturday, pub crawl, getting ready, dancing, first look with Nick, getting Nick’s note when I stepped of the gondola, the gondola (so original and a fantastic way for our guest to enter), falling in the snow…several times. Hated- one of my good friends worked with a very prestigious designer in NY, and needless to say she has a lot of experience lacing up gown. So naturally she laced me up. Everything was fine until we started dancing…I almost passed out because it was so tight. Amy, bridesmaid, loosened it on the dance floor, while we were dancing, as if nothing had happened. Giggle- mid Rihanna song the music went out…everyone kept singing and the song picked up at the same point we were at.

How did you choose your vendors?

Recommendations. People mentioned people and then I called them. If I liked talking to them on the phone I felt like I would enjoy working with them more. It worked.

What is your very best advice to other mountain brides?

Be flexible. Weather is unpredictable. The week before and after we got married was a blizzard and they wouldn’t allow people up the gondola, but somehow we lucked out with a perfect weekend! Second, inform your guest of the condition. We told our guest t0 bring a coat and boots and informed them they could change once we move inside. Third- since you know the weather be mindful of it. We knew we wanted the ceremony outside, so we were sure to make it short and sweet and not send guest outside until we were ready to start. Additionally, we had heaters on standby and hot toddies ready for people as they walked out.

Take a deep breath when you are up front and look at everyone who is supporting you. Two, don’t get so caught up in the details that you forget what you are doing, joining two people together. Three, surround yourself with people you love…don’t be obligated to invite people or put people in your bridal party who you don’t want there. Four, hire someone to do things the day of…it was the best decision we made. Five, make a weekend of it. We did a pub crawl on Friday night and it was so fun. We had many activities and stayed together, so it felt like a vacation!

Canyons Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Pepper Nix Photography | Reception Venue + Catering: Canyons Resort | DJ: Craig Chambers Disc-Connection | DJ: Disc Connection | Event Planner: Harvest Moon Events | Cinema and Video: Lumineux Films | Flowers & Decor: Productions by Canyons | Wedding Cake: Provided by friend of the family | Invitations: Etsy, then printed and assembled at home.