We have a special treat for all of you today!  Hilary Anderson, from Alta MODA and Lily & Iris, is our guest blogger today and has written a FABULOUS guest post on something I’m sure is a pretty big deal for most brides:  Finding the PERFECT wedding dress!  You may remember that Hilary helped our very own Mary Crafts-Homer find her perfect gown!  She is amazing and definitely has some excellent tips for everyone! Take it away Hilary!

“Top 5 Tips for Finding Your Wedding Dress

1. Time can be on your side: Engaged? About to be? Start your shopping! Special order gowns take an average of 4 months to create and another 2 months to alter.  Many options are available for quicker delivery, but time is your friend.  You can save money (and stress) by ordering early.

2. Know Your Budget: Bridal gowns, like so many other elements of your wedding, come in a vast range of prices. It is important to have a general gown budget before you go dress shopping. Having an idea of what you can spend will help keep you from having your heart broken.

3. Your Near and Dear: You’ll have so many people wanting to celebrate your joy and join in your planning. However, for your gown appointment, consider bringing along only one or two of your most supportive confidants. More opinions can hinder the process and, inadvertently, hurt feelings. There are plenty of other ways of having them take part after the gown is found.

4. Plan Your Outings: It is a good idea to call ahead and make appointments at the boutiques you’re visiting.  This can be a big time saver and insure better, more personal service.  Also, you’ll have first run at all the gowns!

5. Bring an Open Mind: Try on a gown or two outside of the box (we call them the “wild card” dresses).  You never know what you’ll find from trying something new. It may either show you the path to the perfect ensemble or reassure your current opinion. And, much like your man, it may not be what you expected, but you’ll know it’s right when you see it.”

Thank you SO much for your wisdom, Hilary!  And, by the way, if you would like to go see any of the dresses pictured above, they are at Alta MODA.  Alta MODA has some of the most jaw-droppingly GORGEOUS dresses anywhere, so you should check them out!  Happy shopping!

Check out our website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

We have some exciting news!  Culinary Crafts has had the distinct honor of being asked to be a contribute at Trend Summit for 2012 on September 25th!  Actually, we were overjoyed – three times over – because Kaleb Crafts, Ryan Crafts and Jacque Riehl are all presenting!  How awesome is that?!

The Utah Wedding Trend Summit will be held on September 25, 2011 and will be the wedding event of the year! Local speakers will introduce and present the hottest and most current trends in the wedding industry. The latest color palettes issued by the Pantone Institute for 2012 will be displayed and discussed within the framework of all things wedding—from bridal gowns to floral centerpieces, from dinnerware to the newest and coolest beverage concoctions and more. This will be the place for the who’s who of Utah wedding professionals!

The Utah Wedding Trend Summit will be held at Pierpont Place, 163 Pierpont Avenue, Salt Lake City, 84101. Pre-register by September 23^rd and the fee to attend is $50, if you register at the door, the fee is $75. Register at: www.myupfa.com

This event is sponsored by Utah Bride and Groom Magazine, The Utah Professional Florist Association, Pierpont Place and The Wedding Professionals of Utah.  Do not miss this one of a kind event, where you will be sure to learn the latest and best trends in the wedding world, which will set you and your business apart as the place to go for the best a wedding professional can offer!

Ryan and Kaleb Crafts will be presenting on catering trends and Jacque Riehl will be presenting on design and planning!  Not to mention all the other fantastic scheduled speakers!  Another enticing tidbit is that we at Culinary Crafts will be providing lunch (which is included in the cost of registration)!We are so thrilled to be a part of this event and hope to see many of our fellow vendors there!

Check out our website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Graphic and italicized text re-posted from Utah Bride Blog

Today I’d like to talk about a really great favor or gift idea.  What is it, you may ask?  Well, it’s Grandma’s Caramels!  I had the luck of being able to try one of these butter-y and delicious gems, and let me tell you, the are SCRUMPTIOUS.  I love that they taste homemade and rich – totally not the norm in today’s world!  Grandma’s Caramels also offers tons of box styles and colors so they make perfect gifts for any occasion or you could definitely use them as wedding favors or corporate gifts!  I think any guest would love to receive these little gems and you could either incorporate them into a candy table or fill a favor box that matches your event’s colors with a couple and let your guests take home a little bit of heaven.  Seriously, they are that good!  Plus, they are a local, Utah company!  Thank you so much for sharing some of these gourmet goodies and we hope you, our dear readers, love them as much as we did!

For more ideas, check out our website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Today, I’d like to do a vendor spotlight on the FABULOUS photographers of Pepper Nix Photography and ZumaPhoto!  Not only are these amazing photographers responsible for many of the event photos on our website, but they are also teaming up to document Mary Crafts’s wedding extravaganza!  Definitely check this out!

Such breathtaking photos!  We at Culinary Crafts are always AMAZED by these talented artists!!!

Check out more amazing photographs on our website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

In keeping tradition with hiring the very best people as their editor (and staff for that matter), Utah Bride and Groom has just announced the  AWESOME Val Rasmussen of StellaPosy fame as the new editor!!!  Here’s a little bit from Val:

Good morning everyone!

We are so excited for Val and thrilled to see where she takes UB&G in the future!  Congratulations to Val and to Utah Bride and Groom for such a wonderful addition.  Many blessings to you!

Also, check out our website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Today I’d like to showcase one of our favorite vendors and also give you some tips on using their GORGEOUS creations.  Who am I talking about?  Well, Swanovation Custom Ice Sculptures!  With summer weddings coming up, ice sculptures are a perfect addition to any party and can be used in many different ways.

1. One of the best ways to use an ice sculpture is to incorporate it into a drink station!  Not only does this make a signature cocktail/mocktail that much more awesome and unique, it gives your guests a fun, interactive way to get their drink chilled.  Not to mention they are totally beautiful ice sculptures that can be made to match any style and incorporate monograms, logos, or designs too!  Who doesn’t want a cool, delicious drink on a warm summer night?  I know I would!!

2.  Another way to use ice sculptures is to display food that needs to be kept cold.  Think fruit, shrimp, or chilled hors d’oeuvres.  Not to mention, they can be made in virtually any shaped vessel and incorporate the Bride and Groom’s names or monogram to boot.  How gorgeous does the food look in these? Yum!

3.  Lastly, ice sculptures can be fantastic centerpieces or even showpieces to any event.  I mean, take a look at that gorgeous sculpture above!  What a STUNNING way to amp up your wedding.  Even chilling drink favors for your guests make a wonderful focal point!  The mini aluminum soda bottles are so eye catching in this AMAZING ice sculpted case!  Love!

I never cease to be amazed by the masterpieces Swanovation comes up with!  I hope this inspires you to think about the fantastic ways an ice sculpture could elevate the style and gorgeousness of your wedding.  Happy planning my friends!

Check out our website for more ideas at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Photo credit: Ashlee Raubach Photography

We work with SO many talented and wonderful vendors and today, I’d like to give a little shout out to our friends at Something Vintage, Something Blue!  A lot of brides and grooms out there want a way to get to their wedding without having to worry about bringing their own car (shaving cream and toliet paper is a hazard of so many newlyweds!!!) But that doesn’t mean you can’t have something unique and stylish!!!  That’s where Something Vintage, Something Blue comes in.  They specialize in finding only the most beautiful and one of a kind cars so you can truly feel like royalty.  Check out their gorgeous selection!

Photo credit: Elizabeth Taylor Frandsen Photography

Photo credit: Ashlee Raubach Photography and Jeppson Photography

Photo credit: Aria Photography

Simply gorgeous!!!  They also rent the cars for photo shoots.  So if you are thinking of adding a little something extra for your engagement or bridal session, think about one of these beauties.  Plus, how fantastic will you feel sharing the stage with something so unique?!  We love you Something Vintage, Something Blue!  You are truly AMAZING!

Also, remember to check back for our new contest coming up VERY soon!

Don’t forget to check out our website for more ideas, tips, and vendor partners! www.culinarycrafts.com

The search is on for the next Ultimate Utah Wedding couple!!!  How exciting!  Just check out this video to find out how to enter.  Good luck everyone!

AND….

Don’t forget to enter our contest!  Check out the details here!!!  It ends on Sunday, the 3rd at 11.59pm.  Happy DIY-ing!

Check out our website for more ideas! www.culinarycrafts.com

Check out another amazing episode of Bride Access!

For more ideas, check out our website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

I have a truly spectacular venue to share with you today: Johnson Mill.  You may remember an event we showcased there that I posted about (you can refresh your memory here) but I thought we really didn’t do enough justice to its beauty and gorgeousness!

It is more than just a mere venue, however…  It is also a stunning bed and breakfast with all of the outdoor activities and romantic amenities you could ever imagine.  In fact, Redbook magazine voted Johnson Mill “One of America’s Four Most Romantic Inns”.  A very well-deserved nod to them in my opinion.

And, not only can you reserve the inn’s grounds for your event, you can actually reserve the grounds AND accommodations for your guests!  This place is seriously the best for destination weddings or for those or you who have out of town guests.

I am totally enthralled with the natural beauty, elegance, and stunning offerings that Johnson Mill provides.  We definitely hope to do more events there this year!  I hope this helps all of you out there still struggling to find a venue.  Not to mention, what a perfect place to spend a honeymoon!!!

Check out our website for more events and ideas, www.culinarycrafts.com!

Photo credits: Courtesy of Johnson Mill and last frame From Logan Walker of ZumaPhoto