An Outdoorsy Couple Gets Hitched in the Mountains of Utah

Ciera Frye and Preston Leavitt met in Washington state as LDS missionaries, where they were too focused on their work to become anything other than good friends. They returned home and within weeks had planned visits to one another's hometowns in Nevada and Colorado. The first date included a first kiss, and the two have been enmeshed in each other's lives ever since. Five months of long distance dating ended when the duo moved to Provo, Utah, for college, and just one month later they were engaged. The proposal took place in Utah too, at their go-to weekend retreat of Sundance Resort. On a Sunday hike and picnic in the mountains by Stewart Falls, Preston got down on one knee and surprised Ciera with a ring and the big question.

Just under six months later, on May 12, 2016, another momentous occasion occurred in the same state, but this time at Stone Hill Lodge in Midway. Not only did the venue showcase the surrounding mountains and celebrate the couple's love of the outdoors, but it also offered the opportunity for family, extended family, and the bridal party to sleep on site and share in the festivities and time spent together in the days leading up to the wedding. It was an ideal setting for their "rustic alpine European" outdoor reception following an intimate ceremony earlier in the day. With over 200 loved ones there to celebrate their love, it was the enchanting event the couple had longed for.

The bride's best friend, Alex Fairchild, did the artwork for the invite, and Kelle McCarter handled the calligraphy. The collaboration resulted in one-of-a-kind stationery pieces.

Ciera's Blush by Hayley Paige gown from Avenia Bridal was the fourth dress she tried on. "I went in not really knowing what I wanted, and then put on this dress and I knew!" Adjusting the originally strapless bodice, the dress was customized by the shop to be a dream of soft tulle, lace, and satin. Ciera accessorized with a Malis-Henderson veil and headpiece, Hayley Paige belt, Steve Madden shoes, and custom necklace from Made by Mary with the wedding date on it.

"I wanted something different that would stand out," says Preston of his ASOS suit, "I was looking more for a royal, electric blue."

Ciera fell in love with a Heidi Gibson ring, called the "original Gatsby" which Preston proposed with. On the big day, she added an Olive Avenue Jewelry band to her finger, while Preston chose this Vitaly Design rose gold number. "I was online searching for unique ring options and came across this 'Odak X' ring," Ciera recalls. "Odak is the Turkish word for 'focus', and I thought it well for a wedding ring, to always focus on our marriage and the promise we made with each other."

Ciera's mother and owner of L'Arrangement Floral created her textured bridal bouquet using olive branches, bay leaves pieris, king protea, peonies, ranunculus, and anemones.

The groom and his groomsmen wore colorful ranunculus boutonnieres from L'Arrangement Floral.

The couple exchanged vows inside the Payson Utah LDS temple. "Temples are sacred structures in our faith, as they represent a holy place of worship for us to commune with God," explains Ciera. "To be in this gorgeous ceremony room together, with those that are special to us, was the most meaningful part of our day." 

"I wanted my bridesmaids to all match, so they would stand out as the wedding party," says the bride. "I found great lace crop tops from a local boutique which worked well with these blush pink long, silky skirts. They matched our color palette and fit the whimsical, bohemian theme we were going for." The ladies added fresh floral crowns to their ensembles for the reception.

The five flower girls wore ivory dresses from Old Navy and floral crowns.

The bride's adorable cousin Phoebe followed her around all day, holding her dress, and being cute along the way.

Guests gathered at Stone Hill Lodge Estate for the evening reception, which kicked off with appetizers and lavender-ginger lemonade on the patio. Guests took in views of the mountains—a setting the couple loves.

Calligraphed place cards boasted a royal touch—gold crowns printed on the top of each card.

Elegant white plates and ornate flatware set the tables. Berry and cream centerpieces popped against the wooden tables, which were also decorated with plenty of candles.

Ciera and Preston danced to "Bloom" by The Paper Kites. "It's a song that we are both in love with," says Ciera. "We just knew it was supposed to be our first dance song."

The bride and her father danced to John Mayer's "Daughters" and the groom and his mom joined in halfway through.

Flour and Flourish created the newlyweds' cakes, which featured double chocolate, peanut butter chocolate, and passion fruit coconut flavors. Adorning each cake were vintage crowns, a king protea, and red peonies. French macarons were also on offer in white compotes.

"My grandpa restored and painted his blue truck," says Preston. "He was kind enough to let us use it for our special day, and drive off from our wedding." Hanging from the back was a "Just Married" sign created by Ciera's mother. Guests tossed dried lavender and held sparklers as the newlyweds left the reception.

Photography, Ashley Sawtelle

Location, Stone Hill Lodge Estate

Catering, Culinary Crafts

Flowers, L'Arrangement Floral

Videography, Paris Tews

Stationery, Alex Fairchild

Calligraphy, Kelle McCarter

Cake, Flour and Flourish

Music, Joshua Scott

Rentals, Diamond Rental; La Tavola Fine Linens

Bride's gown, Blush by Hayley Paige

Bride's accessories Malls Henderson (veil and headpiece); Made by Mary (jewelry); Steve Madden (shoes)

Hair and Makeup, Vivian Johnson

Flower Girl dresses, Old Navy

Groom's suit and menswear, ASOS

Bride and bridesmaids' bracelets, The Shine Project