Martha Stewart Weddings

A Rustic Winter Destination Wedding in Sundance, Utah

July 28, 2011

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The Bride and Groom

Credit: Thayer Allyson Gowdy

After 15 years of friendship, an outdoorsy couple finds true love -- and a backdrop for their nuptials that's every bit as magical as their romance.

Jodi and Jon Pritchett, who, after 14 years of friendship and not even a smooch, were hit by Cupid's sneaky little arrow during a ski trip in January 2008. "We were in Whistler with some friends for New Year's Eve, and things were just suddenly completely different between us," recalls Jodi. "We were more affectionate than we'd ever been -- it's hard to explain the moment everything changed." After that life-altering trip, the two friends parted ways for a month -- Jodi to her home in California and Jon to his in Georgia. The next time they saw each other, at an annual ski trip with Jodi's family, everything had changed. They confessed their newfound feelings of love, and in June 2008 they were engaged. They chose Utah's Sundance Resort because it was small and intimate, perfect for a winter wedding and to show off their love of skiing.

Here, Jodi and Jon ride the lift to the top of the mountain at Utah's Sundance Resort for a fun photo op on the slopes.

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Ready to Ski

Credit: Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Jodi, bundled in a Jin Wang gown and a friend's faux-fur shrug, strikes a pretty pose on skis.

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Save-the-Date

Credit: Thayer Allyson Gowdy

San Francisco-based Yellow Owl Workshop designed the woodsy save-the-date cards.

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The Bride's Bouquet

Credit: Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Jodi's bouquet is a collection of ivory ranunculus, parrot tulips, and anemones, with accents of lamb's ears, blooming cotton sprigs, and tiny tallow-berry branches.

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Maid of Honor

The bride and her maid of honor pose for a photo.

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The Happy Couple

Jodi and Jon meet for photos before their ceremony.

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Stationery Suite

The couple's rustic-chic invitation suite, designed by Olive-Route in Berkeley, California: a dark-gray and burnt-orange invite with pullouts providing details of events and information on transportation, lodging, and a free lift ticket (compliments of Sundance), as well as an RSVP postcard.

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Escort Card

Credit: Thayer Allyson Gowdy

A birch branch makes a simple escort-card holder that echoes the reception's naturally sophisticated vibe.

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Family

Fresh snow provides a pristine backdrop for a family snapshot.

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Hot Beverage

Hot chocolate and apple cider were served to guests before the ceremony in these customized cups.

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The Ceremony

The ceremony is held inside the resort's cozy screening room.

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Snowy Backdrop

The newlyweds sneak a snowy kiss.

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Escort Card Display

Credit: Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Antique skis hang above the escort cards; at the welcome party the night before, guests were asked to write their well-wishes on the skis.

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Warm and Toasty

Jodi keeps warm in Ugg boots underneath her dress; each female wedding guest received her own pair of winter boots, purchased at Target.

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Centerpieces

Manzanita branches -- accented with wrapped vases of ivory garden roses, fringed tulips, ranunculus, tallow-berry branches, and cotton -- bring the simple beauty of the great outdoors into the bucolic yet elegant reception.

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The Boutonnieres

Jon and his groomsmen, who were given Sigg flasks as gifts, donned boutonnieres of clustered ivory tallow-berry branches with tiny acorns, rosemary foliage, and gray silk.

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Wedding Cupcakes

Forgoing a traditional wedding cake, Jodi and Jon served cupcakes from Carrie's Cakes: chocolate fudge and white cream-cheese cake with a raspberry filling.

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Lit Path

A snowy path lined with white paper bags and tea lights helps guests find their way from the reception to the bathroom.

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Reception Location

The building in which the reception was held.

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First Dance

Jodi and Jon selected "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds for their first spin around the dance floor together.

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Photo Booth

The photo booth, set up by photographer Thayer Allyson Gowdy, inspires a guest to strike an impromptu, airborne pose. "The booth guaranteed that we got pictures of every single person who was there," Jodi says.

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Flower Girl and Ring Bearer

The flower girl and ring bearer pose for a picture in the photo booth.

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The Reception

The gorgeous reception space, with its soaring wooden beams, showcases barn lanterns hung from the ceiling and clusters of flickering pillar candles on tables.

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It's Ski Time

After the ceremony, the newlyweds can't resist the urge to strap on skis and pose for pics on the mountain.

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Dreamy Backdrop

Looking out at the mountains from the Sundance Resort.

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Guest Book

Vintage skis were provided for guests to sign in lieu of a traditional guest book.

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Favors

Male guests were given flasks and female guests were given winter boots as wedding favors. Each gift was adorned with a custom-made tag.

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Sources

Credit: Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Location and Catering: Sundance Resort
Event Planning and Design: Alison Events
Lighting: Cornerstone Technologies
Flowers: Artisan Bloom
Linens: La Tavola
Cupcakes: Carrie's Cakes
Stationery: Yellow Owl; Olive-Route
Calligraphy: Nancy Hopkins
Music: Michael Lucarelli (ceremony); DJ Sol (reception)
Rentals: Alpine Event Rentals; Classic Party Rentals
Photography: Thayer Allyson Gowdy
Wedding Gown: Jin Wang
Suit: Hugo Boss
Hair: Platinum Studio
Makeup: Tasha Sorenson

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