An Adventure-Themed Wedding in the Snowy Hills of Utah

Modern Suite

The couple chose a modern invitation suite complete with a custom logo created by Cindy from Bliss and Bone; the monogram was designed to look like a mountain and featured two T's for the couple's first initials. The save-the-dates featured black letterpress on white paper, and were wrapped with thin black cord and finished with a muted green letterpress tag that read, "Adventure with Us." As for the invitation cards? Overlaid with black vellum, they also displayed a letterpressed topography map of the locale.

Welcome to Utah

Teissia and Todd wanted their celebration to feel like an adventure—hence their aptly printed welcome bags, which were filled with a myriad of local goods and weekend essentials.

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Dress Search

The bride went on a few wedding-dress shopping trips with different friends and family members, but it took her some time to find the one. "To be honest, I never had that 'aha' moment I always tell brides they will have," Teissia says. "I imagined wearing something much more angular and modern, but when I tried on the dresses I thought I would love, they just didn't hit home for me." But when she stepped into a Lovers Society dress from Lovely Bride with a high neckline and open back, she knew it was the right ensemble for her event. On the big day, she popped a faux fur jacket over the gown to keep warm in the snow.

For her walk down the aisle, she held an asymmetrical organic bouquet—arranged by Ashley of Tinge Floral—featuring cafe latte garden roses, anemone, sweet pea, pierris, ranunculus, autumn euc, spirea, and hellebore tied up in natural silk ribbons.

Handsome Couple

Teissia wore bracelets and bangles from both her and Todd's grandmothers and stuck to comfortable snow boots for the ceremony; she couldn't bear to change into the black suede heels she brought along, and instead, chose black leather sneakers for the reception.

Todd donned a custom black tuxedo from Brooklyn Tailors, paired with a black tie. "Todd has really broad shoulders and truthfully has never had a suit or tux that fit just right until our wedding weekend," Teissia says. He paired his look with shoes from Gordon Rush and gold cuff links.

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Lifetime of Adventures

The bride had "a lifetime of adventures" engraved inside her groom's Catbird wedding band.

Custom Pocket Square

Todd tucked a bespoke pocket square—embroidered with their wedding date and that very same sentiment, which ultimately served as the wedding's theme—into his jacket.

Stylish Bunch

There were a mix of both men and women on both sides of the wedding party; for cohesion, the couple asked everyone to wear black dresses or tuxedos and jackets to keep warm. They loved the way everyone's attire felt uniform, but also varied and reflected each person's individual style. As for their two additional VIPs? Todd's cousin and his wife served as officiants, which was particularly fitting, given that Teissia and Todd met at their wedding years ago.

Little Ones

The couple included five children in their bridal party, as well. The flower girls wore different white lace dresses, one of the ring bearers wore a black tuxedo, and the other chose a tuxedo shirt paired with a lace skirt. "We're all about letting people be just who they are, so we were thrilled with their clothing selections," the bride says.

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Cider and Cocoa

As guests arrived at The Lodge at Blue Sky for the ceremony, they were greeted with passed hot chocolate and apple cider.

A Snowy Ceremony

Celebrants took in both mountain and valley views during the service, which began just as a light snow began to fall. Tinge Floral decorated the modern ceremony arch with an asymmetrical flower design.

Keeping Warm

Black bentwood chairs were selected for a bold look against the snow-white backdrop, and the aisles were lined with winter-inspired white-and-green floral arrangements. Each guest was given a handmade wool blanket with hand warmers—thoughtful touches to protect them against the cold.

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Winter Fashion

The couple's attendees—many of whom were industry professionals who had worked on the wedding ("They were seated with the guests, as they are our buddies!" says Teissia)—were just as stylish as their wedding party.

Here Comes the Bride

Teissia made her way down the aisle with both of her parents by her side as a DJ from Dart Collective played "Alpenglow" by S. Carey. "Dad was crying a lot," Teissia said. "It was very sweet!"

The Ceremony Details

Todd and Teissia included a moment of silence during the service; they held their rings together with their hands clasped and asked their loved ones to bless the rings during the quiet interlude. They also asked several friends to come up to the altar and place a concrete bead on a string with a wish for their marriage. "At the end we had a beautiful wall hanging that is now on display in our bedroom," she says. The couple wrote heartfelt vows and sobbed their way through them. As soon as they kissed, Teissia's elementary school teacher surprised them by blowing a conch shell—something he used to do to call Teissia and her classmates in from recess.

Warming Up

Guests warmed up inside the barn come the cocktail hour, during which they enjoyed drinks and passed appetizers like mini fried chicken and waffles, grilled shrimp skewers, pesto marinated bocconcini with pine nuts, and a station of assorted local cheeses.

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Find Your Seat

Guests found their seating assignments at a minimalistic table with simple white escort cards featuring a black line design. The table held a sprawling flower arrangement in a black bowl vase.

Rustic Meets Modern

The dinner reception took place inside the barn. Teissia and Todd wanted to modernize the rustic feel of the space with minimal table décor, black chairs, and neutral linens.

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The Centerpieces

Centerpieces were arranged Ikebana-style, incorporating movement and variety. Each arrangement was placed in a black vessel to match the tableware.

The Place Settings

The couple selected inky matte dishware and utensils; each plate held a menu with letterpress detailing. Candles were placed throughout each table at varying heights, some in large glass hurricanes.

The First Dance

After dinner, Teissia and Todd asked their guests to join them on the dance floor for their first dance to "That's How Strong My Love Is" by Otis Redding. In lieu of parent dances, they decided to honor their mothers and fathers by writing them speeches. "We wanted to say a few words to each of them about how much they mean to us and how we wouldn't have been standing up there marrying each other if it weren't for all the love and support and guidance they had given us throughout our lifetime," the bride says.

As for their honeymoon plans? The couple plans to go snowboarding in Japan sometime in the future, but are glad they decided to spend a week in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, after their nuptials. "We feel so grateful that we were able to get married with our friends and family present just before coronavirus came to the United States," Teissia says. "It's hard to believe how much has changed since then!"

Sources

Photography, Tec Pataja
Wedding Planning and Event Design, Firefly Events; The Firefly Method
Day-of Coordination, Michelle Leo Events
Venue and Catering, The Lodge at Blue Sky
Flowers, Tinge Floral
Stationery and Paper, Bliss and Bone
Bride's Gown, Lovers Society; Lovely Bride
Hair, Naomi Martinez
Makeup, Lesley Lind
Stylist, Saucy and Kitsch
Groom's Suit, Brooklyn Tailors
Groom's Accessories, Gordon Rush
Wedding Bands, Suzie Saltzman (Teissia); Catbird (Todd)
Music, Dart Collective
Rentals, La Tavola; Tavolo Rental; Borrowed Blu
Videography, Love Brain
Photo Booth, Smilebooth
Blankets, Agnese Kirmuza