January 3, 2023

bride and groom pose at their eclectic chic ranch wedding at blue sky ranch in utah with the mountains in the background

It’s always exciting to meet a couple who has a unique and creative vision for their wedding day. As soon as I met Nicole and Tyler, I knew that they were one of those couples. From the wedding floral and decor design to the weekend itinerary for guests, they wanted every detail of their wedding to embody who they are as a couple and provide an unforgettable experience for their loved ones. And this eclectic Utah ranch wedding recently featured on BRIDES achieved just that.

In this post, I’ll be sharing all the vintage inspired design details, the adventurous ranch wedding weekend itinerary, the couple’s wedding planning tips, and talk more about this amazing couple who I am now lucky enough to call my friends. Keep reading to see all the unforgettable moments…

western wedding invitations for a utah ranch wedding

The Couple

I first met Nicole and Tyler when Michelle Leo Events recommended me for their destination Utah ranch wedding knowing our styles would align seamlessly. Right away, I was immediately obsessed with the unique and stylish vision they had for their wedding day. It was obvious pretty quickly that Nicole’s artistic and fashion-driven aesthetic was going to fit perfectly with my luxury fine art photography style. We continued sharing wedding photo inspiration and as their vision came into focus, it was clear this was going to be such a stunning and special day. From the bride’s custom vintage inspired gown to the eclectic design scheme, every detail was thoughtful, charming, and flawlessly executed.

As we continued to collaborate, we all grew to become friends which made capturing their wedding day all the more special. Being selective and thoughtful with the amount of weddings I take on each year allows me to have these personal relationships with my couples. Oftentimes, when our styles and vibes align, we find we have even more in common and these amazing relationships form. Just another reason why I love what I do!

a couple dances at their blue sky ranch wedding in park city utah under glowing lights

Vintage Eclectic Wedding Decor

For their wedding day vision, Nicole described her ideal style as “eclectic, yet natural” which is exactly what they achieved. As for floral design, there was one thing Nicole knew right away would not fit the vibe. “We had one rule: no roses. Floral-wise, we wanted everything to feel as if it had been plucked right from a field of wildflowers. Aesthetics-wise, we wanted to take advantage of the natural elements of the property like the reclaimed wood barn and the adorable rescue horses, while bringing in vintage pieces that didn’t overpower the venue.”

Speaking of vintage, Nicole is a huge fan of finding unique, one-of-a-kind pieces, and her wedding day was no exception. For her bridal getting ready look, she rocked a vintage La Perla white lace bustier. For the reception and dancing, she wore a vintage white fringe dress along with her custom-made bridal hat. And for her stunning wedding day look, her custom V. Chapman gown was vintage inspired with delicate lace that the bride described as “undeniably her”.

As for how they made their day feel authentic and special to them, the couple said, “Everything about our wedding weekend/day was wholeheartedly us. Most importantly, we wanted it to be a special weekend that not only we would remember forever, but also our guests. We tried to incorporate family and friends wherever possible – like having our best friend officiate us and our other talented friends play the ceremony music. After the wedding, we had multiple guests tell us they made lifelong friends with other guests. It was incredible!”

eclectic flower arrangements for a utah ranch wedding

Wedding Weekend Festivities

Nicole and Tyler’s wedding was at one of my favorite mountain ranch wedding venues, The Lodge at Blue Sky in Wanship, Utah. What’s great about Blue Sky Ranch is how versatile it is. They have space to accommodate an intimate celebration or a big reception at their 8,000 square foot local barn wood venue converted from an old riding arena. The space is gorgeous and natural, but enough of a blank slate to make it your own. Add the sweeping mountain views that surround this luxurious ranch wedding venue and this location feels truly magical.

Being that their guests were coming from out of town for a destination wedding weekend, Nicole and Tyler wanted to make sure there were plenty of activities for their guests to enjoy. The weekend itinerary for guests included horseback riding on private trails, clay sporting competitions, an intimate lunch in the Yurt overlooking the surrounding mountains, and a chic western-themed welcome party at the modern bar space. And the best part? Their wedding guests nearly filled the intimate 46-room hotel to capacity, so it was one big 3-day celebration on the ranch! Their friends and family called it “Camp Dahlke.”

an image of a bride posing with her bridesmaids at this eclectic ranch wedding in utah at the lodge at blue sky. the bridesmaids wear mismatched black bridesmaids dresses and carry eclectic bouquets

The Details

Clearly every detail of this wedding was carefully and thoughtfully curated by the bride, groom, and this unbelievable vendor team. There are almost too many to list, but here are a few highlights from the bride and groom…

The couple decided on a Blue Sky Ranch wedding before they even got engaged! Nicole visited the resort for a work trip and upon arriving was sending pictures to Tyler, excitedly admitting to having found the perfect future wedding venue. It was the first thing they booked as soon as they got engaged!
Nicole pulled up to the ceremony in Blue Sky’s beautiful horse-drawn carriage with her mom, dad, and flower girl. It was such a special moment. The horses stayed present, and could be seen galloping around in the background of the ceremony.
The couple rocked matching custom wedding reception hats by Busto & Sun for their reception! Nicole’s hat was an ivory felt with a band made of lace from her wedding dress and a pearl strand. The inside had a silky floral fabric with her initials burned into the brim. Tyler chose a gray hat with a blue banana band and a leather tie.
This wedding was truly a family affair. The couple walked down the aisle with both their mom and dad on each side. Three of their best friends (who also happen to be talented musicians) played the ceremony music, and the officiant was their best friend Edmond.
A lover of all things vintage, Nicole sourced unique pieces that were incorporated throughout the entire wedding weekend. For example, she made her own baroque pearl earrings that she donned at the rehearsal dinner, and found a vintage lace table cloth at the Rose Bowl Flea Market which was used for their dessert table.

eclectic wildflower wedding flowers line the aisle at this utah ranch wedding in park city

To wrap it all up, our bride Nicole had this to share for advice to newly engaged couples. “It sounds so cliche, but…live. in. the. moment. It’s crazy how much love goes into the entire process, and it’s over in a flash. Passing on the one piece of advice we got from MULTIPLE people – stop in your tracks and take mental pictures constantly throughout the night. Those are the memories you will remember most!”

Click on the link below to check out the full BRIDES feature. Looking for more Blue Sky Ranch wedding inspiration? Check out my blog on Caroline + Tim’s classic aesthetic mountain wedding and see my other recent BRIDES feature on Vanessa + Hunter’s modern autumn ranch wedding here!