A Greenhouse Wedding Reception in Highland Gardens Utah Featuring A Danielle Frankel Gown, and Jimmy Choo Shoes
Katherine and Conner had a STUNNING Black Tie, Rooftop Wedding photographed on film in New York City, but Katherine’s grandma hadn’t been able to travel from Utah to celebrate with the family. Katherine’s side of the family is also Hmong, a group of people who have lived near Laos, Vietnam, and China, and they were wanting photos taken in their traditional Hmong clothing. The clothing was gorgeous and colorful with a mixture of textures, metals, beads, and materials, and the COOLEST head pieces.
One of the things they didn’t have a lot of time for at their wedding in New York, was group and family photos, so we took some time for those, and then they just wanted a very documentary approach to photographing the reception. We were able to spend time with the two of them as a couple with no rush, and take our time creating beautiful photos of them with their loved ones, and celebrating a beautiful evening together. The interaction between Katherine, Conner, and Katherine’s grandma were so sweet, and I loved seeing them honor her through photos.
Another thing that was really cool to see was the style that these two had. Katherine integrated the most unique styling. I loved Conner’s fitted suit, and black, velvet loafers, and Katherine’s off-the-shoulder, Danielle Frankel draped charmeuse, silk gown, Jimmy Choo platform sandals with pearl embellishments, and pearl drop threader earrings. Each details was so simple, but so unique and complimented Katherine’s curly hair, tattoos, and beautiful skin.
It is always such an honor to get to work with such great people, and the kindness and love in this family was so genuine and warm, making it so enjoyable to hang out with them for the evening at their greenhouse wedding open house at Highland Gardens near Pleasant Grove, UT, and it was so fun to create beautiful, artistic images for them with a documentary, editorial style that they will be able to look back on as the day has now passed, and relive their memories.
I brought a roll of film to the reception and photographed some low-light, and flash film photos for them. One of my favorites is the shot in the dressing room where Katherine is facing the mirror, and it shows the left side of her shoulder with her tattoo, the bronze-edged mirror, and Conner’s hand gently reaching in from the left. Let me know in the comments if you found it, and what some of your favorites were!
A little excerpt of Katherine and Conner’s story:
We've been together for 8 (maybe 9? haha) years. I grew up in American Fork, he grew up in Highland, but we didn't meet until undergrad at the University of Utah. While we were dating, we realized that both of us really wanted to live and work in New York City and we were able to move there together in 2018. Then in February 2020, Connor decided to go back to grad school at the U, and we left New York weeks before the pandemic broke out haha. We came back to Utah and while it was nice to have our families around, we knew we wanted to move back to New York. In July of 2021, Connor asked if I wanted to visit New York for the 4th of July and I said "of course!" and we went out there for a long weekend. Little did I know, he had a ring in his pocket. He proposed to me in Central Park and we celebrated with his parents who surprised me by being there. Then this year, I got a job offer in New York City and we moved back in March when Connor finished his program.
Since we no longer live in Utah, we have planned a very small black-tie wedding in New York City in September. Originally, we wanted to elope, but then it turned out we really wanted just our immediate families around.
So after we get married in New York, we're flying back to Utah for the Oct 22 reception. We are hosting a open-house reception at Highland Gardens in American Fork, where all of our extended family can come and see us in my dress (the dress!) and his tux. I figured while we are out there, and since we're from Utah, we should get some really special photos in a place where we grew up. That's when I found you! I wanted emotional film & digital photography, and fell in love with your style.
A bit about the venue:
Lots of people will google search for the best greenhouse wedding venues in Utah, and Highland Gardens was such a gorgeous setting surrounded by real greenery, it gives you some outdoor wedding vibes, with the security of having an indoor location for your wedding or reception. Garden wedding venues are some of my favorite types of indoor weddings because of that combination, and they usually have good, natural light.
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