Photography by Jeff Haslam

Steve Williams owns and operates Eldredge Manor Reception Center with his wife Jonan. The following is a short history about Eldredge and how Steve and Jonan work to keep Eldredge one of the most successful wedding event centers in the state.

How Eldredge Manor Reception Center was Started

In 1973, Steve’s parents Floyd and Stella Williams purchased the property for use as a reception center in and it has been in continuous operation by the family ever since. Eldredge Manor Reception Center is now the longest running, privately owned reception center in Utah.

As a teenager, Steve started working at the manor. However, ownership in a printing business and a national marketing career lured Steve away from Eldredge. Years later, when a national chain wanted to knock down the manor and build a big box store, Steve and his wife decided to step in. In June 2004, they assumed ownership of the manor and began a painstaking 6-month restoration process. Since then, Eldredge has been in the business of making the wedding day a breeze.

A Brief History of Eldredge Manor

When James Alanson Eldredge married Jane Jennings in 1879, two of Utah’s most prominent families were united. Jane was the daughter of William and Jane Walker Jennings. She was raised in the Jennings’ home on west South Temple they called the Devereaux House. Her father was a wealthy merchant and Utah politician with extensive interests in the mining and railroad industries. He was elected Mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah in 1882.

James’ father Horace Eldredge was a powerful Utah merchant, banker and a founding director of “Zion’s Cooperative Banking Institution” (ZCBI). Both Horace Eldredge and his father-in-law William Jennings were founding directors of Utah’s “Zion’s Cooperative Mercantile Institution” (ZCMI).

The Eldredge’s only child, Afton, was born in 1892. Construction of the home and carriage house was financed by the in-laws and commenced when the couple returned to Utah from a California LDS mission around 1896.

A love of entertaining was proven by a second floor ballroom that is original to the home. It is the only room with high-grade hardwood flooring, (the original wood floor was rediscovered about 1985). Church and community dances were often held in the Grand Ballroom.

Afton Eldredge Moss remembered frequent parties in her parents’ home and a constant stream of dignitaries. Of the more prestigious Utah guests at the mansion were Heber J. Grant and George Albert Smith, who, like other LDS general authorities visiting Davis County, would stay with the Eldredges at their fine Victorian estate.

James Eldredge maintained ownership of the house until his death in 1940. Years later, the house was purchased by Steve’s parents for use as a reception center. This magnificently-restored estate is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Not Much Has Changed

Even with the massive renovations, not much has changed in regard to the original floor plan. Several of the original items still remain in the mansion. Such items include almost all of the wood moldings, many of the original window panes, the sandstone fireplace mantle and hearth, and the mirrored armoire. In order to accommodate larger parties, The West Ballroom was added last October. It is a significant upgrade in terms of size and allows for greater flexibility in party sizes.

Making Work Not Work

Steve and his team focus heavily on service and taking care of the wedding couple and the family. This expert attention allows him and his crew to build very personal relationships with his clients. Sometimes they become so close that they hate to see the event end, because it means the relationship, in terms of their service to their immediate clients, is over.

Trends at Eldredge

For the first time in many years, Steve has noticed that there is no dominant color scheme in weddings. The foods and buffets are more diverse and full, allowing guests more options. Gone are the days when receptions just serve their guests dessert. As as result, guests tend to stay longer and have a more enjoyable and interactive experience.

One of Steve’s favorite offerings is their kids’ buffet where you have to be under 54 inches to partake of the foods from the table. It is a short table, only about 24 inches high. They fill it with specialty cut PB&J sandwiches, chips, cookies, rice-crispy squares, marshmallows, cheese and boxed drinks.

Avoid the Pitfalls of Planning

In terms of planning Steve suggests first booking your reception center early, then scheduling the temple or church. Good reception centers such as Eldredge can be hard to book during peak seasons. Because of this, many brides are at the mercy of what dates are left in arranging their events.

Why A Reception Center versus a Do-It-Yourself Location?

“Wow where do I start?”, Steve exclaims. “Ask any mother who has done both. They will all tell you they didn’t save any money over our reception center. That putting on their own event was not at all worth the time, work and worry. Especially when the event is over, you really are exhausted yet still have to clean up. With a reception center there is no work or worry – you just show up. All is taken care for you. The stress is gone. If the weather turns bad, we simply move the event indoors until it clears.”

What You Should Know About Eldredge Manor (in the words of Steve)

I think the Eldredge Manor has two great advantages; First, user-friendliness and second experience!

1. User-friendliness: The venue has to have some feeling of warmth, uniqueness, comfort and romance. It needs to feel right. We note with interest how the guests here tend to stay and linger longer due to the feel and uniqueness of this venue. It has a lot of separate ‘people spaces’. A venue may not be appropriate if everything happens on top of each other or in the same hall. Think about the simple challenge of having to shout over the crowd or band noise all night just to visit with your guests!
2. Experience: This may be the most important factor. It is crucial to the overall success of your event. Look for experience. You never know what minor or even major emergencies may happen during your event. Find a venue with proprietors that have been around the block a few times. It is my belief that no one has more combined years of experience than we do. I’ve been at this since I was 10 years old!

Contact Eldredge Manor

Visit Their Profile on TheBrideandGroom.com
Website:www.EldredgeManor.com
Address: 564 West 400 North, Bountiful, Utah 84010
Phone Number: 801.292.5501

Paige Clark & Ahmad Yousefbeigi
A Rainy Intermission
September 2, 2007

Wedding Ceremony: Bride’s Parents Backyard
Reception: Bride’s Parents Backyard
Photography by: Kirsten Hepburn

View Ahmad & Paige’s Wedding Photo Gallery at TheBrideandGroom.com
View Ahmad & Paige’s Wedding Video Highlights

Elements of Western, Persian and Kurdish wedding traditions influenced the theme, location, music and other details of the wedding.   During the ceremony, the bride and groom wore western wedding attire and during the reception they changed into traditional Kurdish wedding clothes for Kurdish line dancing.

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How They Met

Ahmad and Paige first met at Mendocino Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp in 2004. Ahmad is a musician and Paige is a dancer.

Engagement

The couple had a long distance relationship for a year before Ahmad proposed.  Each month, they would fly back and forth from Los Angeles to Seattle to visit.

On September 2, 2005 Ahmad flew down to Los Angeles to see Paige for one of their visits. He got down on his knees and proposed to her the night before they took a hiking day trip to Santa Cruz Island. Their wedding was two years later on the anniversary of their engagement.

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Wedding

Ahmad & Paige held a beautiful wedding and formal garden reception at Paige’s parent’s backyard in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

It was a hot and humid day. For the ceremony they had provided white paper parasols for their guests – with the intent of blocking the sun. At the conclusion of the ceremony, as they were walking down the aisle, Paige felt a couple of raindrops on her shoulders!   A friend handed the newlyweds a parasol as they walked down the aisle to the receiving line area under the trees.

The rain quickly increased from a few drops to a mini-downpour.  After they hugged their guests in the receiving line, the guests proceeded inside the house while they wedding coordinators tried to figure out how long the rain was going to last. 

Fortunately, the rain stopped almost as suddenly as it started, not making much of a disturbance in plans.  The table clothes, chairs, plates and glassware were wet, but the staff quickly dried everything off.

As planned, cocktails were served in the front yard and they were able to have dinner and dancing in the backyard despite the rainy intermission. Having it rain on your wedding day is considered lucky so the bride and groom felt blessed.

After the brief rainy spell the temperature, light, clouds and sky were spectacular in the backyard while they enjoyed dinner.  Even though there was an unexpected element that could have held back the rest of the wedding, the bride and groom felt like the wedding turned out just right.

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Wedding Details

Best Part of the Wedding Day

“Reading our vows to each other.”

Favorite Wedding Detail

They had a monarch butterfly release after the wedding ceremony.

Sofreh-Ye Aghd

The bride and groom designed the Sofreh-Ye-Aghd themselves. The Sofreh-Ye Aghd is a traditional Persian wedding spread including flowers, fruit, spices and objects that symbolize things they want in their marriage. The maid of honor is an artist and delicately hand-painted the eggs (symbolizing fertility) that went on the Sofreh.

Wedding Dress

Cicada Bridal of Seattle designed the brides western wedding gown. The ivory dress was fit to flare with an internal corset and a flirty, dramatic bustle. The green and silver lace Kurdish dress and coin hat that Paige wore during the reception was Ahmad’s mothers.

Wedding Cake

The wedding cake included three delicious flavors - coconut, chocolate and lemon with chocolate icing and a henna design.

Wedding Flowers

Blue hydrangea, coral roses, green bells of Ireland and Madagascar jasmine adorned blue and white china vases.

Reception Décor

Reception décor included blue table clothes, white lanterns, and blue and white china centerpieces.

Wedding Dinner

Menu selections included jeweled saffron rice, gormeh sabzi, halibut with fennel tomato broth, beef tenderloin with onion marmalade.

Reception Entertainment

The bride and groom’s first dance song was “I Believe in Miracles” by Hot Chocolate. Music and dancing continued throughout the reception, accompanied by the Joe Muscolino Band.

Wedding Vendors

• Wedding Cake: Carrie’s Cakes
• Caterer: Culinary Crafts & The Greek Broiler
• Bridal Dress Shop: Cicada Bridal
• Event Coordinator/Designer: Scenemakers
• Floral Designer: Scenemakers
• Hair/Makeup: Chisty from Michael Hovey Salon
• Music: Joe Muscalino Band
• Photographer: Kirsten Hepburn
• Videography: Iris Videos
• Invitations: Ilee Custom Invitations
• Wedding Program: Varella Design Studio

This video shows the highlights of a wedding that combined traditional Western, Persian and Kurdish customs.  View the video highlights from Ahmad & Paige’s wedding.

• View Ahmad & Paige’s Featured Wedding Photo Gallery
• Read about Ahmad & Paige’s Wedding

Lisa Louis & Brent Brown
A break from the Cold
December 18, 2007

Wedding Location: Newport Beach LDS Temple - Newport Beach, California
Reception Location: Munkenthalter Mansion Fullerton, California
Photography by: Brody Dezember Photography

View Brent & Lisa’s Wedding Photo Gallery at TheBrideandGroom.com

How It All Started

Brent was a math tutor at the University Lisa was attending.  After a summer of tutoring Lisa realized that she had feelings for Brent. Their friendship quickly blossomed into a relationship.

Lisa served a mission for the LDS church while Brent finished school and started his career. When Lisa returned from her mission, Brent’s charm could not be resisted.

Making It Official

After Brent’s failed attempt to do something creative due to Lisa’s lack of “good mood” they went to a favorite swing set at a local farm, in the middle nowhere.

They gazed at the amazing stars for hours.  Before leaving, Brent sat Lisa on the edge of his truck, kneeled down to put her shoes on, then proposed!

Planning the Perfect Wedding

Lisa had a fun time combining new with old.  The look of the wedding was very vintage.

The Dress

Lisa found her perfect dress at Bridal Expressions in Sandy, Utah.  Lisa’s found a beautiful antique dress while shopping online.  When she saw it she fell in love, but couldn’t image wearing a tea-colored dress.  Lisa took her mom and sisters to see the dress in person and fell in love with it the second she tried it on.

The Wedding Cake

Lisa’s cake was 3 tiers with spotted pearls surround each tier. A light pink bow wrapped each cake layer. A thick layer of pale pink and beige flowers adorned the middle.

The Reception

The bride and groom love to dance and celebrated their wedding by dancing their hearts out at the reception.  To kick-off the reception festivities, Brent and Lisa danced their first wedding dance to Bubbly by Colbie Caillat.  

Wedding Vendors

Wedding Cake Designer & Catering: Colletes Catering
Floral Designer: Mary Shumway
Hair / Makeup: The Bride
Photographer: Brody Dezember Photography

“It was a wonderful wedding! Thanks to Brody Dezember it was captured beautifully! We will always remember it!”

Wedding Candy Buffet

Candy buffets are one of my favorite wedding trends. They bring out our childish inner-spirits and are a great way to thank guests for attending your wedding.

In addition to candy buffets being a great wedding favor, they are also a fun wedding decoration.

Following are some tips to creating the perfect candy buffet bar…

Neat Candy Containers

The first thing you need to do is find some great candy containers and candy scoops. You can rent containers (check with your wedding planner, florist, or rental shop for ideas and options) or you can purchase them.

Clear containers usually work best. They showcase your candy selections and have a charming appeal.

Be creative. The sky is the limit when it comes to how you want to present your candy buffet.

Decorate the Table

In addition to your candy jars and candy selections, you will want to decorate the table. Consider including:

• A table runner in one of your wedding colors
• Flowers & flower petals
• Candles
• Decor that matches your theme
• Pictures from your bridal or engagement session
• Childhood pictures of the bride and groom

One of the easiest ways to bring style to your candy buffet display is to put your candy jars at different levels. Raise the containers to different heights by putting books or other supporting materials under the table cloth. Your wedding caterer or cake designer may also have dessert stands you can rent for the evening to achieve the leveled look.

How to Make Your Candy Selections

When making your candy selections, consider several things – your wedding colors, your theme, and your candy favorites. A great place to find all types and colors of candy is CandyWarehouse.com.

Candy Color

Use your wedding colors to inspire your candy selections. You don’t have to stay true to the colors you selected for the rest of the wedding, but it is a great way to tie it all together.

The thing to remember with color is that it makes a difference – whatever colors you select. Candy buffets with coordinated colors look much better than random-colored candy selections.

Theme of Your Wedding

Incorporating some details from your wedding theme can help make your candy favors even more memorable. Asian theme? Include fortune cookies. Winter wedding? How about white-chocolate covered pretzels? The possibilities are endless.

Childhood Memories

What was your favorite childhood candy? Candy bracelets, ring pops, or maybe a simple lollipop?

At CandyWarehouse.com you can find a great assortment of candy. One of my favorites is the long stick lollipops. Including nostalgic candy is great addition to consider in your candy selections.

How Much Candy Should I Buy?

Plan by how you want the display to look, not how many guests are coming. Having enough candy is crucial in making your candy buffet look good.

First, determine how many jars and types of candies you want. I recommend 7-10 (or more, depending on budget) types of candies. Buy 15-20 pounds of each variety.

The more the merrier holds true in a wedding candy buffet. Something this cool demands a presence and having plenty of candy will ensure your candy buffet display looks sweet.

Fun Do-it-Yourself Favor

A wedding candy buffet is a great do-it-yourself favor that your guests will not soon forget. Make sure to include favor boxes or bags so they have something to put their candy selections in.

Make your guests literally feel like a kid in a candy store when they join in the celebration of your wedding.

Additional Resources

• Candy Buffet Examples

Bulk Wedding Candy

• Wedding Candy

Find Your Candy Jars

• CandyWarehouse.com – Check out their great cool candy jars
• Roberts Arts & Crafts
• Ikea

Do you have a great example of a wedding candy buffet? Send us your photos and we will put them on the site.

What a treat Utah brides and grooms will receive this weekend. 

Wedding gown designer Justina McCaffrey will be in Utah this weekend at Alta MODA for The Gateway Wedding Show. She will be speaking in a Q&A session at the local fashion design school, as well as making several television appearances. As a finale to the event, the event will provide two runway show featuring her newest creations.

Alta Moda is the sponsor of this event - you won’t want to miss it!

• View upcoming Utah wedding shows
• Visit Alta Moda for beautiful, designer wedding gowns

Hillary Wade & Jeffrey Skewes
The Perfect Winter Day
January 26, 2008

Wedding Location: Cathedral of the Madeline
Reception Location:  Thanksgiving Point
Photography by: Brody Dezember Photography

View Jeff & Hillary’s Wedding Photo Gallery at TheBrideandGroom.com

The Proposal

Jeff took Hillary up to American Fork Canyon to Mineral Basin. While enjoying the beautiful air in the canyon, Jeff got down on one knee and asked Hillary to be his forever.

The Dress

Hillary found the perfect dress at Alta Moda bridal shop in Salt Lake City. She fell in love with the beauty of the dress. The dress designer was Augusta Jones. 

The Wedding - Cathedral of the Madeline in Salt Lake City, Utah

The bride and groom couldn’t have asked for a better January day to get married - the weather was perfect! Jeff & Hillary’s wedding ceremony was held at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Hillary was for an elegant but simple feel for her wedding day. The Cathedral of the Madeleine was exactly what she had pictured it to be - absolutely beautiful.

The Wedding Reception - Clubhouse at Thanksgiving Point

Jeff & Hillary’s reception was held at the Clubhouse at Thanksgiving Point. The theme for the event continued into the reception. Every decision was based on an elegant and simple theme.

The décor of the Thanksgiving Point Clubhouse went right along with her wedding colors of eggplant, butter cream, and silver. The décor was beautiful. They had lights and fabric draped over the doors, and white linens and chair colors with gray sashes.

Guests were treated to a menu from Thanksgiving Point catering including: a fruit display, Mediterranean pasta salad, shrimp, meatballs, carved turkey with rolls, lemon berry tarts, and chocolate caramel tarts.

Personal Touch

One unique thing that Hilary and Jeff did to make their wedding memorable was they displayed pictures of their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents at their reception.

Best Part of the Wedding Day

The best part of the day was that all of their family and friend were together celebrating their love for one another. They had the best day they could have asked for. Everything was specifically tailored to them.

Wedding Vendors

• Wedding Cake: Dawna’s Cakes
• Caterer: Thanksgiving Point
• Bridal Gown Shop: Alta Moda
• Event Coordinator/Designer: Becky Evans
• Favors: Candy ordered Thanksgiving Point
• Floral Designer: Thanksgiving Point Floral
• Hair/Makeup: Hair done at Elementz Salon in Draper; Make-up done at the MAC counter at Nordstrom
• Decorations / Rentals: Specialty Linens
• Photographer: Brody Dezember Photography
• Ceremony Location: Cathedral of the Madeline
• Reception Location: Thanksgiving Point
• Transportation: Medallian Limosuine
• Invitations: Brody Dezember Photography

The Roman Catholic wedding rite takes place with the Sacrament of Matrimony.  The ceremony consists of at least three bible readings, the exchange of vows, the exchange of rings, the Prayer of the Faithful, the nuptial blessing, prayers and appropriate music.

The Processional

First the groom and best man enter from the side of the church. Then the bridesmaids and groomsmen escort one another up the aisle, followed by the maid of honor, who enters alone. Finally, the bride and her father make their entrance up the aisle.

The Ceremony

After the processional, the priest greets the bride and groom and their guest and offers an opening prayer.  

The liturgy of the word includes readings from the Old and New Testaments, a re-sponsorial psalm, the alleluia before the Gospel, and a Gospel reading. The selections may be read by the priest or by friends or family of the bride and groom.

The homily elaborates on the marriage theme. If the priest knows the couple well, he may include personal references in his homily.

You have at least three choices. You can memorize and recite the vows to one another, read the vows from the book, or have the priest read them and respond with “I do.” Some priests might allow you to write your own vows or add a couple lines to the traditional ones.

After you exchange vows, you’ll exchange rings and the priest will bless them as symbols of your love and fidelity.  The best man, who usually has both rings, gives the bride’s ring to the priest, who blesses it and gives it to the groom, who places it on the bride’s finger. After the bride receives her ring, the blessing and presentation will be repeated for the groom’s ring.

The Prayer of the Faithful follows which may also include personal prayer by the couple.  During a Mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist is said at this time. Those who are chosen to bring gifts of wine and bread to the altar carry out their role at this point and the liturgy begins.
The priest then offers the Nuptial Blessing.

The conclusion of a wedding is the Lord’s Prayer and a Blessing. At a Mass, the service ends with a Blessing and Dismissal.

The Recessional

The recessional occurs in the reverse order of the processional, starting with the newly married bride and groom.

Related Articles

• Jeff & Hillary’s Wedding at The Cathedral of the Madeline
• Jeff & Hillary’s Wedding Photo Gallery

 

Alethia Bapis & Chris Chatzis
It was destiny…
December 2, 2006

Wedding: Hellenic Orthodox Church
Reception: The Grand America
Photography by: Swensen Photography

View Chris & Alethia’s Wedding Pictures at TheBrideandGroom.com

Destiny

It was destiny for Alethia and Chris to find each other. They met on a trip in Florida.  As sparks ignited, they discovered they lived just 40 minutes away from each other. 

The Proposal

While on vacation in New York City, Chris asked Alethia to take a jog with him through Central Park. After a while of running, Chris suggested they take a rest overlooking a beautful lake. Chris proceeded to get down on one knee and ask Alethia to marry him.  

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Planning the Wedding

Their family was very important in planning the wedding.  Many of the details were suggested by family.  Most of their guests traveled to Utah to celebrate the wedding.  To add a personal touch and show the bride and groom’s appreciation for coming to the wedding, she made guest bags that guests received when they checked into their hotel. The bad included things to do, tourist information, water, snacks, and Utah memorabilia. 

The Dress

Alethia looked stunning in her Anne Barge designed gown. It was pearl colored and strapless with lace overlap to top it off - simple, yet stunning. It was the perfect dress for her. 

The Cake

The elegant wedding theme came together in a chocolate and vanilla flavored wedding cake.  The cake was simply decorated with big silver ribbons.  

The Flowers

To add to the winter wedding theme, Alethia selected white flowers with many accents.  The table centerpieces included ornaments in silver and light blue. 

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The Wedding Ceremony - Hellenic Orthodox Church in Salt Lake City, Utah

Alethia and Chris were married at the beautiful Hellenic Orthodox Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. Alethia grew up in Utah, which inspired a winter wedding theme. They picked the Hellenic Orthodox church because of Alethia’s childhood memories.

The Wedding Reception – Grand America Hotel

Their wedding reception was held at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City. Alethia wanted an elegant winter theme throughout the wedding day. The entire room looked elegant: the chairs covered with silver ribbon, the tables had centerpieces with white flowers, and the Christmas tree decorated with ornaments. Everything turned out exactly how she wanted.

A Personal Touch

One unique thing about their wedding was how the guests found their table.  To find what table they were sitting at, there was a Christmas tree with silver box ornaments with the bride and groom’s name and date engraved.  Each ornament had the guest’s name and their table number. Guests loved this detail. 

Get the Party Started

Wedding guests were treated to a winter salad with berries and a plate with beef and fish.

After dinner guest enjoyed the night by dancing. The bride and groom danced their first dance to a Greek song that we call Se Agapo (I Love You).  The best part of the day was having all their family and friends in one room dancing together.

What Made Their Wedding Unforgettable 

Their wedding was perfect. All of their family and friends traveled near and far to be there.  The most important detail was that all of the guests had a great time and that it was an unforgettable day.

It was an emotional day as the bride and groom said goodbye to one life and started another.  Looking at their parents and families made it even more emotional.  The love they felt from everyone around them made it the best day ever! 

One Thing Alethia Forgot To Do …

Everything went perfect that day except forgetting to thank one of the most important people, her dad.  Thank you Dad! 

Wedding Vendors

• Wedding Cake: Mackie at the Salt Lake Country Club
• Caterer: The Grand America
• Bridal Gown Shop: Alta Moda
• Event Coordinator/Designer: Kristyn Sydorko
• Favors: Alethia Bapis (she did her own)
• Floral Designer: Val Rasmussen  Stella Posy
• Hair/Makeup: Jennifer Feroah and Lunatic Fringe Salon
• Music:
  • Live Band: Joe Muscalino Band
  • DJ: George Katsoulaki
  • Accoustic Guitar: Michael Lucarelli
• Photographer: Swensen Photography
• Videography: Iris Videos
• Ceremony Location: Hellenic Orthodox Church
• Reception Location: Grand America Hotel
• Invitations: Calligrapher Ron Tate

This video shows the highlights from the entire wedding day for Chris & Alethia’s wedding - starting in the morning with the bride and groom preparing for the wedding.

• View Chris & Alethia’s Featured Utah Wedding
• View Chris & Alethia’s Ceremony Video
• View Chris & Alethia’s Greek Wedding Dancing Video
• Greek Wedding Traditions

Wedding Vendors

• Utah Wedding Videos
• Utah Wedding Photography
• Utah Wedding Ceremony Locations