Utah Wedding Beneath the Trees
This Utah wedding is chock-full of handmade details so sweet they’ll tug at your heart strings. The day was perfectly captured by photographer Jessica Janae, and sent by the gorgeous bride herself, Ashton. To celebrate her hubby’s Japanese heritage, they folded hundreds of paper cranes, which hung from a willow tree – making for the perfect ceremony backdrop.
From the bride: I always dreamed of having a simple late summer wedding. After seeing Forrest Gump when I was seven years old, I always wanted a wedding like Forrest and Jenny’s. Simple, yet beautiful. I wanted a very homemade, cozy, relaxed vibe at the wedding. We decided to fold 500 paper cranes to include my husband’s Japanese heritage in the celebration. We strung and attached them to an old curtain rod and hung them in the big willow tree we were married under. It was so special to have that symbol of love in front of us while we were saying our vows.
For the reception we laid a bunch of quilts out underneath the trees and put games out for the kids to play. I wanted a really informal wedding so I thought a sort of picnic themed reception would be perfect. We had sandwiches, sun chips, veggies and hummus, fresh fruit, and fruit tarts. We also served old fashioned coke and root beer. I wanted a lot of little cakes instead of one big cake.
For the favors we took two tulip bulbs and wrapped them in burlap and tied them with a string. I loved the fact that our guests could be reminded of our special day every spring. We did the flowers ourselves. My family and friends arranged them in old wine and whiskey bottles as the center pieces. I made my bouquet the morning of the wedding with flowers from my mom’s backyard.
View all images from this wedding in the gallery
Be sure to watch their video by Digital Memorys Video Productions:
Wedding music:
Wedding party processional: “In My Life,” the Beatles
Bride’s processional: “First Day of my Life,” Bright Eyes
Recessional: “My Sweet Lord,” George Harrison
Wedding vendors (South Jordan, UT):
Venue: The McMullin House / Wedding Photographer: Jessica Janae Photography / Makeup: Melissa Petty for Bobbi Brown / Flowers: Costco; arranged by bride / Officiant: Zoe Potts / Ceremony musician: Preston Ewell / Wedding Dress: White by Vera Wang / Veil and Hair Accessory: bride’s grandmother / Shoes: Urban Outfitters / Bridesmaids’ dresses: Forever 21 / Groom’s suit: Zara / Videographer: Digital Memorys Video Productions
Love this wedding! So sweet and personal!
What a cute couple! I love the bride’s hair accessory.
OK, I have to comment again because I just watched the video and it’s so beautiful! Congrats!
Beautiful!!
sweet sweet details. love the gown too!
I HAVE to know which White by Vera this dress is! Its perfect.
Thank you everyone for the nice comments! So my dress is called the Empire Waist Gown with Bias Cut Banded Bodice. It’s available at davidsbridal.com under White by Vera Wang. You get a whole lotta bang for your buck.
absolutely stunning. so so beautiful. so sweet and personal and romantic.
I love the song selections. A girl after my own heart for sure.
I am completely in love with this wedding!
um hello gorgeous couple! the whole things is beautiful!
I am obsessed with this wedding. You can SEE the love Ashton and Fumi have for each other and its completely breathtaking. Ashton, I think you are a goddess. Best of luck to you and Fumi!!!
That video is the best I’ve ever seen. What a treasure!! They both look so happy. love.
This is absolutely perfect! Who officiated? Did you and your husband write the vows? They were so touching!
I just bought the same dress. It is really beautiful! Not many brides have chosen this dress, I think because it is an empire waist, but it is so gorgeous and romantic, perfect for a relaxed outdoor setting!
ohhh I love your dress! I want to get it too!! What color did you get it in? Ivory or Soft White?
So sweet and lovely:)
What a breath-taking wedding. I LOVE the fact that Ashton and Fumi created exactly the wedding day that they had dreamt of…full of uniqueness, fun and tangible love. What a beautiful couple, who have such loving family and friends…you could tell that everyone was relaxed and enjoying every moment of what the day had to offer. Congratulations Ashton and Fumi…may there be a long road in front of you as you forge a life together and with those you hold close to your hearts.