ST. GEORGE — You can’t put a price on love, but wedding receptions do come with one.
Wedding bells are ringing right along with cash registers as throngs of couples get ready to say “I do” in Southern Utah. Planning a wedding can be exciting but often involves numerous steps. Renting a venue, setting up a catering plan, hiring a photographer, ordering flowers, decorations and invitations all take time, creativity and money. In 2020, the average wedding in Utah cost $19,582 according to Wedding Report, Inc.
Allyson McQuivey, co-founder of Poppy Lane Events in Washington County, said if a couple is operating within the average wedding budget in Utah, photography and videography will typically use up about 15-21% of that amount. Couples should expect to spend about 10-20% of their budget on catering, and 5-50% on the venue depending on what they select. However, these figures aren’t set in stone as couples now base their budgets on their personal priorities.
One recent trend McQuivey has observed is cost-sharing by parents and individuals related to the couple.
“I do think COVID helped a little bit because the traditional wedding just kind of went out the door,” McQuivey said. “New kinds of weddings popped up.”
COVID-19 also caused many couples to scale back the number of guests they invite to their special day. Interestingly, McQuivey said, this hasn’t led to a reduction in the amount of money many couples are willing to spend.
“They’ve kept their budget the same,” McQuivey said. “They just provide this great experience for themselves and all their guests that come.”
As a wedding planner, McQuivey said it’s her job to identify what is most important to the couple and then make it fit within the parameters of their budget. McQuivey said the emphasis should always be on creating the kind of experience that helps the couple establish their new life together.
Contemporary weddings
When it comes to wedding budgets, many couples are eschewing traditional receptions in favor of events specifically tailored to their tastes and lifestyles. St. George bride Lennon Jones is planning an outdoor reception where entire families – not just adults – are invited for food and games. Rather than formal attire, Jones and her fiancé, Grady Sinclair, are encouraging guests to dress comfortably so they can participate in yard games.
“At the end of the reception, we’re having ‘ultimate trivia night,’” Jones said, with guests competing for prizes in a pub-style trivia match.
Even the food will be casual, with grilled chicken and a giant charcuterie board instead of standard catering. Jones is also skipping the wedding cake, instead opting to rent an ice cream machine with a toppings bar.
The one conventional item Jones is sticking with is hiring a professional photographer.
“It’s so important to me because that’s the one thing that stays with you,” Jones said. “Those pictures are what you have up in your home, you show your kids, your family looks at forever.”
Breathtaking backdrops
Mother Nature has already done most of the work when it comes to stunning backdrops for weddings. For this reason, Utah is a hot spot for destination couples. This only increased when COVID-19 canceled numerous indoor weddings. Couples from all over the world flock to this area, drawn by the dramatic scenery and unique venues. It isn’t uncommon for destination couples to spend between $40,000 and $100,000 on events celebrating their union.
“People have become interested in having adventurous weddings and wedding weekends,” said Kristin Sullivan, co-founder of Poppy Lane Events. “The Zion area really appeals to them because there are so many activities to do over there.”
Many of the wedding celebrations in the Zion area are held at vacation properties. Sullivan said some venues limit the number of guests allowed on the property and may have parking restrictions as well. In those cases, a transportation specialist is brought in to assist.
Having an outdoor wedding doesn’t necessarily make it less expensive.
“By the time you start renting and bringing in tables, chairs, linens, maybe a dance floor, maybe string lighting and tents, all of a sudden the cost really adds up,” Sullivan said.
Weather is a factor in every outdoor wedding. And Sullivan said most of the problems in Southern Utah involve wind and heat – issues that can be managed with tents, fans and misters.
Understanding the frustration that can come with reserving an empty space and then facing unanticipated rental costs, Aaron Diamond designed Heather Hill Farm in Cedar City to be an all-inclusive venue. Diamond said couples like the convenience of a facility where everything such as tables, linens, decorations, lighting, and backdrops for the ceremony are included in the price.
“It comes with a beautiful sound system” Diamond said. “You can literally just show up and everything is in place.”
Heather Hill Farm includes both a bride’s room and a groom’s room so members of the wedding party have a space to get ready for their special day. Diamond is continuing to develop his property by planting 500 trees and shrubs for additional outdoor photo options.
Book early
With spring weather on the way, it’s the busy season in the wedding industry. Venues are filling up, photographers and planners are getting booked, and mild temperatures only last so long. Couples are advised to plan in advance for their perfect happily ever after.
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