What began as a blind date blossomed into a beautiful relationship for Molly McCarthey and Seth Spain. Just two days before Christmas, Seth gave his beloved an ornament that she did not know was actually a ring box. After Molly hung it on their tree, she turned around to see Seth down on one knee.

“We settled on Deer Valley pretty early on in the process so Seth’s friends and family from the East Coast could experience Utah and so that it would feel like a mini vacation for local friends and family,” explains Molly of their fall-themed gathering. The bride held a tasteful bouquet showcasing eggplant-hued calla lillies that also appeared in the centerpieces, boutonnieres, and nosegays held by the bridesmaids. These florals, along with fuschia orchids and additional lavender blooms, were placed elegantly on pillars at the ceremony space. “We used aubergine with pops of fuchsia to make it feel very fall-themed but in an unexpected way,” the bride recalls. The pair recited personal vows in a service officiated by Molly’s father, a surprise for attendees. They concluded their alfresco ceremony with a traditional Celtic handfasting ritual, where the bride and groom bind their hands with ribbon or cord to symbolize their marriage vows.

Following the outdoor ceremony, guests gathered for a sophisticated dinner followed by slices of the couple’s whimsical three-tiered confection. The purple-and-gold marbled fondant was beautifully complemented by gold leaf layers and cascading orchids. Centerpieces featured clusters of purple blooms and candle votives to add a warm ambience to the space. Each guest found their seat by way of a laser-cut wooden place card customized with his/her name, all of which were positioned atop metallic charger plates. The couple also showcased a large wooden sign in honor of their new last name. “We had a huge wooden 'Spain' sign made to hang over the dance floor and it now hangs in our home,” Molly says.

Reflecting on her own experience, the bride wants to remind all couples what the entire planning process is all about. “A wedding is not a marriage. If you wouldn’t get divorced over the color of the table linens or the weight of the invitations, let it go. As long as you are married at the end of the night, everything else is just gravy,” she confides. “Plan date nights where wedding talk is off-limits.”