A Romantic Backyard Wedding in Salt Lake City

The Couple

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Kate Osborne Photography

Attending neighboring high schools in Salt Lake City, Utah, Mackenzie Wilmarth, now a marketing director, had a crush on Boman Farrer, who currently owns his own watch company, Luno Wear. A few years after high school graduation, they ran into each other in Park City, Utah, and rekindled the small flame they sparked as teenagers.

Fast-forward a few years, the pair found themselves in Laguna Beach, California, — a place Boman had vacationed every summer growing up and one that Mackenzie had grown to love. There for a friend's wedding, Boman surprised Mackenzie with a stop at Fisherman's Cove before dinner, and then an even bigger surprise: a proposal! While admiring the sunset and the waves from the cliff above the beach, Mackenzie noticed the words, "Marry me?" written in the sand. "There was a lot of tears, squeals, and of course, a thousand yeses'," Mackenzie says. Boman chose Las Brisas for dinner to celebrate, both for the cuisine (Mackenzie's a lover of Mexican food) and for its ocean views.

On July 25, 2015, 350 guests young and old gathered for their "I do's" and reception at This is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City. The couple threw a romantic garden party filled with fun, classic American touches, like sliders, yard games, and the main event: a Ferris wheel.

Watch Mackenzie and Boman's Wedding Video

01 of 16

The Invitations

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Kate Osborne Photography

The Louise Press designed the stationery suite with elegant hand lettering and a light pink watercolor wash background, an ode to Mackenzie's passion for art.

02 of 16

The Rings

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Kate Osborne Photography

Boman designed and created Mackenzie's engagement ring using tools from his grandfather, a retired jeweler. He first carved it by hand out of wax, then cast it in gold. The pair loved the ring so much they now handcraft and sell rings on Florawear.com. Boman's wedding band was equally unconventional; it had a first life as a half dollar.

03 of 16

The Bouquet

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Kate Osborne Photography

The bride's bouquet was soft, natural, and neutral, anchored with quicksand garden roses.

04 of 16

The Bridal Style

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Kate Osborne Photography

"I loved how the silk chiffon skirt flowed in the wind as I walked and danced," says Mackenzie of her Leanne Marshall dress with intricate gold beading. She paired her gown with handmade shoes she picked up in Italy a few years back. As her "somethings borrowed," she wore her sister's veil and a Nadri bracelet that both of her sisters wore when they wed. And as her something blue: her grandmother's handkerchief with hand knitted lace edges, to help her out if she got a bit emotional.

Mackenzie's bridesmaids matched in soft pink Forever 21 dresses.

05 of 16

The Guys' Style

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Kate Osborne Photography

The groom chose a navy blue suit from H&M, a David Donahue shirt, a striped J.Crew tie, and Aldo shoes. He accessorized with a watch with a stained leather band and an ebony wood case made from ponderosa pine trees from his own line, Luno Wear.

The groomsmen looked dapper in J.Crew pants and ties, white shirts, and brown shoes. As for the ring bearer, he wore a linen shirt and shorts from Four and Twenty Sailors with Salt Water Sandals.

06 of 16

The Ceremony

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Kate Osborne Photography

Officiated by a temple sealer, the pair had a short morning ceremony at the Salt Lake Temple.

07 of 16

The Reception

Pink and Leather Wedding Shoes
Kate Osborne Photography

In the hope of finding a backyard big enough to fit a Ferris wheel (Mackenzie's long-time wedding dream), she reluctantly checked out "the adorable pink house" at the recommendation of her friends. Just so, Brigham Young Forest Farmhouse at This is the Place Heritage Park had a yard big enough for the carnival ride. "I have always loved going to the fair, and each fall Boman has taken me, which is where we got the crazy idea to rent a Ferris wheel." Bistro lights strung across the main area, and Edison bulbs dropped from the trees, shifted the casual scene a bit more romantic.

08 of 16

The Centerpieces

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Kate Osborne Photography

Arrangements of soft pink and white roses in bud vases decorated the round tables, along with votives and taper candles.

09 of 16

The Tables

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Kate Osborne Photography

Full, lush garlands embellished with garden roses ran the entire length of the long tables to compliment the natural feel of the wood.

10 of 16

The First Dance

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Kate Osborne Photography

The newlyweds swayed to Billy Joel's "She's Got a Way" for their first dance.

11 of 16

The Ferris Wheel

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Kate Osborne Photography

"My favorite moment was on the Ferris wheel when I looked down at everyone that came to support us. I saw the fun they were having on the dance floor, playing yard games, and enjoying each other's company," says Mackenzie.

12 of 16

The Sliders

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Kate Osborne Photography

Embracing the county-fair atmosphere, gourmet sliders, shoestring fries, and soda were served to partygoers.

13 of 16

The Dessert

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Kate Osborne Photography

"Boman's family is famous for their delicious scones and serves them at all their family parties," says the bride. A fried version was offered up with honey, honey butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla sugar as toppings, along with two different flavors of Popsicles: raspberry lime and cookies and cream.

14 of 16

The Cake

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Kate Osborne Photography

Guests enjoyed a two-tier coconut confection by Le Loup Cake, which was covered in salted caramel frosting and adorned with gold leafing flecks; smaller grapefruit, rosemary, and poppy seed cakes were also on offer.

15 of 16

The Getaway Car

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Kate Osborne Photography

Lovers of vintage Volkswagens, Mackenzie and Boman borrowed a family friend's blue Beetle Convertible decorated with a "Just Married" sign calligraphed by The Louise Press for their exit.

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