Planning a Holiday Party in Park City

Planning a holiday party for your company or family? Park City feels like it was made for winter celebrations.

Warm fires, wool blankets, glowing lights, good spirits, and food meant to be shared. In Park City, the mountains are already dressed for the holidays, and snow turns the landscape into something out of a Christmas card.

But planning a successful holiday party requires more than a beautiful mountain setting. It takes forethought and know-how to make your party a seasonal success and not a holiday headache. Here are our top tips for planning a Park City holiday party that feels festive, magical, memorable, and effortless.

1.       Start With the Big Three Questions: Who, When, and How Much?

2.       Pick Your Party Style.

3.       Choose the Right Venue.

4.       Build the Menu Around the Experience.

5.       Don’t Forget the Bar.

6.       Create an Atmosphere. Not Just a Decoration Scheme.

7.       Think Through the Guest Experience.

8.       Give Guests Something to Remember.

9.       Sweat the Details So Your Guests Don’t Have To.

10.   Let Park City Do Much of the Work.

All photo credits: Logan Walker and Pepper Nix

1.       Start With the Big Three Questions: Who, When, and How Much?

Before you start choosing menus and décor, get clear on three things: who’s coming, when you’re hosting, and how much you have to spend. These decisions will shape nearly every other choice you make.

Who?

Start with your guest list. Is this a company-wide celebration, an intimate gathering for executives and clients, or a family party with grandparents and young children? A guest list of twenty-five close friends calls for a very different experience than a corporate celebration for 200 employees.

And in Park City, it’s important to consider where your guests are coming from. Are they local? Staying at a nearby hotel? Traveling from out of town? Will some be arriving directly from the slopes? The answers can influence your venue, timing, transportation, and even what you serve.

When?

Holiday calendars fill up quickly, and Park City adds another consideration: winter travel. Give yourself as much lead time as possible, particularly if you’re planning a larger event or inviting guests from outside the area. Popular venues and dates can disappear long before the holidays arrive.

Determine what day and time of day will work best. An evening party naturally lends itself to candlelight, cocktails, and a more formal dinner. A daytime gathering might be better suited to brunch or lunch. And if you’re planning an après-ski celebration, you’ll want to build your timing around the rhythm of a winter day in the mountains.

How much?

Finally, establish a realistic budget before the planning gets too far along. Your budget determines more than how much food you can serve; it helps determine the entire character of the event. A smaller gathering might allow you to splurge on an exceptional menu and beautiful details, while a larger corporate party may call for creative ways to make a bigger guest list feel special.

2. Pick a Party Style

Now comes the fun part: deciding what kind of party you want to throw. Think about the feelings you want your guests to take home with them. Should the evening feel sophisticated? Relaxed and convivial? Festive and energetic? A little bit magical?

Park City gives you plenty of ways to go. You might gather everyone around a beautifully set table for an elegant holiday dinner, where a thoughtful menu and good conversation take center stage. Or you could skip the formal seating altogether and host a cocktail party with passed hors d'oeuvres, creative drinks, and guests mingling throughout the evening.

Pros and Cons of Different Party Styles.

• Elegant Holiday Dinner

Pros: Sophisticated and memorable; excellent for client entertainment, executive groups, and upscale company parties. Allows food and service to be the stars. Works beautifully with candles, greenery, winter florals and seasonal menus.

Cons: More formal and less conducive to mingling. Requires guests to commit to a longer seated experience. Can feel like “just another nice dinner” if the décor or entertainment aren’t distinctive.

• Cocktail Soirée

Pros: Excellent for mingling; guests can circulate rather than being tied to a table; easier to accommodate different arrival/departure times; passed hors d'oeuvres, stations and creative cocktails can make it feel lively and sophisticated.

Cons: Less substantial than a dinner. Guests tend to mingle rather than settle in. Can require more staffing for passed hors d’oeuvres, cocktail service, clearing glasses, etc. Bar lines can develop. More challenging in winter due to wet boots, bulky coats, snow, and icy walkways. Can get noisy. The food has to work harder; hors d'oeuvres need to be easy to eat while standing, visually appealing, and substantial enough to satisfy without becoming messy.

• Après-Ski Celebration

Pros: A uniquely Park City celebration, it immediately gives the party a sense of place. Relaxed, festive and fun. Ski sweaters, boots, fur, fires, hot cocktails and mountain-inspired food create an easy theme without over-decorating. Park City's après scene ranges from casual slope-side gatherings to sophisticated heated lounges with elevated food and cocktails.

Cons: The theme can become overly casual for a high-end corporate event. Skiing isn't actually necessary, but some guests may feel left out if they don't ski. Outdoor elements create weather/logistical considerations, and timing can be tricky if people are coming directly from the slopes.

• Casual Company Party

Pros: Low pressure with broad appeal. Easier for employees to relax and actually socialize. Can incorporate games, music, food stations or entertainment. Generally less expensive than a heavily formalized event.

Cons: Can feel generic, so it’s harder to make it feel genuinely special. Guests may interpret "casual" as "not much effort." Less appropriate if the goal is impressing clients or celebrating a major company milestone.

• Family Holiday Gathering

Pros: Warm inclusive and comfortable. Works for multiple generations. Activities can be built around kids and adults. Buffet or stations allow people to eat at their own pace. Park City's winter environment provides built-in entertainment.

Cons: Children and adults have different needs, so a sophisticated dinner can be difficult with young children. Noise and scheduling can become issues. Alcohol-centered entertainment isn't necessarily appropriate for the whole group.

• Black-Tie Affair

Pros: Maximum sense of occasion. Creates a genuine "event" rather than simply a holiday party. Particularly appropriate for milestone celebrations, fundraising, executive entertaining or prestigious corporate groups. Tuxedos and gowns against a snowy Park City backdrop can be spectacular.

Cons: Highest expectations and usually highest cost. Dress code may discourage some guests. Requires excellent execution because formal events expose shortcomings in food, service, décor and entertainment. Can feel overly serious if there isn't an element of fun.

• Winter Wonderland

Pros: Visually spectacular; almost limitless décor possibilities—snow, lights, evergreen, candles, ice, white florals, crystal, firelight. Very photogenic. Can be elegant, whimsical or family-friendly. Park City already provides a fantastic winter backdrop, including seasonal lights, ice carving, fireworks and other holiday elements.

Cons: A winter wonderland" can become cliché if it relies too heavily on fake snow or generic Christmas décor. The theme needs a distinctive interpretation to feel sophisticated rather than like a Christmas display.

• Holiday Brunch or Luncheon

Pros: A daytime event means easier schedules and less competition with evening parties. Naturally lighter and more relaxed. Great for awards, employee appreciation and client entertaining. Brunch menus offer lots of creative possibilities.

Cons: Less of a "big night out"; alcohol and entertainment tend to play a smaller role; doesn't have the same dramatic nighttime atmosphere; skiing guests may prefer to spend the day on the mountain rather than at a luncheon.

• Casual Holiday Open House

Pros: Flexibility for guests; people can grab a drink, sample food, warm up by the fire, and visit with friends at their own pace. Easy to accommodate a large guest list; you can invite more people without needing a dining table big enough for everyone. Works well with grazing-style food stations. Passed hors d'oeuvres, small bites, charcuterie, desserts, and drinks can be replenished throughout the event. Great for mixed groups of families, coworkers, neighbors, and/or friends. Potentially easier on the budget.

Cons: Guest arrival is unpredictable; you could have a rush or dead times. Food needs to remain appealing and safe as guests arrive throughout the event. It can feel less special since it’s less structured, and guests may not know when to leave. 

• Luxury Chalet Holiday Party

Pros: Gets the most out of the setting since Park City is the ideal place for this type of party. Feels exclusive and unique. Can handle a large guest list although a smaller guest list can make the event feel more extravagant, especially with a chef-prepared dinner and attentive service. Excellent for entertaining VIPs.

Cons: Luxury lodging, catering, staffing, entertainment, etc. can be pricey. You need to find the right venue. (The Kimball Terrace can be the perfect place for this kind of party: when the snow falls outside its floor-to-ceiling windows on Main Street, it can feel like you’re in a giant snow globe.) If you hold it at a private mountain home, you’ll need to be ready to deal with issues like transportation and parking, kitchen capacity, and seating space. Be aware that Park City has strict noise, parking, and other ordinances regarding private parties.

3.       Choose the Right Venue

Once you know who’s coming, when you’re gathering, what style of party you want, and what you have to spend, it’s time to find the place where it all comes together.

In Park City, you have plenty of options: a grand mountain lodge, a luxury resort, a historic Main Street venue, a private home with a roaring fire and snow-covered mountains outside the windows. The right venue can set the tone for the entire celebration before you’ve even served the first bite.

But the goal isn't simply to find a beautiful venue. It's to find a space that makes your particular celebration easier, more comfortable, and more enjoyable for everyone who walks through the door. Before you settle on your venue, make sure you’ve addressed the practical problems and challenges that come with planning a holiday party in Park City.

• How easy is it to get there? Consider where your guests are staying, whether they'll be driving in snowy conditions, and whether you'll need transportation or valet service.

• Is there enough room? Don't just count chairs and tables. Think about where guests will gather when they arrive, where they'll have drinks, and whether there's enough space for dancing, entertainment, or food stations.

• How will ski gear and party attire be handled? If you're hosting an après-ski event, guests may arrive wearing ski boots, helmets, bulky jackets, and layers. If it's a more formal affair, they'll have the opposite problem: where do they put all those beautiful coats and winter accessories? In a Park City winter, a coat check and dedicated space for boots, jackets, and other winter gear isn't a luxury: it can save your party from becoming a pile of parkas.

• What does the venue actually provide? Ask about tables, chairs, linens, glassware, kitchen access, staffing, setup, cleanup, and sound equipment. A venue that appears less expensive can become considerably more costly once rentals and services are added.

• How much setup time do you get? A room that looks empty at 3 p.m. may need several hours to become the candlelit holiday celebration you're imagining. Make sure your timeline allows enough time for catering, décor, entertainment, and other vendors to set up.

• What is the backup plan? Winter weather is part of Park City's charm, but it can also complicate things. For outdoor elements, transportation, or events at private homes, know what happens if snow or other weather conditions interfere with your plans.

• Is there plenty of parking? Ask whether parking is onsite, shared with other businesses or guests, or limited by snow storage. If many guests are staying at hotels, a shuttle or rideshare plan may make more sense than having everyone drive.

• How will after-party transportation be handled? This is particularly important if you're serving alcohol. In addition to getting guests to the venue, think about how they'll get home. A shuttle between hotels and the venue can make the evening easier and can allow the host to relax about guests navigating winter roads.

• What about noise restrictions and event hours? Park City venues may have restrictions on amplified music, dancing, outdoor gatherings, or how late the event can continue. This is particularly important if you're envisioning a DJ or live band.

• How difficult will load-in and load-out be? As caterers, we are acutely aware of this one! How will vendors get food, equipment, tables, glassware, décor, etc. in and out of the building? Is there a loading dock? Elevator? Stairs? How far is the parking area from the entrance? In a mountain venue, these seemingly small details can have a big impact on the day of the event.

• What restrictions are placed on vendors? Don't assume you can bring in whatever vendors you want. Ask whether the venue has a preferred or exclusive list for caterers, bartenders, rental companies, florists, DJs, or planners, and whether outside vendors incur additional fees.

• Do you have heating and outdoor spaces? If you're planning an outdoor cocktail hour, fire pits, heaters, tents, or other winter elements, find out what the venue permits and who is responsible for providing them. Also consider whether guests will have somewhere warm to retreat if the weather turns unpleasant.

• Is there safe and adequate accessibility? Snow is one of Park City’s beautiful features, but snow and ice can also pose accessibility nightmares. Can guests easily navigate the venue? Look at the actual route from parking or drop-off to the entrance, not just whether the building technically has accessible facilities.

• What happens if your guest count changes? Holiday guest lists can be unpredictable. Ask how the venue handles a final head count that's higher or lower than your original estimate, and when that number is due. This can be especially important for corporate parties.

• Are there décor limitations? If you're dreaming of a winter wonderland, ask before you fall in love with the idea. Can you hang things from the ceiling? Attach décor to walls? Bring in candles? Use open flames or fire features? Cover existing artwork or furniture? Some venues have surprisingly strict rules.

• Are there accommodations for out-of-town guests? For a corporate retreat or destination holiday party, consider whether the venue is close to where guests are staying. If you're expecting people to travel to Park City specifically for the event, proximity to lodging becomes part of the venue decision.

Finally, visit the venue at roughly the same time of day as your planned event if you can. A space that feels bright and ordinary on a sunny afternoon may feel completely different on a snowy December evening. That's a difference you want to understand before you book. 

4. Build the Menu Around the Experience

Food should do more than fill plates and bellies: it should help create the experience you're after.

Winter practically begs for food that feels warm, comforting, and abundant. Hearty soups, roasted meats, warm breads, savory pastries, and rich seasonal vegetables can feel right at home in a snowy Park City setting. But beware making everything heavy. A good winter menu can balance rich comfort foods with fresh salads, bright vegetables, seafood, and lighter bites.

There are some general principles that apply to planning any party menu, such as “Don’t make guests choose between eating and socializing.” But beyond those principles, each type of holiday party calls for a different kind of menu.

For an après-ski celebration, lean into the mountain setting without turning dinner into ski-lodge cliché. Go for warm, hearty, generous food that people can enjoy without slowing the party down. Think elevated versions of the foods people crave after a day outside: warm dips, gourmet grilled sandwiches, hearty stews, roasted meats, house-made breads, or a beautifully composed charcuterie spread. Add something unexpected, like a raclette station or a fondue.

The question to ask yourself as you design the menu for this kind of party is “What would I want to eat after several hours in the snow?”

For a holiday cocktail party, variety and pacing become especially important. Design your menu around movement, conversation, and convenient eating. Instead of putting everything out at once, think about how the food will arrive throughout the evening. Start with lighter bites as guests arrive, follow with more substantial hors d'oeuvres, and consider a late-night savory offering for the guests who aren't quite ready to call it a night.

The question: “Can someone eat this while holding a drink and having a conversation?”

For a black tie holiday dinner, lean into a menu that’s luxurious and seasonal rather than overtly Christmas-themed. For example:

First course: Burrata with roasted pear and hazelnut, or a delicate winter salad with pomegranate and candied pecans.

Main course: Beef tenderloin, duck breast, rack of lamb, or beautifully prepared halibut, served with potato au gratin, wild mushrooms, roasted root vegetables, Brussels sprouts with pancetta, or a refined winter vegetable preparation.

Dessert: Chocolate torte, pear tart, crème brûlée, or a composed dessert featuring winter citrus.

The trick is not to confuse luxury with excess. Five luxurious elements piled on a plate can feel less sophisticated than one exceptional ingredient treated beautifully.

Work with your caterer to choose wine pairings that make both the food and the wine stand out.

The question: “Does each course give guests a reason to linger a little longer?”

If you’re planning a casual company holiday party, the goal is to make everyone feel welcome, well-fed, and off the clock. Aim for familiar foods executed at a high level, with generous portions and plenty of choices. Chef stations and buffet-style service let people choose what they want and make it easy to cater to many different preferences and dietary needs. Include some fun or nostalgic elements. The menu should be substantial enough to function as dinner rather than just “heavy hors d'oeuvres.”

Be careful not to let the food feel like the star of the show. Instead, make it approachable. A perfectly executed mac and cheese may make more people happy than an elaborate dish nobody recognizes.

The question: “Does this feel like a reward for the people who work here?”

For a family holiday get-together, choose food that brings generations to the same table. Family-style service encourages passing plates and sharing, and that encourages talk. Lean toward familiar foods that will be sure hits but throw in at least one unexpected option that will pique curiosity and give people something to experience together.  

Incorporate enough flexibility for picky eaters and different dietary needs. Add interactive dessert or beverage elements: cookie decorating, hot chocolate, s’mores, sundae bars, etc.

The question to ask is “Will Grandma, Dad, the teenagers, and the six-year-old all find something they genuinely want to eat?”

For a winter wonderland party, try to make the food feel as beautiful and magical as the setting.

Aim for visual drama: elegant presentation, jewel-like colors, snow-white/green/red winter tones, beautiful garnishes. Choose seasonal foods like mushrooms, pears, pomegranate, root vegetables, winter greens, citrus, and warming spices. Balance the visual elegance with things that feel cozy: soup, roasted meats, warm breads, hot chocolate.

Ideally, this kind of food looks almost too beautiful to eat, but too delicious to resist. Color and contrast are key: white crème fraîche, deep red pomegranate, green herbs, golden pastry, jewel-toned fruit.

The question to ask: Does this food make the winter setting feel even more magical?

For a holiday brunch or luncheon, the principle is to keep the celebration festive without making it feel heavy. Aim for a lighter, brighter menu than a traditional holiday dinner. Think seasonal fruit, citrus, greens, vegetables, eggs, seafood, pastries, and breads—a combination of sweet and savory choices. Offer beautiful nonalcoholic beverages and sparkling drinks alongside coffee and tea. If it's an après-ski brunch, incorporate some heartier mountain flavors without turning it into dinner.

The question: Does this feel celebratory while still making people want to spend the afternoon doing something afterward?

A luxury chalet holiday party, on the other hand, should feel deeply comfortable while, at the same time, abundant and indulgent. The guiding idea is to choose foods people crave after a day in the mountains, but then to take those foods to a whole new level. You want food that feels generous and sophisticated without crossing over into fussy.

More than simply the elegant finger food you’d find at a cocktail party, this menu should feel elevated and a bit extravagant. For example:

• Shakshuka & pomegranate deviled eggs

• Duck breast on duck crackling with blood orange hoisin and diced plum

• Wild mushroom and Gruyère tartlets

• Truffle gougères

• Seared scallops with squash and adobo puree and green apple slaw

• Raclette on toast with shaved fresh truffles

• Gelato with caviar and an olive oil drizzle

Presentation is a vital part of making a meal feel elevated, so consider how the food will look as guests encounter it. Rather than arranging every bite with the precision of a fine-dining tasting menu, embrace the generous abundance that makes a chalet gathering feel special. Layer platters with height and texture. Serve warm foods in beautiful copper or ceramic vessels. Let ingredients such as fresh truffles, shaved cheeses, pomegranate, herbs, and roasted fruits become part of the visual experience.

Think “mountain luxury” rather than restaurant formality. A beautiful spread of artisan breads, roasted vegetables, charcuterie, and luxurious small bites can feel every bit as indulgent as a plated dinner while still inviting guests to relax, linger, and help themselves. The goal is food that makes people want to pull up a chair, pour another glass, and stay awhile.

The question: How can I create a sense of abundance without making it formal or fussy?

5. Don't Forget the Bar

The bar is often where a holiday party comes to life. It’s where guests gather when they arrive, where old friends catch up, and where conversations continue long after dessert. So don’t treat the bar as an afterthought.

A great holiday bar has something for everyone—even people who aren’t drinking.

Consider creating one or two signature drinks—including non-alcoholic versions—that feel distinctly wintery and a little special. Think flavors such as cranberry, pear, apple, pomegranate, rosemary, ginger, cinnamon, or citrus. A well-designed signature cocktail can become part of the party’s identity while saves guests from having to study an entire cocktail menu.

But a thoughtful bar goes well beyond cocktails. Offer a good selection of wine and beer, along with interesting nonalcoholic choices that feel like genuine drinks rather than consolation prizes. A sparkling cranberry and rosemary spritz, house-made ginger beer, seasonal shrubs, or an elevated zero-proof cocktail gives non-drinkers something festive to hold and enjoy. You might even take inspiration from the Park City mountains themselves: warm cider, spiced chocolate, an après-ski hot toddy, or a beautiful hot-chocolate station can be exactly what guests want after a snowy evening. A great holiday bar has something for everyone, including those who aren’t drinking.

And remember the little things. Beautiful glassware, plenty of ice, attractive garnishes, and a bartender who knows how to make guests feel welcome can transform a bar from a beverage station into part of the experience.

The question: What would make every guest feel like there’s something here just for them?

6. Create an Atmosphere, Not Just a Decoration Scheme.

At a venue like Kimball Terrace, you have a huge advantage: much of the atmosphere is already created for you. With the snow, mountains, evergreens, and magical winter nights, you’re already halfway there! But don’t fail to finish the effect with thoughtful lighting, décor, music, flowers, candles, fireplaces, linens, table settings, and the overall visual mood.

Question to ask: What should guests feel when they walk through the door?

7. Think Through the Guest Experience.

Planning a holiday party becomes pure guesswork if you don’t take the time to think through what your quests will experience. Out yourself in your guests’ galoshes and walk through the party from beginning to end. A generic timeline will run something like this:

Arrival → coat check → welcome drink → mingling → dinner → entertainment → dessert → departure.

Now look more closely at each transition. Where will guests go when they arrive? Will they immediately know where to put their coats and where to get a drink? Is there a comfortable place to gather while they wait for dinner? Will the move from cocktails to dinner feel natural, or will someone have to herd everyone to the table? What happens when dinner ends? And perhaps most importantly, is there enough happening to keep the energy moving without making guests feel like they’re being marched through a schedule?

The best parties have a rhythm that feels almost invisible. Guests always seem to know what to do next, but they never feel as though they're being managed. That's the magic of good planning: you do the thinking beforehand so your guests can simply enjoy themselves.

Question to ask: What will my guests experience from the moment they arrive until the moment they leave?

8. Give Guests Something to Remember

The best holiday parties have a moment—or several—that guests didn't quite expect. It might be a chef preparing something tableside, a spectacular dessert, live participatory music around the fireplace, or a late-night bite that appears just when everyone thinks the evening is winding down.

It doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive. Often, the most memorable touches are simply unexpected, thoughtful, and perfectly suited to the setting and the people you're celebrating with.

Question to ask: What will guests be talking about the next day?

9. Sweat the Details So Your Guests Don’t Have To.

A holiday party that feels effortless is usually anything but. Someone has thought about food supplies, timing, weather contingencies, whether there are enough seats, how guests with dietary restrictions will be accommodated, and a thousand other things. These are the details guests may never notice—and that's exactly the point.

Think through the small moments that can create friction: Is parking obvious? Will guests know where to go when they arrive? Is there somewhere warm to put wet boots? Will the bar get backed up? Is there a quiet place for someone who wants to step away from the crowd? What happens if a guest arrives late? What if the weather turns nasty? What if someone spills red wine on a white tablecloth?

There are sound principles to help you in planning a holiday party, such as “Build enough flexibility into the timeline that one delayed doesn't throw off the entire evening.” But the goal isn't to plan for every possible disaster. It's to anticipate the little problems before they become someone else’s problem.

Of course, the problem is that when it comes to anticipating potential problems, you don’t know what you don’t know, right? It can be wise to work with a professional who has extensive party planning experience in Park City.

Although what follows is not a complete list, it will help you catch a lot of the details that are easy to overlook.

Details to Consider When Planning a Holiday Party in Park City.

Arrival & parking

• Where do guests actually park?

• Is the entrance obvious in the dark or snow?

• Is there a place for rideshares to pull up?

• Who greets guests when they arrive?

• What happens if someone arrives before the party is ready?

• Is there a place for wet boots, snowy coats, umbrellas, and gloves?

Temperature & comfort

• Is the room going to get too warm once it's full of people?

• Is anyone sitting directly beneath an air vent or next to a cold window?

• Are there enough comfortable chairs for people who don't want to stand?

• Is the outdoor smoking area—or any outdoor activity—actually usable in December?

Food

• Can guests easily tell what each dish is?

• Are dietary restrictions handled discreetly?

• Is there enough food for the person who arrives late?

• Are hors d'oeuvres substantial enough to carry people through cocktails?

• Is there somewhere to put a plate while eating a standing-up appetizer?

• Will the food still be at its best if dinner runs 30 minutes late?

Bar

• Does the bar have enough ice?

• Are there enough glasses?

• Is there a separate, attractive option for non-drinkers?

• Will the bar become a bottleneck?

• Is water readily available without someone having to ask?

Flow

• Where will people naturally congregate—and will that create a traffic jam?

• Are the bathrooms easy to find?

• Will guests know when it's time to move from cocktails to dinner?

• Is there a natural place for guests to linger after dinner?

• Does the music allow people to have a conversation?

Timing

• What happens if dinner starts late?

• What happens if speeches run long?

• Is dessert arriving too soon—or so late that everyone has already left the table?

• Has anyone actually built in time for the staff to reset a room?

The things nobody wants to think about

• Who cleans up a broken glass?

• Who handles a wine spill?

• Where does trash go during the party?

• Where do empty glasses and dirty plates disappear to?

• What happens when the bathroom runs out of towels or toilet paper?

• Where does all the leftover food go?

• Who is watching the clock so the host doesn't have to?

Issues specific to Park City

• Snow removal and icy walkways

• Lighting the path from parking to the entrance

• Valet or transportation for guests who don't want to drive in winter weather

• A place for snowy/wet footwear

• Coat storage capacity—winter coats take up far more room than summer jackets

• Keeping the entrance from becoming a pileup of boots, coats, and guests

• A backup plan if weather delays vendors or guests

• Making sure outdoor heaters actually have fuel

• Allowing extra time for vendors to arrive and set up in winter conditions

If you’re hiring a full-service caterer for your Park City event, you’ve already answered many of the questions on this list. Your caterers will probably be the largest team you have onsite at your event, by far. They should also have extensive experience anticipating and dealing with precisely these kinds of issues. Make sure you’ve hired someone who will be your guide and ally. Then lean on them to make things run smoothly.

Question to ask: What could go wrong, and how can we solve it before it becomes an issue?

10.       Let Park City Do Much of the Work.

There’s a reason people choose Park City for holiday celebrations. If you’re planning a holiday party in Park City, that unmistakable feeling of being somewhere special gives you a head start that few other destinations can match.

The trick is not to overcomplicate it. Plan thoughtfully, anticipate the details, and then let the setting cast its spell. Whether you’re hosting an intimate family dinner in a mountain home, an elegant company celebration, or a lavish holiday gathering for hundreds, the best parties feel personal, thoughtful, and generous. If you do your planning well and assembled the right team, guests will feel seen and taken care of, and you will feel free to focus on what matters most, the people you’ve invited.

Then all that's left to do is enjoy the party.

The Perfect Park City Weekend Wedding

All Photo Credits: Kelly Lugo Photo

Weddings have changed. Today’s couples often see their wedding less as a formal ritual and more of an opportunity to gather their favorite people for an extended celebration. Instead of cramming the whole wedding into a few hours, they want to bring their guests together in a more relaxed, meaningful, and memorable way. What used to be essentially a single-day event has morphed into a much more immersive, multi-day experience: the “Weekend Wedding.”

What Is a Weekend Wedding?

A weekend wedding is a wedding celebration designed to unfold over several days, typically an entire weekend. Instead of guests arriving for one event (perhaps a ceremony and reception) and leaving shortly afterward, the couple plans a series of gatherings that turn the wedding into a shared experience.

A typical weekend wedding might include:

• Friday: Welcome party, rehearsal dinner, cocktail reception, or casual gathering

• Saturday: Wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, and reception

• Sunday: Farewell brunch, post-wedding breakfast, or relaxed outdoor activity

At the end of this article, we’ll outline our suggestions for a Perfect Park City Weekend Wedding.

Why Are Weekend Weddings Gaining Popularity?

Since many guests are already investing significant time and money to travel to a wedding, couples want meaningful opportunities to spend time with them beyond a few rushed conversations during the reception. Weekend weddings (especially for destination weddings) offer several advantages:

1. They allow more time with loved ones. Weddings often bring together family and friends who rarely see one another. A weekend gives everyone more than a few hours to reconnect.

2. They make destination weddings worthwhile. If guests are traveling from out of town or even out of country to attend, a weekend of events makes the trip feel more worthwhile, like a vacation rather than a quick in-and-out.

3. They place less pressure on the wedding day. Welcome parties and rehearsal dinners give guests opportunities to socialize before the ceremony, so not every reunion and conversation has to happen during cocktail hour. Plus, couples feel free to fully soak up their moment, knowing they’ll be able to connect with guests at another time.

4. They lead to more personal celebrations. Couples can create different moods for different events: a casual welcome dinner, an elegant wedding reception, and a relaxed farewell brunch.

5. Guests get to experience the destination. Especially for Utah destination weddings, it would be a shame for guests to not have a chance to enjoy what our state has to offer. Here in Park City, a weekend wedding can be combined with skiing, hiking, dining, shopping, golfing, whiskey tastings, fireside s’mores, or simply enjoying the mountains.

6. They provide more opportunities to celebrate. A weekend gives couples more chances to incorporate traditions, favorite foods, activities, and people who might not fit into a traditional wedding day.

7. They create memories beyond the ceremony. Often, guests remember the spontaneous moments—the late-night conversation, morning brunch, group hike, or welcome dinner—as much as the wedding itself.

The Rise of the Park City Weekend Wedding

Utah (and Park City in particular) is already one of the country's premier wedding destinations, and it’s easy to see why. Combine our state’s unparalleled natural beauty with Utah’s freakishly high value-per-dollar wedding industry, and it becomes obvious why Utah attracts thousands of destination weddings every year. 

And if guests are already traveling to be here, why not give them a reason to stay a little longer?

As Visit Park City points out, “Park City is the ultimate playground for friends and family.” We’ve talked before on this blog about the year-round events you can find downtown, our favorite dining in Park City, and some of the best reasons to be in Park City in the summer, winter, or fall. But really, every season of the year is uniquely beautiful in Park City and offers unique experiences and memories here in the Wasatch Mountains. There are good reasons why a little town of 8,000 residents attracts half a million visitors annually!

How Does a Weekend Wedding Differ from a Traditional One-Day Wedding?

The biggest difference is that a traditional wedding is centered around one main event, while a wedding weekend turns the celebration into a multi-day experience.

At a traditional one-day wedding, guests typically arrive for the ceremony and reception, then head home or back to their hotel. A wedding weekend gives couples more time to gather with the people they love. The weekend might begin with a welcome party or casual dinner on Friday, continue with the ceremony and reception on Saturday, and conclude with a brunch, farewell breakfast, or relaxed activity on Sunday.

A wedding weekend also tends to feel less like a schedule of events and more like a shared getaway. Guests have opportunities to explore the destination, spend unstructured time together, and participate in activities beyond the wedding itself. The goal isn't to fill every hour. In fact, the best wedding weekends usually leave plenty of breathing room so guests can enjoy the destination and the couple can actually enjoy their guests.

The tradeoff is that a wedding weekend requires more planning. Couples need to think about accommodations, transportation, meals, activities, and how much of the weekend they want to organize or pay for.

Who Pays for a Destination Weekend Wedding?

There isn't one universal rule for who-pays-what when it comes to aa destination wedding weekend. However, the most common approach is that the couple pays for the wedding and the events they choose to host, while guests generally pay their own travel and lodging.

The basic etiquette principle is this: If you've invited guests to something as part of your wedding celebration, you should generally pay for it. But if it's something you're merely recommending that they do while they're in town, they can generally pay for themselves.

For example, if your invitation says, "Join us Friday evening for a welcome dinner at Kimball Terrace," then guests should not be expected to pay for their dinner.

On the other hand, if your invitation says, "While you're in Park City, consider joining us for a Saturday morning hike or booking a spa treatment," then guests would normally pay their own way for those optional activities.

Should the Couple Reserve a Hotel Room Block for a Destination Weekend Wedding?

Yes. For a destination wedding weekend, we strongly recommend that the couple arrange a hotel room block, particularly if significant numbers of guests are coming from out of town.

A room block isn't the same thing as paying for everyone's rooms. The couple typically negotiates a group rate and reserves a set of rooms, while individual guests book and pay for their own rooms.

Reserving a block of hotel rooms for your guests has several advantages:

1. It makes the weekend much easier for guests. Instead of asking 50–100 people to research Park City hotels independently, you can give them a clear, attractive option with a negotiated rate.

2. It keeps everyone together. This is especially valuable for a wedding weekend. Guests can bump into each other at breakfast, meet in the lobby, share rides, and continue conversations from the previous night's events. The hotel essentially becomes the weekend's home base.

3. It makes transportation much easier. If most guests are staying at one hotel, you can run a shuttle between the hotel and wedding venue rather than trying to coordinate transportation from several different properties.

4. It can save guests money. A negotiated group rate may be lower than the hotel's normal rate, although you should compare the group rate against publicly available rates before assuming it's the best deal.

5. It gives guests a choice without making them feel obligated. We recommend providing one primary hotel plus a few alternatives at different price points, rather than insisting everyone stay together.

Usually, when you reserve a hotel block, you are not required to guarantee all the rooms. However, hotels may have different types of room-block arrangements. Some allow guests to book individually with no financial obligation to the couple. Others have attrition or cancellation provisions, meaning the couple could owe money if too few rooms are booked. Before signing a room-block contract, read the hotel's contract carefully.

What Does a Weekend Wedding Involve?

The beauty of a wedding weekend is that you can celebrate with your favorite people in whatever ways you want, whatever suits your style. But here are the basic components that are often included in a wedding weekend.

• Welcome Party. Kick things off with a casual welcome party to greet guests as they arrive. This can take place at a private home, a venue like Kimball Terrace, or even outdoors. Consider bringing in a catering team like Culinary Crafts to transform your space into a fully hosted experience without the stress of doing it yourself.

• Rehearsal Dinner. Traditionally more intimate, the rehearsal dinner is evolving into a stylish prelude to the main event. Think curated menus, intentional design, and a setting that feels special but not overly formal.

• Cocktail Hour. While technically part of the wedding day, cocktail hour deserves its own moment in a wedding weekend mindset. Passed hors d’oeuvres, signature drinks, and design forward elements can set the energy and tone for the events that follow.

• Wedding Ceremony & Reception. The centerpiece of the weekend, but now just one part of a larger story. With the pressure distributed across multiple events, couples often find they can be more intentional here, focusing on what truly matters.

• After Party. For those who aren’t ready to call it a night, an after party keeps the energy going. This could be a lounge style setup, a dance-heavy celebration, or something completely unexpected.

• Day-After Brunch. End the weekend on a high note with a farewell brunch. This is a chance to reconnect, recap, and ease back into reality. Consider taking this off-site (perhaps at a favorite local restaurant) or hosting it at home with a catered spread. Again, bringing in professionals allows you to enjoy the moment rather than manage it.

What Should We Do for Our Park City Wedding Weekend?

Of course, the itinerary for your perfect Park City wedding weekend will depend on your own style and preferences. But we’re happy to share some ideas of what the Perfect Park City Wedding Weekend might look like to us.

For sure, it involves plenty of great food. Gourmet welcome snacks. Fresh Utah comfort foods. Interactive chef stations. Signature cocktail tastings. Maybe a late-night food truck or two.

Most of all, it’s about creating a beautiful, unforgettable experience for our guests. Modern weekend weddings are about creating shared memories with the people who matter most. The ceremony remains the emotional heart of the celebration, but the surrounding experiences give couples the chance to spend genuine, unhurried time with loved ones. 

As wedding guest lists shrunk during the pandemic and after, couples discovered that inviting fewer people means they can spend more per guest. Instead of hosting 300 acquaintances for one evening, you might invite 100–150 of your closest family and friends and invest in a richer weekend experience.

With all that in mind, here is an itinerary of what the perfect Park City wedding weekend might look like.

The Perfect Park City Weekend Wedding

THURSDAY — Arrival + Soft Landing in the Mountains

Goal: Ease guests into altitude + set the tone

1.       VIP Arrival & Check-In

·         Guests arrive via private transfers from SLC.

·         Check into rooms:

o    Marriott’s Summer Watch (great location on historic Main Street)

o    Main and SKY (on Main Street, right across from Kimball Terrace)

o    Montage Deer Valley (ultra-luxury, world-class spa)

o    Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley (classic alpine elegance)

o    Hotel Park City (intimate, central home base)

·         Welcome bags delivered (hydration packets, snacks, mini whiskey, lip balm—altitude is real).

2.       “Welcome to Park City” Cocktails at Kimball Terrace (Low-Key, High Style)

·         Rooftop sunset cocktails overlooking Main Street and the Wasatch Mountains.

·         Light passed bites (think: caviar cones, wagyu sliders, alpine-inspired canapés).

·         Acoustic trio or jazz ensemble.

FRIDAY — Experience Park City

1.     Split guests into curated experiences of Morning Wellness or Adventure Tracks.

MORNING WELLNESS TRACK OPTIONS

• Alpine Yoga + Live Music Immersion. Guided yoga session with a live cellist or soundscape artist. Breathwork timed to sunrise light over the mountains. Ends with herbal elixirs + warm towels.

• Spa & Recovery at Montage Deer Valley.

• Nordic Cycle: Sauna → Cold Plunge → Rest at private spa buyout (Montage or Waldorf Astoria Park City). Includes guided contrast therapy circuit, cold plunge tubs + steam + infrared sauna.

• Shinrin-Yoku “Forest Bathing” Experience on quiet trails near Guardsman Pass. Includes sensory walk (no phones), mindfulness prompts, breathwork, grounding exercises, and tea ceremony at the end.

• In-Suite Spa Rituals for guest suites across luxury hotels. Traveling therapists deliver customized treatments like lymphatic drainage, deep tissue, facial rituals. Add champagne + light breakfast service.

• Body-Focused Recovery + Performance in private wellness suite or hotel ballroom. Includes IV Therapy + Oxygen Bar Lounge, hydration drips, vitamin boosts, altitude recovery, essential oil blends . Especially appealing for out-of-town guests adjusting to elevation.

• Mobility + Stretch Lab (Athletic Recovery) guided by performance specialists. Foam rolling, assisted stretching, percussion therapy, light Pilates or barre. A great crossover for guests who almost chose the adventure track.

• Guided Nap + Nervous System Reset. Darkened room, weighted blankets, guided audio.

• Mind + Creative Wellness Meditative Art Session. Watercolor, ceramics, or floral arranging.

• Instructor-led but low-pressure. paired with tea or rosé.

• Journaling + Intention Workshop. Beautifully printed prompts tied to love, memory, and connection. Optional facilitator or fully self-guided. Quietly powerful, especially for close friends/family.

• Astrology / Energy Readings Lounge. Professional astrologer or tarot reader. Short, elegant one-on-one sessions add fun, intrigue, and conversation fuel for the rest of the weekend.

• Chef-Led “Clean Indulgence” Brunch. (Can be combined with other Health Track activities.) Anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense menu. Cold-pressed juices, adaptogenic lattes.

• Tea Ceremony + Stillness Experience. Formal, guided tea ritual, emphasis on slowing down and presence. A cultural, almost sacred-feeling counterpoint to the party energy.

ADVENTURE TRACK OPTIONS

For summer weddings:

• Luxury Ranch Day at Blue Sky Ranch with horseback riding, clay shooting, fly fishing, and Western-style farm-to-table lunch.

• Reservoir day with paddleboarding, boating, floating cocktail bar, and DJ + lounge setups on shore.

• Guided Fly Fishing or Hiking: private Wasatch excursions.

• Golf Outing: Jeremy Ranch or Glenwild (ultra-private feel).

For fall weddings:

• Scenic ride lifts/photography tour at Park City Mountain Resort.

• High-end guided whiskey tasting at High West Saloon + outdoor firepit experience with live music.

• Long-table harvest dinner experience in an aspen grove, seasonal menu (squash, game, root vegetables). This can rival the rehearsal dinner in beauty—just smaller and more intimate.

For winter weddings:

• Guided, ability-grouped  private ski safari at Deer Valley Resort, with on-mountain champagne stops + curated lunch. Followed by après-ski lounge takeover at Kimball Terrace, with fur throws, spiked cider, and live acoustic set.

• Private snowcat transport to a secluded yurt for multi-course dinner + wine pairings, fireside stargazing + whiskey service. Very “you can’t do this at home.”

• Private dog sledding experience through the Wasatch, then hot cocoa + fur blankets at basecamp. Perfect for guests who don’t ski.

For spring weddings:

• Alpine Foraging + Chef Picnic with guided foraging walk (mushrooms, herbs) and private Culinary Crafts chef to prepare lunch on-site.

• Plein Air Art + Rosé Workshop. Local artists guide guests in painting mountain landscapes, plus rosé + grazing boards for relaxed, social, and Instagram-friendly experience.

• E-Bike Vineyard-Style Ride (Mountain Edition) with scenic e-bike routes through Park City trails, Stops for curated tasting stations.

 For weddings of all seasons:

• Private Main Street Shopping Experience with after-hours access to boutiques, champagne + stylists.

• “Story of the Couple” Pop-Up Experience. Interactive installation showing photos, videos, milestones. A great drop-in activity before the evening event.

• Progressive Cocktail Crawl at curated stops along Main Street. Ends at Kimball Terrace for a full-group convergence.

2.     Ladies’ Lunch / Gentlemen’s Whiskey Experience

• Ladies: Private garden luncheon at Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley

• Gentlemen: Whiskey tasting + cigar terrace experience (High West–style activation)

3.     Rehearsal Dinner + Welcome Party at Kimball Terrace (Main Event of the Weekend Before the Wedding)

• East Balcony: Champagne reception overlooking Main Street

• Main Hall: Seated dinner (long tables, candlelight, multi-course tasting menu executed by Culinary Crafts)

• West Terrace: After-party lounge + dance floor under the stars. Live band transitioning into DJ. Late-night après-ski bites (truffle fries, mini grilled cheese, etc.)

SATURDAY — Wedding Day

Morning: Set a calm, intentional tone in preparation for the bug day

Hair & Makeup

·         Bring artists onsite or use bridal suite at Stein Eriksen Lodge, Deer Valley Spa Montage Deer Valley (best full-service luxury option), or Align Spa (excellent for groups + blowouts)

• Groom + groomsmen: Pendry Park City

Add-ons:

• In-room massages

• Champagne breakfast service

• Professional content creator capturing candid prep moments

Private first look and photo shoot in an alpine setting (aspens, ridgeline, or ski run)

Ceremony

Location Options:

• St. Regis Deer Valley Terrace (dramatic views + funicular arrival)

• Mountain-top ceremony via Deer Valley lift access

• Elevated meadow setting near Empire Canyon Lodge

• Guardsman Pass (for adventurous elopement-style ceremonies)

Vibe:

• Natural alpine backdrop

• Live string quartet

• Minimalist floral design to let the mountains dominate

Cocktail Hour

• On-site at ceremony location or transition to Kimball Terrace reception venue

• Signature cocktails + raw bar + live acoustic music

Reception and After-Party at Kimball Terrace

·         Champagne tower entrance

·         Multi-course plated dinner

·         Toasts + emotional storytelling

·         Band set → DJ transition

·         Espresso martinis and signature cocktails by Bacchus bartenders

·         Late-night club vibe with street-level energy from Main Street below

SUNDAY — Recovery + Farewell

Farewell Brunch

Location: Hotel Park City, Autograph Collection

• Bloody Mary & mimosa bar

• Elevated comfort food (short rib hash, pastries, fresh juices)

• Relaxed, sunlit setting

Final Touch

• Optional spa send-offs

• Private departures

A Few Tips to Make the Perfect Park City Wedding Weekend Work.

• Be aware of altitude. Salt Lake City sits at 4,200 feet, and many popular areas (Park City, the ski resorts, mountain trails) are significantly higher. Some trailheads exceed 9,000–10,000 feet. Altitude affects people differently and can cause headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

• Drink more water than you think you need. Utah is also a dry, arid state, and dehydration sneaks up on people fast, especially when hiking.

• Alcohol hits harder at altitude, so pace yourself, especially if you've just arrived.

• Sunscreen is a must year-round. The high elevation and low humidity mean UV exposure is significantly stronger than at sea level.

Fusion Wedding: A Chinese-Indian Sangeet and Welcome Dinner in Park City, Utah

All photo credits for article: Cameron Clark Photography

On a gorgeous Friday last September, this couple kicked off their Park City destination wedding weekend with an unforgettable sangeet and welcome dinner in the Kimball Terrace.

We’ve talked before on this blog about the Indian wedding tradition called a sangeet and why we love hosting them every chance we get. There’s something about a sangeet that’s impossible to explain unless you’ve experienced one: the warmth and joy, the dancing and laughter and shared stories, the sheer exuberance.

But this sangeet and welcome dinner was particularly special.

Sangeet and Welcome Dinner in Park City

This wedding not only brought together two beautiful human beings and two families; it also melded two distinct cultures. Elements of the evening—from the custom upscale menu to the colorful guests’ attire—highlighted both the bride’s Chinese heritage and the groom’s Indian traditions.

Henna

Henna, a plant-based brown dye used for temporary body art, plays several roles in Indian wedding traditions. It brings together beauty, ritual, storytelling, and celebration in one touching tradition.

Done well, henna is visually stunning, becoming part of the bride’s adornment alongside jewelry and ornate fabrics. At many traditional Indian weddings, friends and family gather to watch as intricate designs are painted onto the bride’s hands and feet, often accompanied by music, teasing, dancing, and laughter. The designs themselves can symbolize love, luck, protection, fertility, and prosperity, and they sometimes even hide the groom’s initials as part of a playful wedding-game tradition.

Applying henna is a personal, intimate service that takes time and careful attention. It naturally creates space for conversation, bonding across generations, and a kind of communal pause before the intensity of the main ceremony. Kids love it. Adults love it. The care and attention given by the henna artists at this event were deeply moving.  

Speeches

You can’t have a respectable sangeet without speeches!

During the welcome dinner and later, in the midst of the sangeet celebration, family members and close friends shared heartfelt, hilarious speeches to honor (and sometimes rib) the newlyweds.

Clothing

People dress up for all kinds of weddings, of course, but at a sangeet, people dress up!

The clothing worn at a sangeet is often one of the most dazzling parts of the celebration. Guests usually wear richly colored, highly expressive outfits that are festive enough for dancing but still deeply tied to tradition. Men often wear kurtas, bandhgalas, or sherwanis in jewel tones and luxurious fabrics. Women may wear lehengas, saris, shararas, or anarkalis covered in embroidery, mirrorwork, sequins, or beadwork.

What’s remarkable about sangeet clothing is that it blends celebration, artistry, and movement. Unlike more solemn wedding ceremonies, a sangeet invites playfulness and performance, so the clothes are designed to shimmer under lights, swirl during dances, and reflect personality and family heritage. You’ll often see a mix of regional traditions, modern fashion, and cross-cultural influences all in one room.

The colors themselves carry energy and meaning:

·         gold for prosperity, grandeur, and divine blessing

·         red for love, marriage, and passion—a classic Indian bridal color

·         green for renewal, harmony, growth, and fertility

·         pink for romance, sweetness, and joy

·         blue for elegance, calm, devotion, and depth

·         yellow or mustard for happiness, sunlight, and auspicious beginnings

·         orange or saffron for warmth, sacredness, and spiritual energy

·         purple for royalty, luxury and dignity

·         black for modern fashion and classiness (although traditionally avoided as a symbol of bad luck)

·         white for purity and sophistication (although traditionally seen as a symbol of death, so it’s often softened with embroidery or paired with other accents)

Jewelry, henna, embroidered shawls, turbans, and even coordinated family color palettes can turn the event into something spectacular. At many modern weddings, especially multicultural ones, the clothing also becomes a visual conversation between cultures. For example, at this Chinese-Indian sangeet, we saw Indian silhouettes and embroidery paired with Chinese-inspired palettes, fabrics, hair ornaments, and elegant minimalism.

Of course, as at any wedding, no one out-dresses the bride!

Food

The menu (provided by Utah’s elite catering company, Culinary Crafts) was a delectable mashup of Chinese, Indian, and American cuisine.

French chicken drumette with gochujang gaze

pork belly steam buns with pickled cucumber and hoisin

Chinese eggplant and green bean stir fry

applewood smoked Rocky Mountain red trout with tamari lime slaw

lamb kabobs and chicken kebabs with cilantro chutney and lemon wedges

aloo gobi station with cauliflower, potatoes and basmati rice

spiced potato samosas with cilantro mint pesto

chicken tikka masala station with house-made garlic naan

Kheer dessert with saffron and toasted pistachios

Dancing

And finally, the element of the night that sangeets are best known for, the dancing. Exuberant. Electric, Effervescent, Ecstatic. Euphoric. All the E words. A little bit K-Pop and a whole lot Bollywood.

Utah Wedding Vendors

Special thanks to the amazing Utah wedding vendors who helped make this joyous event happen.

Planner: Irene & Co Events⁠

Park City Venue: Kimball Terrace ⁠

Florist: Lilly & Iris

Photographer: Cameron Clark Photo larkphoto.com/

Videographer: Curtis Jensen Films 

Sangeet & After Party DJ: DJRussPowell; Powell Weddings & Events 

HMUA: bbrwedding ; Beauty By Reese 

Catering: Culinary Crafts

Bar: Top Shelf

Sangeet Linens: BBJ La Tavola

Sangeet Henna: Henna by Sanz 

Day of Paper Goods: Confettiology 

Save the Dates: Polite Paper 

Invitations: Minted Weddings

Elevated Christmas Celebration at Kimball Terrace

All photo credits: Logan Walker

Sometimes you find yourself at a party so fun and engaging that you lose track of time. Hours slip by as you float along on the sounds of music and laughter, drifting carefree between delightful conversations, delicious drinks, and delectable bites. In December 2025, Kimball Terrace held one of those rare parties, an elevated Christmas celebration.

Our exclusive caterer, Culinary Crafts, planned and hosted the event at our Park City Main Street venue. We were honored to welcome hundreds of Utah’s wedding and hospitality industry leaders for an evening of warmth and hospitality, culinary excellence, and unforgettable moments. 

Owner Ryan Crafts put a great deal of thought and work into designing this extraordinary experience. He was on hand at the event to welcome his guests, MC, serve caviar/gelato bites, and even take his turn at the keys of the baby grand.

As people arrived, they were greeted with a welcoming embrace of thoughtful abundance. From the soft tones of Spanish guitar to the amuse bouche of caramelized onion and brie-stuffed figs with Dijon honey brûlée, every detail was designed to beguile and delight.

Grace Notes

The whole upstairs of Kimball Terrace had been transformed into an enchanting mix of elegance and comfort. A charcuterie station with thin-sliced Iberico ham waiting just inside the door. The pattering of a piano music formed the backdrop to the excited chatter of industry colleagues embracing and catching up. Meanwhile, butlers wove their way through the lively conversations offering enchanting bites.

Yuletide Libations

At the Coffee and Cordials Bar, the Culinary Crafts team handed out piping mugs of hot cocoa, espresso and coffee, chai tea, and digestifs. Across the way, Bacchus bartenders served up signature cocktails to fit the season.

The wine bar offered a carefully curated selection of wines chosen for the occasion, while a stunning ice sculpture kept the champagne and caviar chilled. Served with vanilla gelato and a drizzle of olive oil (and maybe a whimsical gummy), the caviar proved to be a crowd favorite!

Outside on the terrace, a light Park City snowfall settled on guests as they wandered through a little German Wienachtsmarkt, a Christmas market glowing with festive charm. Spiced and roasted winter nuts, lebkuchen (gingerbread donuts), and glühwein (mulled wine and cider) made delicious treats as guests browsed stalls full of adorable Christmas knickknacks and treats, all sold for charity.

Back inside, the festivities and the food were heating up. Grilled elk with herbed croquette and red wine demi-glace. Delicately seared scallops with squash and adobe puree. Rich rabbit leg confit and beet risotto. Blood oranges with fresh burrata, arugula, pistachios, and pomegranate. All evening long, guests kept discovering culinary moments that surprised and delighted.

 The scent of melting cheese drew a crowd to the raclette station where hot, gooey cheese on our house-made ciabatta toast received a generous topping of fresh truffle shavings.

An assortment of traditional and innovative holiday treats added another magical layer of delight for Utah’s top hospitality magic-makers.

It was such an honor to share our space with so many of the best of the best in Utah’s wedding, event, and hospitality industry. This elevated Christmas celebration was our special tribute and Thank You to each of you. We love you and the extraordinary work you do! Here’s to working together to make many, many more beautiful occasions together.

We could not do what we love to do without our fantastic fellow vendors. We especially want to thank those who helped make this luxury holiday gala a sensational evening.

Planning and Catering: Culinary Crafts

Bartending: Bacchus Bartending and Events
Venue: Kimball Terrace
Photographer: Logan Walker, Pepper Nix
Furniture: All Out Event Rental
China & Glassware: Indigo
Lighting Effects: Peak Sound
Signage: Designs By Couth
Ice Sculpture: Chad the Ice Man
Guitar: Antonio Garcia
Bells: Bells of Joyful Sound
Vocals: Jacob Kenison
Piano: Bri Lewis

Featured Local Breweries: Beehive, Holystone, Sugarhouse, Old Town Cellars, Clearwater, Waterpocket

Top 22 Tips for How to Trim Your Wedding Budget

Every couple’s vision of their perfect wedding is different, and so is every wedding budget. But let’s be honest; wedding costs can sneak up fast, even for those who plan frugally. We want to help you make your wedding day memorable, moving, meaningful, delicious, and beautiful all around without breaking the bank.

With smart choices and a little creative thinking, you can cut costs without cutting out the joy. Here are our 20 favorite tips for how to trim your wedding budget while keeping all the flavor, feeling, and fun you’ve dreamed of.

General Advice

1. Take the advice of your experts - As you read the suggestions below, keep in mind that your planner and caterer know their craft. They will have some of the best ideas for how to make your specific vision work within your budget, so don’t waste the benefit of their expertise.

2. Prioritize what matters most - Spend your precious wedding budget on the elements that are most meaningful to you, and cut back on those that mean less. Whether you need a photographer, videographer, or content creator really depends on what kinds of memories you want to preserve. Elements like a photo booth, party favors, or luxury transportation may be essential to your unique overall vision, while more traditional inclusions like ornate invitations, an open bar, or a multi-tiered cake may not. It all comes down to what matters most to the two of you.  

Photo credits: Alisha Braithwaite and Logan Walker

Venue & Date

3. Choose an off-season date – Winter or early spring dates are often far cheaper than peak summer dates.

4. Book a weekday or Sunday – The cheapest days of the week for a wedding are generally Monday through Thursday, followed by Sundays. Many vendors and venues offer significant discounts on less popular dates. You may also benefit from greater vendor availability and potentially lower travel costs for out-of-town guests on days other than Friday or Saturday.  

5. Opt for one venue – Holding your ceremony and reception in the same place saves on rentals, décor, and transport. Same goes for a welcome dinner or a late-night party.

6. Pick a naturally beautiful venue. You can cut down on decorating costs if you choose a garden setting, a mountain backdrop, or an aspen grove in the banks of a rushing stream. Utah happens to be flush with unique venues that offer jaw-dropping natural beauty.

7. Consider nontraditional venues – Parks, backyards, community centers, or restaurants can be beautiful and affordable. A venue with personal meaning may be the best way to help tell your story and set the vibe while also saving money. The bowling alley where you met, a gun club, art gallery, planetarium, national park, playhouse, bookstore, school gym, airplane hangar, childhood farmhouse, or forest clearing can all be fabulous options for the right couple on a budget.  

Look here for tips on how to convert almost any space into a gorgeous wedding venue.

Photo credit: Alora Lani Photography

Guest List

8. Trim the guest count – This is probably the easiest way to dramatically trim your wedding budget…short of simply eloping. Fewer guests means lowers costs for catering, rentals, favors, and more.

9. Limit plus-ones – This can lead to some awkward situations, but you can always limit plus-ones to long-term or married partners.

10. Make it adults-only – Again, a lower guest count can certainly save you money, and cutting out the kids means fewer special accommodations. We should warn you, though, that without the kiddos, you may miss out on some sweet and precious moments.

Photo credit: Logan Walker

Food & Drink

11. Skip a plated dinner – Buffets, food stations, or family-style service can be less costly.

12. Serve fewer courses – Fewer plated elements (e.g. soup + salad + entrée) reduce food and staffing costs.

Photo credit: Demi Rose Photography

13. Limit the bar – Instead of a full open bar, offer beer, wine, and a couple of signature cocktails .

14. Choose a smaller cake – Order a modest display cake, then serve your guests with supplement sheet cakes or dessert bars. Not only is this approach less expensive, but it makes service easier.

15. Go heavy on appetizers – A cocktail-style reception can be more affordable while creating a fabulous fun vibe.

Photo credit: Pepper Nix

Décor & Flowers

16. Repurpose arrangements – Effectively double your floral budget by moving ceremony flowers to the reception. Or, if you really want to get frugal, contact your venue beforehand and find out who will be holding a wedding there the morning or day before your big event. You might be able to strike a deal with the couple where they agree to leave their florals in place for you to use.

17. Use seasonal flowers – In-season blooms are less expensive and hold up better.

18. Simplify centerpieces – Candles, greenery, or fruit can look elegant and cost less than elaborate florals.

19. DIY some décor – Invitations, signage, or favors can be made at home if you have the skills and time.

Photo credit: Kiana Corri

Attire & Beauty

20. Rent your dresses or buy sample sale or pre-owned dresses – Bridal boutiques and online resale sites offer steep discounts for bridal and bridesmaid dresses.

21. Simplify accessories – Borrow jewelry, skip a veil, or wear shoes you already own.

22. Cut back on the wedding party – Rather than expensive matching gowns, let the bridal party wear matching colors. (Honestly, what bridesmaid wouldn’t rather choose something she knows she looks good in?) Trimming the number of attendants can mean fewer bouquets and boutonnieres, gifts, and rehearsal dinner seats.

Contact one of our planners to brainstorm how we can cater an event to fit your budget.

Here’s to love, laughter, and your happily ever after!

Utah Wedding Rehearsal Dinner at Kimball Terrace

All photos by Pepper Nix.

As gorgeous as a Utah wedding ceremony can be—and we’ve seen some stunners!—the most precious moments often don’t happen at the ceremony itself. In fact, they may not even come on the wedding day. Sometimes they come before the big day, when family and friends get together to relax, connect, and celebrate each other’s company.

Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting a delightful rehearsal dinner here at Kimball Terrace in Park City. Here are a few of the beautiful moments of that event.

Idyllic Views

The setting was perfect for this late summer celebration. From every angle, the views from Kimball Terrace looked out onto Park City at its absolute best: blue skies stretching wide, green mountains rising up like a painted backdrop, and the bustling charm of Main Street below. It was the effortless beauty you see only on a bright summer day in the mountains.  

Inside, the atmosphere was warm and festive. Floor-to-ceiling windows wrapped the room in a glow, spilling golden light across the gleaming tablescapes, catching the glint of glassware, and making colorful floral arrangements pop. Bright florals in shades of pink, yellow, and green made the space glow. There was a sense of intimacy, making the space feel like a private celebration in the mountains’ embrace.

The whole room seemed to buzz with delight. Everywhere you looked, you saw guests smiling and swapping stories, sharing hugs, and laughing over inside jokes. Guests moved easily between laughter and conversation, their reflections mingling with the mountain views in the tall glass windows.

This rehearsal dinner—indeed, the whole evening—was every bit as vibrant and delightful as the couple themselves.

If you’ve ever wondered what love looks like in motion, keep scrolling.

The Food

Of course, no Culinary Crafts event would be complete without unforgettable food. As guests mingled and visited, they sampled from trays of chef-crafted hors d’oeuvres, each one more tempting than the last. These playful bites paired perfectly with the lively conversation—celebratory, fresh, and fun.  

Hors D’Oeuvres

1.       Watermelon with crumbled feta, fresh mint, and balsamic reduction

2.       House-made garlic crostini with roasted artichoke and gorgonzola cream

3.       Crab cakes and caper remoulade

4.       Truffle deviled eggs with fresh shaved truffles

5.       Bacon-wrapped dates paired with goat cheese crema and a honey drizzle

Meanwhile, bartenders were mixing up colorful cocktails all evening long, adding even more sparkle to the celebration.

During the hilarious and heartfelt speeches, guests dug into the filet mignon with citrus herb gremolata, or the pan-seared halibut with tomato fennel broth, all served over creamy polenta with roasted broccolini.

We love when all the elements of an event come together perfectly: the guests, the mood, the décor, the food, the view, the weather…everything!

The highlight of the night, though, wasn’t the food or the flowers or even the gorgeous mountain backdrop. It was the people. Their palpable joy. The toasts brimming with delight. And the happy couple surrounded by exactly what they wanted most—love, laughter, and the kind of energy that only comes from gathering your favorite people in one magical place. 

A dessert of sticky toffee pudding and roasted local Publik coffee, and then it was back out onto the patio to enjoy the evening alpine air and savor grilled panini sandwiches.

At Culinary Crafts, we believe food is never just food. It’s the magnet that draws people together, the spark that starts conversations, and the lubricant that makes an event roll seamless and smooth.

This special Utah wedding rehearsal dinner was a perfect reminder of why we do what we do; for the moments of perfection and delight, and for the people we share those moments with.

Vendors

Special thanks to our fellow vendors who helped make these beautiful moments happen:

Event Planner—Fuse Weddings and Events 

Coffee Service—Publik Coffee Roasters

Photographer—Pepper Nix

Videographer—Jeremy Anderson Films films.com/

Catering—Culinary Crafts 

Bar—Top Shelf Services 

Florals—Artisan Bloom 

Rentals—All Out Event Rental 

Linens—BBJ La Tavola

Hedgewalls & Bistro lights—Skylark Productions

Lighting—Moonlight Utah 

29 Questions to Ask Before You Book a Wedding Venue

Photo credits for the 2024 Utah wedding featured in this blog: Lindsey Stewart.

In Utah, finding a gorgeous wedding venue is the easy part.

This state is a treasure trove of natural beauty and architectural charm. From Park City mountain lodges and grand Salt Lake ballrooms to riverside hideaways and the wide-open skies of red rock country, we have an incredible diversity of gorgeous wedding venues here.

But after 40 years of catering Utah weddings, we know that choosing the right venue takes more than falling in love with the view. Those pesky little details that couples don’t think to ask about (like hidden fees or restrictions) are what can make or break your special day. Before you sign on the dotted line, it’s essential to ask the right questions—about layout, weather plans, catering policies, and more.

These 29 questions will help you find a venue that not only looks breathtaking but also makes your celebration flow seamlessly from first look to final toast.

Questions to Ask a Wedding Venue

Booking

• Is our preferred date available?

• How far in advance do we need to book?

• How many weddings/events do you host per day?

• What is the deposit, when is it due, and is it refundable?

• What are the options for a payment plan, what is the payment schedule, and what forms of payment do you accept?

Venue Capacity & Layout

• What is the maximum guest capacity (seated vs. standing)?

• Can the venue accommodate our desired layout for the event (e.g., ceremony, reception, dance floor)? Are there separate areas for each, or will we have to flip the room?

• Are we allowed to personalize the space (rearranging or removing furniture, adding signage, bringing in lighting, etc.)? How about hanging decorations from walls or ceilings?

• What décor restrictions do you have (e.g. open flames, confetti, hanging items)?

• Is the venue accessible for all guests, including those with disabilities?

• Are there adequate restroom facilities, and are they easily accessible?

• Can the party be moved indoors in case of inclement weather?

• Are there local noise restrictions or curfews?

Costs & Inclusions

• What is the rental fee and what’s included in the price (tables, chairs, linens, taxes, gratuity, etc.)?

• Are there any additional fees (service charge, cleaning fee, overtime fee, corkage, security, etc.)?

• What’s the cancellation and refund policy?

• Are there required insurance or permits we need?

• What happens if there are damages during our event?

Vendors & Catering

• Does the venue have an exclusive caterer/list of vendors, or can we bring our own? Do you have any preferred vendor lists or vendor restrictions?

• Is there a kitchen onsite for our caterer to use?

• How do you handle special dietary needs or food restrictions?

• Is alcohol allowed? Can we bring our own?

• What’s the process for vendor load-in and load-out?

Logistics

• What times do we have access to the venue on the wedding day? How early can vendors arrive for setup?

• Who will be our point of contact the day of the event?

• Are there accommodations nearby or onsite for guests?

• Can you provide a coat check area or a secure place for guests’ belongings?

• Have you done events similar to what we have in mind (size, scope, special details, etc.)?

Of course, before you sign any contract, there’s always one final question to ask yourself:

• Do we have everything in writing?

Any verbal agreements or assurances you’ve received—make sure it’s all down in black and white.

As you plan your Utah wedding, no doubt you’ll have plenty of questions of your own. To get answers from the amazing wedding planners at Utah’s top catering company, contact Culinary Crafts.  

Vendors

We want to give a special “Thank You!” to the vendors who helped us create the delightful wedding pictured in this article.

Wedding Venue: 4U Ranch

Dinner and Reception Venue: Kimball Terrace 

Planner: Michelle Leo 

Photographer: Lindsey Stewart 

Florals: Harvest Floral

Bar: Top Shelf 

Music: Utah Live Bands

Our Favorite Places to Eat in Park City

Photo credit Pepper Nix

Ever wondered where the chefs go to eat? When we’re not catering an event at Kimball Terrace, we’re more than happy to let someone else do the cooking for us. Over the years we’ve definitely found our personal favorite places to eat in Park City. In no particular order, here they are!

Argentina’s Café/Tina’s Bakery

One street over from Kimball Terrace, on Swede Alley, is our venue manager Madison’s favorite lunch spot. “I’m typically at Kimball Terrace during the day,” she explains, “and when I eat on Main Street, it’s usually lunch between client meetings. Argentina’s Cafe is my number one go-to! They have delicious handmade empanadas, Argentine desserts, and a coffee shop. Try their alfajores!. I’m there almost every day in the summer. Haha.”

Photo credit Mark M

Handle

KT owner Ryan’s go-to Park City eatery is Handle, the excellent American cuisine restaurant just two doors down from Argentina’s. “They deliver on their promise of fresh, local ingredients” he says. “I love that their menu changes with the growing seasons to take advantage of the freshest, ripest ingredients. The waiter can tell me exactly what farms they got an ingredient from.”

There’s a lot to love on their menu, including the kale salad with parm and pine nuts. Their cauliflower with sweet chili sauce and their mushroom Bolognese (both pictured above) are divine.

Firewood

For some of the best dining Park City has to offer, our Director of Sales (and baker extraordinaire) Jocelyn recommends Firewood. “I have enjoyed steaks in several Michelin-star restaurants around the world, but the A5 tenderloin at Firewood is the best steak I’ve ever had,” she says. “Their bavette is also amazing. My husband couldn’t stop raving about the elk loin.”

Billed as “heirloom American food,” their whole menu is prepared over their fourteen-foot-long wood stove, which gives it wonderful, unique flavors. The story of how Firewood’s Chef John Murcko developed his open flame technique is an interesting one. We know Firewood sources the best local ingredients because we work with many of the same vendors, including Snake River Farms, Slide Ridge Honey, and Beehive Cheese..

Other “must try” items include their crispy pork belly, tartare, burrata salad, and semifreddo, which Jocelyn calls “phenomenal.”

Photo Credits Lacey Clarke and M Rohani

Five5eeds

Five5eeds isn’t as close to us as the other restaurants listed here, but Meagan thinks it is more than worth the short drive. The Aussie founders of Five5eeds, Andrew and Tiffany Percy, created a unique brunch/lunch casual with food that will make you a true convert to all-day breakfast. You must try the shakshouka (Moroccan-style baked eggs) and hotcakes with berries and citrus mascarpone, both pictured above. And if you haven’t tasted Australian coffee, this is the place to do it.

Photo credits Tyler Thompson and Kim Pisani

Grappa

Finally, if you really want to savor Park City at its best, it’s hard to beat the ambiance and view from Grappa, the rustic Italian eatery at the top of Historic Main Street.

“My husband and I shared a dinner at Grappa outside on their patio at sunset,” says Kristine. “So beautiful! Al fresca dining is the way to go during the summer. We loved their scallops and their eggplant parmesan. The tiramisu was to die for.” 

Grappa’s most popular dishes include their mushroom soup and their famous ossobuco (slow braised veal).

If you’re going to be in our neck of the alpine woods this summer, we hope you have a chance to visit our favorite places to eat in Park City.