Why Fall is the Time to Visit Park City

photo courtesy of Pepper Nix

Everyone knows that winter is Park City’s most popular time of year, with the city’s world-famous snow sports and its mid-winter Sundance Film Festival. The summer months are also hugely popular here, as a lot of visitors escape the summer heat to enjoy Park City’s cool weather, affordable accommodations, and full line-up of summer celebrations. What a lot of people don’t know, however, is that absolute best time to visit Park City might actually be in the fall.

Hear us out.

photo courtesy of Pepper Nix

PARK CITY’S SHOULDER SEASON

Unlike resort towns like Veil, Park City is a bustling community during the fall. Instead of closing up shop until the winter tourists return, most Park City businesses and restaurants are open and jumping all through the autumn. In fact, you’ll find some fantastic deals and special offers after the summer crowds subside. Many hotels offer free cocktail hours, cheese tastings, s’mores on the patio, or other fun seasonal offers.

photo courtesy of Hannah Judd

FANTASTIC FALL COLORS

Have you seen Park City in the autumn? Until you’ve enjoyed our Rocky Mountain Maples and Quaking Aspens in their full color, you haven’t really seen our mountains. And if you get a view from a chairlift or a hot air balloon, the effect is even more spectacular.

photo courtesy of Pepper Nix

SWEATER WEATHER

There is no better time to get out and enjoy Park City’s 450 miles of biking trails than in the fall. Pull on a sweater and explore countless hiking trails , or just enjoy a leisurely stroll down Historic Main Street, sans the crowds.

ALL THE EVENTS

From Octoberfest to Art-oberfest to Bratoberfest, Park City has all the autumn festivals covered. Throw in fall concerts, Last Friday Gallery Strolls, the Harvest Festival, movie screenings at Park City Film and at Twilight Drive-in at the Utah Olympic Park, Egyptian Theatre shows, Halloween on Main Street, and even Halloween ghost tours, and you’ll see that Park City’s “off season” isn’t off at all.

photo courtesy of Breanna White

EYE-POPPING WEDDINGS

Besides getting great off-season deals, avoiding crowds, and soaking up the perfect weather, our favorite reason for being in Park City in the fall is honestly for the weddings!

photo courtesy of Kayla Bertagnolli

We love catering weddings and events in Park City at any time of the year, of course, but there’s something profoundly moving about a fall wedding. It feels so right to make eternal vows while standing in the permanence of the mountains and the transitory beauty of the changing season.

photo courtesy of Breanna White

How to Keep Your Summer Party Guests Cool

Summer is the ideal time to party outdoors. But as temperatures climb, so does the need to keep your summer party guests cool and comfortable. Here are seven great ways to help your guests beat the heat.

Avoid the hottest part of the day.

If you can, schedule your outdoors event in the morning or later in the evening. The hottest time of day is between 3:00 to 4:30 PM, and temperatures are uncomfortably hot for a couple of hours before and after that period. If you can, steer clear of those hours, and your guests will thank you.

Serve plenty of fluids.

When it comes to hosting a summer party, offering refreshments is a matter of courtesy and safety. While it’s considerate to offer beer, wine, or cocktails, remember that alcohol is a diuretic, so it contributes to dehydration. Make sure guests also have plenty of non-alcoholic options at hand. Infused water, Italian sodas, lemonades, smoothies, cold brew teas, virgin cocktails, fruit coolers…the possibilities are numerous and nummy! Encourage guests to stay well-hydrated by making your drink displays irresistible and accessible.

Create a heat-zone gradient

As you plan out your event space, remember that there is no “one-temperature-fits-all” solution. Different guests will be comfortable at different temperatures, so your best bet is to create zones with varying degrees of sun and shade. Along with open areas where they can soak up rays, also provide cool zones by making use of features like natural shade trees, umbrellas, lounge areas, or outdoor fans. If guests are free to move between these zones, they will gravitate to their own comfort level.

Build structures that suit your needs.

If your event space already has plenty of shade trees or other shade-producing structures, fantastic! If not, you may need to make some of your own.  

We have helped clients construct lots of different shade structures to fit their needs. Clear Spans, for example, provide heavy-duty protection from the elements and allow for effective use of air conditioning while also treating guests to a view of what’s outside. Less expensive alternatives like canopies, frame tents, awnings, sails, marquees, patios, and sunrooms give you many options for protecting guests from the sun and from inclement weather.

Don’t Forget the Fans.

From enormous misting fans to directional blowers, fans can be lifesavers when the heat gets unbearable. Keep in mind that electric fans tend to be loud, so make sure you choose fans that won’t interfere with conversation. For less extreme heat, umbrella fans or personal hand fans may suffice.

Bring Enough Ice.

It’s so easy to underestimate how fast a group will go through ice when it’s hot. For every drink you serve, you’re going to need ice to keep it chilled, but be careful to keep the ice used for chilling bottles and cans separate from the ice served in drinks. With people constantly reaching into the ice chest to grab a drink, that ice isn’t sanitary. Keep a separate supply of ice for bartenders and guests to add to their drinks.

How much ice will you need for a summer outdoor event? On a hot day, a good rule of thumb is to plan for two pounds of ice per guest, then multiply that figure by the number of hours your guests will be in the heat. For example, a three-hour party with 100 guests will typically use about 600 pounds of ice. If that sounds excessive, trust us: it’s not. Besides, it’s better to err on the side of caution than to run out of ice and leave your guests languishing in the heat.

Treat your guests to cool party favors.

Personalized hats, visors, sunscreen, hand fans, or hand-held blowers are cute and memorable ways to stylize your swag while also keeping your guests comfortable.  

Whether you’re planning a hot-weather wedding, corporate event, or private soiree, plan ahead and keep your summer party guests cool.

A Good Girl's Guide to Serving Alcohol at Your Wedding

Champagne? Wine and beer? Signature cocktails?

Knowing what alcohol to offer your guests—and how to serve it—can be daunting, especially if you’re not a drinker yourself. But don’t freak.  Here’s what you need to know about serving (or not serving) alcohol at your wedding.

Do I need to serve alcohol at all?

The short answer is no. It’s your celebration; you can do what you want. There’s no rule that says you have to offer alcohol, or serve food, or play music, or hold a reception at all.

But if you decide to hold a party and invite guests to help you celebrate, that makes you a host, and hosting comes with obligations. First and foremost, you’re responsible to try to make your guests feel welcomed, appreciated, and comfortable, as well as keep them safe. Does that involve serving alcohol? That’s up to you.

In Utah, it’s not uncommon to see “dry” weddings where attendees are happy to sip on sodas and flavored water all evening. That’s fine if that’s what your guests expect, but you should know that in most of the world, alcohol at weddings is the norm. It’s best to communicate with your guests so they know what to expect. For example, in your invitation you might ask them to join you for “cocktails, dinner, and dancing.” Whether or not you decide to supply the booze, your guests need a heads-up.

Do I need an alcohol license?

In Utah, you do not need a liquor license or permit to serve alcohol at most weddings.

There are exceptions though. If you want a cash bar (where guests pay for their drinks) then you’ll have to hold your event at a restaurant, country club, or other venue that has a permanent liquor license. Alternatively, you can work with a vendor who will help you acquire a single use permit. Cash bars are unusual at weddings—most wedding guests don’t expect to have to pay for their food or drinks—so if you’re going to offer a cash bar, give your guests fair warning. It’s poor form to surprise them with a bill at the end of the night.

The more common approach is for the host to foot the bill, either through an open bar (where you pay in advance for all the alcohol that will be available to be served to your guests) or a hosted bar (where you pick up everyone’s tab at the end of the event). Neither of those options require a license or permit so long as your celebration is “private” (i.e. open only to invited guests).

Do I need a bartender?

Yes! Having a bartender isn’t just classy; it’s a matter of safety. If you’re going to have alcohol served, you need to make sure it’s done responsibly and legally

In Utah, as in most states, the provider or host of an event where alcohol is served can potentially be held responsible for any harm caused by an intoxicated guest. That includes driving accidents, fist fights, falling down, or even just bumping into Grandma. No one wants their wedding spoiled by an ugly incident, especially if it results in legal liability.

We strongly recommend using certified professional bartenders. Besides being covered by liquor liability insurance, your bartenders should have the knowledge and experience to keep your guests happy and safe. They’ll check IDs, mix drinks to order, prevent wait lines, and anticipate problems before they develop. Leaving the booze to the pros means you’ll be free to enjoy your celebration and not worry about whether the pinot noir is going to run out or how many whiskey sours Uncle Dan has had.

Can I afford to serve alcohol?

Alcohol can be expensive, but there are ways to cut costs:

• Consider having the bar open for only a limited time during the celebration. For example, it’s a good idea to close the bar an hour before the party ends, not only to save money but also to give your guests time to sober up before they go.  

• Limit the drink selections. The least expensive option is to simply offer beer and wine, but a very popular, classy, and cost-effective trend is to add one or two specialty cocktails that represent the style of the bride and groom. Even if you want a full bar service, don’t offer more than four or five types of wine. (You aren’t a bar, and you don’t need an extensive wine list.)

• Don’t go overboard on champagne. People don’t tend to drink a lot of champagne anyway, so it’s easy to overbuy and get stuck with a lot of wasted, expensive bubbly. Less expensive alternatives like cava, prosecco, spumante, and sparkling wines work just as well. In fact, most guests are happy to toast with whatever is in their glasses, alcoholic or not. 

• Offer plenty of non-alcoholic alternatives. Sodas, juices, smoothies, infused water, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or other no-booze beverages are less expensive ways to keep your guests refreshed. Plus they show your non-drinking guests that you’re thinking of them. Your caterer can even help you formulate a virgin version of your signature cocktails.

• Work with your bartender. Besides ensuring that your guests are served safely and responsibly, your bartender can also help you trim costs by steering guests towards less expensive drink options, controlling portion sizes, and cutting off someone who’s had too much.

What booze should I choose?

Unless you have guests with very specific tastes, limit your liquors to the ones with the broadest appeal. As a rule of thumb, vodka and whiskey are the most popular liquors at weddings, followed by gin and rum. If you only offered those four spirits, your bartender would be able to make about 95% of the cocktails people will request. If you’re going to offer another spirit, make it tequila, since margaritas, palomas, and Mexican mules are gaining popularity. Don’t bother with scotch unless you know a specific guest will want it.  

As far as wine, bear in mind that whites and rosés become more popular as the weather gets warmer. Also, older guests tend to drink more wine while younger guests favor cocktails and specialty drinks.

How much alcohol will I need?

That depends on several factors. How many drinkers will be attending? How long will alcohol be served? What alternative beverages will be offered? Will drinks be tray-passed, or will guest have to go to the bar? Any of those factors can affect how much alcohol you’ll need. Also consider that people consume more alcohol in the evening, when dancing is involved, or when the temperature is hot. They tend to drink more when they’re offered cocktails as opposed to wine or liquor. Not surprisingly, they also drink more when they can serve themselves.

Ultimately, you’ll need to discuss this question with your caterer, but here are some basic guidelines. For an evening party, each drinking guest will have about 2 drinks in the first hour and then one drink each hour thereafter. (The longer the party goes, the less reliable that formula is.) As you’re making your calculations, remember that a bottle of wine contains about 5 servings while spirits (vodka, gin, whiskey, etc.) yield about 16 servings per average 750 mL bottle.

Where can alcohol be served?

Some Utah wedding venues won’t allow alcohol at all, and others may have specific policies or requirements. For example, you may have to let their staff do the serving, or they may require that the bar be open only while food is being served. You’ll need to ask your venue about their rules.

Where can I buy the alcohol?

You won’t need to worry about this if you ask your caterer to purchase the alcohol in your behalf, which is often how it’s done. But if you buy the alcohol yourself, be aware that, in Utah, beer is the only alcohol you can find in a grocery store. Everything else (wine, champagne, liquor, etc.) has to be purchased through the state liquor store or directly from an in-state distillery. You can’t even order it online or run to Wyoming and bring it back, since it’s illegal to bring alcohol into the state.

Our final piece of advice is this: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. As a bride, you want to make sure your guests—drinkers and non-drinkers alike—feel taken care of and have a great time, but you also want to keep everyone safe. It can be a tricky balancing act, but your planner or caterer is happy to talk you through it. Just know that it’s okay to ask.

The Secret Ingredient(s) for a Sensational Spring Wedding Menu

Spring is the perfect time for a wedding, when Nature is starting to stir and everything is fresh and new. What better way to share the joy of your own new beginning than by treating your wedding guests to a sumptuous feast featuring the finest Nature has to offer?

The secret to planning an incredible wedding menu is actually simple: Just remember that food is only as good as its ingredients. The best way to elevate the food into something unforgettable is to design your menu around fresh, local, in-season ingredients.

Here’s a fresh look at nine amazing Utah ingredients that are at their best right now.

Carrots

Carrots are gems waiting to be discovered! If you grew up thinking that carrots are orange, you may want to sit down for this. For centuries, carrots have been purple, yellow, red, white, or even black. The orange varieties we got in our school lunches are modern strains that were bred for their appearance, yield, and shelf-life, but not necessarily for flavor. Older strains of carrots, called heirlooms, offer a variety of flavors and colors, and spring is the ideal time to try them out!

It's also the perfect time for baby carrots (which are not the shaved carrot nuggets you see in the store). True baby carrots are harvested while they’re still immature, so they taste amazingly fresh and sweet. Braised, sautéed, or roasted, they complement a huge range of entrees, or they’re astonishingly good on their own.

Fiddlehead ferns

These delightful little delicacies have curled fronds that look like the head of a violin. Fresh and slightly nutty tasting, they can make a unique substitute for asparagus or green beans. They’re only available for a short time in the spring, so they’re a little on the pricey side, but they’re wonderful on pasta, rice, or risotto, especially paired with fish. Their unusual appearance and taste can give a plate an extra classy touch.

grilled Rocky Mountain trout with strawberry pico de gallo, broccolini, and arugula garnish.

Rocky Mountain Trout

Among the trifecta of wedding entrees “chicken, steak, or fish,” the one that spikes in popularity in the spring is fish. As the weather warms, people want to get away from the heavy comfort foods of winter. There’s no better way to keep your main protein light and fresh than with Rocky Mountain Trout. A healthy choice, trout pairs beautifully with other spring ingredients like mushrooms, greens, and (believe it or not) strawberry salsa.

Strawberries

Sure, you can get strawberries year-round, but they’re never as delicious as they are in the spring. These beautiful symbols of love are gorgeous in salads, pastries, charcuterie boards, and a million different desserts. You could base your whole menu around strawberries! (We’d crash that wedding.)

strawberry-rhubarb semifreddo with candied dried rhubarb, pistachio crumble, and edible flowers

Rhubarb

Rhubarb is one of the first spring plants to appear. If you peel it and douse it with enough salt (and stay away from those poisonous leaves!), it can be enjoyed as a raw, mouth-puckering treat straight out of the ground. But there are far better ways to do rhubarb. Its strong, tangy flavor complements strawberries in almost any dessert you can imagine, but it also makes a great balance with caramel, vanilla, cream, orange, honey—anything sweet. Or you can enjoy it in a goat cheese crostini or a seasonal cocktail. It’s a super fun ingredient to play with.

Asparagus

Asparagus is one of our absolute favorite spring ingredients because it’s delicious and so easy to prepare. All it takes is a little olive oil, salt, and pepper—roast it in the oven and voila! In restaurants you’ll often see asparagus smothered in some kind of sauce. We have nothing against sauces except that they’re sometimes used as a crutch when the underlying ingredients aren’t great. Use fresh, quality asparagus and your guests will be amazed at how sensational this simple ingredient tastes on its own. (But please don’t boil asparagus; that just makes it waterlogged.) 

asparagus spears wrapped in prosciutto and puff pastry, with horseradish cream and sage

Morels and other wild mushrooms

Mushrooms are finicky and seasonal, so there are some kinds you’ll find only in the spring. If you’re a mushroom fan, you probably know that Utah is rich in both wild and domesticated shrooms. Each edible variety, from morels and chanterelle to pig’s ear and puff balls, has its own flavor spectrum. Thrown into pasta, served with asparagus and spring onions, or paired with fish or beef (or lamb, a traditional “spring” meat), mushrooms bring a flavorful punch to your spring wedding menu. Just leave it to the pros to decide which ones are safe to serve!

four-way mushroom duxelle topped with spring morels and chervil

Pea greens

Also known as pea shoots or pea tendrils, these are the vines of young pea plants. They have a sweet, mild flavor, and they’re abundant in the spring, which means this is when you can get them cheap! They add a nutritious and delicious crunch to salads, cold soups, or sandwiches, or they can make a fun garnish.

shrimp and sweet corn gazpacho with pea tendril

Edible flowers

To give your wedding table a stunning splash of spring color, add edible flowers. Snapdragons, petunias, dianthus, and pansies are available locally in the spring. They’re an easy way to add elegance and beauty to any dish or drink.

French brioche with crème fraîche, berries, and edible pansy blossoms

The big “secret” to planning a sensational spring wedding menu is no secret at all. Just make the most of what we already have here in abundance: delicious, fresh, in-season ingredients. Treat your guests to Utah’s best ingredients and we guarantee they’ll be talking about the food for years to come.

7 things to look for in a wedding venue

Finding the perfect wedding venue can feel like a daunting task. Here are some tips to help you quickly narrow down your search.

1. Location: This is the first thing you have already considered. You may have landed on a country, state, and even city. If you are looking at a local event, optimizing distance for your guests to travel is a kind gesture. If you are looking for a destination event, keep in mind the distance to airports and public transit.

2. Parking: While dreaming of your wedding, practical things tend to come second to the vision you have always had. Parking is one of those things that can quickly turn your guests’ experience sour if they have to hunt for parking. If that is the case consider a valet. You will be thrilled that you made that choice, and gives an extra something to your event.

3. Capacity: This should be the first question you ask your venue. If you want to have 300 people but only have the capacity for 100, time to look at another venue. Confirm this capacity with your planner and caterer. Often your style of food service will determine seating capacity. Also, ask for a layout with precise measurements. It can be helpful to see how tight things need to be to seat your guest count.

4. Accessibility: Consider your guests and make sure their path to and from your event is as easy as possible. If they have to walk over 100 yards of gravel or grass in heals, ask your planner or venue manager for other solutions, such as golf carts. Ask your vendors what type of accessibility they will need. If you have large bars, decor, backdrops, etc that need to be taken to the 21st floor, make sure there is an elevator or freight elevator.

5. Event date: Event venues book out swiftly, so contact them early. Try to be flexible with your event date before your book your venue. This will give you the best opportunity to book the venue you want and get the best price.

6. Amenenties: Confirm your venues ameneties so your vendors are able to accomodate your needs. Bathrooms, kitchen, tables and chairs, av capabilities, set up and clean up requirements and times.

7. Pricing: Go over your wedding budget before you go venue hunting. Ask a professional how to divide up your budget. Your local wedding planner will be of the most assistance here, but you can also check out online budet creators like this one.

4th of July Park City Parade

The Kimball Terrace is perfectly located on the corner of Heber Avenue and Main Street in historic downtown Park City. Its 360° view makes for the perfect place to enjoy the local culture and events. Like this event we hosted this month. A family wanted a cool place to enjoy the 4th of July parade without worrying about crowds or heat so they booked us! Came for breakfast and snacks and enjoyed the festivities. Check out some of these fun photos.

5 wedding trends we love!

1- Weekday Weddings - with weddings changing in 2021 as we begin to recover from 2020, discovering that weekday weddings are where it is at. Venues, vendors, caterers, bartenders offer discounts on weekdays. Their focus can all be on you because they don’t have weddings and events stacked on top of each other.

2- Cold fountain sparklers - forget the standard sparkler lines, the fountain sparklers make for an epic send off.

3- Light tunnels - Illuminate the night and create an intimate space with these light tunnels. They make for the best photos and ambiance.

4- Cocktails to-go - end your event with a treat for your guests to mix up the next day. Keep the celebration going all weekend long!

5- Welcome baskets - with weddings downsizing, having extra guest centered details has been such a fun thing for us to curate. Perfect for the destination wedding to feature the local flavors.