to have and to hold... but where?

The first decision I attempted to tackle when I started planning my wedding was where to have it. That decision has haunted me since. It wasn't until two weeks ago did I decide where to hold this blessed event. I spent time on the phone, touring facilities, comparing contracts, square footage and catering policies. I changed my mind more than a couple of times, and when it finally came down to it, I ended up right back where I started - with my first choice.

This hurdle alone can be enough to drive you to Vegas. However, I have since learned that it probably doesn't have to be as hard as I made it. Like everything else, it just has to be broken down. Once you have an idea of what kind of wedding you want, the location will be obvious. The first question you have to ask yourself is what area of the valley suits you best? Are you a downtown dweller or a canyon creature? Do you plan on seating 300, or is it simply close family and friends?

Downtown Salt Lake City is an underrated commodity. With your choice of restaurants, bars, hotels and art galleries, it's easy to find a spot for a hip, urban wedding. Pierpont Place is the newest addition to the list of wedding venues downtown. Housed in an old brewery building, the space offers a blank canvas of exposed brick and concrete floors. Planning on a large group? They can seat up to 350 for a cocktail style reception. For a smaller gathering, check out Nobrow Coffee and Tea Company, or the Jeanne Wagner Theatre located inside the Rose Wagner Center.

Tourists and locals alike will agree that the best part of living in Salt Lake is that you are never more than 40 minutes away from beautiful mountain destinations. For those that love the feel of the mountains, but want to maintain that urban style for a wedding, Park City is the best of both worlds. The Kimball Arts Center is located directly on Main Street, within walking distance to restaurants and hotels.

If your interested in taking advantage of all that the local canyons have to offer, take a trip up Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon and check out the beauty that is our ski resorts. Solitude, Alta and Snowbird are three distinctly different resorts that offer the same gorgeous backdrop for your ceremony. With all the ceremony, food and beverage services offered on site, as well as lodging within walking distance, this is a great alternative to destination weddings. And for those planning on having a summer wedding, it's an easy way to escape the triple digit heat - your wedding party will thank you.

Planning a wedding is all about breaking it down into steps. Even though this one might seem like a giant leap, there are plenty of options to choose from to capture the mood of your wedding day. I just have to hope that now that this decision is made, the rest will fall into place.

Cheers.