Real Weddings

Real Wedding: Jamie Lasecke & Matt Buranich at Red Cliff Ranch

A romantic western-inspired wedding by Michelle Leo Events in the mountains of Heber Valley, Utah, featuring cowboy boots, whiskey, local cuisine, and more.

With twoolf July 31, 2017 Published in the Summer/Fall 2017 issue of Park City Magazine

LIVE IN Park City OCCUPATIONS She works in public relations; he’s a construction project manager. HOW THEY MET Through mutual friends. She’s from California, and he’s from New York—one night they found themselves in the same town, at the same time, with the same group of friends. It was love at first sight. WHEN THEY GOT ENGAGED While driving cross-country to move to Park City. After three days in the car, they stopped to go snowshoeing with their dog, Scout. They hiked up to 10,000 feet and, at the top, he handed her a list of items on his bucket list; on it, he included “Marry the love of my life.” Then he got down on one knee in the snow and proposed. WEDDING STYLE Rustic elegance; they both love the outdoors and they wanted to focus on the beauty of their ranch setting. NUMBER OF GUESTS 140 RELIGIOUS ELEMENT As a nod to her Jewish heritage, he stepped on and broke a glass to symbolize that they will love each other until the pieces come back together, a tradition they both really connected with. HOW THEY MADE THE DAY THEIR OWN They hung wagon wheels decorated with flowers from the ceiling of the reception pavilion; a dance instructor taught guests how to line dance; their band wore country-western clothing and played songs by Johnny Cash and the Blues Brothers. MENU Hand-passed hors d’oeuvres and a formal-plated dinner: butternut squash soup; farm greens salad; a dual entrée of Utah trout and bison with roasted vegetable napoleon and potatoes Dauphine DESSERT Apple tarte Tatin with zabaglione gelato, gluten-free marble fudge cake, a cigar bar, and a s’mores bar with drinking chocolate FAVORS Mini jars of local honey THE DAY IN THREE WORDS Overjoyed, fun, lively HONEYMOON Bora Bora and New Zealand

Jamie and Matt are a fun-loving and down-to-earth couple with an appreciation for Utah’s scenery. I designed a wedding that complemented the natural environment of Red Cliff Ranch in the fall season. —MICHELLE COUSINS, MICHELLE LEO EVENTS