A Moutain Wedding in Moab: Sherilyn and Aaron

Angela Hays Photography

When you think about Moab Weddings, you’re likely imagining red rocks and desert landscapes of sandstone and sage. Obviously those things are iconic and indisputably gorgeous—and many, many weddings here happen just like that—but we also have mountains. The La Sal are green, seasonal, and a special kind of lush.

Around here, we like to call the La Sal to the south of town an embarrassment of riches. Not only do we have red rock, the Colorado River, Mill Creek, two National Parks, a State Park, and endless hiking and biking trails, we also have a huge mountain range to gaze upon. In the winter, when it’s snow-kissed, it’s pink at sunset. Pure Magic.

Toni Sicola

Sherilyn and Aaron recognized the unique beauty of the La Sal and chose to celebrate their wedding at Whispering Oaks Lodge, a perfect oasis nestled into the mountainside with cabins for their guests so that no one has to drive after the soiree.

They came from New Jersey, and when I arrived at the main house to deliver personal flowers, all of Sherilyn’s family and friends marveled that I get to live here year-round. “This is just unbelievably beautiful!” exclaimed her mother.

Angela Hays Photography

Whispering Oaks has an open-air patio with shade walls to pull down in case of weather, a black and white checkered dance floor, and a near-360° view of the surroundings. We chose to contrast the greens with a colorful palette of florals in bud vases and warm tabletop fabrics.

The ceremony piece as well as the wedding party’s personal flowers were a colorful array of warm tones ranging all the way to cheery pinks, with a special emphasis on protea, a popular flower native to South Africa and Australia.

Honoring Tradition

Sherilyn and Aaron celebrated their matrimony under the chuppah with a rabbi as celebrant, in honor of their Jewish tradition and heritage. It was a joy to see the most recognizable pieces of a Jewish wedding take place at this joyful celebration: the breaking of the glass at the ceremony, the signing of the ketubah, and the Hava Nagila, in which the bride and groom are foisted up in chairs as the crowd dances around them. In Hebrew, “hava nagila” translates to "Let us rejoice" or "Let us be happy."

According to 18doors.org, “There are countless interpretations for the tradition of breaking glass. Some see it as a reminder of the destruction of the First Temple of Jerusalem. Others say it is meant to remind us that marriage is as fragile as glass. It also has been interpreted to demonstrate how life is so fragile that the couple should enjoy every day as if it were their last together.”

Angela Hays Photography

Honoring tradition with the most important people in your life present to witness is one of the greatest expressions of love one could ever experience. It was a joy to get to see these images and the ecstatic faces of the guests at this celebration.

We are always ready to help you find the most important aspects of your special day to highlight, whether with flowers, signage, music, or all of the above. Let’s talk about it.

Planner: Terra Vida Events @terravidaevents

Photographer: Angela Hays Photography

@angelahaysphotography

Venue: Whispering Oaks Ranch @whisperingoakslodging

Florist: Tangled Sage @tangled_sage

HMU: Allure Beauty Bar @beautybar_allure

Caterer: Forage Sisters @foragesisters

DJ: Nathan @fireflyentertainmentgj

Rentals: Moab Events Services @moabeventservices