Sydney and Andrew wanted their wedding day to be joyful, memorable, celebratory and intentional. That last word shaped everything: they wanted their guests to intermingle and get to know each other, not just sit with the people they came with.
They were married at Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City on May 30, 2026.
Photos and film by Jackie Siggard Photo + Video.
The Love Story
Sydney and Andrew met in medical school in 2019. Their romance was built on an already strong two-year friendship, which made a great foundation for their relationship. They are both in their residencies now, and with two demanding schedules, they are very intentional with the time they spend together. Andrew proposed in 2024 while they were stargazing in Arches National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park. Their love of the outdoors carried straight into their venue choice.
Why Red Butte Garden
Sydney and Andrew loved the natural and unique beauty of Red Butte Garden. They held their ceremony in the Fragrance Garden, dinner in the Orangerie, and dancing out on the Orangerie patio, with the gardens near their late-May peak all around them.
An Intentional Day
Part of keeping the day intentional was movement, guests never stayed in one spot all night. They went from the ceremony in the Fragrance Garden to cocktail hour on the Orangerie Patio, into dinner in the Orangerie, then back out to the patio for dancing. Every move mixed the crowd a little more and gave guests a feeling of intention as each space was set for that specific hour.
The Design
Their color scheme complemented the gardens beautifully: white and soft shades of light blue with plenty of greenery. White Fox Floral built the florals around white roses and ranunculus with blue delphinium, bud vases and candlelit centerpieces with dusty blue taper candles down the tables. The bridesmaids wore mismatched dresses in shades of blue, the guys wore classic black tuxedos, and one of their friends made the beautiful two-tiered wedding cake.
The Party
Sydney and Andrew had GY Dance Events Ballroom Dance Studio choreograph their own first dance, and it was my (Ruby) favorite moment of the evening to watch. Sydney and Andrew are both reserved people and they absolutely lit up during their first dance and it was a really emotional part to witness.
One more reason this date is easy for us to remember: it was also our Owner & Lead Planner’s daughter’s first birthday. Sydney and Andrew booked their wedding day with us before she was born, and we wouldn’t have missed it, Ruby was even there for the entire event.
Planning A Wedding While in Medical School? Keep These 3 Thing in Mind
- Block Out Time. With a demanding workload, dedicated planning meetings work far better than scattered texts and late night scrolling, allowing you to compartmentalize your wedding planning process!
- Hire it out! A full service wedding planner keeps the process moving seamlessly among studying, working, and your personal life. This leaves only the key decisions to you, giving you back your precious time off.
- Design for your guests, not just your photos. Sydney and Andrew’s layout proves that this pays off. Keeping your guests in mind while designing your day guarantees an unforgettable experience for everyone.
The Vendor Team
Venue: Red Butte Garden — Fragrance Garden, Orangerie & Orangerie Patio
Planner: Red Canyon Events — Lead Planner, Ruby Straaten
Photo & Video: Jackie Siggard Photo + Video
Florals: White Fox Floral
Catering: Brown Brothers Catering
DJ: High-Def DJ
HMUA: Empire Beauty Studios
Transportation: Utah Mountain Shuttle
Cake: A talented friend of the couple
Planning a garden wedding in Salt Lake City? We would love to help. Inquire with Red Canyon Events
You might also like: Natalie & Alex’s Red Butte Garden wedding and Lisa & Chris at Red Butte Garden
