This Couple Said Yes to a Sexy & Modern Courthouse Wedding in Utah

Breanna and Ryan’s modern courthouse wedding combined sleek and sexy details with an unforgettable trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Can I buy you a drink? That one simple question was the best and biggest risk Breanna could have taken. It ultimately led to her getting the most fantastic summer proposal!

While the two were on a summer road trip up to D.C, Ryan enlisted the help of Breanna’s friend who captured snapshots during their sweet surprise engagement at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

With the help of their Day of Coordinator, the bride and groom-to-be wanted to set the tone of their sensational nuptials by making the whole experience memorable for them and their guests.

Ryan and Breanna's modern courthouse wedding had guests celebrating the stylish bride and groom on the salt flats of Utah.

After saying their vows within the light-filled rotunda of the Utah State Capitol, the newlyweds traveled to the Bonneville Salt Flats where they popped champagne and had a ball as they posed for the cameras with the wedding party.

Heading to their celebratory private dinner afterward, the newlyweds delighted invitees with printed photos of themselves and pics of their respective parents who all share their wedding anniversary month.

Check out more snapshots from the couple’s modern courthouse wedding below!

Couple: Ryan Charles Jones & Breanna Nicole West
Occupations: Consulting Sales| Attorney
Wedding date: October 13, 2023
Wedding location: Utah State Capitol Rotunda
Ceremony entrance song: Forever Mine by Robin Thicke

The final touches…

How we met…

It was Howard’s Homecoming in 2021 and I was at a day party at Barcode when I noticed Ryan – this tall, bald, statuesque man with a beautiful smile walk into the bar. I liked what I saw and without any hesitation struck up a conversation with him. After a little conversing, I offered to buy him a drink and the rest is history.

Our proposal story…

Ryan: Before moving to Richmond to be with Breanna, I lived outside of D.C. We spent a lot of time in D.C. hanging out at the monuments. Initially, I planned to propose on the National Mall, but the forecast of 100-degree weather made me pivot to the National Gallery of Art.

The location provided a beautiful background, and more importantly, air conditioning. A month before the big day, I asked Breanna to order a tan dress. I told her I would let her know when to wear it. Little did she know, I was planning my proposal and a color-coordinated engagement party!

After much questioning from my ever-inquisitive lawyer bae, I told Breanna we were going to D.C. for a private cooking lesson with my friend.

Halfway into the two-hour drive from Richmond, I told her we would be swinging by the National Gallery of Art to check out an exhibit. That’s where I was planning to pop the question. Breanna’s good friend and photographer, Stephen, hid in the wings to capture the moment when I asked Breanna to marry me.

After she said yes and we both came back to earth, we drove over to my cousin’s house to “drop off bags.” Our friends and family had driven and flown in from Cleveland, Richmond, New York City, Miami, New Jersey, Atlanta, and Boston to surprise Breanna and celebrate with us.

On the first floor of my cousin’s house, our immediate family was waiting to surprise Breanna at the door. After embracing and congratulations from family, we walked Breanna upstairs where she was so startled to see all of our close friends that she ran and hid inside the bathroom!

Our wedding day looks…

We went for a modern, classic look. I wanted to feel sexy but modest, so I wore a long-sleeved gown with an open back with lace detail. Ryan wore a custom double-breasted velvet tuxedo from Suit Supply. We both wore Christian Louboutin shoes to commemorate the day.

Getting the perfect gown…

Wedding dress shopping was super fun! Ryan and I planned to do a mini ceremony long before he proposed. I shared with my mom and best friend, Asia, our plans to wed. They both encouraged me to start looking for a gown ASAP. Growing up, I watched “Say Yes to the Dress” and decided to make the trip to visit Kleinfeld in New York City. With my mom and Asia in tow, we traveled to New York in May for my bridal appointment. We worked with consultant Christina who helped me find the perfect long-sleeve gown that could be made in plenty of time for my October wedding.

Favorite memories…

Both of our parents were married in October. My parents wed on October 15th and Ryan’s parents wed on October 12th, which is why we decided to get married on October 13. We wanted a weekend celebrating us and our parents, who were strong examples of love for both of us. The best memory would be seeing our parents’ faces when we ventured to the Bonneville Salt Flats after our wedding ceremony. They had never heard of or seen the salt flats and were mesmerized seeing the terrain for the first time!