DJ Tiësto and Annika Backes, Utah Desert, US
A geometric arch with a mirrored surface made for a magical backdrop at this desert wedding.
Danish DJ and music producer Tijs “Tiësto” Verwest married model Annika Backes, his girlfriend of three years, in the breathtaking rugged terrain of the Utah desert. The couple originally met in New York in 2015, instantly hit it off, and fell head over heels in love with each other. After an intimate proposal at sunset in the Maldives and two years of planning, they tied the knot at the idyllic Amangiri resort.
Annika says, “Although we started with looking at venues in Vegas, we both realised we wanted a respite from the hectic schedules and partying that our jobs involve. We wanted to start our new life in a pristine landscape hardly touched by people, and Amangiri’s architecture juxtaposed with the raw beauty of the desert to create the vibe of a James Bond movie, which was exactly the aesthetic we were looking for. We wanted it to be glamorous, romantic, and sexy, while still being natural and intimate, so we rented out the entire resort for the weekend for our 80 guests.”
The couple worked with event planner Colin Cowie to create a setup that involved clean lines of contemporary materials and the soulful energy of wild flora. The bride walked down the aisle in a sparkly Berta dress with lace detailing, a plunging neckline and a dreamy train under an eclectic, geometric archway of mirrors festooned with flowers. An emotional Tijs looked dapper in a Tom Ford Tuxedo.
The geometric structure with a mirrorlike surface was later repurposed to create a magical iridescent entrance to their reception dinner that featured long seating tables of black lacquer, white and burgundy hued flowers, and candles on every possible surface from the pool to the rock formations, surrounding everyone with fire energy. DJ Coleman created a grooving disco-like atmosphere and amped things up with a surprise song for the bride that Tijs had written and composed himself. In a sheer dress with delicate work by Oscar de la Renta, the bride swayed in the groom’s arms to the tune of their song, as fireworks exploded in kaleidoscopic sparkles.
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Amangiri, Utah, USA
Wedding Planner: Colin Cowie Lifestyle
Groom’s Outfit: Tom Ford (Rehearsal Dinner and Wedding)
Bride’s Outfits: Ralph Lauren (Rehearsal Dinner), Berta (Wedding), and Oscar de la Renta (After Party)
Bride’s Shoes: René Caovilla
Makeup: Lynda Esparza
Hairstylist: Carlos A Vera
DJ: DJ Coleman
Photography: Dennis Kwan Photography
Videography: Lereve Films
