Inside an Immersive Event at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley

Irene + Co Events
3 days ago
4 min read

At Irene + Co Events, we believe luxury wedding and event design should tell a story. This evening at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley was not just styled. It was thoughtfully composed. Inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night, the event unfolded as an immersive experience where art, music, and design moved together in real time.

Designed in collaboration with WIPA Utah, the night honored creativity and community through experiential event design that invites guests to engage, interact, and slow down inside the story itself.

An Artist’s Studio Inspired Cocktail Hour

The experience began in the foyer, transformed into an old-world artist’s studio for cocktail hour. Draped fabrics and blue backlighting washed the room in the glow of an evening sky, immediately setting a calm, intentional tone. Warm wood bar elements echoed the structure of an artist’s easel, grounding the space with texture and purpose. Pops of yellow florals were placed like intentional brushstrokes, adding movement and contrast against the deep blue palette.

Floating overhead, two chandeliers became both art and function. Hand-engraved paint brushes dipped in paint hung from the fixtures, each etched with a guest’s name and table number. Guests were invited to find their brush and untie their place within the evening, turning the escort display into an interactive moment. Paint cans spilling florals from above added a playful, studio-like quality that felt tactile and personal.

Cocktail hour was layered with analog details designed to slow the pace. A live DJ mixed on an 80s vinyl board paired with a 1950s record player, creating warmth, nostalgia, and a phone-free atmosphere rooted in presence and artistry.

Honoring Community Through Modern Storytelling

Throughout the space, monitors rotated imagery showcasing work created by WIPA Utah members over the past year. Each image was AI-altered to resemble a Van Gogh painting, blending modern technology with timeless artistry. This thoughtful detail honored the wedding and event professionals within the community while reinforcing the overarching visual narrative.

As guests mingled, a live painter moved through the crowd, creating portraits in real time. Each guest left with a small, hand-painted keepsake, blurring the line between observer and subject and making the experience deeply personal.

Custom cocktail hour linens by Creative Coverings continued the story. Blue and yellow painted florals resembled watercolor studies, reinforcing the feeling that the entire event existed within an artist’s sketchbook.

A Reception Designed to Evolve

When guests entered the reception space, the story expanded. A 360-degree projection wrapped the room, beginning in soft sunset tones before melting into the swirling blues of The Starry Night. As the evening progressed, the palette deepened into rich blacks and purples, allowing the room to transform throughout the night. The projections remained in constant motion, creating the sensation of standing inside a living painting.

At the center of the room, a violinist performed from a larger-than-life easel while a wedding painter actively painted her dress in real time. Guests watched as the final brushstrokes of the space came together, marking the moment where the artist and the artwork met.

The tables carried the narrative forward through texture and intentional variation. Navy velvet linens grounded the space, while vibrant yellow floral arrangements were designed so no two were the same. This reflected the idea that no two brushstrokes or artists are identical, yet each contributes to the whole. Place settings felt like miniature art stations with concrete-inspired chargers, asymmetric plates, and napkins folded like strokes of color. Crescent moon menus guided guests deeper into the celestial inspiration.

A Dance Floor That Became the Canvas

The dance floor was designed as its own focal point. Wrapped in a navy dynamic backdrop with silver edge detailing, it reflected light and movement throughout the night. Centered within the floor was the WIPA Utah logo, anchoring the space with pride and purpose.

Lighting played a critical role in shaping energy. Pin spots highlighted florals and entertainment moments with precision. As dinner transitioned into dancing, the room shifted into a full midnight effect. Moving lights layered with stationary LED bars created an immersive, high-energy atmosphere designed to keep guests fully engaged.

Entertainment evolved throughout the evening. A hybrid band led by Cam Reeves guided the night, beginning with a violin during dinner before transitioning into a roaming DJ and saxophonist who moved through the crowd. As the dance floor filled, an electric guitarist joined the ensemble, weaving through guests and transforming the dance floor into an interactive experience.

Stepping Inside the Story

This evening was not about recreating a painting. It was about stepping inside one. A night where experiential wedding design, live music, and thoughtful storytelling came together to create something immersive, expressive, and rooted in community. Every detail unfolded with intention, one brushstroke at a time.

Host, Event: @wipautah ⁠

Designer: @irenecoevents ⁠

Venue: @grandhyattdeervalley ⁠

Catering & Bar: @grandhyattdeervalley ⁠

Photographer: @beccaphoto ⁠

Videographer: @runawayvows ⁠

Linens: @creativecoverings ⁠

Floral Design: @artisanbloom ⁠

Florals: @espritrawflowers⁠

DJ Hybrid band: @djcamreeve ⁠

Live Painting: @paintedbykelseyjane ⁠

Rentals: @diamondeventandtent ⁠