What happens when a pilot-slash-entrepreneur and his architect finance plan their wedding? Plenty. These two mavericks knew a ballroom wouldn’t fit the bill for their nuptials, so Jason and Tim booked an airplane hangar for a party that defied wedding-day gravity. with a little ingenuity, Jason and Tim madeover a cold commercial space into a room filled with fun, love and laughter. Want to know how? take not with this checklist for creating high-flying, warehouse-wedding style.
1. Find A Warehouse Space
“We wanted to find a unique and not-so-common venue, and because Jason is a pilot we started discussing the possibility of doing the wedding at a hangar,” Tim says. “it turns out it is quite difficult finding good hangar space to rent, but luckily the staff at Atlantic were very accommodating. This was the absolute perfect venue for us.”
2. Make A Big Statement
A massive hangar needs to be filled with a comparable conversation piece. “We included a vintage warplane that we had flown down from Heber. We displayed it next to our 1965 Shelby Cobra, which really made people gawk when they walked into the space.”
3. Set the stage
Ditch the traditional ceremony decor and, literally, build a stage with a sensational architectural backdrop. “We used the glass hangar doors as the backdrop to the ceremony.”
4. Make it a family affair
Jason’s stepfather performed the ceremony. Meanwhile, the grooms had their mothers and grandmothers walk them down the aisle. “We wanted to honor the women who brought us into this world by putting them on stage with us,” Jason explains. “Sure, we have friends we would have liked to include in our line, but they got to go to the bachelor party, so they took a back seat for the women.”
5. Cue the lights, music and performers
“We had a drag performance by Coko (whose real name is Sean Michael Hariston). Ever seen a drag show at a wedding? The pictures say it all.”
All About the Couple
Jason Olsen & Tim Thorpe
Jason’s hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Tim’s hometown: Sandy, Utah
Currently reside: Salt Lake City, Utah
Wedding date: 05-26-2018
Photography by: D’Arcy Benincosa
What do you do? Jason owns two Prestman Auto dealerships and is also the founder and CEO of Image Studios 360, a salon suite company in nine states with 25 locations. Tim is an architect, and two years ago he ventured out and opened his own architectural firm, J&T Architecture.
How did you meet? Through a mutual friend. “Tim moved into a house that one of Jason’s friends lived in. They introduced us and we hit it off immediately,” Jason says.
How long did you date before getting engaged? Six years
Who proposed to whom and how? Jason proposed to Tim. He arranged a trip to Palm Springs with four of their closest friends for Tim’s birthday weekend. Jason had more than his birthday planned out, though. To celebrate, they all stayed in for dinner. For dessert, everyone sang Happy Birthday as Jason presented Tim a cake with a topper that read: “Turn Around.” When Tim opened his eyes and read the sign, he turned around to see Jason on one knee.
Bachelor Party? “Vegas, of course!” Jason says. “The weekend was great, and everyone came home with quite the hangover.”
Vendors
Photos: D’Arcy Benincosa | @darcybenincosa
Planning/Design/Rental: Fuse Weddings & Events | @fuseweddingsandevents
Florals: Blooms & Co. | @bloomsandco
Catering: Utah Catering by Magleby’s | @maglebys_catering
Rentals: Diamond Event and Tent | @diamondeventandtent
Entertainment: Rob Bennion aka DJ Robot Dream| Coko, Sean-Michael Hariston
Venue: Atlantic Aviation, SLC (not available for rent)
Lighting and AV: Clear Lamp Audio Visual, | @clearlampav
Photo Booth: Complete Photo, SLC
