Real Weddings: Celebrating Fall Colors at Canyons Resort

October 29, 2019

Linnea Gies & Chas Goodman

Red Pine Lodge, Canyons Park City

September 9

Photographs by Grey Giraffe

This Park City wedding doesn’t look like the others. The couple -with help from Hoopes Event- used rugs, florals and risotto to bring in all of the vibrant, late-summer colors they loved.

THE COUPLE

“We met tandem skydiving. No, just kidding,” jokes bride Linnea, who actually met her hubby Chas at Lincoln Tavern in South Boston. “I was doing a goofy dance at the bar with some friends. Chas walked over and said ‘Hi,’ mostly making fun of me. We talked for a few minutes, mostly about food, which I love.” Three years later, Chas proposed to Linnea at her family’s lake house in Wilson, New York on Memorial Day weekend surrounded by 20 family members. Linnea’s father, whom Chas asked to help with the proposal, secretly prepped the Champagne while Linnea’s mother, also in-the-know, gathered everyone on the beach for a group photo. Or tried. “I initially declined the picture invitation. After some coaxing and nearly giving Chas a heart attack, I agreed to the picture. As he revealed the ring, my response was ‘what are you doing?’ He popped the question, tears of joy followed and to this day, it’s still unclear if I actually ever said yes.”

THE WEDDING

Hiking and golf outings in Park City kicked off the weekend, followed by a Friday-night rehearsal dinner on The Bridge Cafe & Grill’s outdoor patio. “We followed this by walking to our favorite Park City bar, The Cabin, to hang with our two favorite bartenders, Sasquatch and Yeti,” Linnea says. Throughout the weekend, guests enjoyed pool time, massages and downtime at The Grand Summit Hotel at Canyons Resort. “Chas and I, along with my mom, the second in-command, made sure our guests’ commute was easy, the food was good for everyone and the party would go as long as it could.”

THE MOOD

The Red Pine Gondola carried guests at high-speed up to Red Pine Lodge (elevation: 8,000 feet) from Park City’s Canyons Resort Village. For decor, the couple chose a vibrant, late summer palette, including gold, bronze and copper details. “There were certain things I knew I wanted: tons of colorful flowers and an aisle made up of vibrant rugs,” Linnea says.

“I wanted people to come to the wedding, and not only get the vibe and majesty of Park City in September, but also to feel like, ‘Damn, this is so Linnea and Chas!’ And people did.”

THE CUISINE

“Dinner was unique in that we did family style with a twist,” Linnea explains. “We wanted dinner to move quickly and still offer lots of options.” Chefs plated three entrees separately on large platters—for example, salmon, risotto, tomatoes together—for guests to enjoy a little from each entrée. “I love trying a little of everything, and I love eating. Chas’ family used to never order appetizers, but today they look at me every time we sit at a restaurant and say, ‘Okay, Linnea, order the apps.’ Chas and I loved everything we tried during our tasting and thought, why not do a little of everything?”

THE TUNES

Chas and Linnea couldn’t wait to get on the dance floor. “Dancing was the focal point of the night,” Linnea says. “Our band Changing Lanes crushed it.” The band kept guests on the outside dance floor below the September stars. “The cool air was refreshing as people danced the night away. And those who didn’t want to dance hung around the fire pits and made s’mores or smoked cigars.”