Red Carpet Wedding at Stein Eriksen Lodge

February 14, 2018

THE COUPLE

No one ever believes me but yes, I met my husband in a bar in Boston on a random Thursday night. It always happens when you least expect it! Tim and I took a last minute trip up to his family’s lake house in Wisconsin in the middle of a snow storm to get away from it all. He—alongside our dog—got down on one knee in front of the fire and he pulled the ring from our pup’s sweatshirt hoodie he was wearing. I was over the moon happy but so surprised I couldn’t get the words out to say yes.

THE RED BALLGOWN

“I never wanted to look like a “bride” with the big white dress – its just not me. Instead I wanted to go for a look that could have walked down the red carpet with the best of them. I looked at dress after dress and didn’t even want to try them on until my bridal consultant asked if I thought about wearing color? After that everything just fell into place. She pulled out three dress: red, blue, and green. I tried on the red and didn’t want to take it off. It was the first and last dress I tried on. The rest was easy. The dress was such a statement that it needed next to nothing in terms of accessories. The color was enough! I wore a fun necklace for the reception from Very Wang. It added that little bit of party sparkle.

THE WHITE TUX

It was a Tom Ford white tux jacket with black pants. I guess someone had to wear white 😉

THE FIRST LOOK

Tim and I were together before the ceremony and I couldn’t have imagined it any other way. He sets my mind at ease and the minute I saw him I knew the day was going to be perfect regardless of what happened behind the scenes.

THE CEREMONY

The wedding weekend was designed to celebrate Park City and its amazing landscape. Mountain Elegance might be the best way to describe our theme. We had this big plan to get married outside on the side of the mountain and let the landscape be our backdrop but then it rained. This wasn’t a few showers here and there, this was inches of rain from dawn until dust. We quickly moved to plan B and set the ceremony inside in a perfect loft space over the reception. Our florist did an amazing job bringing the outside in by using aspen, moss, local flowers, natural wood benches and much more to our intimate space. The aisle was lit with oversized lanterns and small flower arrangements that set the perfect tone and complimented the soft rain on the windows. The view from Empire Canyon Lodge is just spectacular and the staff understands what good service truly means.

I heard the music start for the flowers girls, there was a little rustle of people in their seats turning around to look and then I heard my little niece Olivia say, “No mommy I don’t want to go down the aisle.” I started to laugh and even more so when I peeked and saw my sister swing her up in her arms and carry her down. The funniest part of the ceremony was the look on our families faces when they realized our good friend John was not just doing a reading for the ceremony but was the actual justice of the peace.

THE RECEPTION

Silver Lake Ski Lodge at Deer Valley was transformed by Tulips and Thyme into a country chic dining area with dark wooden farm tables and crisscross chairs. Reclaimed wooden chandeliers were suspended at various heights and were dressed with a multitude of candles and greenery which helped to light the room and create a soft romantic environment. The tables were decorated in shades of ivory and taupe with stunning burnt gold glass chargers, white dinner china accented with soft purple linen napkins. Each table was uniquely designed with the colors of fall – deep scarlet, reds, oranges and gold – all representing flowers and foliage celebrating the season. Included in the variety of floral arrangements were locally harvested flowers as well as garden roses, ranunculus, scabiosa pods, privet berries, cabbages and small succulents in earthen pots. Tulips and Thyme designed amazing flowers to extend over the length of the tables and cascade down the side. It was just beautiful. The inspiration for the décor was my wedding dress—romantic, sophisticated, but at the same time, a little whimsical. My bouquet was perfect. I asked that it be an assortment of ivory and soft green to set off the dress and it came out amazing.

THE PUPPY CAKE

We wanted to make Brewer (our dog) part of our wedding ceremony but since he couldn’t travel to Park City, we thought the next best thing was to have him there in spirit and in cake.

A FEW FAVORITE MEMORIES

Tim and I snuck away from cocktail hour and had a glass of Champagne in the dining room. We took a few minutes alone to take it all in and just enjoy the moment before the craziness of the reception began. We even jumped on the dance floor and did a quick practice run of our first dance to settle our nerves.

I loved spending the morning with all of the women in the family. Hair was getting done on one side of the room while make up was done on the other and food and drink was everywhere. It was a revolving door of ladies and oh so much fun.

SOMETHING OLD, NEW, BORROW, BLUE

I love this tradition: Old – I carried a silk handkerchief that has been down the aisle over 30 times from my mothers side of the family. Borrowed – the incredible tear drop diamond earrings were my mother in laws. Blue – My engagement ring is a blue sapphire.

I’m glad we had a small wedding and created that intimate feeling where everyone feels very much a part of every moment. I’m thrilled that our families and friends were willing to travel to Park City, UT and put up with that stress for the festivities. I’m also glad that Tim and I came in one day early and left one day later to relax just the two of us.

ADVICE FOR ENGAGED COUPLES

I wish I hadn’t felt rushed the day of the wedding. But there are so many moving pieces its hard to relax and enjoy it. I worried about everything. In the end the worrying didn’t help and I had hired the best team possible.