There is a lot to love about this next pretty little wedding. For one, the bride’s dress has SLEEVES. So stinking cute. They also had a typewriter, they served donuts, and they had the cutest little DIY details ever. Oh and the cake, can’t forget about the cake. Or the shoes. But by far the most lovable part of this wedding is the story behind the day. The garden where the couple was to have their ceremony + reception was nearly destroyed by an oil spill…that literally left them without a space just days before their wedding. But with the help of planner Mara Marian of LMG Events, they were able to pull off a gorgeous wedding that you would never believe was brought together in no time at all. To see how it all turned out, keep reading. And to see more pics, click right here.
Click here to see even more adorable details!
From Mara, at LMG Events…
Utah recently had an oil spill that destroyed the garden of a local LDS church ward (among other properties) called Garden Park Ward where many LDS brides held their wedding receptions after their Temple ceremonies. Needless to say, June, July and August were completely booked Thursday-Saturday for wedding receptions. Not only are the garden and pond full of oil and cleaning crews, the smell is also unbearable.
I am a local Utah wedding planner working with Chevron Pipeline company (yes- the gas station!) to relocate these receptions (some with less than a week to go!). I have been working almost non-stop with brides, their grooms and sometimes their mothers to fix everything while Chevron picks up the tab for relocation costs as well as a wedding planner should they choose to use one (that’s where I come in). I have been the go to gal to call thus far, working with dozens of frazzled brides.
One bride in particular, was amazing to work with – Stephanie Tibbs. Stephanie was married to Kristjan Morgan in the Salt Lake Temple June 25, 2010. Their wedding reception followed and was relocated from Garden Park Ward to The Grand America Hotel Garden Courtyard.
Stephanie’s original reception had a vintage theme that we were able to tweak and incorporate into the Grand America Garden Courtyard’s meticulously landscaped gardens. Stephanie was able to find an old vintage, electric typewriter that guests used instead of a guest book to type their best advice to the newlyweds. We rented the antique teak wood table the typewriter sat on as well as the large turquoise cupboard from a local antique shop, CG Sparks. The cuppboard was used in place of a traditional gift table. By the end of the night, it was buried in gifts!
Christine Olson of Christine Olson photography took these amazing shots, and she’s my absolute favorite new photographer in Utah.
The process of getting to where we ended up was hard. When I get to meet with a new bride, it’s always under excited and positive circumstances. Most brides have seen my events or been referred by someone else so they’re excited to sit down and chat. Working with Stephanie and the other Garden Park brides was different. I was referred to them AFTER they received news that their wedding venue had to be changed. Stephanie and I had just days to completely edit, move and execute a reception at a completely different location. We got extremely lucky and the Grand America had availability outdoors- which is what we wanted since Garden Park is an outdoor garden setting.
Venue: Grand America Hotel, Garden Courtyard / Flowers: Julie Prince Flowers / Planning, Production and Design: LMG Events / Antique Rentals: CG Sparks / Gown: Sottero and Midgley (purchased locally at Mary’s Bridal) / Bride’s Hair and Makeup: Nicole Forsey, Lunatic Fringe Salon / Wedding photography: Dustin Izatt for more photos by Dustin, click here. / Detail photography (shown here): Christine Olson Photography