A Magical Weekend
Kelly & Aaron
Aaron is a hometown boy who was born and raised in Jackson. He skied for the Jackson Hole Ski Club and graduated from Jackson High School. He moved to Denver for college; he skied for and graduated from the University of Denver. I was born and raised in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. My love for the mountains (and snow!) brought me to the University of Denver four years after Aaron. Aaron and I were introduced by mutual friends after we both graduated from college, and we have been pretty much inseparable ever since.
Aaron proposed to me on the Fourth of July (my birthday!) in 2014 at my family’s cabin in northern Minnesota. It was a very special time, as both of our families were there to join in the celebration. When it came time to choose a wedding location, the Tetons were calling our names. We visited a few venues, but nothing compared to the breathtaking views and gorgeous facilities at Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club.
Planning our wedding from afar had its challenges, but with the help of our wedding planner, Kathi Michel of Special Events Jackson Hole, things went very smoothly. With many of our guests coming from out of state to the valley for the first time, we planned several prewedding activities. We had a bus tour of the national parks with a wonderful local guide, a fly-fishing excursion, a float trip on the Snake River, and a golf scramble. Many of our guests took advantage of the amazing 80-degree weather to enjoy some area hikes. Our rehearsal dinner was on Thursday night at The Granary Restaurant, where the views and food were unbelievable. We held a private party Friday night at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, complete with a line-dance instructor. Our wedding day could not have been more perfect. Guests were greeted with huckleberry margaritas and lemonade upon their ceremony arrival. Everyone was abuzz with the beauty of the setting (including the bees, which found the huckleberry margaritas and the flowers much too inviting!). After the ceremony, there was a cocktail hour—where guests could relax, visit, and play lawn games—followed by a delicious meal prepared by Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club. We did not want a traditional wedding cake, so Monica from Jackson Cake Company made a beautiful assortment of cupcakes and macarons along with a cutting cake, all of which was displayed on a beautiful, rustic three-tiered cake stand that had our initials carved into it.
What made our day so special was being surrounded by our family and friends in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. At one point during our reception, Aaron and I stepped away to look at our guests and setting from afar; we took it all in. It was, indeed, magical.
Wedding Details:
wedding date 12 September 2015
ceremony & reception location Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club
officiant Nicholas Houfek (friend of bride & groom)
hair & makeup Tanya Crocker
photographer Taylor Glenn
florist Floral Art
entertainment Diamond Empire Band (Salt Lake City)
consultant Special Events Jackson Hole
caterer Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club
dessert Jackson Cake Company