The Call of the Mountains
The Call of the Mountains
Alexs & Tom
Tom and I were introduced by mutual friends at a concert and instantly bonded over our love of country music. It didn’t take long for us to realize that our relationship was something special. I smile thinking about that day, because what are the chances that a small-town Pennsylvania girl meets and marries a man from Washington state?
We spent the next two years together enjoying life’s twists and turns. During that time, we visited Jackson Hole twice. I instantly fell in love with the scenery, atmosphere, and endless things to do. Tom’s grandfather built a cabin in Grand Teton National Park about sixty years ago, and his parents were married there thirty-five years ago. Tom spent many summers and holidays with his family at the cabin. As a first-grade teacher, I look forward to visiting Jackson each summer because there is something truly calming about the Tetons.
In June 2015, we flew out to the valley for our annual Teton vacation. I was more than ready for a relaxing week in the mountains. I had just interviewed for and accepted a new teaching position, and we found and closed on a new home together. Yet, I had no idea that Tom had one more big life change waiting for me once we touched down. From Tom’s family cabin, there is a perfect view of Rendezvous Mountain, whose summit I wanted to reach. About halfway through our hike down, we climbed up onto a large boulder. We talked, laughed, and took pictures before Tom got down on one knee. I can honestly say that I didn’t see it coming. However, I knew instantly that Jackson would forever be our special place and perfect for our destination wedding.
Many guests had to travel cross-country to celebrate with us, and we wanted them to fall in love with the area just like we did. One of the most important things to me was choosing a venue that had a spectacular view of the mountains—views like this just don’t exist on the East Coast, and I wanted our guests to fully experience the beauty. We chose Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club for its perfect backdrop.
Traveling from Philadelphia, we knew the logistics of transporting things West was going to be tricky. Tom and I consider ourselves to be rather simplistic people, so it was only fitting that our wedding day be no different. For our color scheme, we chose natural blues and grays that mimicked the mountains. My mom and I worked to create all the decorations. We hung paper flowers from birch boughs, lined the aisle with dainty hearts, and turned our programs into fans for the outdoor ceremony. Instead of escort cards, we used vintage glass bottles with wax seals. We felt it was important that our decor not take away from the valley’s natural beauty.
The wedding day itself was perfect. Our celebration was small and relaxed. Our guests enjoyed huckleberry cocktails during happy hour, played lawn games with amazing views of the mountains, and soaked up the atmosphere. As Tom and I stood out on the lawn and looked back toward the party, we knew we made the right choice. Our guests were beaming and enjoying themselves, and we were surrounded by the support and love of those people closest to us.
wedding date
23 July 2016
ceremony & reception location
Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club
officiant
Tom Jordan
hair & makeup
Hair by Kelly Rene
photographer
Jamye Chrisman
florist
Albertsons
entertainment
Jackson Hole DJ
consultant
Lovely Day Events
caterer & dessert
Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club
transportation
Alltrans