BRIDE AND GROOM Jennifer Nielsen and Christopher John Lohner BRIDE’S HOMETOWN Orem GROOM’S HOMETOWN Alpine BRIDE’S OCCUPATION Member of the UVU soccer team GROOM’S OCCUPATION Server at Chili’s WEDDING LOCATION Mount Timpanogos LDS Temple HOW WE MET Our dads were best friends at Provo High. Our families got together a lot over the years, but Chris was three years older and never paid too much attention to me. As we got older, I sort of forgot about him until his family sent us pictures of them at Lake Powell. There was one picture of Chris I fell in love with. Once my dad found out about it, he intervened. OUR SONG “My Best Friend” by Tim McGraw Favorite dating memory He never let me drive. He always came to pick me up, and he never let me get the door for myself — he still won’t! SIGNATURE DETAIL My décor necessity was Styrofoam cone centerpieces with limes pinned on them. And I wore flip-flops — I hate being uncomfortable and I didn’t want to seem too tall. ONE THING I DID AND LOVED We did our first dance as a married couple before the reception ended. It was a precious moment. DAY IN THREE WORDS Dream come true

VENDOR LIST

Reception
Somewhere Inn Time

Invitations
Ken Newton Design

Ring
Wilson Diamonds

Dress
Bridal Center

Caterer
Somewhere Inn Time

Cake
Somewhere Inn Time

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BRIDE AND GROOM Holly Culverwell and Michael Murphy HOMETOWN Herriman BRIDE’S OCCUPATION Medical Claims Adjuster at Farmers Insurance GROOM’S OCCUPATION Service Manager at Petersen Marine WEDDING lOCATION Wadley Farm in Lindon HOW YOU MET We rode the school bus together since elementary school. To tell you how much we liked each other … he threw a battery at me on the bus in fifth grade. FIRST DATE He turned me down when I asked him to senior dinner dance in high school, so we didn’t go on a date until the summer of 2004. He took me to a rodeo. DATED FOR Five years ENGAGED FOR Four months THEME Rustic/Western FIRST DANCE We practiced before the wedding, so it went pretty well. It was, however, my first dance with my dad. He chose the song “My Little Girl” by Tim McGraw — good choice, Dad. FAVORITE MOMENT Right after the ceremony I had my DJ crank up the song “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz. I was relieved and excited at the same time. UNEXPECTED MOMENT About three minutes before the ceremony, the zipper on my dress broke. It’s pretty funny … now. SIGNATURE DETAIL I decorated with pinecones. HONEYMOON Road Trip to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone Park

VENDOR LIST

Invitations
Thinkdesign.com — Shasta Knight

Caterer
Niceley Dunn Catering

Cake
Anne’s Cake
Creations

Dress
David’s Bridal

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BRIDE AND GROOM Courtney Hurdle and Hyrum Gray BRIDE’S HOMETOWN Provo GROOM’S HOMETOWN Orem BRIDE’S OCCUPATION Sales associate at Kaleidoscope Boutique GROOM’S OCCUPATION Personal accountant WHY THE DATE It was Hyrum’s idea — he thought “06-07-08” was catchy. WEDDING LOCATION Provo LDS Temple RECEPTION Rick and Tiffany Vincent’s yard WHAT ATTRACTED HIM TO YOU My “cute style” FAVORITE DATING MEMORY Motorcycle rides up the canyon THEME Backyard BBQ COLORS Anything went. Why stick to a couple of colors? SIGNATURE DETAILS Casual dress for guests; blue grass band; not wearing my wedding dress at the reception — I wore a white casual linen dress; snow cones; picnic-themed cake; presents in a wheel barrow; old fashioned Coke bottles; pie, pie and more pie. FAVORS Bottles of Charlie Boy’s secret sauce DRESS Cream, buttons up the back, simple — the only dress I tried on. RING It was my mom’s engagement diamond 41 years ago. DAY IN THREE WORDS BBQ + Snowies = agoodtime

VENDOR LIST

Dress
Kaleidoscope Boutique

Caterer
Charlie Boy’s
Pit BBQ
(the bride’s dad owns it)

Cake
Dippidee

Flowers/Decor
Anne Black

Invitations
Jay Wallace

Ring
Wilson Diamonds

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Before your exam
Jennifer recommends scheduling an appointment two to three months before the wedding.
“It saves some stress right before the wedding, and it gives the woman’s body time to get used to the birth control,” Jennifer says.
Once the appointment is scheduled, the New Beginnings Clinic mails a premarital packet with information about sexuality and birth control. By reviewing the materials, you’ll be prepared to ask questions or discuss concerns on the day of your appointment. And it doesn’t hurt to involve your fiancé. Jennifer encourages women to bring the fiancé or mother to the counseling portion of the visit.

What to expect
during the exam
For each patient, the nurse midwives discuss medical history and general health, including chronic conditions and medications. The health professional will also provide counsel on the female anatomy and sexual response cycle. After the physical exam, there is time to ask any unanswered questions, discuss myths about sexuality, and learn about different types of birth control.
“One of the things most women really want to know is how to stop and start birth control,” Jennifer says. “They want to know what is the right method for them as a couple, or if one pill is better than another.”
Among women who choose to use birth control, the pill continues to be one of the most popular forms. The NuvaRing is also becoming very common, especially among women who may have a tendency to forget to take the pill. The Ortho Evra patch is a hormonal method applied once a week. The Mirena IUD is another hormonal option that requires even less maintenance, but is not used as commonly in newlyweds. Non-hormonal options include condoms, diaphragms and a Paraguard IUD.
Every type of birth control has pros and cons, and the certified nurse midwives are prepared to explain the differences. This will help each patient determine which option is the best fit.
Your health care professional can also discuss prescriptions for antibiotics to have on hand during the honeymoon in case of a urinary tract infection.

Following up
More questions may arise after you’ve been married, so the midwives are prepared to talk by phone or appointment. Follow-up on birth control may be necessary, depending on side effects or first time use. Certified Nurse Midwives are also on hand for preconception counseling, annual physicals and pregnancy exams.

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HERE COMES THE BRIDAL
Bridal portraits have taken quite the journey over the years. From formal in-studio shots to casual poses across town, local brides have redefined tradition.
“The options are endless,” says Ashlee Clark of Ashlee Elizabeth Photography. “Bridals are a great opportunity to let your personality shine through.”
With endless options and shining potential, Ashlee suggests seven tips for bridal success.

Location
“The type of location will determine the type of photos we’ll take, whether it’s gorgeous landscaping or an urban backdrop,” Ashlee says. “Location is the first and most important thing I discuss with my brides. Everything else comes after.”
Come prepared “A lot of times you get caught up in things during the shoot and forget about specific poses or ideas. So it can be helpful to write them down beforehand. The More the Merrier “I usually have the bride bring someone — a mom or a friend. It makes everyone feel more comfortable.”
Groomal Time “Most of my brides are bringing the groom with them,” Ashlee says. “The wedding day is usually jam-packed, and the groomal helps us get the shots we need in an un-rushed environment.”
Bring a bouquet “Don’t forget to bring a bouquet,” she says. “Not only are flowers always a beautiful addition, it gives the bride something to do with her hands.”
Bring a Towel “It’s helpful for not getting your dress dirty during the shoot.”
Don’t be nervous “Try not to be shy. You want your personality to shine through as much as possible, so come prepared to be yourself and have fun,” Ashlee says.

PORTRAIT OF A WEDDING
After you’ve posed for engagements and bridals, it’s time to show them off. The pictures are a great way to decorate your reception — and help guests get to know the happy couple.
“There are lots of ways to display your pictures,” says Meredith Carlson of Meredith Carlson Photography. “There’s the classic, big easel framed shots, which are always beautiful, as well as bridal albums for guests to look through. Don’t be afraid to be creative.”
But most importantly, be sure to communicate with your photographer.
“I sit down with my brides when they sign the contract and we go over what they might want displayed at the reception,” Meredith says. “It takes time, especially with bridals, to get pictures back from the printer, so you want to be sure and plan ahead.”
Meredith suggests taking your bridals a month before the wedding — three weeks at the latest — to ensure smooth timing.

MAKE YOUR DAY
This is it. The big day. The wedding day.
It’s the day you’ll remember for the rest of your life — and your pictures will be the very thing jogging your memory.
“The wedding day is obviously so important,” says Angie Andrews of Sweet Memory Garden. “As the photographer, I want to know everything I can to make it the perfect day.”
And perfection requires communication. Angie suggests getting candid with your photographer about the following:

Style “What are you looking for?” Angie says. “Do you want traditional shots or candid? What’s most important to you? If I know your style, I know how to get the shots you want.”
Timing “Timing is huge,” she says. “In an ideal world, I’d have two hours between the ceremony and the reception. That gives us enough time to do family pictures and then shots of the bride and groom. The last thing you want to do is rush.”
Relationships “It’s helpful to know the family dynamics,” Angie says. “If there are any conflicts between family members or parents, it’s always good to know.”
Who’s Who “If there are certain family members or guests you want me to highlight — tell me.”
Weather “Look ahead at the weather forecast — especially with an outdoor reception,” Angie says. “We’ll want to know if we need to make backup plans. The more prepared we can be together, the better.”

IN LIVING MEMORY
The glasses have been clinked, the rose petals have been thrown, and the last photo has been snapped.
Now it’s time to immortalize the moments.
Wedding albums are the perfect end to the perfect day, and there are a variety of options to choose from.
Talk with your photographer about what types of albums are offered when you go in for your consultation. Find out what comes with your package and ask to see samples of past albums. It’ll give you a great idea of the pages you’ll be cooing over for years to come.

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Your videographer wants to know …

1. What you don’t want
“This is so important,” says Dustin Topham, owner of Motion Media in Lehi. “Knowing what brides don’t want makes the process so much easier.”

2. Who the main players are
“It’s helpful to know how much time we should spend on your family. Obviously, this is important to every couple, but some couples want a lot of time spent with family and some want only the basics,” says Doug Larson, owner of Pointe Digital. “In some weddings I’ve done, the bride appointed a family member to walk around the reception pointing out who I should get on video. It definitely helps to have an ‘assistant.’”

3. What you want to remember
“It seems obvious, but many times this isn’t communicated,” Dustin says. “We want to know what’s most important to you. Is it the décor? The guests? The way people talked? Let us know and we’ll capture those moments.”

4. What music you want
“The music defines your video,” Doug says. “Choose songs that enable the videographer to create the type of video you want. If you want a slow romantic video, slow romantic songs are the way to go. If you want it to be upbeat and fun, choose upbeat and fun music. Personally, I think a good mixture is the best.”

5. If there are any sensitive situations
“It’s always good to know if there are cases of divorce or other potentially sensitive relationships within the family,” Dustin says. “Having a feel for the family dynamics is key.”

6. If you want your video played at your reception
“Obviously, everyone wants their video played at their reception,” Doug says. “However, not everyone gives their videographer enough time to put it together. Most professional videographers need about 4 hours to edit the video, so keep that in mind.”

7. What makes you feel most confident
“I want to know what makes her feel self confident and, by contrast, self conscious,” Dustin says. “I want to be armed with all the tools to make her feel great.”

8. Who your photographer is
“We like to know ahead of time who we’re working with and if they’re professional,” Doug says. “There are many photographers here we have good relationships with, which is essential. The key is respect. Working together makes for an enjoyable experience for you and your spouse.”

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1. THEMES AND SCHEMES Decide with your fiancé what types of décor and colors you want for your home and register for gifts that match your style.

2. BE YOURSELF It’s your registry, so choose items you really want. Even if you grew up with beige appliances, register for the red polka dot one if it sets your culinary heart a-flutter.

3. BOYS WILL BE BOYS Your fiancé might not share your enthusiasm for décor and shopping, so go easy on him. Suggest he browse the electronics or hardware departments with his scanner. Trust us — you’ll benefit from that tool set, too.

WHAT’S IN STORE

Bed Bath and Beyond
50 W. 1300 South, Orem
(801) 229-9090
773 W. Grassland Dr., American Fork
(801) 492-6970
www.bedbathandbeyond.com

Dillard’s
Provo Towne Centre, Provo
(801) 852-3000
www.dillards.com

JCPenney
Provo Towne Centre, Provo
(801) 852-3500
www.jcpenney.com

Home Depot
535 Lindon Parkway, Lindon
(801) 226-2353
1550 S. University Avenue, Provo
(801) 418-1014
885 W. Grassland Dr., American Fork
(801) 763-8640
www.homedepot.com

Kohl’s
634 W. Pacific Avenue, American Fork
(801) 356-3216
1281 S. 800 East, Orem
(801)221-9535
www.kohls.com
Macy’s
University Mall, Orem
(801) 227-3071
www.macys.com

Papaya & Company
The Shops at the Riverwoods, Provo
(801) 802-8650

Pier 1 Imports
360 E. University Parkway, Orem
(801) 765-8837
www.pier1.com

Pampered Chef
www.pamperedchef.biz/chefchristine
(801) 224-5569

Sears
Provo Towne Centre, Provo
(801) 852-2500
www.sears.com

SUPER TARGET
175 W. Center Street, Orem
(801) 224-6007
608 W. Main St., American Fork
(801) 756-5449
www.target.com

TUPPERWARE
www.my.tupperware.com/wendyburgun
(801) 796-9649

WAL-MART
1355 Sandhill Road, Orem
(801) 221-0600
949 W. Grassland, American Fork
(801) 492-1102
660 S. 1750 West, Springville
(801) 489-6293
585 N. State Street, Lindon
(801) 785-7683
1052 S. Turf Farm Road, Payson
(801) 465-8246
www.walmart.com

WILLIAMS-SONOMA
The Shops at Riverwoods, Provo
(801) 229-1901
www.williams-sonoma.com

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The ceiling’s the limit
Ceiling treatments add warmth and intimacy to your space. They bring down those high industrial beams or completely make them disappear. Dropped ceilings vary from light strands with ball lanterns to a completely draped canopy with a hanging chandelier. The great thing about canopies is the unlimited choices. We have found complete ceiling treatments for under $1,000, and when grouped with other décor the price comes down even more.

Something old, something new
Great décor, whether it is traditional or funky, lets your style shine. Classic décor is a time honored tradition. Use simple elements in a new and different way. Instead of just an arch, how about adding hanging pomanders or cascading crystals? Layering décor is a new twist on wedding basics. Take your favorite element — such as wrought iron, flowers or candles — hang it vertically, and you’ve got something new. Add fabric and lights and turn off the fluorescents.

Bright ideas
Dramatic lighting changes your white arch to a contemporary design with a splash of color. Ambient light is the essence of a beautiful setting. It can transform a cultural hall into a backyard garden. In areas where real tapers can’t be used, battery-operated candles are a great solution.

Twist of fate
Why not consider covering a ballroom completely with sand, the inside of a hotel with snow or bringing a 100’ tent into a cultural hall. Design Elite loves to take a blank palette and create something never seen before. We are all about a new twist on the traditional. Anything can be done. The sky’s the limit.

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BRIDE AND GROOM Cassidy Loftus and Cameron Cook BRIDE’S HOMETWON Springville GROOM’S HOMETOWN Hayward, Calif. OCCUPATIONS Students WEDDING LOCATION Mount Timpanogos LDS Temple HOW WE MET At the University of Utah. I was on the dance team, and Cameron was on the drum line. We were friends for about a year before we actually started dating. FIRST DATE A haunted house in October of 2006 WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO HIM His sense of humor YOUR SONG “Move This” by Technotronics FAVORITE PLACE IN UTAH COUNTY Saigon Noodle in Provo ONE THING YOU DID AND LOVED I had lots of candles! I love the atmosphere that candles create. I also used Chinese paper lanterns. Those are a favorite! ONE THING I DIDN’T DO AND REGRET I forgot my garter so Cameron didn’t get to throw it. BEST PART OF THE DAY Coming out of the temple. UNEXPECTED MOMENT It rained for about 20 to 30 minutes at our reception — and when I say it “rained,” I mean it poured! COLORS Ocean blue and eggplant purple FAVORS FOR GUESTS Mini beach balls HONEYMOON Midway, and then we went to the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania.

VENDOR LIST

Reception
Riverside Country Club Swimming Pool

Hair
Dallas Roberts

Ring
Sierra-West Jewelers

Dress
Abella Bridal

Cake
Carrie’s Cakes

Flowers
The Flower Affair

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Megan Brockbank and Derek Welling know what it means to “meet cute.”’

A year after the pair had crushes from afar (Megan had a boyfriend when they first met), Derek showed up to her apartment door with a plate of homemade brownies in hand. (Yes, homemade.)

“He needed an excuse to ask me out,” says Megan, a Spanish Fork native. “But it wasn’t the brownies that won me over. It was his cute smile.”

That memorable grin took Megan to a lunch date at Guru’s, and it’s what Megan affectionately likes to call their “last first date.”

Naturally, the “meet cute” led to a cute engagement. Wanting her to remember the “little things” that brought them together, Derek was ready with small surprises for the big moment. First, they returned to the scene of their love story’s beginning and ate lunch at Guru’s. And later, Derek offered her a brownie once again — and again and again.

“I told him I didn’t want one, so he asked me again, and I told him I was sure I didn’t want one,” Megan recalls. “And he said, ‘I think you do.’”

So Megan suspiciously obliged. She lifted the top brownie, only to find a hidden engagement ring amidst the pile of homemade chocolate confections.

“He held the ring in his hand, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him,” Megan says. “It was a wish come true.”

Vendor list

Dress
Latter-Day Bride

Bridals
Taken At
Thanksgiving Point

Flowers
White Willow

Rings
Payne Diamonds

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