Okay, okay, I know this feature is one day late.  BUT, I think this post was well worth the wait!  Today, Mary was kind enough to share a little bit of her love story with us!  I LOVE IT!

“I have always believed in fairy tales… and Santa… and the Easter Bunny!  I like movies with happy endings and I believed, in the end, good always triumphs.  However, there were many times in my life when it seemed like my dreams were just dreams and hope was all that kept me going.  But if hope is all you have… it’s enough.   At age 57, it is glorious to be in a relationship that is full of joy, wonder, and contentment.  At age 57, it is also glorious to be a blushing bride and be told every day, ‘Mary, you look radiant!  You must be in love and you must be truly loved.’

Here are a few answers to some of my most frequently asked questions:

How did you meet Rick? Believe it or not, I’m one of those internet brides!  We met on LDSsingles.com.   I am a believer that the internet can introduce couples who would have never had an opportunity to cross each other’s paths.  I dated for a year on the singles sites before meeting Rick, and it certainly made me sure of the right man when I found him!!!

Are you catering your own wedding? Absolutely!  I have the most professional, dedicated, and detailed team of any catering company in the country.  All I had to do was share the vision with them and they are doing the rest.   All of those details will be coming in the next few weeks as we share the menus and design for all three days of celebration.   Oh, I’m all goosebumps!

How did you know you were ready to make this step? They say you should know someone in every season before marrying them.  I didn’t do that the first time, so I decided to take this advise the second time.  I met Rick on July 4, 2010.   I played with him all summer, shared long talks with him all fall, skied with him all winter, and said, ‘Yes!’ to him in the spring.  We will be married on July 1, 2011; one year after meeting that fateful day.  To be honest, from the first night when we spent 7 hours ‘just talking’, I knew Rick and I had been connected long before this life.  He is my soul mate, my love, my best friend.  We may not be perfect….but we are perfect for each other.

Until next time… Hugs from Mary”

What a beautiful story!  And thank you again to Mary to sharing this glimpse into her love story.  Remember to check back next week (yes, I promise on Wednesday this time) for more behind the scenes details of Mary’s wedding!!!

Also, check out our website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Mary finished her whirlwind trip around Utah judging dozens and dozens of restaurant for Best of State. Her final day she took the whole family to Zermott for Mother’s Day Brunch. Stay tuned for some of her favorite Utah restaurants!

Mary is often called upon for cooking demonstrations in the community.  Making Fresh Mango Salsa gives her lots of opportunity to teach the finer art of chopping and dicing and how to select a good knife.  She has as much fun as the guests!

Mary often gets requests to judge cook-offs….from chili to ribs to cakes.  Last week she judged a fabulous chili cook-off in Eagle Mountain.  The winning chili was made by a man from Pakistan!

Culinary Crafts is again setting the trends for “What’s Hot” in the wedding market!  This years offerings include our amazing French Macaroon Topiaries…bite-size gems of soft meringue with explosive filling in exotic flavor and colors to match your custom wedding theme.  Try.. PIstacchio with Pistacchio Buttercream; or Cassis with Black Current Ganache; or Passion Fruit with Chocolate Mousse….yummm!

It has been several years since Culinary Crafts catered this wedding but it is still one of my favorites.  It was held in the magnificent Parrish home and their 3 story ballroom.  Shala was a delightful bride and I loved assisting with all the planning for this special couple and celebration.  Featuring: Butler-passed Maple Glazed Salmon, Home-made Gelato cones, drink station, Flaming Crepes, Ice Sculptures with Shrimp and Fruit…to name just a few of the delicacies.  Enjoy,  Mary

Click here to watch the video designed by the wonderful David Perry.

One of the best parts of catering is being able to support many non-profit organizations in our community.  The United Way has a special place in my heart and I’m thrilled to be the 2010 Chairperson for Woman In Philanthropy.  “Good Deed-Doers” of the world…it’s your time to serve. Check out a few highlights from our November Gala where we raised over $68,000 to benefit the early childhood programs of the United Way!  Merry Christmas,  Mary

One of the most exciting parts of doing research and development for our catering company is traveling to the coasts (both east and west) for inspiration!   International Caterers Association presented a Day of Education: Design, Trends, & Resources on Monday, August 17th. Produced and presented by Good Gracious! Events and Jay’s Catering, at Jay’s Catering in Orange County, CA. It was a full day of information and resources presented in an entertaining and fun way. Very interactive. These Regional Education Days (RED) are held at different locations throughout the year. This is a great way to stay informed and connected.  These are some of the great ideas we brought home to Utah!

“Serving in the United Way of Utah and Salt Lake Counties has been an exhilarating experience!   I have been involved with the many different programs such as “Welcome Baby”, “Community Gardens”, “Woman in Philanthropy”, “Financial Stability Committee” to mention a few.  The National United Way heard of my service and asked if I would participate in a commercial for their nation-wide “Live United” champaign.   I am very honored to be part of this incredible movement…if you reach out a hand to one, you reach out a hand to all.”   Get involved!  Mary Crafts