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So, in light of the recent announcement of our beloved Mary Crafts's upcoming wedding, we've decided to start a new feature on the blog.  Every Wednesday, we will be highlighting Mary's wedding planning and details of the event!!!  We are SO THRILLED.  Serious.  :)  To kick it off, we've asked Jacque Riehl of Riehl Events (who is the maven in charge of planning Mary's BIG DAY) to guest blog.  Check it out!

"About 6 weeks ago I was lucky enough to find myself in the presence of the lovely Mary Crafts having a wonderful dinner.  I just didn’t realize how lucky I would become that evening.  Eventually the conversation turned to her wedding (did anyone actually think it wouldn’t?) and how her planning was coming along.

I have to preface that I have looked up to Mary and considered her a mentor for almost 7 years now.  Shortly after I started my event planning business I had the pleasure of working with Mary and Culinary Crafts at the Sundance Film Festival. Mary and I have been good friends ever since.

I knew going into that evening I would be offering to help Mary with her wedding in any way she could possibly use me or my team. She has given so much over the years, not just to me, but to the industry as a whole.  I knew this was Riehl Events chance to give back. When I offered our services to her, Mary started to cry.  You have to understand that even the most prim and proper brides cry during wedding planning.  It’s the stress, it’s the passion, it’s simply being in love, and Mary is that and more. Mary and I had a heart to heart that evening and decided I would help plan her wedding and do design for, at least, part of it.  We’ve been non-stop ever since!

So we started.  We did the initial consult, then the budget and time line meeting.  We did the initial design meeting and then it was time to see the venues and get the vendors in order.  Mary’s wedding is not the typical one night, one place ordeal.  It’s Mary, after all, and it’s going to be the best event over 3 days anyone has ever seen! So 3 days, 3 venues, none in the “valley”…I thought my team was going to pass out, but we are all very excited to be a part of it and have come up with fabulous ideas, glorious décor for the first two events and are ready to get this shin dig started!

I don’t use the word shin dig lightly.  The venues are amazing and have a VERY Mary and Rick flair.  The first evening, June 30th, will be taking place at Mary’s home. It is a small rehearsal dinner for about 40 people. Of course, Culinary Crafts will be sharing a wonderful BBQ style dinner with all the accroutments.  I can’t reveal too much about what we have planned, as we haven’t revealed it even to Mary yet, but it’s going to be fabulous!  We will be turning her back yard into a glorious English Picnic Pool Party style event.  More to come later!

The next morning is the ceremony and wedding luncheon at the fabulous Red Cliff Ranch. For this site inspection we had to don our Wellies as it is still muddy up in the mountains. We are turning the Pavilion (aka horse training ring, yes you read me right) into a ceremony in the round. The views are truly amazing and I’m sure the ceremony will be as well. Then we’re off to the horse stables for the luncheon for about 80 people. This will be served in a formal, sit down, family style on one long table down the center of the stables, 80 plus feet long to be exact. The entire day will be done in an English Riding design.  Again, I can’t reveal too much, but the ideas that have come from the Riehl Events team are beyond amazing and will bring the true beauty of this location to life. After that we’ll be seeing Mary and Rick off into wedded bliss for the rest of the day.

The following evening is the big event…the reception! Nedra Roney has been kind enough to ask Mary and Rick to have their big party at her estate. The large tailored lawn and fabulous backdrop of the mountains provides the perfect setting for dinner and dancing under the stars for 500 plus people. This event will have more of a relaxed lounge type atmosphere. Culinary Crafts's “Ring of Fire” will be something no one there will ever forget! As you can start to see, this is truly the wedding of the year as is well deserved by the Grande Dame of weddings and her Knight in Shining Armor.  We are excited to be a part of Mary and Rick’s special time and feel honored to have been asked to do so. They are so deserving of each other and truly in love. The world is just perfect when you are around them. What planner/designer wouldn’t want to be a part of something like that?

We’ll be bringing you updates on the planning and releasing design details as we can. We know this is the Utah “Royal Wedding” so we want to keep you informed as possible.  Stay tuned for more info very soon!"

Thank you SO much, Jacque, for your AMAZING work and thank you for this extra special behind-the-scenes look at our wonderful Mary's wedding!  Look for more updates soon!!!!

Check out our website for more events and ideas at www.culinarycrafts.com!