After eight years of being together, Hanna and Chris were thrilled to tie the knot among the giant willow trees, friends, family and the beautiful mountains and canyons of Zion National Park. Talk about breathtaking!
Hanna grew up in Israel, and nine years ago had the opportunity to spend a summer in Los Angeles. After meeting Chris at a mutual friends house she was quick to recognize a good thing when she saw it, that summer soon turned into fall. The two were inseparable until Hanna had to return for mandatory military service in Israel. They are proof that “absence makes the heart grow fonder” is not just an age old saying but, a testament of their two year long distance romance they endured before being reunited. The couple were able to develop their relationship over emails, letters and expensive long distance phone calls. Over the next several years their love flourished, and they decided to make it official with the search for the perfect ring.
Chris is a self proclaimed inept gift giver, so Hanna decided that if she was going to be wearing a ring for life, it was best if it wasn’t one of Chris’ infamous surprises. The couple opted to skip the traditional diamond in favor of something more unique, and together designed a spectacular pink sapphire ring. Chris held on to the ring for a full six months before formally proposing. Both being culinary lovers, Chris thought it appropriate to play off of that shared love to propose. He hid the ring in a cloud of spun sugar on top of a decadent chocolate mousse following a full seven course meal.
Hanna and Chris had talked for years about being married in an exceptional place that would be special not only for them, but also for their cross culture of family and friends traveling from Israel, Peru, and Los Angeles. Being nature lovers, they decided the red rock canopies of Zion National Park was the perfect outdoor setting. While scouting out the area they both agreed on a great restaurant called The Switchback Grill, which is known for its fantastic food and stunning vistas. Once they had the location locked down, Hanna & Chris got to work collecting various glassware from flea markets and thrift stores to help create a vintage motif. They felt it was important to incorporate some of their own eclectic style and personality into the wedding details, by purchasing and creating several DIY elements. Hanna wanted her wedding to have a “no fuss” feel, and Forevermore Events was responsible for bringing each and every sweet personal element into cohesion. Bursting with personality, bright pops of colored ribbons, tissue paper flowers, and paper pennants brought it all together.
It was important to Hanna and Chris to be able to relive each and every moment of their whimsical wedding day over and over in the future. They were obsessed with the style and feel of Gideon Photography’s pure eye candy photos. They knew they were in good hands when it came to capturing not only their jaw dropping surroundings, but the emotions of the day, and infusing their own individuality and style.
Out of respect for the various cultural backgrounds and traditions of their families and guests, Hanna and Chris decided to keep their respective faiths to a minimum. They chose to be married by a Navajo Shaman as a way to focus on nature, each other, and commitment to their new life. They added a traditional Jewish canopy, and a Peruvian Inca rug as a way to pay tribute to their roots. Finishing off a dazzling day filled with dancing, joy, and a whimsical array of sparklers, the couple journeyed into the night as husband and wife.
