"He Searched the Whole World..."

Mike and Heidi's SLC reception on May 15, 2015, was so beautiful!  It was too chilly to hold the party outside, as we hoped, but the recreation hall of the Garden Park Ward was a lovely, historic room with walls of tall, thin windows.  The inside was stylishly decorated and the grounds were lush and elegant.  People ate and lingered inside and then wandered outside, as well.

We posted an engagement photo of Mike and Heidi by the front door of the church, along with the theme for their reception, "He searched the whole world--and found her in Axtell, Utah."

Before greeting guests at the front door, I checked out the reception room that we spent the day decorating.  The Chinese vases with Julie Monson's gorgeous arrangements filled the hall, the Asian stir-fry and ham fried rice was crispy and inviting, and "Heidi's Utah favorites"--homemade ice cream and cookies--were irresistible.

 

Heidi and Mike chose a chocolate cake with raspberry filling that was moist and delicious.  The cake was mounted on a silver stand on my hand-appliqued Greek tablecloth.

There were posters describing "The Trail"--what Heidi and Mike had been doing for the ten years before their wedding, and how they met.  In line with "finding her in Axtell, Utah," the last photo showed Mike and Heidi on a tractor!

The hall was filled with white, gold, and blue lanterns and more than a dozen bouquets of flowers, each unique.

 

 

Heidi's sister, Marissa, played accordion music all evening--a distinctive touch.

 Outside, Mike and Heidi greeted guests, flanked by Bevan and Gay Bastian and Dave and me.

 We love the Emmers!

 Heidi's wedding dress and bouquet were lovely.

My DJP lawyer friends, Jessica Peterson, Melinda Hill, and Jodi Howick, stopped by, even though the firm retreat was in full swing at Deer Valley.

Dan Kimball came with his wife and cute children, as did Rich Moffat and other of Mike and Heidi's friends.

 It was great to see Herb and JoDee Flindt, Kyle's parents.

 Mike's good friend, Eric, was there.

Kent, Ryan, and Toshiko  Calder came through the reception line to meet Heidi and the Bastians.

 

Alas, the beautiful white tent didn't see much action on this chilly May evening.

There was an original Minerva Teichert painting in the entryway.

 Camille's children spent the evening serving and gathering presents.

Heidi's twin brother and sister, Kelvyn and Kalyce, greeted Bastian friends, some of whom had come from as far away as Axtell.

 

 Jenny's mom, Shelly Leatham, brought Sam.  Jonny and Jenny are on vacation in Greece and Turkey.

 Camille gave Sam hugs and showed him the ducks in the garden.

Friends lingered in the foyer to sign the guest book and watch the video of Michael's photos of the world.

 At a bit after seven p.m., Heidi and Mike came inside to cut the cake.

 There were nine Calder cousins at the reception, including me.  All three of Uncle Dave's daughters came--Colleen, Sally Joyce, and Susie. 

 Michael and Heidi wandered through the reception hall, greeting guests.

  I asked Ezra how he liked the party and he answered, "It's good.  Lots of treats."

 I was glad Mike got a chance to sample the food at his party.

 Jessica and Kalyce showed off Hannah.

 Scott and Jean and Grant's family were all there, as were Scotty and Tara.

 The Eberts manned a table in the corner with lots of refills on ice cream.

 The ice cream was the big hit.  There were four flavors, all homemade--chocolate hazelnut, strawberry, coconut, and mandarin orange.

The guests stayed and stayed. My Calder cousins were at one table and my Eyring cousins at another.  "We had a great reunion," Judy Edwards said, describing the good chat she had with Catherine Poelman and Bill Edwards.  Janice and Charlotte relaxed at one table with Jett and Dax. Nancy and Darrell stopped by and Alan Dale and Lindy joined us, as well.  It was a real "party party" of our dear friends and relatives--so much more than a reception where people came and went.