Jaiden and Jason's Wedding Luncheon

We had the wedding luncheon at the Pizza Factory in Ancestor Square. The Marks family was in charge of the luncheon and wanted to have it at a restaurant, especially since they were flying in clear from Maryland and so coordinating another location and set up would have been tricky. It was a good call!

Jason's mom, Anna, had asked for ideas, and Jaiden and I had searched for options and locations for the luncheon and had a difficult time finding a restaurant that had a big banquet room. So we considered recommending that it be held at the stake center across from the St. George Temple and having it catered by a restaurant, such as Costa Vida. But it definitely would have added a lot more stress having to set up for that AND the reception, especially since we were all at the temple and would have had to rely on others to set it up. We also would have needed to bring over all of our tablecloths, centerpieces, decorations and everything else. With this, we only needed to show up.

Anna ended up finding this one, which fit most of the wedding party. She had also reserved some tables in the overflow area in the room next to the banquet room. There were 7 or 8 who ended up in the overflow area, but they were all missionaries from Jason and Jaiden’s mission in Mongolia and so I think they were okay being in the overflow room so that they could all visit with one another. Jared also put a speaker in that room so that they could hopefully hear the speeches, and I called them all in when Jaiden sang. 

The bride and groom were the last to arrive (except for Rick and I who took a wrong turn, ha ha) and Jared had everyone stand up and cheer when Jaiden and Jason walked in.

The food was delicious! It was pizza, breadsticks, salad, and drinks. Anna had ordered several gluten pizzas also and they were very good! Jared was our DJ for the day and he had brought a couple big speakers and a microphone to the luncheon for the program. They had arranged for Jason's parents, Anna and Seth, to give a 5-7 life sketch about Jason and then Rick and I spoke about Jaiden. I think it is nice for the group to get to know the couple a little better. Then Jason’s best man spoke and Jaiden’s maid of honor spoke. 

Emily Williams was Jaiden’s maid of honor and I was so touched by her speech. She talked about how she and Jaiden have been best friends since the first grade. She shared some stories, and some thoughts about Jason. Then she ended with, “I always heard that you should marry your best friend. So I always thought that Jaiden would marry me!” That got a lot of laughs. Then she said that since Jaiden would now be marrying her best friend, she was officially turning over that title to Jason.” That had us all crying! It was a perfect segway into Jaiden’s song, Vow to Be Yours,” by Leanna Crawford,  which includes the line, “I vow to be your very best friend for the rest of our lives.” (hopefully I can add a video of her song later).

We didn't have a photographer at the luncheon, but I got a few pictures from my phone. They aren't the best quality, but they are still nice to have! (Jaiden and I came and checked out the location a few months before the wedding and so these pictures of the empty room are from that day.)

Former missionaries from the Mongolia Mission in the overflow area... (and the videographer, Graycie, who is friends with one of Jaiden's former companions, Mikele Stewart)

Janelle and Bryton's Wedding Luncheon!!

 Janelle and Bryton had their luncheon right after the temple sealing (after pictures) at the Blonquists (same place as the reception last night). The end of November was a little cool for the reception, but that time of year in St. George is typically beautiful during the day and today was no exception! The weather was perfect! The luncheon was catered by Costa Vida and Bryton's mom and dad made their famous home-made salsa to go with it! The meal was delicious! 

They had a few speeches -- Bryton's mom and dad, Janelle's mom and dad, Bryton's twin brother, and Janelle and Bryton. They had also recorded a message from the three missionaries (Jaiden, Josh, and Bryton's brother, Brody).  It was such a nice touch! I cried! Rick also played a video of pictures of Janelle through the years put to the song he had written and recorded for the daddy-daughter dance and that was really special too.

   

We also had Grandma Jensen's Hope Chest display at the luncheon. I thought they were going to have it at the reception, but then found out that they were planning on it for the luncheon instead. I had brought two tables from home and set them up last night, but when we arrived someone had used the tables for the dessert bar at the luncheon. I guess I should have put a note on them! So we had to scramble and make due with a table and some chairs for the display. It worked out okay though! Unfortunately Grandma was not able to see it since Julie decided to head home with Grandma right after the sealing. instead of staying for the luncheon, so that they could make it back before dark. 

After the luncheon we sent the newlyweds off with a bubble send off!!