Woodrow and Natalie Arrington's Wedding

After a fun Christmas Day, we received a huge snowstorm on December 26. It snowed most of the day. It was a difficult situation because Marilyn and Howard and their family were traveling with Grandma Kern to Salt Lake in preparation for the marriage of Woodrow Arrington to Natalie Thompson on December 27th. We tidied up from Christmas and waited out the day. Grandma and the Arrington’s finally arrived around 2;30 p.m. The Arrington’s visited for a while and then left Grandma and Mikyla and went off to the Little America hotel.

Saturday morning, the Kern’s with Grandma headed off to downtown Salt Lake for the day of wedding festivities. The first item on the agenda was a wedding breakfast in the Empire Room of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. This was a very lovely affair with many expensive extras added to the decorating. The bridal colors were black and taupe with red accents. The tables were all set with taupe tablecloths, and black bamboo chairs with taupe bows tied to the backs of each chair. The tables were set with gold chargers and black napkins folded into bishop’s miters. The floral tributes on each table were three foot thin vases with a red rose and red rose petals at the bases. It was very dynamic to see when we walked into the room. There were also huge clear blocks of ice with a frozen red rose inside on either side of the entrance. There were table assignments, and a master list to find where you were to sit. The single cousins were all at one table. Paul and I were at a table with Bee and Ed Kimball, Grandma Kern, Rob and Cindy, Kern, Ralph Kern and Woodrow’s bishop and wife—(last name Judd). The meal was very tasty, including a salad course, chicken filled crepes, and cheesecake for dessert. The mother of the bride did a multimedia presentation of a scrapbook that she had made called “Once Upon a Time”, and each of the parents of the bride and groom said a few words. The breakfast started at 10:30 and was concluded at around 12:30., we were to be at the temple at 1:50p.m., so people milled around and then went off to the temple across the plaza.

A sealer named Elder Brown performed the temple sealing and it turned out the Paul knew him from his translation days. Elder Brown had worked in audio-visual and they had been in meetings together. He did a very nice job and the ceremony went very smoothly. It was held in one of the large sealing rooms and the place was full. Two benches were brought in to accommodate the overflow. There were Kerns and Arringtons represented, as well as missionary companions and friends and the entire Thompson guests as well.

When the sealing had been completed, we waiting in the upstairs waiting area for the bride and groom to come out, but after a long wait, we left without being in any pictures. We returned to home and Paul and Grandma went to feed the horses. At about 7:00 p.m. we left to go to the reception that was held in La Jardin of the Rose Shop. I knew this was going to be a green house—and I have been to other receptions in this kind of facility and they are very nice. This was very exceptional. There were lots of twinkle lights, and pathways wandered in an out of greenery displays and it was warm and inviting. The bride’s aunt had made a Snapfish photo book, which was what was used as a guest book that I thought was a good idea. You could look through it and sign where you wanted. There were four bridesmaids including Mikyla and Natalie’s sister and the colors were very nice and striking in this setting. Everything looked great. The food was also very interesting. There were crepes with fruit, caramel nut, or chocolate toppings, lots of fresh fruit and finger sandwiches in buns for the refreshments. There were tables set up around the shop with beautiful floral arrangements on them and framed pictures of Natalie and Woodrow. There were lots of family members there and we enjoyed visiting and being with them. Philip and Camille who didn’t come to the wedding or the breakfast did join us at the reception and that was also fun. We are very happy that we were able to participate in the happy family occasion.