Jarl and Miguel: Covid Wasn’t Going To Stop This Wedding
After COVID had thrown their original wedding plans up in the air, Jarl and Miguel decided to proceed with their wedding. As they tell us, “Covid-19 had pushed our date back more and more as time went on until we decided to just pick a date and make it happen.” The gents discarded their original wedding plans and opted for an intimate wedding with just 12 guests… But, there was one BIG surprise involved.
Photographer Sparkle Photography | Location Deer Valley, Utah, USA
“Twelve guests were hand delivered save-the-date invitations along with a floral bouquet of white hydrangeas and roses in a silver vessel announcing an engagement dinner party. One month before the engagement dinner another hand delivered black box with an etched invitation on lucite and designer masks with the fiance' initials J & M requesting everyone to wear black or white to their engagement event.
The engagement party began with guests arriving in masks all wearing black. All covid rules were followed out. Vendors and staff were all in black with black masks in place.
At precisely 20 minutes to the dinner hour Miguel and Jarl slipped away changing into a white tuxedo for Miguel and a black tuxedo for Jarl. They then proceeded secretly into the south side of the divided ballroom where the wedding officiant was standing in front of the fireplace.
The event planner asked the guests to gather in front of the drapes and told before the dinner began they were first invited to Miguel's and Jarl's wedding. The drapes parted as the harpist played. Everyone was shocked beyond belief as they viewed the two grooms standing in front of the fireplace. They were asked to be seated in three rows of socially distanced chairs.
Once again the drapes parted on the north side of the ballroom and guests were invited into a perfectly set table with lush all white floral designs of Hydragans, Phalaenopsis orchids, and Roses with dozens of black and gold candles.
The final surprise was the introduction of Mr. Nielsen and Mr. Nielsen. Miguel took Jarl's last name as his.
Every detail was covered from beginning to end, even the chef made a fake cake to comply with Coronavirus rules. Truly a team effort by all.”
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Tell us how and when met?
Miguel: We met in November of 2017 while Jarl was shopping at Nordstrom in Salt Lake City, Utah. I was working at a makeup counter there. We smiled at each other and exchanged a simple hello and left it at that.
Tell us a little about that first time you met?
Jarl: We decided to exchange numbers after a casual talk and laughter, and decided to get together for drinks. We met on that following Thursday at a casual lounge where Miguel was skeptical about showing up. But we are both glad he did!!
What was the first thing you noticed about each other?
Jarl: For me, I first noticed Miguel’s eyes and his smile.
Miguel: As for me I couldn't help but notice Jarl’s beautiful blue eyes, and his GQ sense of style.
Have you ever faced any issues of non-acceptance?
We had always dreamed of joining our lives together in a Catholic church, as we both grew up in the religion. We stepped into our local Cathedral and were turned away by a staff member there who said, “Catholics don’t do that”, meaning they did not accept same-sex marriage, which was a harsh reality to face but made us even more determined to fulfil our dream of being married to each other.
What does marriage mean to you?
Jarl: To me, marriage means the commitment to the most important person in my life, that I will always love and be there for him for the rest of our lives.
Miguel: To me, it’s a lifetime Vow to look after each other and make sure we live our lives to the fullest with respect, happiness, and most of all Love for each other.
Who proposed and how?
Jarl: I did. I surprised him by taking him to our favourite Italian restaurant, Valters. I had been very nervous all day knowing that I was going to propose that night! We got to the restaurant and I ordered a nice bottle of champagne. I was beginning at that point to feel like he knew I was up to something. I kept waiting the entire meal for the “perfect” moment to happen. We got completely to the end of the meal, literally after dessert, and I thought I HAVE to do it now. So, I had his ring in my hand and I reached across the table and grabbed his hand and said, “Will you make me the happiest man on earth and be my husband?” And then I slipped the ring on his finger. He was totally surprised and teared up and said, “Yes!!” It was truly magical, and I was totally able to surprise him!
When did you get married?
September 27, 2020.
Jarl and Miguel’s story continues below ↓
What was the main influence behind your wedding day?
Unfortunately, Covid-19 had pushed our date back more and more as time went on until we decided to just pick a date and make it happen. The end of September is a beautiful time of year in Deer Valley, Utah so we said September it is!!
What was the most important thing to you surrounding your wedding?
The element of surprise to our guests and the guests themselves. We kept it small and intimate (12 guests) and we reminded ourselves to enjoy every step of the process!!
Where did you find the bulk of your inspiration?
When we decided to get married, we really wanted it to be intimate yet very us! Meaning we really wanted the element of a formal wedding with all white flowers, candlelight, timeless and elegant.
How did you choose your suppliers?
It’s funny because our florist Carol, told our secret to her sister Judy Jackson who was the top wedding planner in Utah, now retired, that we were planning on getting married. When she heard the news she said, “Well why am I not doing their wedding?” And every piece of the puzzle came together from there.
Any standout suppliers?
Carol Smith (Green Dahlia) with the flowers was absolutely wonderful to work with and totally captured our vision. And made our dream come true.
Tracy Sellman with Stein Eriksen Lodge was an absolute pleasure to work with, we now know why they are Utah’s only 5 Star resort!!
What was the most difficult thing about planning your wedding?
We don't feel like it was difficult, because we had a great team of professionals who listened to every detail we wanted for our special evening.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
As of now we decided to hold off due to Covid-19 but plan to treat ourselves to a secret destination when we are able to travel safely again.
Any advice for other couples planning their day and finding it difficult to navigate the journey?
Patience, communication, and just enjoying every twist and turn, the rollercoaster ride that planning a wedding can be!!
Suppliers
Venue, Catering & Cake Stein Eriksen Lodge
Officiant/Celebrant Anita Gordon
Lighting Wasatch Audio Visual Corp
Rentals Diamond Event
Linen La Tavola Fine Linen Rental
Floral & Design Green Dahlia Studio
Photographer Sparkle Photography
Videographer Ryan Hinman Films
Harpist Monica Smith
First String Violinist Jessica McAllister
Tuxedos Hugo Boss
Groom’s Shoes Giorgio Armani
Rings Cartier
Invitations My Print Man
Menus Boxed Wedding
Masks Peachy K Designs
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