Katie and Taylor - Wedding Week — The Johnson Family

Johnson Bridal Shower - Saturday, August 3rd

Nikole, Ashlyn, Lindsey and Shelley offered to throw a shower for Katie and after looking through the calendar we decided Saturday, August 3rd would work the best for all of us. I picked up Luke and Matt from FSY in Cedar City and headed north and after doing a few errands made it to Nikole’s house just in time to help cut up fruit and watch as Kayla and Haylee finished the floral arrangements. Everything was adorable, the food was delicious and it was so fun to celebrate the Bride To Be and her main man. They were showered with fun gifts — especially noteworthy was the new quilt sewed with love from Granny J. Nancy and several of her family members were there too and it was so fun to meet them and share the afternoon.

Walton Days at the Lodge - Saturday night to Wednesday morning

We made it up to the Lodge on Saturday night just before Dan and Sarah pulled up. Chris picked up pizza and Cassie quickly turned on the Olympics which was background entertainment for the whole weekend.

Sunday we gathered for a great Come Follow Me Lesson with Taylor, Katie, Luke and Matt, Grandma and Mike and Carly and kids. We talked about Alma 36-38 LOOK TO GOD AND LIVE. “Alma didn’t simply become discouraged or cynical about the state of the world. Instead “he caused that his sons should be gathered together” and taught them “things pertaining unto righteousness”. I love gathering together - especially with my kids and siblings - to share experiences and insight from our own study and lives. So good to hear from Mike, have Katie teach Whitney and Mara and hear Taylor’s testimony. We talked about how Jesus Christ replaces sorrow with joy and how “By small and simple things are great and things brought to pass.”

We enjoyed church with our Midway Ward from 12:00 - 2:00. After church we watched Walton videos and played games. I made Mongolian Beef for dinner and underestimated our numbers - there was barely enough. Everyone loved it.

After dinner we gathered in the living room and had a family meeting. Scott and Elisha had come up for dinner, Brian was back from attending his new ward, Ryan and Cassie were back from their visit with Spencer and Brinnley and their new baby Elsie and Dan had just returned from a visit with a dear college friend who had just lost a son the previous day. Dan started the meeting by sharing his experience being with his friend and sharing a text his friend had sent earlier that morning. It was so touching and Dan was emotional sharing the details of the their time together and his amazing faith through such an ordeal. After Dan we gave the kids an opportunity to talk about anything they experienced over the summer that they wanted to share. Taylor talked about his experience with HXP and how he lost his passport but was miraculously able to get a new one in record time, helping him learn that God was aware of him and his needs. Luke and Matt talked about FSY. Luke shared his feelings about several devotionals that were impactful — especially one that talked about masculinity and that Jesus Christ is THE MAN. He did such a great job expressing his feelings. James, Foster and Nate talked about Scout Camp. Leah talked about Girls Camp and Tennis. Emily talked about her job and multiple summer trips. Ryan opened up about their struggle with infertility. He asked for prayers and everyone was in tears. Katie talked about her HXP summer and everything she learned. Love God, Love People. Chris Silva talked about the struggles and blessings of being Bishop. It was such a good night. Later Scott expressed that he was sure my Dad was there too. So grateful for the time we have to share our experiences with each other. Definitely a highlight of the week.

Monday we enjoyed the Bridal Shower. Chris took Ryan, Luke, Matt and Brian out for Mexican and then shakes. We hung out at the pool for several hours and then enjoyed a big BBQ for dinner - put on by Grandma, Scott, Amy and families. Monday night we played the BEST new game. Someone closed their eyes in the middle while we decided who was going to start the dance moves. Once the music was on we all danced with the same move while the person in the middle tried to figure out who was leading. It was a dance party for sure - we definitely got our heart rates up and laughed a lot.

Tuesday we walked around Midway, headed to the pool again, played games, enjoyed a big pasta dinner put on my Carly, Brian and Sarah and celebrated Elisha’s birthday with presents and M&M’s for all.

Walton Bridal Shower at Lola’s - Monday, August 5th

Monday after long morning walks and gym workouts we headed to Lola’s for lunch with the girls. We moved the tables together, piled the presents on an extra chair and enjoyed our delicious salads as we talked, laughed and gave advice. So glad to be together and to support this Katie girl as she gets married. Missing Annie and Megan - who are both serving missions right now - but grateful to have Grandma, all the Aunts and Emily, Leah and Molly with us. Katie was given a super cute Minky blanket, cute pink lingerie, a handy first aid kit for the car, cute towels and from Amy… a hand-painted picture of the Red Cliffs Temple. Love it so much!

Pool Party with Waltons and the Bridal Party - Wednesday, August 7th

We packed up and left the Lodge on Wednesday morning. Emily and Luke travelled with Ryan and Cassie in Dad’s car and Matt came with Chris and I in the empty van. We headed straight to Springville to pick up pink and orange flowers at the wholesale shop, turned on the air conditioning and carefully drove them all the way to our place in Arcadia.

After finding good spots for them in the fridges we picked up some Benja Thai for dinner and then headed over to the Arcadia Pool to enjoy the evening. The kids loved the water slide and the lazy river and hot tubs. We swam and talked until 9:00 when the pool closed and then headed back to the house for more fun.

Pioneer Park with the Silvas - Thursday, August 8th

The Silvas were eager to make a morning at Pioneer Park part of their St. George trip. When I woke up I texted to see if they’d left and ended up driving over to meet them, which was so fun. Peter, Jane, Ali and Sam loved climbing and exploring and it was fun to show them the Lover’s Arch and point out the Red Cliffs Temple in the distance. Love this iconic place!

Wedding Week Golf Scramble - Thursday, August 8th

Chris did a great job organizing a fun golf scramble for the morning before the wedding. John, Nikole and Spencer from the Johnson side. Mike, Brian, Scott, Foster, Nate, James and Kate from the Walton side. Chris, Taylor, Katie, Ryan, Cassie, Luke and Matt from our family and so many bridesmaids and groomsmen to make it a party. Chris enjoyed using a golf cart to wander between the groups handing out donuts and gatorade and taking videos of all the fun.

After a Costco trip to pick up a few things and a Walgreens Photo pickup, I stopped by the golf course and Chris drove me around to take pics of all the groups. So much fun!

Bouquet Party with the Bridesmaids - Thursday, August 8th

After golf and lunch (and a trip to the pool with Grandma and Amy for me) the cute bridesmaids all met at the Arcadia house to put together bouquets. The sweet and talented Gill had graciously agreed to fly home from Europe, head down to St. George and quickly put together bouquets while simultaneously teaching all the gals to do their own. It was a joyful whirlwind of processing and arranging flowers to the Taylor Swift playlist in the background. Such a fun afternoon. Katie has the best bridesmaids!!

Out to see the New House and eat at Aubergine

Thursday night when Katie took off for her bachelorette party, we took the rest of the fam over to the new house for a quick 30 person tour. Fun to show anyone who’s interested! Then some of us including Grandma Walton, Brian, Shelley Nikole and Spencer (not pictured) headed to Aubergine to eat. One of our favorite places these days!

Katie’s Bachelorette Party - Thursday, August 8th

With all the bridesmaids in town for the wedding they decided to have the bachelorette party on Thursday night. Colored in pink they headed out to Pizzeria Limone for dinner and then back to Shelley’s house where the girls had decorated the living room with pink balloons and an adorable Dallie-made poster announcing that Katie was OFF THE MARKET. Diet Coke, Strawberries and blueberries, chocolates and chips and salsa to snack on. Emily put together a cute ‘ALL ABOUT KATIE’ quiz and gave out prizes: a Swig giftcard, Diet Coke and a signed picture of Katie and Taylor that was rightfully won by Gill. Sounds like a perfect night.

The Wrong Dress

Ryan came over to the other house where I was visiting with my siblings and announced… “The Bride needs you!” I headed back over to find Katie in her wedding dress but with a perplexed look on her face. I immediately put my hands up to my mouth and said, “What’s wrong?” “It’s the wrong dress”, she stated flatly. When Katie went to pick up the dress on Wednesday they told her that the dry cleaning was not up to their standards and needed to be done again. Taylor’s good family friends were happy to pick up the dress on Thursday morning on their way to St. George. After Taylor dropped it off tonight, Cassie wisely suggested that she try on the dress ‘just to be sure’. Only instead of Katie’s dress, it was a similar style but much larger and definitely not cleaned at all. Before coming to get me they had already called the Jacksons and arranged for a pick up of the right dress on Friday morning. Then Katie called Taylor and for just a few seconds had him worried as well. He did NOT believe her but when she persisted he quickly responded that he’d drive up there and get the right one immediately.

The Night Before - Thursday, August 8th

Right before bed we gathered our kids… Ryan, Cassie, Katie, Emily, Luke and Matt… into our room and enjoyed a few minutes to be with Katie before the hustle and joy of the next day. We took a minute to remember how we gathered the night before Ryan’s wedding and how this time we get to have Cassie with us! The kids took a minute to express their love and admiration for Katie - and talked a lot of their excitement to have Taylor be part of the family. We are just thrilled for Katie and Taylor and love them both so much. Chris gave Katie a tender Father’s Blessing and we ended with a group handshake and hugs. Love my people.

Sealing in the Red Cliffs Temple - Friday, August 9th

We loaded the flowers in the air conditioned van and Chris, Katie, Luke and I headed off to the temple. Luke stayed with the flowers and Chris joined Katie and I as we met with the Sealing Coordinator. Katie and Taylor headed off to meet with the temple president and then she and I entered the beautiful Bridal Rooms and put everything in her locker. She and Taylor met up for the elevators and were escorted upstairs to the ordinance room and then the celestial room while Dave and I (the escorts) met up with the rest of our guests in the waiting room. So fun to see my Uncle Jim and LeAnn and Jim and Susan there to show their support. We briefly gave hugs and said hi to some of our good friends before being quietly ushered upstairs to one of the large sealing rooms. Nancy and I sat on the plush chairs beside the bride and groom couches. Chris and Dave sat in the Witness chairs across from us. My mom sat beside me and Nancy’s mom sat by her — both of the grandma’s who had also been married on this very day - August 9th - years before. The chairs filled up on both sides as family and friends walked in and sat down. Looking around at everyone was pretty special. So grateful for all these people.

When Katie and Taylor walked in the room, it was silent and tears filled my eyes. The Sealer spoke of how this room exemplified their own Celestial Kingdom and encouraged Taylor to treat Katie like a Queen and that she in turn would treat him like a King. His words were heart and Spirit filled. After the sealing ceremony Chris and I and Dave and Nancy stood to hug and congratulate them. Then Grandma and Grandpa Hansen and Grandma Walton and Grandma Johnson. Then row by row aunts and uncles and friends came to congratulate them. It was beautiful and peaceful and an afternoon filled with so much love.

The Wrong Dress - Again

Romney had picked up the wedding dress from the rental place and Facetimed Katie. He unzipped the protective bag and showed Katie the sleeves and bodice. “Yep, that’s it” she verified. She pulled it out of the bag and put it on and as I zipped it up she said, ‘This isn’t the right dress.’ So close but not the same and still too big. Honestly doesn’t the company have a system to get the right dress to the right girl on the right day. It’s the whole job. Katie immediately said, “it’s ok. It’ll be fine” while she sent a quick text to the grills. Later people would remark that she handled the whole dress fiasco like a queen. I grabbed a huge section of fabric at the back trying to pull it in and the Sealing Coordinator immediately suggested pins. We added visible pins all the way down the back which definitely helped. Coming out of the temple she looked gorgeous.

Pictures outside the Temple

They were radiating as they came out of the temple - and our group of family and friends were melting in the heat of the afternoon St. George sun - 106 degrees I think — especially since they were waiting an extra couple minutes while we pinned up the dress. Our professional photographer captured their exit and then had everyone gather on the stairs for some group pictures. Everyone — then Taylor’s Side, then the Johnsons and the Waltons etc. Then they did some Bridal Party shots and then families in the shade.

Wedding Dinner at the Barn - Friday Night, August 9th

Chris and I took the kids and Gill straight over to the Venue and started prepping for the big night. Gill started working on flowers and we got bouquets and bud vases on every table. Cafe Rio Catering dropped off food at 5:15 and my new friend Emily from the ward, and Emmett and his mom Cassie helped us put everything out and replenish things as they became empty. It was quite the task and they were SO good to help. Emmett stayed until we had cleaned EVERYTHING up and was such a worker.

Family and friends gathered at 6:00 and it was so fun to visit with everyone. We sat at the head table with Katie and Taylor and Dave and Nancy. Emily, Luke and Matt sat at the table behind us with Carson, Hannah and Fisher. From there were tables of bridesmaids and groomsmen, Johnson adults and Johnson cousins, Walton adults and Walton cousins, Nancy’s parents and friends, my mom with Jim and LeAnn and Jim and Susan and cousin Jill. Our friends the Cooks, Jacksons and Theurers sat together with Romney. Adam and Marilee with John and Caroline. Wish I had more time to talk with everyone.

Chris stood to welcome everyone but was interupted with music and the super fun dancing entrance of the bridal party. What a blast. Chris announced each pair as they came in… Ryan and Cassie… Luke and Gill… Matt and Dallie… Joe and Abbey… Annie and Bryan … Natalie and Abrahm… Maggie and Josh… Hannah and Fischer… Emily and Carson… and then Katie and Taylor who ran to the front and high fived all of the bridesmaids and groomsmen. It was something that Katie thought up that morning and got everyone on board. So much fun!

Ryan said the blessing on the food and then Chris asked questions to which tables could respond. Correct answers got won the table the right to get in line for their dinner. I think everyone enjoyed the food.

Once everyone had their food, then Fischer and Carson started the SHOE GAME. Some of the little girl cousins sat on the floor right in front of them and shouted ‘yay!!!’ anytime Katie and Taylor both raised Katie’s shoe — like she had won. It was pretty cute.

Next we watched the LOVE STORY filmed and arranged by my brother Mike. It was so fun to hear how they met and became interested in each other. Mike through in some video clips of them throughout their dating months and ended it with a mini video to the song BLACK and WHITE by Niall Horne - which turned out so cute.

SPEECHES - Emily went first and did such a great job talking about how she and Katie are the perfect sisters - and how actually Katie is the perfect sister. At the end of her speech she introduced a surprise guest speaker from New York. Sister Megan Johnson had sent in a little speech of her own and it was ADORABLE. Lots of tears to hear from Megan. We sure missed her. Next up was Carson, then Annie and Fischer and then Gill. So so fun to hear from all of them.

Before Dave got up for the Dad’s speeches to begin, Nancy surprised everyone by standing up, grabbing her guitar and standing in front of the microphone. Taylor and Katie were stunned. Nancy had called and told me about it several weeks earlier and was thinking she might record it and create a video but I’m SO glad she ended up singing it live. She started with a beautiful explanation of how her parents and my parents were both married on August 9th and that a song about that practically writes itself. She paid tribute to all of the grandparents and the legacy that they passed on to Katie and Taylor. Then she sang. A verse about David and Mary making a promise on the 9th of August. A verse about Larry and —— making a promise on the 9th of August. And then a verse about Katie and Taylor. IT WAS AMAZING. She got choked up as she began to sing about Katie and Taylor which was so tender. Not a dry eye there. What a beautiful gift. When it was over Taylor ran up to give her a hug. So sweet. Definitely a highlight of the night.

Dave and Chris finished it up with speeches of their own. Such perfect words full of compliments, encouragement and advice. Katie and Taylor truly are so blessed to have such loving and supportive friends and family. It was such a beautiful night.

The Send Off - Friday Night, August 9th

As the evening came to an end Fisher and Carson handed out sparklers and we made long lines heading out to the couple’s decorated car. Dan got some great pictures of the two of them and the videographer got some great footage. Lots of chasing after their car as they drove out of the parking lot. It was the perfect day!

Preparing for the Reception - Saturday, August 10th

We packed up, dropped off some things at Shelley’s house and then headed north arriving at Adam and Marilee’s house at about 1:00pm. We immediately started helping Gill with flowers while Chris and Dave got to work on stringing lights around the yard. Nancy’s good friends brought in coolers of food and started cutting and arranging. They were so generous with their time and did a phenomenal job putting together beautiful platters for the table. So grateful to everyone for everything they did. Gill and friends arranged flowers. Annie and Katie headed to Provo to pick up the REAL WEDDING DRESS!! Marilee went on a SWIG run. Ryan picked up Chick-fil-A for a quick dinner for all of us. Abbey and Natalie helped with tables and chairs. And Nancy and I ran around making decisions and putting people to work.

Driving up into Provo County the clouds looked suspicious but the weather app assured no rain. The wind picked up and several times during the afternoon and we had a few off and on worrisome rain showers but nothing too bad. Now thick dark clouds threatened the horizon. We set up some things but waited to decorate the tables and talked through backup plans. Marilee came out and and suggested we say a prayer. All of us who were helping in the backyard gathered and Chris prayed that the weather wouldn’t interfere with the night we had worked so hard to plan. Within the next 45 minutes the black clouds heading straight for us literally parted and passed by on both sides of us. Later friends in Alpine said they got a long patch of heavy rain. So so grateful. At 6:00 with renewed hope in good weather we raced around finishing the set-up to get everything ready before family and friends arrived.

So grateful for everyone who helped!

The Reception - Saturday, August 10th

The Reception was absolutely perfect. The food was flawlessly set up, the gelato was popular and fun, the tables were darling and the lights made everything look sparkly and festive. It was absolutely Katie and Taylor’s vision and everything turned out so great. So many guests came to give their support and love. It was so much fun wandering from table to table and group to group talking with friends and hanging out with siblings and being introduced to Dave and Nancy’s friends and relatives. Loved visiting with Jared, Geneva and kids, Heidi Nelson, Ally and Mark Aston, Doug and Missy, Brian and Terri, Pete and Ali, Jon and Megan, Adam and Marilee, Uncle Mike and Aunt Jennifer and Elisa, Matt and girls. So many of Taylor and Katie’s HXP kids came to celebrate — even a few who FLEW IN to be a part of the fun. In all there were probably 35 kids! We had so much fun.

At about 7:30 Taylor’s friend announced the cutting of the cake - beautifully done by Leah. Then a bouquet toss - caught by .

Taylor and his Mom started off the first dance to the song ‘Landslide’ by the Dixie Chicks. Half way through Fisher invited all mothers and sons to join them on the dance floor. Loved this idea. Ryan quickly found me to dance — bringing back such fond memories of dancing with him three years ago at his reception. Then Katie and Chris danced to ‘The Best Day’ by Taylor Swift. Fathers and daughters joined them for the second half. So fun to see all my brothers and friends dancing with their daughters. Katie and Taylor danced to the acostics version of ‘Black and White’ by Niall Horan. So good!

Dance Party

And then the dance party began. It was SO MUCH FUN and everything that Katie hoped it would be. Katie and Taylor did a great job with the playlist and even shortened all of the songs so that the new beats kept the party going. Everyone LOVED it!

Send Off 2 - Saturday Night, August 10th

Once again we pulled out the sparklers and made a walkway out to Taylor’s decorated car. Holding hands amid a cheering crowd they slowly made their exit. What a night!

Once Katie and Taylor had driven off they send a voice recording to Nancy and I saying… “We just wanted to thank you for all of your hard work making this the perfect celebration. The past two days were everything we hoped they would be and we know it’s because of you. Love you so much.” Then they renamed the text threat — ‘best moms ever’. Such a sweet message to receive!

The After Party

Katie and Taylor had been going back and forth about jumping in the pool at the end of the reception but decided not to. The groomsmen and bridesmaids did, however, bring a change of clothes just in case. I guess my nephews Ben and Sam had been asking all night if they jump in and go swimming. At the end of the evening Elisha relented and said, go ask Marilee. He did and Marilee said it was ok as long as it was ok with their moms. As soon as they heard that they were in the pool with their church pants. Most of the other cousins followed suite and the bridal party jumped in as well - which was their plan all along. What an epic end to a perfect night!

Katie and Taylor - Wedding Week