Lauren and Jeff Hutton met when they were 12 years old, but didn’t become good friends until high school. However, after graduation they went to different universities and tended to each go their own way.
After earning their degrees, they returned to their hometown and their relationship truly began.
After three years, they had a memorable December; their daughter was born and, on Christmas day, they got engaged. They say it was the “most eventful and love-filled month we’ve ever experienced”.
They both wanted a “homegrown” wedding. They were married at a private family ranch and the decorations were carefully chosen to fit the environment. Lauren designed her own dress and had it made locally.
Their guest favours were soap, each handmade by Lauren’s brother’s girlfriend. The dinner was home cooked by their families. Their “cake” was a homemade lemon meringue pie made by Lauren’s grandmother and supported by a variety of other pies. And the wine at the reception was bottled and produced by the couple.
They weren’t derailed by the rain. They had rented 10 “just in case” tents and their guests all pitched in to set them up when the rain came. The result may have been soaked decorations, tablecloths and chairs along with wet hairdos and clothes, but also ended up with fun and laughter as everyone came to the rescue.
It was a happy time and Lauren and Jeff say, “Our love story may not have been the most traditional, but we wouldn’t change a moment of it.”
Photographer: Jamie Delaine
Ceremony location: Private family ranch
Reception décor: DIY
Gown: Made by Jill McKinnon in Ladner
Bridesmaid dresses: Blaire Dress
Hair: Brooke Reid
Favours: Soap from KD Soap Co.
Flowers: Our Little Flower Company
Invitations: Etsy (Connie and Joan)
Originally published in Today’s Bride magazine, Spring/Summer 2017.
