“In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities.” -- Janos Arnay
When Jamie and I were discussing wedding plans, the location of our wedding was never in question. Yellowstone National Park is the only place we ever considered for our perfect day.
There were some logistical issues to deal with since I have been on the road traveling the rodeo circuit and couldn’t oversee several of the key factors that go into putting on a wedding. For example, you need a cake, chairs, preacher, music, etc.
Our wedding was to be small and simple, yet elegant. We overcame all obstacles thanks to great friends and family. Jamie’s family passed through Cheyenne two days prior to the wedding to pick up our wedding cake provided by expert cake decorator, Mrs. Deb Hottle. With our cake on dry ice, the Jordan clan headed north to Yellowstone. While the cake was in route, my good friend Rick Hoeninghausen, of Xanterra Parks and Resorts, was working hard to ensure we had chairs and transportation. When I say transportation, I mean first-class transportation that can only happen in Yellowstone.
Jamie and I sent a handful of invitations out prior to the event stating our ceremony would take place in Yellowstone’s famous Hayden Valley. Well that all changed after we arrived in the park and found a beautiful location on Lake Yellowstone known as Gull Point Shore. So it was off to the park headquarters to adjust our outdoor wedding permit. I’m sure everyone was thrilled to learn of the last minute move but one thing is for sure, the only thing that never changes is change itself.
With Rick’s help, we were able to connect with Mr. Lee, our minister and Lincoln, our guitar player. I certainly needed to contact them regarding the location change. For some reason having a minister to officiate the wedding is more important than cake and chairs no matter how good the cake is!
In the knick of time, it all started to fall into place. But the highlight of the wedding, besides marrying your soul-mate, came in the form of a phone call. Rick called at 8am on the morning of the wedding stating he was able to arrange to bring one of the historic Yellowstone Yellow Buses (touring car) to our wedding. In addition, the yellow bus would also serve as transportation for Jamie and her parents to the wedding followed by our departure to Hayden Valley.The ceremony was just what we were looking for; small and simple yet elegant. The weather was perfect with the bluest of skies. The scenery was certainly the best in the world and we were surrounded by friends and family. The yellow bus was the perfect touch and most importantly Jamie and I were able to start the first day as Mr. & Mrs. Jeremy Sparks together.
Following our return from Hayden Valley we arrived at the Lake Hotel dining room to have a wedding day feast. Lake Hotel was created in 1891 to entice the white collar people living in the east to travel west. Still to this day Lake Hotel provides the most elegant dining in Yellowstone.
When our dinner was complete our waitress informed us that the bill had been paid. When we inquired further we were handed a note that read: “May the Lord bless you and keep you and may His face shine upon you give you peace.” It was signed by our friends Bo and Marita Jackson. How sweet and thoughtful.
Thank you to everyone who traveled to be a part of this special occasion. Thanks to all who spoiled us with gifts but a special heartfelt thanks to Rick H. for proving that in our Yellowstone wedding there were no impossibilities. Simply put, we couldn’t have done it without him.
Enjoy the photos taken by our photographer and good friend, Cody Brinton. You can see more of Cody’s work at www.thewayeyeseeit.com
If marriage is in your future I encourage you to look no further than Yellowstone for that perfect place to say “I Do.” The scenic backdrop of Yellowstone National Park is simply amazing. You can return to Yellowstone year after year and recall memories that will last a lifetime. I already look forward to our return to Gull Point Shore.
Forever West,
Jeremy
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