Erika Hogan and Carl Rixon
August 15th, 2015
Black Bear Ranch
Black Bear Ranch
A love of skiing was what first brought local Carl Rixon together with his New York bride, Erika Hogan. They connected at the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002, then, after 13 years as friends—racing, coaching and otherwise ripping around the slopes together—they tied the knot in Sun Valley in 2015. Their wedding was a combination of skiing traditions (they had skis at the altar and on their cake, and Sun Valley Ski Team alpine director, Scott McGrew, married them) with a scenic and rustic Idaho-style ranch wedding. They now plan to call Sun Valley their home, and Baldy their playground, forever.
(They are probably the fastest combined skiing couple in the Valley, so if you don't see them flying down Frenchman's, you can probably find them celebrating a win in Apple's Bar and Grill!)
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE SUN VALLEY?
We chose Sun Valley for a few reasons. One, it is where Carl was born and raised. We also feel that this is where we are going to spend the rest of our lives and raise a family, so it was exciting to gather in the place we are going to call home for the rest of our lives.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Erika is from Holmes, New York. It is a small town in upstate New York, about an hour and a half from NYC. Carl is from Ketchum and has never really lived east of the Big Wood River until he met me!
OCCUPATIONS?
Erika is the Head North Series coach at the SVSEF, Career Development Director & Strength and Conditioning Supervisor. Carl is part-owner of Burks Excavation.
HOW DID YOU MEET?
We met in 2002 at the Salt Lake City Olympics. Our paths crossed due to ski racing. When I moved to Sun Valley we met up again (still just as friends) until the timing was right in 2013. We had been coaching together for a few years, so we spent a lot of time together. However, friends we stayed until we were both single and quickly realized that just skiing together was not enough for us!
HOW DID YOU GET ENGAGED?
We spent a month in Europe working/exploring in 2015. It was actually an extremely bad snow year, but we got some powder on December 26th, and Europe felt like a winter wonderland. We went to explore Reiteralm, Austria, one of many resorts surrounding where we were staying. However, the timing was right and in the middle of a powder run Carl dropped a knee and asked me to marry him. My response may not have been what was expected (the exact words were, “Are you f***ing kidding me!”), but nonetheless perfect.
NUMBER OF GUESTS?
225
WHAT WAS YOUR WEDDING THEME?
It was at a little “ranch-esque” home–horses and mountains surrounding us, groomsmen and bridesmaid wore cowboy boots, and I guess you could call it "rustic."
ANY SPECIAL TRADITIONS?
Not many traditions other then making sure to recognize our parents for not only helping us become who we are but supporting us in every way possible by gifting them roses during our ceremony. We did do our first dances–Erika with dad, Carl with mom, and us together. We also cut the cake. I (Erika) was very reluctant and did not want to do the garter tradition, but my mother caught me at a vulnerable moment and I caved. However, it was extremely entertaining as my husband got very into it!
SONG THAT YOU WALKED DOWN THE AISLE TO?
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
SONG FOR YOUR FIRST DANCE?
“Making Memories of Us” by Keith Urban
HOW DID THE NIGHT END?
The night ended with lots of friends gathered around the fire pit. It was great to be with our guests closing down the night, but one of the more memorable moments was when everyone departed and Carl and I reflected on the night by the fire pit. There were so many great moments and we were grateful to have that time together to think about how amazing the night was.
WHERE WAS YOUR HONEYMOON?
We did not go on a honeymoon. We hope to eventually, but since we travel a lot and spent a month in Europe together last winter, where we got engaged, we figured we have been on a honeymoon since we started dating. We hope to go on a proper one eventually, but according to Carl, “We live in Sun Valley, so we are always on a honeymoon!”
WHAT MADE YOUR WEDDING SO SPECIAL?
Everything made our wedding extremely special. It was such a magical day. The family and friends that gathered to celebrate with us were amazing. But to top it off, the whole event was put on mostly by people we know, all the way from our wedding planner, officiant, food, cake, flowers, wedding video, wine, guest favors, to a good friend playing acoustic guitar to make the walk down the aisle stress-free. We couldn’t have done it without them! The band Marmalade Hill was a hit also. They kept our guests warm since it was such a cool evening. The fire pit or the dance floor were the only places to be. Thank goodness they were so good!
WHAT WAS THE BRIDE’S FAVORITE MOMENT?
There were so many great moments, it is hard to chose just one. But I thought the ceremony was better than I could have ever imagined. I was having nightmares about walking down the aisle, mainly because all eyes would be on me. But, with my parents on each arm, and knowing that Carl was waiting for me up there, my mind was put at ease. Scott McGrew, our officiant, did an amazing job of painting the most beautiful picture with his words. The cutest part of the ceremony though was Carl’s eyes–they were damp with tears of joy and the biggest smile on his face. I could not have asked for anything more.
THE GROOM’S?
Seeing Erika for the first time in her wedding dress, walking down the aisle, out-did any expectations.
D.I.Y PROJECTS? GUEST FAVORS?
My mom, myself and bridesmaid Nikki made the napkin holders. It was fairly simple and not very labor intensive. Kind of fun to have something we made there. Our guest favors were trucker hats printed by our good friend Kim and Tommy Eckfeldt with our wedding logo made by good friend Jordan Fitzgerald.
TIPS FOR SOMEONE PLANNING A SUN VALLEY WEDDING?
You never know what you’re going to get especially when it comes to weather. No matter the situation; rain, sun, smoke, hot, cold, do not worry. It is Sun Valley and will be amazing no matter what. It is about the people you surround yourself with.
