Lexie Praggastis & John Reuter
August 16, 2013
Originally Galena Lodge
Moved to Bride's Family Residence in Elkhorn
(due to the Beaver Creek Fire)
The looming flames of the Beaver Creek Fire threatened to ruin this wedding for local Lexie Praggastis and her fiance, John. Luckily, they were able to move the 130 people who braved the smoke, the tables, chairs, flowers and food from Galena Lodge to Lexie's family home in Elkhorn. At the end of a stressful day, they had realized that "the day is about celebrating your love and being with family and friends–the rest is just details."
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WHY DID YOU CHOOSE SUN VALLEY?
It is where Lexie grew up and where we fell in love. Most of our favorite times have occurred in this Valley and we couldn’t imagine a better place to get married. We also wanted to share this Valley with all of our friends and family, so a wedding was a great opportunity to get them to travel out here.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Lexie grew up in the Valley and John is from Bethel, Maine.
OCCUPATIONS?
Lexie currently is a chemistry teacher at Community School but is in the midst of a career change into the conservation field. John owns his own company, John Reuter Greenworks, which specializes in home energy analysis.
HOW DID YOU MEET?
John skied on the Bates College ski team with my (Lexie’s) sister, Alissa, and he came to Sun Valley most summers in college to train and work at the Elephant’s Perch. When I graduated from Colby and moved back home for the winter, John was working at Galena Lodge and it was my sister who reintroduced us. We started skiing together and it evolved from there.
HOW DID YOU GET ENGAGED?
We had skied into my grandparent’s cabin at Petit Lake for New Year’s with some friends. At midnight John said he wanted to go out on the dock (mind you it was probably -10˚ outside) and when we got out onto the dock, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. He had a ring box that had a piece of paper with an IOU for a diamond ring—he wanted me to have a say which ring I got. It was very sweet and incredibly special.
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NUMBER OF GUESTS?
Well, originally it was supposed to be 160, but then because of the Beaver Creek Fire it was probably down to 130-ish. Originally, it was set at Galena Lodge, but we had to move the entire wedding to Lexie’s parents’ backyard in Elkhorn when the fire got too close.
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ANY SPECIAL TRADITIONS?
I guess the only tradition that we did not intend to have was that I got married in the same place as my two siblings—in my parents’ backyard.
SONG THAT YOU WALKED DOWN THE AISLE TO?
“Canon in D” by Pachelbel
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SONG FOR YOUR FIRST DANCE?
“Swept Away” by The Avett Brothers
HOW DID THE NIGHT END?
Again, we were originally going to stay up at the Honeymoon Yurt at Galena Lodge but because of the venue change and the fire, we ended up just staying in my old room at my parents’ house.
WHERE WAS YOUR HONEYMOON?
We went up to the Pahsimeroi Valley for a few days after the wedding to get out of the smoke with the intention of going on a “real” honeymoon this spring. We went sea kayaking for seven days in the Bahamas, camping, snorkeling, and fishing on all these little cays. It was incredible.
WHAT MADE YOUR WEDDING SO SPECIAL?
We both were truly blown away that all the most important people in our lives were there in one place to celebrate. It was so wonderful to see all your friends and family together and enjoying the moment. I’ve never had so much fun.
WHAT WAS THE BRIDE’S FAVORITE MOMENT?
I really liked walking down the aisle. I didn’t necessarily know what the venue was going to look like and how it was going to come together, since we had to put it together just a couple of hours beforehand, and so seeing that we had tablecloths and chairs and flowers was pretty exciting. Even more so, I was just really excited to see everyone gather in one place and see John waiting there. I was so happy!
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THE GROOM’S?
When the last “I do” was said because all of the build-up and the nervousness was done and the only thing to do next is to have fun with your new wife, your family and friends.
TIPS FOR SOMEONE PLANNING A SUN VALLEY WEDDING?
It is really important to put things into perspective sometimes. It is so easy to get lost in the details and get stressed over table arrangements or guest lists. Especially because of the fire, we told ourselves that if, at the end of the day we were married, then it was a successful day. That was the whole point, and your friends and family are going to have a wonderful time celebrating with you regardless of whether everything is perfect. The day is about celebrating your love and being with family and friends, the rest is just details.
VENDOR LIST:
WEDDING PLANNER: Amanda Seward of Absolute Weddings
FLOWERS: Sue Bridgman Florist
HAIR/MAKEUP: Danielle of Vertu Hair Salon / Noelle Hodge-Willet
LINENS: Barbara’s Party Rentals
DRESS/SHOES: Junko Yoshioka / Cowboy Boots
GROOMS ATTIRE: Sheepskin Coat Factory Rental
BRIDESMAIDS/GROOMSMENS ATTIRE: J Crew / Sheepskin Coat Factory Rentals
MUSIC: Chip Booth and Peter Boice for cocktail hour / DJ Lenny Joseph
FOOD: Galena Lodge
DESSERT: Patticakes
INVITES: Minted
PHOTOGRAPHER: Kirsten Shultz
VIDEOGRAPHER: Charlie Webster
OFFICIANT: John Moreland
