Real Weddings

Real Wedding: Kathryn Morris and Hans Frederick Schettler

Real Utah Wedding | June 25, 2011 | Photos by David Newkirk Photography

By Tessa Woolf July 1, 2012 Published in the June 2012 issue of Park City Magazine

NAMES Kathryn Morris and Hans Frederick Schettler LIVE IN Seattle, but lived in Salt Lake City while engaged OCCUPATIONS She is studying medical speech-language pathology in grad school at the University of Washington; he is a data center facilities administrator HOW THEY MET Their best friends set them up on a blind date WEDDING THEME Dia de los Muertos, inspired by a trip to Mexico City. They wanted their wedding to reflect that city’s energetic atmosphere, rich colors, and lively mood. They also liked the romantic notion that “Love never dies.” DÉCOR DETAILS Papel picado, tissue paper flowers, papier-mâché skeletons, and flowers arranged in vintage Mexican tins and bottles with Loteria cards FAMILY ELEMENT The officiant led the couple in a Celtic Handfasting ritual; their hands were tied together with the bride’s grandmother’s necklace while they exchanged the vows they had written FAVORITE CEREMONY MOMENT A close friend from Mexico City read a Pablo Neruda poem RECEPTION MENU FAVORITES Taco bar and quesadilla, tamale, and chile verde stations with Mexican beers, margaritas, horchata, and tamarindo DESSERT Mexican wedding cookies, and fresh sopaipillas and churros made on-site HOW THEY MADE THE DAY THEIR OWN Instead of champagne, tequila shots followed the bride’s father’s toast PHOTO BOOTH Guests posed in front of a backdrop designed to look like a Mexican novios shadow box FAVORS Colorful candles with gracias tags THE DAY IN THREE WORDS Celebratory, vibrant, unforgettable HONEYMOON Europe, with stops in Paris, the Rhine Valley, Florence, and Cinque Terre