Denali

Rob Whitney created an arch for Jeff & Kikkan out of old skis.
The afternoon turned out to be beautiful and you could see Denali behind them through the arch. The ceremony was on the back porch of the Talkeetna Lodge looking out over Talkeetna toward Denali.

Erik Flora, marry-er, & Jeff Ellis, groom.
I'm not sure what you call someone who marries two people if he isn't a reverend or justice of the peace type person. Anyway, Erik was temporarily ordained to marry Jeff & Kikkan, had some fabulous things to say and for once didn't talk any longer than I wanted him to.

Kikkan being escorted to the alter by Ron Randall.

After the ceremony the wedding party exited down the aisle under an archway of ski poles festooned with ribbons. Most of them had ski baskets but the one with the rollerski ferrule made me laugh.

Kikkan's gown, very gorgeous, with pink swirly designs across the bust and down one side, scrunched across the torso and a modest train which got pinned up after the ceremony.

The back of the dress laced up beautifully. Kali, Kikkan's sister, made Kikkan's necklace as well as some of the bridesmaids' jewelry.

The wedding cake along with cake knife and server & champagne flutes, all encrusted with swarovski crystals (this was the winter that I learned both that swarovski crystals existed and that they are très fashionable).



Jeff and Kikkan were so perfect I could hardly stand it.




The guest favors were adorable cartons which you could fill with your choice of pink and platinum themed candies.

Taz even got some salsa lessons from her brother during the reception inside the lodge.

I think Arduser summed it up best when she said it was the happiest wedding. Kikkan & Jeff were the perfect hosts, serene and gracious with time for everyone without even a hint of flustered. I'm not particularly sentimental and I hate clichés so I'm having a hard time coming up with my next sentence. Kikkan and Jeff were radiating love, you could tell they were the perfect match for each other, they floated, they were oblivious to anything else but each other while at the same time being hyper-aware of everything and everyone around them and savoring every detail of their wedding experience... are they still clichés if they're true? I have never been happier on behalf of one of my friends than I am for Kikkan and Jeff. Absolutely no jealousy or resentment, none of those selfish twinges that too often tarnish our pleasure at our friends' successes, just pure joy in their happiness. I was also caught off guard by how proud of them I felt. I'm incredibly proud of Kikkan and Jeff for prioritizing each other the way they do, making choices together and treating each other every day with compassion. On the glacier, on ski trips, on separate continents over skype, the empathy that they have for each other is beautiful.

Denali reflected in my wine glass.




Kate Arduser rollerskiing past the Roadhouse Saturday morning in Talkeetna, Alaska.