Couple has unexpected winter wonderland wedding
For better or for worse.
Every married couple, or those about to embark on wedlock, are familiar with those words.
For the newly married Dustin and Savannah Johns, "for worse" started before they said their vows Saturday in the middle of Winter Storm Atlas, that buried Chadron and the rest of the northern Panhandle under a blanket of heavy, wet snow, reduced visibilities and left a trail of damage in its path.
Dustin and Savannah planned to be married at Chadron State Park Saturday, with a reception to follow at the Chadron Arts Center. The couple, who live in Dallas, Texas, had to scramble at the last minute to move all of the festivities to the Arts Center.
The subject of snow came up during the wedding planning phase. Dustin, born in Manhatten, Kans., but raised in Dallas, asked if there was a chance it would snow in Chadron in early October. Bride Savannah, a 2005 Chadron High graduate and a 2010 Chadron State graduate, assured him that while possible it was unlikely. And if it UGGS Clearance Sale Outlet did snow, it would probably be just a little dusting of snow.
That didn't sound too bad to Dustin.
"I was actually praying for snow, but I just wanted that little bit," he said. "Yep, this gentleman from Texas was praying for snow," Savannah said.
Earlier weather forecasts predicted temperatures in the 60s, and it looked like Dustin's dreams of snow weren't to materialize. But by mid week, forecasters were saying a nasty blizzard was bearing down on the area, and the couple and their family scrambled to make alternate plans.
The rehearsal dinner turned into a "blizzard party" with 30 people and five dogs at Savannah's mother's home and a barbecue going in the backyard while the storm raged around them.
Many of Dustin's family from eastern Nebraska and Kansas were unable to attend the wedding due to the blizzard. One uncle was classic short sparkles ugg boots clearance one of the last travelers through, as they closed the highway he was traveling right behind him. Savannah's hairdresser UGG UGG Boots Clearance Boots Clearance was caught in the storm and unable to keep her appointment, and Chadron State College, charged with catering the wedding reception was unable to deliver the meal. The family had to pick up the food themselves and made do with Styrofoam plates and plastic silverware rather than the fine china they'd planned.
Pastor Grant Curtis was stranded in the storm with his family, with no heat, water or electricity. Savannah's family ventured out to try to bring him to town, and had a back up minister on standby. Savannah's stepsister and bridesmaid is dating an ordained minister, and the couple put him on notice that he may have to fill in.
"He was ugg boots classic tall sand for women in here frantically typing something up," Dustin said. "He's never married anybody."
They hastily purchased additional decorations to turn what was supposed to be the reception area only in to a wedding/reception area. Photographer Crystal Bach took pictures in the snow at the courthouse and improvised other pictures in front of a neighbor's garage. The wedding party trooped through the snow holding Savannah's dress out of the muck, a boutinere got ran over by a snowplow, and the bridesmaids donned glittery Ugg boots purchased at the last minute. Snow from a tree landed on top of Savannah's head, though her veil caught most of it and she was able to shake it out easily.
When the couple finally lined up to head down the aisle an hour later than planned the stars aligned and everything went smoothly.
"I couldn't have asked for a better wedding," Dustin said. "We were just happy to be married," Savannah agreed.
Of the planned 75 guests, 58 were able to attend.
"We'll definitely remember this day forever," Savannah said. "It's funny now, but it wasn't then."
The couple missed their planned honeymoon at Sylvan Lake Lodge at Custer, in part because the roads were closed, but also because their car broke down on the way to Chadron for the wedding. Instead, they spent their first days as husband and wife helping shovel snow and pick up downed trees. They plan to use the money saved on the Sylvan Lake trip toward a future trip to Costa Rica.