They both said they would never date another vet student but Hannah says, “If exactly what you’ve been looking for is staring you right in the face, you can’t really walk away from it.” Hannah was in her first, and Tyler in his third, year of intense study in veterinary school when they started having casual dates. Around Valentine’s Day, they both began to consider this as more than just a friendship. Shortly after that, Tyler had shoulder surgery—Hannah was there. Tyler says it hit him, “I really have significant feelings for this girl.”
After a whirlwind of studying, classes and dating, they finally had some uninterrupted time together. When Tyler graduated, they took a two-week trip to Japan. “Everyone thought we would come back from that trip engaged,” Hannah says, “but we didn’t.”
On her birthday a month later, at Tyler’s family’s ranch, Hannah thought Tyler might propose. But he didn’t. The next day, Tyler prepared a horsepacking trip, and the two rode up into the high country with Tyler’s cousin and cousin’s girlfriend. When they set up camp, Tyler and Hannah walked to the spring for water. Hannah searched for good fishing spots. “I was still looking into the water when Tyler said my name and I turned around to see him on one knee,” Hannah says. He asked if she would marry him. “She asked if I was serious,” Tyler says, “and just about gave me a heart attack before saying, ‘Yes, of course!’”
That night Tyler made a campfire dinner for her—tri-tip, baked potatoes, fresh bread and corn. “We had an amazing night with our friends, just us and the horses and the stars,” Hannah says.
For a month they forgot about school and just enjoyed the time at the ranch. “It was amazing to be together in such a magical place,” Hannah says. “Those are some of the best memories of my life and some of the ones I turn back to when it’s really hard being apart.”
They planned their ranch wedding with Hannah still at school in Washington, and Tyler interning seven hours from the ranch. “We got married on some vacation time that I had scheduled at the beginning of my fourth year, and Tyler had to take a couple of his very precious five or six days off from his first internship,” Hannah says. “We got there, we got married, and we both left.”
On the wedding day, Hannah rode to the ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage. “Stepping off the carriage was like all of the worry fell away,” she says. “I didn’t even know there were other people there because the only thing I saw was him.”
Tyler waited for her on the raised platform under an arch. “They say ‘rendered speechless,’ and that’s a great term. I remember truly being expressionless,” he says. “Immediately following that was just a big swell of pride and happiness.”
In their self-written vows, Tyler said, “I’ll always be there, I’ll be her rock. I’ll be the one she can always come to no matter what.” Hannah’s vows were“so heartfelt that when I read them to him, I cried the entire time,” Hannah says.
When the ceremony concluded, Hannah exchanged her wedding shoes for cowboy boots. “We walked down the aisle,” Tyler says, “got her on her horse, and I got on mine, and we, as they say, rode off into the sunset.”
— Margaret Snider
First Dance Song
“When You Say Nothing At All” by Alison Krauss & Union Station
Father/Daughter Dance Song
“My Girl” by The Temptations
Mother/Son Dance Song
“She Sang Hymns Out of Tune” by Don Henley
Details about the cake
We chose a white cake with vanilla buttercream frosting and raspberry filling for our cake. We also had an assortment of other homemade cakes and pies for our guests.
Anything else you’d like to share about your wedding?
Hannah: The “worst” moment of our wedding day actually turned out to be one of my favorite memories of the day. We were getting ready to do sunset photos with our photographer and videographer in one of the pastures. Tyler and I decided to use one of the ranch golf-carts to get out there so I didn’t have to walk in my dress. I had to stand and hold my dress up while he drove so it didn’t drag on the ground. We were almost to the field when we heard a giant “RIP” sound. In an instant, I realized it was my dress and started screaming for Tyler to stop. Not only did he stop, but he slammed the brakes, leapt out, and ran around and was by my side faster than I have ever seen him move before. He helped me get my dress out from under the tire and immediately started assessing the damage. He was so fast and calm, I barely had a chance to be upset. And seeing him rush to my aid that way – I don’t think I could have loved him any more in that moment. (The dress ended up being fine, just a ripped bustle, and was fixed in a flash with a few safety pins.)
Any tips you’d give brides and grooms planning their wedding today?
Hannah: I highly recommend hiring a videographer! Our wedding video is one of our biggest treasures from our day.
Also, save yourselves some headache and heartache and find someone (NOT your mom or sister or future mother-in-law) to run the show on the day of your wedding. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, but find someone reliable with some common sense to handle all the last minute questions for you. Our wedding planner, Amanda, absolutely saved my wedding experience (and my mom’s and sister’s) by being there to take over the executive decisions so I could fully engage in and enjoy my wedding day.
Everyone says this and it’s true – it is YOUR day. Pick things YOU love and that represent who YOU are. That being said, sit down with your new fiancé and discuss the top three things that are important to each of you (ex. food, the dress, the tux, the bar, music, etc.) Focus your energy and budget on making the big things exactly what you want them, then tackle the rest of the details. This will help you prioritize and get the things that are really important to you just right.
Tyler: After getting the top 3 figured out exactly how you want, try to be a little flexible with the others – it will save you many headaches as things probably won’t go exactly according to plan.
What would you have done differently if you had the chance?
I honestly couldn’t be more thrilled with the way our wedding turned out. I remember sitting in our reception and looking around like I was seeing everything for the first time. I remember feeling in awe of the way things had all come together in the end to create the wedding we had always dreamed of and it was better than we ever expected.
Vendors
Ceremony Site:
Hunewill Guest Ranch Officiant:
Bob Skinner, Bride's stepfather Photographer:
Factory 404 Company Videographer:
HeavenSide Studios Wedding Planner:
Sierra Rose Events and Décor Reception Site:
Hunewill Guest Ranch Bridal Hair:
Nicki Holstrom at AlpenGlow Bridal Bridal Make-up:
Jenny Sickler at Jenny S Makeup Artist Bridal Attire:
Allure at Hart's Tux & Gowns Bridal Veil:
Harlow Brides Bridesmaids' Attire:
David's Bridal Flowergirl Attire:
Handmade Groom’s Attire:
JoS A. Bank Clothiers Groom’s Attire:
Knotty Tie Company (custom ties) Groomsmen's Attire:
JoS A. Bank Clothiers Groomsmen's Attire:
Knotty Tie Company (custom ties) Bride's Rings Jeweler:
Jared The Galleria of Jewelry Groom's Rings Jeweler:
Jared The Galleria of Jewelry Save the Date Cards:
Minted Invitations:
Zazzle Thank You Cards:
Michaels Wedding Party Flowers:
Carson Valley Florist Ceremony Flowers:
Carson Valley Florist Reception Flowers:
Carson Valley Florist Caterer:
Bella Vita Catering Bar Service:
Bella Vita Catering Cake:
Denice Elliott Desserts:
Denice Elliott DJ/Entertainment:
Sam Kerby Lighting:
Sierra Event Rentals Transportation/Limo Services:
Hunewill Guest Ranch Favors:
Totally Promotional Decor Rentals:
Sierra Event Rentals Decor Signage:
DIY Linens:
Sierra Event Rentals Additional Resources:
Harlow Brides (gown alterations) Additional Resources:
Sierra Event Rentals (dance floor, wine barrel bar, heaters)