1. Real Weddings

A Simple Modern Wedding at Alex Johnson in Rapid City, South Dakota

Matt (41 and the COO of BriceHouse Inc.) and Paul (36 and a teacher at Warren-Walker School) met in the restroom of a local bar on a sunny Sunday afte

Matt (41 and the COO of BriceHouse Inc.) and Paul (36 and a teacher at Warren-Walker School) met in the restroom of a local bar on a sunny Sunday afternoon in San Diego. They had a quick chat and exchanged numbers, making plans to get together later in the week. They met up that Friday at The Tractor Room, Matt’s favorite restaurant, where “the conversation was fresh, entertaining, and filled with laughs,” they say. Matt and Paul started formally dating by the end of the summer, spent Christmas together, and got engaged that April in Lake Tahoe, where Matt popped the question. The wedding was held in Matt’s hometown of Rapid City, South Dakota at Alex Johnson, a historic hotel in the heart of the city with easy accessibility for guests to tour the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, and Crazy Horse. The couple incorporated a fall color scheme for their November wedding with warm hues of gold, cream, yellow, orchid, sangria, and navy blue for contrast. Navy groomsmaids carried nontraditional straw bouquets, while small centerpieces showcased seasonal flowers, including bright sunflowers. Instead of a rehearsal dinner, a two-hour cocktail hour at Vortex Bar hosted by Paul’s parents featured a 360 degree view of the city. The wedding reception had a farm-to-table menu and an open bar with the grooms's favorite cocktails: vodka sodas and Bullet Bourbon. For an extra original element, Matt and Paul had a large donut tower in lieu of a traditional wedding cake. “We had a fun wedding because we kept it small enough that everyone invited felt special,” they say. “All in all, everyone felt loved and so did we!”

Matt accessorized his Ted Baker wedding suit with a navy bow tie from Ted Baker and brown leather shoes from Doucal's.
While Matt wore a Ted Baker suit and Hugo Boss bow tie, Paul wore the opposite--a navy Hugo Boss suit with a plaid blue and purple Ted Baker tie. Paul also wore brown leather shoes from To Boot New York by Adam Derric.
Blue and Purple Plaid Ted Baker Groom's Tie
The groomsmen wore black suits, while the grooms wore navy blue to match the groomsmaid dresses. The women wore matching full-length, sleeveless gowns by Vera Wang accessorized with Givenchy jewelry.
Instead of traditional floral bouquets, the bridesmaids carried thin, rustic stalks of wheat for a chic and unconventional accent against their navy dresses.
Blue and Gold Modern Reception Venue at Alex Johnson Hotel
Matt and Paul wanted seasonal fall flower arrangements with a warm color palette. They went with a variety of red and orange flowers, including roses and berries for texture, as well as large sunflowers and lush greens.
In lieu of a traditional wedding cake, Matt and Paul had a donut tower with treats from local bakery, Jerry's Cake and Donuts, which they served after a formal dinner of pork loin and filet mignon.
Matt, dressed in his formal wedding tuxedo, danced with his mother at the elegant reception at Alex Johnson Hotel. Following the reception, the happy couple rented a bus and took their eighty-eight guests on a tour of Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. "We had a fun wedding because we kept it small enough that everyone invited felt special," they explain.
Before the wedding, Paul's parents held a two-hour cocktail hour instead of a formal reception so that guests had an opportunity to mingle. The Vortex Bar had a gorgeous panoramic view of Rapid City to welcome guests to their hometown.