2013 Wedding Guide

Supplement to the January 11, 2013

Page 2 2013 WEDDING GUIDE FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

Love finds Wasilla woman in AfghanistanFrontiersman.com

Some people trade how-I-meet-my-mate stories like other folks swap baseball cards and big fish tales.

But few people have a tale to top Jennifer Rachel Zimmerman and Ross David Moore’s.

Zimmerman, the daughter of Glen and Glynis Zimmerman and Sherry and Tom Whitstine, both of Wasilla, she gradu-ated from Colony High School in 2000 and earned her Bachelor of Science, dual major in Logistics/Supply Chain Management and Marketing from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2005.

Although she lives in Portland, Ore., now,

Zimmerman’s job as a project manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers took her to Afghanistan.

Across the country, Moore is the son of Juliana and Michael Cifello of Plymouth, Mass. He graduated from Bourne High School in 1998 and then served with the 3rd Recon Battalion, Okinawa Japan 3rd Marine Division 2003-06, and served in Iraq in 2005 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Moore and Zimmerman when he returned to Afghanistan to work as a security contractor for the U.S. government. The two hit it off immediately when Moore was the security detail assigned to Zimmerman’s project sites.

They both currently work in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and love to travel on their time off. They have traveled together to Ireland, the Netherlands, France, Rome, Florence, Dubai, Cape Cod, and Alaska and were engaged in Paris, France on Nov. 28, 2011.

Their international love story was cemented when the two eloped to Bora Bora, French Polynesia on Oct. 27, 2012.

The couple said they plan to move back to the U.S. after their deployment where they will cook, read and travel as they grow old together. Though they say they are open to another international adventure as long as they can continue to work in the same place.

Frontiersman.com

BIG LAKE — Fourteen years later, Donna Turner still remembers some early advice she got from a guy who at

the time owned a local radio station. She’d hired a DJ to announce her

bridal fashion show that first year and, she said, it was a “flipping disaster.” The DJ was constantly mixing up descrip-

tions of dresses, announcing one when another was on stage.

“John Klapperich came up to me and he said just a couple of sentences to me. He said, “Who knows these dresses better than you do? You should be on the mike.”

Since then she has been. And this year is the 14 th Annual Bridal Spectacular presented by her store, Donna’s Corner.

She said that this year’s spectacular will feature 30 vendors from caterers to photographers to athletic clubs and beauticians.

“At 2 o’clock I am putting on a fashion show where I’m going to show-case I think I’m right at 110 dresses,”

she said. “That’s also going to include guys in tuxedos.”

It’s also not just bridal wear — the flier for the show also promises evening wear including but not limited to “sassy prom dresses.”

Later in the afternoon, at 4 p.m., a Wasilla shop, C’est La Vie, will put on a show of casual and travel fashion.

Turner said that this year the show is at Creekside Lodge in Big Lake, which is a potential wedding venue folks can scope out when they attend.

“People can come and sample food

that the caterers will provide and the cake people,” Turner said. “They can also buy and purchase things.”

She said that like a lot of people in the wedding biz, she’s become kind of a jack-of-all-trades. In addition to the dresses she’s a wedding planner.

“I’m a full-service I”ve got everything here,” she said. “I go all over the state and I even go outside of the state.”

How’d she wind up going out of state?“It was people that came to Alaska for

somebody’s wedding and liked what I

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Photo by Dave Harbour

Sisters Alexis and Raylee Moore model dresses during Donna Turner’s 13th annual Bridal Spectacular at the Sheraton in Anchorage in 2012.

Wedding spectacular is 14th annualThe 14th Annual Bridal Spectacular is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jan. 12 at Creekside Lodge, 977 S. Kenlar, off Big Lake Road. The annual event includes more than 25 vendors, samples from

local caterers and wedding photographers. A Bridal Fashion Show is at 2 p.m. And a Casual Fashion Show is at 4 p.m.

Mat-Su Wedding Show is Feb. 24

Frontiersman.com

Alaska Bride and Groom’s 2013 Mat-Su Wedding Show is from noon to 4 p.m., Feb. 24 at Settlers Bay Lodge.

The Mat-Su Wedding Show is free a showcase for local wedding-related products and services and include fash-ion shows, door prizes.

Pre-register online at formstack.com/forms/?973961-C5AupZ4SH9.

For more information, contact Tosha Kelly at 562-9031 or tosha@alaska.net.

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The Valley is home to a range of venues offering stunning locations for your Alaska wedding. Here is contact information and a few details about local wedding venues:

ALPINE ROSE INN ALASKA3105 North Talbot CircleWasilla (907) 631-3048alpineroseinn.com

Bed and breakfast in Wasilla that also is available to host weddings, anniversaries, workshops, retreats or conferences.

AGATE INN4725 Begich CircleWasilla(907) 373-2290agateinn.com

Agate Inn provides luxurious suites, vaca-tion homes, comfortable spacious rooms, and

meeting facilities in a multi-building complex situated on 16 wooded acres.

BEST WESTERN LAKE LUCILLE1300 Lake Lucille Drive,Wasilla (907) 373-1776bestwesternlakelucilleinn.com

Lake Lucille is 362-acres of pure Matanuska-Susitna valley recreational opportunities. In the summer, dock your own floatplane, or takeoff on a spectacular flight-seeing trip from the docks. Amenities include walking trails, boating, fishing and riding Jet Skis.

ALASKA SUNSET VIEW RESORT5322 South Big Lake RoadBig Lake(907) 892-8885alaskasunsetviewresort.com/

Sunset View Resort offers waterfront accom-modations on Big Lake for executive business

retreats, sophisticated destination weddings, and memorable family vacations. Choose between three adjoining homes across eight manicured acres of pristine lakefront prop-erty, or reserve accommodations to fit your specific Alaska dream.

SETTLER’S BAY LODGE5801 Knik Goose Bay RoadWasilla(907) 357-5678settlersbaylodge.com

Settlers Bay Lodge offers guests a warm sophis-ticated atmosphere while taking in some of the most spectacular views in the Mat-Su valley. Amenities include a lounge, restaurant and banquet accommodations.

SNOW FIRE GARDENS3379 S. Inlet Vista CircleWasilla(907) 376-5390snowfiregardens.comSnowfire Gardens provides a lush and beau-tiful setting with flowing lawns surrounded by flower and rock gardens. Room for tents, seating nooks, and a game of bocce ball or croquet. Invite up to 100 guests and let the enchantment begin.

ALASKA STATE FAIRGROUNDS2075 Glenn HighwayPalmer(907) 746-7173alaskastatefair.orgAlaska State Fairgrounds is 300 acres of meeting spaces, buildings and entertainment venues that offer first class logistics, excep-tional Alaskan panoramas, and a top-notch staff. It’s an unbeatable combination.

EVANGELO’S RESTAURANT2530 East Parks HighwayWasilla(907) 376-1212

Evangelo’s Restaurant offers event catering and a banquet hall for weddings, receptions and other events.

Weddings - ReceptionsAlaska Aviation Museum

A unique and fun setting for your historic moment

907-248-5325

Call today for a free rental tour

*Indoor and outdoor space available*Located on the South Shore of Lake Hood in Anchorage*Caterer of your choice

www.alaskaairmuseum.org 4721 Aircraft Dr. Anchorage 99502XNLV69345

Four beautifully landscaped acres in a pristine wilderness setting. Includes lawns, waterfall,

� repit, � ower borders, and arbors.

Weddings, Anniversaries, Rea� rmations, Reunions, Company Picnics, Retreats

Phone: 907-376-5390e-mail: snow� re@mtaonline.net

www.snow� regardens.com

Snowfire GardensAn Outdoor Event Venue in the heart of the Matanuska Valley

“Picture Yourself Here”

Valley venues offer originality...

Photo courtesy Melissa Laggis/CIRI Alaska TourismTalkeetna Alaskan Lodge is the perfect venue for a truly Alaskan-themed wedding.

Continued on Page 7

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013 2013 WEDDING GUIDE Page 5

The Perfect Meeting Space

Club Meetings • Business Meetings • Dinner Parties • Wine Tastings • Weddings & More!

BIG LAKE’S NEWEST MEETING FACILITY!LAKESHORE ENTERTAINING & EVENT MANAGEMENT- 1000 sq. ft. with kitchen facilities, private bathroom &direct parking lot access. Located on the south side of East Lake Mall. Complete event planning & catering services available.

C O N TA C T U S T O D AY ! ( 9 0 7 ) 2 8 0 - 0 9 3 5 • l a k e s h o r e e n t e r t a i n i n g @ a l a s k a . n e t

LAKESHOREENTERTAINING.COM

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Spectaculardid so they hired me and flew me down.”

She said she had trouble believing that there weren’t competent wedding planners that could take her place Outside but she didn’t complain.

January might seem like an odd time for a bridal show but it puts her first on the bridal show calendar

for the year. Which means, of course, that for a lot of people she won’t be their only stop.

“I encourage people to go to all of the other ones because they’ll be back to me,” Turner said.

Contact reporter Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.

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AFFORDABLE CATERINGEvent services tailored to your speci� c needs

Andrea Thistle9900 West Parks HighwayWasilla, Alaska 99654

907-715-7013affordableak@gmail.com

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Photo by Dave Harbour

Samantha Ax models a gown during the 13th annual Bridal Spectacular.

IF YOU GO WHAT: Donna’s Corner’s 14th annual Bridal Spectacular

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 12, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Creekside Lodge, 977 Kenlar Road, Houston

Page 6 2013 WEDDING GUIDE FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

Frontiersman.com

With the vast expanses of scenery and wilderness

that Alaska has to offer, it’s no wonder we are also home to weddings and engagements that play to those strengths.

Take Jake Williams of Wasilla, for instance. His proposal required a plane and a pilot.

Lucky for him, his father Ethan Williams could provide both.

For quite a long time, Williams had wanted to propose marriage to his high school sweetheart, Johanna Zivotic of Willow. His inspired idea was

to propose to his future bride at the site of his family’s “special place,” where his mother’s ashes were scattered three years ago atop Sleeping Lady Mountain.

So father and son conspired to fly Zivotic on a supposed flying trip to the top of the mountain. When the senior Williams dropped Zivotic off on the mountain, it set the rest of his son’s romantic plan in motion.

“In this truly pristine Alaska setting, pink and yellow rose petals were strewn all over the ground,” the family wrote. “On one knee, Jake obtained his sweet-heart’s “yes,” a memorable ending

to their six-year courtship.”Johanna and Jake graduated

from the University of Northern Colorado magna cum laude in spring 2012 and plan to marry this summer after completing

their first year of graduate school in New York.

They are the children of Dr. David and Dagmar Hess of Willow and Ethan Williams of Willow.

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Cindi Heal Agency(907) 746 0505Mile 3.2 Palmer-Wasilla HwyPalmercindiheal@allstate.com

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• Large Banquet Room for up to 100 people• Catering available from our restaurant• 28 well appointed rooms• Convenient location in downtown Palmer• We’re smoke free!

918 S. Colony Way, Palmer(907) 333-9000www.EagleHote l .com

We Do WeddingsWe Do WeddingsWe Do WeddingsLet us work with you to

create your special day!

“Say Yes”

Bridal Salon

Call for more details(907) 376-3180

Out of area in state(800) 478-3180 www.arcticrosebridal.com

“Say Yes”to a higher level of personal attention while you shop for

your wedding gown!

Do you want to be pampered and treated very special while you are

preparing for your big day?We know you do, and we are ready to make your bridal and bridesmaid gown shopping

pleasant & memorable!

OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Monday-Saturday. Closed Sunday

Visit Arctic Rose Bridal Salonat the Mat-Su Wedding show at

The Settler’s Bay Lodge Sunday Feb. 24th from 12:00-4:00

Serving brides since 1984!

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Wasilla

Williams-Zivotic to wed after special proposal

Jake Williams and Johanna Zivotic of Willow atop Sleeping Lady Mountain.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013 2013 WEDDING GUIDE Page 7

Valley venuesPalmer Elks Lodge2600 North Barry’s Resort DriveWasilla(907) 745-3950palmerelks.org/

Palmer Elks Lodge offers event catering and a banquet hall for weddings, receptions and other events. Amenities include a dance floor, bar, views of Finger Lake and a banquet room.

Talkeetna Alaska Lodge23601 Talkeetna Spur Rd.Talkeetna(907) 733-9500talkeetnalodge.com/

Talkeetna Alaska Lodge offeres flexible facilities, Elite Gold certification, luxurious AAA Three-

Diamond accommodations and unparalleled service. Resting majestically on a bluff above the historic town of Talkeetna, the 640-acre site the lodge, provides world-class amenities, and Mother Nature has provided the perfect backdrop for your wedding. With 212 guest rooms, three beau-tiful outdoor settings and multiple indoor room options, the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge is the right choice for a wedding of any size.

Rainy Pass Lodge Rainy Pass (907) 733-2714theperrinsrainypasslodge.com

Rainy Pass Lodge is a fly-in only lodge. In the winter it caters to hunting parties, but in the summer id a picturesque spot for a wedding. Amenities include food, lodging and priceless views. 907-414-1682 or 315-4505

PARTIES • WEDDINGS • PROMamenities included - ice, cups and beverages

Rate: $75 per hour (2 hr. minimum) • Airport run $125 • No Gratuity Charged24 hour notice required on any reservation • Accept all major Credit Cards

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Continued from Page 4

Courtesy Rainy Pass Lodge

For a truly unique Alaska wedding, fly out to Rainy Pass Lodge.

ROBERT DeBERRY/Frontiersman.com

Close to town and equipped for a larger wedding is the Best Western Lake Lucille Inn.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Noon - 4:00 pm At Settlers Bay Lodge

For information call 907-868-9050

Pre-register atAlaskaBride.com

Presented by:

Free admissionHors d’oeuvres

PrizesFashion shows

Mat-Su

Wedding Show2013

Sponsored by: