FAQs
Question
Who will be changing their last name?
Answer
Both Rachel and Tom will be changing their names! Right now 'Smiothke' is top of the list but nothing is finalized yet. Stay tuned.
Question
If I take the train TO Ogden, how should I get back to the airport since the train doesn’t run on Sundays?
Answer
There are a few public and private shuttle service running from Ogden to the airport that would be a great alternative to a rental car. All the ones we’ve found are listed on the travel page of this site. You can check one of them out here: https://www.blackdiamondshuttle.com/salt-lake-city-airport-shuttle-2/
Question
Where will Rachel and Tom be staying for the wedding weekend?
Answer
We’ve chosen to stay at the Marriott. As Epic employees we’ve come to know and love-ish them.
Question
What about COVID?
Answer
We will be requiring a full vaccination status to attend our wedding for anyone without a medical exemption and keeping it open to our discretion. At this point we have not yet decided whether we will be requiring masks or negative tests in addition to the vaccine, keep checking back as we continue to update the site!
Question
How did Tom and Rachel bring their values to the wedding planning arena?
Answer
Buying from local businesses, producing less waste, and living more sustainably are important values to Tom and Rachel. They have tried to embody this as they plan their wedding... for example, sending out only one hard copy communication, working closely with their caterer to develop a plant-based and locally sourced menu, contracting with a local black-owned, woman-owned business to host the bar, and asking bridesmaids to wear thrifted or already owned dresses. Tom and Rachel would LOVE to tell you more about their vendors and the other local businesses they work with in their day to day lives in Salt Lake City since they've have had so much fun developing relationships with these cool and talented people. Not sure how something in the celebration is sustainable or local? Let Tom and Rachel know, they want to demonstrate how easy it is to make small changes that have a big impact.
Question
Why will there be no meat or animal products served at the reception?
Answer
Almost exactly 5 years ago, Rachel quit meat 'cold turkey' so to speak. This was pretty much a huge surprise to everyone who knew her as a creamy cupcake baking, steak tartar eating, meat enthusiast. But, after reading the staggering statistics about water use and green house gas emissions associated with animal agriculture, Rachel could no longer justify meat eating lifestyle. Replacing just one 'omni' meal with a plant-based one can reduce water impact by 50% and green house gas emissions by about 42%. That is HUGE. Rachel is proud to know that her lifestyle does impact the way her friends and family eat - when she's there and when she isn't. Tom and Rachel hope your experience with a plant-based meal at our wedding will help encourage you to consider changing the way you eat too, even if its just once a week! Want some resources on the impacts of a vegan diet and some ideas on how to get started? Please ask!
Question
So what is the actual deal with the ring?
Answer
Since they started dating, Tom and Rachel have enjoyed playing the jewelry game. They check out the items in windows as they walk by and guess which items each would pick. This is how Tom began designing the ring, by showing Rachel options and playing the guessing game! Really important to Rachel, in the design of the ring, was to use as little new material as possible. Aside from the primary alexandrite stone (lab made), all gems in the ring are repurposed from older pieces. Rachel additionally helped push for the hidden halo supporting the primary stone. Important to Tom, in the design of the ring, was to use his mom's diamond. Tom and Rachel both feel very honored to remember Sharon in the design of the ring.
Question
Where will Rachel get her dress?
Answer
With just a few updates and repairs, Rachel will be wearing her Mom's wedding dress from 1989! With that said, Rachel can't give away too many more details or it will ruin the surprise for Tom!
Question
Why Ogden?
Answer
You might be just as surprised by the wedding location as Tom and Rachel are. Before 2020, the two never could have imagined moving back to the states and into a home in SLC! But with family in the area, and some extra help needed at home, here we are! Salt Lake City is great for its culture, food, and drink scene, but its more expensive and venues were much less responsive so Tom and Rachel decided to venture out of the big city, seeing venues in both Ogden and Provo. Through these visits, and through some dates up in the Ogden mountains, Tom and Rachel began to fall in love with Ogden and the charm of its main street. Not to mention we thought the venue fit our style and vision better than anywhere else we saw!
Question
Where will Afonya and Pekoe be celebrating?
Answer
Great question. Rachel and Tom still need to figure that out. Rachel's not sure why they aren't celebrating with us in person though...