Mikayla + Mark | Spiral Jetty Elopement
A Weekend at Spiral Jetty
After being engaged for 5 years, my husband (Mark-Allen Hunt) and I (Mikayla Hunt) finally sent out our wedding invites on January 1, 2020. We always wanted a small, intimate wedding that we dubbed—A Weekend at Spiral Jetty. Little did we know at the time we were so lucky to have planned for an elopement style of wedding and did not have to make too many adjustments to our vision. I was first introduced to the Land Art piece during my undergraduate study in Art History, and we both visited Spiral Jetty for the first time on our move out west to Portland, Oregon. It was truly such an awe-inspiring experience that whenever we would make the drive back and forth from Portland to our home state, Indiana, we would always make it a priority to visit. The Spiral Jetty became such a special place to us both by allowing us to take a pause within our life and reflect on what we have been through as a couple.
One of the allures of the artwork and the reason why the artist, Robert Smithson, created the piece back in 1970 was to get art into the world and out of the gallery. Much of the piece is about the journey to get there, which is why it has become such a reflective part of our lives. We couldn’t think of a more special place that we would want to share with the most important people in our lives which is why we chose to get married at Spiral Jetty. We had a small intimate ceremony onsite and a reception back at the Airbnb we were renting. There is definitely risk involved in having your wedding at a place that isn’t your typical wedding venue. Foremost, with all outdoor ceremonies, you don’t know what the weather is going to be like. Thankfully, this being in the salt flat desert of Utah, rain was not as much of a concern as wind. Just the week before there was a wind advisory at the Jetty. Next is the fact that Spiral Jetty is a public piece of land. We wondered if people would be respectful of us having a ceremony in the middle of it. The Jetty was busy on our wedding day, busier than we have ever seen it, and everyone who was also there was so supportive and respectful ultimately adding to the remarkable experience of Spiral Jetty.
August 29, 2020 was not only a fantastic day because I got to marry the love of my life, but it was a day well spent with those I love during one of the most challenging times we have all experienced as a society.
We included the beer because we are both really big into trying any and all kinds of beer. Our favorite being Two Hearted by Bell's Brewery (located in Michigan / the midwest were we are from). It was a beer that we both loved early on in our relationship and now that we lived in Oregon (one of the beer capitals of the world) and have traveled all across the US trying different beers, it is still our most favorite beer of all time. So just kind of a metaphor for going back to your roots and appreciating where you are from while also trying new things!
Interesting fact about Spiral Jetty: Utah is the only state that has an official state work of art and that is Spiral Jetty!
-Mikayla + Mark
