Rue Chitwood and Michael Beyer were united in marriage on October 3, 2015.  The bride is the daughter of Clark and Cynthia Chitwood, who reside in Olive Branch, Mississippi. The groom is the son of John and Joanne Beyer, who reside in Shakopee, Minnesota. 

 

Rue and Michael first crossed paths in rural Nevada during the summer of 2011. Michael was working full time as a geologist with Newmont Mining Company.  He was stationed at the Midas underground mine in Winnemucca when he met Rue. She was finishing up her master’s thesis and was in town for a summer internship. Though the two became good friends, the timing wasn’t right. In the fall, Rue went back to the University of Alabama to finish her coursework.  

 

In May 2012, Rue returned to Winnemucca for a full-time position as a geologist at Newmont Mining Company. Now that distance was no longer a factor, the pair began dating soon after her arrival. It wasn’t until January 2015 that Michael popped the question.

 

New to the mountaineering scene, Rue was training for a seminar in Alaska. She wanted to get in some practice on her snowshoes, so Michael suggested a trip to Nevada’s Ruby Mountain range. During a trek through Lamoille Canyon, the couple stopped to take in the breathtaking view before them. Before Rue knew what was happening, Michael was down on one knee.

 

True to the couple’s adventurous nature, the ceremony was held in Teton Trek at the Memphis Zoo. The bride and groom exchanged vows on the bridge overlooking the grizzly bear enclosure. Perhaps unsurprisingly, one of the bears took a keen interest in the ceremony and sat for the whole thing. And when the guests rose in support of the marriage, so did the bear! 

 

Reverend Anne H. K. Apple of Idlewild Presbyterian Church officiated the ceremony, which took place on October 3, 2015. The bride wore a Nicole Miller gown purchased from Swoon Bridal Salon, a charming boutique in Reno, Nevada. The flowing silk gown featured a scalloped lace trim and a plunging V-neckline. Rue knew this dress was the one when she learned that it was called the “Nina” — the same name as her maternal grandmother. She felt like this was a great way to honor her memory.  

She also wore her maternal grandmother’s pearl necklace for something old. Rue’s custom-made rhinestone and satin hairpiece served as something new, and she borrowed her paternal grandmother’s pearl bracelet. A blue lace garter completed the tradition. 

 

The reception was held inside the Teton Trek lodge. Mexican Heather, flowering crocus plants and ferns surrounded the lodge’s stunning fireplace. Aubergine linens and tartan table runners played up the lodge’s rustic feel. The couple brought their own individual flair to the centerpieces: pieces of family pottery filled with lavender and rock samples. Each sample was accompanied by a story card detailing what it was, where it came from, and the story behind it. 

 

After the wedding festivities, the couple took a mini-moon road trip back to their home in Elko, Nevada. The newlyweds plan to take a two-week getaway to New Zealand this October to celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary.

 

Details:

Bakery: Gigi’s Cupcakes | Catering: Simply Delicious Catering | Dress: Swoon Bridal

Salon | Florist: Darling Flowers| Musical entertainment: DJs Jimmy Harris and Ryan Clay of Deep Blu Entertainment | Photography: Lindsey McKee and Gina DiBartolo of Anam Cara Photography | Venue: Teton Trek at the Memphis Zoo

Videography: Steve Kerr | Wedding Planner: WED Memphis

Rue Anna Chitwood & Michael John Beyer

October 3, 2015 • Memphis, Tennessee