Blake Barclay Hogge and Trystan Michael Nickovich were married on June 26, 2026, in the backyard of the Hogge family home in Alpine, Utah, after a planned outdoor ceremony in Beaver Canyon was canceled due to a rapidly spreading wildfire. Although the venue changed at the last minute, the couple remained committed to their wedding date amid the disruption caused by what became known as the Cottonwood fire.
Hogge, a wedding photographer based in Utah, and Nickovich, a baker at Tulie Bakery in Salt Lake City, met in September 2021 through a dating app. Their relationship developed shortly thereafter despite initial periods of silence and uncertainty. Both men come from backgrounds influenced by conservative, predominantly Mormon communities—Hogge grew up in Alpine in a Mormon household but distanced himself from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after coming out, while Nickovich was raised in Reno, Nevada, before moving to Idaho Falls, Idaho.
The couple’s original plan was to hold a ceremony in Beaver Canyon, a location deeply significant to Hogge’s family who have vacationed there for generations. However, five days before the wedding, Hogge’s father received alerts about a nearby fire that quickly grew from an initial 50 acres to thousands, ultimately consuming 59,000 acres and destroying the family cabin. Faced with these circumstances, the couple and their vendors transitioned the event to Alpine with just 72 hours’ notice.
The response from the wedding industry professionals involved was swift and effective. According to Hogge, the planner, florist, rental company, caterer, photographer, and musicians all mobilized quickly to adjust arrangements and logistics, becoming an essential support network. The original caterer from Beaver, affected by the fire, was unable to participate, leading to a last-minute switch to a pasta buffet provided by the Pizza Factory, well received by guests.
On the day of the wedding, orange ash from the still-burning fire drifted through the mountain air, settling on attendees and the couple as they exchanged handwritten vows. Nickovich’s brother officiated the ceremony, which was attended by nearly all the invited guests, despite the short notice and ongoing wildfire threat.
The couple’s choice to proceed reflected a focus on resilience and togetherness amid adversity. Hogge described the presence of ash at the celebration as symbolic, saying the place they loved had “made it to the wedding,” a moment that brought tears to his eyes. For their first dance, the newlyweds chose Linda Ronstadt’s “Long Long Time,” embracing both joy and the long journey that led them to their union.