Purple Butterflies in the Rocky Mountains
From the bride, Lisa: We have been together for almost 12 years! Though we had always talked about getting married, it wasn’t a priority until we saw Grand Lake Lodge. We both stopped in our tracks & knew this was the place & we wanted our world to be there to witness our wedding!
My dress was adorned with purple butterflies.
Best purchase for the wedding was my shoes! I had custom made butterfly heels covered with shiny gems. They truly completed my butterfly bride look.
My favorite memory will always be the look on my husband’s face when he first laid eyes on me coming his way! After 12 years, I didn’t expect he’d be so overwhelmed! The tears fell, his smile & pride was as big as can be…my heart was complete. He melted & so did I!
The ceremony was held at Grand Lake Lodge’s Nuptial Knoll. The aisle is a hike, but well worth it to get to your groom! The mountains, the love, our family that surrounded us & being serenaded by our soloist singing “At Last” by Etta James truly set the stage.
I come from a Jewish family & my husband comes from a Catholic family. We chose to get married by a Native American who focused on our love, spirituality, nature & us…it was perfect! Yes, we broke the glass and danced the Hora, but that was more for fun and an honor to my parents.
During cocktail hour, we brought in Bruce the Grand Lake Moose (the town’s mascot) for all of the kids at the wedding! I don’t know who had more fun, the kids or me! He ended up staying for a bit of the wedding so we could sneak in a dance.
Our beautiful butterfly cake mirrored my dress! So cool & tasty! 
Looking back, I loved every minute! I hated nothing! I cried tears of joy! I laughed like a kid at a candy store! I giggled at how our Chicago families adjusted to mountain life for a few days. It was July 4th weekend, so all who arrived early enough, also got to see the grand fireworks that Grand Lake puts on for the 4th of July!
My advice: Don’t sweat it! It’s your wedding day! Have fun planning, it goes by so quickly, revel in every moment & cherish the days afterward.
Lisa’s RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Photographer: Elevate Photography // Event Planner: Stiletto Events // Venue, Lodging & Catering: Grand Lake Lodge // Florist: Oakes Field Floral // Cake: Indulge Bakery // Band: Soul School // Officiant: Leon Joseph Littlebird // Wedding Gown Designer: Erol’s Tailoring // Shoes: Carrie’s Shoes // Bridesmaid Dresses: Two Birds Bridesmaids // Hair & Makeup: Salon Plume // Groom’s Wear: Ted’s Clothiers // Biodegradable butterflies: Confetti Lane
Favors: Flashlights! As guests departed the wedding, they were given flashlights that said “We got lit at Matt & Lisa’s Wedding” to help them navigate the mountain terrain back to their lodging.
Honeymoon Location: We went on a mini-moon immediately following the wedding at Devil’s Thumb Ranch {more info} (highly recommended!!) and are planning our honeymoon as we speak J Until the official one, we have taken many mini-moons in our home State of Colorado! I recommend hot springs after a mountain wedding…so well deserved & amazing!