A Simple Southern Wedding in Downtown Denver
Sarah & Sean | Denver, Colorado
From the bride; Although we have lived in Denver for 5 years, Sean and I are both originally from South Carolina. We wanted our wedding to reflect our southern roots as well as our new lives in Colorado. An outdoor wedding in the Rose Garden at City Park overlooking the views of downtown Denver was the perfect venue, and the menu created for us by the Denver Museum of Nature and Science helped to incorporate our southern roots! All outdoor weddings come with the possibility of being rained out, however, there is an old southern tradition to bury a bottle of bourbon exactly one month before the wedding to ensure good weather! I won’t tell you where we buried the bourbon but it definitely worked- we could not have asked for a more perfect day to get married!
THE WEDDING INSPIRATION
Sean and I wanted our entire wedding to feel like a reflection of ourselves. From the ceremony overlooking downtown Denver, the southern menu, to the live music and dancing, we tried to mix our southern roots with our love for Colorado.
THE FLOWERS
I wanted a mixture of roses as well as wildflowers in the bouquets and centerpieces to help bring together the overall look of the wedding. The bridesmaids all wore different color dresses, and the flowers of the bouquets incorporated each of those colors in an effort to compliment them.
THE DRESS
My dress was actually the first one I tried on. While I tried on many more after, I kept coming back to that first dress as my favorite! With a lace top, scalloped neckline and English netting skirt it was absolutely stunning. The rest of my look was completed with an English netting veil, Jimmy Choo gold shoes, and Tiffany pearls that were a gift from Sean on our wedding day.
THE GROOM
Sean’s look was arrived at a little unconventionally, as a few weddings back while many of his friends were getting married, they all decided to purchase the same tuxedo to wear in each of the weddings! It worked out beautifully, and the look was completed with monogrammed suspenders, bow ties, and checkered socks…as anyone who knows Sean knows he has a very strong sock game.
THE CEREMONY DECOR
The Rose Garden at City Park hardly needed any decoration. A few chairs, a sign, and a wooden arch covered in flowers was all that was needed to bring our ceremony to life!
THE CEREMONY ARCH
The arch was draped with white and pastel roses and fabric that complemented my veil and dress.
THE RECEPTION
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is magnificent, with floor to ceiling windows spanning three stories and a view to die for! We brought very little into the space except for floral centerpieces and a few mint and gold decorations knowing that the venue itself would only be eclipsed if we did more.
THE DANCING
At the University of South Carolina, “Sandstorm” is known for being played during any home game when our football team scores. The football stands are filled with white towels also known as “cocky cloths” which the students flourish in a united and excitement filled chant during the song. Before the song was played we passed out cocky cloths to all our guests and the dance floor was filled with USC fans chanting and singing along! It was an amazing moment for any football fan and one we enjoyed immensely!
ADVICE
My biggest advice to other couples planning their wedding would be to make it personal! You can spend all the money in the world on expensive decorations and expensive venues, but if it doesn’t mean something to you then ask yourself if it’s worth it. The things that people remember the most about your wedding are the small details that show a part of who you are. Nobody hears pulled pork and fried chicken and thinks of wedding food…but to this day I still receive compliments, most of which are that the food was the best they’ve ever had at a wedding! As for the marriage advice, I’ll just say, do whatever makes the both of you happy! You will get a lot of advice from people, some that works and some that doesn’t, but as long as the two of you are happy and love each other, you’re off to a great start!
THE WEDDING TEAM
Photographer: Mark Creery Photography | Event Designer: Muse Events | Floral Designer: Timeless Floral & Events | Ceremony Location: City Park | Reception Venue & Caterer: Denver Museum of Nature & Science | Ceremony Musicians: Front Range Strings, LLC | Dress Store: Emma & Grace | Reception Band: Deja Blu | Ice Cream Truck: High Point Creamery
View more: Denver Weddings | Colorado Weddings
What a beautiful and joyous wedding! The photos are just gorgeous. I love the commentary from the bride which brings more context to the photos and help future brides with ideas.