Blue
Wedding Inspiration in the Blue Ridge Mountains
The incredible view of the Blue Ridge Mountain range was the inspiration behind this off the beaten path styled shoot. The invitation suite was printed on handmade paper featuring watercolors that highlight the Blue Ridge Mountains. The table setting and decor combine the look of the natural surroundings with subtle modern gold touches in the candlesticks and with the slight shimmer of the table linen. These accents continue on through the cake table using natural greenery to highlight the gorgeous blush three tiered cake. Any couple searching for a way to combine the outdoors with a formal and classic wedding vision will certainly connect with the look of this wedding.
THE STYLE TEAM
Photographer: MILK + HONEY photography co. // Event Planner: Details Wedding Planning // Floral Designer: Willow Floral Boutique // Invitation Designer: Champagne Maker // Calligrapher: Kristen Henderson Calligraphy // Cake Designer: The Wow Factor Cakes // Location: Craggy Gardens, Blue Ridge Parkway // Dress Store: Dar-Lynn’s Bridal and Formal Wear // Apparel: Charlotte Shop Girl // Hair Stylist: Salon de Coiffure // Makeup Artist: Anne Marie Mitchell // Groom’s Attire: The Black Tux // Consultant: Therese Brooks
A Texas Meets Montana Ranch Wedding
From the photographer, Lauren Brown: Jonas had one request for Jenny when she asked him about wedding planning. Just one. The couple lives in Austin, Texas but were getting married in Ennis, Montana where Jenny had spent so much time vacationing with her family – fishing in the summer and skiing in the winter. Jenny and her father George had taken charge of the wedding planning, and with the help of the talented team at Lukas Trudeau had put together a beautiful plan for a light and classic outdoor reception that would perch above Ennis on a high plateau and look out on the pristine Ennis Lake and surrounding mountains. Jonas’s one request was for a little piece of home, a little reminder of Austin, set to the Montana backdrop. Austin is well known for it’s music and festivals, and one of Jenny and Jonas’s favorite of these is the Austin City Limits festival, held yearly in Zilker Park near downtown. One of the hallmarks of the ACL festival is a giant picture frame, where friends meet and gather and re-orient. This is what Jonas wanted. A giant picture frame reminiscent of the one where he and Jenny so often gather with their friends. And so he built one. And perched on a plateau overlooking Ennis Lake and the surrounding valley and mountains in the distance, friends gathered and laughed and snapped photos under a giant white picture frame.
THE WEDDING VENDORS
Photographer: Lauren Brown Photography // Second Shooter: Lindsey Mulcare Photography // Event Planner + Design and Decor: Lukas Trudeau Event Co // Band: Andrew Gromiller and the Organically Grown // Dress Designer: Anna Campbell // Calligrapher: Cast Calligraphy and Design // Cake Designer: Elle’s Belles Bakery // Culinary: LaFoley Kitchen // Rentals: Montana Party Rentals // Ceremony Location: Trinity Episcopal Church // Pre Ceremony Location: El Western // Reception: Channels Ranch
A Scottish Party in the Mountains – Steamboat Springs, Colorado
From the bride, Gretchen: We wanted a Colorado casual, welcoming and fun wedding day! Our inspiration came from the groom’s Scottish roots and the wedding locations.
The weather was somehow perfectly glorious, like that moment with the sun rays in the beginning of the Lion King movie.
Everything about the day was personal. We deconstructed the traditional ceremony entirely and made our own. It felt very personal without being mushy. We wrote our vows together and said the same ones. I liked that because it felt traditional but personalized to us.
My favorite DIY detail from the wedding were the gold antler table settings and chandelier. The groom’s parents scored a huge lot of antlers in auction in Missouri and I spent many happy afternoons lovingly spray painting them gold. Everyone was skeptical but they looked AMAZING. We split them among the family after the wedding and they make great decorations at Christmas.
Looking back, we’ve never experienced anything like our wedding day—it is a cliché because it’s true. It was a day long adrenaline rush fueled by the biggest out pouring of love we’ve ever experienced. It rocked.
My advice: Hire a day-of wedding planner and have a clear budget.
Gretchen’s RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Photographer: Mark Creery Photography // Event Planner & Floral Designer: One Fine Day Productions // Cake: Cupcake Mini Bar // Caterer: Marnos Custom Catering // Venue: Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp
A Mountain Soiree in Lake Tahoe
Anne’s love of travel coupled beautifully with Pete’s adventurous spirit and their nautical themed wedding was a weather infused mountain soiree! The pouring rain was a happy welcome after Lake Tahoe had been engulfed in smoke from area fires burning all week. Many day-before and last-minute decisions were made. The entire ceremony and reception was rearranged and moved the night before! The couple was so happy to have an outdoor ceremony, and nobody would’ve guessed anything had been changed. The day was pulled off splendidly with a seamlessly amazing design team.
THE VENDOR TEAM: Photographer: Melina Wallisch Photography // Event Planner: Summit Soiree // Floral Designer: R. Jack Balthazar // Musicians: Brian Hess Music // Equipment Rentals: Classic Party Rentals // Caterer: D’Lish Catering // Venue: Thunderbird Lodge Historic Site
A Destination Wedding in Montana
Traveling from Canada, Brittney & Forrest planned a destination wedding at the beautiful Lodge at Whitefish Lake. They have known each other for 13 years, but not until 3 years ago did their friendship turn into more. Their wedding date was the last date open at the lodge when they called to book it early on in the year, and it was the same day of Forrest’s proposal to Brittney the year before. They decided October 25th must just be meant to be. A few years earlier, they had tickets to the Brad Paisley concert in Calgary, on October 25th, and during his song “I Thought I Loved you then” Forrest got down on his knee and popped the question.
From the bride: I am a hippie at heart and tried to incorporate outdoorsy boho elements. I chose a mint and navy blue color palette.
We got married in a tent looking out onto the lake.
My advice: Don’t stress too much about wedding planning! Because once it’s over you realize how fun it actually was and kind of miss it.
Brittney’s RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Photographer: Jennifer Mooney Photography // Venue & Caterer: Lodge at Whitefish Lake // Event Design, DJ & Officaint: B & T Sound Productions // Hair Stylist: Christina Stevens // Flowers: Mum’s Florist
Pretty in Blue in Utah
From the bride, Alyssa: I was going for a simple, elegant look that would fit with the rustic, mountain setting we chose to get married in.
On my bouquet, I carried a charm with a photo of my father, he passed away 13 years ago.
Our flowers were gorgeous! Lots of blues and rustic touches – loved the spirally twigs and birch accents and the peacock accents in the ceremony arrangements.
My favorite memory was that the ceremony was extremely personal. Having a close friend officiate and writing the ceremony together with him was the best decision we ever made. It was so personal, romantic and emotional, it was hard to avoid a few tears.
We used vintage license plates for table numbers. This turned out to be one of my favorite details! The license plates states had meaning for the people seated at the respective tables – Connecticut for my college friends for example, as that is where we went to school. Also, Mike, is a HUGE car guy, so this was another nice way to bring a little bit of him into the decor and details. We were even able to use the license plate from his late grandmother’s car at his family’s table, which was a very special touch.
The groom’s cake was a replica of Mike’s 1967 Mustang he has had since he was a teenager.
My favorite reception memory was our first dance. We took lessons secretly for a few months prior to the wedding, so our choreographed little routine was a big surprise to everyone and a lot of fun to finally pull off!
CREDITS: Photographer: Logan Walker Photography // Floral Designer: Branches Event Floral // Cake: Carrie’s Cakes // Venue: Wolf Creek Resort
A Fall Wedding in Jackson Hole
The gleaming colors of fall set the tone for Alexander and Charlotte’s mountain wedding in Jackson Hole. Although a rainy day, friends and family gathered from near and far to wish these two a happy life together. Golden-dipped feathers glittered above the ceremony and the dance floor, delicate succulents dotted the tables, and Charlotte’s stunning gown sparkled in the soft autumn light. A celebration of love and family in such a beautiful place makes for a day these two are sure to never forget.
THE WEDDING TEAM
Photographer: Amy Galbraith Photography // Event Planner: Vibrant Events of Jackson Hole // Floral Designer: Fleur De V // Dress Designer: Jenny Packham // Venue: Spring Creek
A Winter Destination Wedding in Park City, Utah
From the bride, Michelle: Matt and I have always enjoyed “mountain” activities: ski trips are our guaranteed yearly vacation and Matt even proposed on a hike in Banff National Park. Since most of our friends and family would have to travel for the wedding regardless of where we held it, we decided that we wanted to have it in a location that our guests would be able to help us celebrate our marriage as well as enjoy the beautiful location and recreational activities that it provides.
Instead of a traditional “Rehearsal Dinner” we had a “Welcome Dinner”, which was extremely important to us since we were doing a destination wedding. We really wanted to “set the tone” of a weekend filled with events for family and friends to get to congregate together as well as enjoy their own vacations.
Having our private reveal and mountain photo session was really special–between riding up and down on the ski lift (SO much cooler in a wedding dress vs skis) and getting extra (almost) alone time with your soon to be husband was amazing.
My family is Jewish and Matt’s family is Catholic. We had a relatively non-denominational ceremony with Jewish traditions added in (which was very important to me): a chuppah and breaking of the glass.
We had cake and ice cream sandwiches.
I loved all of the DANCING! Being lifted in the chairs for Hava Nagelah–it was the longest rendition of the song that I’ve ever heard and Matt kept looking back to the band making “cut it off” motions as he was sure his buddies were going to drop him. I could not stop laughing and smiling throughout the whole thing.
Looking back, the day went by so fast, it was truly the “best day ever” and I wanted it to keep going. I was specifically surprised about the sense of remorse after all of the planning when it is over.
My advice: Hire a wedding planner with a great reputation and ENJOY their experience and expertise.
Michelle’s RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Venue & Caterer: Deer Valley Resort // Photographer: Logan Walker Photography // Event Planner: MelissaFancy // Floral Designer: artisan bloom // Cake Designer: Snow Park Bakery // Band: Green Light Booking