Purple
An Autumn Wedding in Park City
From the bride, Jennifer: We got engaged in the mountains, and we couldn’t think of a more perfect place to exchange our vows than the beautiful backdrop of Utah’s scenery. It was just perfect for us. Serene, peaceful and majestic.
Purple is my favorite color, always has been, after all, it’s the color of royalty! I wanted something simple and chic, elegant but not overplayed. A little eccentric but sophisticated. For example, my dress had unfinished hemlines but the sparkle of the belt gave it the WOW factor. I wanted the whole wedding to be that way.
My mom sewed a handwritten note from my grandmother, who passed away in 2002, into the hem of my wedding dress. It was a card she wrote to me in 1988 that says’ “My sweet Jennifer, always remember how much I love you.”
Having my dad walk me down the aisle was something I had been looking forward to my whole life. My dad is a very special person to me. He has always been the most important man in my life and it was very sentimental to have him by my side on my big day.
The cake was white fondant with edible silver glitter. I love glitter to a fault.
Looking back, the day went by WAY too quickly. We had a packed itinerary and I wish that we would have had more time to spend with everyone! I also wished we would not have rushed off so quickly the next morning on our honeymoon. We would have preferred to stay a few days with the family at the resort and THEN leave for the honeymoon.
My advice
1. Have realistic expectations. A wedding is a celebration of love. It is all about marrying the man of your dreams; it is NOT about the show. At the end of the day if you are married to your Prince Charming, then the day was a success. THAT is what matters. Don’t get wrapped up in what other people want or what you see on pinterest. Talk to your fiancé, figure out what you want together and do that. You will be much happier in the end, I promise.
2. Invest in a good photographer and videographer. When all is said and done, it will be the most tangible way you’ll have to remember your day. Dinner will get eaten, flowers will die, the music will go quiet, memories will fade, but your photos and videos will last forever.
3. Take the time to soak it all in. Take moments, before you put on the dress to breathe. Put on the dress and give yourself a second to reflect. Close your eyes, say a prayer and reflect on why you are where you are. Hug your bridesmaids before you leave for the ceremony. Tell them how much they mean to you. Stop at the top of the aisle… take a deep breath, look around. The day will go by so quickly, taking the time to have quiet reflective moments is the best thing I did. Hold your husband’s hand. Don’t let the true meaning of the day get lost in the chaos. Take selfies, do the photo booth, put on your dancing shoes and have some fun, you’ve waited your whole life for this.
Jennifer’s RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Photographer: Logan Walker Photography // Event Planner: Soiree Productions Dress Designer: Modern Trousseau // Floral Designer: Orchid Dynasty // Cake: Carrie’s Cakes // Venue: Park City Mountain Resort
A Rustic Mountain Wedding at Snowbasin
Holly & Tyler | September 27th | Huntsville, Utah
From the bride: We visited Snowbasin during our first year of dating and instantly fell in love with the beautiful views. After being engaged, we decided on Snowbasin in a matter of minutes.
The mountains were our inspiration during the entire planning process.
The day of our wedding, the weather decided not to cooperate. We had planned to have our ceremony at the top of the mountain with the miles and miles of mountain views as our backdrop, but we had to make a last minute choice to move the ceremony inside.
I loved our cake stand. We ordered a tree trunk online that had our names burned into the side along with our wedding date. We plan to turn it into a small table for our bedroom.
Our guest tables had a lantern with dried lavender around the base of a lit candle and wine corks scattered around the center of the table. We used wine bottles painted black as our table numbers. Each table was named after a ski resort.
Our favors were little bottles of Vermont maple syrup because we met while in college in Vermont.
My advice: The day goes by so fast, try to enjoy it. Don’t let people tell you how your day should go, make it your day.
Holly’s RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Venue & Caterer: Snowbasin Resort. Wonderful to work with. We had the most amazing food I’ve had at a wedding. I would book another event here just for the food and amazing views!
Photographer: Amanda Berube Photography // Florist: Blooms and Blossoms // Cake: Ye Old Cupcake Shoppe // Wedding Gown Designer: Justin Alexander // Makeup: Signature Brides
Colorado Country Charm in the Mountains
From the bouquet to the linens, we are absolutely loving this berry infused color palette! Designers Rami Carter with Pick Me Weddings and Cheri Taunton with Southern Charm Weddings and Events created an elegant upscale feel in a rustic barn on Strawberry Creek Ranch, a working equestrian center and ranch in Colorado. Photographer Sarah Roshan captured all the pretty details including the beautiful mountain setting.
A statement cake by The Makery Cake Co.
This rustic Colorado whiskey bar would be a hit at any wedding.
THE STYLE TEAM
Photographer: Sarah Roshan, Wedding Photographer // Event Designer: Pick Me Weddings // Floral Designer: Southern Charm Wedding and Events // Location: Strawberry Creek Ranch // Linens and Coverings: Allwell Rents Co // Bakery: The Makery Cake Co. // Photo Booth Equipment: Ear 2 Ear Photobooths, LLC // Wedding Dress: The Bridal Collection Denver // Men’s Attire: Denver Tux
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!
A Natural & Organic Wedding in Vail, Colorado
From the bride, Emily: We love Colorado – in particular outdoor Colorado. So, we wanted the feel of our wedding to very natural and organic. Almost everything was recycled – from the fabric on the table runners, the wood used to make the signs, the mason jars, it was all found through thrift stores, treasure hunting and estate sales.
Just about every aspect of our wedding was personally touched by us or someone we love. There were many nights spent laboring over details, constructing signs, painting, ironing, sewing, drafting programs. Everything was carefully planned and perfectly executed.
For my bridesmaids, I wanted dresses the girls could wear again. We found them at Anthropologie and they were only $50. I loved them so much, I got one for myself!
Piney River Ranch is amazing! The backdrop to our ceremony was so majestic, and couldn’t have been more perfect. We had Cole’s Uncle Robert officiate our ceremony because we wanted someone who knew us the best and loved us dearly to be the one to unite us.
We chose to write and share personal vows, and in honor of our athletic backgrounds, we asked Robert to flip a coin to see who would go first (to mimic a coin toss before a big game).
The table centerpiece boxes were made by Cole using reclaimed wood from an old fence.
The table runners were made using fabric found at an estate sale by Cole’s Grammie.
The wedding favors were homemade peach jelly, complete with hand crafted thank you cards.
We chose not to put too much décor throughout the reception, mainly because we did not want to take away from the natural beauty surrounding us. And I think our guests would agree – the scenery of Piney River Ranch is more than enough.
My advice: Enjoy the time you have to plan. If there is something you truly want, you can find a way to make it work. Be open to alternative ideas, and be creative!
THE WEDDING TEAM
Venue & Caterer: Piney River Ranch | Photographer: Chris McLaughlin, CMP Studios | Florist: 3 Leaf Floral | Cake: Mountain Flour
A Colorado Mountain Wedding
From the bride, Carley:
We choose a mountain wedding because Jared and I both grew up in Colorado and have a strong connection to the outdoors. Passion for the mountains has been a part of both our lives from a young age and we couldn’t think of a better place to join our two lives together.
The iris was my grandfather’s favorite flower and passion- he had an entire yard of them so we included purple iris in all of the bouquets and table arrangements. I felt like a piece of him was with me as I walked down the aisle.
We played non-traditional ceremony music, blue grass! We wanted to make sure the ceremony reflected us, and blue grass was a great representation of that. We also did a stone blessing: we placed a stone that we had collected form our favorite locations on everyone’s chair during the ceremony and asked them to give a blessing or wish to use. We collected them at the end and now have a beautiful glass container in our home with the stones.
Looking back, I couldn’t imagine a better day- we were surrounded by our closest friends and family all gathered to celebrate this monumental life event! I have never felt so much love in one room, I felt truly blessed.
Carly & Jared‘s
RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Venue & Caterer: Timber Ridge, Keystone Resort // Photographer: Becky Young Photography // Flowers: Petal and Bean // DJ: Great Time DJ’s // Videographer: Larisa Graham Videography // Hair & Makeup: Weemala Hair and Makeup
An Elegant Rocky Mountain Wedding
From the bride, Stephanie: We chose Cordillera because we wanted an outdoor ceremony on a mountaintop with breathtaking views, beautiful weather and pleasant temperatures. I love jewel tones and peacocks so that became our theme.
My favorite ceremony memory was walking down the aisle to find all of my loved ones and closest friends.
We had ivory chiffon draping and lighting in sapphire blue hues. The table linens were sapphire with diamond table runners. 
Tall clear vases filled with white hydrangeas, roses, orchids, hanging crystals and peacock feathers adorned the tables. 
Our cake table display was stunning!
Stephanie’s RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Tent Rental: PINK MONKEY SOLUTIONS {website}
Venue, Caterer & Lodging: The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera. We rented the entire lodge for a private wedding weekend // Event Planner: Classic Creations // Photographer: Jared Wilson Photography // Bride’s Gown: Maggie Sottero // Bridesmaid Dresses: Dessy // Hair & Makeup: Hair & Makeup in Motion // Rentals: Alpine Party Rentals // Cake: Intricate Icings // Flowers: The Flower House
Honeymoon Location: ST LUCIA
A Destination Mountain Wedding in Colorado
From the bride, Amy:
We wanted a wedding destination where everyone could come and stay for a few days and be together. Devil’s Thumb Ranch was the perfect fit. The ranch has something for everyone: outdoor activities, a relaxing spa and great food.
Our inspiration for our celebration was the beautiful Colorado landscape with New York City in our hearts. 
As a surprise, I sewed a heart on Joe’s tie that said I Love You.
My most memorable moment was our first look. We were both a little nervous during the morning, but we both relaxed once we were able to see each other. At that moment, we both said “I feel so much better now” and I just reaffirmed that no matter what with everything going on that day is really was just the two of us.
When they opened the barn doors immediately before the processional , there was an audible gasp in the room. Both the setting and the view were stunning. I walked into the barn and down the aisle to M. Ward’s, “Here Comes the Sun”.
The ceremony was short and sweet, but incredibly memorable. The whole thing last about 8 minutes!
My advice: Try not to argue too much during the process of planning a wedding. And during the wedding, take a few steps back to hit pause and take note of what is happening.
Amy’s RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Venue, Food, Lodging: DEVIL’S THUMB RANCH { website }
Event Planner: JA Special Events. Jessica was an essential part of our wedding. We could not have done it without her. She made everything so easy. We would highly recommend her.
Photographer: Brinton Studios. CR and Tiffany take amazing photos and blend into the wedding incredibly well. We barely knew they were there, and were thrilled with the results.
Wedding Gown Designer: Anne Barge #617
Honeymoon Location: Dunton Hot Springs and St Lucia (Ladera and Ti Kaye). One week we were snowshoeing, and one week we were on a beach. It was a great mix. Highly recommend both.