Denver
Love is in the Details! A Colorado Destination Wedding
Tegan & Travis | September 15th
From the bride… Travis and I live in St. Louis but have always planned to move to Colorado after we were married. We were excited to plan a destination wedding so that all of our friends and family could fall in love with Colorado too! We always agreed that an outdoor wedding was our speed, and could not have been more thrilled when we found Spruce Mountain Ranch. We wanted a rustic, comfortable atmosphere… but with polished details. We really wanted the day to be about us and our love.
THE DRESS
I literally lost sleep choosing a dress! Since the ceremony was outdoors, I wanted a look that worked outside… and so started my search for a boho lace dress. My #1 criteria was a dress with a unique back. I fell in love with the one I chose by Sottero and Midgley. My dress had small opals throughout the lace as well, so I went with Opals for earrings and on my hair brooch.
THE TIE
We liked navy for the suits and had those custom made for the groom + groomsmen. Selecting a tie was the hardest part! After ordering MANY floral ties, we landed on the winner.
THE BOUQUET
My beautiful floral bouquets included anemones (my favorite flower), peonies and greenery.
THE CEREMONY DECOR
We had a greenery floral garland down the aisle and on the arbor. I made floral cones out of paper doilies, which hung on each chair full of white rose petals to toss.
We handed each guest a peach Bellini and were ready to roll!
We chose to not have a “first look” and wait until I walked down the aisle. I think that moment is just beautiful and so special. (One of my favorite moments with ANY wedding — not just ours!)
THE CEREMONY
Our officiant was a friend of ours and did a wonderful job of making our guests feel the love. There were many tears of joy!
THE PROGRAMS
One of our favorite ceremony details were our programs, which we designed ourselves and included a caricature of all wedding party members.
THE RECEPTION DECOR
Lots of mercury votives and vases, chandeliers, flowers, greenery garland, hand-dyed gauze fabric… these all made the space! Etsy was my best friend! (Alongside Pinterest, of course.) I purchased many signs from Etsy because you can never have too many clever wooden signs written in calligraphy.
I loved the calligraphed place cards that were attached to each champagne glass with a clothes pin.
THE RECEPTION
Since our wedding was a destination, it was even more special to have so many of our favorite people celebrate with us. We were really excited for cocktail hour and the dance floor to start. Travis and I are all about a good time — our #1 concern when planning was a good bar and a good DJ. We had both!
One of our favorite parts was the Shutterbus, which we had parked in the corner of the venue right by the dance floor. We were so excited to have a unique photo booth!
ADVICE
Do whatever makes you happy! Others will have opinions, but the bride and grooms are the most important. Do it your way, and you will have no regrets!
THE WEDDING TEAM
Photographer: From the Hip Photo | Event Planner: Sarah Vierra Events | Floral Designer: Southern Charm Wedding and Events | Design and Decor: Highlights Colorado | Dress Store: Clarice’s Bridal | Cake Designer: Boonzaaijer’s Dutch Bakery | Hair Stylist: Captivate Beauty Services | DJ: RTH Entertainment | Caterer: Occasions Catering Denver | Venue: Spruce Mountain Ranch | Rentals: Event Rents | Photo Booth: The ShutterBus
A Romantic Colorado Wedding
Katie & Dominic | Denver, Colorado
From the bride: We met at Historian’s Ale House and were instantly drawn to each other. We both enjoy the outdoors- hiking and camping with our dogs and exploring the amazing city of Denver. We dated for 3 years before he set up the most beautiful proposal at my favorite Denver winery- Infinite Monkey. He had spent months creating portraits of me from existing photos and set them up in the barrel room, where he proposed in front of our entire family on the day I graduated from the University of Denver.
THE CEREMONY
We kept the ceremony short and simple!
The most memorable moment of the day was our first dance!
THE DESSERT
My favorite reception detail was The Bumblebee dessert food truck. Our menu included: Baked cinnamon sugar doughnut holes, apple pie, triple dark chocolate pudding, and earl grey cupcakes with whipped cream and honeycomb candy crunch.
ADVICE
Do not stress about the small stuff and try to take everything in- from getting ready, to pictures, to the ceremony, and reception. Enjoy the planning process and do what YOU want!
THE WEDDING TEAM
Photographer: Christa Hitchcock Photography | Floral Designer: Hawk Flowers | Dress Designer: Blue Bridal | Bridesmaid Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu | Hair Stylist: Tasha Jean | Bakery: The Bumblebee Truck | Venue: The Barn at Raccoon Creek
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
A Summer Romance in Colorado
From Julia & Ken Photography: The days are long and the nights are warm. The smell of freshly cut grass and sweet fruit is in the air. Summer has arrived. Rays of sunshine pour through the big windows of the bridal cottage at the Barn at Raccoon Creek and create the perfect romantic atmosphere as our bride Wendi is getting ready for her big day. She’s a hopeless romantic. Her dress represents that thoroughly. The blush lace gown with a beaded neckline and low-cut back from Casa Bianca Bridal fits her perfectly. She adores exquisite blush color details.
The beautiful touches included stationery work from Tasha at Tasha Rae Designs, a rustic engraved cake stand from Fox Creek Woodcraft, as well as Kailina from Roots & Wings Productions who was capturing this event beautifully on video.
The dress is hanging on a gorgeous antique wood carved hanger while Lark with Makeup by Lark is putting on the final touches and making sure Wendi looks flawless throughout the important day. The romantic half-up half-down hairstyle incorporating a braid and a beaded hair piece was created by Aleigha with Captivate Beauty. The unique jewelry pieces from Kellie at Daniel Diamonds added the finishing touch. The clean and bright space in the getting ready room provides soft and clean lighting for stunning bridal portraits before Wendi walked out to see her soon-to-be husband for the first time.
The chic blush-gold lounge area by Michele and Michael’Ann of The Hazel Grove Design created an intimate and fresh setting for loads of cozy scenes.
When Laura of Lummé Creations delivered the floral bouquet and centerpiece for the big day, our hearts skipped a beat! The bright-colored blooms in different shades of pink, yellow and greenery are the perfect prop for a girl on her summer wedding. The fresh and bold color florals add an extra pop and will make this sunny summer affair one to remember.
Jill at the Treatery delivered a perfect cutting cake in pink and white.
The unique bow tie and pocket square for this special occasion were designed by Denver’s very own The Knotty Tie company.
The Red rocks along the foothills of the Rockies served as a perfect backdrop for the bride and groom sunset portraits, finished off with a petal toss.
Finally, as the sun begins to set, the evening is completed by hopping into The Photo Bus for some fun selfies.
THE STYLE TEAM
Photographer: Julia & Ken Photography | Design & Decor: Hazel Grove Design | Floral Designer: Lumme Creations | Handmade Goods: Fox Creek Woodcraft | Apparel: Knotty Tie Co. | Invitation Designer: Tasha Rae Designs | Cake Designer: The Treatery | Jewelry: Daniel Diamonds | Makeup Artist: Makeup by Lark | Hair Stylist: Captivate Beauty Services | Video: Roots & Wings Productions | Dress Store: Casa Bianca Bridal | Venue: The Barn at Raccoon Creek | Photo Booth: The Photo Bus | Models: Phillip Ficarra & Wendi Talsm
An Elegant Wedding in the Foothills of Colorado
From the Magazine: Annie & Eric | June 16th
From the bride: We tried to make the day about us, and wanted to make the day as fun as possible for our guests. I love purple, so everything had a lavender touch to it that we complimented with whites and blush. Continue reading below:
[envira-gallery id=”28171″]
The Wedding Team
Photographer: Frances Photography | Event Planner & Designer: Laurel & Rose | Floral Designer: The Perfect Petal | Cake: Nothing Bundt Cake | Cake Pop Favors: Honeycombe Denver | Band: Syndicate | Invitations: The Stationery Company | Linens: Event Rents | Videographer: LockerPartners | Venue & Caterer: The Sanctuary Golf Course | Wedding Gown: Watters from Anna Bé | Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids | Groom’s Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Hair Stylist: Erin Ferris | Makeup Artist: Alchemy Face Bar
“Till Death Do Us Part” Wedding
From the photographer: From the Hip Photo: “Till death do us part” the traditional wedding vows exchanged by the married couple who intend to spend the remainder of their lives together. For Christy and Danny, these words were only a mere reminder of their timeless love for each other. With gothic styled flourishes, the masterminds behind the Denver Zombie Crawl, the bride and groom themselves, conjured up a wedding that would even make Tim Burton jealous. However, Christy was no corpse bride. In fact, she glowed with absolute happiness standing next to her groom making what would generally be a spooky graveyard into a romantic and intimate backdrop for the duo. As the day continued and the ceremony began, Christy, in her classic wedding gown, made her procession down the aisle. The moment Christy and Danny intertwined fingers, looked into each other eyes and exchanged touching vows, in the form of eulogies, was a moment no one would forget.
[envira-gallery id=”28538″]
The reception was definitely a monster mash. Each table was beautifully decorated with a unique and individual centerpiece. From old, vintage books, dominoes, chess pieces, tarot cards, and spirit boards, to mossy tablecloths and tiny music boxes, each item represented the couple in one way or another. WWII-era love notes hung from the ceiling above the dance floor where Christy danced with her father who then handed his daughter off to his son-in-law for their first waltz as a married couple.
As the couple began their first dance, Itchy-O, a Denver-based percussion-centered electronic performance band, crash-surprised the couple’s first dance with a dizzying electric cacophony. Shortly after, gorgeous ballet dancers put on a performance for Christy, Danny, and their guests.
After dancing their lives away with their friends and family, Christy and Danny drove off into the sunset in a vintage hearse with a license plate that read “til death.”
THE WEDDING TEAM
Photographer: From the Hip Photo | Floral Designer: Ladybird Poppy Floral Design | Venue: Mile High Station
A Literary Themed Wedding in Downtown Denver
Amy & Kalen met when they were both working at the Grand Hyatt in Denver, so it was a no-brainer for them to tie the knot on the 38th floor Pinnacle Club with sweeping views of downtown Denver and the Rocky Mountains. Through their wedding decor, they shared their love for books with their guests: books as centerpieces, bookmarks as table cards, and a literary love quote cake.
From the bride: We are both total book nerds and wanted a classy, literary themed wedding. We wanted the style of our wedding to be classic so our colors were navy, dusty rose and gold. We based our whole wedding around the book theme, using lots of books to decorate.
Our ring bearer carried an old vintage book that held our wedding rings.
We bought an old typewriter for guests to write advice for us on and it also served as a cool decoration piece. Our signature drink was called Amortentia after a love potion from the Harry Potter books.
The table numbers some of our favorite books and the place cards were bookmarks that also doubled as wedding favors.
We used some of our favorite quotes from books to decorate our wedding cake.
Our first dance was really memorable. We took dance lessons and learned a special dance to our first song “I Choose You” by Andy Grammer.
Advice
Relax and enjoy the whole process. The planning can be a lot of fun if you make sure to stay on top of everything, but if you wait until the last minutes to plan things, or worry too much about the little stuff, it can become a little stressful. I’m super glad we spent our money on great photographers, a good wedding planner, and a great venue with amazing food!
The Wedding Team
Photographer: J. La Plante Photo | Floral Designer: Flower Power | Venue & Caterer: Grand Hyatt
A Sophisticated Fall Wedding Shoot at Denver Botanic Gardens
From the style team: Wilco Creative brought all the pieces of this beautiful day together by creating a wedding style that was classic and tailored. The inspiration came from the colors of a fig, the soft autumn weather, and a special vintage ring. To hail from Colorado calls for reckless abandon to embrace the fall season and celebrate marriage; one of the greatest events possible. There is something effortless and freeing about being able to traipse off wherever your heart leads you to share your vows and the mutual commitment of love. Surprisingly, one doesn’t need an officiant to get married in the beautiful state of Colorado. With the ease of performing your own ceremony, we still wanted to bring the touches of an important and tailored event. In fact, the simplicity of it all made our vision of creating a sophisticated fall garden wedding develop gracefully.
The bride’s dress was elegant with its simple lines and minimalistic embellishments. Her hair was effortless yet classic.
The bride’s ring is a vintage art deco engagement ring circa 1920 from Victor Barbone. The ring centers a box-set old European cut diamond that has a low profile that rounded out our theme with subtle elegance.
THE COLORADO STYLE TEAM
Photographer: Sarah Porter Photography | Design and Decor: Wilco Creative | Floral Designer: Bella Calla | Location: Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield | Dress Store: Dora Grace | Hair Stylist: Monica at Cellar Door | Calligrapher: Oh Joyful Day | Cake Designer: Sam Keith Cake Design | Invitation Designer: Veronica Preston Design | Ring Designer: Victor Barbone Jewelry