Vintage
Romance & Roses in a Vintage Farm House
From babbling brook to horses in the nearby fields, the Rist Canyon Inn was the location for this styled shoot that transported a bride and groom to another era, where details mattered, moments were captured with wistful gazes, and holding hands in front of a 100-year-old farmhouse were the beginning of a lifetime together.
The invitation suite was created with the flowers in mind; designs were changed several times just to get the right effect.
Wild Blossom Studios spent hours working with three rental companies, matching china, tapestry furniture, and linens to the tones and hues of her color choices. Foods were chosen for their colors and textures, and the desserts were created with dried florals from fields of flowers in our Colorado landscape.
The tables included a combination of rich mauves and mustards, incredible textures from satin to velvet, and the finest in vintage flatware, glassware, and china from England.
THE STYLED TEAM
Photographer: Caitlin Hamilton Photography // Second Shooter: Molly Margaret Photography // Event Planner: Kaitlin Shea Weddings & Events // Floral Designers: Wild Blossoms Studio // Venue: Rist Canyon Inn // Design & Decor: Wallflower Rentals & Pine Hollow Vintage // Dress Store: Dora Grace // Cake Designer: Astonishing Cakes llc // Caterer: Juli Y Juan’s Kitchen // Linens: Soiree Linen // Calligrapher: Beautifully Noted // Officiant: Bonnie Antich
Romance on a Mountaintop in Colorado
From the bride, Melissa: From the start of our venue search I envisioned having a chairlift wedding, complete with a mountaintop ceremony. We looked at a various venues and finally checked out Granby. It was just a perfect mix of everything we had dreamed of for our wedding and on top of that the chairlift ride and ceremony location were just beautiful. We also knew all of our family would be coming from out of state and we wanted to show them everything we loved about Colorado and the mountains in one location.
I made the table numbers myself and each number has a picture of Mitchell and me at that particular age. I placed them on Aspen branch pieces I purchased from Etsy.
RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Photographer: Elevate Photography // Venue & Caterer: Granby Ranch Resort // Day of Coordinator: Rami Carter, Pick Me! Weddings // Florist & Decor: Ivy Floral Lane // Rentals: Chairished Vintage and Saddle Shoe Signs // Wedding Cakes: The Dessert Stand // DJ/Band: Encore Events & Entertainment // Bridesmaids Dresses: Wtoo & Watters from Weddingtonway // Groom & Groomsmen Suits: Men’s Wearhouse // Getting Ready PJs: Plum Pretty Sugar
A Bohemian Wedding in Boulder, Colorado
From the bride, Aryn: We both attended Colorado State University, and although we moved for our careers following college, Colorado still felt like home. My sister lives in Boulder, and we realized we could have the intimate ceremony at her house, walk to amazing dining at Colterra, and return to have the reception without time limits typically set by venues. We decided to have the wedding in her backyard, not to save on cost, but to be somewhere we truly felt comfortable to enjoy the day and being together.
Everything was personalized and handmade! We draped burlap and chiffon fabric along the outside of the house, hung countless bulb lights, hung glass vases filled with wildflowers and candles, had pictures printed of us, incorporated antique trunks, mismatched antique chairs, vintage boxes and so many unique elements. Both of our names start with A, so we had A’s around the venue and tables.
We loved vintage pieces mixed with the sort of effortless that bohemian and rustic offers.
My husband and I spent hours writing our own ceremony that would mix our personalities and views on marriage. Writing it ourselves took a lot of work, but it was so personal and filled with love. Our brother in law married us, and brought such comfort to the ceremony since we know him so well. We wrote our own vows, and there was plenty of emotion all around!
Rain was threatening all day, but as we kissed for the first time, a loud rumble of thunder hit. Our guests still talk about it today and what perfect and crazy timing it was.
My husband and I have been together for 9 years before we got married, and have so many life events that have occurred. We handed out cards during cocktail hour for people to write their favorite memories, stories or ideas of our future. As we walked to dinner, we had “stations” set up with dates on a chalkboard that were meaningful for Aaron and I. At each stop, our friends and family shared what was on their card, and we were all able to talk and laugh as we took a trip down memory lane and our story came full circle at the last stop, our wedding day.
My advice: Relax and just be true to yourselves as couple. There is no “right” way to get married. It is such an emotional day, and should be focused on two people committing their lives together, not on what centerpiece you have. Stay focused on the real purpose, and your guests will feel that love and energy to create an unforgettable day.
Aryn & Aaron
RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Ceremony Site: My sister’s house! Pick somewhere you feel comfortable!
Reception Site: Colterra and the back to my sister’s house for dancing, drinks and dessert. Colterra has an amazing patio and world-class food in a cozy setting. Also, they are farm to table and utilize local ingredients!
Event Planner: Ali Polson of Parties on a Pedestal. I cannot say enough about her ability to plan, create, remain calm, fun, supportive, etc. She made the day so special and totally unique to my now husband and I. Not only is she crazy talented and makes everything herself, she is calm, attentive, sweet, and was just perfect at planning the day and making it so much more than we ever expected.
Photographer: Michelle Koechle Photography. Michelle and her husband are masters at catching the emotions of the wedding. They are so easy and amazing to work with, my husband and I could just be ourselves, and they captured it perfectly. We now have a wall of our wedding pictures because we love them so much!
Mismatched Vintage Chairs: Chairs with Character // Florist: Longmont Florist // Cake: Colterra // Dessert Bar: Shamane’s Bake Shop // Bride’s Gown: J. Crew // Bridesmaid Dresses: Anthropolgie // Hair & Makeup: Theresa of Voodoo Hair Lounge // DJ: Tip Top Entertainment // Musician: Dave Solzberg // Guest Lodging: Niwot Inn
A Simply Perfect Wedding on Snowmass Mountain, Colorado
From the bride, Danielle:
Our day could not have been more perfect. Crisp blue skies, the Colorado mountain air, and 165 of our closest friends and family. Being from Chicago, we were so touched to be able to share our love for the area with our guests. The fact that we were able to have our ceremony and reception on the mountain I had been skiing and hiking on since I was 3 years old, just made it even more special.
Since Pete and I are both from large close-knit families, it was very important for us to capture and honor the love and support that we would continue to build off of in our life together. From collecting nearly 200 plates of china from our moms, aunts and friends across the country, to serving our family’s infamous pies and cookies (that my mom and brother baked all week!), there was a lot of love in every detail.
We kept it simple—set up the reception chairs on the open lawn near the cabin overlooking the valley below. We had a unity ceremony where we combined sand from Chicago and Colorado, and then took a moment to stand there together overlooking the incredible view and to take in that we had just said our vows.
I gave my dad the job of making wooden signs to direct our guests, and he took it over with great enthusiasm- making us a ‘Just Married’ sign to hang on the chairlift, with cans and all.
One of my favorite moments of our wedding day was the time Pete and I were able to have together after the ceremony. I had at first resisted leaving the party, but followed the sound advice and am so glad that we did. We took a chairlift ride together to soak in our just-sealed marriage and it could not have been more perfect.
We painted our seating chart on window frames we found at resale shops.
Another memorable moment was walking into our reception tent. I had never before felt such love and support as in that moment. Both Pete and I teared up as we walked in and stood on the dance floor looking at everyone around us that we loved cheering us on.
I am a sucker for vintage jewelry and design, so mixing vintage details in with the beautiful rustic setting was a natural fit; for the reception we mixed hard wood tables, heirloom china and lace runners with antique floral vases and jars.
We named our tables after our favorite restaurants.
We danced under the stars until they had to close the tent down.
My advice: The best advice I was given was to remember that the day is about the two of you! Enjoy it and make sure to spend as much of it together.
Danielle’s RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Venue: Lynn Britt Cabin, Snowmass Mountain. An incredible site for a wedding!
Photographer: Selah Photography. Jackie and Matt were incredible to work with, both for our special day and since in putting together our album. They are so talented—we could not believe the images they were able to capture!
Guest Lodging: Villas at the Snowmass Club. They were so accommodating for our very large group, with over 75% traveling from out of state, they were so helpful in coordinate transportation and taking the best of care of for them!
Videographer: KHODGE Films. Kyle worked with us to create a custom package for our budget, and then went above and beyond to put together an incredible film with custom animation and music.
Event Planner: Jane Floyd and Associates // Cake: D’Elissious Cake Studio // Florist and Decor: The Aspen Branch // Caterer: ASC Catering // Reception Band: The Fab 4 // Tent & Party Rentals: Bethel Party Rentals // Wedding Gown: Carolina Herrera from Ultimate Bride in Chicago // Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale, LulaKate and Bella Bridesmaid // Hair & Makeup: Becky Hanrahan, Studio B Beaute // MOH Suit: J.Crew
Honeymoon Location: Barcelona, Spain
A Shabby Chic Wedding in North Carolina
From the bride, Kate:
Asheville & nature was the inspiration for our wedding day. The mountains are a sacred place that produces an energy that is so vibrant and positive. We tried to let the natural beauty of the mountains remain the focus.
My wedding dress was the same dress that my mother wore. I had the dress re-made to look more updated and to fit me perfectly. I found myself really missing my maternal grandmother on that day and somehow wearing the dress that she had bought for my mom made me feel like she was there with me.
The save the dates and invitations featured a tree of life. We used the same tree on the programs and in some of the reception decor.
The ceremony was customized to speak to our exact beliefs. We wrote our vows and a good friend read a poem that we picked out.
We served local southern dishes such as fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese. We used mason jars to serve beer which came from local breweries.
We decided not to have a dance floor. This was the groom’s choosing and I was hesitant. It turned out to be the best decision we made! All guests ended up taking off their shoes and having a great time dancing in the cool grass! The music was so much fun and truly catered to all ages.
My advice: It will be your perfect day no matter what! You are marrying the love of your life. Enjoy it!
Katie’s RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Photographer: Whitmeyer Photography // Venue & Lodging: Lake Eden Events // Florist: Flora // Caterer: Saffron Fine Foods // Bakery: Short Street Cakes // Officiant: Howard Hanger // Tent & Rentals: Classic Event Rentals // Hair: Lola Salon // Musicians: Snake Oil Medicine Show
Honeymoon Location: Costa Rica
Rocky Mountain Vintage
Lauren & Lucas | June 2nd | Evergreen, Colorado
From the photographer, Daylene Wilson Photographic:
Lucas bought Lauren’s vintage ring and hid it in his guitar case for over 6 months before proposing!
Lauren has an amazing sense of style and did this entire wedding on her own, including going to The Brass Armadillo every weekend to pick out the perfect touches.
Lauren used milk glass and vintage price tags for table numbers. She picked out the fabric for the napkins, handpicked all the vases for the tables, and made the favors.
Lauren’s family made every dessert on the morning of the wedding by hand!
THE VENDOR TEAM
Photographer: Daylene Wilson Photographic // Event Designer: Vintage Rentals Denver // Venue: The Meadows at Marshdale // Caterer: Relish Catering & Events
Comfy Vintage Elegance
From bride, Claire:
My overall vision was to have a comfy, vintage, homey feel with touches of soft elegance and beauty. We kept the decor colors pretty neutral in ivories, muted golds, and silvers, with antique detailed frames for family wedding photos, and gorgeous chandeliers hanging by burlap from the barn banisters. A couple of my favorite touches were having a hot chocolate bar for the guests before the ceremony, a theme of buffets for people to choose their own favorites (for cocktail/hors devours hour, dinner, and dessert), as well as a comfy sitting/lounge area of leather sofas and chairs around the barn fireplace. Overall, the entire experience was such a fun and enjoyable one. Although the day was a bit chilly, the entirety of it all was absolutely perfect, and we have all of our incredible vendors, family, and friends to thank for that.
RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Photographer: Sarah Hays Photography // Venue: Devil’s Thumb Ranch // Flowers, Decor, and Day-of-Coordination: Love This Day Events // Wedding Gown: Allure Bridal // Hair: Kut Above Salon
A Vintage Romance in the Hudson Valley
Jennifer & Bart | October 12th | Warwick, New York
From the bride, Jennifer:
We chose to be married on October 12 because it was my parent’s 55th wedding anniversary. My parents are a true testimony to what marriage is. Unfortunately, my mother has Alzheimer’s and no longer knows who her family is and hasn’t for a few years so she was unable to be there and I Know she would have loved every detail.
We had chandeliers in the trees and mason jars with candles and a drink station with a pear drink.
We were married in the Warwick valley winery pear orchard in a very large Gazebo. We wrote our own vows and made the ceremony about family.
My favorite treat is a chocolate covered apple and with us at a pear and apple orchard it seems perfect to give chocolate covered apples as our favors.
We had elegant simple cut flowers in milk glass vases including a milk glass vase that had been my parents for many years which was on our head table.
We found an antique dresser for our dessert, favor & candy bar.
My Advice: Relax and don’t take the planning to serious because it always works out.
Jennifer’s RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Photographer: The Couture House of Imagery. I loved Candice’s style it is so romantic and tells a story. She did a truly amazing job!
Venue: Warwick Valley Winery // Lodging: Crystal Springs Resort // Caterer: Landmark Inn // Cupcakes: Cafe Pierrot // Favors: Candy Apple Shoppe