Destination Crested Butte

Denise & Brad | August 18th | Crested Butte, Colorado

From the bride, Denise:
We lived in Crested Butte for a year, and still consider it our favorite place on earth. We didn’t want to have a big wedding, and 90+% of our guests were coming from out of state or out of the country.  Rather than follow the outline of a standard wedding, we created our own rituals. Everyone rode the chairlift to the venue. Our dog, Otter, carried our vows pinned to his collar, escorted by our Flower Matron. After the opening of the ceremony we each introduced our attendants to our guests, and the formalities concluded with a champagne toast. Everyone then enjoyed a cocktail hour with music, lawn games, and light fare presented in picnic baskets and on tiered silver trays. Drinks included a selection of Colorado microbrews, champagne and Pimm’s Cups.

We had events throughout the week so guests could get to know each other. On Wednesday we had a Welcome Gathering featuring rum from Montanya Distillers in Crested Butte. Thursday night we rented a screen at the Majestic theater to screen our slideshow and play our favorite movie (Blazing Saddles). Friday we had the rehearsal at the site and rehearsal dinner on-mountain at Uley’s Cabin for wedding participants, followed by Sunset Cocktails for all the invitees.

Our in-case-of-rain plan for the outdoor ceremony was 25 different umbrellas in the wedding colors (different sizes, patterns and shapes).

We were married in the meadow at the top of the Red Lady chairlift at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, with the Elk Mountains as our backdrop.

After the ceremony, there was a two-hour break allowing time for guests to relax, change clothes or nap. The reception was held in Crested Butte at Maxwell’s restaurant. Décor included crystal chandeliers, candlelight yellow uplighting, and rich fabrics.

Our tent was decorated with yellow seersucker drapes, and the interior ceiling covered with various sized paper lanterns in shades of blue. This allowed for cover for the food and bar, and shelter in case of inclement weather.

My advice: Take your time! Think about what you really want before you make ANY plans. Others will pressure you into decisions (What sort of flowers are you having?), but you should really decide what you want the event to be (Do I want any flowers at all?).

The theme for the rehearsal party was Mountain Pub, and included ping-pong, darts and foosball tables, and large chandeliers crafted out of Colorado beer bottles.

Since we were hiking directly from town the next morning to start our honeymoon, our backpacks were decorated and brought to the reception. We left wearing them, with cans and streamers tied to them, and ‘Just Married!’ signs.

RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Photographer: Alison White Photography  //  Event Planner: Crested Butte Events  //  Ceremony Site: Crested Butte Mountain Resort  //  Reception Site: Maxwell’s Restaurant  //  DJ: High Mountain DJs  //  Décor: Pink Monkey Solutions  //  Invitations: The Envelope Please   //  Wedding Dress: The Little White Dress   //  Hair & Makeup: The Cut Above

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Vail Mountain Chic

Michelle & Steve | September 11th | Vail, Colorado

This beautiful mountain celebration was accented with a fall-inspired color palette of deep red, burnt orange, yellow and green that was intricately weaved into every detail of the day.  To further highlight autumn in the mountains, golden aspen leaves adorned the ceremony decor, escort card tree, menu cards and the 3-tier wedding cake.  We  love this wedding!

View more Fall Weddings in the Mountains!

 

THE VENDORS
Photography: Autumn Burke Photography  //  Event Planner:  Bella Event Design & Planning  //  Venue:  Larkspur Restaurant  //  Event Design:  Pink Monkey Solutions  //  Flowers:  Bloom Flower Shop  //  Cake:  Kelley Kakes // DJ:  Greatime DJ  // Hair Stylist:  Roots Hair Studio

A Peony Surprise in Vail Village

Morgan & Casey | July 30th | Vail, Colorado

From the bride:
We chose Vail because we both grew up skiing in Colorado and have always loved the way we felt when we were in the mountains. When we were first engaged we decided it would be perfect to get married in the mountains of Colorado.

Planning a wedding from Dallas, I relinquished a lot of the decision making to our vendors who I trusted would make it beautiful no matter what. So honestly, the whole look and feel of the wedding was some what of a surprise to me.

My favorite flowers are peonies. A few weeks before the wedding we found out that no florist from Dallas to Colorado could find peonies for our wedding day. We chose a different flower last minute, but this was the one thing that went “wrong” during our planning process. A few days before our wedding my mom and mother-in-law were walking around Vail and saw one bush full of beautiful white peonies! They went and knocked on the homeowners door and asked if there was any chance they could have a few for my bouquet. The homeowners were honored to be asked and graciously gave us as many as we wanted!  In the end, my bouquet was made of the freshly picked Vail peonies.

My favorite color is white so all of the flowers for the ceremony and reception were white with accent colors of gold. The only pop of color was the sapphire blue bridesmaids dresses. When you chose a place like Vail for your wedding, the beauty of the town is pretty much the focal point! Memorable Moment: Saying our vows. I have envisioned that moment sine I was a little girl and it was so surreal to be standing with all of our friends and family watching us, finally say those vows to one another. Casey actually tried to kiss me during the ceremony before we were pronounced as man and wife, so I had to dodge his attempt which led the crowd to burst out laughing.

The reception was filled with candles, white flowers, a wall of floating candles, freshly cut Aspen trees, ice sculptures, and dancing people!

Our wedding day turned out just how I imagined it. It wasn’t just the wedding day that made our wedding so special, it was the entire wedding weekend.I will say the entire day and night was such a blur that I am so thankful we had a videographer! We have not seen the footage yet but I look forward to reliving every moment!

RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Photographer: Jamee Photography  //  Event Planner: Jane Floyd and Associates  //  Ceremony Site: Vail Interfaith Chapel  //  Reception Site, Caterer, Lodging: Sonnenalp Resort of Vail  //  Wedding Gown: Lela Rose  //  Men’s Wear: Mountain Tux  //  Décor: Pink Monkey Solutions  //  Florist: A Secret Garden  //  Cake: Sugar Breckenridge  //  Ceremony Musicians: Silver City Strings //  Reception Band: Moments Notice // Invitations/Programs: Paper Affair  //  Videographer: Creative Mountain Images

Honeymoon Location: Likuliku Lagoon in Fiji