RUSTIC AND ROMANTIC VAIL, COLORADO WEDDING AT CAMP HALE WEDDINGS

bringing your rustic and romantic vail, colorado wedding vision to life is a breeze at one of the best wedding venues in vail, colorado. #aandbabe jackie and ian’s wedding day at camp hale weddings in vail, colorado was scenic and serene. jackie and ian are avid nature lovers and much of their love story has taken place in the great outdoors. for them, no wedding venue felt more full circle than the towering pine trees and rugged mountains of camp hale weddings venue.

adventurous destination proposal in alaska

let’s rewind to jackie and ian’s engagement for a second. envision a remote fishing lodge with luxury amenities in the alaskan wilderness. for the past 16 years, jackie and her dad shared a tradition of visiting alaska in the summer and fly fishing together for days on end. the summer before their proposal, jackie’s dad suggested that ian also join them on their annual trip to enchanted lake lodge in katmai national park. that fishing trip went wonderfully and ian was invited back the following year.

for this second trip, ian had his sights set on proposing to jackie. the second he arrived at the lodge, he began planning with the lodge staff and including jackie’s father on the logistics for this dreamy proposal. after weighing out all options, ian selected jackie’s favorite lunch spot on the river to pop the question! jackie shares, “he dropped to one knee and started saying the sweetest things to me. with fishing rods in my hands, i knelt with him, hugged him, and said a huge ‘YES!!!’”.

lodge wedding with western-inspired decor and outdoor experiences

when it came time to choose a wedding venue, camp hale’s natural beauty felt fitting for the serene backdrop jackie and ian wanted for their wedding day. knowing this memorable setting needed minimal decor, jackie and ian focused on creating unique moments of personalization through pieces like custom cocktail napkins, western-inspired wedding place cards, fly fishing experiences, and more.

custom cowboy cocktail napkins

many modern couples choose to infuse their personalities or preferences into subtle elements of their wedding day such as their cocktail menu or cocktail napkins. jackie and ian opted to add a bit of personal flair to their wedding cocktail napkins. printed on ivory napkins, a black and white illustration of jackie and ian as young children in western wear was featured in the middle of the napkin. their wedding date, september 9th, 2023, was proudly embroidered on the top of ian’s cowboy hat. finishing off the drawing was a lasso script that read ‘ian and jackie’ directly under the illustration. on theme and darling, these custom cowboy cocktail napkins set the tone for the remainder of their celebrations.

western-inspired place cards

another western-inspired wedding detail was jackie and ian’s wedding table place cards. displayed in miniature cowboy hat place card holders, the cards had a bandana illustration in the center with each guest's name directly under this work of art. though simple, this thoughtful touch tied in their wedding theme and helped their wedding reception remain organized and stress-free.

fly fishing wedding day experience

since fly fishing is one of jackie’s hobbies and a feature in their own love story, it was crucial that this outdoor activity make an appearance on their wedding day. following the ceremony, jackie and ian strolled the grounds, getting wedding portraits and enjoying the mountain views. standing near the water, jackie was given a fishing rod and suddenly friends and family alike joined in on a wedding day fly fishing session!

shopping for a wedding dress in denver, colorado

you might be wondering, how in the world can a bride go fishing in a wedding dress? the answer is, you can do anything when your bridal gown is simple and comfortable! when shopping for a wedding dress in denver, colorado, jackie visited a&bé denver. it was upon discovering denver’s vagabond bridal collection that jackie was able to instantly envision herself in the dress of her dreams.

modern satin wedding dress by vagabond bridal

selecting ‘atlas’ by vagabond, jackie loved this modern satin wedding dress and the gown’s effortless movement. this thin strap wedding dress also had pockets and a beautiful bridal train. enjoying the feel of the satin fabric and its classic appeal, jackie finished off her vagabond wedding dress with whimsical bridal accessories.

pink floral bridal belt

jackie’s bridesmaids wore a range of light pink and champagne colored bridesmaids dresses. to coordinate with her bridesmaids and add a pop of color to her wedding look, jackie wore a pink floral bridal belt. this thick ribbon belt sat at jackie’s natural waist and had oversized flowers blooming on one side. adding texture and visual interest to her minimal wedding dress, this pink bridal belt was a fun and bold accessory!

unique horsehair bridal veil

in addition to the belt, jackie also wore an eye-catching bridal veil. when completing her bridal look at a&bé bridal shop denver, jackie found ‘julianne’ veil by sara gabriel. embellished with a 1” horsehair trim, this layered veil wrapped around jackie’s shoulders creating a waterfall-like effect. not only did the veil’s trim create a unique bridal look, but the weight of the trim also helped to keep the veil steady during their time outdoors.

unforgettable wedding day in nature

as the night went on, jackie, ian, and their loved ones enjoyed dinner and dancing at their tented reception. taking in the rustic ambience and romantic wedding details like bistro lights, a wooden dance floor, and greenery. jackie and ian’s vail, colorado wedding embraced the outdoors and let nature be the ultimate backdrop for their one-of-a-kind love story.



dress designer: vagabond / veil designer: sara gabriel / bridal shop: a&bé denver / photographer: mikkelle carlson photography / venue: camp hale weddings / planning: sapphire celebrations / hair and makeup: tina garbe / florals: bustle + bloom / videographer: yonder film co. / seamstress: donna beth creations