COLORADO MOUNTAINSIDE WEDDINGS FEATURING DREAMY DESTINATION WEDDING IDEAS
featured wedding dress designers
alena leena & alyssa kristin
rustic mountain weddings are all the rage, but what makes destination mountain weddings special? this real wedding blog will be featuring two #aandbabes who picked colorado mountain wedding venues that were unique and cozy. from a surreal aspen, colorado outdoor wedding ceremony to a beautiful buena vista, colorado courtyard wedding at surf hotel, both of these unique wedding venues in colorado blew us away.
MOUNTAIN WEDDING IN ASPEN, COLORADO
how to choose your destination wedding location?
choosing your wedding venue is always a big decision, but even more so when planning a destination wedding. most couples planning a destination wedding pick the location due to it being a part of their love story or having family in the area.
in the case of #aandbabe madi and chris, both were true. madi spent much of her family vacation time in aspen, colorado and her parents now live in the area. not only was their family a factor in their decision to get married in aspen, but their relationship also played a part. “chris and madi's first vacation together was skiing at aspen/snowmass.” wanting to recreate the countless adventures aspen, colorado had provided them over the years, madi and chris concentrated on all the experiences guests could attend.
going for a “fun summer vacation” feeling for their destination wedding weekend in aspen, colorado, they prepared everything from a group hike to a wedding barbecue dinner to welcome their friends and family.
amazing outdoor wedding ceremony in ashcroft valley
while the sights of their wedding weekend itinerary were fun, nothing beat the views of their beautiful mountainside wedding ceremony in ashcroft valley. with wildflowers and rolling meadows, madi and chris wed among a fun floral installation of roses.
their casual outdoor wedding was complete with white cushion wooden chairs on either side of the aisle and ground flower installations at the start of the outdoor ceremony seating. past their semi-circle grounded floral arch, guests could view the elk mountain range and the winding road leading to it.
personalized mountain wedding detail ideas
not only was their wedding location deeply personal, but so were many of their wedding details. “chris's stepmom and sister-in-law created the watercolor paintings for their invitations, his dad carved a ceremony sign out of driftwood from their home in florida, and chris's brother served as the officiant. madi's parents and sister delivered speeches and readings that had the guests both crying and laughing (some at the same time).”
instead of a typical father-daughter first look, madi even incorporated a personal touch into her time spent with her dad. during the cocktail hour, she made sure to carve out some special time for a quick fly fishing session at the wedding venue's trout pond. though no fish were caught, these precious moments captured on camera are a forever memento of this sentimental father-daughter wedding moment.
cozy pine creek cookhouse wedding dinner
when it comes to mountain weddings, a themed wedding dinner is always fun. for madi and chris’ big day, guests gathered in the pine creek cookhouse to dine on elk and trout before taking to the dance floor to celebrate.
with rustic wooden farm tables and the glow of antler chandeliers above, madi and chris’ relaxed cabin reception was a delight. elegant and simple, their loved ones enjoyed the mountain dinner menu and the endless dancing that followed.
simple outdoor wedding dress
wanting to accessorize her wedding dress, madi opted for the classic ‘maven’ by alyssa kristin gown. with a v-neckline and thick straps, this fitted crepe wedding dress looked timeless among their mountain terrain.
with a thin crepe belt at the waist seam and covered buttons down the zipper, madi was a vision on their wedding day in alyssa kristin. wearing a long embroidered tulle veil, simple bracelet, and small dangle pearl earrings her sophisticated bridal style matched their elegant wedding decor.
sporting a kemo sabe cowboy hat for a few shots, the hat’s turquoise studded tassel served as madi’s 'something blue'. a modern wedding dress worn with western wear pieces, madi’s unique bridal look was breathtaking.
dress designer: alyssa kristin / bridal shop: a&bé portland / photographer: jess leigh shooting for melissa brielle / venue: pine creek cookhouse / planning and styling: white birch weddings / florist: bustle and bloom co. / ceremony and reception music: dj naka g
COURTYARD WEDDING IN BUENA VISTA, COLORADO
colorado wedding venues with mountain views
looking for a wedding venue with mountain views and modern amenities? just two hours from denver, surf hotel in buena vista, colorado is simple, but offers a sense of adventurous escape.
#aandbabe shelby and aaron’s picturesque wedding venue was perfect for their intimate wedding ceremony. wanting to be close to nature, but also keeping guests' comfort in mind, they chose to get married in a stone courtyard among their closest family and friends.
charming courtyard wedding ceremony in buena vista
shelby and aaron spent their wedding morning getting ready and taking in the views of the buena vista mountains from their rooms’ balconies. these two soaked in all the wedding day feels and finalized their vows at the very last minute.
deciding to do an informal first look early in the day, both shelby and aaron were able to relax and truly spend time celebrating with their guests.
not only was their wedding timeline unique, but shelby and aaron’s wedding officiant selection was too! “we had a difficult time determining who would be best to officiate our wedding until the day i realized self-officiation was a possibility in colorado. we officiated our ceremony ourselves and had 3 loved ones do readings prior to our vows.”
modern surf hotel wedding reception
taking place in a modern industrial ballroom, their urban mountain wedding reception was a reflection of their love. with a hand-sewn pennant reading ‘love will carry us through’ and their wedding date and initials embroidered on the bottom, their personal touches could be seen throughout the reception decor.
simple beaded wedding dress
when it came to selecting a wedding dress, shelby knew she wanted something that felt true to her. wearing ‘myrtus’ by alena leena, the gown’s beaded corset bodice and flowy a-line skirt moved beautifully as she walked down the aisle.
with this alena leena wedding gown's tulle beaded flutter straps on her shoulders, the shimmery beadwork was beautiful. the classic arched windows of their minimal wedding venue ushered in natural light and allowed myrtus to magically sparkle all day long.
dress designer: alena leena / bridal shop: a&bé denver / photographer: sarah e. photography / venue: surf hotel / florist: rancho verde flowers / day of coordinator: emerald + ivy weddings and events / menswear: suit supply / earrings: amelie george bridal / banners: oxford pennant