Megan + Andrew: Fall Mountain Wedding in Vail, Colorado
Donovan Pavilion Wedding in Vail
Today's post is all about Megan + Andrew: Fall Mountain Wedding in Vail, Colorado with images courtesy of TMDexter Photography. The fall colors are in full effect right now, and if you are planning a fall wedding elopement, you can still have these kinds of photos on your big day. We're working with a couple right now, putting together an Independence Pass wedding for a family out of the Roaring Fork Valley and Aspen area. It's been a lot of fun seeing all the summer weddings, but there's just something about fall and the hillsides exploding with color. Wildflowers are just too small to see at a distance, unless you have big patches, in which case, they're spectacular. I've written posts before regarding wildflower hikes near Breck, so click here to check it out and make a plan for next summer.
Beaver Creek and Vail Weddings
We're also busy planning a winter wedding in the Beaver Creek area of the Vail Valley. It's quite the creative process to bring out each couple's personal style into an event that is unique to them. That's why this blog is here, to inspire you for your Colorado mountain wedding, and if you need help, we can put together some details that you don't need to waste time doing if you're spinning your wheels because you don't anything about the area. It also takes time to sort through all the various websites and screen vendors. We recommend only the people we think would do the best job for you. We know lots of vendors and venues, and if we have the answer to your problem, we're here to help you figure it out and create a custom wedding package that's everything you need and nothing you don't. Please contact us to learn more, and thanks for reading!
Andrew and I met while both in Los Angeles: he, having formerly pursued the acting life, and I, busy dancing professionally. Our mutual artistic friend thought we should meet because we were both on the way to New York City: Andrew for graduate school, and I for my dreams of dancing on the Great White Way. We met on Andrew’s last day in LA at his going away party and clicked immediately. Not only were we coming from the same place and going to the same place, but we had also been attending the same mega-church for months! We definitely caught each other’s attention, and that was only the beginning... Nine months later…our engagement story took place in Washington D.C., where Andrew and I had gone for the weekend after nine months of dating in New York. When we first got out of the car, we came to a fountain where I made a secret wish that we would get engaged. He had planned a romantic day to commemorate our milestone: lunch on the harbor, kayaking on the river, and the fourth of July fireworks! After the fireworks, we arrived back at the hotel where champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries were waiting. I thought the special treatment was in celebration of our nine month occasion, but, before I knew it, he was on his knee telling me he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. It was a dream—and a wish—come true!
I had always wanted an outdoor fall wedding in Colorado with the beautiful colors of the aspen trees turning. Since we had begun our romance in October and met for our first date by the pumpkins, I knew that I wanted to incorporate that into our theme. We arranged our wedding to be in the fall in the Rocky Mountains, and it could not have been more gorgeous! I decided to use individual mini pumpkins for each place setting and purchased a load of them, spray painting the tops gold to match our colors. As part of the centerpieces for our seven guest tables, I designed seven picture descriptions to match the different destinations from our love story: LA, New York, etc. As guests were assigned to seating at their respective cities (tables), they had a chance to see a picture of us in that specific place with words about how it played into our story as a couple. We also spent time designing our invitations and programs and cake to feature the aspen leaf, and the guest book, pen, and ring pillow I found tied into our theme of leaves and fall colors as well. Our cake had the letters A & M written in fondant to make a special stamp with our initials. Not only did everyone love the aesthetic design of our cake, but we chose a fall flavor of “Pumpkin Cardamom Cake with Caramel and Cream Cheese Frosting” that was enjoyed by all. Many were also touched by a slideshow that Andrew put together with the photos from our courtship that was played during at the end of the toasts. Finally, as finishing favor for our guests, I had assembled packages of s’more ingredients for “S’more love from the bride and groom” to take with them. Personalizing our wedding took some extra thought and time, but it was definitely worth the effort to make it our own—and all the more special.
My favorite part of the wedding was standing at the altar between the golden aspens and having the peace that we had finally arrived at our wedding day. As we stood, hand in hand, the pastor delivered his message and the sun streamed through the trees, perfectly shining God’s glory and illuminating the joy in our hearts to be together forever.
Photographer: TMDexter Photography//Caterer: Caterers of Vail//Design and Decor:Colorado Tents and Events//DJ:DJ D'Amico//Reception Venue: Donovan Pavilion//Invitation Designer:Minted.com//Floral Designer: Petals & Pours//Hair Stylist:Posh Salon//Dress Store: RK Bridal//Dress Designer:Stella York//Cake Designer:Sugar Breck//