(All photographs by IlluminArts Photography)
Stephanie & Matthew of Denver, CO
Married September 29, 2007
Durango, Colorado
Our wedding day was so perfect I cried at the end because it was over. I still look at the photos to relive the day over and over again.
THE DETAILS
Budget: $ 20,000
Number of Guests: 65
How long to plan wedding: Five months.
Wedding Site: Ridgewood Event Center at Blue Lake Ranch.
The Planning
We decided that we wanted a small non-traditional wedding with only the most important people in our lives. The ceremony and cocktail hour were outside followed by dinner and dancing inside.
Matt took on half of the planning tasks. We really planned everything together.
With the help and guidance of the Southwest Colorado Wedding Guide magazine and website, planning our destination wedding in five months was cake! The Wedding Guide threw us in the right direction and it was wonderful to read about and view local Durango weddings especially, since we were planning things from out-of-town.
The Theme/Décor
Colorado mountain elegance with a Fall theme. We lined the aisle with sunflowers and had galvanized buckets hanging from hooks off the end of the aisle chairs. The buckets were full of sunflowers, dahlias, daisies, snap dragons and roses. Our reception centerpieces were square glass vases with the similar arrangements. The napkins were even tied with mini sunflowers and a sprig of rosemary. The flowers were amazing.
The Flowers
I wanted a brightly colored bouquet and Wildwoods Floral delivered and produced a phenomenal color combination. We had sunflowers, hot prink roses and orange and pink dahlias. Cindy was amazing. She did so much to make the wedding absolutely breathtaking.
The Cake
We had three different layers: carrot, chocolate and lemon with raspberry. In addition to the cake, we had a dessert buffet with key lime tarts, cheesecake and cookie bars.
The Favors
Nambe crystal votive holders.
Special Touches
We hired a guitarist to play classical music during the ceremony and cocktail hour. Days prior to the wedding, we had asked Pete to play ‘Here Comes the Sun’ by the Beatles for our recessional. It was the prefect song choice since the sun came out just before the ceremony.
We took a lot of photos before the ceremony which allowed us to enjoy the day that we had worked so hard to put together.
We each had just one person stand up with us. I had my sister and Matt had his brother in law.
We had five small children, ranging in age from three – eight, walk down the aisle and throw aspen leaves. We did have one nephew that handed leaves directly to guests instead of throwing them; it was so cute.
In Germany it is tradition to play games during the reception. So we did and had a blast. Matt & I sat back to back on the dance floor, took off our shoes and held one shoe in each hand. Guests then asked us a series of silly questions like, who does the laundry, who has the better mother-in-law, etc. We answered each question by raising our shoe – since we couldn’t see one another when answering it was fun.
We hired a shuttle service to bring guests to the ceremony a well as to drive them back to the hotel so no one would have to worry about navigating the winding country roads at night.
We had a BBQ dinner for our guests Thursday evening and an amazing rehearsal dinner on Friday at Blue Lake Ranch.
On Sunday, we hung out all day with the remaining guests finishing off our left over wine, champagne and food.
What would you do Different
I wish we would have hired a videographer for the ceremony. We had several friends tape the ceremony but it wasn’t the same as what a professional would have provided.
Memorable Moment
It was cold and cloudy all day but just before my dad and I were about to walk down the aisle the sun came out. It was windy before the ceremony but by the end there was no wind.
Our Advice
Do not get so wrapped up in the little things.
Share the planning with your husband to be.
Take your time and have fun with the planning.
Make a list and follow it.
On our wedding day we decided that whatever happens, happens. We made a vow not to stress “It is what it is”.
Honeymoon Locale: London
RECOMMENDED WEDDING PROS Photographer: IlluminArts
Photography. I hate having my photo taken yet when I saw our wedding photos I was blown away because they were so pretty.
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All photographs by IlluminArts
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