Kick’n’ it in Evergreen

Fantastic coulpe, and huge KU fans, (met and dated long distance) finally married in August 2011 at the Evergreen Lake House. I love when a bride knows her priorities. This bride immediately put her “dancing” shoes on.

Caterer:  Footers Catering
Event Planner:  A Touch of Bliss {LISTmember}
Reception Venue:  The Evergreen Lakehouse
Cake Designer:  Intricate Icings Cake Design {LISTmember}
Makeup Artist:  Makeup by Janine

Rustic in Steamboat

RUSTIC CHIC wedding in Steamboat Springs

Matt, the groom, is an Art Director in Denver and Karen, the bride, co-owns an acupuncture clinic that she’s at when she isn’t volunteering in places like Africa! Together they are making the world more beautiful through and through. You can juts feel the love throughout the photos from their first meet, ceremony in an aspen grove, into their swing dance first dance, and off with the sparkler send off!

The Highlights:

  • There was no wedding party, everyone there was the wedding party. If you were invited to their wedding you were a huge part of their lives.
  • DIY centerpieces with paper flower made by the couple, pinecones from their hikes, and twigs from their yard
  • Table numbers were not 1, 2, 3 but relevant facts about the couples relationship
  • Passing of the family silver dollar
  • Swinging, literally, awesome first dance that carried into a lively dance floor
  • All of this set in an aspen grove, in a valley, in beautiful Steamboat!

Note from Matt, the groom: Karen and I are both from Colorado, and we got to know each other through lots of camping, hiking, mountain-biking and rock climbing, so a Fall mountain wedding was a no-brainer. However, we wanted to bring some of our own personality and style to what could have easily become a rustic “barns and horses” kind of affair.

We designed our centerpieces ourselves, and they were definitely the most time-consuming part of the whole wedding. Many hours were spent folding the individual paper flowers. We collected the pinecones while we were out on a hike, and the branches were mostly trimmings from her parent’s yard. In the end, we couldn’t have been happier. Everyone was impressed by how unique they were, and even more impressed when they learned that we were the ones who designed and assembled them.

Kendall at Life is Sweet took inspiration from our centerpieces when designing the cake, and we were more than glad to fold a few extra flowers for her.

Since most of our families and some of our friends hadn’t met each other, we thought it would be fun to number the tables with unique numbers that had quirky significance in the history of our relationship.

Venue: Perry Mansfield Performing Arts Center, Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Dress: The designer was Allure Bridals, bought from D’Anelli Bridal in Lakewood
Shoes: Normal flip-flops and sparkly silver Tom’s
Jewelry: Combs from Sara Gabriel, ring from my great-grandmother
Flowers: One Fine Day, Steamboat Springs – great vendor
Paper Flowers: Handmade by bride, groom and friends.
Photographer: Paul Vincent

Romance in the City

This PINK wedding had all the elements of a romantic summer garden party coordinated by the talented team at A Touch of Bliss {LISTmember}.

Notes from the photographer: Shelly and Chris have such a special bond. It was truly a pleasure to work with them throughout the wedding planning process! It’s so fun to work with couples that are so obviously in love – Shelly and Chris are exactly that! They had such a romantic vision for their wedding which is so representative of who they are! Every detail reflected that – from the color pink, to their heart wedding logo, to the love letters they posted at their reception for their guest to read, to their own-written vows … I could go on forever! There were so many special details of their day that truly made it one of a kind! They also brought their love of Colorado into so many aspects of their day. Shelly and Chris collected stones from all over Colorado’s rivers and hiking trails for their ceremony. Their guests were instructed to make a wish for the couple during the ceremony and leave the stones in the jar as they left. It was so touching! Chris also cut all of the Aspen tree pillars and table numbers himself — and Shelly burned their logo into every one of them! It was such a beautiful touch and a fantastic nod to our awesome state!

Ceremony: Denver Botanic Gardens
Reception: Grant-Humphreys Mansion
Wedding Coordinator: Julia Hansen of A Touch of Bliss {LISTmember}
Florist: Lisa Anderson, Sweet Pea
Enternainment: Jeff West, Rock Candy DJ
Photographer: Vanessa Kruse, Flourish Studio Photography
Caterer: Biscuits & Berries
Dessert: Mulberries (cake and cupcakes); Stacy Balzer, Sister of the Bride (tortes and cookies)
Linens: Event Rents
Rolls Royce: Ambassador Limo
Dress: d’Annelli Bridal
Formal Wear: Al’s Formal Wear
Makeup: Tiffany McCray, Blush Artistry
Hair: Tala Salon

Sculpture Love

While I was in Aspen this past fall, Shelly Hamill {LISTmember} showed off her sculptures at the Viceroy Hotel Snowmass {LISTmember}. Her beautiful artwork which combines SCULPTURE and STYLE truly glimmered in the hotel lobby.

Creating sculptures depicting women’s dress forms was an inspired idea that allowed Shelly to soar creatively. “My challenge is to create something that is feminine and flirty, with softness and drape like fabric, using ceramic, glass and stone.   I work to create flow and gracefulness.  My hope is that the viewer is willing to touch the pieces, experience the rigidity of them, and appreciate seeing something in an entirely new way.” says Hamill.

When creating a mosaic sculpture, Shelly begins by creating a dress design.  She breaks down her design to recreate it in an armature of wire mesh and concrete.  The armature is created using a six-step process before any tile is applied.  Tiles, stones, glass, mirrors and beads are then applied using concrete as adhesive.  The tiles are then grouted permanently in place.  Finally, a layer of concrete is applied to the neck and armholes, completing the look.  Her mosaic dress sculptures have been shown in museums and galleries across Bermuda and the United States, and many grace the private collections of discerning patrons.

I am thrilled to show off the artwork of the amazing and talented Shelly Hamill.

Shelly can create her mosaic dress sculptures from YOUR wedding dress. This makes for a creative centerpiece and a life long piece of artwork that you will cherish forever.

photography by laura dombrowski

The most fabulous places to get married

I am thrilled to launch our very own WEDDING VENUE GUIDE. Whether you are a classic, chic or cowgirl bride, you will find the perfect place to get married in our hand-picked venue guide. It is packed full of information and photos from venues through out Colorado. Click here to start your search with our interactive map. Happy Planning!

Inspiration from Anna Be Five {part IV}

Anna Be {LISTmember}, a bridal boutique in Denver, turned FIVE and threw a fabulous party to celebrate!

It was one of the best parties I have been to in a long time. With over 400 guests, 8 decor vignettes, delicious food, silent auctions, a band that rocked the house, it was hard to soak it all in.

Eight Colorado wedding planners designed vignettes around the event space.  Here is our fourth vignette feature by Love this Day Events  {LISTmember}.

All the photos in these vignettes are by Jenna Walker Photographers {LISTmember}, Angie Wilson Photography and Michele Hart Photography.

This Inspiration Vignette brought to you by: Love this Day Events {LISTmember}, Cori Cook Floral {LISTmember}, Teacup and A Vintage Affair

Interview with love this day events:

1. How did you come up with your inspiration board?
Inspired by the initial board and assigned the color gold, I found an old Vogue photoshoot that was inspired by The Great Gatsby.  I fell in love with it and ran with that . . .

2. What was your favorite part of your vignette?
My team Cori Cook FloralTeacup and A Vintage Affair - definitely. It is inspiring to work with wonderful people.  And I loved the giant ostrich feather piece that I made.

3. How could this vignette translate to a bride’s wedding?
We could make this a delicious Hampton’s Summer Great Gatsby wedding in a heartbeat. I think that every piece was absolutely attainable and could be created in the real world.

4. Describe your vignette in three words. Gold, Feathers and Fun

5. Given the constraints of space your vignette was only a piece of a wedding, name one other element you would add if you weren’t limited by space or budget?
I would have added  – a white vintage couch – definitely :)

6. Aside from Mile High Station, name one location in Colorado where you would love to execute a wedding with your vignette’s style? I would LOVE to do this on a mountain ranch — maybe T Lazy 7 in Aspen {LISTmember} or Devils Thumb in Tabernash.