It was only natural that Sarah and Eric tied the knot at The Wild Basin Lodge’s meadow ceremony site overlooking Longs Peak and Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park; the St. Louis couple share a love of nature, hiking with their dogs, St. Louis’ Forest Park, and being outside in Colorado’s Rockies. Eric even proposed to his bride during a private and romantic hike through Alberta Falls in The Rocky Mountain National Park. In fact, the couple was able to integrate several aspects of nature into their beautiful ceremony and
reception, which occurred at The Wild Basin Lodge near Estes Park last summer. The couple donated wildflower seeds to the venue after their ceremony, the bride’s sister made a “guest book” by painting tree branches on a canvas that the guests “signed” by adding their fingerprint in green ink to look like leaves on a family tree, and the bride’s father and uncles created a charming sign out of recycled wood to direct guests to the ceremony and reception.

Along with utilizing the services of local wedding professionals Floral Designs of Europe for bouquets and boutonnieres, Ashley Davis Photography ,and A DJ For Hire, the couple’s family and friends added gorgeous touches to the stunning mountain venue. The bride’s friend, Annie, made the two-tiered wedding cake in St. Louis. She then delicately transported the creation on the plane to the wedding venue and added polka dot decorations once she arrived in Colorado. The groom’s childhood pastor from Rockford, Illinois traveled to deliver a touching ceremony sermon to the couple and their guests. Family and friends added handmade floral arrangements of daisies, aster, and greens to mason jars lining the ceremony aisle and reception tables. The bride also utilized the services of her favorite Loveland hairstylist, to whom she has been going since the age of 5!

Sarah looked radiant in her strapless Demetrios Bridal gown, gold ceremony earrings from Stella and Dot, and a Forever 21bracelet. Eric, the groomsmen, the fathers of the bride and groom, and the bride’s brother and grandfather wore charcoal grey suits from Jos A. Bank along with cerulean blue ties by Ralph Lauren. The bridesmaids and flower girls wore cerulean blue dresses from David’s Bridal and glittery gold heels from DSW.

Since Sarah and Eric are busy attorneys based in St. Louis, they were thrilled to have found The Wild Basin Lodge because the staff assisted with almost every aspect of the planning process remotely. Said the nature-loving couple about their venue, “What a wonderful day and what a wonderful place; we couldn’t be happier!” When asked what advice she would give to brides in the planning stages of their own wedding, easy-going bride Sarah recommended that brides remember the joy of planning and marrying the person you love, “If the stress is pervasive in a detail, don’t do it; make your wedding something that embodies what makes you and your fiancé most happy.”

Ceremony/Caterer/Reception Venue: Wild Basin Lodge {LISTmember}
Florist: Floral Designs of Europe
Photography: Ashley Davis Photography
Reception Music: DJ Mike Randleman from A DJ For Hire
Bridal Gown: Demetrios Bride
Bridesmaid/flower girl gowns: David’s Bridal
Bridesmaid footwear: DSW
Bridal Jewels: Forever 21 and Stella and Dot
Men’s attire: Jos A. Bank and Ralph Lauren