Going into this planning process, however, I had a unique advantage. Not only did I know the best pros in the business, I had also observed a bevy of brides before me walk down their own aisles. So, I knew who could carry out the day of my dreams, as well as knowing what I didn’t want to do. The most important thing to me was to enjoy this day. I’ve seen too many couples succumb to the stress that comes with the big wedding, and when it’s all said and done, they only recall bits and pieces of this important day. They worry the centerpieces won’t look right. They pour over seating charts. They feud with friends and family over who will stand up with them. I’ve been there. I’ve done that. And hindsight, in it’s 20/20 splendor, showed me that all of that was utterly unimportant to me. I wanted him. I dreamed of a wedding that was only about us, and what we loved. And I wanted it in a way where we could declare our promises to each other, without expectation and obligation interceding. So, with only a couple of months before our planned big day, it hit me like a MAC truck. We were set to leave in one week for vacation in Colorado. So, in a final burst of spontaneous fervor, and with only one week to put everything in the works, we scrapped the original plan, and opted to elope in the Rocky Mountains. After all, he proposed to me in my happy place, so I wanted to marry him in his. Looking back, it was as though it was meant to be that way the entire time, and we just realized it in the 11th hour. We already had two of our best friends vacationing with us, so witnesses: check. Our photographers were coming for a couple of days to take our engagement photos, so photography: check. Special Occasions, Monarch Flower Co, and Brenda’s Bridal Veils all came together in the most amazing way to help rush the details and make it all work, even under the wire. All we needed now was a minister. So, without a moment’s hesitation, Ron Ruth graciously agreed to get ordained and hop on a jet plane to marry his first couple! The perfect ceremony spot we found happened to be at 11,000 feet, which coincidentally coincided with my favorite number. And I walked down the aisle to Ben Harper’s “Forever”, which happened to be the reason we were going to Colorado in the first place, to see his show at Red Rocks the evening prior. All I know is that it was absolutely the right thing for us, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I know I got to spend the morning of my wedding nestled in a hammock hung in a grove of trees by our cabin. I know that Bradley has never looked more handsome than he did among the Aspen trees where we exchanged vows at the base of the mountain. And to top it off, our first adventure as man and wife was to Summit the top of Mt. Evans. We not only survived, we thrived, and I can’t wait to see what other mountains we will climb together in this new “forever.” Simply put, if I were creating our own love storybook, and had it to all over again, this is exactly how I’d want it written! EABride.com
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