WED Magazine | Spring/Summer 2015 Issue by wedmag

the

fashion ISSUE

stunning

COLORADO

weddings the

happily married

PILL

$10.00 Spring / Summer 2015

www.inbaldror.com

7 Photography by Yaniv Edrei, Israel

High Altitude. High Fashion.

the

happily married Is marriage counseling in pill form not too far off?

pill

54 inside Vail 58 The town you already love loves weddings

avant

garde (n)

PARTY 114 Celebrate sunny weather in dresses that sparkle and shine

SET the

TABLE Get inspired by stunning table top design

130

departments 14 Editor’s Letter 17-20 News & Notes

The color of the year, upcoming trunk shows & more

22-39 Runway

The ultimate bridal runway guide

40 The Questionnaire

Claire Pettibone talks fashion and inspiration

42-45 The Lookbook What to wear to summer weddings

46-48 Accessories

Exquisite, modern designs bring glamour back

50 Cakes

Show-stopping confections by Colorado’s best bakers

64-66 Essay

Is it unfeminist to take your husband’s name?

68-112 Real Weddings

Inside Colorado’s chicest weddings

140-145 Honeymoon

The Seychelles bring paradise to a new level

146 Well Wed

Love. Family. Friends. Fun! Be inspired. Experience a Bella Bridesmaids showroom for the largest selection of bridesmaids dresses.

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High Altitude. High Fashion.

Editor in Chief Allyson Reedy

Publisher Briar Schreiber

Art Directors Alexis Symonds, Courtney Mamuscia

Editorial Intern Dana Lapinel

Marketing Intern Valentina Auer

Contributing Writers Dana Lee, Stepanie Dahle

Photographers McBoat Photography, Brooke Trexler, Carrie King, Selah Photography, James Christianson, David Lynn, Happy Confetti, Dana Romanoff, Chowen Photography, Robin Proctor

Copyright 2015 by Hip Elephant, LLC, All rights reserved. Wed is published twice a year. Reproduction without permission of Hip Elephant, LLC is prohibited. The information in this publication is believed to be accurate. However, Wed and Hip Elephant, LLC cannot and does not guarantee its accuracy. Wed and Hip Elephant, LLC cannot and will not be held liable for the quality or performance of goods or services provided by advertisers or any other portion of this publication. Opinions expressed in the magazine and/or its advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hip Elephant, LLC. All editorial images not specifically credited to a photographer are courtesy of the respective company and used with their permission.

wed-mag.com Facebook facebook.com/wedthemag Pinterest pinterest.com/wedthemag For advertising inquiries, please contact Briar@wed-mag.com.

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Editor’s Letter High Altitude. High Fashion.

hen we first created Wed magazine, we wanted to keep it away from that F-word that describes so many bridal and wedding publications – Frivolous. It was – and is – important to us to show our brides the most outstanding and current options for their wedding days, but also to give them the chance to step away from the hectic planning, take a breath and remember that the wedding is just the beginning of something not at all frivolous – marriage. Speaking of marriage (Why, by the way, is that word missing from so many wedding blogs, magazines and discussions?), we have a fascinating article on the controversial future of marriage counseling. The Happily Married Pill (p. 54) explores the possibility of using psychopharmaceuticals to replace traditional forms of marital therapy. We also have an introspective essay from writer Stephanie Dahle regarding her decision to keep her own last name or to take her husband’s. In Name Dropping (p. 64), Dahle sifts through her attachments and feminist ideals to answer the question, what’s in a name? Wed’s purpose is also to give brides access to the very best in Colorado weddings, which is why we have 44 pages of real weddings sure to inspire. And, one of the most iconic, critical and beautiful parts of any wedding day is the dress. In this issue we have 39 pages devoted to what’s walking down the runway, what inspires your favorite dress designers and what our idea of an avant garden party photoshoot at Hudson Gardens looks like. Yes, that’s a lot of fashion coverage, and some may say that fashion is frivolous, but fashion is also artistic, imaginative and, most importantly, personal. If it makes you feel beautiful – if it makes you feel more like you – then that’s not frivolous at all.

Allyson Reedy allyson@wed-mag.com

On the cover: Gown by Ann Barge from Little White Dress, $3,730; Headpiece by Newberry Brothers; Photographed by McBoat Photography at Hudson Gardens.

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news notes

from the wedding world

off

COLOR? When Pantone announced Marsala as 2015’s color of the year, the response wasn’t exactly enthusiastic. The wine-y, burgundyish, earthy red hue has gotten little love from fashion lovers and culture commentators, which is surprising since it calls up ‘90s-era grunge – so popular right now. We think the color looks best in Mother Nature’s elegant hands – and in yours, if you’re carrying a Marsala-inspired bouquet like the one pictured from Cote Designs.

Calla Lilies

Chocolate Cosmos

Ranunculus

Photography by Casto Photography

Roses

Dahlias 17

(Trunk)

Show-Offs If you have your sights set on a particular designer, mark your calendar for when these heavyweights come to town. Claire Pettibone

Wtoo by Watters

Known for: Romantic, ultrafeminine silhouettes that marry a vintage feeling with modern style. Where: Little White Dress When: March 6-8, 2015

Known for: Accessibly priced classic gowns. Where: Blue Bridal Boutique When: April 19-21, 2015

Jenny Packham Known for: Sultry, old-Hollywood dresses with luxurious beaded embellishment. Where: Little White Dress When: March 13-15, 2015

Matthew Christopher Known for: Modern elegance with drama in every detail. Where: Little White Dress When: March 20-22, 2015

Daalarna Known for: Romantic, sensual gowns made with alluring fabrics. Where: Emma & Grace When: April 2-4, 2014

Tara Keely by Lazaro Known for: Romantic style with sophisticated lines. Where: Blue Bridal Boutique When: May 1-3, 2015

Anne Barge Known for: Modern interpretations of history’s most beautiful couture wedding gowns; a blend of classic and contemporary styles made with the finest materials. Where: Little White Dress When: April 10-12, 2015

Sara Gabriel Known for: Veiling and headpieces meticulously crafted from freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals. Where: Anna Bé When: April 24-25; May 29-30; August 14-15, 2015

Galia Lahav Known for: Glamorous, sexy dresses with show-stopping detailing and illusion backs. Where: Little White Dress When: June 5-7, 2015

Hayley Paige Known for: Effortlessly feminine silhouettes with a touch of edginess. Where: Anna Bé When: July 10-11, 2015

Monique Lhuillier Known for: Sophisticated luxury meets modern glamour. Where: Anna Bé When: July 31-August 1, 2015

Anna Maier Couture Known for: Being a truly couture bridal house that masterfully tailors luxurious fabrics for the modern bride.. Where: Anna Bé When: August 7-8, 2015

Top: Anne Barge Middle: Jenny Packham Lower: Monique Lhuillier

News & Notes

TREND REPORT

True Colors Brides are seeking something new in the engagement ring world: dazzling rubies, glittering emeralds and brilliant sapphires. Maybe diamonds aren’t forever? According to industry experts, more couples have been looking for gemstones and colored diamonds to symbolize their everlasting love. “With the popularity of the diamond halo surrounding a center stone, the more classic, three-stone ruby or emerald setting has become a young and fresh look…setting a newly engaged woman apart from what most of her friends may have,” says Susi Altman, store manager at Hyde Park Jewelers. Celebrities have been drifting from the traditional diamond engagement ring too, with Jessica Simpson rocking a 5-carat ruby ring and Halle Berry wearing a vintage-inspired, 4-carat emerald ring. But the most notable trendsetter is Kate Middleton, who was proposed to with Princess Diana’s 18-carat sapphire engagement ring. Whether a bride chooses her birthstone, a family heirloom or a favorite color, precious stones can express personal style in a bold and beautiful way. After all, diamonds aren’t every girl’s best friend.

OPENING

state of the ART Art enthusiasts looking for a unique wedding locale or just a cool place to stay will be delighted this spring with the grand opening of the ART hotel on West 12th Avenue and Broadway. Staying true to the name, the hotel includes two spacious galleries – on the first and fourth floors – featuring contemporary artists. With floor-to-ceiling windows, 165 guest rooms with hand-selected décor, a 3,145 square-foot ballroom and a modern aesthetic, the ART is a memorable wedding venue for couples that love a contemporary look. Besides the ballroom, ceremony and reception options include a top floor, open-air garden terrace and Fire, a restaurant that specializes in new American cuisine and caters events hosted at the ART.

TRUST US

bite-sized

Bundt

We know what you’re thinking. Bundt cakes? That’s more passé than the cupcake trend. We thought so too – until we tasted The Bundt Shoppe’s bitty bundts. These mini versions of the 1950s favorite are so moist, flavorful and unforgettable that you’ll be a bundt convert too. With flavors like raspberry truffle, snickerdoodle and (our favorite) cookies & cream, bundt is definitely back.

TheBundtShoppe.com

Think

PINK

WED was proud to partner with non-profit The Wedding Pink for Think Pink, a night of great food, drinks, music and décor from Colorado’s most talented wedding vendors. Blanc hosted the October 1, 2014 festivities, which included a bridal gown auction with dresses donated by Little White Dress and Anna Bé and musical performances by Party Singers.

Photography by: Amy Michelle Photography, Brooke Trexler Photography, Carrie King Photography, Katie VanBuren Photography

KRISTINA LYNN PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN

“We do”

Have an elegant wedding in our world-renowned gardens, nestled in the heart of the city.

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Extraordinary sites featuring tropical plants, exotic blooms and water displays Award-winning catering Indoor and outdoor sites tailored for an intimate affair, a lavish event and anything in between BOOK TODAY! 720-865-3551 | private.events@botanicgardens.org

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take the

PLUNGE

Not for the modest, down-to-there v-necks show off some skin with style.

Runway

(from left to right) Carolina Herrera Carolina Herrera Rivini Naeem Khan Alyne by Rita Vinieris 23 Jenny Packham

true

COLORS

White not your hue? Designers explored more of the color wheel for Fall 2015.

(from left to right) Claire Pettibone Theia Monique Lhuillier Elizabeth Fillmore Tara LaTour

a separate

PIECE

From pant suits to crop tops paired with flowy skirts, bridal separates prove two pieces are better than one.

Runway

(from left to right) Tara LaTour Theia Monique Lhuillier Reem Acra Rivini 27 Reem Acra

fringe

BENEFITS

Call it the aftermath of the Gatsby and Boho trends of late; fringe is shaking its way down the aisle.

(from left to right) Nicole Miller Claire Pettibone Claire Pettibone Theia Naeem Khan

Making Special

Extraordinary

Designed Backdrops Floral Integration Creative Lighting

aura Event Services

www.auraeventservices.net | 720-660-6836 29 Photography by One Oak Photography

a cut

ABOVE

Skin says ‘peekaboo’ without oversharing in these cut-out creations.

(from left to right) Anne Barge Jean Ralph Thurin Rivini Kelly Faetinini Angel Sanchez

all

HEART

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re crushing on sweetheart necklines â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which can go ultra-romantic, super chic or big and bold.

(from left to right) Lela Rose Naeem Khan Liancarlo Liancarlo Kelly Faetinini

Look that much more perfect on your perfect day.

Wedding Party Packages Available

Nails | Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shaves | Boutique

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& SIMPLE

pure

Less is more in these pared-down dresses that highlight clean lines and modern silhouettes.

(from left to right) Lela Rose Romona Keveza Tara LaTour Anna Maier Couture Jenny Packham

Perfect Your Smile We can give you the smile of your dreams for your big day.

Let us create your beautiful smile for your wedding day and beyond. Whitening specials for wedding parties Smile makeovers with Invisalign and/or veneers

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tracks of my

TIERS

Tiers arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just for wedding cakes; ruffles and layers sashayed down runways.

Runway

(from left to right) Anne Barge Claire Pettibone Angel Sanchez Winnie Couture Alyne by Rita Vinieris Marchesa 37

cold

SHOULDER

The hottest wedding day accessory? Your clavicle. Channel old Hollywood glamour with these smoldering off-the-shoulder looks.

Runway

(from left to right) Lela Rose Anna Maier Gemy Maalouf Sareh Nouri Jenny Packham 39 Marchesa

Claire Pettibone, the queen of ultra-romantic, vintage-inspired

wedding gowns, lingerie and accessories, tells us about her dream client, sources of inspiration

& Photograhy by Elizabeth Messina

What was the first big fashion moment of your life? Attending my first wedding, age 4 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC.

When were you most happy? When our daughter was born.

What is your greatest fear? The zombie apocalypse…just kidding!

Who are your favorite designers? Alexander McQueen, Valentino, Dior fine jewelry.

What’s your favorite wedding gown of all time? Wedding dresses from the 1920’s are so feminine and detailed…lace, embroidery, florals…my favorite things!

Who is your dream celebrity to design a wedding dress for? Lupita Nyong’o — beautiful inside and out.

Describe the current state of bridal fashion. Full of options to suit any style.

favorite wedding dress.

The Questionnaire

“Wedding dresses

from the 1920’s

are so feminine and detailed.”

Mothers passing down wedding gowns to their daughters: yay or nay? Nay.

Where do you look when you need inspiration? Into a garden.

What is your favorite part of attending a wedding? The champagne!

Princess Bride or The Wedding Singer? I’ve never seen either!

The Rolling Stones or the Beatles? Stones.

Any recurring dreams? Not really...I sleep pretty well!

Who are your heroes in real life? My husband, and people who give back and try to help those in need.

What is your motto? Do what you love, and love what you do.

Looks from the Fall 2015 collection. 41

Wear

What to

How to dress for three different weddings: afternoon, evening and black-tie.

TACORI earrings

LELE SADOUGHI ring

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN shoes

Dress by Altuzarra

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN clutch

The Lookbook

Afternoon Delights

Mix up colors and patterns for a bright, playful look.

What about men? CARTIER earrings

Clothes by J. Hilburn

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN clutch

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN shoes

Dress by Dolce & Gabbana

“A suit or even great trousers and sportcoat works well for a daytime wedding,” says Diane Hanfling Reed, men’s personal stylist with J.Hilburn. “And dress better than you have to shined shoes, pressed suit, crisp shirt. You don’t have to find the hippest and latest; you just need to look your best so you’ll feel your best.”

The Lookbook

an evening

AFFAIR Sparkle and shine in a brilliant twist on the LBD.

FENDI clutch

Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;DEZEN earrings

Reem Acra

STUART WEITZMAN shoes

SINCE 1910 bracelet

black

TIE

Channel old Hollywood sirens in a long, elegant number.

KWIAT hair pin

SIMON G earrings

Badgley Mischka

TEJINI clutch

JIMMY CHOO shoes

bringing

GLAMOUR back

Exquisite design meets modern sensibility in these standout pieces.

6 4 3 5 2 1. CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA ‘Rock on Pandora’ clutch, $990 2. TIFFANY T square bracelet in 18 karat gold, $5,000 3. HARRY WINSTON 2.54 carat baguette and round brilliant diamond ring in platinum, price upon request 4. CARTIER white gold, cultured pearl and diamond earrings, $40,500 5. SARAH O. signature double row mixed metal diamond bands, $875 each 6. LELE SADOUGHI 14k gold plated castings with hand-cut glass and howlite and marble stones, $285 7. TACORI princess-cut platinum ring, $16,760 (not including center stone) 8. TIFFANY white agate earrings in 18 karat gold, $40,000 9. CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA ‘Paloma’ shoes, price upon request

Accessories

15 16

18 11

10. CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN shoes, price upon request 11. HARRY WINSTON 7.8 carat round brilliant diamond bracelet in platinum, price upon request 12. HARRY WINSTON pear-shaped and round brilliant diamond ring in platinum, price upon request 13. CARTIER white gold and princess-cut diamond ring, price upon request 14. TIFFANY pendant with diamonds in 18 karat gold, $2,400 15. 14K gold with glass pearl LELE SADOUGHI ring, $115 16. HARRY WINSTON baguette and square-cut diamond earrings in platinum, price upon request 17. SIMON G. white gold and diamond ring, price upon request. 18. TACORI pavĂŠ-set diamond and silver earrings, $1,190

gold

RUSH

Platinum had its moment; warm up with on-trend yellow and rose gold. 2 3

5 1. SARAH O. cushion rough cut diamond engagement ring set in 14k yellow gold, $1,219 2. POMELLATO 18k rose gold ring with white diamonds, $19,300 3. HARRY WINSTON ‘Lily Cluster’ diamond ring in yellow gold, price upon request 4. TIFFANY white agate ring with diamonds in 18 karat yellow gold, $20,000 5. TACORI engagement ring with pavé-set diamonds, $1,690 6. CARTIER yellow gold and diamond wedding band, $7,000 7. CARTIER yellow gold with brilliant cut diamond ring, price available upon request 8. TIFFANY ring with diamond and opal in platinum and 18 karat yellow gold, $275,000 9. SIMON G. rose gold and diamond ring, price upon request

7 8 9

talk of the gown. www.facebook.com/wedthemag

ess Dr by L

J.M

cake

COUTURE Inspired by the latest runway trends, we asked Coloradoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best bakers to choose a dress to play muse to a confectionery creation. The results are sweet. Cakes photographed by Brooke Trexler at Studio Wed

ckline

e Sweetheart N

Deep V-Neck

1. Cake by SUGAR; dress by LIANCARLO 2. Cake by JULIANA; dress by CLAIRE PETTIBONE 3. Cake by MEGAN JOY; dress by MARCHESA 4. Cake by INTRICATE ICINGS; dress by THEIA 5. Cake by INTRICATE ICINGS; dress by KELLY FAETININI

Cakes ts

Tiered Skir

Color

Fringe

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the

happily W

hen I first got married, my body was flooded with the kind of endorphins that only young, all-consuming love provides. But eight years, two kids and a couple of career changes later, those honeymoon-phase endorphins have gone the way of sleeping in and music videos on MTV – fondly remembered, but long gone. I never really expected the spark to stick around forever. Those initial butterflies were replaced by unwavering support, lust by love and impulsiveness by comfort. But perhaps we’d gotten too comfortable. We aren’t alone in feeling the effects of time and life intruding upon our formerly blissful, passionate relationship. Modern couples tend to break up between the five and nine year mark – a far cry from till death do us part – when the difficulties of maintaining long-term love overpower the honeymoon phase. Even the steamiest affairs cool into – there’s that word again – comfortable relationships. Unfortunately, it’s that lack of excitement and our natural human desire for what’s next that can cause some partners to stray and marriages to end. After all, we’re wired not to nurture long-term relationships but to stick together just long enough to procreate and get that baby up and running. Long-term monogamy is a fantastic goal – and it’s certainly my goal – but it’s dead-set against our biology. But what if there was a way to keep that just-met spark, and what if it was as easy as popping a pill? In our pill for every ill society, it only makes sense that marriage counseling in pill form may not be too far off. Researchers at Oxford University say

married Can marriages be saved at the pharmacy? Allyson Reedy looks into the future of love potions.

pill

that not only is a love potion in our not-too-distant future, but that the components are already in place. It’s just a matter of putting them together into one convenient, stayhappily-married pill. Oxford neuroethicists Julian Savulescu and Anders Sandberg have been studying psychopharmaceuticals (drugs that have an effect on the user’s mental state) for years. Their paper, Neuroenhancement of Love and Marriage: The Chemicals Between Us, studies the biological manipulation of lust, attraction and attachment. They argue that certain chemicals can trick our brains into feeling like we’re falling in love with our partners all over again, and that these biological interventions can be powerful additions to, or replacements for, traditional forms of therapy. Like Prozac for relationships. “Trends in divorce, as well as findings in evolutionary psychology, suggest that love might need a helping hand,” Savulescu and Sandberg say. “Love can be like a three-legged race between a fat, tall man and a skinny, small woman. Targeted neuroenhancements can allow men and women to synchronize and coordinate their drives and desires, to better work together as a couple.”

In our pill for every ill society, it only makes sense that marriage counseling in pill form may not be too far off. 55

So, the researchers posit, why not use science to help us avoid the trauma of divorce? While the moral and ethical debates regarding manipulating our loving feelings is a potential land-mine, the idea is still an interesting one. We take meds to boost our moods, our comfort around other people, even our sexual desire. What’s the harm in putting it all together? First, here’s how love works. Underlying those warm fuzzy feelings is a set of basic brain systems for lust, romantic attraction and attachment that have evolved among mammals. Lust promotes mating, attraction helps us choose a particular partner and attachment allows us to stay with that partner until our parental duties are completed (ie when the babies can fend for themselves). Savulescu and Sandberg identified five modulators that affect different parts of the brain responsible for keeping that love going. First there are the pheromones (smells that can trigger our triggers) which are important for sexual attraction. Researchers believe that we may be able to tailor these smells to enhance attraction and, possibly, bonding. Next up is testosterone, which essentially works as an aphrodisiac, boosting sexual thoughts, activity and satisfaction in both men and women. In this context it can be used to synchronize the levels of sexual desire when there’s a disparity between partners. Oxytocin is a very social hormone which can be used to enhance bonding. It can increase positive feelings, like trust and wellbeing, while diminishing negative feedback. When we first fall in love our brains are flooded with this feel-good chemical, but increased familiarity causes it to drop off, thus negatively affecting our attachment to our partners over time. And then there are the entactogens or, as most kids of the 90s and early 21st century know it, ecstasy. As any raver can tell you, entactogens increase sociability, an experience of connection with other people and emotional openness. Although these types of drugs don’t necessarily act as aphrodisiacs, they do promote a desire for emotional closeness, which, at this point in my marriage, has me considering calling up my old college roommate, a Rave on the Rocks regular. The attraction, positive feelings and emotional closeness are the good parts of love. But love is also linked with negative feelings, like the fear of separation and the sadness that results if separation occurs. The not-so-nice hormone responsible for that fear is called CRH, and although it can cause anxiety, it also helps promote partner

attachment. If you put those five together – the pheromones, testosterone, oxytocin, entactogens and CRH – you have what Savulescu and Sandberg think may revolutionize marital therapy. Not so fast, says Diana Shenkin, a Colorado-based Emotionally Focused Therapist. “In this day and age we want everything to be quick, but even if creative entrepreneurs see an opportunity to try and create the love hormones such as oxytocin, we cannot trick our minds into feelings of secure love,” Shenkin says. She notes that it’s our ability to have the tough conversations and to understand what’s happening inside the minds of our partners which connect us to one another. Years down the road, after time has stripped our love of that initial carnal lust, we still need to hear what the other person needs. In other words, no love potion can replace work and attention to our relationships. “There is no helping hand in the form of a pill that will take the place of taking the time to create the secure bonds that we need,” Shenkin says. But, as Savulescu and Sandberg note, “People should be free to shape their relationship in the way which best fits them.” They equate love pills and biological interventions with having a glass of wine – after all, they note, alcohol is the most common (and potentially oldest) love drug. Of course everyone has the freedom to make their own choices regarding their marriages, and maybe a pill could even help my husband and I get out of our in-it-for-

We take meds to boost our moods, our comfort around other people, even our sexual desire. What’s the harm in putting it all together? the-long-haul, post-babies rut. But I can’t help but think of a Dear Prudence letter I read a while back. A man in his 40s wrote in to the advice columnist about his wife and her changed personality as a result of being put on an anti-depressant. He loved his wife’s dry, sarcastic sense of humor, but since going on the medication her personality changed into a glass-half-full, constantly cheerful type of person. He noted that he was glad she was happy, but he found himself less attracted to this rainbows-and-sunshine version of his partner. He missed his old wife. A fear of losing elements of my personality has always kept me away from prescription drugs. That said, life is complicated; with so many demands on our time and energy, sometimes there just isn’t any gas left in the tank and things – even big things like marriages – go untended to. Would a quick fix be so bad? Would it even be a fix? Fast and easy is tempting because it’s, well, fast and easy. I think that if I’m ever presented with the option of taking a love pill to enhance my marriage, that I’d be afraid that tweaking my relationship would tweak us, and, even without the fireworks and commotion we had early on, us is still pretty great.

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re already in love with Vail, so why not get married there? Dana Lapinel tells you how.

Photography by Jack Affleck

I FIRST FELL IN LOVE WITH VAIL on an impromptu Sunday trip. New to Colorado, I figured I should see the state’s most famous mountain town, if only to check it off my list. I expected it to be pretty, sure, but I didn’t expect it to be quite that lovely. With its Bavarian-esque village and luxurious, dream-like feel, it’s almost otherworldly. (Assuming that that other world is filled with picture-perfect peaks and beautiful, fur-clad people.) If a bride’s wedding day is supposed to be the most magical and extraordinary of her life, it’s no wonder so many choose Vail. “People are connected to Vail for a couple of reasons,” Kelly Karli, founder of Vailbased Kelly Karli Weddings and Events, says. “They have been coming here since childhood or their family has a place out here, but mostly because people are connected to the mountains.” California-based Kristin Peterson-Leffel is one such bride. “I’m a skier, and I first skied Vail mountain when I was three. I grew up skiing and used to be a ski instructor. Before Brent proposed we went on four skiing trips, including in Vail,” she says. Their relationship to the mountains made Vail the ideal wedding location. “Vail was a great destination for everybody. From the east coast, west coast, north and south; it’s central for everyone.”

VARIETY OF VENUES Vail may be a small village, but it has no shortage of stunning ceremony and reception

options. Ranging from classic alpine resorts to modern boutique hotels, they all possess that relaxed mountain feel that can calm down even the most stressed out bride before her big day. Peterson-Leffel opted for a ceremony at the Wedding Deck on top of Vail Mountain and a reception at The Sebastian. The Wedding Deck is a stone outdoor amphitheater and provides postcardworthy views of Vail Valley. To reach these awe-inspiring views, wedding guests ride in the Eagle Bahn Gondola, which offers a panorama of green mountains and picturesque peaks on the ride up. The overall unique experience the Wedding Deck provides makes it an outdoor enthusiast’s ideal place to say, “I do.” For her reception, Peterson-Leffel was looking for a space that represented

a traditional, glamorous wedding. The Sebastian delivered. “The Sebastian had the boutique contemporary feel that fit our style, which is more modern-traditional. Also, it definitely wasn’t a cookie cutter hotel,” she says. Everything in The Sebastian is elegant and distinctive, sure to make any bride swoon. It’s centrally located in the heart of Vail Village, making it easy to walk to food, drinks and loads of activities. “Our wedding guests didn’t need to rent cars and could easily get around to restaurants and shops,” Peterson-Leffel says. “The best part was running into other people from the wedding party around town.” One of event planner Karli’s favorite local hotels is the Four Seasons Resort Vail.

It is also in the heart of the village, making it easy for guests to explore the town. It’s at the base of Vail Mountain with a spectacular view and is just steps away from the Wedding Deck and Vail Interfaith Chapel, another popular ceremony location. The Four Seasons is a traditional, classic mountain hotel, with pointed roofs that mimic the natural beauty of the Gore mountain range. Inside, the ambiance is that of luxurious alpine bliss, with the kind of tasteful décor, first-rate amenities and impeccable service you expect from the Four Seasons chain. Whether you opt for a reception in the expansive Bighorn Ballroom or choose the intimacy of the Fulford Room, the Four Seasons provides a truly unmatched experience.

Photography by Dear Wesleyann Photography

A grand, yet exclusive, venue is the Sonnenalp hotel. Perched next to the scenic Gore Creek, the hotel is owned and operated by the Faessler family. This unique and beautifully-designed hotel is inspired by the Faessler family’s ranch in Bavaria. The Sonnenalp’s wedding options include a glassedin terrace, the Grand Bavaria ballroom and their creek-side lawn. One of the town’s most popular wedding venues is The Arrabelle at Vail Square, and once you step inside you’ll see why so many couples choose it for their big day. This dreamy resort features stone archways, artistic courtyards, high ceilings and, of course, incredible mountain views. The Arrabelle can provide all of your wedding-day details, including tableware, décor, bar service and catering. The 2,600 square foot Grand Ballroom makes brides feel like Cinderella for the night, or smaller venues are available for more intimate, but equally stunning, weddings. The Arrabelle is perfect for an extravagant bride looking to wow her guests. Another posh, spacious venue is the Vail Racquet Club Mountain Resort. It is the largest resort property in the Vail Valley, situated on more than 20 scenic acres alongside the White River National Forest. The natural beauty surrounding the resort is not just

Facing page (top to bottom): The Arrabelle at Vail Square, Four Seasons Vail

This page (top to bottom): The Wedding Deck on Vail Mountain, Four Seasons Vail

perfect for wedding photos, but it also gives guests a chance to play in the outdoors. Locals know that this is where to come for some of the best trails and fishing. Since the property is so big, ceremony and reception sites are numerous, from a 17,000 square-foot park to the Royal Elk Terrace to a beautiful meadow. Since the Resort only hosts one event per day, you and your guests will be the center of their attention.

GO LOCAL Using local vendors is easy in Vail; from flowers to food, there are experts who know the town and how to put on a spectacular wedding. “The luxury experience that people have here is amazing,” Karli says. Let the very personable Signe Jones, owner of Petals and Pours, provide the opulent floral designs that you dreamed of. Or Vintage Magnolia will turn flowers into elegant pieces of art by using unique colors and textures. Despite Vail being a small town, there is no shortage of exquisite catering and restaurant options. With so many visitors each year, it is truly restaurant heaven for food lovers. Foods of Vail, owned by Tracey Van Curan, is a local creative catering option that can provide an innovative and inventive menu. And for those looking for a nontraditional reception or rehearsal dinner, try Bol. The food is not your average bowling alley fare (think spicy tuna tartare and olive oil poached salmon), and guests will stick around and socialize while bowling. Another epicurean option is Tom McNeill’s The Gourmet Cowboy. Having catered hundreds of weddings over the years, the menu options are polished classics. For an authentic Colorado vibe, dine at Game Creek, where they serve modern American food made with seasonal and regional ingredients. The location is truly unique, accessible only by snowcat in the winter and by hiking or taking a 4-wheel drive shuttle in the summer. Now let’s not forget one of the most important touches to a wedding - the cake. With a background in French pastry arts, Megan Joy Cakes will bake a memorable cake that is so beautiful it will be hard to cut into. All ingredients are selected from local providers, so it will taste as good as it looks. With all of the wedding details taken care of by elite wedding professionals, you’ll be free to enjoy the town that you probably already love. As I learned on my first visit up, Vail is an easy town to fall in love with. What better place to celebrate true love? Top: The Arrabelle at Vail Square; Photography by James Christianson Bottom: The Arrabelle at Vail Square; Photography by JK Photography

T H E D E TA I L S VENUES

RESTAURANTS/CATERING

EVENT PLANNING

FLOWERS

The Sebastian, A Timbers Resort TheSebastianVail.com

Foods of Vail Home Catering FoodsofVail.com

Kelly Karli Weddings & Events KellyKarliWeddingsandEvents.com

Petals and Pours PetalsandPours.com

Four Seasons Resort Vail Fourseasons.com/Vail/

Bol BolVail.com

Sonnenalp Hotel Sonnenalp.com

The Gourmet Cowboy Gourmet-Cowboy.com

The Arrabelle at Vail Square Arrabelle.RockResorts.com

Game Creek Vail GameCreekVail.com

Vail Racquet Club Mountain Resort VailRacquetClub.com

CAKES Megan Joy Cakes MeganJoyCakes.com

Vintage Magnolia VailVintageMagnolia.com

Innovative Floral Design Bella Calla offers innovative, artistic floral design to the weddings, events, homes, and offices of Denver and Boulder.

Photo Credit: Sara Lynn Photo

Photo Credit: Laura Murray

Photo Credit: Urban Safari Photograpy

www.bellacalla.com

303-593-0716

g n i p rop

E M A N

inist to dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s m e f n u Is it sban u h r u o take y Or just name? option for r anothe ern woman? d the mo ie Dahle n Stepha rs whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in a conside raphy . g e o t m o a h n P cBoat M phy by a r g o t Pho

Essay

“I got annoyed when people assumed I would immediately shed my old identity in favor of a new one courtesy of my husband.”

hortly before my husband and I got married, his father asked me how I felt about taking my new surname. An awkward silence fell over the dinner table as I quickly exchanged glances with my fiancé. I finally said that I hadn’t decided if I’d take a new surname, keep my maiden name or hyphenate. More awkward silence ensued. For a traditional British family, this was new. In all my daydreams about marriage, I did not expect to be undecided on whether or not to take my husband’s last name. I thought there would be an answer based on instinct, and I kept waiting to wake up one morning and be certain I would keep my name. Or change my name. Or hyphenate our names. That never happened. The only thing I was certain of was that I couldn’t wait to be married. As far as my name, I still hadn’t decided what to do by my wedding day, or even within our first year of marriage. Over that first year, my husband, Alex, and I got holiday cards addressed to every name combination one could create from his last name and mine. When we deposited checks made out to both of us, we had to bring our marriage certificate to prove there was, indeed, a Mrs. Adams and she was, indeed, the same woman on the joint account. Even our Muslim friends, who we met while living in the Middle East (where women traditionally keep their names), referred to us as Mr. & Mrs. Adams. My married friends appeared to make their decisions based on geography: most of my friends from the Midwest changed their names upon marriage; most of my friends from the East Coast kept their name (or – for the brave few it seemed – hyphenated). Despite everyone’s best intentions, I got annoyed when people assumed I would immediately shed my old identity in favor of a new one courtesy of my husband. There was a part of me that was sad to realize that if I changed my name, someday only Alex would remember my maiden name in whichever part of the world we were living. I imagined my future friends, who might try to pronounce my Norwegian last name and giggle, wondering how I could ever have been known by it. All of a sudden, I was mourning what I already had. It made me sad, and I wondered why I should even think about giving up something I clearly cared so much about. I thought about how my feminist heroines would feel about what I had made into a monumental challenge, and if they would be disappointed I was considering it at all. The question that replayed itself in my mind was tinged with guilt: was it unfeminist of me to even consider changing my name?

Essay

Like a love-struck middle-schooler, I tried practicing my signature in my married name. Stephanie Adams felt strange to write; it certainly didn’t feel like me. It sounded like a pleasant person, with whom I’d like to sit down and have a cup of tea, but certainly not me. In fact, there already were nearly 1,000 women called Stephanie Adams in the United States, and one of them is a former Playboy bunny who – much to my chagrin – owned every domain name I tried to register. Six months into marriage, I started a semi-anonymous blog and, for the very first time, used a combination of my name and Alex’s last name. I’m not sure if I did it as a trial run, or because I wanted to embrace the freedom of sharing my name with 1,000 women instead of four. Trying it on for size in a new digital arena felt like a temporary game. But to permanently leave out my last name felt like I had regarded marriage as the clichéd “first day of my life,” which disturbed me. Most importantly, my career was in journalism, where I was known professionally as my maiden name; could I give up my byline? Still, if I was content with simply keeping my maiden name, why was I thinking about it so much? Was there a way to honor my past, and still embrace my future? There was a comment on a New York Times article I read about changing your name after marriage, and it made me stop and think. “I’ve never understood why it’s more ‘feminist’ to keep your father’s name versus taking your husband’s name, a man you presumably chose to be your partner and a significant person in your life (unlike your father),” Mary from Atlanta wrote. “I can choose whether or not to take my husband’s name. I had no choice as to whether or not to be given my father’s name.” With that comment, something clicked. For me – someone who doesn’t have a meaningful relationship with her father – changing my name was perhaps the most feminist thing I could do. After all, my husband was someone I had carefully chosen to be my spouse. Alex describes himself as a feminist, and he had been nothing but supportive while I mulled all this over. He sat patiently as I discussed this at length throughout our 20-month engagement, talking about my feelings and the pressure. He offered to change his name, or to hyphenate ours. In turn, a discussion about our names often veered into a discussion of our lives, together and apart. We spoke about how we didn’t feel as though we completed each other; but rather, we were each a complement to the other. Knowing single adults who have led incredible lives, we both knew that we each could have been single for the rest of our lives and lived full, meaningful existences. In fact, for a long time after my parents’ divorce, remaining single was exactly what I intended to do.

But marriage has surprised me. Alex has provided a whole new dynamic to my life: one that gives me grace, and one of family. He is my teammate, and I am grateful for him. We are not parents (yet), and while that is an aspect of family – and life – we have yet to fully understand, there is a protective quality of our budding nuclear family that makes me feel fulfilled and cocooned. I never expected such a gift within marriage, and I wondered if perhaps I’d like that to be under one name. I gave myself time and space to think about taking his name. I used it on my blog and spoke with older women in my life about their decisions. My aunt, married for 20 years, said she missed her last name. My boss, who did not hyphenate her name but now uses both last names, gave me the advice her mother-in-law gave her: “You’ll have your married name much longer than your maiden name.” Hopefully. I was reminded by my mother that, when she married in the 1970s, there really wasn’t a choice; you just changed your name. The bevy of options faced by women today is, in my opinion, a difficult conundrum. Because to make a choice, especially one with long-lasting implications, means one must go through the very difficult task of processing the myriad choices. Looking back, the decision of whether or not to change my name was a monumental process, and it gave me and my new husband a way to sort through the complex feelings of marriage within the context of modern feminism. On the night before our first anniversary, over a bubbly toast on our patio, my husband listened while I mentioned it felt surreal to be Mrs. Adams while still being Ms. Dahle. I told him I thought I had finally made my decision: I’d keep my maiden name professionally, but personally I would change my name to Stephanie Dahle-Adams. Then, I did the most official thing one can do in the twenty-first century: I logged onto Facebook and changed my name.

“For me — someone who doesn’t have a meaningful relationship with her father — changing my name was perhaps the most feminist thing I could do.”

Intimate | Romantic | Radiant

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ASHLEY JAKE 2014

June 15th

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Ashley Watkins & Jake Feldt June 15, 2014 | Aspen Photographed by Robin Proctor Photography

COLLEGE SWEETHEARTS ASHLEY WATKINS AND Jake Feldt met while at school at Texas Tech University. “He was a Phi Delt and I was a Pi Phi,” Ashley says. Keeping with the Texas tradition of more is more, Jake proposed in a big way. There’s an air show that goes on at the lake where Ashley’s family has a house, and several of the couple’s close friends and family were gathered there for the 4th of July holiday. Jake hired one of the pilots to fly a plane over the lake house pulling a banner that read, “I love you, Ashley Watkins! Will you marry me?” “I was completely surprised,” Ashley says. “It was my fairytale proposal!”

“It was my fairytale proposal!” 69

“I decided right then and there that that was where I would one day get married.”

When it came time to plan the wedding, Ashley knew one thing – it was going to be in Aspen. Even though she had never been there. “Years ago – before I had even met Jake – I randomly came across photos of a wedding on top of Aspen mountain. It was stunning, and those images stayed with me. I decided right then and there that that was where I would one day get married,” the bride says. With the help of event planner Suzanne Dupre with An Aspen Affair, they created a gorgeous day at the Little Nell. Suzanne was determined to include both Ashley and Jake in the planning process, and so they customized two rooms for the reception. The bride’s was tasteful and elegant, filled with generous floral displays, romantic draping and crystal chandeliers. The groom’s “man

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cave” was a swanky lounge with an African vibe inspired by the month-long hunting trip the couple took to Africa shortly after getting engaged. “Suzanne came up with the idea of creating the ‘man cave’ room for Jake, so he could really put his stamp on it,” Ashley says. “We blew up photos of our trip and shipped some of our animals to Aspen to create a room that was out-of-this-world amazing. And what made it so special is that Jake and I both had our own rooms to design just the way we wanted!” Jake’s man cave was a big hit – especially with its full bar, lounge seating and cigar rolling. The couple says that while each of their rooms perfectly captures their respective personalities, they had a lot of fun helping each other with details for their rooms.

Although the décor was phenomenal, Ashley says that her favorite part of the day was seeing Jake waiting for her at the end of the aisle. “Marrying my best friend was definitely the most memorable part of my wedding day,” she says. For their honeymoon, the couple jetted off to Anguilla to stay at the romantic and luxurious Cap Juluca resort. “It truly could not have been more perfect or relaxing,” Ashley says. – Allyson Reedy

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JENN JASON 2014

August 31st

Real Weddings

Jennifer Joralemon & Jason Mendelson August 31, 2014 | Boulder Photographed by James Christianson Photography

WHEN JASON MENDELSON BOUGHT A HOUSE in Boulder he hired interior designer Jennifer Joralemon, but he fell in love with more than just her taste for design. A work affiliation turned into a friendship and then finally blossomed into a marriage. “I first saw her when she walked out of the back of the furniture store, and I thought she was the most beautiful woman,” Jason says. During some drinks, pizza and a game of name that tune on the front porch, Jason mustered up the courage to ask Jenn if she was open to dating. “If he wasn’t a musician, I would not have considered him at all!” Jenn says. Fast-forward to a year later and Jason was racking his brain about how to propose to the woman of his dreams. A vacation? Dinner? Nothing felt right until a bright pink mad lib book caught his eye while shopping with his parents. He filled the book with cute things about their relationship. The last page included his proposal.

“I first saw her when she walked out of the back of the furniture store, and I thought she was the most beautiful woman.” 75

“The seven dollar Urban Outfitters book did it. I’ve never bought anything from Urban Outfitters before except the most important thing that I have ever bought,” he says. When they started planning their big day, they knew right away that the theme of the wedding was home. Still, they spent weeks agonizing over where to have the ceremony. Then finally, after a long day of looking for the perfect location, they realized an oldfashioned public wedding on their front porch would be the best venue for them.

“It was heaven. My mind was blown, and I was just trying to take it all in. It was all really spectacular.” 76

“The house brought us together,” Jenn says. With their wedding theme in mind for the reception, choosing their favorite restaurant, Frasca Food + Wine, was a given. “We go there a lot, and they treat us like family. There’s a level of warmth and hospitality and they really make you feel like you’re home,” Jason says. The party didn’t stop after Frasca, but relocated to the postreception location at the Absinthe House, which, thanks to their wedding planner Heather Dwight of Calluna Events, was transformed into a glamorous, old-Hollywood blowout party with big feathers, orchids, glitz and glitter. “We wanted to give everyone a chance to let their hair down and dress up, or I guess hair up! I wanted everyone to enjoy a little bit of opulence at the Absinthe House,” Jenn says. The Absinthe House was the perfect venue for a big, crazy party where guests enjoyed the thirteenpiece band, Synthesia. The floor was packed all night with a range of music, from 70s funk to current hits.

One of Jenn’s most memorable moments was when Jason sang, “Love is Here to Stay.” Definitely a benefit to being in love with a musician. Five days after the wedding Jenn and Jason packed up for a month-long European trip with two rules: no emails and no checking cellphones. Just the two of them together, disconnected from the real world. They explored Croatia, Montenegro, Italy and Paris. “It was heaven. My mind was blown, and I was just trying to take it all in. It was all really spectacular,” Jenn says. – Dana Lapinel

Real Weddings

“We wanted to give everyone a chance to let their hair down and dress up.”

WYNNE THOMAS 2014

June 14th

Real Weddings

Wynne Calcutt & Thomas Thacher lll June 14, 2014 | Telluride Photographed by Chowen Photography

IT’S NOT SURPRISING THAT WYNNE Calcutt and Thomas Thacher III crossed paths frequently in the small mountain town of Telluride. However, it wasn’t until they started teaching together at the Mountain School when their acquaintance turned into something more. “With hours spent on the chairlift skiing with students, lesson planning after school and traveling on field trips, we had the time to talk, laugh and build a solid friendship foundation,” Wynne says. Eventually Tommy surprised Wynne by asking her out after school one day. The transition from friendship to loving relationship was easy because of that laughter-filled first date. Soon after, Tommy left his teaching career to start Telluride Brewing Company. Despite not working together anymore, their relationship kept brewing.

“The proposal was quite dramatic and quite unexpected!”

“We had the time to talk, laugh and build a solid friendship foundation.” At the top of Mt. Sneffels, a nearby 14er, Tommy started to get down on one knee. Wynne was initially worried that Tommy was suffering from vertigo or had gotten sick, but she was pleasantly surprised with a heartfelt proposal. “The proposal was quite dramatic and quite unexpected!” Wynne says. When choosing their ceremony and reception location they knew one thing: It had to be a large enough space for more than two hundred people. They

considered venues in New York, then Michigan, but ultimately they both fell in love with the scenery at Golden Ledge Property, a dramatic outdoor setting that fit their theme of organic elegance. “It had a beautiful aspen grove and a wooden trail between two different fields that I fell in love with. I couldn’t get it out of my head as we looked at other properties,” Wynne says. A large tent was set up for the reception and filled with abundant floral displays of pink, coral and white flowers, as well as an amazingly lush canopy above the dance floor.

The band was a big hit for guests and the newlyweds. Wynne will never forget their first dance to “Dream Operator.” They had no dance moves planned but Tommy “brought the heat” with dips and twirls. Their improvised moves wowed guests. “Then the band began to play ‘This Must be the Place,’ and our guests flooded the dance floor and we were suddenly surrounded by all of our favorite people in the world!” Wynne says. A particularly special wedding detail was a swing that was installed between the aspen groves just for the occasion.

“People of all ages tried it out,” Wynne says. “You were swinging looking out over quite a view!” After celebrating with friends and family, Tommy and Wynne escaped to Dunton Hot Springs for a night of alone time. The couple is planning another honeymoon this spring. “The two of us thoroughly enjoy the life we live together in Telluride and are so thankful that our paths crossed in such a deep and fulfilling way,” says Wynne. – Dana Lapinel

KATHERINE NAFIS 2014

May 24th

Real Weddings

Katherine Frank & Nafis Ahmed May 24, 2014 | Denver Photographed by Selah Photography

IT WAS A WEDDING – THAT OF KATHERINE Frank’s sister, Virginia – that eventually led to Katherine and Nafis Ahmed’s spectacular Bollywood-meets-Broadway wedding at the Seawell Grand Ballroom. The couple hit it off at that first wedding, even sharing their first kiss, but Katherine lived in Denver and Nafis in Philadelphia, so nothing came of it. “My first impression of Nafis was ‘Wow, I’ll never find a guy like him,’” Katherine says. “He was the life of the party and so handsome.” When Katherine moved to Philadelphia a year later to nanny for her sister, Nafis asked her out on a date her first day in town. “We’ve been inseparable ever since,” Katherine says. For the proposal, Nafis had Katherine’s sister take her to look at a potential graduation venue for her residency class. Katherine reluctantly tagged along, and was shocked to find balloons lining the staircase with writing on them of inside jokes and memories the couple had made. At the top of the stairs, friends and family members held balloons with “Say Yes” on them. Once Katherine was loaded up with balloons, she found Nafis down on one knee. “It was so romantic!” she says. The mixing of their Eastern and Western cultures inspired their Bollywood-meets-Broadway theme, and the Denver Center for Performing Arts was the perfect setting for their production.

“My first impression of Nafis was ‘Wow, I’ll never find a guy like him’.”

“We mixed our favorite aspects of our two cultures to create a fun, memorable event,” Katherine says. “Nafis rode in on a horse accompanied by a drummer, music and lots of dancing. My bridesmaids and I were adorned with henna, and they wore Bollywood-style dresses.” Katherine wore a white Demetrios gown for the ceremony but changed into a wedding Lehenga (a long, embroidered Indian skirt) for the reception. Nafis wore a traditional Sherwani (a long, coat-like garment worn in South Asia) for the I Do’s, and then did a quick-change into a tux for the party. Vibrant purples, pinks and golds were used in the florals, table settings and lighting to create a jubilant atmosphere. The couple took their bold theme to heart, creating a wedding day that guests wouldn’t forget. Everyone made grand entrances into the reception, with the groomsmen donning sunglasses and striding in to strobe lights and bridesmaids walking in as metallic confetti fell from the ceiling. “The whole day was incredible,” Katherine says, “but one of the most memorable parts was Nafis’s surprise lip-sync battle.”

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“We mixed our favorite aspects of our two cultures to create a fun, memorable event.”

Singing ‘N Sync and Spice Girls songs, the bride, groom and their siblings brought down the house. For their honeymoon, the couple went to Costa Rica, where they got a taste of adventure and some well-deserved relaxation. They hiked through rainforests, zip-lined, rode ATVs and repelled down waterfalls, but they also got relaxing massages, swam in the ocean and enjoyed the breathtaking beaches. An excellent mix. – Allyson Reedy

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BRIAR SCOTT 2013

September 14th

Real Weddings

Briar Sangiuliano & Scott Schreiber September 14, 2013 | Cordillera Photographed by Happy Confetti

WHEN BRIAR SANGIULIANO AND SCOTT Schreiber met at a St. Patrick’s Day party in Denver, neither considered the other as a serious dating prospect. Both being avid skiers, they had decided that the next person they got involved with would have to be big into skiing, and since the mountains were getting tons of snow while they were partying it up in Denver, they each assumed that the other wasn’t that into skiing. “Once we finally made the discovery, there was a definite moment where the light bulb went off and we reconsidered one another with new perspective,” Briar says.

“From the very start, it was so fun and easy to be together that we laughed and skied an entire day away.”

Naturally, their first date was to go skiing. “From the very start, it was so fun and easy to be together that we laughed and skied an entire day away,” Briar says. “We knew it was love on our second ski-date, when we each showed up wearing black and yellow ski outfits. Not only were we a good match, but we actually matched!” In keeping with their ski theme, Scott proposed on a run in Beaver Creek, followed by a champagne picnic. Picking the Vail Valley for their wedding location was a nobrainer. They chose the Club at Cordillera for its stunning 360-degree panoramic views and private mountaintop setting. Guests were blown away by the wedding’s spectacular backdrop.

“We want to do the whole thing again!”

“We wanted our guests’ focus to be on the incredible beauty of the mountains, greenery and blossoms around us and to truly understand why the Vail Valley is so special to Scott and I.” Briar and Scott wanted the event to feel like a celebration from start to finish, so glasses of champagne and beers were served to guests as soon as they arrived. Briar borrows Beaver Creek’s motto of “Not Exactly Roughing It” to describe her mountainelegant décor. “We kept flowers and décor natural, but natural does not have to mean ‘rustic,’” she says. “We wanted our guests’ focus to be on the incredible beauty of the mountains, greenery and blossoms around us and to truly understand why the Vail Valley is so special to Scott and I.” With a nod to Briar’s Italian heritage, food and wine played a key role in the reception. The couple worked with Cordillera’s executive chef to customize a menu that included homemade cappellini, antipasti, lobster tail and beef tenderloin.

As great as the food was, the highlight of the day for both Briar and Scott was the band. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Moses Jones Band was outstanding and made for hours of dancing. Everyone loved them so much that nearly all of our guests stayed until the last song!â&#x20AC;? Briar says.

After the wedding, the couple traded the mountains for the beach, honeymooning in Curacao in the ABC islands of the Lesser Antilles. They spent a week relaxing at a private beach resort, enjoying the incredible turquoise water and re-living their wedding weekend. “Scott and I talked all the time about how much we loved the entire wedding,” Briar says. “We want to do the whole thing again!” – Allyson Reedy

KATELIN RYAN 2014

June 7th

Real Weddings

Katelin Lucariello & Ryan Ross June 7, 2014 | Greenwood Village Photographed by Selah Photography

KATELIN LUCARIELLO MET RYAN ROSS ON the patio of a neighborhood bar in Denver. Both out with friends, the two started a conversation that continued until the bar closed for the night. “I knew there was something special about Ryan,” Katelin says. “He was so sincere, kind and lighthearted. It didn’t take me long to fall in love with him. We have just enough in common and just enough differences to keep things interesting.” On a holiday trip to Steamboat Springs, Ryan shocked Katelin by proposing on a walk. “I was stunned! I couldn’t believe the proposal was real until he opened the box with the ring in it,” she says. When it came time to choosing a wedding location, the Denver couple knew they wanted to marry close to home. They also knew that they wanted a setting that would provide a modern, elegant backdrop for their vows. They chose Palazzo Verdi in Greenwood Village for its contemporary feel, central location and art gallery (where they hosted their cocktail hour).

“It didn’t take me long to fall in love with him. We have just enough in common and just enough differences to keep things interesting.”

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Planner Mark Paquette created a stunning modern aesthetic for both the ceremony and reception. He chose to highlight the venue’s beautiful marble labyrinth, which was exactly the right circumference to accommodate the guest tables, cake staging and dance floor. Intricate Icings created a showstopper cake modeled after the glass artwork of Dale Chihuly. The cake’s design was so unique (it hung upside down) that it had to be assembled and decorated on-site. “Most people don’t realize what is truly possible with cake,” Intricate Icings’ Rachael Teufel says. “I wanted to honor Chihuly’s amazing masterpieces with something comparable to his work.” Besides the fresh décor and cascading cake, Katelin’s wedding-day highlight was Ryan’s dance with his mom to Kenny Loggins’s “I’m Alright.” Toward the end of their dance the bridal party and groomsmen grabbed family and friends from their seats and joined in.

Real Weddings “People I have known for a lifetime and have never seen dance joined in the party,” Katelin says. After dinner and dancing, Katelin and Ryan had a food truck set up outside with late night dessert treats of Sicilian donuts, mini root beer floats and lemon granita. To further end the night on a sweet note, guests received Chocolate Lab truffles as favors.

After all of the wedding planning, the couple jetted off to Barbados to enjoy the island’s white sand beaches. They spent the first half of their honeymoon at a beachfront resort, where they lounged on the beach, snorkeled and sailed during the day and checked out the local bars and restaurants at night. For the second half, they secluded themselves in a charming guesthouse on a quieter part of the island, where they kicked back in hammocks and enjoyed the picturesque view. – Allyson Reedy

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“People I have known for a lifetime and have never seen dance joined in the party.”

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W hether you are planning an intimate gathering or grand affair, we have breathtaking

mountain vistas and extraordinary service to exceed your expectations. The Telluride Ski & Golf Resort boasts spectacular views and venues in the most beautiful place you’ll ever say “I do.”

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TIFFANY STEWART 2014

June 29th

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Real Weddings

Tiffany Watkins & Stewart Gold June 29, 2014 | Colorado Springs Photographed by Dana Romanoff

TIFFANY WATKINS WAS OUT AT A BAR with friends in Austin, TX when she met Stewart Gold, a New York City resident in town for a bachelor party. They got on well enough that she invited him to her birthday party the following night. “The next night I was at the club for my birthday party with all of my friends,” Tiffany says. “I looked over and there was Stu. He had forced one of his friends to come with him to my birthday party.” As they said goodbye that night, Stu told Tiffany that he knew they’d get married one day. For the next five months they talked on the phone, via email and on Facebook. The chats

“I looked down and saw Stu fumbling for the ring. Of course I said yes.” 105

turned into a two-year long distance relationship, until the couple moved to Florida together. It was in Florida that Stu took Tiffany to the beach for what seemed like an ordinary walk. After playing with their dog, Lucy, Stu gave Tiffany a gift – a picture book filled with photos of the couple throughout their relationship. When she flipped to the last page in the book, there was a picture of Lucy with a sign that read, “Will you marry me?”

“I looked down and saw Stu fumbling for the ring. Of course I said yes.” Since Tiffany is from Colorado, the couple knew they wanted to hold their wedding there. The Broadmoor, besides being one of the state’s most beautiful venues, also holds a special place in Tiffany’s family’s hearts – her mom and dad honeymooned there. The groom’s mother, Lori Gold, worked with Denver-based event planners Affair with Flair to create the bride’s garden shabby chic vision. Flowers, gardens and doilies all served as inspiration for the day – things that Tiffany has loved since she was a little girl. It was very important to the couple that their ceremony incorporate both of their faiths in a way that 106

was inclusive and welcoming, so they worked closely with their rabbi and preacher. “It (the ceremony) was more than we could have imagined, and everyone told us how warm and loving it felt,” Tiffany says. The most memorable part of the wedding, though, was dancing to band Soul X. Everyone danced until the band refused to play more songs. “We will always remember the looks of joy on our parents’ faces as they went up on the chairs for the hora,” Tiffany says. “Thanks to our friends and family, we will remember this as the most fun night of our lives.” Tiffany and Stu opted out of taking an immediate honeymoon and instead waited until the following February to take a trip to Patagonia. “We wanted to wait a little while so we had something great to look forward to,” Tiffany says. – Allyson Reedy

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KATHRYN COEN 2014

August 16th

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Real Weddings

Kathryn Bevin & Coen Wijdicks August 16, 2014 | Edwards Photographed by David Lynn Photography

KATHRYN BEVIN AND COEN WIJDICKS EYED each other for more than a year while working in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Minnesota, but it wasn’t until Coen emailed a mutual friend to see if Kathryn was single and interested that the two finally got together. “Coen said he knew on the first date that he was going to marry me,” Kathryn says. The couple moved to the Vail Valley after graduating, and it was there that Coen took Kathryn on a hike and picnic and proposed. “After lunch, he told me he had one more thing for me – a letter,” Kathryn says. “At the end of the letter he paused to grab something out of the backpack, turned around and then went down on one knee. I said ‘Yes!’” Living in the beautiful Vail Valley, the couple knew they wanted to host their wedding close to home. They chose the Balata Restaurant at the Sonnenalp Golf Club in Edwards because of its stunning setting.

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“Coen said he knew on the first date that he was going to marry me.” “The scenery lends itself as decoration,” Kathryn says. “Our backdrop consisted of three ski resorts – Vail, Beaver Creek and Arrowhead – so we didn’t want to take away from the natural beauty of the landscape by going over-the-top with décor.” They didn’t pick a wedding theme, but they describe their style as classic and simple. They chose minimal floral arrangements and used a color palette of muted pastels to better highlight the amazing natural scenery. To incorporate Coen’s Dutch heritage (he is originally from the Netherlands), the couple translated their ceremony into Dutch so out-of-country guests could follow along. Kathryn also carried her late grandmother’s antique windmill charm attached to her bouquet. “It was extremely meaningful to me,” the bride says. Kathryn’s favorite part of the day was when her photographers (David Lynn Photography) surprised everyone with a slideshow of photos from the wedding day at the reception. The couple had created a slideshow of personal photos to play in a loop during the reception, and then suddenly there were professional photos playing of them getting ready, the ceremony and dinner.

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Real Weddings “It was the best feeling to literally have the day flash before our eyes. We were both so over-the-moon happy with the way everything turned out,” she says. In lieu of traditional wedding favors, Kathryn and Coen chose to make donations in their guests’ names to a local Vail Valley nonprofit, Roundup River Ranch. The organization offers old-fashioned, pure fun camp experiences for children with serious illnesses and their families. After the wedding, the couple enjoyed a honeymoon in Curaçao, an island in the Dutch Caribbean. Soon after getting married, Coen was offered a job in Munich, Germany. The two have since relocated and are starting their married life off in Europe. – Allyson Reedy

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“We were both so over-the-moon happy with the way everything turned out.”

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Ca sua l Meets Couture 4301 Tennyson St., Denver, CO 80212 | (720) 502-3229 113 SarahOjewelry.com

avant (n garde ) party Celebrate spring, sun and a new crop of dresses that sparkle and shine.

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Photography by McBoat Photography

Gown: NAEEM KHAN, $16,500; Headpiece: NEWBERRY BROTHERS

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Gown: MATTHEW CHRISTOPHER, $4,788; Headpiece, KORI SCHELL

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Gown: NAEEM KHAN, price upon request

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Gowns: LIANCARLO, $5738.50; NAEEM KHAN, price upon request

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Facing page Gown: MATTHEW CHRISTOPHER, $3,180 This page Gown: LIANCARLO, $5738.50; Headpiece, KORI SCHELL

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Gown: REEM ACRA, $4,995; Headpiece, NEWBERRY BROTHERS

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Gown: ANN BARGE, $3,730

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Hair & Makeup: Kori Schell and Angie DeFrancis-Cox of AK Studio Models: Jacqueline J. and McKenna L.,, Wilhelmina Denver Location: Hudson Gardens Gowns: Available at Little White Dress Bridal Shop

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Style Is Something You Create

DIANE REED / INDEPENDENT PERSONAL STYLIST / 303-809-5473 DIANEREED.JHILBURN.COM / DIANE.REED@JHILBURNPARTNER.COM

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talk of the gown. www.pinterest.com/wedthemag

ENDEL

Dress by J.M

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set the

TABLE

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urban CHIC

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pretty in

PINK

simple ELEGANCE

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romantic

ROSES

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Photography: Jill Lauren Photography | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals Phoenix | Floral Designer: Bloom Design | Linens & Coverings: GBS | Event Planner: The Event Essentials

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the time is

WHITE

sweet GREENS

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arboreal

GLAMOUR

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles

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slands n the un The Seychelles bring paradise to a new level.

By Dana Lee

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A THOUSAND MILES OFF THE COAST OF KENYA sit a cluster of 115 tiny, glittering islands, some completely uninhabited. With not much else on them besides prehistoric rock formations, wild jungle foliage and blinding white sands, these are the secluded islands that get-away-from-it-all dreams are made of. The warm, topaz waters of the Indian Ocean don’t hurt the fantasy, either. This is the Seychelles, home to the most photographed beaches in the world and a co-mingling of European, African and Asian cultures. These dreamy islands – and the even dreamier luxury resorts – have beckoned everyone from Will and Kate to Brad and Jen for their honeymoons. But traveling to the Seychelles is no simple task; then again, nothing worth having comes easy. There are no direct flights from Denver, and even the quickest itineraries involve 24 hours of travel to get you to the Seychelles International Airport. From there, choose to stay on the main island of Mahé (where about 90 percent of the nation’s 78,000 residents live) or travel by boat, helicopter or plane to your final destination.

STAY There’s no shortage of luxurious resort accommodations on the main island, or anywhere in the Seychelles, really. Check into your lush island sanctuary at the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles (rates from $966) on Mahé, where butler service comes standard when you stay in their villas, each with terraced living spaces that offer a unique approach to the island. The open-air, upper level is perfect for life al fresco, while the lower levels boast spacious decks that look past infinity pools to the azure bliss of the Indian Ocean. The setting on Petite Anse Bay provides an extraordinary view, even by the Seychelles standards, with its immaculate beach and impressive granite rocks lining the bay. Another perk is its proximity to the international airport; it’s just a 30-minute drive via taxi or private hire direct from the resort.

142 Top: Wilderness Collection’s North Island; Bottom: Fregate Island Private

If basking in paradise isn’t enough, the Four Seasons can facilitate art-tours, dives, fishing trips and pretty much anything else your heart desires. For honeymooners, personalized art classes, private yachts and trips to the hilltop spa are both relaxing and romantic. Also on Mahé, retreat to the gardens of the Maia Luxury Resort and Spa (rates from $2,469). Named for the oldest daughter of a Greek god, this resort seeks to live up to her namesake as the most beautiful, and most reserved, of Atlas’s seven daughters. Orchids, hibiscus, heliconias and more fill their thirty-acre prize winning gardens, creating a paradise within a paradise. Maia’s philosophy is that peace and discretion are of the utmost importance, and no wish is too much to ask. Distinct villas begin on the beach and work their way up the hillside, each offering unrivaled privacy and personal butlers. The Tec-Tec restaurant has some of the best gourmet offerings on Mahé and is reserved for the exclusive use of their guests. The menu consists of always-fresh seafood, but if you prefer to dine in your villa, simply mention it to your butler. He’ll take it from there. Famous for its meditation and yoga offerings, Maia offers complimentary Qi Gong and Hatha Yoga classes in pristine, outdoor settings. For watersports, only non-motorized activities are permitted in the waters around the resort’s calm, private peninsula, but a full array of options (jet skiing, parasailing and windsurfing, to name a few) are available at the nearby Beau Vallon aquatic center. For a luxurious retreat with a more intense focus on the natural landscape, consider Fregate Island Private (rates from $5,556), a collection of sixteen idyllic residences tucked into a private island with seven jaw-droppingly stunning beaches. Fiercely devoted to conservation, the island is proud to have helped save the Seychelles Magpie Robin from extinction and protects the two thousand Giant Aldabra Tortoises that roam freely. The resort has also replanted thousands of indigenous trees, providing sanctuary for more than a hundred species of tropical birds and fresh fruit for guests. There’s no such thing as second class with any of Fregate’s residences, but the Banyan Hill Estate is especially indulgent. Butler service, a private infinity pool and personal chef make this lodging a coveted spot on Fregate Island. If you don’t utilize your private chef, be sure to dine at the Treehouse, the signature restaurant situated atop one of Fregate’s oldest and largest banyan trees. As for activities, a PADI dive center offers instruction and gear to explore the unspoiled reefs surrounding the island, and fishing cruises aren’t complete until the onboard chef prepares sashimi from your catch. Wilderness Collection’s North Island (rates from $3,339), another private island, offers eleven beachfront villas, each artfully designed to showcase local stone and glass. The premier villa — Villa North Island — is a 2,460 square foot marvel perched high on a rock in the takamaka forest. Indulge your inner Swiss Family Robinson as you walk from the main entrance to the bedroom suite by crossing a bridge made from two casuarina trees. Sea kayaking, mountain biking, sunset cruises and a fullyequipped gym can fill your days if soaking in the view isn’t enough. And every guest is encouraged to enjoy the complimentary Barefoot Ritual — a traditional cleansing of the feet to symbolize washing away past travels and stress in order to begin a new journey at North Island. Bookend a day on the beach with the Sunrise and Sunset spa treatments, an indulgent combo that prepares your skin for the sun and then cleanses and restores it afterward.

Top: Wilderness Collection’s North Island; Middle: Fregate Island Private; Bottom: Wilderness Collection’s North Island

Honeymoon

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DO Most resorts offer guests the use of an island buggy, something akin to a go-cart or small car. Use it. Explore your island, peak around every corner and find those hidden coves for an intimate beach experience. At night, indulge in the best of multiple islands by arranging for an island hop. There’s no better way to take in the incredible variety of cuisine and cocktails available across the archipelago. Before you fly out of Mahé, save time for a day trip to the Morne Seychellois National Park. It’s hard to pull yourself away from the immaculate beaches, but a quick sojourn into the island’s interior will be worth your while. The park’s lush, innermost areas are reachable only by foot, offering yet another way to feel as if no one else exists on the face of the earth. While it’s true there is no shortage of action and amusements at any of the Seychelles’ amazing resorts, resist the urge to fill your days with activities. The Seychelles draws you in and wraps its banyan arms around you, begging you to get off the grid, breathe deep and be your true self. Do some yoga or don’t. Go to the spa or don’t. Because if you’re lucky enough to be on one of these tiny, glittering islands, appreciating its natural beauty is the only requirement.

Left Page Top and Bottom: Four Seasons Resort Seychelles Right Page Top: Fregate Island Private; Right Page Bottom: Wilderness Collection’s North Island

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Well Wed

Margaret Robert Geoffroy

March 22nd

1975

HERE AT WED, WE BELIEVE IN celebrating our new brides and grooms, but also honoring the relationships that have stood the test of time (and children, job changes and the myriad trials life throws at us). Margaret and Robert Geoffroy are one of those long-lasting couples; forty years ago they held their ceremony at Denver’s Most Precious Blood Catholic Church and reception at a private residence. “Bob was so nervous that when he went to put the ring on my finger he dropped it and caught it midair,” Margaret says of her wedding day. As for what it takes to make a relationship last for the long haul, Margaret advises couples to keep working. “Everyone gives up on marriage quickly now, but no marriage is perfect. You’re going to have tough times, and you have to work through them. Good or bad, make an effort.” Robert’s best advice is to “give each other freedom.” He credits spending time apart and developing individual interests, like golfing for him and Margaret’s spending time with her sisters, for why they’ve worked for so long. Cheers!

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YOU’VE BEEN PLANNING FOR A WHILE. SO HAVE WE. With over 100 years of theatrical experience, our team of on-site designers, event managers and technical specialists are ready to make your wedding—and every detail that brings it to life—unforgettable. Your love is our inspiration and we’ll do everything we can to earn a standing ovation.

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