Rocky Mountain Winter Wedding with Personal Elements

Anne and Josh are anything but the typical couple. The pair, who got engaged while watching Across the Universe in their pajamas on a rainy day in December 2010, selected a November 2011 wedding date high in the Rocky Mountains and included a variety of highly personal details in their wedding décor, attire, and traditions to enhance their guests’ experiences and create a memorable and significant event that was all their own. The Wild Basin Lodge in Allenspark, CO created the idyllic ceremony and reception setting for the couple, and the attention to detail in each and every decision made created a fairytale winter wedding for all to enjoy.

To enhance the wintery mountain setting at The Wild Basin Lodge, Anne and Josh selected deep red and purple décor for floral selections, bridal party attire, and reception linens. Local floral shop Boulder Blooms provided bouquets and centerpieces with red roses, purple floral accents, green pine, and pinecone details to coincide with the mountain wedding venue and bold color choices selected by the couple. The florist also provided romantic floating candle centerpieces with red and purple flowers highlighted in round vases, which looked gorgeous in The Wild Basin Lodge’s Copeland level reception room overlooking Copeland Mountain and the St. Vrain River. The bride looked stunning in her strapless David’s Bridal gown with a red beaded sash, and her two bridesmaids complimented the look with strapless deep purple floor length gowns. Anne also added a furry shrug to stay warm during outdoor photos on the property, which is located next to Rocky Mountain National Park, and for a classic winter touch. The groom stood out from the typical wedding day attire in a white tuxedo with red accents.

The couple planned several special moments for their intimate ceremony in front of The Wild Basin Lodge’s elegant fireplace. The groom’s father led the ceremony and added several personal touches to the non-denominational vows. Anne and Josh also integrated a beautiful idea into their ceremony: a box that resembled a romantic time capsule in which they added wine, love letters, and personal details. They nailed the box shut at the ceremony and plan on opening it on their 10^th anniversary to enjoy the wine and read their letters, then continuing the tradition every 10 years. Following the ceremony, wedding guests wrote warm wishes onto paper in the shape of leaves and tied them onto a handmade “tree” of branches for the couple’s guest book.

A Music Plus DJ Services provided music at the lively reception for the couple, and guests were touched by the first dance to Jason Mraz’s “Lucky”, the father daughter dance to The Temptations’ “My Girl”, and the mother son dance to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man”. Guests were wowed by the three-tiered wedding cake provided by Colorado Rose Cake Company. The amazing confection included square tiers with brown and white paisley frosting details and levels separated by stands with chocolate covered strawberries in-between cake tiers. Anne’s father gave a heartfelt and memorable speech during the toasts, and Sandi Pastore Photography captured many significant moments such as the toasts throughout the day.

When reflecting on their day, Anne and Josh are grateful for the wonderfully unique details that personified the vision they had for their dream wedding. Anne relayed some wonderful planning tips for Colorado couples, “Start early, don’t procrastinate, and do what you want, not what other people are telling you that you must do… Have fun and remember it is you and your significant other’s day, no one else’s.”

To view the full photo collection from Anne and Josh's big day,click here.