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An Authentic Western Experience with a Contemporary Mountain Feel  As a destination wedding in Aspen, Colorado, Ryan and I wanted to create a weekend of festivities beginning with an authentic, western Welcome BBQ and ending with a modern, black tie, mountain wedding. The country-themed Welcome BBQ was held at the Sopris Mountain Ranch Equestrian Center, a tranquil property featuring beautiful pastures and spectacular mountain views - see more photos here! Cocktail hour started on a grassy knoll, where we were able to take advantage of the site’s natural décor using their trucks, tractors, hay bails, horses and epic western scenery, while adding our own rustic décor. Dinner transitioned into a large hay barn featuring naturally decadent wooden architecture. The barn was decorated with hanging café lights, Navajo rugs, and two long dining tables displaying burlap linens and navy runners, complimented by custom birch wood and copper vases, filled with ivory and light blue hydrangeas, and deep maroon wild flowers. Hickory House Ribs, southern style BBQ, grilled in front of guests, while Colorado-favorite bluegrass band, Tom Paxton and the Buffalo Joes, performed country tunes, bringing guests to their feet to “do-si-do” during square dancing lessons (one of my favorite moments of the night). While searching for a wedding venue, we hoped to find a location that provided an authentic mountain feel, where natural elegance met ethereal romance. When the Roaring Fork Club, a member’s only lodge situated in the heart of the Roaring Fork Valley, was presented to us as an option, Ryan and I immediately fell in love and decided this was the perfect location to tie the knot. We chose black tie attire; Ryan and his groomsmen dressed in navy Hugo Boss tuxedos, complimenting the bridesmaid's Monique Lhuillier floor length chiffon gowns, in champagne. I chose Monique Lhuillier's ivory re-embroidered lace strapless sweetheart neckline, fitted trumpet gown, paired with a lace rimmed mantilla veil, and Jimmy Choo’s ‘Caitlin’ Peep Toe Pump. The evening began with a mountaintop ceremony, incorporating Aspen logs and indigenous bouquets with lush greenery, ivories and pops of coral. Federal Judge O’Connor of Dallas, Texas officiated the ceremony, as a former Late Night with Jay Leno saxophone player debuted his version of Ho Hey (originally by the Lumineers) and A Thousand Years (originally by Christina Perri) throughout the processional. Cocktail hour transitioned into the main lodge, the entryway draped in white fabric welcomed guests as they took pictures in-between our floral initials, "B" and “R" made of white garden roses and greenery. Our Aspen Kiss specialty cocktails, tray passed hors d'oeuvres and vintage lace envelopes displaying escort cards awaited their arrival. Outside, the dining tent was fully draped in white fabric showcasing crystal chandeliers and Aspen trees dispersed throughout. Tables alternated between rustic farm tables and round tables to give the space dimension, topped with alencon lace linens and lush, organic centerpieces, mercury glass votives and ivory candles. Elements of lace and crystals adorned the table our four-tier wedding cake was placed. A seamless white dance floor, placed over beautiful flagstone provided the perfect foundation for guests to dance the night away. Our dream wedding was truly made a reality, and it will be a day we cherish forever.
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