Denver Life weddings | Spring/Summer 2016

SPRING/SUMMER 2016

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Features

55 LOOKBOOK The lastest looks: Boho florals (pictured), pretty pastels, engagement rings get colorful and men get creative

85 REAL WEDDINGS

Paul Miller

Five couples tell their stories, from their meant-to-be meetings and perfect proposals to the walk down the aisle.

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In Every Issue Bridal Buzz 12 42 Epicurean’s Champagne bar is

What’s new on the local wedding scene

a wedding reception treat.

Plan 16

Romantic ranches for your perfect Colorado wedding

20

The Eclectic Wedding Showcase brings a little edge

24 25

How to hire a live band

26

Photographers share their favorite shots

Spring bridal shows to help you make decisions

Details 32 36 38

Top trends from décor to design What to expect when you go for alterations The engagement party of your dreams

Dish 42

Catering: Gourmet food bars encourage guest participation

48

Cool cakes feature fi llings from fruit to nuts

51

The his-and-hers cocktail trend works for any wedding

Escape 74

Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic is a wedding wonderland

78 82

Eight top romantic destinations Travel accessories to make your trip more comfortable

ON the COVER

Visit dlmweddings.com for comprehensive coverage of additional real weddings, honeymoons, local inspiration, bridal tips, food trends, unique ideas and Colorado-based content to take your wedding to the next level.

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Annette Slade

A mid-September wedding at Deer Creek Valley Ranch in Bailey. Photo

by Haley Allen Photography

Your Day. Our Pleasure.

Complimentary one night stay on your wedding night, with in-room amenity and breakfast inclusive wedding packages • Menus crafted by our exceptional culinary team Special hotel rates for wedding guests • ara spa offering wedding day packages Roof top pool, jacuzzis and fire pits • Complimentary valet and self-parking 1,500 sq. ft. outdoor ceremony terrace • 5,000 sq. ft. ballroom

Wedding packages at a variety of price points. Call 720.946.4200 for complete details.

111 RICHMAN ST BLACK HAWK, CO 80422 | AMERISTAR.COM Must be at least 21 to enter the casino. Terms subject to change. See mychoice ® Center for details. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2016 Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

PUBLISHER/CEO Shawn C. Miller EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kristin N. Miller EXECUTIVE EDITOR Lesley Kennedy EDITOR Dana R. Butler ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kendall Kostelic BEAUTY EDITOR Gina Comminello CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joanne Davidson, Misty Milioto CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tom Visocchi ART DIRECTOR Chelsea Palmer Connolly CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Haley Allen Photography, Marklin Ang, A Witness to Life Photography, Amanda Baker Photography, BIO Photography, Paul Bride, Lauren Brimhall Photography, Scott Chernis, Heidi Chowen Photography, Ben Eng Photography, Zak Fleming Weddings, Frances Photography, From the Hip Photo, Geoffs Photos, Tor Johnson, KT Langley Photography, L Elizabeth Events, Miller Photographics, Lisa O’Dwyer Photography, On Love and Photography, Rebecca Marie Photography, Sarah Roshan, Annette Slade Photography, Andrew Tan, Nathan Welton/Dreamtime Images, Syed Yaqeen, Jackie Zoeller/Selah Photography BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Laura Kuhlmann MARKETING COORDINATOR AK Cotton ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Anna Hockett, Lori Perry We would love to hear from you! Send us comments, questions, letters to the editor or submissions for consideration.

Mail to: Denver Life Weddings, 8 Inverness Drive East, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80112 | Fax to: 303.840.5553 Email to: advertise@dlmweddings.com | editorial@dlmweddings.com Phone us: 303.840.5550 Check out: dlmweddings.com Published by

Denver Life Weddings is published twice a year by Elevation Media Group, Inc. Publisher assumes no responsibility for loss or damage of unsolicited materials.

Copyright 2016, Elevation Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in signed articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in Denver Life Weddings is accurate and complete, no liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions.

Denver Life Weddings provides information in articles such as phone numbers, times, prices, etc. as a service to our readers. All information has been researched and checked for accuracy at press time. We are not responsible for any changes or variances in information following publication.

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SAY ‘ I D O ’ TO VAI L.

If a mountain wedding and honeymoon are a magical dream, the place to make it all come true is The Sebastian, Condé Nast Traveler’s #1 Hotel in the West. This is everything you love about Vail, now with a vibrant new twist. There’s no place so colorful, welcoming, and pulsing with life. The amenities set the stage - Frost bar, Bloom Spa, The Library when it’s time to be social, and our visionary restaurant, Leonora. For the big event, The Sebastian offers the most elegant ballrooms in the mountain west. With luxurious accommodations and suites, fabulous attention to detail, and a setting in the heart of the Vail Village, The Sebastian is the perfect place to say ‘I do’.

855.895.4044 | 16 Vail Road | TheSebastianVail.com

Dancing Bear Bachelor Gulch Esperanza Timbers Jupiter Kapalua Bay The Orchard The Rocks Timbers Club Mayacama Rancho Valencia One Steamboat Place Castello di Casole Botany Bay The Sebastian Aspen Beaver Creek Cabo San Lucas Florida Maui Napa Scottsdale Snowmass Sonoma Southern California Steamboat Springs Tuscany U.S. Virgin Islands Vail

From the Editor S

COLOR IS REALLY THE STORY OF WEDDING FASHION AS WE BEGIN THE YEAR. FLORAL CROWNS & RIBBONS ARE TAKING THE PLACE OF WHITE VEILS & SPARKLY HAIRPIECES WITH BEAUTIFUL BOHO BRIDES.

Paul Miller

PRING IS A TIME OF REVITALIZATION AND NEW LIFE, which is why this is such a popular time for weddings.

Whether your wedding is coming up this year or you are at the very beginning of the planning process, Denver Life Weddings is filled with great ideas that you can use or that may spark creativity beyond even what we could imagine as we put this issue together.

This beautiful state has more than its fair share of interesting and picturesque potential wedding venues, many of which could reasonably be described as “Western” in nature. For example, there are nearly 25 sprawling ranches that can host your wedding with log Dana R. Butler, Editor cabins, restored barns, dramatic mountain backdrops and acres and acres of space to ride, hike, fish and more. In this issue, we’ve listed just a selection of some of the prettiest destinations available.

Planning involves making decisions about so many things, from choosing a photographer to document your big day to what type of entertainment to have at your reception. We asked some of Colorado’s top wedding photographers to choose their favorite image from among those they shot last year, and we got a wide variety of responses. Some made their selections based on the emotions portrayed, and others chose favorites based on artistic composition. The results are dramatic and beautiful.

Trends can be a tricky proposition when it comes to wedding planning. On one hand, you want your choices to seem modern rather than dated, which involves looking at what’s very “now” in the industry. On the other, nobody wants their wedding to look exactly like everyone else’s; every choice should be your own. We examine some of the aspects of wedding planning and design that are growing in popularity and hope that one or more of them might inspire your own ideas.

Two trends —that are easily customizable to your own tastes—are sweeping wedding receptions.

The first is DIY food bars. One or more aspects of your main meal—or cocktails or dessert—are laid out as bars with a variety of options so that guests can choose their own sauces, mixers, toppings and more. Another super fun way to bring your personal tastes to light at your reception is to work with a mixologist to create “his” and “hers” cocktails. These delicious drinks can fit in with your theme— be it classic or contemporary—reflect your chosen colors or express who you are.

Color is really the story of wedding fashion as we begin the year. Floral crowns and ribbons are taking the place of white veils and sparkly hairpieces with beautiful Boho brides. Dresses with hints of color are popping up throughout top designers’ spring 2016 collections (a complementary look we’re seeing is white for bridesmaids). Even engagement rings are utilizing fancy stones, such as sapphires and colored diamonds, and rose and yellow gold. Men are getting in on the action, as well, with accessories to liven up the classic tuxedo, from creative cufflinks to socks that sizzle with personality.

And, as in every issue, we attend five real weddings, getting to know Colorado couples who have graciously shared their happiness and joy with us through beautiful photos and by telling their stories.

We wish you love and luck as you enter into this once-in-a-lifetime process and hope to have offered some ideas and advice that make everything go a little more smoothly.

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2015

Bridal Buzz OUR EDITOR’S TOP PICKS FOR PRODUCTS & TRENDS.

SURPRISE! IT’S A WEDDING If the thought of planning an elaborate wedding— attending to every detail, making thousands of decisions, inviting hundreds of near strangers—is overwhelming you to the point of paralysis, the Four Seasons Denver has a solution, effectively engineering an elopement without your having to leave town. With the new “Secret Ceremony” package, the hotel’s wedding specialists meet with the couple, talking through their likes and dislikes, preferences and musthaves. Then, all that’s left to do is get dressed and show up. Behind the scenes, the hotel staff will plan menus, details and decorations, all of which will be a surprise to the couple and up to 14 guests on the big day. The price includes two nights at the hotel for the couple, a welcome party, bride/maid of honor and groom/best man brunches, salon treatments, food and flowers and breakfast in bed the next day.

Four Seasons Denver

$6,000 fourseasons.com/denver

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Centennial Celebration

GOOD TASTE Eschew tradition with your groomsman gifts, and give them something to actually chew on. Every month, Mantry will deliver a themed box of six products from artisanal food makers from across the country. Each box is organized around a theme, such as Bacon Nation or Bourbon BBQ, and includes recipes that even a kitchen-challenged man can master (cashew cinnamon butter s’mores, anyone?) and info about the creative minds behind the taste treats in your crate. The Tailgate Tour box, for example, exposed subscribers to Aurelia’s Chorizo, La Esquina Black Bean Dip, Owl’s Brew “The Classic,” Pork Clouds with Rosemary & Sea Salt, Mike’s Hot Honey and Molly & Me Sweet Heat Pecans—yum.

Give once or sign them up for a three- or six-month plan. $59/month, mantry.com

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, which makes this the perfect time to get married in one of the country’s most treasured resources. For most parks, the NPS offers suggested wedding locations, some of which have picnic tables and/or benches. Additional tents, chairs, banners, etc. (really, anything that would constitute litter if it got away from you) are restricted— the point of choosing a national park is that the raw environment is your décor—and size limitations, which include the couple, offi ciant and photographer in the total number, are enforced. Other things to know: The NPS charges an administrative fee, you must plan for the weather and areas remain open to the public. nps.gov

A Wee Cake These tiny masterpieces from Stewart’s would be a precious addition to any celebration. For a true Scottish delicacy, opt for two or three tiers of the handcut “tablet.” This traditional sweet has a luscious fl avor that tastes like praline and fudge had a delicious baby. Or, wow your guests with mini cakes made from rich shortbread fi lled with buttercream (vanilla, chocolate or toffee), lemon curd or raspberry reduction. In addition, these fancy cakes, square or round, can be wrapped in fondant, which can be colored and/or textured, and ribbons and toppers can be customized for favors that are (almost) too pretty to eat. stewartcrumpetsandconfections.com

SPRING & SUMMER 2016 // DLMWEDDINGS.COM

BOOK IT We have long been in love with Blue Sky Papers for the brand’s uniquely creative journals, memory books and stationery. Just recently, the company launched ClaireMagnolia, a spinoff of sorts, focused on wedding guest books, photo albums and vow books, all ideal for commemorating you big day. From the new collection, we like the engraved acrylic guest book, which has a custom design etched into the cover, plus deckle-edged pages and a coptic-stitched binding for a modern keepsake with classic details. And the handmade velvet photo album oozes vintage-inspired romance and features a beaded closure with timeless style.

Engraved acrylic guest book $200 Beaded velvet photo album, $144 clairemagnolia.com

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Plan TAKING THE FIRST STEPS TOWARD THE PERFECT WEDDING DAY INVOLVES MAKING SOME BIG DECISIONS. VENUES • THE ECLECTIC WEDDING SHOWCASE • BRIDAL SHOWS • LIVE MUSIC • PHOTOGRAPHY

A fall wedding at Dunton Hot Springs near Telluride sets the perfect scene for rustic romance.

Heidi Chowen Photography

SPRING & SUMMER 2016 // DLMWEDDINGS.COM

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PL AN VENUES

1 2 Dolores duntonhotsprings.com Across from Telluride, Dunton Hot Springs resort is set in a formerly abandoned ghost town. For a romantic adventure, you and your wedding party can take over the whole place, which includes lodging and meals from the organic kitchen for up to 44 guests. Rustic charm abounds from the 13 handhewn, luxuriously appointed cabins and the mineral hot springs to the original Dancehall & Saloon and Bathhouse.

Over the course of the wedding weekend, check out the Pony Express yoga studio and the West Fork boxing gym, or spend your time outdoors among the ruggedly beautiful 14ers, rivers, lakes and meadows horseback riding, fly-fishing, mountain biking, hiking or rock climbing.

ON the R ANGE

COLORADO OFFERS A WIDE SELECTION OF RANCHES (SOME FORMER, SOME STILL WORKING)THAT ARE PERFECT FOR YOUR SOPHISTICATED YETTRULY WESTERN WEDDING.

By Dana R. Butler

16

2. C LAZY U GUEST RANCH Granby clazyu.com This award-winning resort specializes in weddings and features more than 8,500 acres of open space. The staff is incredibly flexible and will do everything it can to make your experience magical. Enjoy horseback riding and fly-fishing, the top-notch spa or the ropes course and zip line. Accommodations are available for up to 105 guests (including three gourmet meals per day), and you can spend your wedding night together at the secluded honeymoon cabin.

SPRING & SUMMER 2016 // DLMWEDDINGS.COM

Dunton, Heidi Chowen Photography; C Lazy U, L Elizabeth Events

1. DUNTON HOT SPRINGS

4 3. THE HISTORIC PINES RANCH Westcliffe thehistoricpinesranch.com This mountain retreat sits on 187 acres eight miles from Westcliffe at the base of Gibbs Peak in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The ranch has been hosting vacationers and couples getting married since the late 1800s. There’s lots of opportunity to take advantage of the location adjacent to the San Isabel National Forest with hiking, horseback riding, fishing and hunting.

And two million acres of wilderness outside your door means stunning views—not to mention the possibility of spotting Colorado’s abundant wildlife—at every turn.

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Historic Pines, BIO Photography; Deer Creek Valley Ranch; Granby Ranch; Devil’s Thumb Ranch

4. DEER CREEK VALLEY RANCH Bailey deercreekvalleyranch.com Owners Tim and Christian Marasciullo were inspired by their own personal story of love to turn their ranch into a cozy and beautiful setting for weddings and more, one that is only 45 minutes from the DTC. The historic barn, originally built in 1865, has been painstakingly restored down to the smallest detail, including bar stools made from horse saddles. Outdoor wedding locations include the Evans Bridge Meadow or the lakeside gazebo, both with views of Mount Evans.

5. GRANBY RANCH

6. DEVIL’S THUMB RANCH

Granby granbyranch.com Do you want to make your entrance on a mountain bike or ride a chairlift to your mountaintop ceremony? This is the place where adventure meets romance, offering lift-served hiking trails, miles of gold-medal fishing, hundreds of acres of biking trails and golf on an 18-hole championship course.

A sweeping vista stretching from Grand Lake to Winter Park can be the backdrop for your ceremony, and the ranch hosts only one wedding a day, so all the attention is on you.

Tabernash devilsthumbranch.com This place works for everything from a casual outdoor affair to full black tie. A relatively new addition is the 4,200-square-foot High Lonesome Barn, which was reconstructed from a Civil War-era structure that once lived in Ohio. It features views of the Continental Divide, a converted hay loft that can work for smaller get-togethers and two historic Rumford-style stone fireplaces. Another option is the Broad Axe Barn built from hand-hewn beams reclaimed from a mid-1800s Indiana barn. Guests can stay on-site in log cabins, decorated with antiques from around the globe. There’s also fly-fishing, hiking, raft trips on the Colorado River and the Ranch Creek Spa.

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PL AN VENUES 7. ELLIS RANCH Loveland ellisrancheventcenter.com A plus for the Ellis Ranch Event Center and Wedding Park is the location. Out of town guests will be especially impressed that you chose to tie the knot in “Loveland.” The setting is romantic and just rustic enough. Grander weddings make good use of the event center and wedding park, and the property also features the Carriage House for more intimate events.

8. MIDNIGHT RANCH Clark midnightranch.com The 105-acre Midnight Ranch offers an unforgettable location.

The couple, wedding party and guests stay in lovely homes, which can house approximately 32 guests. The ranch itself can host up to 200 guests for an outdoor (and/or tented) ceremony high in the Rocky Mountains.

RUSTIC BROADMOOR The venerable Colorado Springs property features a number of ways to get back to nature for your summer wedding.

THE RANCH AT EMERALD VALLEY broadmoor.com/ranch-reservations High above The Broadmoor, this intimate, all-inclusive guest ranch in the Pike National Forest offers 10 deluxe cabins (for 32 guests) and a dedicated ranch staff and on-site chef. Enjoy a drink on the main lodge’s wraparound deck, a dip in a lakeside hot tub and storytelling by the fire pit. Activities include horseback riding, fly-fishing, hiking, mountain biking, archery and horseshoes. Jeep tours, river rafting, massage services or a ranch roundup excursion can be arranged.

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SMITH FORK RANCH smithforkranch.com If you’re planning a wedding with your closest circle of friends and family, Smith Fork can accommodate up to 28. New this year, you can schedule an early evening horseback ride for your guests culminating in cocktails overlooking the ranch and valley. Or, you can spend the day foraging for wild mushrooms and other delicacies with a Smith Fork chef—all are experts on the North Fork Valley—and then return to the ranch to create a sumptuous meal.

GATEWAY CANYONS gatewaycanyons.com Palisade Ranch at Gateway Canyons Resort is new for 2016. Guests can explore Western Colorado, drive cattle and learn to rope and ride, which makes for a fun destination wedding option.

A PAINTED VIEW RANCH apaintedview.com Three miles west of downtown Westcliffe in the Wet Mountain Valley, this pretty ranch features a barn, ranch house and cantina available for country-style weddings and receptions.

Ellis, A Witness to Life Photography; Midnight Ranch; The Broadmoor

CLOUD CAMP broadmoor.com/cloud-camp Cloud Camp is a sister property to The Broadmoor and part of the resort’s Wilderness Experience portfolio. Sitting atop Cheyenne Mountain, 3,000 feet above the resort, the location offers 360-degree views, an 8,000-square-foot main lodge and 11 one- and two-bedroom cabins. New to the camp is The Overlook, an events space perched on the side of Cheyenne Mountain, which is perfect for weddings with fewer than 70 guests.

Felicity Allyse

FLORAL & PAPER ARTISTRY

CUSTOM INVITATIONS FRESH AND PAPER FLORAL ALL HAND-CRAFTED

WWW.FELICITYALLYSE.COM (303) 946-8737

The Perfect Rustic Ranch Setting for Your Elegant Mountain Wedding.

Historic Deer Creek Valley Ranch offers the rustic charm and picturesque scenery that personifies Colorado. This privately owned Ranch is nestled on 165 acres of lush rolling hills and valleys with Deer Creek winding through it, while framing magnificent views of the mountains.

Catherine Jeter Photography Taylor Jones Photography

This is your love story, live it the way you envision it.

Call to schedule a private tour.

DeerCreekValleyRanch.com 303.929.9133 64407 US Hwy 285 Bailey, CO 80421

Steve Lynds Photography Marc Rouxby

PL AN ECLECTIC WEDDING SHOWCASE

WEIRD and WILD WEDDINGS

FOUNDED BY A PHOTOGRAPHER LOOKINGTO SHAKE UPTHE WEDDING WORLD, THIS WAY-OUT-OF-THE-BOX BRIDAL SHOW ALLOWS OFFBEAT BRIDESTO FINDTHEIR BLISS.

By Dana R. Butler WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS THEME? “We brainstormed a million ideas, but the mystery and versatility of the masquerade kept bringing us back to it.”

WHAT WAS YOUR ARTISTIC VISION? “We went with a punk rock, glam, boudoir vibe. Black lace, gold candleholders and linens, red florals, tons of pearls and other touches in white, ivory and cream to soften it all. We had an amazing lounge area and a living centerpiece (an actual person) for the dining table, passing out apple tarts. We also added edgy and glamorous models in custom-made lingerie and body paints. We couldn’t forget the cake, so we had four of them! We decided to ‘float’ three of them and make the 4-foot cake the star of the show by placing it in the middle of our space.”

HOW DID THE LIGHTING CONTRIBUTE? “We opted for layered draping and then softened it with lots of up-lighting. Our space was naturally a little dark, so this really gave it an elegant glow.”

W

EDDING PHOTOGRAPHER JEWELS GRAY was looking for something different.

“I love weddings,” she says, “but after doing it for almost 10 years, I was craving events that were a little more offbeat.” And she knew there had to be kindred spirits looking to buck tradition in an over-the-top way. She took her background in event production and began making lists of the things she liked about bridal shows she had attended and things she felt could be shaken up. The result is the Eclectic Wedding Showcase, a combo showcase and competition in which designers can create vignettes based around themes, such as “Alice in Wonderland” and “Nightmare Before Christmas.” The winner was “Masque dans Amour (Masked in Love)” by Veronica Davis with Mile High Celebrations. We asked Davis how it came together.

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Cake, Amanda Baker Photography; Dancer, Rebecca Marie Photography

HOW DID YOU INCORPORATETHE FIVE SENSES? “Sight: I made sure there was a lot to look at and added a ton of details both large and small. Sound: We were blessed with having a cellist playing some beautiful background music. Taste: We had savory and sweet treats that may have been served in the Victorian era. Touch: Elegant lace, feather masks and Victorian furniture. Smell: The candles were all cake scented.”

A BOUTIQUE

Bridal Affair November 11, 2016 | 5:30 p.m.

THE CABLE CENTER Not your typical bridal event, A Boutique Bridal Affair is the perfect date night for you and your fiancĂŠ, making it easy and fun to plan your upcoming nuptials together.

More information dlmweddings.com

PL AN ECLECTIC WEDDING SHOWCASE

PLANNER/DESIGNER/ COORDINATOR Veronica (Roni) Davis Mile High Celebrations milehighcelebrations.com RENTALS Allwell Rents allwellrents.com FOOD AND SWEET TREATS Culinary Wave Catering culinarywave.com LOUNGE FURNITURE CORT cortevents.com FLORALS Alan Perry Productions alanperrydesigns.net PAPER DESIGNS Felicity Allyse Designs felicityallyse.com CANDLES Candlelight Ambiance candlelightambiance.com

WHAT DID YOU SERVE? “We wanted to make sure that the food was very savory, so these had bolder flavors. We had sliced beef atop a sourdough crostini with balsamic truffle glaze, crispy onions, gorgonzola spread and roma tomatoes and tiny Thai tacos with shredded chicken, matchstick carrots, napa cabbage, cucumber and cilantro dressed with traditional peanut sauce. The desserts served were something you might have found at a Victorian party. We had dark chocolate Earl Grey tea truffles, salted caramel apple roses and lemon meringue petit fours.”

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PHOTOGRAPHY Rebecca Marie Photography rebeccamariephotography.net MUSIC 5 Star Talent and Entertainment, Inc. Featuring Elle Wells/Cellist 5staracts.com

Rebecca Marie Photography

WHAT WAS YOUR REQUIRED INTERACTIVE ELEMENT? “We actually had two. The first was our selfie station that had a backdrop of decorated frames and three large frames you could hold to take a picture. We also encouraged guests to pick a model or two and a mask for a photo. The second was our pole dancer who managed to get a few people to take her up on a quick on-site lesson for a swing around the pole. We wanted guests to have a fun place to hang out.”

LIGHTING Lighting and Design by Scott lightinganddesignbyscott.com

engagement parties F rehearsal dinners wedding receptions F anniversary celebrations bridal luncheons + more!

info@blancdenver.com

blancdenver.com

Jordan Weiland Photography

Shalynee Imaging Photography

Dox Photo

Daylene Wilson Photographic

CWEC - All Digital Photo & Video Daylene Wilson Photographic

303.974.7487

ONE VENUE for all wedding celebrations

PL AN LIVE MUSIC Wash Park Band from 5 Star Talent and Entertainment

SOUND ADVICE

HERE ARE SOME EASY DOS AND DON’TS WHEN HIRING A LIVE BAND FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY.

Photo: Sweet Tea Studios

By Misty Milioto

BREATHTAKING YEAR-ROUND VENUES LUXURIOUS LODGING MEMORABLE DESTINATION SPECIALIZED EVENT PLANNING & CATERING

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1.855.420.9259 skicb.com/weddings

5 Star Talent and Entertainment

Y

OUR SELECTION OF musical entertainment can easily make or break your big day.

DJs offer versatility and an almost limitless selection of songs, and live performers can be a bit more limited in vocal style and repertoire; however, a live band creates a unique ambience and energy that is difficult for a DJ to match. We consulted Pat Bruno, president of A Music Plus Entertainment, and Terri Fisher, owner and president of 5 Star Talent and Entertainment, to get some helpful tips on the topic.

According to Bruno, it is imperative to clearly define your vision for the day, so you can hire a band that fits. He also suggests having an in-person conversation, so you can easily communicate what you want. “Decide how much control you want to have over the music selection,” he says. “If (overseeing) song selection is important to you, be certain that your entertainers are enthusiastic about this.”

Fisher echoes this advice and adds that couples

PL AN BRIDAL SHOWS

WEDDING SHOWCASES

Shutterstock

should focus on creating a balance between aesthetic, emotional and practical considerations. “Aesthetically, live music creates a sense of sophistication,” she says. “You should decide very early in the process what style of music you want for your wedding: a variety or a specific style like bluegrass. The emotional considerations are what will make you feel good. The practical considerations, beyond your budget, include the types of guests you will have, including their ages, as well as the size, location and type of venue.”

Of course, the more planning you do ahead of time, the more smoothly everything will run on the day. There are several important questions to ask when considering whether or not to hire a specific band. According to Fisher, these include the following: Will the band be able to provide the selected music you want?

Can the band provide references, a website or other reviews for their music? Does the quote include all possible fees for what is needed?

Will the band provide a written contract? Are they properly insured?

In addition, Bruno is quick to point out a few red flags and things you should avoid. Red flags include poor responsiveness and not working with a contract in place. The biggest pitfall, however, is hiring a band based solely on budget.

“Of every decision you make for your wedding, the entertainment is probably the biggest factor in its success or failure,” he says. “It doesn’t make sense to put your entire day at risk by hiring cheap entertainers. Also, be wary of entertainers that can’t produce recommendations or testimonials from clients and (especially) other vendors. And be careful about overburdening your entertainers with demands.”

Although the wedding planning process can seem overwhelming at times, it’s important to remember to go with what feels right. “A successful wedding is a bit like a mosaic in which many smaller pieces go together to create a beautiful picture,” Fisher says. “And just like the cement that holds the mosaic in place, music binds the elements of the wedding together into one memorable whole.”

A Music Plus Entertainment amusicplus.com 5 Star Talent and Entertainment 5staracts.com

BRIDAL SHOWS CAN GREATLY EASETHE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS BY ALLOWING NEWLY ENGAGED COUPLESTO COMPARE MANY VENDORS AT ONETIME.

MAY 12, 7 P.M. The Big Fake Wedding Boulder Rembrandt Yard Art Gallery & Event Center As an alternative to traditional shows, you are invited to a Big Fake Wedding, complete with a (not so) real ceremony followed by light bites and a fun dance party. In this setting, brides- and groomsto-be can experience the vendors in action—a live audition of sorts. thebigfakewedding.com MAY 15, 1–4 P.M. Wed Wonderfully Villa Parker This boutique bridal show features a carefully curated selection of local Colorado wedding vendors that excel in their craft. Plus, it gives you a chance to check out this lovely Mediterranean estate, a popular wedding venue, just south of Denver. There you’ll find lots of things to taste and vendors to chat up in preparation for planning your dream reception. villaparker.com/wed-wonderfully MAY 22, 11 A.M. TO 4 P.M. Simply Bridal Show Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum Head to the main hangar to meet with more than 60 vendors and find inspiration for your big day at this bridal show. Every couple attending will receive a free engagement photo session from Click and Pedal Photography, and registered brides will walk away with a selfie stick. Get a chance to enter for giveaways, too, including a honeymoon trip and cake topper sparklers.

Haven’t said yes to the dress? At 2 p.m. the space makes SPRING & SUMMER 2016 // DLMWEDDINGS.COM

way for a fashion show, featuring Colorado wedding dress designers. simplybridalshow.com OCTOBER 30, 11 A.M. TO 3 P.M. Lionsgate Event Center Wedding Show Lionsgate Event Center Mingle with 40-plus vendors at this Lafayette bridal show where you can sip champagne, sample products, taste cuisine and curate ideas to fit your theme.

Be sure to enter for giveaways and, if you’re worried about crowds, purchase the exclusive early access pass. Otherwise, don’t plan on paying a cover: This show is free. lionsgatecenter.com

SIGNATURE EVENT NOVEMBER 11, 5:30 P.M. A Boutique Bridal Affair The Cable Center Presented by DLM Weddings So much more than a bridal show, A Boutique Bridal Affair is a spa day and date night rolled into one. Get to know a variety of vendors and sample their wares. Be sure to plan some time to visit with local beauty experts who will be demo-ing makeup, hairstyles and manicures.

Hubby-to-be can relax in the groom’s lounge, which will feature cigars, whiskey tasting and grooming tips (learn how to tie a bow tie). Your admission to the event also includes an entry to win a dream honeymoon in Mexico. dlmweddings.com

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PL AN PHOTOGRAPHY

YOUR BEST SHOT

WE ASKED SOME OFTHETOP WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS INTHE STATETO CHOOSE THEIR FAVORITE SHOTS ANDTELL US ABOUTTHEM. PERHAPSTHEY WILL INSPIRE YOUR WEDDING PICS.

“This is my favorite shot from 2015. It was taken at the T Lazy 7 Ranch in Aspen in September. They were exiting the ceremony, and the guests were throwing rose petals as confetti. For me as a photographer, it is great when a couple has a long ceremony aisle like this couple did, which means there is enough time to get some great shots.”

Lisa O’Dwyer Lisa O’Dwyer Photography lisaodwyer.com

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“I love this shot! This wedding was held at a home in Castle Rock, and this was a beautiful moment that was captured spontaneously as we were searching for the perfect location to shoot. An unexpected storm came and blessed us with an amazingly moody sky.”

Coryn Nelson Link Photography linknelsonphotography.com

“I always to try to capture a couple from a different angle to create a unique portrait, and oftentimes, the best way to do that is to climb a tree to get to a new vantage point. Over the years, I’ve gotten pretty good at climbing aspens since sometimes they’re the only trees around. Necessity is the mother of invention! Amanda and Ivan put a huge priority on photography and were game to do just about anything, including laying down on the ground in their wedding clothes after the ceremony. If you’re careful about how you arrange a wedding dress, you can get a shot like this done on a wedding day and keep the dirt and mess to a minimum. I shot this from about 15 to 20 feet up in the tree—had I gone any higher, I think the tree may have fallen over. This was their favorite image from the wedding.”

Nathan Welton Dreamtime Images dreamtimeimages.com

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“This wedding combined two families who were comprised of art-loving musicians. They came to me wanting a family photo that looked like an album cover.

They thought I would think the request was a little crazy, but it was totally in line with what I love to do. Making personal, meaningful artwork is one of my favorite parts about photographing weddings.”

Jackie Zoeller Selah Photography selahphotography.org

“This definitely sticks out as my favorite wedding image, not only because of how it looks, but also because of the emotion portrayed. The bride and groom, Becky and Bobby, are one of the coolest Denver couples I have ever met, and the ceremony and reception took place in a charming shared backyard space in the Highland neighborhood. The ceremony was so heartfelt and personal, and I was thrilled to be able to photograph it from a different perspective and stand behind the couple, capturing their guests, as well. I love the lush green grass and the fact that they are backlit with the golden sun peeking through the trees. Every time I see this image I’m reminded of the real love between these two, and it makes me happy.”

Katie Langley, KT Langley Photography, ktlangleyphotography.com

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katiecorrine.com

cassidybrooke.com

paigeeden.com

tylerjonesphoto.com

at

Anniversary Party T O D A Y !

info@CrookedWillowEvents.com

3 0 3 . 9 5 1 . 8 8 8 8

The Venue at Crooked Willow Farms has an abundance of indoor and outdoor spaces to accommodate your vision for your wedding celebration! Upon arriving the venue welcomes your wedding party to relax in the Bridal Suite as well as the Lost Horse Lounge which delivers a cigar lounge and media room in design.

The Ballroom is the ideal indoor area for dining or the Events Lawn invites guests to enjoy the celebration under the stars! Dancing is usually in the ballroom or in the loft but regardless we always suggest the traditional dances under the market lights in the Courtyard as it delivers amazing photos!

Memorable Ceremony Engagement Surprise

E V E N T

Ceremonies can be set on the Events Lawn, the Courtyard or in Goose Park for a few of our outdoor options. If you choose indoors, most select the candle wall backdrop of Lola’s Loft or the Ballroom as their preferred space. Post ceremony, cocktails are enjoyed in the courtyard amidst the floral beds.

Wedding Reception

paigeeden.com

Y O U R

The Wedding Celebration Venue:

Rehearsal Dinner

CrookedWillowEvents.com B O O K

10554 South Perry Park Road, Larkspur, CO 80118

Paige Eden Photography

All of the spaces are yours for 12 hours of access with 6 hours of event time, so you can enjoy them however you choose. For more information on the venue, to check availability or to set up a tour, please contact The Venue at Crooked Willow Farms at 303.951.8888 or info@crookedwillowevents.com.

Tours are by appointment only, the venue is open from mid-April through the end of October, annually.

Jessica Christie Photography

Jenni Parks Photography

Other amenities on property for your guests to engage in include the Photo Booth, Activity Arena which includes a sand pit for volleyball or badminton, horseshoes and more as well as a kids’ room to mention a few! Non-traditional desserts are the current trend and guests enjoy roasting marshmallows in the courtyard or pairing selections with your favorite spirit in an interactive tasting station.

Elegant Images

CrookedWillowEvents.com

WIN YOUR DREAM HONEYMOON

ARUBA BEACHES. SUNSHINE. ROMANCE. ENTER TO WIN! dlmweddings.com 7-night accommodations for two people in a Garden View Room at the Aruba Marriott Resort www.arubamarriott.com Airfare provided by Aruba Tourism Authority Estimated retail value: $3,500

Winner will be chosen on August 29, 2016. Expires on August 29, 2016.

Accommodations are subject to availability. Blackout dates apply on any single long weekend in the U.S. such as Christmas, New Year’s, Memorial Day, President’s Day, Thanksgiving, etc., and high season (20 Dec 2016 – 30 April 2017). Accommodations are subject to availability, even during non-blackout dates.

Details THE PARTICULARS CAN THREATEN TO OVERWHELM A BRIDE-TO-BE, BUT WE OFFER SOME SOLUTIONS. TOP TRENDS • ALTERATIONS • ENGAGEMENT PARTY THEMES

Arlington monogrammed brass lantern, $129–$169, potterybarn.com

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DETAILS TRENDS

TRENDING NOW Wedding style is extremely personal, and your choices—of food, décor and more—should reflect you as a couple. Yet, somehow trends still manage to emerge as regularly as the change of seasons. Here we look at some of the things you can expect to see at this spring’s weddings.

Take one you like and make it your own.

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Eco cork guest book, $60, blueskypapers.com

Wtoo, through d’Anelli Bridal, watters.com

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Vera Wang Gold Confetti, from $2 each, crane.com

Crystal mirage chairs, from Event Rents, denver.eventrents.net

Second City Skyline, from $1.59 each, weddingpaperdivas.com

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6 Edison string lights, $40 for a 20-bulb strand, cb2.com

THE TRENDS: 1. Bridesmaids wearing white

Alexandra Ferguson pillows, “XOXO,” $64; “happily ever after,” $109, brika.com

Or cream—the point is that white is not reserved for the bride anymore. Some brides are taking the color for themselves, choosing to stand out wearing a dress in a hot hue. Others are opting to take black-and-white elegance to another level, with not a drop of color, save perhaps a touch of greenery in the bouquet, in sight.

2. Evoking a location in your stationery suite

It might be the place you met, your hometown or the site of your destination ceremony—include a cityscape or other iconic imagery on your invitations, escort cards, thank you notes and more to evoke a specifi c and meaningful locale.

3. Sparkly invitations

Effervescence is going beyond the bubbly in your glass.

Shimmery, glittery style is being seen everywhere from centerpieces to bridesmaid dresses, but one unexpected place we’ve spotted the style is on the invitations. What better way to say “celebration”?

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4. Natural elements

Taking the “green” movement even further, some couples are opting to go back to nature. Ecofriendly favors, such as plants or seeds, are gaining in popularity, and utilizing cork, wood and stone throughout the wedding is au courant.

5. Ghost chairs

Even if you don’t recognize the name “Chiavari,” if you’ve ever been seated at a wedding, you have likely sat in this ladder-backed wedding mainstay. These days, however, savvy couples are opting for clear acrylic seating reminiscent of Philippe Starck’s iconic Ghost chair—the ultramodern style goes with every color scheme.

6. Romantic lighting

Malta lantern in bronze, $34–$249, potterybarn.com

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Lighting plays a big part in setting any stage, so what’s ideal for your wedding? Candlelight is romantic, but too dark. Overhead lamps are too bright and cast unfl attering shadows. The solution: Edison bulbs, which create the perfect ambiance and also fi t right in with another trend: rustic elegance.

7. Lounge seating

Large, round tables and elaborate seating plans are quickly giving way to looser arrangements with tables of varying sizes and often including lounge seating areas that are more conducive to conversation and cocktails. They should be intimate and comfortable, dotted with fun accessories like these cool pillows.

8. Metallics Rose Garden napkin ring; Beaded Elegance napkin ring, $3 each, bedbathandbeyond.com

In seasons past, silver has dominated metallic color palettes. Now, however, bronze, gold—yellow and rose—and copper are dominating décor. They are enormously versatile; they can be bright or muted and fi t easily into themes from rustic to glamorous.

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DETAILS TRENDS Up Country rose ring, $70; rosebud ring (for smaller dogs) $50, upcountryinc.com

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Crew La La bow ties and belle ties, from $46, crewlala.com

Mulderbosch 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, approximately $13, mulderbosch.com

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9. Including your precious pup in the festivities

Your dog is part of your family, so why shouldn’t he or she be part of your wedding day? Naturally, Max and Bella’s temperaments and tolerances must be taken into account, but if they are willing and well behaved, there are lots of options for dressing them up for the big day.

10. Pink

This romantic and, yes, girly shade is popping up in many areas of the wedding, from stationery to the wedding dress itself. Another place you’ll frequently find this pale shade of rose is in one’s glass. A juicy rosé is festive, pairs well with food and easily works for a large crowd of well-wishers. This delicious varietal from South Africa is fresh and aromatic.

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11. Dramatic looks

Milani Everyday Eyes eye shadow collection in Smoky Essentials, $10, milanicosmetics.com Milani Amore matte lip crème in Fancy, $9, milanicosmetics.com Lash Star full control mascara, $35, lashstarbeauty.com

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Contemporary brides are realizing that the ceremony and the reception are, in essence, very different events in service of the same occasion. Saying your vows is a time for solemnity and grace, and the celebration afterward is a party. As such, lots of brides are opting to take the modifi ed (or completely different) reception dress a step further by arriving at the soiree with an entirely new hair and makeup look, including a dramatic smoky eye and/or a bright magenta lip.

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FIND THE RIGHT ONE

ENROLL FOR $7 TO FIND THE PERFECT GROUP FITNESS CLASSES AND PERSONAL TRAINERS TO HELP YOU GET READY FOR THE BIG DAY.

Cherry Creek 303-333-0123 (on Southside of 1st Ave. just past Steele St.)

NEW! Colorado Springs 719-265-6565 (N. Academy & Vickers Dr. by boot barn)

Downtown Denver 303-294-9494 (18th & Curtis, next to Ritz-Carlton Hotel)

ACA DEMY

Aurora (Southlands) 303-928-7666 (Next to AMC Theaters)

Lone Tree (Park Meadows) 303-708-0109 (Park Meadows Dr. next to Element Hotel)

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Westminster 303-456-2095 (88th & Pierce, East of Home Depot)

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(120th & Federal in Country Club Village Shopping Center)

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Broomfield 303-643-5699

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*Must be 18 yrs. old or 12 w/ parent. Offer valid for non member 1st time guests only. Not all amenities/classes available in all locations. No purchase necessary, no obligation to join. Some restrictions apply, check club for details.

SEW, SEW

YOUR WEDDING GOWN SHOULD BE A PERFECT FIT (JUST LIKE YOUR NEW HUSBAND).

By Joanne Davidson

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L

UCKY IS THE BRIDE who can waltz into a store and exit with a wedding gown that’s a perfect fit. It rarely happens, according to those who help Colorado brides walk down the aisle in gowns tailored to their exact measurements.

“Ninety-nine point nine percent of dresses will need an alteration,” says Kelly Leggett, general manager and director of marketing for Little White Dress, the Denver bridal boutique that gained worldwide attention after Priscilla Chan purchased a $4,700 gown for her 2012 wedding to Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg at the shop then located in Denver’s Highland neighborhood. (Little White Dress has

since relocated to larger quarters in the historic Epworth Church in the bustling River North district.)

And because no bride should recite her vows in an ill-fitting gown, Leggett and others say their best advice is to never leave dress shopping to the very last minute and to choose their alterations person carefully.

“We recommend that the dress be purchased three to four months in advance of the wedding,” says Kellie Bonham, customer service manager and marketing director at Donna Beth Creations, the Cherry Creek North studio that handles alterations for Anna Bé, a bridal boutique in Denver’s LoHi neighborhood. “We like to do four fittings prior to the wedding; that way, we can better adjust to any (size) fluctuations that the bride may have.”

Wedding dress alterations specialists are prepared to handle tasks that range from a simple hemline adjustment to something as complex as giving the dress your grandmother wore a more contemporary look. “A skilled seamstress can handle just about anything,” Leggett says. As such, selecting that person is not something you want to leave to chance—or to Aunt Mabel who just loves to sew and swears she can whittle a size 14 gown down to the size 8 you currently wear.

To find the right person, ask a satisfied bride for her recommendation or read online reviews made on tailoring sites.

Better yet, utilize bridal shops, such as Anna Bé and Little White Dress. They have skilled seamstresses who specialize in wedding attire either on staff or on contract.

Having realistic expectations also is important. “In 35 years, I’ve never heard Donna say she couldn’t do something,” says Bonham about Donna Beth, “but that said, it’s easier to make a dress smaller than it is to make it larger. It’s easier to add straps to a strapless gown than it is to redo its entire shape.”

Cost varies according to the extent of what needs to be done as well as whether the gown has beading, lace or multiple fabric layers. On average, however, brides can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $600.

It’s also important to realize that although gowns made from fabrics such as velvet and satin are beautiful, they don’t lend themselves well to being made larger because the original seam lines will always show no matter how carefully or how often the garment is pressed. And if a bodice or set of sleeves requires significant expansion, the work should not even be started unless extra fabric can be ordered from the designer so that everything is a perfect match.

This is why timing is everything. “The more time we have to work with the dress, the better the outcome,” Leggett says.

“Alterations are not something you want to rush.”

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This page: Donna Beth Creations; Opposite page: Little White Dress Bridal Shop

DETAILS ALTERATIONS

OTHER POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND BEFORE SAYING YES TO THE DRESS: Who doesn’t love a sale? But before buying a reduced-price gown in a size much different from your own, consider the extent to which it will have to be altered. The seamstress’ bill could easily eclipse the money you saved by not paying full retail.

If you fall in love with an off-the-rack gown but it’s a tad too small, check the seams before buying it. If they’re not generous, put it back.

If you absolutely, positively have to have it, know that most seamstresses can construct a lace-up, or corset, back that will add a size or two to the bodice.

Few, if any, seamstresses will give a cost estimate without having seen the dress—and you in it. Set an appointment and show up with the dress, not a photo or verbal description.

Always bring the foundation garments, including the bra and shapewear, and the shoes you will wear with the gown to the fi ttings. It also helps to bring your veil and jewelry to give the seamstress a better sense of proportion.

—Joanne Davidson

The Barn at Raccoon Creek is one of Denver’s only historic barn venues offering an unparalleled sense of rustic elegance. Located just 20 minutes from Denver and Golden, The Barn is centrally located and very convenient for weddings and special events. The Barn at Raccoon Creek and its staff help to create your dream wedding, rain or shine, in their charming barn and on their manicured lawns. Whether you are hoping to get married in the Summer, Winter or anytime in between, the venue looks stunning year round and offers gorgeous mountain backdrops any time of the year. The Barn can be your luxurious, rustic option for your destination style, Colorado event, so that your big day is just that… YOURS!

The Barn at Raccoon Creek 7301 West Bowles Avenue • Littleton 80123 • 720-287-8188 • events@raccooncreek.com • TheBarnatRaccoonCreek.com

DETAILS ENGAGEMENT PARTY

ENCHANTING ENGAGEMENTS YOU’RE ENGAGED, YOU’RE EXCITED AND YOU WANT TO SHARE YOUR NEWS WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. What better way than a party to gather the people in your life and reveal your impending nuptials?

Now all you need is a theme. Kaylee Maresh of Calluna Events says engagement parties can be a daunting task on your rapidly growing list of wedding to-dos. She offers a few fun ideas to help it come together.

Wine Tasting

Saint Germain cake plate, $45, blisshomeanddesign.com

It’s always fun to mark a momentous occasion with those you love by sharing good food and wine. “Go for an in-house affair,” says Maresh. She suggests hiring a chef to prepare some small plates and pair with appropriate wines. “It’ll be just like a family dinner with your closest loved ones,” she says. “Happy and full bellies is a perfect way to celebrate your new engagement.”

Dish: If you don’t go the private chef route, spend some time with the staff

of your local cheese shop and get some recommendations for tasty pairings in varieties from bloomy to blue. Don’t forget the charcuterie.

Drink: Well, wine, obviously, but again, consult an expert to put together The Coffee Registry articulating pour-over brew stand, $199, restorationhardware.com

some complementary fl ights.

Decorate: Low, dense flower arrangements in deep jewel tones.

Vinturi vertical wine opener, $100, williams-sonoma.com

Tiffany Crystal Champagne flutes, $135, tiffany.com

Brooklyn slate cheese board, $40–$50, williams-sonoma.com

Anna de Codorniu rosé, codorniu.com

“You can never go wrong with a good brunch,” says Maresh. “More and more couples are opting for a midmorning celebration with libations and brunch bites. So pop open the bubbly for your mimosa bar, set up a spread of delicious breakfast nibbles and celebrate brunch in style.”

Juliska Amalia wine decanter, $155, and light body red wine glass, $68, juliska.com

Dish: Combine sweet and savory with on-trend maple-bacon quiche.

Drink: Mimosas. Expand your horizon beyond orange juice by offering a

variety of juices, scoops of sorbet and/or frozen fruit (try raspberries, pomegranate arils or tiny Champagne grapes).

Decorate: Crystal glassware and white tableware. Perhaps preview your wedding colors with the linens.

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Viña Zaco Tempranillo, approximately $13, vinazaco.com

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Champagne flute set, ©Tiffany & Co.

Brunch

Seafood Boil

Mason jar drink dispenser, $69, and mugs, $33/set of six, potterybarn.com

“The Essential Cocktail,” $35

Similar to the backyard grill option, a seafood boil is a great way to gather your loved ones for a celebration—plus it’s practically the epitome of summer. The family-style table is a sure way to spark conversation, and it’s a great, low-key way to honor the newly engaged couple.

Ava cocktail shaker, $39.50, potterybarn.com

Dish: In addition to whatever type of seafood—

Telluride Brewing Co. Bridal Veil Rye Pale Ale, telluridebrewingco.com

shrimp, crabs, crawfi sh—appeals to you, boil potatoes and corn on the cob with a homemade (or store-bought) spice mix. For dessert, make s’mores with roasted berries and locally made marshmallows.

Drink: Very cold beer and clean, crisp white

Full Deck coaster set, $78, jonathanadler.com

wine in a bucket full of ice.

Decorate: Starfish, coral, fishnets (not the stockings).

Crane & Co. Martini invitation cards, $22/10 cards, crane.com

Cast iron lobster bottle opener, $10, blisshomeanddesign. com Multicolor Kawaii-shaped paper lantern string lights, $12, paperlanternstore.com Galvanized metal large party bucket and stand, bucket $59.50; stand $49.50, potterybarn.com

Connaught bar cart, $1,476, blisshomeanddesign.com

Mega 4, $320, tosso.com

Backyard Barbecue “It may be an old staple, but a backyard barbecue can be a casual and fun way to celebrate your engagement,” says Maresh. “Break out the lawn games, fi re up the grill and cheers to your new adventure!”

Dish: Sliders are a good way to appeal to a lot

Crab napkin by Ortolan Organic, $20, brika.com

of tastes; a wide variety of proteins can be cooked on the grill and go between those tiny buns: ground beef, pulled pork, salmon, lamb, Portobello mushrooms, chicken, Andouille sausage. Want to step it up a notch? How about a pig roast?

Drink: New craft breweries are opening their doors daily, so grab a couple of growlers.

Don’t forget the lemonade—with a dash of ginger or basil.

Classic Cocktails The show may be over, but “Mad Men”-era cocktails and bites from back in the day are a hot trend right now for both weddings and engagement parties.

Dish: Go retro all the way: bacon-wrapped dates, Stoneware grand rimmed large oval platter, $44, restorationhardware.com

clams casino, shrimp cocktail, oysters Rockefeller, Swedish meatballs.

Drink: Martinis, Manhattans, Sidecars, Negronis, maybe a brandy Alexander.

Decorate: Cocktail shakers aren’t just for booze anymore. Use them to hold your centerpiece bouquets.

Decorate: Mason jars with fun stripey straws, and lawn games, such as croquet, bocce ball and the three-and-a-half-foot-tall Mega 4.

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JUST SAY “I DO”

Hold your dream Vail Valley wedding at the award- winning Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain, which offers a breathtaking Ceremony Lawn overlooking the Eagle River. The resort’s hip Maya, a modern Mexican kitchen by Chef Richard Sandoval, is an ideal location for a rehearsal dinner or reception.

RESORT 866.949.1616 SALES & CATERING 970.790.3060 WESTINRIVERFRONTBEAVERCREEK.COM

AAA 4 Diamond resort • Spa Anjali offering a full menu of relaxing services • Custom event menus available at Maya Restaurant •

Dish DELIGHT YOUR GUESTS WITH DELICIOUS BITES.

Annette Slade

FOOD BARS • CAKE FLAVORS • HIS & HERS COCKTAILS

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DISH FOOD BARS

STAR BARS

The notion of a wedding buet or varied food stations throughout a reception has evolved into an experience that is fun, personal, interactive and delicious.

Here, Epicurean Catering demonstrates some of its most popular oerings.

Photography by Annette Slade

Chef Nicole Olst

ABURI SUSHI

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Piles of fresh raw scallops, hamachi (yellowtail) and salmon from Sushi Sasa are artfully arranged, all awaiting a quick brush with the blowtorch for a savory sear. Accents include traditional wasabi, pickled ginger and sake. Guests can then choose additional, individual pops of flavor in the form of pipettes filled with spicy sriracha, yum yum sauce or gluten-free tamari.

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Make

Bridal Luncheons

Wedding Ceremonies

Wedding Receptions

True

YOUR WEDDING DREAMS COME

Wedding Showers

Rehearsal Dinners

With picturesque mountain settings and elegant event spaces, your celebration at Blackstone or Black Bear will be one to remember for a lifetime. Experience the private club difference, complete with a dedicated venue coordinator, customizable menu options, spacious private dressing room, stunning photography sites, impeccable service and endless amenities.

BLACKSTONE COUNTRY CLUB Set against the breathtaking vista of Long’s Peak and the Rockies, with rustic touches and elegant décor, Blackstone features an outdoor ceremony site and is ideal for a variety of wedding-related events and can accomodate up to 140 starting at $50 per guest.

BLACK BEAR GOLF CLUB At Black Bear Golf Club we specialize in weddings. You will enjoy an intimate experience with dining catered by Craft at Black Bear, an inviting atmosphere and a day that is exclusively yours! From breathtaking, sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains to fantastic service, Black Bear Golf Club is the ideal location for South Denver weddings and events.

BLACK BEAR GOLF CLUB BLACKSTONE COUNTRY CLUB ©ClubCorp USA, Inc. All rights reserved. 0516 SMJ

303.840.3100 x 4 | blackbearclub.com 720.330.7124 | blackstone-club.com

DISH FOOD BARS

BUBBLES BAR

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This entire setup sparkles, from the effervescent wine to the crystal glassware. Whether using French Champagne, Italian prosecco or Spanish cava, the delicate bubbles are prime for pairing with an assortment of fruits and herbs—raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, lemon twists, fresh mint—or sweets—hibiscus crystals, edible pearls, gold sugar, candied pansies. Mimosas make use of fresh-squeezed orange juice, grapefruit juice or peach nectar.

SPRING & SUMMER 2016 // DLMWEDDINGS.COM

WHERE OUR HISTORY MEETS YOUR FUTURE

Wedding Packages including stay in a Deluxe Room I Elegant Surroundings I Historic Details Personalized Event Design I Impeccable Service I Custom Menus

Contact our wedding specialist today.

303.628.5451 | apoettker@ldry.com www.theoxfordhotel.com/denver-wedding-venue

DISH FOOD BARS

Sous chef Carol Lucek

POP-UP STEAKHOUSE

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Colorado meats—including carved-to-order, herb-crusted steamship pork; tomahawk steaks; mild Italian rope sausage from Polidori; and Superior Farms rack of lamb—are the centerpiece of this paean to protein. These juicy morsels are accompanied by twice-baked red beet potatoes, grilled sweet potato wedges and Brussels sprouts roasted on the stalk. Guests can season their selections with a variety of dipping sauces, including an herbal chermoula, smoked onion mustard, red chile chimichurri, salsa verde and miso umami aioli.

SPRING & SUMMER 2016 // DLMWEDDINGS.COM

Epicurean Catering epicureangroupco.com/catering Additional thanks to Fresh Guys Produce, Sysco, Shamrock, Event Rents

S’MORES & MORE

These DIY desserts get everyone involved in the process. The main ingredient is a dense, rich homemade marshmallow—in luscious flavors, such as passion fruit, prickly pear and chocolate—slow roasted over a tabletop “campfire.” Then, the melty, gooey mess is sandwiched between graham crackers, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, vanilla pizzelles or glazed donuts and paired with a milk chocolate bar, nutella, homemade almond butter and/or a dollop of triple berry maceration.

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DISH CAKE FLAVORS Cappuccino Mousse

Chocolate Cake

Salted Caramel Mousse

Srawberry Mousse

Vanilla Cake

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Vanilla Mousse

THE FLAVOR of LOVE THE CAKE IS THE CENTERPIECE OF THE RECEPTION AND YET ANOTHER WAY YOU CAN PERSONALIZE YOUR DAY.

By Dana R. Butler • Photography by Annette Slade

T

HERE WAS A TIME when a wedding cake was white: white cake, white frosting, a touch of raspberry filling.

Maybe it tasted good, maybe it didn’t, but the layers were both pretty and instantly recognizable as a “wedding” cake. Then there was a time when every cake was enrobed in thick—and expensive—fondant to which any number of decorations could be attached. However, times are changing.

Sadie Russo of La Patisserie Francaise says she’s definitely seeing trends from the larger food world finding their way into the requests she receives for wedding cakes. For example, she tells us, for the last three tastings she did, the bride asked that she bring mocha as one of the options. “It’s a little surprising,” she says, “because coffee is really a love it or hate it thing. But there is a coffee shop on every corner, so …” She also cites salted caramel and lavender as flavors from the pages of gourmet food magazines that may pop up in her gourmet cakes.

Russo’s cake menu—all of which can be made into wedding cake tiers—includes a variety of rich and classic flavors,

such as cinnamon, hazelnut, lemon, coconut, praline, peach, strawberry and marzipan. Cake can be soaked in liquor for added punch, and the buttercream—which Russo says approaches the smooth finish of fondant yet has good flavor— can be studded with dried cranberries, pecan halves, shaved chocolate or sliced almonds. Want to celebrate your Southern heritage? Peach Melba. Looking to preview your honeymoon in France? Perhaps the Grand Marnier–laden Marquis. If it’s not on the menu, Russo says they are willing to try their hand at just about anything.

So is “traditional” completely out the window? Russo does say that one of her favorites from the bakery’s extensive cake menu is the Raspberry Duchess, which includes layers of raspberry preserves and white chocolate mousse, but in reality, she says, “I don’t even know what ‘traditional’ means anymore.” As customizing the exteriors of cakes has become the norm with colors, designs and cake toppers that are in tune with your personality, it’s important to remember that the inside filling and flavors can also be tailor-made to your taste.

La Patisserie Francaise 303.424.5056 lapatbakery.com

Apricot Jam Grand Marnier

Lemon Curd

Salted Caramel Coffee Liqueur

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Raspberry Jam

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Get Swept Away.

Certain moments in life deserve more.

Your wedding is one of those days.

It should feel like a dream. A dream come true.

Where the plan is perfect. The food is exemplary.

The service is impeccable.

Epicurean makes it happen.

We’ve been creating weddings that wow for 35 years.

6800 South Xanthia Street, Centennial, Colorado 80112 PHONE

303 770 0877 epicureangroupco.com

DISH COCKTAILS

His: Northward

Hers: Something Bluegrass

CREATIVE COCKTAILS

One inventive and delicious alternative to an open bar is to ask your bartender to invent two signature cocktails, his and hers, that match your theme and personality. Here, we offer a couple of pretty and tasty options from the bar talent at Cooper Lounge at Union Station.

Photography by Annette Slade

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DISH COCKTAILS

Something Bluegrass

by Sara Timmer 2 ounces Templeton Rye ¾ ounce lemon juice ½ ounce honey ½ ounce fresh blueberry juice 2 dashes rhubarb bitters Black iced tea

Hers: Beauty & the Bee

Shake fi rst fi ve ingredients and pour over crushed ice. Top with tea. Garnish with blueberries and lemongrass.

Northward

by Tony Meza ¾ ounce Dickel No. 8 Whisky ¾ ounce Leopold Bros.

Three Pins Alpine Herbal Liqueur ¾ ounce Germain-Robin Apple Brandy ¾ ounce apple cider ½ ounce simple syrup ¼ ounce lemon juice Shake vigorously and strain into a glass. Garnish with an apple slice.

Humo Sour

by Tony Meza ½ ounce Shrub & Co. Spicy Ginger Shrub

His: Humo Sour

¾ ounce lime juice ½ ounce simple syrup 1 egg white 2 ounces Don Amado Rústico Mezcal Before adding the mezcal, do a vigorous dry shake (first four ingredients, no ice). Add mezcal. Shake, double strain into a glass and garnish with a lime twist.

Beauty & the Bee

by Sara Timmer 1½ ounces gin ½ ounce Lillet Blanc ½ ounce crème de violette ¾ ounce lemon juice ¼ ounce honey 1 egg white

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Do a dry shake (no ice) with all ingredients.

Shake with ice and serve.

Garnish with two dashes of chamomile bitters.

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Tyler Jones Photography

Modern. Sophisticated. Unforgettable.

The Cable Center’s contemporary architecture, three-story glass hall and curving entryway provide the perfect setting for a unique and memorable wedding day.

• Lush outdoor garden and amphitheater for a ceremony or cocktail hour

• 32 monitor video tower to showcase photos, slideshows and videos

• Grand reception space for up to 300 guests

• Professional event staff to assist you with every aspect of your special day

www.cablecenterevents.org/wedding 720.502.7500 | 2000 Buchtel Blvd., Denver, CO 80210

4151 EAST COUNTY LINE ROAD CENTENNIAL CO 80122 / 720.493.9454

www.thebridalcollection.com

Lookbook LET YOUR PERSONAL STYLE SHINE FROM HEAD TO TOE.

Paul Miller

HAIR & MAKEUP • PASTEL GOWNS • ENGAGEMENT RINGS • MENSWEAR ACCESSORIES

SPRING & SUMMER 2016 // DLMWEDDINGS.COM

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LOOKBOOK HAIR & MAKEUP

GARDEN Glamour

Florals by Newberry Brothers PURPLE ARANDA ORCHIDS, GREEN CYMBIDIUM ORCHIDS, ORANGE SPRAY ROSES, PINK PEONIES AND FERNS

5231 Leetsdale Drive newberrybrothers.com

FLIRTY FLOR ALS

Floral crowns, once relegated to flower girl territory, are becoming a headpiece of choice for fashion—and eco—conscious brides.

Photography by Paul Miller, millerphotographics.com Fashion styling by Kendall Kostelic / Beauty styling by Gina Comminello

Model: Julia Willetts, Donna Baldwin Agency, donnabaldwin.com Hair: Alex Cox, THE LOOK Hair Salon & Beauty Boutique Makeup: Gina Comminello, THE LOOK, using FLAUNT YOU! Custom Cosmetics Floral Designer: Cindy Haas Style: Sara Watts Carmen necklace, $265, sara-watts. com, through a & bé bridal shop, aandbebridalshop.com; In Bloom by Jonquil robe, $58, nordstrom.com

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BOHEMIAN Romance Florals by The Perfect Petal JASMINE VINE, RANUNCULUS, SCABIOSA, PROTEA, LEUCADENRON PODS AND SEEDED EUC

3600 W. 32nd Ave. theperfectpetal.com

Model: Gemma James, Donna Baldwin Agency, donnabaldwin.com Hair: Alex Cox, THE LOOK Hair Salon & Beauty Boutique Makeup: Gina Comminello, THE LOOK, using FLAUNT YOU! Custom Cosmetics Floral Designer: Kitzel Lynn Ruth Style: Gold chandelier earrings, $125, at The Bridal Collection, thebridalcollection.com; In Bloom by Jonquil robe, $58, nordstrom.com

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LOOKBOOK HAIR & MAKEUP

MOUNTAIN Elegance

Florals by Beet & Yarrow

Model: Satya Mai, Donna Baldwin Agency, donnabaldwin.com Hair: Devon Peyton, THE LOOK Hair Salon & Beauty Boutique Makeup: Lindsey Oedewaldt, THE LOOK, using FLAUNT YOU! Custom Cosmetics

DAHLIA, POPPY, THISTLE, ASTRANTIA, FEVERFEW AND CEDAR

3350 Brighton Blvd. beetandyarrow.com

Floral Designer: Keelia Otten Style: In Bloom by Jonquil robe, $58, nordstrom.com

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CLASSIC Beauty

Florals by Bouquets

Model: Allison McMurtry Hair: Courtney Blalock, THE LOOK Hair Salon & Beauty Boutique Makeup: Lindsey Oedewaldt, THE LOOK, using FLAUNT YOU! Custom Cosmetics

WHITE SPRAY ROSES, SUPER GREEN RANUNCULUS, DUSTY MILLER, SILVER BRUNIA, SCABIOSA PODS AND LACY CEDAR

Floral Designer: Kari Smith

1525 15th St. bouquets.org

Style: Andrea Li earrings, $275, andreali.com; In Bloom by Jonquil robe, $58, nordstrom.com

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Your Electically Vintage Wedding & Home Source

Chairished Vintage Rentals chairished.com

h

303-500-3822

The Destination For All Your Bridal Wishes

HAIR ✴ SKIN ✴ NAILS ✴ MAKEUP ✴ TANNING ✴ LASHES

75 South Madison Street, Suite 100 303-322-4902

TheLookSalonDenver.com

LOOKBOOK FASHION

PASTEL PERFECTION Color is the story of spring as a whole rainbow of muted shades are popping up on bridal runways and adorning brides who favor a hint of tint over pale, milky white.

Serencia by Maggie Sottero, through The Bridal Collection, thebridalcollection.com

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LOOKBOOK FASHION

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Ball gown from the Daalarna Secret Collection, through Emma & Grace Bridal Studio, emmaandgracebridal.com

Begur by YolanCris, through Emma & Grace Bridal Studio

Aubriella from the Secret Garden Collection by Tara LaTour, through Anna Bé, anna-be.com

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LOOKBOOK FASHION Ball gown from the Daalarna Secret Collection, through Emma & Grace Bridal Studio

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Fit and flare gown from Victor Harper, through The Bridal Collection

Yasmine, Syed Yaqeen

Yasmine by Sareh Nouri, through Anna Bé

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LOOKBOOK FASHION

On Love and Photography

Blush hydrangea halo by Marie Canning, through Little White Dress Bridal Shop, lwdbridal.com

Mermaid dress by Ellis Bridals, through The Bridal Collection

Aria from the Secret Garden Collection by Tara LaTour, through Anna Bé

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Your journey begins here.

Our spacious, centrally located two and three bedroom residences offer the perfect place to gather and enjoy your special day.

For reservations please call 888.728.0355 or visit www.fairmont.com/klammerlodge

LOOKBOOK ENGAGEMENT RINGS 14-karat white gold, 36-diamond hexagon halo (with 1-carat round diamond), $4,325, shaneco.com

Juliet’s Love platinum ring pave set with 1.70 carats of diamonds and a 2.49-carat cushion pink sapphire from Katharine James, $27,500, osterjewelers.com 18-karat yellow gold, cognac fancy-cut diamond with white brilliant-cut diamonds, $26,620, toddreed.com

BANDS of GOLD The latest spring styles of engagement rings feature color and interesting shapes.

Rose gold, double halo with 78 round pavĂŠ-set diamonds (with .75-carat center diamond), $5,555, shaneco.com

Platinum ring featuring .60 carats of pave-set diamonds and a center GIA-graded 1.26-carat emerald from Sebastien Barier, $25,100, osterjewelers.com.

14-karat white gold sapphire ring with diamond halo, featuring 40 round brilliant diamonds equaling a quarter carat total weight, $2,999, benbridge.com

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Palladium brown fancycut diamond with white brilliant-cut diamonds and raw diamond cubes, $4,545, toddreed.com

14-karat white gold, halo with 24 round blue sapphires and 68 round diamonds (with 1-carat cushion-cut center diamond), $5,725, shaneco.com

Noire Collection braided twist halo with 46 round diamonds and 16 round black sapphires above a black rhodium ďŹ nish (with 1-carat center black sapphire), $1,555, shaneco.com Rose gold, diamond side stones (center stone not included), $1,600, tricejewelers.com

18-karat white gold, fancy yellow oval center diamond fl anked by white oval and round diamonds, $52,375, tricejewelers.com

18-karat yellow gold, red fancy-cut diamond with white brilliant-cut diamonds, $9,020, toddreed.com

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LOOKBOOK MENSWEAR ACCESSORIES

SHARPDRESSED MAN

GONE ARE THE DAYS WHEN MEN WERE NOT ALLOWED TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES SARTORIALLY ON THEIR WEDDING DAY.

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4

1

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1. Evoke the place you met your true love or the

city in which you are saying “I do” with custom cufflinks from Dana Klopfer Designs handmade out of vintage maps. $60, brika.com

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2. Celebrate your geek love and code some

style with this circuit board pocket square. $20, ties.com

3. These babies by Jacob & Co.—dinosaurs carved of jade and hatching from 18-karat gold shells—symbolize new beginnings beautifully. $11,200, cuffl inks.com

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4. He may have been the villain, but he dressed well. Feel the force with a pair of Darth Vader socks. $25, cuffl inks.com 5. Leave it to English makers Deakin & Francis to craft the ideal cuffl inks for a Colorado outdoorsman to sport when proclaiming his “reel” love. And yes, they also make trout (buy both, mix and match). $500, cuffl inks. com

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6. Carry a sweet sentiment from your bride

down the aisle with these collar stays from Thompson London. $60, cuffl inks.com

7. Far in advance of your big day, Cupid’s arrow

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struck its mark, but you can continue to honor that fateful moment with these fun arrow and heart boxers. $20, happysocks.com

8. Embellish even the most staid of tuxedoes with a stud set made of deep blue lapis by Spivey Cuffl inks. $650, cuffl inks.com

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trust your ph ot ogra ph e r to fa ll in love w ith y ou r we ddi n g ... then

fall in love a ga i n & a ga i n ...

jennifer m koskinen 970.708.2065

joyful

w ww. merri ttdes ign pho to.c om

fine art wedding photography

COSMETIC DENTISTRY OF COLORADO l DOWNTOWN l D owntown D enver D entist.com

303.298. 1 4 1 4

Photo by El Velo Photography

smile!

Escape LET THE HONEYMOON BEGIN!

Marklin Ang

PUNTA CANA • ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS • TRAVEL MUST-HAVES

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ESCAPE PUNTA CANA

FOREVER AMOR

THE BARCELÓ BÁVARO BEACH RESORT NEAR PUNTA CANA IS WHAT WE IN THE WEDDING BIZ CALL A TRIPLE THREAT.

By Dana R. Butler

A

TROPICAL RETREAT IS THE DREAM for many couples. And the Dominican Republic, nestled within the warm waters of the Caribbean, offers a wealth of beautiful beaches, swaying palm trees, lush golf courses, regional history and delicious food. The white sand utopia known as Bávaro is considered by the government to be a national treasure, and the Barceló Beach Resort can make it your personal paradise.

It’s easy to get here. Punta Cana International Airport is the third busiest in the region and direct flights from many U.S. cities arrive daily. From there, the resort whisks you away, and easy becomes your way of life. The Barceló Bávaro Beach Resort is all-inclusive (there are two levels; without hesitation, go for the Club Premium Deluxe). You check in to the Club Premium Lounge, where there are snacks any time of the day, a breakfast buffet in the mornings and they will bring you a glass of Champagne almost before you sit down.

The resort features a large selection of full-service and a la carte restaurants, from sushi and seafood to Mexican, Italian and Spanish. After making dinner reservations, you are escorted to your room, from which you can gaze at the lapping waves from your balcony jacuzzi. After that, it’s simply a matter of filling your days at the more than a mile-long beach, pools (there are four), spa, restaurants, or shopping mall.

Of course, the Barceló Bávaro Beach Resort is much more than simply a honeymoon haven.

A true triple threat shines in three areas, and while the resort has a lot to offer anyone who loves the sun and the sand, we are focused on the bride and groom at three stages of the wedding whirlwind.

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Stage 1: Girls' or Guys' Getaway The idea of the bachelor/ette party has evolved from the type of cinematic debauchery on which movie franchises have been built to bonding weekends with good friends in stunning locations.

For a top-notch experience, grab your five closest friends and book the Presidential Suite (yes, really). Splitting the cost by six results in marginally more than the nightly room rate, and you and your pals share a more than 10,000-square-foot space with three bedrooms, living and dining spaces and a jaw-dropping terrace with a private pool.

Still, you won’t want to spend all your time in the suite. Aside from the water, there is a P. B. Dye–designed golf course, The Lakes, which is surrounded by, the namesake lakes and runs through a mangrove forest.

If golf is not your thing, the resort also boasts the worldclass U Spa, which offers a gym, fitness classes and beauty services in addition to luxurious treatments.

Late nights can be spent at the 24-hour Casino Bavaró, which offers slot machines, roulette, blackjack and poker (Caribbean and Texas Hold ‘Em). Just across a shimmering lobby from the casino is Disco Bavaró, which opens at 11 p.m. (although the party doesn’t really get started until after midnight).

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ESCAPE PUNTA CANA

Stage 2: The Wedding The Barceló Bávaro Beach Resort’s wedding coordinators are truly awesome; they are kind and conscientious, and it is their highest priority to make your day special. Although they have the process down to a science, each wedding feels personal and exudes the warmth you want to show your guests.

There are a number of locations throughout the resort where weddings can be held. Say your vows right on the beach, in the charming ocean-front gazebo or at the end of the dramatic dock.

The Dominican Republic is a predominately Catholic country, so if you’ve completed the preparation (yes, the local diocese will confirm), you can be married in the Oratorio Virgen de San Salvador—an architectural wonder of an open-air, thatched-roof church that juts out over a serene lake.

Regardless of your religious preferences, one of the resort’s several wedding packages will certainly fit your needs. All include the invaluable assistance of a

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coordinator, VIP treatment, decorations, cake, bubbly, music and breakfast from room service the next morning for the happy couple. From there, the deliciously titled wedding packages become increasingly elaborate, adding services such as couples massage, the marriage certificate (rather than having the ceremony and then managing the paperwork on your own once you are home), a Caribbean guitar trio, flowers, hair and makeup services and more.

Stage 3: The Honeymoon The resort offers a honeymoon package to any couple with a marriage certificate dated within the previous four months. You’ll find sparkling wine and chocolates waiting for you upon arrival, enjoy breakfast in your room on the first morning and receive commemorative T-shirts.

An upgraded package includes a romantic dinner on the beach and a couples massage.

After the bustle of a wedding, it’s wonderful to spend time in a place where you don’t have to make all those pesky decisions, like where to go and what to do.

At an all-inclusive resort, the answer is whatever you want, whenever you want.

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ESCAPE ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS

HONEYMOONS with PERSONALITY

Any post-nuptial getaway should include some relaxation, maybe a little spa time and great food. Here, we explore some of the most romantic things to do in some of the most interesting areas in the world.

By Dana R. Butler

San Francisco There are lots of iconic places to stroll throughout the city of San Francisco. Telegraph Hill offers some special surprises as a reward for climbing the steep stairs to the top: a great view and perhaps an encounter with the Hill’s flock of wild parrots.

You also can walk across the Golden Gate Bridge for an unrivaled perspective on the area. You can while away an afternoon ambling through the Victorian-era, wood-andglass Conservatory of Flowers (conservatoryofflowers.org) located inside Golden Gate Park. Also located in the park is the Herzog & de Meuron– designed de Young Museum (deyoung.famsf.org), which houses a significant permanent art collection in addition to rotating exhibitions.

Friday Nights at the de Young include special after-hours performances, film screenings and more. sanfrancisco.travel

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Singapore

Opposite page: San Francisco Travel Association photo, Scott Chernis; Napa, Visit Napa Valley; Barcelona, © Turisme de Barcelona; Singapore, Andrew Tan; Savannah, Geoffs Photos

Napa

Barcelona

Napa Valley This famed wine region is rife with charisma and lots and lots of grapes. Most wineries do not serve food, so order a picnic from Oakville Grocery (oakvillegrocery. com) and then head to the Peju Province Winery (peju.com) to do a tasting and explore the sprawling gardens or hike up Mount Helena for a spectacular view of the valley. You can get back to nature at nearby Lake Berryessa; dip your toes at Pleasure Cove or hike the hills and do a little birdwatching. Don’t miss what might be the most romantic restaurant in the area, Thomas Keller’s Bouchon (thomaskeller. com) in Yountville, and snag something delicious for breakfast the next day at the adjacent Bouchon Bakery. visitnapavalley.com

Barcelona Barcelona sits on the Iberian Peninsula, perched on the edge of the Mediterranean and bordered by the Collserola mountain range. You can spot buildings designed by Catalan Art Nouveau master Gaudí throughout the city (don’t miss La Sagrada Familia, sagradafamilia.org, still under construction after more than 100 years), as well as many other examples of this distinctive style. You may get lost in the Gothic quarter, in which you can find buildings that date back to medieval times. In the summer, take a cable car up the mountain to the hilltop Montjuïc Castle (salamontjuic.org) and catch a movie in the moat (now essentially a lush lawn); bring a blanket and a bottle of cava. Strolling through the neighborhood of Montjuïc

on a weekend evening, you’ll see the dancing water and lights of the Magic Fountain, which dates from 1929.

Another feast for your senses is attending a concert at the Palau de la Música Catalana (palaumusica.cat); the concert hall is a kaleidoscope of colorful stained glass, mosaics and sculpture. barcelonaturisme.com Singapore The modern metropolis of Singapore boasts a number of ways to get above it all. First, get a 360-degree view across Indonesia and Malaysia from the 1-Altitude Gallery & Bar (1-altitude.com), the highest al fresco bar in the world at more than 925 feet above the ground. From that perch, you have a good view of the Marina Bay Sands hotel (marinabaysands.com), which has a vertiginous

Savannah

infinity pool on the 57th floor, an open-to-the-public observation deck, and a twice (thrice on weekends) nightly light show (replete with lasers, water jets and fire geysers) that is visible from all over the city. The Singapore Flyer (singaporeflyer.com) is a 42-story Ferris wheel on which you can enjoy a four-course dinner or book a Champagne and chocolate trip around the wheel. On the ground, the venerable Raffles Hotel (raffles.com) opened its doors in 1887. Explore the beautiful Colonial structure and then hit the Long Bar for a Singapore Sling invented here in the 1920s. yoursingapore.com Savannah Savannah, Georgia, is a walking city, perfect for exploring and filled with quaint and scenic squares and live oaks

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dripping with Spanish moss.

If 24 blocks of Southern mansions and monuments to various generals is too much, a carriage tour (savannahcarriage.com) of the historic district is ideal for cuddling and sightseeing.

Another adventure can be found at the Bonaventure Cemetery. Formerly the Bonaventure Plantation, the 150-year-old graveyard, which gained notoriety with the publication and subsequent film adaptation of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil"—is now home to elaborate burial vaults and sculptures that overlook the Wilmington River. Another location connected to John Berendt’s novel is the historic Hamilton-Turner Inn (hamilton-turnerinn.com), an 1873 mansion turns hotel that oozes Southern charm. savannah.com

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Vancouver

Maui

Maui The island of Maui is famous for its striking and dramatic natural beauty, so many of the most romantic activities involve simply taking in the majesty. The summit of Mount Haleakala can take approximately two hours to reach by car, but it’s worth the trip for a sunrise or sunset viewing experience like no other. In Kula, you can take a sweet-smelling tour of the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm. Then visit the 18,000-acre Ulupalakua Ranch (ulupalakuaranch), Maui’s second largest cattle ranch and home to the island’s only winery. A wonderful day trip (or stay overnight—it’s not a road to be on after dark) is driving the old Hana highway (roadtohana.com), which hugs every curve of the island and offers multiple opportunities to stop, swim, explore and take pictures. gohawaii.com New Orleans The French Quarter is likely the most famous section

New Orleans

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of this Southern city known for its intricate wroughtiron balconies and lively jazz clubs. Don’t miss dinner on Café Amelie’s (cafeamelie. com) enchanting 150-yearold courtyard, and it’s practically a requirement to have a French 75 at Arnaud’s bar (arnaudsrestaurant. com) of the same name and beignets with coffee and chicory (early morning or late-night) at Café Du Monde (cafedumonde. com). A fun way to explore the city is to take the St. Charles Streetcar (the oldest continually operating line in the country) past a host of antebellum mansions. Looking for antiques?

Stroll down Royal Street in the Quarter or Magazine Street in the Garden District. GoNola.com Vancouver Vancouver, British Columbia, is a vibrant city on the Pacific coast that is the most densely populated in Canada. The Sea to Sky Gondola (seatoskygondola.com) affords its riders sweeping views of Howe Sound as does a walk across the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge accessible from the top. Vancouver also boasts the world’s longest waterfront path, which includes the Stanley Park Seawall, a prime spot for biking. Nestled within the city is Granville Island (granvilleisland.com), an artistic community with a bustling market offering some great produce, pastries and crafts. In addition, the island features restaurants, galleries shops and more to round out your visit. tourismvancouver.com

Maui: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)/Tor Johnson; New Orleans: NewOrleansOnline.com; Vancouver: Tourism Vancouver/Paul Bride

ESCAPE ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS

Your Story Starts Here.

www.perfectmountainwedding.com

ESCAPE TRAVEL MUST-HAVES

DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT Honeymoons are for getting away and spending time with your new spouse.

Here, we’ve assembled a few items that will make your trip more comfortable.

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1. No need to lug a giant camera to

capture every adventure. Polaroid iD820 Ultra Thin HD Camcorder, $199, polaroid.com

2. Keep your clothes clean while

celebrating your newest relationship status. Mr. & Mrs. Collection Shoe Bags, $23 each, shoesonthefly.com

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3. Natural frequency technology purports to help you get a good night’s sleep before heading out sightseeing for the day. Rose Gold Slim Sleep Bracelet, $425, philipstein.com 4. No matter how tropical your destination, it’s always cold on the plane.

Clare V. Parachute X Travel Kit, $199, clarev.com

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5. Never miss a connection with this

stylish luggage/scooter combo. Micro Luggage, $300, microkickboard.com

6. Get power to your phone when you

need it with this lipstick-sized mobile charger that is effi cient, high-capacity, and soooooo cute. Anker PowerCore+ Mini, $16, anker.com

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E nchantedd

WEDDINGS

Experience contemporary New Mexican elegance and award-winning cuisine coupled with Four Seasons’ legendary service to make every detail just right. With intimate indoor and outdoor space and majestic mountain views, Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe is the perfect spot to make all your wedding dreams come true.

CALL OUR WEDDING SPECIALIST at 505.946.5700 fourseasons.com/santafe/weddings

Your First Steps Together Set in beautiful, tropical oceanfront locations, choose a Dreams Resort & Spa to say “I do”, or celebrate “we did”. Choose from a variety of customizable wedding packages. Your personal on-site wedding coordinator will help ensure that no petal is out of place on your special day, and that every moment is a carefree celebration. If you’ve already tied the knot, a Dreams honeymoon is the perfect paradise to begin the rest of your life together.

Apple Vacations makes getting there easy and affordable, with exclusive non-stop vacation flights from Denver to Cancun, Los Cabos & Vallarta, plus scheduled air service to more Dreams Resort & Spas destinations.

Get there sooner with non-stop transfers to and from the airport!

Whether a small or large celebration, the experienced wedding and honeymoon specialists at Apple Vacations will help you plan the beginnings of your happily ever-after.

Enjoy all the privileges of Unlimited-Luxury® where everything is included–amazing cuisine, 24-hour room service, unlimited top shelf spirits, live nightly entertainment, gratuities and so much more!

See your travel agent, call 1-800-815-9000 or visit applevacations.com/weddings.

Real Weddings YOU’RE INVITED AS FIVE COLORADO COUPLES SAY “I DO.”

Joclyn and Robert Lawson tied the knot at the C Lazy U Ranch, which fi t their theme of rustic elegance perfectly.

Zak Fleming Weddings

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OLLEGE SWEETHEARTS MELISSA AND DAVID HOLT survived all the ups and downs of a typical college relationship. Graduations, summer breaks and jobs in different cities were no match for these two, whose friendship and love sustained them over seven years from the time they met at the University of Arizona to a proposal that was sweet in every sense of the word.

It was originally planned as a birthday surprise, but once he had the ring in his possession, David simply couldn’t wait. Still, he managed to put some thought into a memorable evening.

First, there was dinner at EDGE at the Four Seasons, then a stroll to Little Man Ice Cream for dessert. Little Man’s daily flavors are displayed Melissa & David Holt on small blocks of wood, but on this night, two of the blocks had been A DELICIOUS PROPOSAL replaced with “Will you” and “marry me?”

MARKED THE BEGINNING OF “When we arrived, the line was fairly short, and as we got up to order, A ROMANTIC ADVENTURE. Melissa was reading through the flavors and eventually noticed my signs.

She looked over at me, and I got down on one knee and proposed right there,” says David, who had hired a photographer to memorialize the event. “It was a perfect ending to a great night, and I could not have been happier.”

The couple had an expert planner helping them get organized as well as both mothers, who, David says, were very involved and helpful. Melissa’s vision—simple, classic and romantic—infused every detail of the big day. “We were so lucky,” says David, “and could not have asked for a better team.”

In addition to the emotions that always accompany a first look, David says one of his favorite moments was getting to spend a few minutes alone with Melissa between the ceremony and the reception. “It was so nice to be with my new wife together and alone just for a little bit,” he says, “to reflect on the evening thus far and what was to come.”

And what was to come was a spectacular party at the Four Seasons—also the setting for the outdoor ceremony, which was blessed with perfect weather. Dinner was ordered tableside. “Everyone raved about how great it was, and that no one had the wrong food served to them,” David says, “Very impressive for a party of that size.” It was followed by a night of dancing (“The band was phenomenal,” David says) and late-night tacos.

“Overall, we had such a fun party we could not have asked for more,” David says. “We were so excited to simply have all of our friends and family there from across the country to celebrate with us while we take this next step in life together.”

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VENUE Four Seasons Denver fourseasons.com/denver PLANNER Heather Allen, Table 6 Productions table6productions.com PHOTOGRAPHY Frances Photography francesphotography.com VIDEOGRAPHY Lupher Arts lupherarts.com FLOWERS The Perfect Petal theperfectpetal.com LIGHTING Skyline Productions coloradosweddingdj.com RENTALS Charming Chairs & Linens charmingchairs.com DRESS Romona Keveza romonakeveza.com from Felice Bridal: felicebridal.com HAIR (BRIDE) Erin Ferris Designs erinferrisdesigns.com HAIR (BRIDESMAIDS) Level 3 Salon, Four Seasons Denver fourseasons.com/denver MAKEUP Tiffany McCray blushartistryandcompany.com ENTERTAINMENT Tunisia tunisiaband.com REHEARSAL DINNER Epernay Lounge epernaylounge.com

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OCLYN AND ROBERT LAWSON’S STORY is similar to many young professionals these days: Busy lives leave little time to meet people. Neither one had high hopes, but they put their faith in OkCupid, and soon found themselves making a connection at an Avalanche game.

Robert proposed on their third anniversary. That morning, Joclyn says, he suggested a spurof-the-moment trip to the mountains. On the way, he pulled over to take a picture at the top of Berthoud Pass, which is something they did on their first anniversary. (“I still had no idea,” Joclyn says.) Gazing at the breathtaking view, Robert opened up about his Joclyn & Robert Lawson happiness and then dropped to one knee. His aunt and uncle popped out from behind a car to take pictures, and, as Joclyn recalls, “We both cried LOW EXPECTATIONS FOR many tears of happiness.”

ONLINE DATING LED TO THE The couple’s romantic destination on that day was their first choice LOVE OF A LIFETIME. for the ceremony; however, it was heavily booked during the time they had hoped to tie the knot. Looking for other venues led them to the C Lazy U Ranch. “We instantly fell in love,” says Joclyn. “We loved that all of our friends and family could stay at the ranch with us and that we would be the only wedding on the entire property for the weekend.”

The setting was ideal for the theme of rustic elegance that informed the couple’s choices, and they were overjoyed to be able to spend time experiencing the ranch activities with all their guests. For example, before the hair and makeup, Joclyn and her bridesmaids spent the morning taking a long horseback ride. “It was so relaxing to get out in nature with my close friends before the ceremony,” she says.

Many of the couple’s incredible memories from their wedding day revolve around the fact that they did not go the traditional route. To begin with, a close friend presided over the ceremony. “We also wrote our own vows and had friends and family speak during our ceremony,” adds Joclyn. “It was so special to us and it came together beautifully.”

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INVITATIONS Scribbles scribblespaper.com VENUE C Lazy U Ranch clazyu.com PHOTOGRAPHY/ VIDEOGRAPHY Zak Fleming Weddings zakflemingweddings.com FLOWERS Plum Sage Flowers plumsageflowers.com DRESS Katie May katiemay.com from a & bé bridal shop aandbebridalshop.com RING Ooh! Aah! Jewelry oohaahjewelry.com MAKEUP Get Pampered Denver getpampereddenver.com ENTERTAINMENT Elite Entertainment myelitedj.com

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T ALL STARTED IN WASHINGTON, D.C., at a military retirement party. The wife of the honoree, a friend of Jenny’s parents, said they had to bring their lovely daughter to the event to meet a “cute lieutenant” who was almost certainly her “future husband.” Jenny couldn’t make it (“I thought she was crazy,” she says, “because I had only met this lady one time—then she sent a picture of the cute lieutenant, and I didn’t think she was that crazy anymore”). But David got her number, and it wasn’t long before the couple was Skyping every day.

Jenny lived in Denver, and David was at Fort Hood, Texas, but he was in preparation to deploy to Egypt a few months later. “I knew that I couldn’t deploy for nine months without having met Jenny in person,” David says. “I decided to surprise Jenny on her birthday and flew to Denver to spend the weekend with her. After that initial weekend, we both knew we had found ‘the one.’”

Two more in-person weekends followed (one in Texas and one here), and then David was off to northern Africa.

The couple had long known that marriage was in their future, so as soon as David realized it was possible for Jenny to visit, he began working on her engagement ring design with a jeweler from his hometown in Ohio. Of course, his foreign post meant that Jenny to bring the ring with her. Meanwhile, Jenny did all she could to Jenny & David Ziegelhofer had preserve the element of surprise. “I had the ring for a little over a week THIS COUPLE’S JOURNEY TO before flying out to Egypt,” she says, “and I didn’t look at it once!”

THE ALTAR TOOK THEM ALL Jenny also did not know when the question was coming. “She knew OVER THE WORLD. that I was going to propose, but she didn’t know when,” says David. “One night, we went to a resort in Sharm El Sheikh, and that is where I nervously asked Jenny to marry me.”

Jenny relied heavily on her planner for much of the process. “I couldn’t have done anything without Mark’s help!” she says although she was certain about several elements, including her colors, the cake, the photographer and the caterer. And she walked down the aisle in one of the first dresses she tried on.

Overall, the day was a huge success. “I loved every single thing about our wedding from the music to the food,” says Jenny, “but my favorite details would have to be the venue, my hair and makeup and the flowers!” David was partial to the Rolls Royce. Still, when asked to choose a single memory as the very best, neither hesitated to select the moment when they first laid eyes on each other.

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STATIONERY New Leaf Creative newleafcreative.me VENUE Crooked Willow Farms crookedwillowevents.com PLANNER Mark Christopher Weddings markchristopherweddings. com CATERING Footers Catering footerscatering.com PHOTOGRAPHY From the Hip Photo fromthehipphoto.com VIDEOGRAPHY CinePro Studios cineprostudios.com CEREMONY MUSIC Masterful Musicians masterfulmusicians.com FLOWERS Bella Calla bellacalla.com RENTALS Event Rents eventrents.net DRESS Hayley Paige jlmcouture.com/ Hayley Paige from Nordstrom nordstrom.com HAIR Chloe Paige Beauty chloepaigebeauty.com MAKEUP Makeup by Heather B makeupbyheather.com MENSWEAR Al’s Formal Wear alsformalwear.com CAKE Nothing Bundt Cakes nothingbundtcakes.com ENTERTAINMENT Dance Trax Entertainment dtpevents.com PHOTO BOOTH ShutterBooth Denver shutterbooth.com

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Y THE TIME EMILY CANN AND MATT MILLER got to their first date— at Waffle House after drinks with friends—both knew they had found something special. “What really stood out to me about Matt was his genuine interest in me,” says Emily. “Instead of just texting, he wanted to talk over the phone to get to know me.”

Celebrating three years together, the couple was on a Valentine’s Day trip to Seattle when Matt popped the question. Emily spent the weekend sightseeing, and Matt, at her side, was searching for the perfect location and time to propose. Finally, the moment presented itself.

“We found ourselves snuggling on a log at Discovery Park, looking out at the ocean in a little cove,” Emily says. “He asked me if I wanted to do this forever and got down on one knee. I was shocked and instantly said yes!”

Because Emily is a wedding planner, she already had Pinterest boards Emily Cann & filled with ideas. “The overall inspiration for our wedding was a modern style with a lot of sophisticated but fun details,” she says, “which is pretty Matthew Miller much us in a nutshell!” The couple chose the elegance of black and white YEARS OF EXPERIENCE LED TO A over a colorful palette and added a dash of peacock teal.

PERFECT DAY AS THIS WEDDING The bride says getting the floral details right was at the top of her list.

PLANNER MARRIED HER BEST They chose a spring date specifically so Denver’s trees would be in bloom FRIEND AND SOUL MATE. and walked down the aisle under a canopy of blossoms that the team from Design Works created in the heart of the Denver Center for Performing Arts. In addition, the guests were greeted for the cocktail hour with a blossoming tree adorned with hanging escort cards.

Emily is also “completely smitten” with orchids. She carried a cascading bouquet filled with them, they adorned the handmade leashes for the “flower girl” and “ring bearer” (the couple’s dogs) and the flowers appeared in the arrangement above the head table (“which was literally breathtaking,” says Emily), as well as the centerpieces. One of the couple’s best memories was their first glance at the beautifully bedecked room at Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House before the guests entered. “We were awestruck,” Emily says.

All the stunning details, however, couldn’t overshadow the true meaning of the day. “I couldn’t wait to say my vows,” Emily says. “I couldn’t wait for that moment when I told him and our family and friends how much I love him and that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.”

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VENUE Denver Performing Arts Complex artscomplex.com RECEPTION Kevin Taylor’s at The Opera House ktrg.net/kevin-taylors-atthe-opera-house COORDINATOR Ashley Nicole Events ashleynicoleevents.com PHOTOGRAPHY Lauren Brimhall Photography laurenbrimhallphotography.com FLOWERS/DECOR: Design Works designworksevents.com CAKE TABLE LINEN Event Rents eventrents.net CHAIRS Butler Rents butlerrents.com DRESS Allure Bridals allurebridals.com MENSWEAR Men’s Wearhouse menswearhouse.com HAIR/MAKEUP AK Studio akstudiodenver.com CAKE Happy Bakeshop happybakeshopcolorado. com PHOTO BOOTH Dazzling Photo Booth dazzlingphotobooth.com BAND Soul X soulxband.com DOUGHNUTS Krispy Kreme krispykreme.com POST-RECEPTION PARTY Corner Office thecornerofficedenver.com

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ICOLE NEALE AND CHRIS BROWN FIRST MET on match.com, and it wasn’t long before Nicole knew that they were more than two ships passing in cyberspace. In spite of the intense and long-held rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers (Chris’ team) and the Baltimore Ravens, he took her to the Broncos’ division playoff game against the Ravens in 2012 because he knew how much she loved Denver’s favorite team. “It was there that I knew this guy was something special,” she says.

Chris scouted the perfect proposal spot in Daniels Park a week ahead of popping the question. “I took her down the path that led to the edge of one of the bluffs where I got down on one knee and asked her if she would spend her life with me,” he says. “I was so nervous I was shaking, and Nikki just looked at me in shock. I had to ask again. After she said yes, we had a wonderful toast of Champagne on the bluff looking at the beautiful mountains.”

To get started with the planning process, the couple first made some decisions about what mattered the most to them. “Our must-haves included our family, good good drinks and good fun,” says Nicole. “Planning the wedding was Nicole Neale & Chris Brown food, both extremely fun and exciting and very difficult.” However, they took CELEBRATING WITH FRIENDS AND it one step at a time. “We chose a blush and navy color theme and spent a FAMILY WAS A TOP PRIORITY FOR lot of time on Pinterest pulling ideas together,” she adds. “We decided on THIS COUPLE. the JW Marriott in Cherry Creek because they had everything we wanted, and they were amazing to work with.”

They both have fond memories of that first moment seeing each other at opposite ends of the church. Chris says all he remembers is Nicole looking “absolutely amazing.” Nicole adds, “One of my best memories is walking down the aisle with my dad and seeing my husband-to-be with tears in his eyes.”

In addition to, as Chris says, “being able to say ‘I do’ to the best person on Earth,” he was excited to see how the food, music and ambiance all came together at the hotel. “I knew this was going to be an epic wedding and reception.”

“The reception space was perfect, the food was incredible and we danced the night away,” says Nicole. “One of our best memories of the day was watching our family and friends having the time of their lives at the reception.”

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VENUE Cherry Hills Community Church chcc.org RECEPTION JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek jwmarriottdenver.com PHOTOGRAPHY Sarah Roshan sarahroshanphoto.com DRESS Emma and Grace Bridal Studio emmaandgracebridal.com ENGAGEMENT RING Williams Jewelers williamsjewelers.net WEDDING BANDS Trice Jewelers tricejewelers.com MENSWEAR Men’s Warehouse menswearhouse.com HAIR Antoine du Chez antoineduchez.com MAKEUP Makeup by Kacey makeupbykacey.com CAKE Mulberries Cake Shop mulberriescakeshop.com

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Heidi Chowen Photography/courtesy of Dunton Hot Springs

Happily Ever After

“And all the windows of my heart I open to the day.”

—“My Psalm,” John Greenleaf Whittier, 1859

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Silverthorne Pavilion Affordable Mountain Elegance

Perfect for your Mountain Wedding.

Where serene mountain settings meet affordable style. The Pavilion boasts 12,000 square feet of mountain elegance that includes hardwood floors throughout, hand crafted chandeliers, exposed trusses, and custom ironwork.

SilverthornePavilion.com | 970.262.7391 | 400 Blue River Parkway, Silverthorne, Co

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Vow to be different.

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Fairytale weddings don’t always have to look like they are out of a storybook. Four Seasons can take any dream, from the sublime to the outrageous, and bring it to life like never before. Your wedding is once-in-a lifetime. We vow to turn your imagination into reality and showcase why you fell in love. Why resemble anything done before? For more information about our two majestic ballrooms, breathtaking rooftop terrace, expansive views of the city and truly intuitive service, visit www.fourseasons.com/denver/weddings or call 303.389.3133.