3 minute read
Telluride Crush
A TELLURIDE CRUSH
Falling in love with the uniqueness (and views) of a mountain wedding
BY JENNIFER JULIA
It was a race that first brought Caitlin Sullivan to Telluride and by the time she left town, the pace of her heart matched the speed of her skis. These mountains had worked their magic on the then-collegiate club racer, and she couldn’t help being instantly smitten. “Telluride is by far my favorite town in
Colorado and it definitely has a special place in my heart,” Caitlin says. Seven years later, when she and Cicily Hummer embarked on their hunt for a wedding destination, Caitlin brought her fiancée to this valley and found that the Telluride crush was mutual; the couple looked no further. “So many of our most special memories are from our ski adventures, including when we got engaged while backcountry skiing in Rocky
Mountain National Park,” Caitlin explains. “We both knew that we wanted to have a winter wedding in a small mountain town and when we visited Telluride to look at potential venues, we fell in love with the atmosphere, mountain views and the uniqueness of Gorrono Ranch.”
Caitlin, who works in military defense contracting, and Cicily, a physician, are both avid skiers who share a fervent passion for mountains and the outdoors. But the couple’s journey to the aisle would not be without bumps in the road. Originally planned for the winter of 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the pair, who live in Washington state, to postpone their nuptials to the following year. Then, just one
month before their wedding finally took place, Caitlin sustained a knee injury while skiing on a work trip, ironically, in Telluride. “I couldn’t ski that week and I limped down the aisle,” Caitlin says with a laugh. But these setbacks were no match for the ebullience and joy of the occasion and, with Telluride as a backdrop to the festivities, their celebration was full of truly unique, unforgettable moments. Caitlin and Cicily chose Wendy Jacobs Hampton of Soiree Telluride as their wedding planner. “I couldn’t believe how smoothly everything went with Wendy in charge,” Caitlin remarks. Kicking off the events with a welcome party at the Liberty Lounge set the fun and festive tone for the lively week to come, especially with a leather branding station provided by Crossbow Leather where guests could personalize their very own keychains. The rehearsal dinner, held at The National, delivered an elegant and intimate experience.
The ceremony itself took place at Gorrono Ranch on the Telluride Ski Resort. “We waited until the ski area closed and then everyone rode snowcats to get to the ceremony. That was really special,” Caitlin recalls. Guests were welcomed with gluhwein and music by the local bluegrass band Porch Couch, which also played at the rehearsal dinner and welcome party. Both of the brides come from large families and honoring and celebrating family was the central focus of the event — their wedding party, for instance, was composed entirely of their six siblings. Caitlin’s sister, who had passed away, was remembered in a most meaningful way, with her photograph tucked into each of the bridesmaid’s bouquets, which were created by New Leaf Design.
Once vows were exchanged, dinner was served and a scrumptious cake by Kelly Gray Cakes was cut, the party was on. “We danced until the venue shut down,” Caitlin says with a grin. “Our reception music was Dart Collective, a talented mix of live musicians accompanying a DJ set.” After waiting so long to say, “I do”, the brides say they were thrilled with their Telluride winter wedding. Says Caitlin, “It was so special to celebrate our big day surrounded by our closest friends and family overlooking the Wilson mountain range.”
