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Melinda & Jeff | February 10, 2018
WHY DURANGO
Jeff and I have spent time in southwest Colorado exploring the San Juan Mountains. We have been mountain biking and backpacking in the summer and chasing powder at Wolf Creek in the winter. We love the area and the mountains so when we found the Silverpick Lodge, we thought this was a great match – a place to explore more in depth, but with an airport that our friends and family could make a trip out of.
THE STYLE
We did everything simple. Our approach was to personalize the weekend with things that we love. First, came our family and friends – we kept coming back to the notion that everyone was traveling to celebrate us and we really wanted to celebrate them and share with everyone why we loved having them there. We griped about how at some weddings, you show up and there are so many people from other parts of the bride/grooms lives that don’t overlap, but no opportunity to connect the dots. And since we love when our friends meet each other and end up connecting, we shaped our wedding weekend to encourage exactly that.
THE CEREMONY
We planned for an outdoor February wedding with the hope that snow would be everywhere. The day-of, it snowed 12 inches, our perfect setting. We hiked and skied down a small hill behind the Silverpick Lodge right into our ceremony.
THE CEREMONY DECOR
All of our wedding guests added their skis and boards to our backdrop.
FAVORITE MOMENTS
-The excitement of hiking up the hill in full wedding dress mode in ski boots.
-Skiing in and just trying to remind myself not to eat it too badly if I fall.
-The hoots and hollering from our wedding guests.
-Everyone was so positive despite the weather.
THE RECEPTION
Looking back, we loved the speeches and all the dancing. Loved that my friends kept looking out for my mom (she has dementia) without me having to ask.
THE GUESTBOOK
Our signing book was an old snowboard refinished with a light birch wood veneer and a custom vinyl decal with our wedding logo.
ADVICE
Less is more. We took on a lot of personalized things and DIYed a lot, which we had a ton of fun doing, but it was much more work. Remembering to enjoy as much as possible and do less.
THE WEDDING TEAM
Venue, Caterer & Lodging: Silverpick Lodge. Chris is very communicative and prompt yet laid back and calm – the right amount of chill and hands off. Chef George was AWESOME. He worked with us on our menu and was easy to keep in touch with from afar.
Photographer + Hair & Makeup: Jenne Anne
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What we’re doing now: Jeff and I both decided to ‘take the summer off’ and quit our jobs to travel the US for the summer. We have been living the #vanlife camping in our Suburban, mountain biking, and hiking.
Elyse & Juan | March 27, 2018
From the bride: Our venue Reising Stage, was the overall inspiration for our wedding day. My parents were married in this barn seventeen years ago. Our theme was simple, rustic, and up-cycled with a ruby and blush color palette.
FAVE MEMORY
Because we had our wedding on a Tuesday, I loved that people came dropped by all afternoon and evening.
MEMORABLE MOMENT
Honestly, just the fact that so many people came out to help clean and decorate to make the day more than I could have ever imagined, that was the best part.
LOOKING BACK
I put so little effort into planning that I was amazed how beautiful the whole day turned out. I never wanted the stress of planning this event. I am so thankful to all the people who stepped up and did it for me. Also, I wasn’t disappointed with anything because I didn’t have any expectations and that was honestly a blessing.
ADVICE
Don’t sweat the small stuff!
THE WEDDING TEAM
Venue: Reising Stage | DJ: Mr. Soul Entertainment | Rentals: Durango Party Rental | Photographer: Ginger Moose Photography | Flowers: Adela Floral | Caterer: Hot Tomatoes
Whether you are renewing your vows, tying the knot in an intimate ceremony or planning a destination wedding with 300 guests, southwest Colorado offers an exquisite array of jaw-dropping wedding sites. We’ve hand-picked nine fairytale locations with scenic mountain backdrops out of a storybook.
1. TOP OF LIFT ONE AT PURGATORY RESORT | Durango, Colorado
An alpine meadow where the Paradise, 7th Heaven, and Upper Hades runs intersect with incredible views of the San Juan Mountains.
above images by Allison Ragsdale Photography
2. DANTE’S AT PURGATORY RESORT | Durango, Colorado
A secluded mountaintop setting with spectacular views of five surrounding mountain ranges.
above image by Allison Ragsdale Photography
above image by Ginger Moose Photography
3. CASCADE VILLAGE | Durango, Colorado
Hold your ceremony in a meadow surrounded by nature with stunning views of the Needles Mountain Range.
above image by Jenne Anne Photography
above image by Shutterfreek
4. EUREKA LODGE | Silverton, Colorado
Once a miners hotel, now a rustic venue. This stunning location is on the Alpine Loop just above the ghost town of Eureka.
above images by illuminarts
5. TOWN OF SILVERTON | Silverton, Colorado
Tie the knot in this historic and charming alpine town high in the San Juan Mountains.
above images by illuminarts
6. DOUBLE R RANCH | Mancos, Colorado
This wilderness location above Jackson Lake is surrounded by thousands of acres of National Forest. You are off the grid with zero light pollution. Bring your tents or rent the log cabin and yurts.
7. RIDGEWOOD EVENT CENTER | Hesperus, Colorado
Recite your vows on a lush lawn framed by cottonwoods facing the La Plata Mountains.
above image by illuminarts
above image by Aspen Groen
8. BOYCE MEADOWS AT PURGATORY RESORT | Durango, Colorado
The Needles Mountain Range provides the backdrop as you exchange vows in one of Purgatory’s most peaceful settings.
above image by Shutterfreek
9. ENGINEER MEADOW AT PURGATORY RESORT | Durango, Colorado
This location is nestled in an aspen grove framed by the rugged peak of Engineer Mountain.
above image by illuminarts
View more ceremony locations
Lanee & Brian | July 15, 2017
From the bride: Our wedding style was fun and whimsical with bright vibrant colors, balloons and pom-poms. The rainbow was our color palette from hot pink to lime green to purple to electric blue. We love to dance, so we got married under a disco ball. We also love to dress up and go to costume parties. We asked our guests to join in the fun and wear bright colors and fancy hats.
THE CEREMONY
We got married at my grandmother’s house, where I spent part of my childhood. We crafted the ceremony ourselves. We asked only the kids in our family to be part of our ceremony. I walked down the aisle to the Sesame Street theme song, it was my favorite show as a little one. We wrote our own vows together and delivered them via alternating lines. We also did a handfasting, in which our parents laid the ropes over our hands.
We LOVED getting married under a disco ball!
THE RECEPTION
We had incredibly good food, served on farmhouse tables under a beautiful white tent, a last minute addition because of the threat of rain. The décor was simple with Peruvian striped colorful runners and tons of copper vases with wildflowers. Our table vases were all upcycled glass bottles we spray painted copper. The dessert table was decorated with our mascot: a rainbow colored unicorn piñata. We had an adorable and incredibly fun custom painted canvas as the backdrop for our photobooth. We also had square dancing, with a live band and caller, our guests loved it.
ADVICE
Focus on what IS going right and not what isn’t. There will be SO much beauty, love, and fun to put your attention on.
THE WEDDING TEAM
Photographer: Illuminarts
Caterer & Flowers: The Yellow Carrot
Guest Lodging & Transportation: Sky Ute Casino
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