Homegrown & Country Sweet at River Bend Ranch

Alana & Michael | September 29

 

From the bride… Mike’s family is from Montana, Idaho, and Texas. Mine is in New Mexico and California. We looked at several venues in New Mexcio, Idaho, and Colorado. Durango was beautiful, River Bend Ranch was perfect, and owners Jenny and Dan were amazing. So, we picked River Bend Ranch for our wedding.

 

Wedding Cowboy Boots | Durango Weddings Magazine

 

THE VISION

We wanted our wedding to be us. We love the outdoors, and we’re both from smaller towns. We wanted our wedding to be sweet, relaxed, and beautiful. We also wanted to keep a tight budget. I really wanted to wear boots (Macie Bean Rose Garden Boots) with my wedding dress. Our colors were variations of each of our favorite colors- peach, and navy.

 

Bridesmaids with cowboy boots and blue dresses | Durango Weddings Magazine Groomsmen | Durango Weddings Magazine

 

THE FLOWER GIRL

The daughter of one of the bridesmaids decided she was going to be my flower girl (we did not arrange for this), but she found her own basket and petals so that she could.

 

Flower girl walking down the aisle | Durango Weddings Magazine

 

THE CEREMONY

We held the ceremony outside at River Bend Ranch surrounded by a pond, beautiful trees, and the afternoon sunlight. My son, Noam walked me walked me down the aisle and then stood with Mike’s groomsmen.

 

 

Bride and son walking down the aisle | Durango Weddings Magazine

 

 

I loved that everyone laughed when we played the Imperial March (Star Wars) just before playing the processional.

 

Bride and son walking down the aisle | Durango Weddings Magazine Outdoor ceremony at River Bend Ranch | Durango Weddings Magazine Outdoor ceremony at River Bend Ranch | Durango Weddings Magazine

 

My son decided that he should be in the middle holding our hands instead of me just holding Mike’s hand after the ceremony. He loves Mike.

 

Outdoor ceremony at River Bend Ranch | Durango Weddings Magazine

Bride & Grrom walking down the dock at River Bend Ranch | Durango Weddings Magazine Wedding reception at River Bend Ranch | Durango Weddings Magazine

 

THE RECEPTION DECOR

We had fairy lights, logs, peach flowers, and lots of smiling people.

 

Wedding reception decor at River Bend Ranch | Durango Weddings Magazine

 

THE DANCING

My favorite reception memory was our first dance.

 

Wedding reception first dance with Bride and Groom | Durango Weddings Magazine Wedding reception first dance with Bride and Groom | Durango Weddings Magazine

 

 

ADVICE

We ignored (for the most part) what everyone else wanted and put together a day that would make us happy. We planned this together. I think that is the best way to do this.

 

 

Wedding reception outdoor lights | Durango Weddings Magazine

 

 

THE WEDDING TEAM

Venue: River Bend Ranch. The property is beautiful and the owners are amazing and helpful.

Officiant: Southwest Ceremony. Jamie sent out fabulous questionnaires that helped us to frame our relationship for a ceremony. She was very helpful and did a great job performing the ceremony.

Photographer: Monika Leopold