A Joyful Mountain Celebration

Elise & Trey | June 25th

From Elise…

This was a destination wedding. We knew we wanted to be married in the mountains, and Trey had always loved visiting Colorado throughout his childhood and teenage years. I actually hadn’t been to Colorado until the week of our wedding! The San Juan Mountains were unbelievably beautiful and made the perfect backdrop.

We envisioned a laid-back, rustic celebration inspired by nature—wildflowers, sunshine, and a feeling of pure happiness and love. More than anything, we wanted the day to feel effortless and easy, without too much pressure—just natural, joyful, and flowing from start to finish.

THE VENUE

We chose Wildcat Lodge because it felt untouched and honest — just like us. It’s one of those places that feels a little hard to get to, but once you arrive, you understand why. Horses roaming the property. Cowboys helping with anything we needed. Multiple river spots winding through the land. One stretch where the water slows and deepens — perfect for the kids to jump in and play. Hiking trails on the property. A giant alpine lake nearby for photos. A waterfall tucked away in the mountains. It didn’t feel like a venue. It felt like a world of its own.

THE CEREMONY

The ceremony took place by the river on the property. We decorated our wedding arch, which made it even more meaningful. My dad married us. That alone made the ceremony deeply special. Standing there, surrounded only by our two families, with the river moving behind us and mountains in the distance, felt intimate in a way that’s hard to put into words.

THE RECEPTION

The reception stayed true to the setting — natural, warm, relaxed. We arranged the tables in a square under romantic string lights, with a giant roaring fire as the sun set behind the mountains. The kids roasted marshmallows, ran through the field, and found sticks to toss into the river. It felt alive, not staged. Sweetwater Gypsies pulled up in their wood-fired pizza truck and absolutely crushed it.

Looking back, we wouldn’t change a thing. Wildcat Lodge was worth every bit of the journey to get there. It’s remote. It’s magical. And it gives you space to make it your own.