Vail Wedding at Sonnenalp from Leah McEachern Photography
Fact. When your boyfriend proposes to you over homemade lasagna, champagne and a room filled with candles, you know you have a keeper. That's just marriage proposal 101. And to celebrate tying the knot with the love of your life (who, let's face it, also happens to be the most romantic man in the world), there's just no better place than Vail, CO for a destination shindig with your closest family and friends. Need proof? Just ask this stunning duo, whose love story added a VERY amazing chapter with a rustic meets classic wedding in the land of breathtaking mountains and crisp, fresh air. See so much more of the day captured by Leah McEachern Photography right here.
From the Bride... We met at a bar in Venice Beach, California. I had been living in the USA for about six months, and Eric had just moved from Madison, Wisconsin, as well. After the bar we went to have food somewhere — I think it was Denny's or something like that. It was Eric, me and some of my Brazilian friends. It was a bit of a disaster, and I wasn't sure I was going to see him ever again. We exchanged numbers anyway, and I was surprised to get a call from him inviting to go to the beach (good sign — if a guy invites you to a day time activity, it is because he will marry you one day). However, the most important part of our relationship wasn't the first day we met, it wasn't the first real date, it was that we stood by each other in hard times, so we enjoyed the good times even more. This was and still is the crucial thing that keeps us together — we know that no matter what we will be always there for each other.
Eventually, Eric and I decided we wanted to live together. We then found a lovely place that we eventually moved into. I had tons of fun decorating, but I wasn’t excited about living together and having wife’s responsibilities with no formal commitment. So I hinted that Eric and I wear rings (that’s what we do in Brazil), but instead he went diamond ring shopping. Apparently, he became an expert on diamond matters. Let’s get to the point here — one night, May 4, 2009 to be more precise, Eric made lasagna, opened champagne, and also lit all my candles (candles I would never light). I walked into the apartment ready to have a heart attack after seeing all my precious candles lit (hahaha!), but he was so cute. He had a box in his hand, so I held my breath — something special was about to happen, I thought. He then opened the box, and inside was the most beautiful ring, like a princess ring, that had the brightest diamond I have ever seen. That was a great night.
Wedding Photography: Leah McEachern Photography / Assistant Photography: Josh Couper / Wedding Venue: Sonnenalp in Vail, Colorado / Wedding Planning: CandleLit Wedding Planning / Wedding Day Coordination: Operation Altitude / Floral Design: Vintage Magnolia / Decorations: Pink Monkey Solutions / Wedding Dress: Elie Saab for Pronovias / Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Bride's Jewelry: Family Heirlooms + Vintage / Hair: Inga Cox / Makeup: Laura Anzalone of Glo Makeup