Snowy Elegance at The Sonnenalp Hotel

Laura Murray captured everything I love about classic winter weddings when she sent these snowy Vail nuptials our way. Candlelight? Check. Flowy ribbons? Check. Ethereal ‘maids in Jenny Yoo? Check. Not to mention, that ring… drooling over here. Calluna Events tied every bit up pretty with a bow with their amazing planning skills and you can savor all the elegant goodness here in the gallery.

Colors

From Laura Murray PhotographyYasmin and Chris were a dream to photograph. They had such an authentic love, the kind that stands the test of time. While their day was quite busy and very much on-the-go, I noticed them tell each other right after their first look that all that matters is what’s about to happen at the end of the aisle. I think couples can often get too caught up in the production of the wedding that they forget what it is really about … this couple NEVER forgot the real reason behind their wedding, which is their extraordinary love for each other.

Yasmin and Chris are both plastic surgeons and met in med school. While their friends were off getting married and settling down, both Yasmin and Chris were buried deep in their textbooks pursuing medicine. But not buried too deep to notice each other and their love began to grow. They reside in Chicago, but Colorado has always held a special place in their heart. They picked a winter date in Vail, Colorado to say their vows. Yasmin is Persian and much of her family traveled across the globe to be there on her wedding day.

Her dress was a custom Inbal Dror and her shoes were Christian Louboutin The groom and groomsmen wore tuxes with tartan pocket squares. The bridesmaids were in gorgeous full length gowns and each bridal bouquet had floor length silk ribbon which matched the invitation ribbon.

Their ceremony was at the Vail Chapel. Calluna Events and Perfect Petal worked together to implement the brides vision for the chapel to make it a more intimate and cozy atmosphere. Candles and garland lined either side of the aisle as well as the altar and railings. Many glowing lanterns adorned the front steps of the church, welcoming guests in from the cold.

Then the reception took place across the street at the Sonnenlap Resort. Calluna Events, the planner and designer for the wedding, collaborated with the florist, furniture, lighting and linens companies to transform the space with a natural and organic feel. Working with florist, The Perfect Petal they truly accomplished Yasmin’s vision of bringing the outdoors inside to create a warm, romantic, almost-Tuscan inspired space. Candlelight, flowing greenery down the center of the tables as well as several hanging greenery garlands above the head tables made the room more intimate and lush and contributed to cozy atmosphere. Three different tablescapes were created that incorporated garland, candles and flowers to provide texture and interest to the room. Delightful table signs, escort cards and a hand lettered custom seating chart complete with Vail ski runs were hand illustrated by Mauve and Peach (who also pulled together a sophisticated invite suite) and Event Rents provided the wood cross back chairs and linens that were the last finishing touch to the design.

The day was full of laughter and unique memories. The groom’s sister has the most memorable toast I have ever seen. She and her husband reenacted a series of memories of the groom in a song, complete with a guitar accompaniment. That had the audience rolling delete in their seats with laughter.

The bride’s present to the groom was sentimental — Yasmin’s father wanted to gift his vintage rolex watch to the groom. The rolex was over 50 years old. And the bride’s cute little pup was present in the getting ready room … this cute dog was practically a part of the bridesmaids, there for the big moment when the bride stepped into her dress. In lieu of traditional wedding cake, the couple set up a hot chocolate bar and served creme brûlée and chocolate cheesecake after dinner.

Photography: Laura Murray Photography | Videography: Forget Me Not Media | Event Planning: Calluna Events | Floral Design: The Perfect Petal | Wedding Dress: Inbal Dror | Ceremony Venue: Vail Chapel | Reception Venue: Sonnenalp Hotel | Wedding Shoes: Louboutin | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Makeup Artist: Mighty Kicks | Hair: Jennifer Nelson | DJ: A Great Time DJ | Invitations And Paper Goods: Maeve And Peach | Rentals: Event Rents Denver