In case you had any doubts, this all-white modern affair planned by Bello & Blue Events and captured by Lauren Fair proves mountain weddings can be oh-sooo chic. From the blooming arrangements of lush hydrangea and elegant orchids to the sophisticated bridesmaid gang dressed to the nines in all white – this day is everything and more. Peep the bride’s red Loubatin soles gifted by her hubby. To sum things up, if Carrie Bradshaw tied the knot in the Colorado rockies… it might look a little something like this!
From Bello & Blue Events… Is there anything better than a timeless white wedding? When Rachel & Mark came to us, they knew from the very beginning that they had a vision of classic glamour and a palette of white against a breathtaking mountain backdrop. With our aesthetics already perfectly aligned, were thrilled to help bring their vision to life, and loved every step of the process planning and designing with this drop dead gorgeous couple!
Check out this gorgeous film of Rachel and Mark’s wedding day from Elysium Productions! [iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/312147293 600 338]
Hailing originally from Louisiana, and sharing the most adorable Southern accents, these high school sweethearts eventually moved to Denver for career opportunities and fell in love with the mountains. Though their professions eventually relocated them to Kansas City, after Mark proposed (on a dreamy family beach vacation in Cozumel) they instantly knew Colorado was the ideal destination for “I Do”. This gorgeous duo settled on the perfect venue pairing for their celebration in Vail, Colorado- a mountain top ceremony at the top of the gondola overlooking the Rockies, followed by a chic, tented reception at the brand new Hotel Talisa. Within the spectacular presidential suite, Rachel and her ladies from all different stages of life enjoyed the best morning with her Grandma’s homemade Biscuits & Gravy, fresh fruit, and champagne. One of the brides favorite parts of the day was spending this time prepping with the ladies she loves the most, all in one room.
While enjoying this time getting ready for the day, Rachel received a surprise gift from her sweet groom, a stunning pair of crystal Christian Louboutins she had been eyeing with the cutest card from Mark. Meanwhile, the guys sipped whiskey and told stories as they prepped and dressed for the day, and we love that Mark opted for a dapper white dinner jacket to stand out amongst his 12 stylish groomsmen. With everyone dressed to impress, they loaded the gondola to get to the top of the mountain and the most epic view for Rachael & Mark’s nuptials. Surrounded by their favorites, these two said their vows and committed themselves in the most special ceremony performed by Pastor Tim of the Vail Interfaith Chapel. A live painter was there, a special gift from the mother of the groom to capture the magic of the ceremony and the breathtaking view. The artist later transferred to the reception with guests to complete the painting- a fun interactive detail as guests marveled at the masterpiece coming to life!
While the weather is always unpredictable at such high altitude (a crazy hail & wind storm blew through just before, and right after the ceremony!), miraculously, the heavens opened and the storm passed and everything turned out absolutely perfect for this sweet mountain ceremony and delightful cocktail hour over looking the Gore Creek on the Hotel Talisa Terrace. Following cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres with the best possible mountain views, guests were welcomed into the tent through a glowing candlelit path, and greeted with champagne to toast the happy couple and kick off the most wonderful evening. Rachael & Mark’s friends and family enjoyed a delicious menu featuring the couples most loved comfort food, an impressive carving station and a crowd pleasing Mac & Cheese display. But if these two had it their way, they would had dessert first! One of Rachael & Mark’s favorite things to share together are sweet treats, so a fittingly indulgent dessert table piled high with cake pops (made by the family of the bride), white buttercream cupcakes, VooDoo Donuts (famous in Denver!) and the most stunning white cake (baked with love by a friend of the couple who just so happens to own a successful bakery in Aspen), offered something for everyone as the night continued. “Go right ahead, have another!” was hand lettered on a large mirror near the table, a quote straight from the groom’s mouth and a saying for which he is known.
The most amazing band, Lost Wax, took their act on the road, bringing a bit of Rachael & Mark’s Kansas City home to their big day in the mountains. The bride and groom danced to “You and Me” by Dave Matthews to kick off the evening, and the party rocked all night long! Rachel loves to take photos and document all of life’s moments, so a polaroid guest book was an easy choice- guests posed in front of a fun back drop with a neon LOVE sign, and pasted their snaps in the book pages with notes for the bride and groom to enjoy for years to come. The tent decor was carefully selected with the help of Lindsey from Bello & Blue Events to ensure that everything felt clean, modern, glam, and WHITE! Bello & Blue provided the florals for the day, and there was no shortage of gorgeous white arrangements, crystal candelabras, and impressive greenery and white floral chandeliers dripping in the tent to set the tone for this fabulous black tie affair. Lighting highlighted the look with floral patterns projected on the ceiling, and the couple’s monogram projected on their all white dance floor. At the end of the evening, radiating the most beautiful glow after the most wonderful celebration, as Rachael & Mark ran to their honeymoon suite, they were showered with white rose petals and love as their guests wished them a happily ever after!
Photography: Lauren Fair Photography | Cinematography: Elysium Productions | Event Planning: byBello Events | Floral Design: byBello Events | Dress: Ines Di Santo | Cake: Mix Cakery | Stationery : Minted | Ceremony Venue: Vail Wedding Deck | Reception Venue: Hotel Talisa | Shoes: Louboutin | Hair & Makeup: LoLa Beauty | Band: Lost Wax | Donuts: Voodoo Doughnuts | Live Painter: Julia Copeland Dordoni | Rentals: Event Rents