Every Pink-Obsessed Bride Needs to See This Wedding at the Broadmoor

Lauren Megerdichian
December 16, 2024
Categories: Real Weddings, The Blog

[section title=”The Planning”]

[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Our wedding colors were blush and navy.[/field]

[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]Once Hayden and I got engaged, I dove headfirst into the search for the perfect “pink” wedding venue. Being a total girly-girl, I knew my guests wouldn’t be surprised by my choice! The day I inquired at The Broadmoor, Hayden came home and asked, “Have you ever considered The Broadmoor?” At that moment, I felt it was destiny! The Broadmoor is more than just pink; it added a beautiful layer to our story, reflecting the western culture that means so much to Hayden. His family has deep roots in agriculture, running a long line of sales barns throughout the Midwest, and they cherished staycations at The Broadmoor over Thanksgiving breaks, making it all the more special for us. From there, our design and vision came together effortlessly. The Broadmoor radiates sophistication, class, and all-out glam. I wanted our wedding to be timeless, elegant, and intimate—not a day I’d look back on with regrets. Emily Mayne Designs crafted the most stunning watercolor illustration of The Broadmoor for our wedding invitations, complete with a sweet trifold opening tied with a delicate bow, setting the tone for a weekend of love and luxury. Looking back, I have absolutely no regrets! While I wanted everyone to have a blast, I felt overwhelmingly grateful that they were there to celebrate us because they truly love us (and not just for the open bar!).[/field]

[field title=”Proposal Story”]Hayden proposed over Fourth of July weekend at Grand Lake, nestled in Northeast Oklahoma in the beautiful Ozark Mountain Range. After six years of dating, I was all prepped with full glam, fresh nails, and a cute outfit ready for action. But this weekend felt different. Coincidentally, my brother, who was working in Wyoming, was headed to the lake with us. I’ll admit, I wasn’t entirely aware a proposal was in the works—I’d had several “it’s the day” moments before with our families being so close. After a full day on the lake, we headed to Hayden’s house to get ready for dinner at The Summit Club. I made it clear to him that he should never wake me up with a proposal or pop the question while hiking (fashionista priorities!). But the moment became real when, fully glammed up, Hayden asked me to help him clean the jet ski. Tears started flowing down my cheeks because I knew this was our moment! His sarcastic quip of “Why are you crying?” only confirmed it. Once we reached the dock with the stunning lake views, he said, “Caroline, I’ve known since the moment I met you that you’d be my wife.” That’s all I remember before I blacked out and said yes! I was so shocked—he always said his dad was a nervous wreck—but he kept it together with total confidence. He slipped the ring on my finger, which was even better than the Pins on my Pinterest board. He then told me to look up and show my sister, who had flown in for the occasion. It was the best day ever—I ugly cried, laughed, and soaked up all the excitement![/field]

[/section]

[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

[/board_carousel]

[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]

[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

[/board_carousel]

[section title=”The Fashion”]

[field title=”Wedding Gown”]Working in the wedding industry, I always had an idea of what I wanted for my gown. What I didn’t expect was to find “the one” at my very first appointment! Don’t get me wrong; I went to several other boutiques just to make sure I wasn’t experiencing the newly engaged jitters. But when I tried on the dress, I instantly knew it was special by my family’s reactions. At Bella Rose Bridal, the fitting rooms don’t have full-length mirrors, which became a delightful surprise! I could see the dress on the hanger, but not on me until I stepped out. Tears streamed down my mom’s face, my brother stood up, and my sister whipped out her phone. This reaction was different from anything else! When I finally saw myself, I was head over heels. The mermaid gown was fully laced with subtle sequins that shimmered, and the cathedral train boasted stunning 3D floral appliqués that I absolutely adored. Once the long, glitter-infused veil was added, I was sold, but I still played coy. When I returned for my second appointment, it was an easy yes! I even asked Hayden what he envisioned my wedding dress looking like, and he hit the nail on the head—classic but with drama![/field]

[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Bella Bridesmaid is renowned for carrying chic dresses that elevate any event. From the moment I decided on a pink-palace wedding, I knew Bella Bridesmaids had to be part of it! I wanted my girl gang to look polished and stunning—and they certainly did! They had a variety of styles to choose from, but I insisted they all wear the same shade of pink. With our wedding being a pink and navy affair, I wanted them to stand out in style. My seven bridesmaids are lifelong friends, and everyone involved in our wedding day holds a special place in our hearts.[/field]

[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Groomsmen attire was quite the topic of discussion! Hayden had a few must-haves: open bar, no bar line, live band, and preferably jeans. While I could tick most of those boxes, I had to veto the jeans. We opted for The Black Tux, and Hayden’s midnight navy tux with black lapels was just different enough to convince him! My wedding gift to him was an Hermés bowtie with a subtle “H” pattern—perfect for someone whose name starts with an “H”! Even though we’ve only been married for a month, he’s already had a chance to wear the bowtie again.[/field]

[/section]

[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]

[/board_carousel]

[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

[/board_carousel]

[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

[/board_carousel]

[section title=”The Details”]

[field title=”Food & Drink”]Where do I even start with the food and drinks?! The Broadmoor treated us to an exceptional tasting with my mom and our wedding planner, Amanda from Embellished Weddings. Narrowing down the mouthwatering options was a delicious challenge, and we ended up with a feast of fresh, hot, juicy goodness! We kicked off our sit-down dinner with oozing burrata, ripe tomatoes, and a sprinkle of mint. For the main course, we served red wine-braised beef short rib with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Guests raved about how The Broadmoor was one of the few caterers providing hot meals for all! Throughout the day, they treated our guests to a luxurious experience. As they entered the ceremony, guests were greeted with the option of champagne. During cocktail hour, servers roamed Pompeiian Hall with white wine, rosé, and my mother-in-law’s favorite, Ultra! We had an open bar all night, and our signature drinks were a huge hit. Hayden’s drink, named after a longtime family friend, “JayJay,” was a crowd-pleaser featuring Kettle One vodka, Topo Chico, and an orange slice. The JayJay is Hayden’s go-to, and it holds special meaning for us. JayJay’s family celebrated our engagement with an “It’s Almost Winter” theme a year in advance, showering us with thoughtful gifts and messages every month! My signature drink was a chocolate martini, honoring our beloved Chocolate Labrador, Wally. My dad is famous for his chocolate martini too, which my friends still rave about. Plus, the edible chocolate topper that resembled Wally’s face was a fun touch! We also had custom cigars, beautifully wrapped with The Broadmoor illustration and monogram designed by Emily Mayne Studios—another big hit![/field]

[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Working with Southern Charm Floral was a highlight! Cheri has an amazing eye for design and instantly understood my vision. She even sourced gorgeous silk white bows for the inner ceremony seats that were later moved to the head table. Amanda from Embellished Weddings brought her expertise in decor and rentals, suggesting a stunning blush linen from Nuage Designs that echoed the 3D floral appliqués of my gown! I loved how so many elements tied together throughout the evening, creating a cohesive and elegant look. Design Works supplied essential items—bars, band backdrops, and more—adding flair with vinyl designs. The Pompeiian Hall bar featured Hayden’s family livestock logo, while the ballroom bar proclaimed “Cheers to Forever,” a nod to our engagement motto, “It’s Winter Forever,” which graced the dance floor.[/field]

[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The moment I spotted a cake that resembled my dream design, I knew we had a winner! The Broadmoor crafted a stunning tall-tiered cake adorned with the same floral appliqué I adore. We even had adorable to-go cake boxes featuring our Chocolate Lab, Wally, with the playful tagline “it’s paw-sitively delicious!” This was the perfect late-night snack for our guests, alongside the brick oven pizza we offered, all beautifully packaged with our monogram and the sweet phrase “love at first bite”![/field]

[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Every song we chose for our wedding day was carefully selected. The biggest surprise was the song I walked down the aisle to—Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”! As a fellow Caroline, it was a nostalgic choice that only my parents knew about. I can’t wait to watch the film from Ty Uhles to see everyone’s reactions because, honestly, it’s hard to focus on anything else when you’re trying not to trip! For our first dance, we chose “Hold My Hand” by Lady Gaga. With Hayden being a huge Top Gun fan, we went all out with spins and twirls in a chandelier-filled ballroom. I even tossed his cowboy hat to the audience mid-dance, which got a great response! For my dance with my dad, we went for something sweet—Cody Johnson’s “God Bless The Boy” perfectly encapsulates my upbringing.[/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #1″]One of the details I was most excited about was our seating chart! With so many creative inspirations out there, it was a bit daunting to find something that truly felt like us. Southern Charm Floral provided a gorgeous gold stand, and Embellished Weddings brought the vision to life. The top of the seating chart playfully welcomed guests with “Come, Sit, Stay.” Using elements from Emily Mayne’s invitation suite, Amanda set a floral backdrop at a soft opacity and pinned each seating arrangement with a sweet Chocolate Labrador pin at the top. It was a lovely way to honor Wally while keeping the look classic and elegant![/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Instead of a typical guest book filled with engagement photos, Embellished Weddings suggested using The Broadmoor coffee table book! I knew I wanted this pink-palace gem to grace our home post-wedding, serving as a beautiful reminder of our special day. Each page is filled with heartfelt notes from our nearest and dearest, and I couldn’t be happier with that decision!

Speaking of heartfelt messages, my dad delivered the most incredible toast to kick off our formal dinner, and I just have to share it because no one says it better than the man, the myth, the legend himself!

My Dad, John Blevins’ Toast: “I once heard someone say, ‘Your wedding might be the only time everyone you love is in the same room together.’ As I look around tonight, I realize how true that is. You can’t imagine how much it means to me and Stephanie, Mark and Katrena, and Caroline and Hayden, to have you all here with us. We deeply appreciate the effort and sacrifices you’ve made to be here, and we are incredibly grateful.

Mark Twain once said, ‘The two most important days in your life are the day you were born, and the day you find out why.’ Caroline and Hayden, from the moment you met, I believe you discovered your ‘why.’ You were meant to be together, and I wish you a lifetime of love and happiness.

Here’s to Winter forever!”

His words truly captured the spirit of the evening and the love we felt all around us![/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #3″]The accessories I wore and the little gifts I shared added a delightful touch to the day. The prongs on my engagement ring are shaped like an “H” and “W,” representing my husband’s initials! He also gifted me a stunning diamond tennis necklace for the occasion. But the most meaningful gift was from my father-in-law, who surprised me with a sixpence, a lovely tradition I learned about on the day itself! This mini-coin symbolizes luck and prosperity in marriage, and while I wore heels during the ceremony, I tucked it into my party sneakers later. I danced the night away with this special token, forever reminding me of our day, my love for Hayden, and the warm welcome into his family.[/field]

[/section]

[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]

[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

[/board_carousel]