Location: Colorado, USA
Setting: Castle
Wedding season: Summer
The number of guests: 225
How long did the couple plan the event: 5 months
Wedding theme/style: Vintage, romantic, bursting with florals and not too buttoned-up.
Michael and Abby met on one of the first nights of college at Boston College in the fall of 2013. They were “best friends” – the kind that everyone would ask, “Okay…but when are they going to date?” It was inevitable to Abby that they would one day get married – she knew it from one of the first nights she met Michael. They would stay up late, talk for hours at the library, and have to set timers at parties to stay away from each other and meet new friends. They started dating two years later, after a literal round of applause as their first kiss happened at a dive bar in Boston. They endured two years of long distance as Abby pursued her nursing degree in Atlanta, and Michael eventually followed her South. Since then, they have grown their family by one (a dog named Georgia) and moved to the Colorado mountains, where they currently live.
Michael proposed on a lazy Saturday morning, and Abby was not expecting it. While watering her house plants, she turned around to find Michael on one knee with the most beautiful ring she had ever seen in his hand. It was absolutely perfect. Her family and closest friends surprised her at a beautiful brunch that morning, where they drank sparkling rosé until they were kicked out of their reservation and moved the party elsewhere.
Michael and Abby wanted to share the Colorado mountains with those they loved most dearly – and they happen to love a LOT of people dearly. Their wish was to make the day feel close and intimate (despite the numbers) and honor the location’s breathtaking beauty.
In terms of unique touches, the engagement ring held a special place. Designed through a lab-grown diamond company, Or & Elle, where her best friend worked, it exuded a vintage charm that perfectly matched Abby’s style. It became a tangible reminder of her husband and best friend, an exceptional gift.
Abby’s morning was enveloped in a wonderful atmosphere of friendship and love. Her friends and family prepared alongside her, and, in addition to the traditional pre-wedding conversations, the morning was filled with music and dancing. For each of the bride’s friends, a small gift was prepared – a personalized tambourine.
Amy Merritt went beyond mere makeup artistry for Abby; she became a calming presence on the wedding day and practically felt like part of the wedding party by the end of it. She transformed Abby’s thin hair into luscious Hollywood curls worthy of a museum exhibit.
Abby, accompanied by her mom and aunt, found her wedding dress during a shopping trip in Minnesota on the very first day. They sought a dress that would suit the wedding’s nature – vintage, romantic, and casually elegant. Abby couldn’t speak highly enough of The White Room in Minneapolis, where she received personalized attention, and the unique collections made her believe they were vintage.
The bride’s wedding look turned out to be very delicate and truly vintage. She looked beautiful, and her bouquet, as if freshly gathered from a summer garden, perfectly complemented her appearance, making it even more refined.
The first look between Abby and her father was an incredibly touching moment. There was so much admiration in her father’s gaze; for him, Abby was like a true princess from childhood fairy tales. This moment strengthened their love and made it even deeper.
The bridesmaids had not seen Abby in her wedding dress either, so they also had a first-look moment. They stood with closed eyes, eagerly awaiting Abby’s appearance. The moment they first saw her in her bridal attire was incredibly emotional. They couldn’t hold back tears of joy, for their friend looked stunning.
Abby’s best friend meticulously crafted the bridesmaids looks over what felt like a lifetime. They aimed for dresses that would harmonize with the mountain and field setting, echoing a floral, vintage vibe. Ensuring everyone’s comfort was essential, including Abby’s sister-in-law, who was eight months pregnant at the time. The outcome was perfection, a harmonious blend of pinks, florals, and muted greens.
On the groom’s side, the preparations and getting ready for the wedding were just as joyful and lively.
Friends gathered together to spend time in conversation and laughter. They took photos and savored the moment.
The groom also needed some grooming, and it was wonderful that Michael was able to thoroughly prepare for his wedding.
And then came the long-awaited moment when Michael and Abby first met. Their first look was such a beautiful and heartwarming moment. Michael couldn’t hold back tears; his beloved was stunning and enchanting.
The photography team, Dos Mas en la Mesa, and videographer, Laurel, also deserve special mention. Their storytelling approach beautifully captured the day’s nuanced moments, providing Abby and Michael with cherished memories.
Greystone Castle is the dream wedding venue. Nestled atop Flagstaff Mountain, it offered a remote feel despite being just 15 minutes from the city. It boasts breathtaking views of the Colorado mountains, a perfect tribute to the Colorado landscape and their home.
A tent was set up for the guests, protecting them from inclement weather while still preserving the panoramic view of the magnificent natural surroundings. Live music is played to create a festive and romantic atmosphere, enhancing the sense of celebration.
The moment arrived when the guests saw the beautiful bride. Abby walked down the aisle, arm in arm with her father, and at this touching moment, the bridesmaids couldn’t hold back their tears. During the vows, the guests were so moved that their emotions overflowed. It was a magnificent ceremony, full of tenderness and love.
A delightful surprise awaited the guests at the conclusion of the ceremony. After the couple’s kiss, a horn trio led the recessional with the song “In the Mood.” The bridesmaids, discarding their bouquets, joined in by playing tambourines, which were custom-made by Janet, the mother of the bride.
After the Tone, discovered through TikTok, played a unique role. Each guest left small voicemail snippets for the couple to listen to after the wedding. These recordings were then sent to them in record form, creating a sweet memento to be enjoyed on all their anniversaries.
Making their guests feel appreciated was of utmost importance. They achieved this through personal vows, shared for the first time during the ceremony, and handwritten letters to each guest, each letter featuring calligraphy by Abby’s best friend, Abby. Perfect Petal beautifully captured the “wildflower” essence by incorporating a variety of garden roses, cosmos, ranunculus, feverfew, and poppies. The main tent featured a full ceiling adorned with smilax vines entwining around the poles, complemented by assorted rattan lanterns and Italian bistro lights. Additionally, they crafted an exquisite 20-foot-long head table installation and designed “flower clouds” for the dance floor. The latter was a custom creation by Abby, Kate, and PRS, and executed by Little Mad Events.
Their wedding planner, Kate Kuepers, had been a phenomenal curator of their ever-changing wedding plans. The inspiration remained consistent – a theme of floral, mountain, vintage, and romance. Abby was enamored with the “vintage wildflower” theme, leading to using assorted vintage china plates for the tabletop, while the dominant color was green. Custom green cut glassware from Oak and Twine, combined with vintage crystal coupe and wine glasses, enhanced the table settings. Rattan and natural wood elements were incorporated into the tables, chairs, and chargers to infuse a garden-like atmosphere.
The dessert table was a standout, curated by Alyce in Flourland. It featured three tables with multiple tiers of desserts, including mini pies, cookie sandwiches, cupcakes, a stunning three-tiered cake adorned with pressed flowers, and macaroons. As the bride says, “The desserts were not just beautiful—but the taste was also DIVINE.”
With all the guests assembled at the wedding reception, a hush fell over the crowd as Abby and Michael made their grand entrance. Their presence was met with resounding applause, and as they stepped onto the dance floor, the room filled with anticipation, setting the stage for their enchanting first dance.
Then came the solemn part, as loved ones and family members stepped forward to deliver their heartfelt speeches. Afterward, the couple shared a tender moment as they cut into their splendid wedding cake. The dinner unfolded with a myriad of charming and emotionally resonant instances.
Catering for the event was managed by the venue, featuring a farm-to-table family-style service that delighted with delectable options, including steak and salmon. Custom cocktails were crafted for the bride and groom, while specialty wines were expertly selected by Abby’s sister-in-law, who conveniently is a sommelier.
The cake from Alyce in Flourland was perfection in every way. It seamlessly matched and embodied the wedding’s concept while being incredibly delicious. The live flower decorations adorning it were simply stunning. It was the most thrilling moment, as the wedding cake is not just an addition to the celebration; it’s a beautiful tradition symbolizing the life that awaits the young couple. And, of course, the cake from Alyce in Flourland was absolutely ideal for this moment.
Nonetheless, the most heartwarming moment of the evening was the dance between Abby and her father, as well as Michael and his mother. These dances were brimming with tenderness and an abundance of love.
The after-party, a labor of love orchestrated by Abby’s older brothers, Tony and Joey, transformed Greystone’s barn into a nightclub-like party. The musical journey spanned from ’70s disco to EDM, complete with lights, props, disco balls, and even Dilly Bars. The atmosphere was a dream, with suit coats abandoned and the limbo in full swing.
Advice from the couple:
• Take 15 minutes after the ceremony to sit with each other and process what just happened! We enjoyed our specialty cocktails, passed appetizers to ourselves, and enjoyed having a few memorable moments without the rest of the guests around. We will never forget this—practicing our first dance and geeking out over our new “husband” and “wife” titles.
• Write your vows! Even if you don’t share them with your guests, do it. These were the most extraordinary, tangible pieces of our commitment to each other. I will treasure these forever!
CAKE & DESSERTS Alyce in Flourland | PLANNING Kate Kuepers, Bloom Designs | VENUE Greystone Castle | PHOTOGRAPHY Dos Mas en la Mesa | VIDEOGRAPHY Laurel Productions | FLORIST The Perfect Petal | HMU Amy Merritt | RENTALS Coparty Rentals Oak and Twine Rentals | TENT Sperry Tents | EVENT DECOR Little Mad Events | ENTERTAINMENT Moments Notice | ENGAGEMENT RING Or&Elle | PAPER GOODS Paper Rock Scissor
