Nestled in the breathtaking landscapes of Marble, Colorado, Jake and Addie’s wedding at Darien Ranch was a celebration that felt effortlessly natural and deeply personal. With Whitehouse Mountain and the rugged peaks of the Raggeds serving as a stunning backdrop, their outdoor ceremony embraced the raw beauty of the surroundings, creating an atmosphere that felt intimate and expansive at the same time. The couple’s vision of a laid-back gathering came to life with colorful summer blooms, a relaxed dress code, and a reception filled with vibrant details like a food truck, a jam band, and yard games. The result was a day that felt like an elevated backyard gathering, blending simple elegance with the warmth of community, perfectly captured on Kara Moore’s photographs.
Location: Marble, Colorado, USA
Style: Laid back, DIY, simple, intentional
Time of planning: 6 months
Number of guests: 100
Setting: Ranch
Season: Summer
Jake and Addie’s story began on the way home from the X-Games in Aspen, where a lively debate over snowboarding legends Marcus Kleveland and Sage Kotsenburg sparked an instant connection. After college, their shared love of adventure took them from seasonal jobs to living on a sailboat in the Caribbean. It was during this time that Jake secretly designed Addie’s engagement ring, proposing months later on a rain-soaked, art-covered street in Valparaíso, Chile. With their hearts set on bringing their loved ones together after years of travel, the couple chose to celebrate their wedding surrounded by the familiar beauty of Marble, Colorado—a place that felt like home.
Bridal Morning
Addie’s morning began with calm excitement at her parents’ home, surrounded by her bridesmaids. Each of them wore colorful, summery dresses of their own choosing, perfectly matching the vibrant and laid-back feel Addie envisioned. As they prepared together, her mother helped her finalize the details of her bouquet, which featured long stems and naturally arranged seasonal blooms. The morning was filled with laughter, heartfelt moments, and a warm energy that set the tone for the joyful celebration ahead.
For her wedding look, Addie chose a silk dress from For Love and Lemons. Its antique-inspired design, warm undertones, and open-back detail captured her style perfectly. Gold Sam Edelman heels added a subtle shine, complementing her rose gold engagement ring and mixed-metal wedding band. Addie’s accessories carried special meaning—she wore her mother’s vintage turquoise and copper flower earrings, which also served as her “something old, borrowed, and blue.” She styled her hair half-up with colorful dried flowers and kept her makeup natural, allowing her effortless beauty to shine.
Groom's Fashion
Jake embraced a relaxed yet refined style for the summer wedding, wearing a light beige suit by Jack Victor paired with Stacy Adams shoes. The open-collar shirt added to the laid-back vibe, keeping him comfortable in the warm weather. Having recently completed his first ultra trail marathon, Jake required last-minute alterations to his suit, a detail that added a personal touch to his look. Though the boutonnieres he and the bridesmaids had carefully made were accidentally forgotten, the simplicity of his attire perfectly matched the day’s easygoing spirit.
Ceremony
Addie arrived at the ceremony in a special way, riding in her parents’ 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon with her bridesmaids by her side. Her mother, who drove them to the venue, shared this cherished moment as they made their way to the venue. A touching reflection of their close family bond was that Addie walked down the aisle flanked by both her parents.
The ceremony took place in a vast, open field at Darien Ranch, framed by the breathtaking backdrop of Whitehouse Mountain and the Raggeds. The couple kept the decor intentionally simple, allowing the natural beauty of the setting to shine. Seasonal blooms, displayed in a rustic and organic style, accented the space with pops of color, while birch stumps adorned with wildflowers marked the aisle. A welcome sign featuring pressed flowers introduced guests to the day’s earthy and intentional vibe.
The ceremony itself was deeply heartfelt and personal. Addie and Jake exchanged vows in front of their loved ones, a moment Addie initially hesitated to do but later treasured as one of her favorite parts of the day. Jake was moved by how confidently Addie delivered her words, even managing to laugh at her jokes despite the high emotion of the moment.
To add an extra layer of fun and sentiment, Addie’s grandmothers served as flower girls, joyfully skipping down the aisle and delighting guests with their enthusiasm: “It was so special to see them having so much fun. They were the highlight of the whole wedding,” laughed Addie. The ceremony balanced emotion and celebration, creating an unforgettable start to their married life.
"What better than Whitehouse Mountain and the rest of the Ragged’s as a background."
Private Moment
After the ceremony, Addie and Jake slipped away for a private moment, surrounded by the breathtaking mountains that had witnessed their vows.
Their photographer, Kara Moore, beautifully captured their connection, turning fleeting moments into timeless memories. These pictures felt like scenes from a sentimental movie about young love—filled with laughter, soft glances, and unspoken emotions. Kara’s work brought a cinematic, heartfelt quality to the images, making them feel alive with the joy and tenderness of the day. Each photo holds the raw, genuine love they share, allowing them to relive this special time forever.
"We are pretty easy going and we wanted the wedding to match that."
Reception
The reception was held under a canopy of tents nestled in the open field, with the towering mountains as a backdrop. String lights created a soft glow as the sun dipped behind the peaks, adding a cozy atmosphere to the expansive natural setting. Guests gathered around simple and charming tables decorated with delicate floral arrangements that echoed the organic, seasonal theme of the day. The reception space struck the perfect balance between casual and elegant, making everyone feel at home amidst the breathtaking scenery.
Guests treated to a food truck serving classic but elevated options like elk sliders and oyster mushroom tacos. Instead of a traditional cake, Addie and Jake opted for a dessert charcuterie board piled high with lemon bars and other fruity treats, embodying the laid-back vibe of the day. Guests mingled, played yard games like cornhole, and toasted to the couple with heartfelt speeches that brought laughter and tears.
As the evening unfolded, Addie and Jake took to the dance floor for their first dance, surrounded by the soft music of their friends’ jam band playing in the background. Following their dance, Jake popped a bottle of champagne, the cork flying high into the summer evening sky, much to the delight of their guests. This lively and celebratory gesture set the tone for the night as everyone joined the dance floor, continuing the festivities under the stars.
"We just wanted it to feel authentically like summer."
Advice from the couple:
• One of the best parts about the wedding was that it was remote, so no one had any cell service. This really forced everyone to be off their phones and in the moment. Not only did we get to really enjoy everyone’s company, but all our favorite people were forced to get to know each other. Everyone left best friends.
PHOTOGRAPHER Kara Moore Photo | VENUE Darien Ranch | FOOD The Rolling Fork | RENTALS Aspen Events | FLORALS Dew Lily Farm | BAND Tommy the Animal
