Kate + Todd // Keystone, Colorado

Riding the Gondola was just the first part of the mountain wedding experience that Kate and Todd treated their guests with. This bridal bouquet was made of roses, calla lilies, hypericum berry, and was wrapped in brown linen.

[ Kate + Todd's slideshow ]
photos courtesy of INphotography
[ INphotography ]

Bridal party getting ready to board the gondola!

The mountains of the Ten Mile Range is the backdrop for outdoor ceremonies at Timber Ridge in Keystone, Colorado.

[ keystone weddings ]

happy groom

ceremony arrangement

table centerpiece using candleabras

Tall centerpieces alternated with smaller table centerpieces on every other table, creating depth.

table centerpiece

The party turned very festive with the implementation of feathered boas, and neon glow-in-the-dark eyeglasses, and other party favors.

Thank You Notes Guideline

Etiquette and Thank You Notes

Read our guide to thank you notes for advice on this wedding etiquette essential…

Yes, we all love to receive gifts, and weddings are a perfect occasion for gift-giving, as friends and loved ones customarily honor the commitment of the newly betrothed by showering them with wedding gifts. As the happy couple, just remember to always feel privileged - not entitled. Approach thank-yous with as much thought and organization as the rest of your wedding planning.

Etiquette and Thank You Notes

Here are some tips to make sending your thank yous a breeze:

>Send thank you notes to acknowledge everything from place settings to gifts of time or talent. Remember - a separate, handwritten note must be sent for each wedding present or act of kindness.

>Start sending wedding thank yous as soon as gifts arrive, even if it is before your wedding (but make sure to use your maiden name).

>Gifts that you receive on your big day should be followed up with a thank you note no later than one month after you return from your honeymoon (now you can use your new last name).

>To ease the process, keep track of wedding gifts and thank-you cards on the same list of names and addresses used for your invitations.

>Personalize the thank-you cards by ordering them with your monogram or with a picture from your big day on the front.

This complete guide to thank you notes has even more advice and examples of thank you notes.

Vail Mountain Wedding // Vail, Colorado

Callicarpa berries, white orchids, call lilies made up this Vail bride's wedding bouquet. A last minute adjustment was coordinated via Kelly Karli's smart phone and was ok'd just a few hours before the ceremony.

We worked with Kelly Karli of Frosted Pink Weddings, and helped create this Vail wedding. Kelly was very organized, easy to work with, and we look forward to planning many more weddings in the future with Kelly. Please be sure to check her out when planning your wedding, and let her know that you found her on our blog.

[ frosted pink weddings ]

Tall, cylinder vases filled with water, were topped with curly willow, and white hydrangea.

[ vail chapel ]

After the wedding ceremony at Vail's interfaith chapel, we set up the reception at the Terra Bistro, at the Vail Mountain Lodge and Spa.

[ terra bistro ]

vail mountain with aspen trees changing color

Bridesmaid bouquets were filled with green hypericum berries, orchids and calla lilies.

A distinct, modern feeling was displayed even through its art in the Terra Bistro.

Centerpieces waiting to be put out on dark brown linens.

Vail Mountain Lodge and Spa sits right on the eagle river.

[ vail mountain lodge and spa ]

This amazing house sits across the street from the Vail Mountain Lodge and Spa and was filled with lots of flowers near the windows, and we think it's a private residence. Lucky folks to live here!

The Vail Gondola transports hikers and downhill mountain bikers to Rocky Mountain paradise.

[ vail mountain ]

Dina remembering to stop and smell the flowers...

Flowers for a Hunter's Party // Breckenridge, Colorado

We were recently approached by a local woman to create unique floral decor for a party in a private home. This party was for a man who was an avid hunter. She called us after placing her original order, and asked if we could include antlers somehow. We said yes, we could.

The blue river in the background, antlers spread on the table.

Some centerpieces had antlers in the centerpieces, other did not.

Nice contrast was created with black linen and shiny gold plates and gold candle holders.

Sunflowers, Gerbera Daisies, Pincushion Protea, Seeded Eucalyptus, and Bittersweet Berries.

ALL ABOUT BRIDAL SHOWERS - A Guide for Brides

All About Bridal Showers

As the bride, you won’t be planning your own bridal shower, but it helps to have an idea of what to expect (especially if your maid of honor is slow on the draw).

Read on for everything you need to know about bridal showers…

What Is It

Traditionally, a bridal shower is an opportunity for your close female friends and relatives to “shower” you with items you’ll need to make a new home and enter into marriage. In fact, bridal showers are really the only wedding related event explicitly centered on gift giving. Like many events and customs surrounding weddings, the rules for bridal showers have bended a bit. Guest lists often include male attendants, and gifts don’t necessarily have to consist of hand towels and kitchen appliances.

When Is It

Showers typically take place a few weeks or months before the wedding but can really occur any time that’s convenient for the group to gather. If you have a lot of long distance bridesmaids, they may choose to plan the shower and bachelorette party over the same day or weekend.

Who Hosts

Your maid- or matron-of-honor traditionally plans and hosts the bridal shower, enlisting the help and input of the other bridesmaids. It’s typically viewed as impolite and self-serving for your close family members (mom and sis) to host the bridal shower, since it’s a gift giving event. The etiquette around this has relaxed somewhat, however, especially if your maid-of-honor and other bridesmaids live far away and are unable to host.

Who’s Invited

The guest list includes all your bridesmaids, your mom, sister(s), and other family members, as well as your fiancé’s close female relatives. Other friends and even co-workers may attend. As couples showers are becoming more popular, spouses and the groom’s attendants are also joining in the fun. Really, the only rule pertaining to the shower guest list is that everyone invited to the shower must also receive a wedding invitation. (etiquette says: if they’re important enough to attend the shower – and bring a gift - then they’re important enough to attend the main event). Make sure to consult with your shower hostess before she sends the invites to make sure your guest lists match.

Where Is It

The style of the party will usually dictate the location, so feel free to have your maids get creative with the shower venue. Here are some ideas: a tea room, a garden, a park, a backyard, a friend’s house, any restaurant or function space.

What Happens - Bridal Shower Games

Since bridal showers center on gift giving, you’ll usually open your gifts surrounded by your guests. One bridesmaid will keep track of who gave what to help you with thank-yous after the event. Another shower custom is the mock “bouquet,” which the bridesmaids will create out of the package ribbons and bows for you to carry down the aisle at the wedding rehearsal. Planned activities and games are a traditional shower staple, but don’t feel restricted to the typical “pin the tail on the groom” or “toilet paper wedding dress.” You can find a list of bridal shower games here. If you’re looking for something a little bit different, consult our ideas for meaningful bridal showers. Other requisite shower activities include – eating, laughing, and a little female bonding.

Ideas & Trends

Incorporating a theme can make planning a bridal shower easier and more fun, so if you have something in mind, feel free to consult with your maid-of-honor or bridesmaids. Remember, the bridal shower doesn’t necessarily have to be a girly tea party. If you’re not that type of girl, there are tons of options for themes based on your interests, whatever they may be - reading, gardening, outdoor activities, volunteerism, you name it.

Anne + John // Breckenridge, Colorado

This local Breckenridge bride chose to infuse her grandmother's handerchief into her bridal bouquet, which was made of light, soft-colored roses and white stephanotis.

Brilliant blue Delphinium bridesmaid bouquets were wrapped in a dark blue ribbon that matched blue linens..


bridesmaid bouquet

bridal bouquet

Windy mountain weather forced the decision to go with an indoor wedding.

Paragon Lodging was the property management company through which you too, can book this one-of-a-kind private home rental for your wedding or private party.

[ paragon lodging ]

Getting the party tent ready for the jam session, as Railroad Earth and friends put on a private wedding reception show for one of their biggest fans! Anne also has a massage studio in-town, and we can't guarantee an appointment as she is one of the most sought-after massage therapists in town, but here's her link to put you in the right hands, so to speak.

[ railroad earth ]

[ health massage center ]