Stacey and Eric’s Beaver Creek Mountain Wedding

October 08, 2014
Laura Murray Photography

This East Coast couple ventured 7,400 feet above sea level for a Colorado wedding, complete with plenty of rustic charm.

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The Couple

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Stacey met Eric through a group of mutual friends. After just over a year of dating, the couple got engaged while skiing in Vail, Colorado. Stacey, a Colorado native, returned to her childhood vacation spot with her groom-to-be for a wedding weekend 18 months later. On July 5, 2013, the Virginia residents tied the knot on Beaver Creek Mountain, just 13 miles from the proposal site, with 87 of their closest friends and family members. The event was full of thoughtful touches and played up the pair’s love of the region. 

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Save the Date

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Stationer Kayln Denno of Lilah Paper designed the lift-ticket-inspired save-the-dates, nodding to Vail’s most popular pastime and the couple’s own mountaintop engagement. 

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You’re Invited

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Digby & Rose created the letterpressed invitations and plaid-lined envelopes. The plaid pattern was used later at the event.

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An American Welcome

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Hand-painted burlap bags held a combination of useful wedding weekend information and snacks—chocolate bars, potato chips, granola bars, and, of course, microbrews—for a day outdoors. To honor their Fourth of July wedding weekend, the pair finished off the gift with an American flag.

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Dressed for a First Look

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Stacey wore an extra-special outfit for the couple’s first look—her mom’s wedding dress. The short vintage Romona Keveza made a second appearance on the dance floor later that evening. 

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Picture-Worthy Pup

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Frank, the couple’s beloved pug, accompanied Stacey and Eric.

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The Fashions

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Stacey walked down the aisle in a Hayley Paige gown paired with a veil and headpiece from Denver bridal shop Anna Bé. Eric wore a blue three-piece suit from Suitsupply. For an added touch, he had their wedding date embroidered inside his suit jacket. 

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The Bouquet

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The bridal bouquet was a loose arrangement of roses, seeded eucalyptus, thistle, and berries, made by Rose Braden of Rose Petals.

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Lovely Ladies

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The couple opted to forgo a full wedding party; however, they selected their oldest siblings as the maid of honor and best man. “We had our closest friends be a part of getting ready, which worked out great,” says Stacey. The bride’s sister wore a David Meister dress. 

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Stand-Up Guys

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“We have so many great friends, so it was hard to choose and we didn’t want to end up with half of our wedding guests up at the altar,” says Stacey. Eric’s oldest brother wore a blue three-piece suit and bow tie from Suitsupply. 

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Made With Love

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The ring pillow boasted Frank’s likeness, thanks to Stacey’s mom’s needlework skills.

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Natural Love

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The couple’s ceremony was held at The Chapel at Beaver Creek, overlooking the lush Rocky Mountain balsam tree grove. Lit by natural sunlight and hanging antler chandeliers, the interfaith chapel provided an intimate and rustic ambience. Stacey and Eric opted for nontraditional readings, including Taylor Mali’s “How Falling in Love Is Like Owning a Dog.” 

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Wave of Congratulations

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Guests waved wands that Stacey crafted from paint sticks and colored ribbon to create a festive and mess-free ceremony exit.

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Say Cheese

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Because most guests traveled many miles to attend the Colorado festivities, the couple wanted to give a thank-you to every guest individually. On the steps of the chapel, the newlyweds posed with celebrants in one group shot. To ensure everyone got a copy, the couple sent the snapshot as a thank-you card.

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Mountain Mix and Mingle

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Immediately following the afternoon ceremony, guests traveled by bus down mountain to Beano’s Cabin, a restaurant tucked in the White River National Forest, for cocktail hour.

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Signature Drinks

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The couple chose to serve guests an Orient Express, a signature cocktail named after a chairlift in Vail, on tall plaid-covered tables outside the venue. Bartenders mixed Maker’s Mark, Cointreau, honey, lemon juice, and ginger beer to create this nostalgic sipper. 

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Double Duty

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Guests found the RSVP envelopes they returned to the bride and groom pinned to the woodpile in front of the cabin with their names and table numbers penned on them. Red-and-green plaid backed the revamped envelopes and made for a more durable finish.

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The Reception

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Rather than trying to transform the charismatic Beano’s Cabin into a country club ballroom, Stacey and Eric embraced the classic mountain décor. Plaid table runners meshed well with the cabin’s chairs and carpeting.

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Reception Décor

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Flowers, foliage, and lanterns were grouped together on the long rectangular tables.

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The Place Settings

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Laser-cut antlers topped paper place cards waiting at every seat alongside the evening’s menu and hand-stamped monogrammed napkins. 

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Outdoor Lounge

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Hay bales and Pottery Barn pillows made a relaxing outdoor space for guests to enjoy throughout the evening. A cowhide rug and Aztec throws made the space comfortable after the sun set behind the mountains.

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The Menu

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Summer gazpacho, served in mini copper pots, kicked off dinner. Following a seasonal salad, guests were served a choice of made-to-order seasonal entrées, including Colorado leg of lamb, roasted beef tenderloin, and mustard-crusted ruby red trout.

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Time for Treats

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The ruffled, two-tier buttercream confection sat atop a sliced tree trunk and was decorated with the couple’s signature antler monogram, designed by the bride. Stacey and Eric opted to serve an array of treats on a dessert bar for guests and reserve the couple’s cake for the newlyweds.

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Rock Me, Mama

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Stacey and Eric danced to a slowed-down version of “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show and then surprised guests by picking up the tempo and inviting everyone to join them on the dance floor. 

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Midnight Snack

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The couple created “Frank’s Pizzeria” boxes for the celebration’s late-night pizza service. The portable snack was perfect for guests traveling back to their hotels in Vail.

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Sources

Laura Murray Photography

Location: The Chapel at Beaver Creek

Event Planning: JoAnn Moore of Mountains and Meadows LLC

Catering: Beano’s Cabin

Flowers: Rose Petals

Photography: Laura Murray Photography

Stationery: Lilah Paper and Digby & Rose

Calligraphy: Sarah Bohl

Cake: Mountain Flour

Music: Brothers Keeper

Tent: Alpine Party Rentals

Videography: Daniel Routh of Velare Imaginarium

Lighting: Pink Monkey Solutions

Hair: Charlie Price

Makeup: Gina Comminello of The Look Salon

Transportation: All Mountain

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