A Classic, Lively Wedding in Boulder, Colorado

Jamie (a marketing manager for Amazon) was at a friend's birthday party in New York City's Central Park in the spring of 2013 when she noticed Jon, who was wearing a CU Boulder hat for his alma mater. "My parents live in Boulder," she said, introducing herself. After becoming Facebook friends and messaging back and forth, the two met for their first date at Pig & Khao in the Lower East Side. Three years later, Jon (a television literary and talent agent) proposed in the couple's apartment.

The couple quickly began planning their destination wedding for one year later. Jamie and Jon decided Boulder would an ideal location for their big day, since it was the very city that sparked their first interaction. On September 3, 2017, Jamie and Jon were joined by 175 friends and family at Milston Well Farm, as they read personalized vows under a flower-covered chuppah. "We wanted it to feel classic and modern, but also embrace the Colorado mountain setting," Jamie says. Between a surprise brass band, a classic white, black, and green color scheme, and an elegant clear tent, the couple's wedding was a fun and picturesque celebration of their love.

Watch Jamie and Jon's wedding film by Films About Love.

You're Invited

The bride and Jolene of Laurel and Rose worked together to design the black, postcard-inspired save-the-dates, with "you in?" in white script on the front. Ashling, the founder of Lotus & Ash, created the invitations and other paper goods for the wedding. "Ashling really understood our vision of combining a fun, modern look with the gold font, while embracing the location by using a craft envelope," Jamie says.

The stationery suite featured simple, yet chic fonts. The events of the weekend were outlined on the back of a black-and-white image of mountains, overlaid with "ready set party" in gold. As a finishing touch, the envelopes were sealed with white custom "J&J" wax seals, for the couples' first initials.

The Welcome Bags

With the majority of guests traveling from out of town—Jamie guesses 99 percent—it was important to the couple that everyone was welcomed with a great array of goodies. Custom totes printed with "Welcome to the Mountains" were filled with things Jamie and Jon like, and also local items, including brews from Finkel & Garf, the brewery Jamie's family owns. "There is no better way to welcome your guests than with a beer," she says. Each bag even had a little piece of the Big Apple, with Milk Bar cookies tucked inside.

Between sunscreen, bottled water, beer, and a hangover kit, the bride and groom equipped their friends and family with all of the necessities for a summer wedding in Colorado.

The Location

The east coast couple headed west for their big day, choosing Boulder as the location because their mutual connection to the city is what initially brought them together. "We also thought our guests would have a great time exploring and make a trip out of it," the bride says.

Though Jamie had always imagined having an outdoor wedding, she and Jon struggled with nailing down a venue. "Everything was either rustic, too small, or just didn't feel like us," Jamie says. With help from Laurel and Rose and Jamie's parents (who are locals) the couple selected Milston Well Farm as the picturesque setting for their classic, yet modern Colorado wedding. "The farm had never hosted a wedding before, which made it exciting and challenging," Jamie says. "It was a beautiful blank canvas, and we were really able to bring our vision to life."

Special Notes

Before their first look, Jamie and Jon read notes they'd written to one another. "At that moment, it all became so real and I couldn't help but become teary-eyed thinking about seeing him for the first time in my dress," the bride says.

Suave and Sophisticated

Jon wore a Hugo Boss tuxedo, his grandfather's cuff links, and Gucci shoes. "He looked so handsome," Jamie says. She picked out her J. Mendel wedding dress in Denver's Little White Dress Bridal Shop, where she also bought her veil. "I loved the dress the moment I tried it on, and when my mom, my sister, and I started crying, we knew it was the one," the bride says. After the first round of alterations though, Jamie began to second-guess the gown's deep V in the front. "I cannot thank Basha at Luxtailor in New York City enough, who literally worked miracles and redesigned the dress for me," Jamie says. "I absolutely loved how it came out, and now I can confidently say it's a one of a kind dress!"

Elegant Updo

The bride was initially torn about how she wanted to wear her hair, but then decided on a low bun, styled by The Side Door Salon. "It felt timeless and I knew I would want my hair out of my face," Jamie says.

Sentimental Accessories

Jamie wore Tiffany & Co. earrings, which were her something borrowed (from her mother) and her something blue (since they're made from diamonds and aquamarine stones). At her bridal shower, Jamie's friends gave her a custom clutch with her new initials to use on her wedding day.

For pictures, the bride wore Aquazurra shoes with a floral pattern and pointed toe. Before the ceremony and dancing, she changed into Valentino 'Rockstud' sandals.

Pretty Peonies

Jamie had her heart set on an all-white peony bouquet despite the fact that the flower would be out of season for her September wedding. Lara from Fiori Flowers came to the rescue, though. "She pulled these out of a hat and surprised me the week of our wedding," Jamie says. "I wanted to keep the arrangement simple and clean to match the look of my dress." Jamie's bouquet was completed with a final personal touch—her grandmother's handkerchief wrapped around it for her "something old."

A Ladies Photoshoot

Though Jamie opted out of having formal bridesmaids, she selected a few close friends to get ready with her and take photos before the ceremony. The bride has never been a fan of how bridesmaid dresses look, so instead she asked each of the ladies to choose any dress they wanted in a solid color. "I loved how the photos came out and think they all really worked well together," Jamie says.

The Ketubah

Prior to the ceremony, Jamie and Jon signed a ketubah, made by Ink with Intent. This was one of the most memorable moments of the day for Jon. "The whole day was hectic and crazy, but when we went to sign the kebutah everything slowed down, and we were able to enjoy a moment to receive blessings from our families and enjoy a moment of calm together before walking down the aisle," he says.

Family members and two close friends joined the couple for the signing in a little house on Milston Well Farm's property. "We signed the ketubah with my Grandfather's pen, as he had just passed a few weeks earlier," Jamie says. "It was a really special and intimate moment with our families."

The Ceremony

Jamie and Jon were married under a chuppah covered in white flowers and greenery at Milston Well Farm. "We wanted the chuppah to stand out, but not be too over the top," Jamie says. The bridal party, consisting of the couple's families, walked down the aisle to "Canon in D". Jamie's parents escorted her to the sound of "Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, a song always makes her cry.

Time for "I Do"

The couple wrote their own vows, and Jamie is glad they did. "It really let our guests get an inside eye into our relationship and I can say that there was not a dry eye in the house," she says. "Guests were coming up to us at the cocktail hour telling us how much they loved the ceremony because it felt so intimate and special."

It's Official

Since their ceremony was in the sun, the couple provided plenty of water, fans, and umbrellas to ensure their guests were comfortable. Family and friends applauded as Jamie and Jon walked down the aisle together after saying "I do."

The Kids

The couple's nephew and niece loved being part of Aunt Jamie and Uncle Jon's special day. "They took their job very seriously, practicing walking for weeks before the day," Jamie says. Three-year-old Romy enjoyed getting ready with all of the girls and having her hair done. "We also stuffed their pockets with Skittles and they were excited and very well-behaved!"

Family Love

Jamie posed with her mother and her sister (who was also her maid of honor). Diane, on Jamie's left, wore a festive black and white Jonathan Simkhai dress. "My parents have been married for over 35 years, and I have always admired their happy and successful marriage," the bride says. "My mom has always told me that compromise is key in a successful marriage, and on my wedding day, she said 'Be happy today and always.'"

Jamie's seventeen-year-old sister, on her right, wore a classic red Mason by Michelle Mason. "She was the best maid of honor," Jamie says. "Her speech blew everyone away, because I don't think they expected her to be eloquent."

The Cocktail Hour

Cocktail hour was held beneath a tree-lined area on the property of Milston Well Farm. Guests snacked on passed appetizers, shrimp cocktail, sliders with sweet potato fries, and charcuterie and cheeses in lounge areas furnished by Yonder Floral & Decor House. "We had some fun here adding in some bohemian vibes, as well as some black and white elements," Jamie says.

Custom Cocktails

Signature drinks were served at cocktail hour—a Manhattan for Jon, and Moscow Mule for Jamie.

Get Lit

Jon collects matchboxes, so he and Jamie wanted special ones for their wedding. "These speak for themselves and were a hit," the bride says.

Follow the Band

Inspired by a New Orleans second line, Jamie and Jon wanted to surprise their guests with something fun and unique. So, local brass band Gora Gora Orkestar played music at the end of cocktail hour, and then led guests into a large clear tent for the reception. "Our guests were so surprised and this really set the tone for the rest of the night," Jamie says.

The Escort Cards

The couple wanted their escort cards to be a unique element, and Jolene from Laurel and Rose surprised them with this display that incorporated the kraft paper and custom wax seals from the invitations. Mini envelopes had guests' names and table numbers. The custom black wall held brass shelving adorned with greenery and mini flower arrangements, and ended up serving as a photo backdrop.

The Reception

Jamie and Jon were joined by guests in a large, clear tent for dinner and dancing. Laurel and Rose found these glass orbs to hang and dress up with greenery, drawing the eye up. Drapery above and carpeting on the floor softened the space.

The Place Settings

"When I saw the black and white tablecloth from La Tavola, I knew we had to use it and it really was the anchor for everything else," Jamie says. The couple mixed things up with different table shapes and textures, using black velvet, wooden chargers, gold silverware, votive candles, and linen-tied napkins.

Crudite, beet hummus, and flatbreads added color to the table and were served before dinner—a butter lettuce salad with radishes and pine nuts followed by a roulade of chicken with green beans. Jamie and Jon set the tone during the meal with an old-school rap playlist they created together.

The First Dance

Jamie's most memorable moment of the day was her and Jon's first dance, to Frankie Valli's "Cant Take My Eyes Off You." "We had the entire room singing and it felt like we were the only two people in the room just dancing our hearts out," the bride recalls. "We wanted a classic song, but we loved that this was upbeat and got people dancing!"

A Sweet Ending

In lieu of a large wedding cake, Jamie and Jon had an ice cream bar, passed around sweet treats, and handed out boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts to guests as they boarded the bus headed toward a local dive bar, where the celebrating continued.

Sources

Photography, Rachel Havel

Location, Milston Well Farm

Event planning, Laurel and Rose

Catering & cake, Catering by Design

Flowers, Fiori Flowers

Videography, Films About Love

Officiant, Rabbi Jamie Korngold of Adventure Judaism

Stationery & calligraphy, Lotus & Ash

Music, Cloud 9 Strings (ceremony); Gora Gora Orkestar (brass band); TH Entertainment (DJ)

Rentals, Event Rents; Colorado Party Rentals; Yonder Floral & Decor House; La Tavola Fine Linen

Bride's gown, J. Mendel from Little White Dress Bridal Shop

Bride's accessories, Little White Dress Bridal Shop (veil); Tiffany & Co. (earrings); Aquazzura (shoes for photos); Valentino (shoes for ceremony and dancing)

Hair, The Side Door Salon

Makeup, Alchemy Face Bar

Groom's suit, Hugo Boss

Groom's shoes, Gucci

Lighting, Pink Monkey Solutions

Transportation, Presidential Worldwide Transportation

Alterations, Luxtailor

Doughnuts, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Kebutah, Ink with Intent

Mother's dress, Jonathan Simkhai

Restaurants, Joe's Pizza; Pig & Khao

Sister's dress, Michelle Mason

Welcome bags, Finkel & Garf Brewing Co. (beer); Milk Bar (cookies)