A Snowy Winter Wedding in the Colorado Mountains

By Kayla Pantano
December 11, 2015
Shannon Von Eschen

This couple tied the knot (literally, with ribbon) while guests kept warm with blankets and hot chocolate.

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Kendall and Grant

Shannon Von Eschen

Grant received the best birthday present ever when he met Kendall through mutual friends at a Mexican restaurant in Boulder, Colorado, while celebrating his 22nd. They soon shared their first date at Flagstaff Mountain, a foothill of the Southern Rocky Mountains. Continuing with the theme of Mexican cuisine, they enjoyed burritos at the same spot two years later, and Grant popped the question.

About five months after that, on January 23, 2015, the duo tied the knot in front of 130 of their dearest friends and family at Della Terra Mountain Chateau in Estes Park, Colorado. The color palette was natural and elegant with hues of white inspired by the snow and green by evergreen trees. A peaceful mountainside day, it was a winter wonderland to remember.

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The Stationery

Shannon Von Eschen

Matching the natural, wintry palette, Lana's Shop designed the simple white and green stationery suite, which included a watercolored ombré envelope liner. Illustrations of eucalyptus leaves brought it all together.

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The Location

Shannon Von Eschen

The twosome ultimately chose the Colorado mountain town of Estes Park for their wedding. Once they saw Della Terra Mountain Chateau, Grant said he wouldn't marry Kendall anywhere else. The native mountain goats were an added bonus.

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The Dress

Shannon Von Eschen

Kendall wore a strapless Reem Acra ball gown and a veil—both from the Little White Dress Bridal Shop in Denver.

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The Rings

Shannon Von Eschen

Custom made from The Ringmaker, Kendall's emerald cut engagement ring matches her diamond-encrusted wedding band from Etsy perfectly.

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The Bouquet

Shannon Von Eschen
See More Gorgeous Winter Bouquets

Bare Root Flora created the bride's bouquet using anemone, ranunculus, lotus pods, dried artichokes, garden and spray roses, dusty miller, privet berry, and several types of eucalyptus wrapped with blue ribbon.

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A Moment with Mom

Shannon Von Eschen

Photographer Shannon Von Eschen, Grant's sister-in-law, captured Kendall and her mother having a sweet moment before heading to the church.

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The Bridesmaids

Shannon Von Eschen

Kendall's maid-of-honor (her sister Jordan), and the bridesmaids, Hannah and Alaina, wore sea-glass colored BHLDN dresses, and fur stoles made by Kendall's mom.

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The Boutonnieres

Shannon Von Eschen

The guys' boutonnieres consisted of brunia, seeded eucalyptus, thistle, dusty miller, spray roses, privet berries, and dry pods.

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The Ring Bearer

Shannon Von Eschen

Grant's nephew carried the rings on a pillow that Grant's mom made out of her wedding dress while rocking his fauxhawk hairstyle.

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The Program

Shannon Von Eschen

Kendall's dad made the frame for the glass program sign calligraphed by Tayrn Eukland Calligraphy.

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The Hand Warmers

Shannon Von Eschen

Jessica Hearing of A Vintage Affair Events and Rentals made the lavender-filled cotton hand warmers to keep guests cozy during the outdoor ceremony. Blankets were also on offer thanks to the sewing skills of the bride's mother.

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The Hot Chocolate Bar

Shannon Von Eschen

Complete with hand-dipped chocolate stirring spoons, marshmallows, Hershey kisses, and peppermints, a hot chocolate bar also welcomed guests upon arrival.

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The Processional

Shannon Von Eschen

Kendall's father escorted her down the aisle as a string quartet played "The Swan" from the musical suite The Carnival of the Animals by composer Camille Saint-Saëns.

The grandfather of Grant's sister-in-law, Roger Krause, officiated the early afternoon ceremony, which took place at The Devotion Place at Della Terra Mountain Chateau.

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Tying the Knot

Shannon Von Eschen

After exchanging handwritten vows and wedding rings, Kendall and Grant opted for a knot tying ritual, an old Irish tradition in which the couple ties a fisherman's knot with ribbon, symbolizing a bond that will not break, becoming ever stronger under pressure. "Honestly we saw it in a scene from Game of Thrones and thought, 'How cool would that be?'" Kendall notes.

After pulling the ribbon the Pastor read, "As you hold one another in mutual concern and shared respect, may you continue holding each other tightly in your hearts, and form a strong bond, now and forever. Let this knot indicate the strength of your love and be a symbol of your unity this day forward."

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The Ceremony Toss

Shannon Von Eschen

Wedding guests showered the newlyweds in eucalyptus leaves as the couple recessed down the aisle.

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The Cocktail Hour

Shannon Von Eschen

During cocktail hour guests enjoyed elk sausage and other local fare as the string quartet played. A sweet phrase the bride always said about her fiancée was embossed into the paper goods. Made-to-match napkins and hand-painted drink stirrers helped guests find their seats in the reception hall.

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The Guest Book

Shannon Von Eschen

With the couple's engagement photos inside and questions with complimentary notecards and envelopes for guests to answer about and for the couple, their guestbook was a unique spin on tradition.

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The Reception

Shannon Von Eschen

The reception continued inside in The Celebration Place at Della Terra Mountain Chateau, which boasts lofty ceilings and large arched windows.

Guests dined on a choice of herb and goat cheese stuffed chicken, Caribbean roasted pork tenderloin, or butternut squash ravioli, with sautéed green beans and roasted garlic twice-baked potatoes.

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The Place Settings

Shannon Von Eschen

Deckle edged, watercolored calligraphed tags were affixed to stir sticks and placed in the water glasses at each place setting, where a napkin tied with light blue ribbon sat upon the ornate plate. Garlands of greenery ran down the tables.

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The First Dance

Shannon Von Eschen

Kendall and Grant had their first dance to the song "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran.

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The Cake

Shannon Von Eschen

A three-tier naked, violet-lavender cake designed by Colorado Rose Cake Company was simply adorned with a few fresh flowers.

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Sources

Shannon Von Eschen

Photography: Shannon Von Eschen Photography

Location: Della Terra Mountain Chateau

Event Planning: Jessica Hearing of A Vintage Affair Events and Rentals

Catering: Jubilations Catering

Flowers: Bare Root Flora

Stationery: Lana's Shop

Calligraphy: Taryn Eklund Ink

Cake: Colorado Rose Cake Company

Music: Wyatt Brice of DJ Man Entertainment

Rentals: La Tavola Fine Linen

Hair and Makeup: Bella Capelli Hair Studio

Transportation: Estes Park Shuttle

Guestbook: Artifact Uprising

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