A Bohemian Wedding in Telluride, Colorado

By Jennifer Miranda
September 07, 2017
Tec Petaja

Worldly textiles added a personal touch for this adventurous duo.

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Hannah and J. D.

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Many people would think themselves lucky to have experienced one earth-shattering kiss over the course of a lifetime. Hannah and J. D. Gluckstern have shared at least three. The first came in the summer of 2005, after their freshman year of college in New York City. Hannah's second cousin invited her to see a reggae band; J. D. was the keyboardist and percussionist. The two flirted for weeks that summer, eventually pairing up at a post-gig house party. "It was one of those kisses where you just know," says J. D. That launched a summer romance, but there was one problem: Hannah was still involved with an on-again, off-again longtime boyfriend. "I was young and really struggled with moving on," she says.

So they reverted to friendship, much to J. D.'s chagrin. Not long afterward, he took a semester off from school to volunteer in India. In a surprise twist, Hannah decided to join him. "I loved the idea of doing some sort of adventure," she says. For the first two weeks, they tried to keep things friendly, but "obviously, I wanted more, and it was just hard," J. D. recalls. Then came one magical night in Jaipur—and with it, life-altering kiss number two. "We call it the kiss of Jaipur," says Hannah. "I started to cry." By the time they returned home, the two were inseparable.

"Our family was always asking, 'Don't you guys get sick of each other?'" says Hannah. In a word, no. Over the years the couple—he's a musician and DJ; she's a freelance fashion stylist —lived briefly in Australia (where they knew no one but each other) and frequently traveled to Telluride, Colorado, where his parents have a home, before settling down in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and opening Concrete + Water, a cutting-edge clothing boutique.

But it wasn't until nearly 10 years after the kiss of Jaipur, in Telluride, that a third mind-blowing moment took place. On June 25, 2016, under an arbor of peonies and olive leaves in an aspen grove dotted with wildflowers, and surrounded by 165 loved ones, Hannah and J.D. exchanged vows they'd written themselves and finally became husband and wife. They sealed the union, naturally, with the sweetest kiss of all.

Watch Hannah and J. D.'s Wedding Film by Love Brain Films

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The Invitations

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The invitation suite, by Printerette Press, recreates downtown Telluride and includes a rendering of Henry, the couple's 13-year-old cocker spaniel, who was unable to make the trip.

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The Couple

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The happy couple pose under an arbor of peonies and olive leaves. They stand atop a dowry rug that J.D.'s parents picked up in Turkey and was borrowed from the couple's bedroom.

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The Blushing Bride

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Hannah, in a soutache-lace Lihi Hod gown, carried a bouquet that included garden roses, jasmine, and white peonies made by New Leaf Design.

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The Groom's Garb

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"I'm not much of a tie guy," says J. D. of his custom Lizzie Fortunato bolo, which he paired with a burgundy Burberry suit. "The Western-cowboy thing was fun."

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A Well-Dressed Group

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The bridesmaids wore shades of gray; the groomsmen, navy suits. Hannah's nephews and niece served as ring bearers and flower girl.

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One Little Lady

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Hannah's six-year-old niece, Aya, served as flower girl and wore a lace dress by Joanna August.

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The Sounds of a Celebration

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A bluegrass trio played some of the couple's favorite songs during the ceremony, including "Blue Sky," by the Allman Brothers, to which J.D. walked down the aisle with his parents.

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The Ceremony

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The couple exchanged vows at an open-air ceremony officiated by J. D.'s mother, Judy Gluckstern.

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A Cutting-Edge Gift

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J. D. gave his groomsmen inlaid-stone pocketknives from Santa Fe Stoneworks that echoed the design of his bolo tie.

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Time to Celebrate

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Guests gathered and sipped beverages amongst the trees of an aspen grove.

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On the Menu

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Local cheese and charcuterie were laid out for nibbling during the alfresco cocktail hour.

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Familiar Faces

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Two of J.D.'s former band mates, brothers Etienne and Gab Bowler, mug for the camera during the cocktail hour.

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The Escort Cards

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Escort cards with magnetic backings were adorned with indigo watercolor hand-lettering and adhered to geometric wall art.

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An Inspiration

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The groom's parents—themselves married for 43 years—shared a kiss.

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The Place Settings

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"I started to piece together this slightly bohemian, romantic feel," Hannah says of the reception's aesthetic. At each place setting, gold-rimmed dishes elevate a wood charger and add luxe contrast to the indigo-died fabrics on the tabletop.

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The Reception Tables

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For the reception, round and rectangular farmhouse tables and bistro chairs were arranged under a sailcloth tent. Indigo runners were made of vintage textiles, which the bride loves.

Then it was time to party. "Once we started dancing, we didn't want to stop," Hannah recalls. "It was just so special. I think a lot of our friends were very happy to see us finally get married after so many years."

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Sources

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Event production, Soirée Telluride

Catering and desserts, The Butcher and the Baker

Flowers and event design, Frannie Aura of New Leaf Design

Photography, Tec Petaja

Videography, Lovebrain Films

Stationery, Printerette Press

Music, Mike Pale Trio; Dash Speaks (DJ/MC)

Tent and rentals, Premier Special Events/Viking Rentals

Bride's gown, Lihi Hod

Bride's accessories, Pamela Love earrings; Mociun engagement ring and wedding band; Marais USA shoes

Hair and makeup, Kelli Toal with American Belle

Makeup, Carmen Wolcott at Telluride Makeup Artist

Bridesmaids' and flower-girl dresses, Joanna August

Ring-bearer attire, J.Crew; Zara

Groom's suit, Burberry

Groom's accessories, Lizzie Fortunato custom bolo tie; Catbird wedding ring; Want Les Essentiels shoes

Lighting, Snob Productions

Transportation, Telluride Express

Bar truck, WolfPig

Indigo flags and table runners, Apprvl

Sound Production, Dragonfire Productions

Teepee, Under the Sky Event Rental

Vintage rug in teepee, Aelfie

Paramedic, Telluride Fire Protection District

Pocketknives, Santa Fe Stoneworks

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