Ahead of Their Ceremony in Colorado, This Couple Shared a First Look on a Cloud of Baby's Breath

When Kath first met Justin through mutual friends, they bonded over photography, art, and music. Back then, she was 17 and he was 21; their ages and the timing didn't align, but the pair remained friends over the next few years, until Kath moved back to Tulsa post-grad. "We spent our first summer together going on many adventures and road trips every weekend and really getting to know each other as adults and falling in love," Kath says. The duo often went on trips to an island in Eleuthera, Bahamas, with Kath's family, and started including Justin on their trips.

It was there, in July of 2018, that Kath planned an excursion with Justin to a nearby private island. "Little did I know that I was planning my own proposal trip!" Kath says. Justin lured Kath out to take photos in the middle of the ocean and after some touching words, popped the question. "It was the surest I have ever been of a decision in my whole life," she says. After their engagement, a storm rolled in; the couple spent the next few hours happily drinking rum punch, taking photos, and picnicking under a cabana.

In the months that followed, they planned a big wedding in Pienza, Italy, and when the pandemic hit, they pushed their date out. It soon became apparent, however, that their new date wouldn't work—and neither would their dream destination celebration overseas. "We had an incredible support system that helped us stay positive," Kath says. "We finally decided that after knowing each other for 14 years, dating for seven, and being engaged for almost three, it did not matter where we got married, it just mattered that we did." The couple's third big-day plan involved an outdoor mountain party at a private residence in Telluride, Colorado, with just 19 guests—immediate-family only. The couple had never been to Telluride before, so they relied on Kristen Rosenbaum from K2 Events, a local planner, to help them pull off the al fresco "forest party" they never knew they wanted.

Justin originally screen-printed the couple's invitations to Italy, which included a custom illustration by his father. When their plans changed, they skipped the invites; instead, they created a weekend itinerary that was placed inside custom welcome bags, also designed and produced by the groom.

Kath knew that this off-the-shoulder sheath wedding dress from Monique Lhullier, complete with a silk chiffon skirt and billowing sleeves, was the right one because of its effortlessness. "I didn't think the dress stole the show—it amplified and complemented how I looked, without being a distraction," she says. She held a freeform bouquet of peonies, roses, ranunculus, and a mix of small greens and local ferns; the arrangement was tied together with white ribbon.

A topaz ring, a past gift from her parents, served as Kath's "something blue," while her veil, on-loan from her cousin, became her "something borrowed." "She is like a sister to me, so it was special for me to be able to wear it," Kath says. A sweet bow accented her low ponytail, as did drop earrings from A.B. Ellie. Loeffler Randall shoes were the finishing touch.

Justin donned a black suit and bow tie from Tie Bar, a white button down shirt, and leather shoes from Banana Republic.

Her bridesmaids stepped out in floor-length dresses in different shades of blue. Both her attendants and Justin's groomsmen selected their own big-day attire.

Kath and Justin shared a first look on a ski run in the backyard, which they rented through VRBO. The couple's florist, Bridal Veil Floral, created a ring of baby's breath that mimicked a cloud for the moment. "Justin was facing the mountains and as I walked up behind him I felt a surge of nerves, happiness, and excitement," the bride says. "After we saw each other Justin's exact words were, 'I feel so much better.' It was a big sigh of relief for both of us! We were finally together and so ready to celebrate!"

Reciting private vows offered the couple a "special and intimate moment alone before the ceremony," Kath says.

Kath and Justin took portraits between their first look and ceremony, and spent two hours exploring the nearby terrain with their photographer and videographer in tow. "We drove separately from them, and it was such a fun time to drive around the beautiful San Juan mountains and listen to good music, get excited for our ceremony that afternoon, and take some fun photos in epic locations," notes the bride.

Their service took place outside, overlooking the San Juan mountains. Wooden chairs with cushions were set up on either side of the aisle; at the center, a floral arch was the focal point. Floor arrangements flanked the structure, framing the spot where the couple would exchange their promises.

A guitarist and violinist played Coldplay's "A Sky Full of Stars" as the processional began; the bride and her father walked down the aisle to Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love." The couple's brother-in-law, Wayne, officiated the ceremony. Kath recalls a special moment after Justin finished his vows—he concluded with, "Love, Justin and Orso" to honor their labradoodle, who was there in spirit.

After a quick toast, the cocktail hour began. The couple offered both stationary and passed appetizers, spotlighting Italian cuisine as a nod to their original plan. They served homemade bread with burrata, balsamic tomatoes, balsamic mushrooms, roasted zucchini squash, caprese skewers, and prosciutto with melon. The group noshed back inside the house: "A small rainstorm came through, so we enjoyed cocktail hour indoors with all the large windows and doors open—it was beautiful," Kath says. "The rain quickly stopped and our wonderful planner reset the tablescape in record time so we could head outside for dinner."

One long table, covered in white linens and a dusty blue linen runner, was placed beneath string lights. Gold vessels held white floral arrangements with ferns and greenery. Taper candles in gold stands added a touch of shimmer.

Each place setting included a bone-colored plate topped with a white linen napkin tied with a green ribbon. Custom wooden name tags, which marked each attendee's spot, doubled as favors.

Private chef Patrick Laguens of Wine Geek & Food Freak cooked up the meal, and suggested wine pairings for each course. "We wanted the dinner to be an experience and our chef delivered with flying colors," Kath says.

Although Justin and Kath both lead busy lives, they set aside Sundays to spend time together. "Sundays are our time to recharge, relax, and they typically end up being our favorite days of the week!" the bride says, which is why Hamzaa's "Sunday Morning" was an easy choice for for their first dance.

Kath changed into a Fame and Partners maxi slip dress with draped shoulders, a low back, and side slit that was custom-made to her measurements for the party. "This company is an (almost) zero-waste sustainable manufacturing platform. All their items are crafted to order, which eliminates mass manufacturing and excess waste," Kath says. "This was a huge bonus for me when choosing a second dress!"

The pair's vanilla bean wedding cake was filled with chocolate buttercream filling, covered in fondant ruffles, and embellished with greenery florals.

Kath and Justin will honeymoon in 2022, in the Maldives. In the meantime, they're enjoying starting their life together in their newly remodeled home. "If planning three weddings during a global pandemic taught me anything, it is that couples and vendors are going through an extreme period of stress," Kath says. "Everyone is working towards the same goal to create a perfect day tailored to you—be kind to those who help you along the way."

Photography, Bree Woolliscroft 
Videography, ML Photo & Film
Venue, VRBO
Wedding Planning and Event Design, Kristen Rosenbaum; K2 Events
Flowers, Bridal Veil Floral
Bride's Gown, Monique Lhuillier
Bride's Jewelry, A.B. Ellie; Moody's Jewelry
Bride's Shoes, Loeffler Randall
Bride's Hair, Kylie Borchers; Moxie Loft
Bride's Makeup, Erin Cain; Sunshine Hillbilly
Bridesmaids' Dresses, Marchesa Notte; BHLDN
Groom's Attire, Banana Republic
Groomsmen's Attire, ASOS Suits
Music, Telluride Strings
Catering, Patrick Laguens Wine Geek & Food Freak
Cake, Sweet Creations Telluride
Favors, Etsy
Rentals, La Tavola Fine Linen; SAGE Rentals; Viking Rentals
Lighting, Tree Priest