‘Lo voglio’ An Italian Inspired Elopement + Celebration
All Photos Courtesy of David Lynn Photography
Our clients, Laura + Patrick wanted to celebrate their marriage in a very unique way. They had both done the traditional, large wedding in their respective pasts, and, for this union of two families and the celebration of their forever future, we were called upon to design two incredible celebrations that would honor the gravitas and authenticity of the merging of their lives together.
The couple wanted to elope in their recent home state of Colorado in the Rocky Mountains - in an intimate venue surrounded by their immediate family. The bride wanted a luxury mountain spa experience and a venue that was cozy, quaint, and nestled amongst the trees. The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch was the perfect place for the family to unwind with a weekend of sun, spa, classic Colorado charm and comfort while the property’s Anderson’s Cabin would be the backdrop for their nuptials. The bride chose a stunning tea length navy blue slip dress with asymmetric straps as her bridal style, which left us swooning and a natural bridal look by I Do Beauty Boutique. All that the groom had asked for was to take pictures with a bear and a bull, as a nod to his professional life so heavily influenced by the stock market. He wanted a photo of him and his bride with these elements to sit on his desk, reminding him everyday of why he worked as hard as he did. We searched for statues or stuffed representations all over Beaver Creek to try to fulfill this request. When we came up short, saying ‘we can’t’ to the only element this groom asked for was just out of the question. So, I baked him a wedding cake. Yup, as a surprise to our groom, we designed and constructed a small three tier gold foil semi-naked wedding cake and incorporated a bull (on top of course) and a bear climbing up the side. The groom was thrilled to have this important element incorporated into their wedding. Following the ceremony, the family dined al fresco on the deck of the cabin, with a spectacular menu paired with wines selected by the groom, and laughed into the night amidst the charm of a wood burning fire pit. It was the perfect elopement celebration, officiated by Reverend Carolyn Carpenter of Sunflower Wedding Ceremonies.
While the couple wanted the elopement weekend to include immediate family only, Laura and Patrick elected to host a marriage celebration for family and friends the following month, inspired by their honeymoon in Italy. We called the celebration ‘lo voglio’, or 'I do’ in Italian. We went to work partnering with some of the top creatives in Denver to ‘bring Tuscany home’ to their Castle Pines abode. Platypus Papers designed an olive branch styled monogram and invitation suite which branded the elements of the event. Catering By Design created a rustic Italian menu with thoughtful and dynamic culinary stations that immersed guests taste buds in the flavors of Italy.
As guests arrived, they walked the exquisite entry way created by Bella Lu Floral featuring ceramic pots and leafy ruscus vines climbing the wrought iron door, seemingly growing around the couple’s home for years, accented by pots of live herbs and beautiful blooms replicating the outside of a traditional Italian edifice. The sounds of a Palladio String Quartet played classical music wafting in the air as guests were greeted with an Aperol spritz welcome cocktail, caprese and tomato balsamic skewers and prosciutto wrapped breadsticks.
The evening was the epitome of the juxtaposition of casual and elegance merging perfectly to create a celebration that felt both intentional, welcoming and authentic for Laura and Patrick to host their guests. The dinner and reception took place throughout the couple’s home and in their backyard, adorned with market string lights from Skyline Productions and tea light candles cascading down the couple’s water feature. The home’s backyard fire pit was a popular gathering place for warming bodies and hearts, as guests dined on dinner stations of expansive charcuterie displays with hand carved prosciutto, wood fired pizza stations, chicken piccata and osso bucco with polenta. An Italian celebration wouldn’t be complete without gelato, so CBD brought in a quaint gelato bike cart embellished with the couples custom monogram. Guests looked on as Patrick invited Laura to join him in their first dance, which kicked the party into full gear, as friends and family joined the dance floor as Eric Bernal of Skyline Productions spun sassy sounds into the wee hours of the morning.
Being wine aficionados, the couple elected a play on time capsules with ‘wine capsules’ where guests were asked to write notes to the couple on their first, fifth and tenth anniversaries, as well as other occasions such as on their first fight, in celebration and in case of emergency. We are so excited for them to open their 1 year anniversary wine + wishes tonight!
We couldn’t be more grateful to have met two such loving people. Watching these two interact has always fascinated us. With two extremely fast paced high pressure executive careers, endless travel, children of varied ages on both sides, and a move to a new state, we watched these two handle the ups and downs of life with such unwavering support, love and respect for one another, we are inspired to say that we have been in the presence of a very true and rare form of love. Happy 1st Anniversary, Laura + Patrick (or shall we say, Mr. & Mrs. Dennis). We hope to watch you celebrate many more to come.
These moments were captured by the crazy talented eye of David Lynn Photography.
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