{Real Wedding} Welcome Guests, Horses, Goats, & Chickens-Avalanche Ranch Wedding, Aspen

I have to say that I was really intrigued when Elizabeth called me and told me she wanted pygmy goats and miniature horses at her wedding.  I thought, did I hear that right?  Then she told me all about what she was doing and I was in!

 
 The wedding took place just outside of Aspen at a great unique wedding venue, Avalanche Ranch.

The girls got ready outside of one of the cabins....

 

 ...and the guys got ready too....

 

!

I love that she choose a bright red bouquet, and that the bridesmaids had white bouquets!

 

 

 

The ceremony and cocktail time were at Avalanche Ranch where guests sat on covered hay bales while they enjoyed the wedding ceremony. 

 

There was a moment during the processional when we had a little challenge.  The goats didn't realize it was their cue to walk down the aisle and protested for a few seconds.

 

Chickens roamed freely around the property, which (being from Highlands Ranch) I thought was so much fun and totally added to the rustic farm feel! 

There were pashminas for the guests to wrap themselves with if they got chilled during the cocktail hour that followed on the lawn in front of the barn. Guests were served champagne and the brides favorite, chocolate truffles. They were encouraged to "Log In" on their wood slab guestbook.

My favorite series of photos....

 

 

After a few photos, the couple greeted their guests with a toast, and joined the cocktail hour. Even the goats and horse mingled.

 

 

 

Then the guests were off to Six 89 Restaurant for dinner..... (The food was ahhhmazing, and the dessert heavenly! I would drive back there right now just for that dessert!)

 

 Some dancing.....

 

...and some tradition involving a well decorated salt lick, and I believe some tequila!

Thanks Jenna Walker Photography for amazing pictures!

Classic Creations Wedding Planning & Design Firm

{Real Wedding} Rustic VintageWedding, Devil's Thumb Ranch- Part 2

Yesterday we showed you a bit of Eryn and Sean's rustic vintage wedding at Devil's Thumb Ranch in Fraser, Colorado. Today, we're sharing the stunning wedding reception in the Broad Axe Barn.

To find their table, guests looked for their name on the vintage windowpane...where we also had attached pictures of the couple from all kinds of fun events while they were dating.

You know we love doing different table shapes, mixing them together creates a fabulous look. Which also means we get to do different centerpieces for each table.....{sigh}....and these centerpieces were gorgeous!!! Alicia at Bella Fiori really out did herself.

On the round guest tables the centerpieces were tall and elegant.



While the long tables had wood planks that ran down the middle, filled with mercury glass votives, pillar candles, milk glass vases and silver mint julep cups filled with romantic flowers.

All the tables had family photographs, as well as a custom fun "I Spy" game.

The bride really wanted a chandelier, so we designed a look with several hanging over the long head table to create a focal point.









 One of my favorite memories of this wedding is the bridal party introduction. The bridal party came through the main door, but when it was time for the bride and groom's grand entrance we slide the barn doors open...what a great reveal!  Not many wedding venues can do that.  Later the doors stayed open once the dancing started...loved the breeze on the dance floor!

Once seated, guests ordered their dinner from the pre-selected menu. At first I thought they were bringing out the dinner family style...then I realized that was the individual portion.  Guests raved about the food!

 

 
Then on to dancing...

 

.....and cupcake eating (half were gluten free cupcakes for the bride and many of her guests), and the candy stations were devoured by the end of the night.  The couple chose to do a small cake to cut, just for tradition.  LUV the cake topper!

 

  

..and of course, I posted awhile back about the German bridal cup tradition.  The bride drinks from the small hanging cup, the groom from the large. Whoever finishes first is said to "Rule the House". Bride always wins of course.  There was a lot of cheering for this tradition!
 

Guests didn't want to leave.....they were finally pulled away from the photobooth at the end of the night only because we set up an after party in Hex's Tavern.

 

 

Classic Creations Wedding Planning & Design Firm
Thanks to all these involved in this gorgeous day!
Devil's Thumb Ranch
Bella Fiori
Pink Monkey Solutions
Frances Photography
A Touch of Class Music
Starkey Productions
Slice Cake Studio
Rev. Jim Conder - officiant
Booth 66