For our wedding day, we wanted to keep it simple and focus on why we love each other. Big and grand weddings are amazing and super fun, but that style isn’t us. We love hiking, and we love surrounding ourselves with nature. The mountains were the perfect spot for us to make our marriage official! Our story stands out above the crowd because we waited. A year into our relationship, we found out about our beautiful daughter. Our focus was to be the best parents our little girl deserved. Through that, we fell in love for one another.
The flowers Maxine used to throw down as the flower girl, I grew in our garden all spring and summer. The morning of the wedding, I went up and clipped all of them for her. A little hummingbird flew right next to my shoulder as I clipped them away. The hollyhocks were the hummingbirds favorite throughout the spring, and he was a little upset I was taking so many. My grandma said it was a very special moment to witness.
A personal story: After Ryan got down on one knee and proposed, and I said yes, Maxine shouts “Do it again, Daddy!” Ryan got down on his knee a second time and did it again. 🙂 I got proposed to twice! Maxine was the most excited out of everyone! That is also because she believed as soon as we were to say I do, I would have a baby brother or baby sister in my belly for her.
The location was in the San Juan National forest. We picked Lime Creek road because it had an easy road access, so our guests didn’t have to hike up to our spot, but it still had that secluded, gloomy and romantic feel to it. We didn’t need many details or decorations because we were surrounded by nature’s beauty. The “reception” we kept really simple. A groomsman and his wife wanted to make all of the food, and we just wanted a nice place we could hang out and visit with our guests.
My favorite memories of the day would be the wedding blessing our friend (who married us) chose to read.
Now you will feel no rain, For each of you will be shelter to the other. Now you will feel no cold, For each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there is no more loneliness, For each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two bodies, But there is one life before you. Go now to your dwelling place, To enter into the days of your togetherness. And may your days be good and long upon the earth. Apache Wedding Blessing
Next favorite memory would have to be the “first look” between Maxine and Ryan. She still talks about it. She will cherish that moment and those photos forever.
As far as DIY projects for the day, Ryan made our wedding site. The altar, and the aisle he dreamt up and made it perfect for the wedding day.
My mother, two aunts, and one uncle (who I had no idea had such an eye with flowers!) grabbed the white and purple flowers and added them to our Altar and aisle in the pouring rain on the morning of the wedding. It gave it just enough girly touch to our site to make it exactly how I imagined it.
Last favorite memory was writing my vows on wedding morning, on the balcony, while my two grandpas ate their breakfasts. I could tell they were staring at me as my vows were getting longer. One grandpa said “You might want to shorten those up a bit, I don’t want to get too wet at this thing” Laughing, I asked if he wrote his own vows for his wedding and he replied “Yes, I kept it short and said I DO!” I think it’s little moments like this that make our wedding so special.
Ryan and I met working at a radio station, so it took us forever to choose the music! There are so many good ones that no one ever uses! We chose Xavier Rudd Follow the sun because it had that earthy/mountain sound to it. And for some reason I cry every time I listen to it! For our first dance we chose “Life is better with you” by Michael Franti It is our go to song to dance to together. We have had so many great memories at a Franti concert, it just seemed the right one.
Advice for Brides: Plan with your soon to be husband! It was rewarding to have someone to bounce ideas off of. It’s his day too and it was so much fun to hear his ideas, thoughts, and wishes! Also, take time alone on your wedding day! I went to my hair, and makeup appointments alone (besides the photographer taking photos) and went to my nail appointment with just my grandma. it was the best gift I could have given myself. There is so much hustle and bustle on the actual day, it was nice just to sit there and think/imagine/relax before the actual ceremony.
Last, if you splurge money wise on one thing, choose the photographer. It was the most expensive thing about our wedding, but it was worth it. The photos are beyond what I could have imagined. They are perfect, and I really think I will be changing the ones that will be hanging in our home every six months, just so I can use them all!
WEDDING SHOP: Savvy Bridal Boutique
DESIGNER: Essense of Australia
BRIDESMAIDS: Show me your mumu
LODGING: Purgatory Resort
VENUE/LOCATION: San Juan National Forest in Durango, Colorado
HAIR: Autumn Pierce At Shampoo (Durango, Colorado)
MAKE-UP: Jasmine Bishop at Spaaah shop & day spa (Durango, Colorado)