Katie & Colin met while teaching at an urban middle school together in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Denver. Katie said “Colin asked me out on a date the Tuesday after Labor Day by coming into my classroom after school. He stumbled over his words, then stumbled over a student’s desk on the way out (oh my goodness, how adorable is that?!).
The couple’s lives became intertwined during the next four and a half years, during which the discussed making it official. So when the time came to take the step, naturally they selected a ring together. But Colin didn’t let the story end there. Katie said “We went to Devil’s Thumb Ranch, outside of Winter Park, a place we’ve gone quite a bit and it’s special to us. On our last night of three, we took a horse-drawn sleigh ride with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. When it was over, one of the ranch hands asked if we wanted to help him put the goats in the barn for the night. We said yes as we love animals and always visit them when we’re there. When one of the goats came into his stall, Colin said, “What’s this on his collar?” He’d gone down to the barn earlier in the day, given my ring to the ranch hand, and had him tie my ring to the goat’s collar with ribbon. He got down on one knee, and as we were both crying, asked me to marry him. Even though we’d talked for years about getting married, and chosen the ring together, and I knew it was coming that weekend, that evening even, it was still one of the happiest moments of my life. I surprised myself at how great it felt to have him formally ask me and be able to say yes with no hesitation.
Katie knew they wanted something sort of bohemian, natural and casual. Katie and Colin were a budget conscience, but that didn’t stop them from planning a wedding that was perfectly suited to their personalities. They opted to DIY several elements of the day, to help keep them on track. When asked if they were able to achieve the vision they originally planned, Katie said ” Yes, because I wasn’t sure what it was until I planned it out, with my planner. That made sure it was achieved. I didn’t achieve it, my planner did. She deserves all the credit.” Que happy, ugly tears from Taylor!
According to Taylor, “Katie was HONESTLY the SWEETEST BRIDE I have EVER worked with!! Both her and Colin are SO fun, and laid-back – and their wedding really reflected effortless and casual party in Denver – exactly what they wanted. Katie’s father passed away prior to her ceremony so her grandpa walked her down the aisle (omg!). The venue blanc is AMAAAAZING and perfect, I am obsessed – the white on white walls made it a perfect canvas for Katie’s simple yet elegant (and sooo swoon-worthy) wedding day! ”
We can’t help but applaud Katie on her fantastic dress choice! Katie said “My dress was a Priscilla of Boston (Princess Grace’s designer), off white, all lace, strapless, trumpet/sheath with a sweetheart neckline. It had no embellishments, which helped highlight the amazing shape and silhouette. I bought it new at a consignment shop for less than half of what I would have paid new and less than what I found it for on eBay. It had been a floor model and was clean with no alterations previously made. I’m not that girly, or into fashion, and I was surprised at how much I loved my dress. It made my body look way better than it actually is.” Um, WHOA! What a find! It really goes to show that with a little creativity, you can work some seriously amazing wedding day magic!
Speaking of magic, can you believe that all of the florals came from Costco! With a little DIY, we created the perfect greenery garlands for the rustic wood tables. It was GORGEOUS! Add in a few candles and it was SO romantic!
The most memorable moment of the day for Katie was saying their vows (they wrote them themselves). Personally, one of our favorite moments was the photos that Ryan captured of the couple shortly after the ceremony, sitting at a table along, laughing and crying joyful tears. It really captured their essence and how they relaxed into their wedding day.
Vendor List:
Planner + designer: Taylor
Hotel: The Brown Palace
Photographer: Ryan Dearth Photography
Dress: Priscilla of Boston
Venue: blanc
Florals: DIY / Costco
Caterer: Serendipity
Officiant: family friend
Bar: Peak Beverage
Speakers / sound: Denver Premier Rentals
Nationwide wedding planning service, The Simply Elegant Group® , creates joyful celebrations of love for engaged couples, while saving them money through a simple + stress-free experience.
Email: info@thesimplyelegantgroup.com
Call: 612-803-1764
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