I’ve read that one fourth of all engagements happen between (American) Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. What then could be more appropriate than today’s Real Wedding, with it’s make-your-girlfriends-jealous proposal story.
Kate & Jeff | September, 26 2009 | Beaver Creek, Colorado
How he proposed
Jeff proposed at the Eiffel tower in Paris! It was at night, there was a light rain coming down, the tower was all aglow..and he got down on one knee in the mud! Mind you this was at the end of a three week backpacking tour of Europe!
The ceremony
With the aspen leaves changing in the background and a view of Beaver creek mountain, we were married by my soon-to-be father in law. It was a beautiful fall, bluebird day in Colorado!
The reception
We hosted the reception in the same location as the ceremony, Splendido at the Chateau.
Splendido, a restaurant in a hotel with no better name, The Chateau, is where we dined first class. The warm brown leather chairs and fireplace could not make our Colorado mountain wedding any more perfect.
The wedding theme
The only theme was “fall in the mountains”. I wanted the colors to reflect that, so I chose a gold/yellow theme for the bouquets and the groomsmen’s ties. The wedding party wore black to keep it simple and elegant. The bouquets had berries and fall foliage. I wanted them to look very natural, as if just picked from the mountain! The table decor was very simple. I had orange orchids in a glass vase.
How Kate knew her dress was “the one”
After trying on MANY wedding dresses I became very discouraged and thought about having my wedding dress made. As a last ditch effort I went to a boutique in Denver while visiting my family for xmas. I explained the type of style I was looking for and again, dress after dress I just didn’t fall in love. UNTIL….the sales lady said…I’VE GOT IT! She pulled my beautiful Vera Wang dress into the dressing room. I couldn’t believe I actually fell in love with it! It was the shape, color, the beautiful beading and floral appliques. I just didn’t want to take it off. What really got me was the way it made me feel…..when I put in on, I thought, wow, I’m a bride!
The moment Kate will never forget
Jeff and I decided to see each other before the ceremony. We wanted to ease the tension and have some alone time before the craziness. Our photographer set it up so I was walking up to him from behind while he was faced towards her. I will never forget the excitement as I was walking toward him. I just couldn’t wait to see him! I will never forget that moment.
Her advice for other brides
As weddings tend to not go exactly as planned I can say only this – KISS YOUR DAD!!! I was so worried about everyone else; if they were on time, if they were dressed, if they knew the timing when they walked down the aisle. When my dad and I were walking down the aisle…i was so nervous and so anxious..i didn’t kiss him when he handed me off to my fiance! He went to kiss me, and I turned away! It dawned on me the next day! I couldn’t stop apologizing and I felt AWFUL. He understood…but if there was one thing I could do over again……
