Aspen just might be our favorite Colorado wedding town, and that’s saying a lot because there are so many great places in Colorado for a wedding. This was our first wedding in Aspen and I’m sure there are many more to come.

This adventuring couple, Emma & Andrew, were a great fit for us for so many reasons. They happen to be from the DC area and Andrew is an architect! Why does that matter? It just does. Their amazing wedding planner, EKS Events, who we met in Dubai at an Engage Summit, connected us to Emma & Andrew.

The couple’s vision for their Colorado wedding weekend was unique, personal and entirely reflective of them. The weekend started on Wednesday with horseback riding and whitewater rafting for their friends and family who were able to arrive early.

Sunrise at the Maroon Bells

The couple is clearly smart! They planned an early morning sunrise portrait session on the Thursday before the wedding. This accomplished a few things – one, they saved portrait time on their wedding day. And two, they got photos at one of the most beautiful locations in Aspen or even all of Colorado, the Maroon Bells. I suppose there is a third benefit of having sunrise on their side, which is the best lighting and also the least busy time of day for a photoshoot. Above all, this sunrise session in Maroon Bells in Aspen is one of my all time favorites! Emma’s blue dress against the mountains at sunrise will always feel like a dream.

That brings us to Friday, the rehearsal dinner at the Viceroy in Snowmass. In true Emma and Andrew style, the dinner was a casual party under a beautiful sailcloth tent. Tons of lawn games, picnic style food and Contra-dancing were the highlights of the evening. All set with the beautiful backdrop of the Colorado mountains.

Mountaintop Wedding Ceremony

By the time Saturday came around, we were all ready for a unique and experiential wedding. The morning of the wedding day was casual, with only family around as the bridal party. Emma had purchased a pair of overalls to get ready in and then she wore to the top of the Gondola at Snowmass Village. Once at the top, she changed into a beautiful blue dress. Andrew and the guys went on some sort of adventure in the morning, but were ready and on time (a photographer’s dream).

The ceremony was all the way at the top of the mountain and required the guests to take a chairlift up the hill. The couple also arrived on the chairlift (only a Colorado wedding, right?). After that trip up the mountain the guests arrive to the ceremony site. EKS Events designed the ceremony setting inspired by a “ghost chapel”. Framed by windows and a doorway, the ceremony site was intimate but also incredibly impactful.

Following the ceremony, the reception was set with long family style tables and dinner was a good old fashioned buffet. Finally, late at night, there was an astronomer with a huge telescope for guests to do some late night star gazing. We were over the moon to be a part of this wedding and can’t wait for many more in such a beautiful part of this state we love.

Aspen Colorado Wedding Vendors

Wedding Planner: EKS Events
Florist: Aspen Branch Design
Venues: Aspen Snowmass and Viceroy Snowmass
Videographer: Red Mountain Productions
Hair and Makeup: Alchemy Creative
Catering: ASC Catering & Events
Musicians: Silver City Strings