Flowers: The Stalk Market @the.stalk.market
Dress: Luv Bridal @ luv_bridal
Venue: Winding River Ranch, Grand Lake CO
Venue Coordinator: Kristin & Travis @windingriverranch
Food: Sagebrush BBQ @sagebrushbbq
Cake: Alyssa, The Bride ;)
DJ: Brian Austin w/Spark Event Services @sparkeventsvcs
Makeup: Carly Day @carlydaymakeup
Hair: Megan Montoya @montoyahairdesigns
Photography: Drake & CO Photography + Films
How did you meet each other?
Alyssa and I met through our mutual friend, Claire. I grew up with Claire in NY, while Alyssa served in the Peace Corps with her in Mali. Claire's then fiance, Nate, lived in Colorado Springs and Claire was in town moving some of her things and needed my help, so of course I joined. On the way back to Denver, Claire invited Alyssa to meet up over dinner, secretly wondering if we might hit it off. Neither of us fully got the hint, but I was determined to take her on a date after meeting her a second time over the summer. While Alyssa was convinced that I was not quite determined enough and fell asleep on the couch the one time we actually planned to meet up, I didn't give up.
Several months later at Claire & Nate's wedding in NYC, Alyssa met me for a drink before the wedding ceremony, saw my dance moves and charm that night and we've been inseparable ever since. We laugh now about living 4 blocks from each other for years and not knowing the other even existed!
What was the best memory of your wedding day?
Alyssa: Walking down the aisle with the mountains in the background and seeing so many of our friends and family there to greet and support us through this next chapter! I was so overcome with emotion seeing Bern at the end of the aisle and walking through so much love on the way to him.
Bern: Dancing! And singing 'Parting Glass' at the end of the night in a big circle with friends and family.
What would be some advice you would give to future couples as they plan their wedding day?
It's a stressful process, so take some time to relax in the midst. We weren't sure if it was all going to feel worth it, but we both agree, it was 100 percent worth every stress cry that led up to that weekend! It truly was the BEST day. We would also recommend planning to nap for about 3 days afterwards ;)
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
We honeymooned in Banff, Alberta, Canada and left about two weeks after the wedding. We stayed at a family's motel for the first 3 nights in Radium Hot Springs (British Columbia) and explored Kootenay National Park - go see Stanley Glacier! Then we traveled back toward Banff National Park and stayed in Canmore at the Malcolm Hotel. Our favorite part was canoeing on Moraine Lake and the incredible turquoise of all of the water. We were there in the fall and leaves were just starting to change when we arrived and were golden yellow 8 days later on our way out. The timing couldn't have been better! Our favorite meal was a wonderful wine & charcuterie date at Grapes within the Fairmont Banff which had a gorgeous view of the mountains. We would recommend that and burgers and beer at Eddie Burger Bar!