Madeline and John Harris’s love story began with a serendipitous New York moment straight out of a romantic film. On a snowy January afternoon, Madeline noticed a handsome stranger in a Ralph Lauren American flag sweater across a coffee shop in the West Village. The two were introduced later through mutual friends, and the rest was history! When it came time to plan their wedding, the couple knew they wanted to say “I do” on Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, Colorado, a place filled with years of family memories and breathtaking natural beauty.
Madeline wore a custom Nardos gown: a romantic lace creation discovered in New York after a weekend of searching with her mother and aunt. She accessorized with blue Manolos, her great-grandmother’s sapphire and diamond ring, and her grandmother’s pearls, blending sentimental tradition with timeless sophistication.
To reach the ceremony site atop the mountain, guests and the wedding party rode the chairlift, creating an unforgettable arrival experience. Madeline, ever the adventurous bride, opted to ride up in full hair, makeup, and gown, wrapping herself in a white scarf and cat-eye sunglasses for what became one of the day’s most iconic moments. “It felt old Hollywood, a little Slim Aarons, and a touch of mountain chic,” she said.
The ceremony itself was deeply reverent, set against the majesty of the mountains. Music was composed by John Harris’s mother, a classically trained pianist, who wove together “The Lord’s Prayer” and “How Great Thou Art” for the processional and recessional. When Madeline walked down the aisle, sunlight broke through the clouds, casting a warm glow over the gathering: a moment that felt divinely timed. The couple took communion from a family goblet blessed in John Harris’s home church in Alabama, symbolizing their shared faith and commitment to Christ at the center of their marriage. “We told our pastor, we don’t just want a ceremony, we want to take people to church,” Madeline said.
Following the ceremony, guests lingered on the deck for cocktails, the sound of conversation mingling with the rustle of aspen leaves. Inside the reception tent, the design echoed the natural beauty of the mountains: soft neutrals, greenery, and candlelight that glowed as dusk settled in. Every detail, from the florals to the handwritten place cards, reflected a tone of intentional simplicity and warmth.
Their first dance under a canopy of twinkling lights felt like a continuation of the day’s worship: an expression of gratitude and joy. As the night unfolded, guests dined, toasted, and danced beneath the draped ceilings before Madeline surprised everyone by joining the band on stage to sing “Valerie.” Later, the couple exited to a sea of Auburn shakers, a nod to John’s alma mater and a playful surprise Madeline secretly planned; joy radiated from every direction, it felt like the perfect finale!
Reflecting on their wedding day, it’s clear that Madeline and John Harris’s celebration was more than a beautiful event, it was a living reflection of their faith. From mountaintop vows to the ultimate dance party with friends and family, their wedding at Buttermilk Mountain was a heartfelt act of worship, gratitude, and love, glorifying the One who made it all possible.
