There is a particular magic that settles over Telluride in early fall: golden aspens, crisp mountain air, and a sense of wonder that makes time feel suspended. For Brooke and Anthony, whose story began by chance at an SMU event neither intended to attend, this mountain town already held deep meaning. Brooke grew up going to Telluride her whole life so it was kismet when Anthony proposed there on a February hike.
With a seven-month engagement and Anthony entering neurosurgery residency, planning was a whirlwind. Brooke handled logistics, while her mother, lovingly known as “Chief Outfit Lady” perfected attire, details, and design, and helped transform Brooke’s family home and the surrounding land into a breathtaking celebration space.
Brooke remembers the true weight of it all hitting her the night before, during a quiet moment after the rehearsal dinner. The intimate ceremony the next day at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church became her favorite part of the entire celebration: emotional, scenic, and deeply special with friends and family there to support the couple. Brooke carried a handkerchief passed through generations of women in her family, which she ended up needing during the ceremony. Guests then walked from her home to a custom-built tent next door, a vision Brooke had hoped for but couldn’t fully imagine until she saw it come to life. The tent became a jewel in the valley, catching the attention of anyone driving into the village.
No detail was as unintentionally charming as Audie, the family’s golden retriever, who was meant to appear only briefly but instead followed the action from portraits to cocktail hour to the dance floor. “He’s in every single photo,” Anthony joked, but his presence quickly became a beloved part of the story.
At the reception, she slipped out of her original shoes and into pink Miron Crosby boots, perfect for dancing late into the night. And to honor Anthony’s one request, ice cream, she created a full ice cream bar affectionately named “Anthony’s Ice Cream.”
Looking back, Brooke says she’d relive the wedding day “over and over again.” The seamlessness, the scenery, the sentiment, and the people made every detail feel unquestionably worth it. “It was spectacular,” she said. “I’d go through all the stress again just to experience those 24 hours one more time.”
