Picture a grandiose mountain range as the backdrop to Madeleine and Ethan’s wedding vows, as guests perch on benches atop a grassy island in the middle of a Colorado lake. It was the couple’s dream destination, outside and in one of their favorite states. The ceremony and reception was held at Camp Hale.
Madeleine’s mother is from a small town in Colorado, and Madeleine and her family grew up visiting twice a year. She especially loved summertime in the mountains. “It’s a sentimental place for us, and I definitely wanted a wedding outside,” she explains. “It was a no-brainer.”
They hoped that guests would be willing to travel for a destination wedding. Looking back, she wouldn’t have changed that for the world.
The two met in Spanish class at Baylor University, but didn’t rekindle until a year later at a Smash Mouth concert. Fast forward to today, and Madeleine’s favorite memory of their wedding was the first look. “All you’re thinking about is wanting to see him,” she says.
Madeleine wore a chic, minimalist gown by Label and a high-neck overlay by Allison Webb, with bridesmaids flocking in her varying styles and shades of blue and green. Her “something old” was a garment worn by her great-grandmother at her wedding that was wrapped in Madeline’s bouquet. Her “something new” was her dress, “something borrowed” was a pair of her mother’s pearl earrings, and her “something blue” were her shoes and a message embroidered in blue on her dress.
She describes the wedding as a luxurious mountain garden party, and thoughtful details helped personalize the naturally stunning venue. Madeleine’s childhood friend is an artist, and she created watercolor paintings for each reception table. And even though their two dogs, Matilda and Slim, couldn’t be there, the pups appeared in the signature drink names, on an ice sculpture and in a few table placements. “We tried to sprinkle them in as many places as we could,” Madeleine says.
The tented reception glowed with purple flowers and ambient lighting, as guests enjoyed a delicious meal, rounds of dancing, and a live band.
Ethan picked the first dance song and came up with the idea of a s’mores station. And their wedding planner, Heather Allen, kept everything running smoothly. It was blizzarding when they toured the venue, but their wedding day was clear skies.
“Everything came together way more beautiful than I could have expected,” Madeline gushes. “What I cherish most is that everybody was there in one place, having a great time celebrating us.”
