A Laid-Back Mountain Wedding at the Donovan Pavilion in Vail, Colorado
For their mid-summer wedding in Vail, Col., Marianne Colahan (31 and a writer) and (31 and a writer) and Ryan Kipp (36 and a business executive) planned a rustic soiree with a sophisticated twist. Bringing the beauty of Colorado to life through thoughtful decorative touches was key for the couple, who wanted to immerse their out-of-town guests in their home’s natural charm and striking landscapes. Seasonal wildflowers in vibrant shades of blue, purple, green and pink made an appearance in the boutonnieres and bouquets, while organic accents like tree slice pedestals and the venue itself, a timber and stone mountain lodge exuding rustic elegance.
An outdoor ceremony kicked off the celebrations, with Marianne and Ryan exchanging heartfelt vows they’d written themselves and the couple’s close friend officiating. To give the ceremony a more intimate, personal feel, Marianne and Ryan had family and friends read lyrics from the Talking Heads’ “This Must Be the Place” and quotes by the Dalai Lama. “Although we didn’t discuss them beforehand, the vows really affirmed what our officiant spoke about; we’re perfect counterpoints to each other,” says Marianne. “Ryan is analytical, logical and passionate, whereas I am creative, emotional and have to get a laugh (to a fault).”
The reception was a laid-back affair inside the Pavilion. The striking setting inspired pared down decor that allowed the focus to remain on the surroundings. Instead of traditional centerpieces, the couple topped each table with tree slice pedestals bearing perfectly frosted cupcakes and customized table numbers featuring a photo of the couple and a thank you note expressing their gratitude to all of their guests. Continuing the Colorado theme, Marianne and Ryan served lamb and Rocky Mountain trout during their family style dinner and later treated guests to a few late night snacks including grilled cheese sandwiches and pulled pork sliders. In lieu of a traditional guest book and favors, guests wrote their well wishes for the newlyweds on an Adirondack bench and the pair made a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Marianne’s grandfather.
A tip for the taking from Marianne and Ryan: “Hire a month-of wedding coordinator. The last thing you want to be doing before your wedding (and the day of your wedding) is managing vendors and being in charge of a timeline. It's also a great resource for creative ideas, and a built-in support system if any crises arise. We managed to steer clear of a potential drama, but it was great to have someone there if we needed it.”