JOY & RYAN | A WEDDING @ THE ROSE WEDDING
Sun Prairie Films
*Ultimately, the motivation when planning your wedding day is to celebrate the love between you and the person you’re about to marry. But there’s also another goal – throwing an epic party that your guests will talk about for years to come – especially when planning a destination wedding. Such was the wedding for Joy and Ryan in Colorado.
The couple had a large entourage show up the day of the wedding to execute setup of the ceremony and reception space, which then allowed the Bride and Groom time to laugh and relax with their respective wedding party members while getting ready. For the ceremony, a simple arbor frame was draped with slate blue gauze fabric. A variety of floral vases and containers filled with baby’s breath were meticulously placed to help soften the space while cylinder vases with floating candles adorned the front of the stage providing a warm glow.
Many couples view the ceremony as the required “formal” element that leads to the celebration at the reception, but with Joy and Ryan’s wedding, the party actually began prior to the ceremony as guests were encouraged to grab a drink prior to taking their seat. Once the guests were seated, the music for the processional began to play. When it came time for the Bridesmaids to enter, instead of entering to the song that they had practiced to at the rehearsal, the Bride surprised them with a different song – one that meant something special to the group as a whole. The ceremony was officiated by the mother of the Bride, Jill, but she too had planned a surprise for the couple by inviting friends scattered throughout the ceremony seating to stand at certain moments to participate in the charge to the Bride and Groom. The couple also incorporated the making of a bourbon old fashioned as their unity ceremony which was led by one of the Groomsmen, Austin. Once the couple had combined the ingredients needed to make an old fashioned, Austin invited all guests to join the Bride and Groom in raising their glasses to toast the Newlyweds. The crowd erupted in joyous celebration when the Bride and Groom kissed, marking the end of their ceremony.
Guests were then invited into the Lobby space for Cocktail Hour where they enjoyed stationed and passed hors d’oeuvres. The couple used the time during Cocktail Hour to take some post-ceremony photos with family members before heading off-site for a couple’s photoshoot. The ceremony space was also transformed to that for the reception. Tables with ivory linens with slate blue table runners were moved into position. Eclectic centerpieces adorned the event space featuring ivory and clear vases with baby’s breath, pressed flower table numbers, and votive candles.
Guests enjoy a Mexican food-inspired buffet, which was a huge hit! Toasts started as dinner wrapped up and included spirited and heartfelt stories and well wishes to the Bride and Groom. The Newlyweds chose to end the toasts by thanking their guests for attending their destination wedding and raising their glass with an energetic “skål” (Norwegian for cheers), which was echoed by all! The couple had a small, simple cutting cake, but also provided their guests with a variety of handmade mini-dessert cups – each representing states that meant something to the couple. Guests were treated to petite Florida Key Lime Parfaits, Kansas Dirt Cups, Georgia Brandied Peaches, Minnesota Raspberry Beret Cups, and Colorado Puppy Chow.
DJ Connection opened up the dance floor after dinner and kept the dance floor packed for the rest of the event. The Grooms and Groomsmen chanted with vigor with certain songs and would toast one another with their growler mugs and the Bride and Bridesmaids would rival back with group dancing and spirited singing. The newlyweds then invited their guests to join them at a local dive bar for the afterparty.
Looking back on this wedding I can still remember the energy level of the event. Joy and Ryan – without a doubt – threw an epic party! Thank you so much for allowing All Four Seasons Events to be a part of your special day. Cheers to the Newlyweds!
* Full vendor credits below.
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Coordination: All Four Seasons Events | Photography: Sun Prairie Films | Venue: The Rose, Golden, CO
Hair & Makeup: Golden Roots Salon | Bar Service: The Rose, Golden, CO | Catering: The Rose, Golden, CO | DJ: DJ Connection
Décor provided by the Mother of the Groom, Lisa | Floral provide by friend, Kaitlin | A big thanks to the Mother of the Bride, Jill, for officiating and for making the cutting cake and various desserts