Custom Weddings of Colorado: Specialists in Small Intimate Weddings & Elopements
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An amazing Buena Vista, CO Micro-Wedding

Shay + Jessie


When you already have demanding careers and a blended family to manage, planning a massive, high-stress event is the last thing you want to do. That is exactly where Shay and Jessie found themselves. As two high school coaches from Stephenville, Texas, their daily lives were already packed with practices, game days, and raising four. They wanted to get married, but they didn't want the circus. They craved a day that was relaxed, beautiful, and centered entirely on their family.

Their solution? They packed their bags and headed from Texas to the stunning Collegiate Peaks in Buena Vista, Colorado to host an intimate, stress-free micro-wedding. By opting for a small wedding, they traded venue minimums and rigid traditions for breathtaking mountain views, a rooftop taco bar, and quality time with their absolute favorite people.
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If you are wondering how to pull off an effortlessly gorgeous day without losing your mind in the process, keep reading. This is the story of Shay and Jessie’s incredibly fun celebration, and your ultimate guide to planning the best Buena Vista weddings.

High School Coaches Turned Mountain Adventurers

Meet Shay + Jessie


Shay and Jessie both work in public education in Texas. Jessie coaches high school football and track, while Shay coaches volleyball and track. Despite living in the same town and knowing of each other, their paths didn't officially cross until they started working together. Fast forward through shared rounds of golf, great dinners out, and cozy Netflix binges, and they were ready to tie the knot.

Their blended family includes 4 kids and with a family of six, their wedding day needed to be deeply personal and family-focused. They didn't want to get lost in a sea of 200 guests. Instead, they invited just 12 of their closest friends and family members, bringing their total guest count to a perfect, intimate 18.


They wanted a vibe that was lighthearted, visually stunning, and above all, easy. They handed the logistical reins to our team at Custom Weddings of Colorado, trusting us to handle the heavy lifting while they focused on getting to Colorado and having a blast.
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Why Buena Vista Weddings are Colorado's Best Kept Secret

Ceremony Site Report

When couples start looking into Colorado mountain weddings, their minds usually go straight to the big resort towns. But if you want massive scenery without the massive crowds, Buena Vista is where the magic happens.
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Nestled at the base of the Collegiate Peaks in the Arkansas River Valley, Buena Vista literally translates to "beautiful view." It is a laid-back, authentic mountain town that hasn't lost its historic charm to commercialization. It is highly accessible—just a gorgeous two-hour drive from Denver—but feels like a secluded mountain getaway.
Buena Vista elopements and micro-weddings offer incredible perks:
  • The Banana Belt Climate: Buena Vista enjoys over 250 days of sunshine a year and milder weather than many higher-elevation ski towns, making outdoor ceremonies comfortable and vibrant.
  • Endless Adventure: Your guests won't just attend a wedding; they will get a full mountain vacation. From whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River to soaking in natural hot springs and hiking scenic trails, there is something for every energy level.
  • Unpretentious Charm: You get walkable streets, local craft breweries, and boutique lodging without the pretentious resort town price tags.
For Shay and Jessie, this destination offered the perfect mix of jaw-dropping backdrops and relaxed, small-town warmth.
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A Look at the Wedding Day Agenda

When you hire a dedicated planning team, your wedding day flows naturally. You don't have to watch the clock or worry about when the cake is getting delivered. Here is how Shay and Jessie’s Buena Vista microwedding unfolded on a beautiful Saturday in late May.
  • The Relaxed Morning Setup. The day kicked off at the Shorehouse Hotel. Shay and her family enjoyed a slow, stress-free morning with professional hair and makeup. Meanwhile, our onsite coordination team was already in motion picking up the cake and floral arrangements, and getting everything transported and set up at the venue.
  • First Looks and Family Moment. Our photographer, Andrea Flanagan, arrived at the hotel to capture the final getting-ready details. Shay wore a stunning gown paired with a beautiful pale pink, orange, yellow, and light blue floral bouquet. Jessie looked sharp in a light postal blue suit with a pink floral tie.
  • First Look in Town:  It is one of the best ways to shake off any pre-ceremony jitters and ground yourselves before the festivities begin. Shortly after, they brought all four of their kids in for a heartwarming family reveal.
  • Family Photos before the Ceremony.  You cannot have a Buena Vista microwedding without capturing the unbelievable scenery.  The couple, their kids, and the photographer headed up to the Collegiate Peaks Overlook. This spot offers panoramic views of the 14,000-foot mountains. They spent a fun, breezy 45 minutes taking epic portraits in the crisp mountain air before heading back into town.
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A Rooftop Ceremony to Remember.  The ceremony took place at The Terrace on Main, Buena Vista’s first and only open-air rooftop venue. Offering unmatched views of Mount Princeton, it was the perfect space for their group.  To make the ceremony even more personal, Shay’s younger brother, Mookie (a football coach at the Air Force Academy), officiated the wedding.
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Tacos, Cake, and Mountain Sunsets. After the ceremony, the group tackled a few family photos while enjoying local charcuterie boards. Shay and Jessie then snuck off for a quick 20-minute photo session around town (you can also go down by the Colorado River). .  Once they returned, everyone gathered back on the rooftop for some short, sweet welcome speeches and the cutting of the cake.

And speaking of the cake—it was a two-tiered masterpiece. The top tier was Peach Melba (white cake with Grand Marnier, sliced peaches, and raspberry preserve), while the bottom tier was a decadent Noisette (amaretto-flavored chocolate cake with praline buttercream).

Dinner was completely custom to their fun-loving style: a delivered Taco Bar from Scratch Kitchen Taqueria. It was the perfect, unfussy way to feed their favorite people while watching the sun dip behind the mountains. By 5:45 p.m., our coordination team and photographer concluded their coverage, leaving the family to eat, drink, and celebrate the night away under the stars.

The Micro-Wedding Ceremony, Photos, and Reception

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Making Your Buena Vista Elopement Effortless


Reading through Shay and Jessie’s timeline, you might notice one major theme: they actually got to enjoy their day. They didn't have to chase down a caterer, set up chairs, or figure out how to transport a two-tiered cake up a mountain highway.

Our all-inclusive micro-wedding packages are built for busy couples who want maximum beauty with minimal effort. Here is what makes our process work so well for Buena Vista elopements:
  1. We Connect You with Trusted Local Experts. Finding reliable vendors from a few states away is tricky. We take that completely off your plate. For Shay and Jessie, we utilized our exclusive network. Andrea handled the gorgeous photography, Stefanie built custom floral arrangements based on Shay's exact color preferences, and our bakery provided a gourmet, customized cake.
  2. We Handle the Logistics. From creating a minute-by-minute timeline to coordinating deliveries, we act as the central hub for your entire event. You tell us your vision, and we build the framework to make it happen smoothly. We even provide BlueTooth speakers for your ceremony music and handle the setup so your family doesn't have to lift a finger.
  3. You Stay in Control of Your Budget. Big weddings easily spiral out of financial control. Micro-weddings keep costs incredibly manageable. Because our packages include the big ticket items (planner, onsite coordinator, photographer, officiant, florals, and cake), you know exactly what your baseline costs are upfront. From there, you simply budget for your travel, attire, and a fantastic dinner at a local restaurant.
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Frequently Asked Questions

About Colorado Micro-Weddings


​How do we get our marriage license in Colorado?  Colorado is incredibly easy when it comes to marriage licenses. You can pick it up at any county clerk's office in the state (like the Chaffee County Courthouse right near Buena Vista) for just $30. There is no waiting period and no blood test required. You simply need valid government-issued IDs.

Do we have to hire an officiant?  Nope! Colorado is one of the few states that allows "self-solemnization." This means you can marry yourselves, or have a friend or family member lead the ceremony without needing to be officially ordained. Shay and Jessie had Shay's brother officiate, which added a wonderful personal touch to their day.

How many people can we invite to a micro-wedding?  Our packages cater to intimate groups, typically ranging from just the couple (an elopement) up to about 40 guests. Shay and Jessie's group of 18 was the perfect size for keeping things cozy and manageable.

Are there accessible ceremony sites for older guests?  Absolutely. While we love a good hiking elopement, many of our favorite ceremony sites—including rooftop venues, lakeside docks, and scenic overlooks—require zero hiking and are fully accessible for guests of all mobility levels.
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Start Planning Today!
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Your Dream Buena Vista MicroWedding is Within Reach

You don't have to sacrifice stunning details just because you want a small, easy wedding. Buena Vista weddings offer the absolute best of Colorado—sweeping mountain views, charming local venues, and an atmosphere that invites you to truly relax and celebrate.  

If you want a wedding day that feels like a breath of fresh mountain air, we would love to help you pull it off. You deserve a day that is focused on your love story, your closest family, and a really, really good slice of cake. Ready to ditch the wedding stress? Get in touch with us to explore our customizable packages, or grab our Ceremony Site Report to find the perfect hidden gem for your intimate Colorado wedding.
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More From Shay + Jessie's Buena Vista Wedding

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Micro-Wedding Vendor Credits

​All-inclusive Package (includes):
  • Photographer: Andrea Flanagan Photographer (exclusive only to Custom Weddings of Colorado's package)
  • Venue: Terrace on Main in Buena, Vista, CO
  • Planner: Wendee with Custom Weddings of Colorado
  • Onsite Coordinator: Wendee Vezzetti
  • Officiant: Brother of the Couple
  • Florist: Stefanie Hofmeister
  • Baker: LaPatisserie Francaise
Other Vendors to Budget Outside of the Package:
  • Food/Beverage: Scratch Kitchen
  • Lodging: Shorehouse Hotel
  • Hair & Make: Graykin Hair & Makeup

Custom Weddings of Colorado

Colorado's best planner for intimate weddings, elopements and micro-weddings, and day-of coordinator.  Starting her event career in 1995, Wendee said "goodbye" to planning large weddings in 2012 and has since been specializing in small weddings & elopements. She's now also re-adding day-of coordination.  Based in the Western suburbs of Denver-Bouder, servicing the Central Colorado Mountains such as Estes Park, Winter Park, Grand Lake, Vail, Breckenridge, Steamboat, Crested Butte, Aspen and beyond.
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  • Home
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    • BLOG
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  • GET STARTED
    • CUSTOMIZED CEREMONY SITE REPORT
    • SUMMIT COUNTY SITES
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    • CEREMONY PLANNING GUIDE
  • BENCH RENTALS
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    • REVIEWS