An amazing Buena Vista, CO Micro-WeddingShay + JessieWhen 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. 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 AdventurersMeet Shay + JessieShay 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. |
Why Buena Vista Weddings are Colorado's Best Kept SecretWhen 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.
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:
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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.
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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.
. 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 |
Making Your Buena Vista Elopement EffortlessReading 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:
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