Sarah + Zach's Simple Small Intimate Wedding Package in the Colorado Mountains

Their Story:  ​"Sara and I met online and discovered right away that were each other's best friends and soulmates. We are thinking a small simple wedding because we have been to the large "commercial" weddings and we would like to have a small intimate special wedding with our close family and friends. We were both raised in Colorado and would like to have an authentic Colorado wedding in the mountains."

Planning Details:  We started working with Sara and Zach about nine months in advance of their wedding when they reached out to us through our ceremony site report services, which is a written consultation with detailed information about site options that will work with couple’s vision, budget, needs and priorities.  For their Colorado small wedding, they identified their top priorities as having a scenic mountain backdrop, a first look, and a small venue for around 30 guessts.  Check, check and check - we got it covered and see their photos below ⬇️ 🎉  They originally decided to have their wedding at Julia's Deck on Vail Pass, but throughout their planning, that changed.... which is totally okay.  Because they were both lodging and hosting a dinner at a restaurant in Breckenridge *AND* their guest list increased, we assisted with finding an alternate site that will still keep their priorities inline with having a simple small and intimate wedding with scenic mountain views.  Thus, they decided on the rogue, secret Rounds Park.  

All-Inclusive Small Wedding Packages

© Andrea Flanagan Photography

Wedding Details:  A lot of people *think*  that  weddings are supposed to be big, elaborate and grand, but often couples just want to keep things simple and intimate.  Sara and Zach wanted just that, keeping things simple and intimate, with a focus on photography and family moments. Today, we'll share a few details from their simple yet stunning wedding that will hopefully inspire others who are planning to have a smaller wedding. We're excited to take you through their day's journey, and we hope that you will enjoy the photographs and details we're going to share.

All-Inclusive Small Wedding Packages

© Andrea Flanagan Photography

Cherished Memories with Parents:  Sara and Zach wanted to keep everything intimate, so they got ready with their parents nearby. Sara particularly wanted to memorialize her special moments with her mom getting ready. In our small wedding packages, we plan a few getting ready moments and sentimental photography:  Sara's dress, shoes, and other accessories, all before heading off to the first-look spot. It's a beautiful time to capture candid moments that couples and their parents will cherish for the rest of their lives.

First Look with Dad:  one of the most emotional moments during the wedding was the first look Sara had with her father. It's a personal and private moment shared between the bride and her dad before she gets to see her groom. This was a beautiful moment that we were able to capture on camera.  Often couples want to skip this - but seriously, every time the couple and their families look at the photos, they are reminded of these precious and peaceful moments before the ceremony commences. 

All-Inclusive Small Wedding Packages

© Andrea Flanagan Photography

© Andrea Flanagan Photography

​First-Look and Family Photos:  After the first look with her dad, Sara had a first-look with Zach, followed by family photos. The AirBNB they had rented in Breckenridge wasn't the best for space and pretty backdrops, so we headed to the nearby Highland Railroad Park in Breckenridge.  This is a great way to get formal photos out of the way before the ceremony, and to make sure that all your loved ones are included. Everyone enjoys having a fun time, and when it comes to simple small weddings, this is the perfect opportunity to capture long-lasting and precious memories that will last a lifetime.

All-Inclusive Small Wedding Packages

© Andrea Flanagan Photography

© Andrea Flanagan Photography

© Andrea Flanagan Photography

Simple Wedding:  The bride and groom had their small, simple ceremony at Rounds Park in Breckenridge, with mountainous views that served as a perfect backdrop. With the seating arrangement and beautiful scenery, the simple ceremony felt just as grand as they envisioned. The couple was surrounded by their loved ones, and it was genuinely an emotional and unforgettable experience.

Dad as Officiant:  Yes - it is completely legal to have a friend or family member perform your ceremony in Colorado.  There are a few tips: 

• Plan the ceremony together: Your dad may have never performed a wedding ceremony before, but chances are he has attended plenty. Talk to him about the aspects of previous wedding ceremonies that he enjoyed and what he thinks will work well for yours.
• Practice the ceremony together:  It's important to establish a clear understanding of the ceremony structure and what you want to include (and exclude). Be sure to have him practice the ceremony too, so that he'll feel confident and comfortable on the day of the wedding.
• Provide support: Even if your dad is the most confident person you know, stress and nerves can still crop up on the day of the wedding. Be there to support him and help him feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible.
• Remember the details: When planning even a simple wedding, there are many details to take care of – but it's easy to overlook some of the small but essential items, like the remembering to bring marriage license or the wedding rings. Remember to motion for the guests to rise when the bride/s walk-in, then tell the guests to be seated.  Its also great to step out of the way before the couple kisses.  
• Celebrate your experience: Finally, remember that a simple wedding is a celebration, and the fact that your dad is officiating makes it all the more special. Celebrate the experience and enjoy the moment! Take the time to bask in the love and happiness of your wedding day, and thank your dad for the incredible job he's done.

All-Inclusive Small Wedding Packages

© Andrea Flanagan Photography

Champagne and Dancing:  They didn't want to leave their guests waiting, so right after the simple ceremony, they popped some champagne and permitted their guests to enjoy a beverage while the couple and family did some dancing.... yes - at the ceremony site!  This is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and natural environment and a wonderful way to incorporate dancing since many restaurants won't allow it because they don't have the space and it would bother other diners.  After that, the guests were sent on ahead to the restaurant while we finished photos with the couple only.

All-Inclusive Small Wedding Packages

You don't need to have a massive wedding to achieve a memorable and cherished moment. Fewer people in attendance make for more intimate and personal moments to savor, such as first-looks, time with families, and intimate ceremonies. Sara and Zach's simple yet stunning wedding ceremony was an example of how a simple wedding can be just as beautiful and poignant as any other. Their processional of family photos and breathtaking scenery showcase how a small simple wedding can generate a grand and everlasting moment. At the end of the day, it's all about celebrating love, and Sara and Zach did just that.

All-Inclusive Small Wedding Packages

• Intimate Wedding Package:  www.CustomWeddingsoColorado.com, inclusive of planning, florals, cake, photography and onsite coordination.  Contact Wendee to get started. 
• Package inclusions:  Photographer:  Andrea Flanagan Photography   |  Florals:  Stefanie Hofmeister  |  Baker: La Patisserie Francaise  |  Officiant: the bride’s father 
• Items to budget outside of the package:  Hair & Makeup: Breckenridge Hair Company  |  Dinner:  Sauce on the Maggie in Breckenridge  |   Lodging: an AirBNB in Breckenridge   |  Couples also need to budget for travel expenses, attire, rings and marriage license. 

Get Started: Contact Wendee

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