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From the Bride…Nick and I met in our first year of graduate school at The University of Virginia. We attended most of the same classes, as we had both entered the same architecture program, so it was perhaps inevitable that we’d notice each other, and eventually we began dating. Upon graduation we decided to start fresh in a new city. We landed in Boulder, Colorado. After living there only a few months we knew it was the best decision we had made. The mountains, trails, skiing, snowboarding, and all of the adventurous activities in our new backyard proved to be our cup of tea. It was a no-brainer: We would be married in our new hometown…six years later!

I am not one of those girls who knew exactly what she wanted her wedding to be like since the age of 5 and it was a bit intimidating to start the planning process. I felt a pressure to make this one day the ultimate expression of us as a couple, as it would forever be captured in hundreds of photographs. Luckily I had no problems deciding on my dress. It was the third one I tried on and I was in love, though it made me a bit nervous to pick my dress without knowing our wedding venue. It wasn’t until a couple of months later that we had the church and reception venue secured, and upon this decision everything else seemed to simply fall into place. Now it was a lot easier to envision how the whole day would unfold.

Both of us are architects, so we knew that we were going to be designing the wedding ourselves from top to bottom. This strategy made all of the little design elements and details that much more personal and unique – but not without a bit of blood, sweat, and tears. I think we got the most enjoyment out of designing the invitations (5 times over!). This was done very early in the planning process and it really set a guideline and aesthetic tone for the design, decorations, and the day in general. We found old frames and fashioned them into large chalkboards – even today they are hanging in our house! Our aim was simplicity and thoughtfulness in décor, as our backyard reception venue was already well-appointed with some very strong red awnings. As a complement we chose white and gray to be our primary colors for a simple, classic look. In a bit of serendipity, our borrowed getaway truck (a classic 1964 International Harvester Scout 80) was nearly a perfect match for the orange-red door of the church!

We had help from Calluna Events to help pull the whole day together, and both of us could not be happier with the way things turned out. I never really expected to have THAT much fun at my own wedding – I thought there would be more stress or obligations to tend to that would get in the way – but it truly was the best time ever. 

Wedding Photography: J-Anderson Photography / Floral Design: European Flower Shop / Event Design: Calluna Events + Bride & Groom / Event Planning: Calluna Events /  Ceremony Location: First Congregational Church / Reception Location: Koenig Center at the CU Boulder / Invitations: Bride & Groom / Caterer: Catering by Design / Cakes: Indulge Bakery / Ceremony Music: Scott Martin / DJ: Mike of Pure Sounds Production / Hair: Sarah Robinson of Voodoo Hair Lounge / Make-up: Jill of MAC

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Post tags: Boulder, Calluna Events, Catering-By Design, Colorado, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, European Flower Shop, Indulge Bakery, J-Anderson Photography, Koenig Center, Pure Sounds Productions, Scott Martin, The First Congregational Church, Voodoo Hair Lounge
Post categories: Casual Elegance

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From Angie Wilson Photography…Gina and Kevin wanted to keep an organic farm/vintage feel to their wedding. The Farmette in Lyons was a perfect venue for that look and all of their DIY details made it complete. Gina made the invites (which were printed on plantable paper), as well as the guestbook cards. Guests enjoyed a variety of games, including a cornhole game that Kevin built and an old croquet set. Even the signs were made by the bride and groom. Gina’s aunt and uncle own an antique shop and loaned them lots of vintage goodies that were used as decorations on the farm.

Guests enjoyed a delicious BBQ dinner at a long, family-style table. Gina planted succulents in old coffee cans that sat on the table. Instead of wedding cake, Gina’s mom and sister made pies and Kevin’s parents brought cheesecakes from New York. After dinner a live bluegrass band (White Water Ramble) played lively music which was a perfect close to the day.

Wedding Photography: Angie Wilson Photography / Venue: Lyons Farmette / Florist: Fiori Flowers + (flowers from Lyons Farmette) / Band: White Water Ramble / Officiant: Kevin Bracy Knight / Caterer: Biscuits & Berries / Desserts: Newskete Bakery (cheesecake) + Homemade Pies

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Post tags: Angie Wilson Photography, Biscuits & Berries, Boulder, Colorado, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Fiore Flowers, Lyons Farmette, Newskete Bakery, White Water Ramble
Post categories: The Blog

Salvo and I met in Italy when I had moved there to study art after college. I was determined to learn Italian so I decided to find Italian roommates. Salvo had a mutual friend in common with one of my roommates and we met one evening when he came over for dinner. We dated for almost three years until I decided I wanted to move back to the U.S. Salvo wasn’t ready to leave so we broke it off. Though we kept in touch over the phone, we didn’t see each other for three more years, both of us trying to move on. Finally Salvo decided to quit his job and moved to the U.S. and a couple months later we decided it was meant to be.

Family is such an important part of both of our lives. The most important thing to both of us for the wedding was that we wanted our communities to merge. We wanted all the wonderful people that are a part of each or our lives to talk, laugh, dance and celebrate with one another. Salvo and I come from very different backgrounds. Salvo was born in Africa and his parents moved to Italy when he was two. I was born and raised in Colorado. We knew it would be a challenge to find ways to break down the language and culture barriers at the wedding but we were determined to find ways for everyone to get to know each other and step out of their comfort zones to interact.

Because so few of my family and friends speak Italian, we had everyone tie different color ribbons to their wrists which identified the languages they spoke. This way an American who spoke French and an Italian who spoke French could recognize that they could in fact communicate, or at least laugh trying.

Our guest book was a map where guests wrote in their name identifying where they were from. We spiced it up by including facts about each guest that they had to identify and attach near their name.

Another way we encouraged everyone to interact was by mixing up the seating. Over dinner every table had to come up with the most creative thing that they all had in common. A representative from the table came up to share and Salvo and I voted. It was an amazing and hilarious way to get everyone talking.

We got married in my mother’s beautiful garden at the house where I grew up in Colorado. Our ceremony was in the front garden and the guests wove there way through christmas lights into the back garden for the reception.

Several months before the wedding I saw a beautiful paper star lantern in a store and had a vision of hundreds of paper lanterns lighting up the sky as we danced into the night. I bought the lantern, took it home and took it apart to figure out how to make one myself. I taught my friends and family members how to make them and pretty soon we had almost 80 handmade star lanterns made by all our friends and family. Salvo is an electrical engineer so he designed an LED light that went inside the stars which could be turned on and off with a remote control. It was magical!

Flowers: Painted Primrose / Catering: Amelia and Savory Cuisines / Wedding Dress: Caroline Devillo / Groom’s Attire: Palzileri Italian Suit / Pie: Kim and Jake’s Cakes / Photography: Julie Afflerbaugh Photography

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Post tags: Backyard Wedding, Birds, Boulder, Budget Beautiful, Caroline DeVillo, Casual Elegance, Colorado, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Flower girls, Italian wedding, Julie Afflerbaugh Photography, Kim and Jake's Cakes, Lanterns, Maps, Painted Primrose, Palzileri Italian Suit, pies, Savory Cuisines, Stars, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Little Black Book Blog

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From the Bride…My grandmother has always been one to collect things, especially fine family heirlooms.  When I asked her last fourth of July if I could borrow some pieces from her crystal collection, I was blown away when she revealed and gave to me a beautiful, pink-rimmed cake stand that was given to her on her wedding day in 1948 by her Aunt Meryl.  At that time the delicate stand was fifty years old.  It is this piece that became the inspiration for Andrew’s and my wedding which celebrated the uniqueness of our families, friends, upbringings and futures.

Location: Indian Peaks Golf Course / Wedding Coordinator: The Celebration Studio / Wedding Photography: IN Photography / Florist: Fiori Flowers / Make-up: Makeup by Janine / Caterer: Back to Basics Kitchen / Wedding Cakes: Indulge Bakery / Stationery: The Design Garage / DJ: A Music Plus / Wedding Dress: Watters

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Post tags: A Music Plus, Back to Basic Kitchen, Boulder, Colorado, Fiori Flowers, IN Photography, Indian Peaks Golf Course, Indulge Bakery, Makeup by Janine, The Celebration Studio, The Design Garage, Watters
Post categories: Casual Elegance, The Blog

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From Jenna Walker… Ali & Cooper are the creative masterminds behind San Francisco-based Cooper Carras Photography. Shooting weddings on a weekly basis, it came as no surprise that Ali & Cooper would find something different up their sleeves when it came to saying “I do.” Anything ordinary or traditional was set aside. The typical violinist would be replaced with the sweet serenade of a mountain bluegrass banjo player. Paper flowers and one simple hand-assembled bouquet would take the place of a florist. And a little rain wouldn’t stop these two from tying the knot in a meadow in the early morning hours. In an open space park outside of Boulder, Colorado – Ali & Cooper tied the knot and made their own sunshine – proving that a little rain just might be good luck on your wedding day.

They toasted to their happiness with close family and friends in a lunch-time celebration at Boulder’s The Kitchen – an organic eatery with all the makings of simple.

Photography: Jenna Walker Photography / Flowers: picked and put together by the bride; handmade paper flowers / Ceremony: Heil Valley Ranch Open Space Park outside of Lyons, Colorado / Reception: The Kitchen, Boulder CO / Transportation: Banjo Billy Bus

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Post tags: Boulder, Colorado, Jenna Walker Photography, Outdoor Wedding, Rain, The Kitchen
Post categories: Do-It-Yourself Inspired

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From Becky Young…Ahhh how I wish every wedding could be like Eric and Michelle’s stunning mountaintop wedding! Eric and Michelle are true lovers of life, full of fun and adventure. They travel, they love spending time in the beautiful the outdoors, they backcountry snowboard in the Colorado Rockies, and they love each other deeply. Their wedding was a reflection of their passion for each other and the natural setting they reside in.

Boulder, is one of the most beautiful cities in Colorado and is a perfect setting for a wedding.  Eric and Michelle chose the Sunrise Amphitheater as their ceremony site. It overlooks the city of Boulder from high atop Flagstaff Mountain. Surrounded by pine trees, chirping birds, the occasional squirrel and a soft mountain breeze, they exchanged vows among family and friends. It was a perfection.

Eric and Michelle wanted to incorporate many natural elements into their wedding day. From a burlap wrapped bridal bouquet, to moss nestled escort cards, to the beautiful table cards which were all named after different hikes and experiences they have had in the outdoors. The table cards were designed to look just like national forestry signs, which was so creative!  Eric is very talented in working with wood and helped created a major part of each table’s centerpiece as well. I just love it when the groom gets involved in making the wedding day unique!  They incorporated wood into many aspects of their wedding day, including the ring bearer pillow, dessert buffet, and arch they were married under.

Eric and Michelle’s team of incredible vendors helped bring their dreams to reality. They hand selected a very talented group of people that helped their wedding day come to life. Rachel with Talia Events did an outstanding job of coordinating the day’s events and details, and Cori Cook provided some of the most beautiful floral arrangements I have ever laid eyes on! Both Rachel and Cori worked extensively with Michelle and Eric to help them create a perfect vision for their wedding day. With all the love, details and wonderful vendors, Eric and Michelle’s wedding day was absolute perfection.

Photography: Becky Young Photography / Ceremony: Sunrise Amphitheater, Boulder  / Reception: Rembrandt Yard, Boulder / Wedding Coordination: Talia Events / Floral Design: Cori Cook / Catering: Greens Point Catering / Hair & Makeup: Girls and Curls / Baked Goods/Dessert Buffet: Boulder Baked / DJ: Tip Top DJ

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Post tags: Boulder, Colorado, Cori Cook, Fall, Greens Point Catering, Rembrandt Yard, Sunrise Ampitheater, Talia Events
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Traditional Elegance

Angel and Patrick are just beginning that journey! They ‘found’ Julie through Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book. Yay! And Angel has shared a little bit about their own wedding plans with us … “Our wedding is about our guests. We want them to enjoy themselves as much as possible and so that plays a big part in the decisions we make to create our day. Trying to find the right balance between what’s best for our family and friends, and doing so in a way that expresses who we are at the same time has been a lot of fun. For example, I’m a HUGE foodie (and now Patrick is too, lol) so it was really vital that our guests enjoy engaging, memorable food. I’ve been to plenty of weddings where most of the adults ended up making their way through the kids buffet. So with that in mind we created an extremely light-hearted menu with a stylish flair including Miniature Grilled Brie Sandwiches on Brioche Served with Smoked Tomato Coulis, Petite Cheddar Cheese Sliders and Condiment Station, Homemade Penne & Three Cheeses Served Individually in Ramekins and Topped with Crunchy Herb Panko, Build Your Own Sundae Dessert Bar with Vanilla Gelato and Toppings to Include Bing Cherry Port Reduction, Dark Chocolate Ganache, Orange Caramel.

And when it came to bridesmaid attire, the same concept applied in making it about them first. People have more fun and look best in photographs when they’re comfortable so I simply picked a designer I liked and a palette of 7 or 8 shades of green ranging from spring green to moss and more in between. My bridesmaids are then able to pick whichever color they would like and whatever dress style they feel most comfortable in. The only other stipulation is that the dresses all have pockets because I have a deeply rooted love affair with pockets and since I couldn’t add them to my wedding dress (yup, that’s right, I tried lol) at least they can all enjoy the splendor of a pocketed dress. It’s details like those that are woven throughout the day that people will notice and say, yup, that’s so Angel.”

Angel is the author of her very own wedding blog, DIY Unveiled. She has lots of great DIY projects and wedding planning tips! To see more of their e*shoot, she has them posted on her  blog here!

We saw lots more great engagement shots on Julie’s blog ~

Erin and Scott were just married in Boulder Colorado. Here are a few of their gorgeous engagement photos …

Corina & Amos’s E*session is one of the ones that really caught my eye on Julie’s blog. Seems like everything we see from Colorado is amazing!

Corina & Amos’ wedding is next September.

And Kelly & Michael …

Kelly and Michael just got married and we have a couple of images to share with you from that!

That color combination of grey and yellow is really sensational! We’ll have more images from Kelly & Michael’s wedding up this afternoon. In the meantime, if you’d like to see more, you can take a look at them Julie Afflerbaugh’s blog right here!

Thanks SO much, Julie … for sharing!

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Post tags: Boulder, Colorado, Daisies, Engagement Shoots, Julie Afflerbaugh Photography
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography

But rather than let that deter the so-so-so- happy couple … they chose to embrace the day!

Little Black Book member, Heather Dwight of Calluna Events in Boulder, Colorado coordinated Joanne & Jake’s  wedding. She’s written a great piece on her blog about ‘a day in the life of’ a wedding planner based upon Jake & Joanne’s wedding!  The point being … no matter how well organized you are, “stuff” happens. Think of a wedding coordinator as a fireman wearing many hats who puts out lots of little fires! Heather, you guys did a fantastic job!!

Jenna Walker Photographers … Jenna & Katie … are sisters, who each, in their own rights, are mega-talented photographers. They capture the emotions, the passions … and the FUN … that make this day, of all days, AMAZING!

from Jenna’s blog …

Joanne & Jake are the type of people you can’t help but admire. They are the creative types. Adventurers. Authentic, no holds barred. All with the sort of humility that many aspire to, but few attain. Joanne is a well-traveled, sharp-shooting architect. Jake – the Editor-in-Chief of Skiing Magazine: see also witty journalist guised as a ski bum. Put the two together, give them a map – and you’ve got a story worth listening to. Sit down. Grab a beer. They will make you laugh. Given this combination, it was with deep respect that the task of shooting their wedding would become. They know photography. They know clean lines and soft light and composition. But more than that, they understand what is real, what is true, what is them.

. . .

A family full of writers makes for a series of toasts worthy of publishing. Everyone had a go at the mic – even the littlest lady of the family put in her two cents. As a finale to a series of 4 or 5 speeches, Jake toasted Joanne in a laugh-till-you-cry speech.

The precious cupcake flags, table numbers and place cards pictured were made by LBB member, Bird Dog Press. Cupcakes by Tee and Cakes.

For a more complete list of wedding vendors, please see Jenna Walker Photographers and Calluna Events blogs …

And so … there are only a handful of the “best days of your life”. Your wedding day ranks WAY up there. I think Joanne & Jake got it right!!

A HUGE THANKS to Jenna & Katie, … Colby Brown … Joanne & Jake … for sharing this day!

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Post tags: Bird Dog Press, Boulder, Calluna Events, Colorado, Cupcake Flags, Cupcakes, Denver, Jenna Walker Photographers, Place Cards, Table Numbers, Tee and Cakes
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography, Wedding Planners & Designers, Wedding Style