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An Chic Buttercream Garden Wedding in Colorado

An Chic Buttercream Garden Wedding in Colorado

A modern day romance nestled between mountainscapes and meadow florals

Boulder’s sun-kissed Flatirons provided the perfect backdrop for Maddie and Matt’s unforgettable wedding, a day that effortlessly blended mountain-chic elegance with urban sophistication. Every detail was intentional, from the vibrant, fruit- and vegetable-adorned tablescapes to the striped linens inspired by their travels to the Côte d’Azur, creating a celebration that felt both playful and refined. Maddie’s bridal look was pure elegance – a structured Vivienne Westwood gown paired with vintage Manolo Blahniks, complemented by the timeless fine jewelry heirlooms. The atmosphere was intimate yet lively, with a seamless flow from the garden ceremony to the al fresco cocktail hour and reception, where live music, a DJ, and even a saxophonist kept the energy electric. Capturing every sun-dappled moment and heartfelt glance was our own member, Laur Fernandez Photography, whose lens made the magic of the day feel eternal.

An Chic Buttercream Garden Wedding in Colorado

Our Love Story

^{The Day We Met}

Matt and I met in college while attending the University of Colorado Boulder. We were set up on a blind date for his fraternity’s formal by some mutual friends — and started dating the following fall in 2015. Ten years later, we would be married in the same city!

^{The Proposal}

Matt proposed on December 16, 2023, on the rooftop of the LondonHouse in Chicago. I was downstairs having Holiday Tea with my family when they suggested we go up for a drink on the rooftop. In a whirlwind of moments that followed, I was whisked into an elevator that opened to a private pergola atop the hotel. Matt guided me outside before getting down on one knee. I was utterly and completely surprised. After the proposal, our closest friends and family — who had been hiding at the venue — rushed out to congratulate us. It was overwhelming in the best way. We then headed to an engagement party at Lux Bar, one of our favorite Chicago spots, where more friends and family were waiting. It was truly one of the best days of our lives.

An Chic Buttercream Garden Wedding in Colorado

^{The Engagement Ring}

Matt and I custom-designed my oval engagement ring at a family friend’s jewelry store in the Chicago suburbs. She’s perfect!

Our Wedding

^{The Vision}

I wanted our day to feel elevated, unique, and most importantly — like us. The blend of urban luxury with mountain-chic elegance felt like the perfect mix of what we love most about both Colorado and Chicago. It was important to me that every design element felt intentional, chic, and playful — from the striped linens inspired by our travels to the Côte d’Azur, to the fruit- and vegetable-adorned tablescapes, and the fluidity of our ceremony backdrop and signage. I wanted everything to feel true to my personal style and to who we are as a couple.

^{The Location}

Our wedding took place in Boulder, Colorado, at The St. Julien Hotel & Spa — set against the stunning backdrop of the Flatiron Mountains.

An Chic Buttercream Garden Wedding in Colorado

^{The Ceremony}

The ceremony was held in the garden at The St. Julien Hotel — an elegant, intimate setting surrounded by natural beauty.

^{The Cocktail Hour}

Cocktail hour followed in the garden and patio, al fresco style, at The St. Julien Hotel. We chose an Aperol Spritz tower to kick off cocktail hour. Also had edible flowers in each signature cocktail.

^{The Reception}

Our reception was also held outdoors, under the stars in the garden — a truly magical setting. There were vibrant tablescape accents featuring artichokes, lemons, and snap peas from the Boulder Farmer’s Market — all purchased fresh that morning.

^{The Special Touches}

A string band trio for the ceremony and dinner service, with a DJ for the cocktail hour and reception. Alternating between live music and a DJ created the best energy throughout the night. A live saxophonist joined the DJ for the after-party — a must! We also had luxe film cameras from Cheecam placed on every table for guests to capture candid memories.

An Chic Buttercream Garden Wedding in Colorado

^{Our Favorite Moment}

Our favorite moment, hands down, was seeing each other for the first time as I walked down the aisle with my mom. The feeling was indescribable — one of the happiest moments of my life.

Our Style

^{The Bridal Looks}

For my bridal look, I wore a Vivienne Westwood gown — timeless, structured, and effortlessly elegant. It felt perfectly me the moment I put it on. For the reception, I changed into a dress from Anthropologie, something lighter and more playful for the celebration that followed. My bridal shoes were vintage Manolo Blahniks, a classic touch I absolutely loved, and later I slipped into a pair of Badgley Mischka heels for dancing. My jewelry was especially meaningful — I wore my mother’s wedding band and Matt’s maternal grandmother’s ring, two cherished heirlooms that made me feel surrounded by love and family all day.

^{The Groom’s Look}

Matt wore a classic tuxedo from Suit Supply — sharp, timeless, and perfectly tailored. It suited him so well and reflected the effortless, modern elegance we wanted for the day.

Our Advice

^{For the Planning Process}

There’s no “right” way to have a wedding — do what feels authentic to you as a couple and forget the rest.

^{For On The Day}

Everyone tells you to “soak it all in” because the day flies by. While that’s true, I think it also adds unnecessary pressure. The day will fly by — and that’s okay. Carve out moments just for the two of you to take a step back and absorb your surroundings. Those are the moments you’ll remember. Others will pass in a blur and feel like a dream — and again, that’s okay!

An Chic Buttercream Garden Wedding in Colorado

^{For Post-Wedding}

Matt and I both kept journals to record the days leading up to our wedding and throughout our honeymoon. I can’t recommend this enough — having both the small and big moments captured in writing from each of our perspectives is something we’ll cherish forever.