A Fall Colorado Destination Wedding

Words by Kyra Goodman
Photos courtesy of Shannon Von Eschen

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It was an easy decision to have a Colorado destination wedding for Lauren and Stephen due to their love of Breckenridge. “We are originally from New York and moved to Florida together a couple of years before our wedding,” says the bride. “I didn’t want a wedding in Florida and Stephen didn’t want a wedding in New York, so we compromised with a destination wedding.” The Lodge at Breckenridge set a beautiful backdrop for the couple to say, "I do!"

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After multiple weekend trips to Colorado and a day trip to Breckenridge, the couple instantly knew that’s where they would have their big day. “Stephen planned a trip to visit his longtime friend who had just moved out there. I got a call a couple of hours after he landed telling me to get on the next flight out because I had to see Colorado, so that’s exactly what I did,” says the bride. Friends and family were extremely supportive of the couple's decision to have a destination wedding. “No one responded negatively. If anything, we got some extra help and support due to it being a destination wedding,” says Lauren and Stephen.

Just like planning any wedding, there is stress, but the couple had a lot of help from family experiences and local vendors. “My two older sisters had destination weddings, so it helped knowing how to go about certain things and what exactly needs to get done and when,” says the bride. “It was frustrating at times when you just want to plan your flowers or plan your cake, but luckily the vendors I used were great about responding quickly and using pictures.”

The couple didn’t have any logistical issues either. Guests flew into Denver and either drove themselves to Breckenridge or took a shuttle. They coordinated with vendors through email and made a weekend trip to meet with the florist and do a food tasting. The result of all their hard work was a perfect fall wedding day filled with breathtaking views of Breckenridge and lots of love!

We asked the couple if they had any tips for other couples planning a destination wedding. Here’s what the bride said: "My advice would be to not stress over anything! As soon as vendors know it is a destination wedding, they are super understanding. Don’t feel like you are running out of time and need to get things done in one day, you will drive yourself (and your fiancé) insane. It’s not worth it because at the end of the day, your wedding day will turn out exactly how you want it to be. If one little thing goes wrong no one even notices. This is your once in a lifetime special day, so try to make it as positive of an experience as possible!

Vendors: Photographer: Shannon Von Eschen, Wedding Planner: Michelle Lipp and Susan Cox (Mom and Sister), Ceremony/Reception Site: The Lodge at Breckenridge, Florist: Petal and Bean, Stationery: King’s Scribe, Cake: Savor the Sweetness, Hair and Makeup: Mel McIntosh and Tia Garland, Gown Designer: Watters, Groom’s Clothing Designer: Vera Wang, Bridesmaids/Groomsmen’s Clothing Designer: Vera Wang