High above the pines, with sweeping mountain views and golden aspens in every direction, Alison and Todd exchanged vows at the breathtaking Palmyra Overlook in Telluride, Colorado. Framed by lush greenery and a vibrant floral aisle lined with deep reds, warm oranges, and creamy whites, the couple’s fall wedding in Telluride felt like it was lifted straight out of a dream.

For Alison and Todd, Telluride wasn’t just a backdrop; it was the heart of their wedding vision. “We both have a special love for the mountains, and we knew we wanted to get married somewhere that felt meaningful, but also wasn’t already ‘someone’s place,’” Alison shared. “We wanted to find somewhere new together that would check all our boxes. Plus, we really wanted the wedding to feel like a full weekend of celebration, not just show up, party, and go home.”

And celebrate they did. Their wedding spanned three days of events, from a welcome party at Stronghouse Brewpub to a rehearsal lunch at Telluride Beer Co., and finally, the mountain-top “I do’s” followed by a reception at The Crystal Room at The Peaks Resort & Spa.

Choosing Telluride

Interestingly, Alison had never been to Telluride before she began picturing it as the place she and Todd would marry. “I actually first fell in love with Telluride through Instagram, just seeing those golden aspens and mountains was enough to spark the dream,” she explained. When she and Todd visited, with the help of Piper from Telluride Weddings, they ended up choosing venues that weren’t even on their original list. “Our ceremony and reception sites weren’t even originally on my list, and I can’t imagine it any other way.”

Of course, planning in a remote mountain town came with challenges. Alison recalled, “Telluride is tiny, which means limited vendors, higher prices, and a very ‘mountain time’ vibe. Shops literally have ‘Gone Skiing’ signs with no return time listed. It could be hard to lock things down.” Despite the logistical hurdles, the couple knew they had found their dream location.

A Personal, Emotional Ceremony

The ceremony itself was full of thoughtful touches that reflected Alison and Todd’s personalities. One of the most unique? “Todd had this beautiful idea to hug each person walking down the aisle before they sat down (and we had a big wedding party), which made it feel so personal and emotional.”

They also chose to write their own vows, which Alison described as “one of my favorite parts of the day.” A short rain delay only added to the mountain-town authenticity before skies cleared and they stood before the sweeping peaks, surrounded by their closest family and friends.

DIY Details & Special Extras

Alison poured her creative energy into their décor, building a custom escort card display that guests are still talking about. “I had this vision for giant wooden displays with luggage tags hanging from them… Cue: several weekends, a few new power tools, endless cutting, sanding, painting, and a whole adventure trying to source the right letters and hardware,” she laughed. Ultimately, the project required renting a pickup truck and a heroic best man to haul everything to Telluride, but the payoff was worth it.

The couple also incorporated special extras like a live event illustrator, a lively performance from their band Desert Child, and meaningful moments with their families in the yurt before the ceremony.

The Magic of a Mountain Destination Wedding

Looking back, Alison and Todd say they wouldn’t have had it any other way. “I don’t think we would have gotten that magical ‘bubble’ feeling if we’d done it closer to home,” Alison said. “Telluride is a trek, so everyone who came really committed to being there. Once you arrive, you’re there, no distractions, no rushing back to real life.”

Their biggest advice for couples planning their own destination wedding? Stay true to yourselves. “We knew our destination wasn’t the easiest, between the travel and the altitude and the cost, but it was our dream. And it turned out more magical than we could’ve imagined.”

Vendors: Photography: Jodee Friday & Co.; Planner: La Vie Adeux Events; Videography: 42 at Vesper; Florist: Dahlia Floral Design; Makeup: Telluride Beauty Co.; Hair: Hair9 Salon; Welcome Party Venue: Stronghouse Brew Pub; Ceremony Venue: Palmyra Lookout (Telluride Ski Resort); Reception Venue: The Crystal Room at The Peaks Resort & Spa; Bride’s Dress: Neta Dover; Groom’s Suit: Indochino; Bridesmaids: Birdy Grey; Groomsmen: The Black Tux; Band: Desert Child; Live Portraits: Live Event Illustrator; Stationery: Minted; Cake: Sweet Creations Telluride