Two dentists walk into a bar… That might be the title of their future bestseller, but that’s not quite where Chris and Rosalyn first met. At dental school orientation, Rosalyn assumed Chris thought that he was hot stuff in his tight suit and man bun and gave him the cold shoulder. She was newly single and not interested in a new relationship, but after they actually got to know one another, Rosalyn knew he was the one. This spark grew and led the couple to the aisle in Colorado Springs with the majestic Garden of the Gods as their backdrop. 

Nowadays, whenever Chris and Rosalyn get a free moment, you can find them exploring their new city of Nashville, shaking up some gin cocktails, or hanging with their mini-bernedoodle, Franklin. The couple also valued their friends and family more than anything and wanted their destination wedding weekend to reflect that from start to finish. Rosalyn and Chris’ goal was to honor their family traditions while getting down with their friends on the dance floor, all tied together with a romantic, modern-meets-gothic backdrop.

It all started with their rehearsal dinner and traditional Vietnamese Tea Ceremony on Friday. Architectural arrangements were designed to compliment Saturday’s florals but in bright reds, ivories and taupes for cultural significance. 

For their wedding day, the couple wanted to draw inspiration from the fall landscape. The vendor team incorporated shades of burnt sienna, black, sage, bone and taupe to bring this vision to life within the overall aesthetic. Clear ceremony chairs helped keep the focus on the stunning mountainous backdrop. Guests were welcomed into the ceremony space with a champagne wall as reception tables beckoned with infused with moody details, rich textures, dark tones and fall aesthetics. 

A little Victorian Gothic goes a long way, so it was important to juxtaposition this with some modern metallics and shapes to create a balance that was dramatic but also elegant and celebratory. Modern, architectural florals with unique black and terracotta-toned candle holders offered a refined, but eclectic look, while their cake featured a figurine of their pup, who had taken a “bite” out of it. Carrying the visuals over into experiences, guests also received welcome guides, sipped on mood-inspired specialty cocktails, and enjoyed the interactive event spaces.

After the couple and their nearest and dearest danced the night away, it was time for a late-night snack. Honoring a friend group tradition of asking new members of their group, “What fry are you?”, they had a fry bar of regular fries, curly fries, and sweet potato fries with a wide variety of dips and sauces. Carly, a bridesmaid who started the tradition, was honored to have her name included on the custom fry cups. For the late-night crowd, this was a huge hit!

At the end of the day, Rosalyn and Chris’ wedding weekend in The Garden of the Gods was as joyous and lively as it was inspirational and charming.

Vendors: Photographer: The Tinsley Co.; Planner: Skylar Caitlin for Chancey Charm; Venue, Catering + Cake: Garden of the Gods Resort & Club; Hair & Makeup: Ember Hairstream; Videography: Prime Wedding Films; Rentals + Linens: Colorado Party Rentals; Florals: Southern Charm Colorado; Paper Goods: Minted; Welcome Party Lighting: Event Design by Scott & Katie; Wedding Submission Services: Published + Pretty