Creating The Wedding of Your Dreams

Good morning, and happy Saturday! This blue bird November day is inviting, yet I can't help but mentally jump into my wedding season coming up in a few short months. Winter may have barely even touched Steamboat Springs, Colorado, but Spring is already on my mind!! As I sift through the calendar of lovely newlyweds I have booked, I try to put myself in their shoes. SoulSpark Wedding and Event planning has been around for years in the Yampa Valley, but I find it is always useful to approach each big day with that delight and curiosity from "the very first time." Being engaged is like riding a roller coaster--from feeling on display, to nailing down the nitty gritty details, the process can feel way out of your own control. It's always more fun when you have a cheerleader AND a coach on your side. That's where my event planning team comes into play.

Once you have picked your venue and put down deposits for all the main players for your wedding, it's time to breathe a sigh of relief and start to enjoy the wedding planning process. Let's face it, the initial stages of planning a wedding are stressful. Time never seems to be in your favor. Some Rocky Mountain brides feel pressed to book vendors and make decisions (sometimes over a year in advance!) in fear of another couple booking their dream photographer or band. But now you can r-e-l-a-x. Make a cup of tea (yes, I am British and everything is better when you have a cup of tea in your hand!), grab your computer and some pen and paper. At SoulSpark Events, we will meet with you in person or via the phone to create a personalized style board for you. We ask you a series of questions and then start to collect images and colors that arise from our discussion. From here, we work on creating a theme for your wedding to ensure that everything from the dessert table to the bar menu to the lighting have a cohesive feel to them. Interested in beginning the process yourself?

One of my favorite ways to start is by creating a Pinterest account, identifying your core key words (for example, outdoor Colorado weddings) and then start 'Pinning' your favorite images to your newly created board. Initially, you may be overwhelmed by images, but don't let this put you off. Drink some tea and maybe nibble on a biscuit (okay, cookie!) and before you know it you will have created your own wedding board. At SoulSpark Events, we will review your board, narrow down your 100+ images (it's easy to get carried away!), help you figure out your wedding style and brainstorm ways to make your dreams a reality.

Brides often tell me that this is when they really appreciate having a wedding planner by their side. Overwhelmed by Pinterest, brides are unsure how to pull all their new ideas together. Something borrowed, something blue, what was that other thing I needed!? And who is going to make all of these decorations? Thankfully, you have many options. Some brides love making their own decorations (and if you have the time and the ability to transport the decorations, then this can be a great option). But for all of you destination brides or busy brides with limited time, I highly recommend bringing in a wedding decor specialist. Thankfully, my good friend Jody Feeley and her daughter Alex (who lives right here in Steamboat Springs) are launching their new wedding decor business called Twigs to help you create the wedding of your dreams.

Jody and I worked closely together on Jayde and Matt's wedding this past fall. In fact, all the gorgeous photos in this post showcase the amazing creations Jody put together to create a one of a kind wedding. As Jody said, "We are bringing the forest inside," and this is exactly what they did. Jayde and Matt wanted an organic mountain feel to their wedding at Four Points Lodge, located at the top of Steamboat Resort's Mount Werner (reached by a gondola and bus ride). They also wanted their wedding to feel personal and intimate. Jody and her talented daughter Alex hand picked quotes and created personalized signs, hung photos of the happy couple in potted aspen trees, and made vases made from aspen logs. A romantic and one of a kind arch was the focal point of the ceremony, while a matching one hung over the head table during dinner. Lights were a key part of the day, and twinkle lights adorned the hand made signs and potted aspen trees, with bistro lights strung over the dance floor and outside on the deck. We placed customized signs on the deck and inside the venue with battery operated lights so they would be seen day and night. From vintage looking cupcake stands and plates adorning the dessert table, to specific pops of color in the furniture, Jayde and Matt's style was recreated in every aspect of the event.

This magical wedding all began with pen, paper and a vision. This is what happens when a team of passionate Steamboat designers and planners come together. So much fun! Don't be overwhelmed by Pinterest. We are here to help you create the weddings of your dream. Stay posted for Jody and Alex's new website. For the moment, if you want to reach this talented and creative team, call Jody at 970 846 7310.

Alexandra Mathisen

Founder, SoulSpark Events

Photography by Andy Barnhart