1. Real Weddings

A Classic Orange and Purple Wedding at Cielo at Castle Pines in Castle Rock, Colorado

Cara Stengel (30 and a sales manager) and Josh Friedman (30 and a sales manager) met in high school. For their wedding, the couple chose Cielo at Cast

Cara Stengel (30 and a sales manager) and Josh Friedman (30 and a sales manager) met in high school. For their wedding, the couple chose Cielo at Castle Pines in Castle Rock, Colorado, for its perfect combination of mountain elegance with vaulted ceilings, stonework, fireplaces and gorgeous ceremony gazebo built into the hillside. Since Cara grew up Catholic and Josh grew up Jewish, they decided to have a nondenominational ceremony with both unity candles and stomping of the glass. Kim Mattei officiated the wedding and was everything Cara and Josh had hoped for. “We wanted a light hearted and funny yet beautiful wedding and Kim was the perfect match,” Cara says. “She was a total hit with all the guests and had everyone laughing and crying all at the same time.” After the ceremony, the couple had a sophisticated reception inside the ballroom. They used shades of purple and orange for a fun, bright color palette. One of the best parts of the reception was the surprise flashmob-style wedding party dance, which was choreographed by Matthew Peters from Boulder's Dinner Theatre. “Before the dance began, the DJ announced all 16 wedding party members to silly nicknames (assigned by us!) as if they were a basketball team while playing ‘Sirius’ by the Alan Parsons Project in the background,” Cara says. “When it came to announce the happy couple, we came out across the large ballroom to ‘I feel so close to you Right Now’ by Calvin Harris. From there, we joined they wedding party on the other side and busted out into a hilarious mob flash. The entire venue went nuts, not expecting it, and it set the tone of fun for rest of the night.”

Cara wore silver Prada heels for a pop of sparkle on her wedding day.
Cara wore a Hayley Paige mermaid dress. She loved the lace bodies and flowing skirt. She completed the look with a crystal belt.
Cara carried an orange bouquet of roses, calla lilies and garden roses.
Formal Three-Pieces Gray Groomsmen Suits
The groom and groomsmen wore three-piece gray suits with gray and purple patterned ties. They completed the look with orange rose bloom boutonnieres.
The bridesmaids wore two different shades of purple dresses designed by Dessy.
“It was the perfect combination of mountain elegance with vaulted ceilings, stonework, fireplaces and a gorgeous ceremony gazebo built into the private hillside,” Cara says.
Rustic Wood and Stone Wedding Arbor
Has Anyone Seen The Rings Ring Bearer Sign
Cara and Josh First Look at Cielo at Castle Pines
“I grew up Catholic and Josh grew up Jewish,” Cara says. “So we chose to have a nondenominational wedding, but incorporated pieces of both backgrounds. We used both unity candles and stomping of the glasses.”
Cara and Josh Recessional at Cielo at Castle Pines
Simple, Classic Black-and-White Escort Cards
“Floor-to-ceiling windows provided amazing views of the patio, hillside and fireplace,” Cara says.
Cascading Orange Flower, White Tree Centerpieces
Cara and Josh enjoyed a three-tier white fondant wedding cake decorated with ivory beadeds and topped with orange roses and calla lilies.
As a wedding gift, Cara’a cousin hired an old friend to choreograph a group dance at the reception. “Before the dance began, the DJ announced all 16 wedding party members to silly nicknames (assigned by us!) as if they were a basketball team while playing ‘Sirius’ by the Alan Parsons Project in the background,” Cara says. “When it came to announce the happy couple, we came out across the large ballroom to ‘I feel so close to you Right Now’ by Calvin Harris. From there, we joined they wedding party on the other side and busted out into a hilarious mob flash. The entire venue went nuts, not expecting it, and it set the tone of fun for rest of the night.”
Cara and Josh First Dance at Cielo at Castle Pines