A Rustic, Whimsical Wedding at Devil’s Thumb Ranch Tabernash, Colorado

Kristen Hopkins (28 and a physician with child neurology) and Sean Arredondo (28 and a physician with surgeries) met in medical school.They didn’t get

Kristen Hopkins (28 and a physician with child neurology) and Sean Arredondo (28 and a physician with surgeries) met in medical school.They didn’t get more serious until they were into their residency programs. They went on an intimate winter getaway in Winter Park, Colorado, for vacation. “We were going on all sorts of nice dinners and even a horse-drawn sleigh ride for two with a hint of wedding talk. Then, one morning after snowmobiling, I found myself standing with a mascara wand in one hand, face half down, probably in a questionable state of half-dress, when Sean walked into the bathroom in ski pants and got down on one knee. Three feet away from a toiler, mind you. Then we went to the sulfur hot springs to celebrate.” Kristen is from Denver and Sean is from San Antonio. However, they love going to Winter Park, Colorado for vacation. Having wined and dined at Devil’s Thumb Ranch’s restaurant before, and adoring the delicious food, gorgeous mountain view and cozy atmosphere, they knew that’s where they wanted to get married. They had a winter wedding in January in the Broad Axe Barn with the doors open so they could swoon over the beauty of the Rocky Mountains and remember the enormity of the commitment they were making. Afterwards, they had a glamorous, romantic reception decorated with aspen trees from Kristen’s parents’ front yard, tons of string lights and a roaring fire in the cobblestone fireplace. They decorated with plum, mint, peach and gold throughout their whimsical, rustic accents. The bride wore a champagne Marisa dress with a white fur stole and the bridesmaids wore plum Love Lane dresses with faux fox fur stoles. "In retrospect, we looked Game of Thrones-esque according to many of our guests," Kristen says. “We greatly appreciate the comparison as quite a compliment!” The couple enjoyed a seated dinner of potato truffle bisque, choice of elk strip loin with currant and juniper sauce or Rocky Mountain trout with bacon relish by Devil’s Thumb Ranch and ended the night dancing to Jammin’ DJs. “There were a lot of oxygen-deprived Texans getting wild on the dance floor.”

Kristen and Sean created custom caricatures of themselves as foxes on their treasure-map inspired invitation suite.
Pink Rose Bridal Hair Accessory
Silver Brunia and Lamb's Ear Boutonnieres
Sean Getting Ready in Colorado
Sean wore a navy Hugo Boss suit and the groomsmen wore matching navy suits and plum ties for a consistent, chic look.
The bridesmaids wore floor-length plum dresses with faux fur stoles to match Kristen’s white fur stole.
Kristen carried white anemones, blush peonies and olive leaves in her lush white bouquet.
Kristen wore a champagne Marisa wedding dress with a white lace overlay and keyhole back for her January wedding. For the ceremony, she also wore a white fur cape to keep warm in front of the open barn doors.
Devil's Thumb Ranch Winter Wedding Venue
Kristen is from Denver and Sean is from San Antonio, but they love Winter Park, Colorado. “We decided to get married at Devil's Thumb Ranch in the Broad Axe Barn only days after the engagement because we wanted to share a special place and the beauty of a Rocky Mountain winter with our Texan friends and family,” Kristen says.
Rustic Black Lantern and Pillar Candle Aisle Decor
Kristen and Sean in Broad Axe Barn in Colorado
Kristen and Sean in Tabernash, Colorado
Kristen and Sean First Kiss
Kristen and Sean in Tabernash, Colorado
Rustic, DIY Hot Chocolate Bar
DIY Cocktail Hour Hot Chocolate Bar
Vintage Seed Tin Cocktail Table Centerpieces
“We had several rustic components such as salvaged wooden window frames from a family cabin that my dad restored and into which he pressed native flowers that was used as our seating chart,” Kristen says.
Vintage Suitcase Card Holder
“Achieving the perfect low, romantic lighting was paramount,” Kristen says. “We had trees throughout the barn lit with small white Christmas lights (and the aspens themselves came from my parents' front yard), lots of candles and a roaring fire going throughout the reception at one end of the barn. Every detail was absolutely spot on due to the obsessively perfectionist nature of our fantastic wedding planner, Stacy Pisani of Alexan Events.”
Rustic, Romantic Fireplace at Devil's Thumb Ranch
Simple, Romantic Reception at Devil's Thumb Ranch
Whimsical Plum Menu Cards
Green and Peach Floral Centerpieces
To match the whimsical fox caricature invitations, Kristen and Sean added gold animal figurines to their centerpieces
Glamorous Gold Cake Table Linens
Kristen and Sean enjoyed a three-tier mint-colored buttercream-frosted chocolate chocolate chip and red velvet wedding cake.
Kristen and Sean First Dance