Explore Telluride, Colorado, Through This Intimate Wildflower-Filled Wedding
After a vacation proposal in Cozumel, Mexico, college sweethearts Jessie Roushar and Connor Devine picked out a venue in one of the places that inspire them the most: Telluride, Colorado. "We wanted to incorporate the stunning mountain landscape into our wedding, and our venue did that perfectly by providing breathtaking views of the alpine lake and surrounding mountains," the groom says of their venue choice: Alta Lakes Observatory. The couple chose a neutral-and-natural color palette to complement, not compete with, the scenery. "We didn't have a specific theme but wanted to create a cozy and intimate atmosphere that reflected our personalities and love for nature."
Both Connor and Jessie wanted their fashion choices for the day to reflect their venue's romantic atmosphere. "I wore a classic black tuxedo paired with a wildflower boutonniere, while my wife wore a white wedding dress with a wildflower bouquet to match," he describes. "We wanted our looks to be classy yet effortless." Jessie opted for minimal makeup and a cascade of loose curls, which turned out to be excellent aesthetically and logistically, as the Colorado skies opened up to sprinkle the couple and their guests with some rain during the ceremony.
The stunning ceremony space did not suffer from the drizzle. Wooden pews faced a natural altar outlined with wildflowers in white and blue hues. Says Connor, "One of our favorite design elements was the floral ceremony installation. We had a floral semi-circle adorned with wildflowers and greenery laid around our feet: the perfect accent to enhance the beauty of the stunning mountain backdrop." Jessie and Connor stayed true to the color scheme of their venue: more so than they anticipated. "The colors were muted pastels, complementing the deep green mountain backdrop. We even saw some wildflowers used in the bridal bouquet growing at our wedding venue!" They exchanged vows under clear umbrellas while their loved ones looked on lovingly.
"For us, the most special moment of our wedding day was when the rain unexpectedly stopped, and the sun came out just after the ceremony," notes Connor. "We took advantage of the sun illuminating the alpine lake and took a romantic canoe ride while our guests enjoyed cocktails and the beautiful scenery." While the newlyweds floated along, friends and family snacked on passed appetizers. They unwound with a glass of one of the couples' signature cocktails: "The Cozumel," "The Big Easy" and "The Gunflint," named after a hiking trail in their favorite region of Minnesota. To carry the vibe into the reception, a greenery wall displayed flutes filled with Champagne to act as escort cards.
Inside the tented reception space, vendors had created a sweet-and-cozy atmosphere. "We wanted our guests to be comfortable, so we added some romantic furniture, rugs and lounge areas underneath the tents. The furniture was arranged to encourage guests to relax and enjoy the stunning views," the groom shares. An acoustic guitarist played and sang throughout the reception to keep the intimate mood. The ensemble dined at long tables with white linen runners and a springtime color palette, including pink-and-blue candles, lavender napkins, purple goblets and wildflowers to match. "The centerpieces were also a mix of wildflowers arranged in vintage glass bottles and jars. They were simple yet elegant and tied in with the overall style of our wedding perfectly," Connor notes.
To cap the celebration, the new Mr. and Mrs. offered their guests an ample snack table filled with treats to quash their late-night hunger. "At the end of the night, we set up a variety of fruits, cheese, nuts and sweets for our guests to graze. One of our favorite parts was the sugar cookies decorated to look like the faces of our pets," they reveal.
Connor's advice to couples in the throes of wedding planning is straightforward. "Don't feel pressured to follow traditions that don't resonate with you as a couple," he states. "It's important to make your wedding day feel authentic to who you are and what you value."