Lory State Park - South Eltuck Group Picnic Area

Rehearsal Dinner

Block One Events

Wedding Day

Our Wedding

Brenna and I first met at Century Elementary School in 2016 where we were both teachers. Brenna had been teaching there for a couple of years and it was my first year at the school. On one of the first professional development days our principal did one of those classic ice breakers for us teachers to get to know each other better. It was the ice breaker where you walked around with a clock and put a person's name on the clock and that would be your partner when the principal said that specific time. So Brenna and I put each others names on our clocks!

When We First Met

Brenna and I didn't really get together outside of school until the end of that first school year, I think it was sometime in early April 2017. I was hanging out with our friends Becky and Casey one night and they decided that Brenna and I would be really great together so we planned on going to a live concert with the band "The Yarn" playing. So one day after school I went to Brenna's classroom and asked her if she was busy that day, and I invited her to come with us to the concert! So we went to the Bluebird theater to watch "The Yarn" with a bunch of friends and had an amazing time! After that night I couldn't get her to stop talking. Thanks Becky and Casey + some tequila!

First Time Hanging Out!

For our first date we decided to go to Vine Street Pub for dinner and drinks. One memorable moment from this is talking for a long time and not realizing that we were the only people left there and the staff were getting ready to close.

First Date 04/22/2017 Vine Street Pub

All I heard about this dog named Springsteen is that he had specific ways he needed to meet people because he was a weird dog. So we went to Springsteen's favorite dog park for my first time meeting him. We picked him up from doggy day care and drove to the dog park. The drive ended with him sitting in my lap because he was so excited to run around. I have to say it was a good first date with Springsteen too.

Nick's First Date with Springsteen

At the start of the new year we decided we needed a change and started applying for jobs in northern Colorado. After a bit of a search we both found jobs in Northern Colorado and moved up to Fort Collins! We have both made huge professional gains and absolutely love the atmosphere and culture of Fort Collins. Springsteen loves that he lives so close to the mountains and water. Every time he gets in the car he starts squealing and jumping all over with pure excitement to go on a hike.

Summer 2018: Moving to Fort Collins Together

I knew I wanted to propose on a hike because that is our favorite thing to do together. I also new that it couldn't be on another holiday (had to be spontaneous) and that she didn't want anyone else around. Brenna's dad, Russ is a goldsmith so I knew he had to be the one to make Brenna's engagement ring. This was during COVID and was extremely tough to do without Brenna knowing, because we were stuck together even more than usual. I had to take Springsteen on a lot of walks to talk on the phone with Russ about how the ring making process was going and what I needed to do to get it to Fort Collins from Minnesota. Russ shipped it to me so it would be coming in the mail, which would be another issue if Brenna happened to be the one to get the mail and she saw a box from her dad to me. Luckily, I had to sign to receive the package so when they couldn't put it in the mailbox I was able to pick it up at the post office. Here is when the next problem occurred. The post office is very close to the park I go to play basketball so I told Brenna I was going to the park, when I actually went to the post office to pick up the ring! At first, the post office couldn't find the package, which was extremely worrying. They told me they would call if they found it. What an awful thing to hear when there is an engagement ring in the package you are expecting! So I went to the park to actually play basketball hoping they would call. They did call while I was at the park and they found the package, what a relief. The next problem was keeping the ring hidden from Brenna, so it lived in my sock drawer for a bit. The day of the proposal finally came, we were going on a hike to Coyote Ridge, which was an extremely hot hike, but had a beautiful view at the end. When we got to the end of the hike there was a bench to sit on the overlooked the Coyote Ridge area. I got down on one knee and asked Brenna to marry me. Although I knew what she was going to say I was so nervous, even Brenna said she knew something weird was going on because of how I was acting. When she said yes I tried to put the ring on her finger, it didn't fit. Turns out Brenna's fingers got a little swollen from the altitude. Thankfully, when we got back to the car the ring did fit. This whole story from sneaking around to call Russ about the ring, to the ring not fitting right away because of the altitude, is a story we will never forget.

Summer 2020: She Said Yes!

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Chris Valdivia

Kayley Winkelman

Dan Valdivia

Lorelei Soli

Ricky Howard

Becky Keene

Sean Blythe

Casey Callan

Ben Pearson

Megan Sterne

Ceremony & Reception

If you are flying into the Denver International Airport and don't want to rent a car check out <a href="https://groometransportation.com/fort-collins-loveland/reservations/?&amp;sd_client_id=ddde32c7-2a90-4b29-abb1-63bac82ab4b0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Groome Transportation</a>. Groome Transportation is a shuttle service that runs from Denver International Airport to Fort Collins. The Shuttle Service can drop you off at your hotel (approximately $50 one way). Or at the Fort Collins stop, Place: FC - Harmony &amp; I-25: 4300 E Harmony Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80525 (approximately $35 one way). It's also very easy to take a Lyft, an Uber, or Public Transportation from the Fort Collins stop to your place of stay.

We Highly Recommend Walking or Using a Lyft or an Uber To Go To and From the Wedding

<a href="https://www.fcgov.com/parking/structures.php" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Old Town Fort Collins Parking Map</a>

Fire house ally parking ramp - $1.00 Per Hour

0.3 Miles to Block One Events

160 Chestnut StreetFort Collins, CO 80524

On-Street Parking (limited open spaces)

2-Hour Parking from 8am to 6pm

Hotels within Walking Distance

The Elizabeth Hotel - 0.3 Miles to Block One Events

111 Chestnut StreetFort Collins, CO 80524

The Armstrong Hotel - 0.6 Miles to Block One Events

259 S College AvenueFort Collins, CO 80524

Getting To & From the Wedding

Where to Stay

Below are just recommendations for places to stay within walking distance. There are plenty of other hotels, <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Airbnb</a>, and <a href="https://www.vrbo.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">VRBO</a> options around the area in which you can take a Lyft or Uber to the wedding venue.

A boutique hotel right in Old Town Fort Collins. Within walking distance of the wedding (0.3 miles or 3 blocks). Check in time is at 4pm. If you would like an earlier check in time please: leave a comment when you book the room and call the day of to remind them of your early check in request. They cannot guarantee an early check in time time but they will try their best to accommodate. Parking is $20 daily.

The Elizabeth Hotel (Block Discount)

A historic hotel right in Old Town Fort Collins! Within walking distance of the wedding (0.6 miles or 6 blocks). Check in time is at 4pm. If you would like an earlier check in time please: leave a comment when you book the room and call the day of to remind them of your early check in request. They cannot guarantee an early check in time time but they will try their best to accommodate. Parking is $15 daily. <a href="https://reservations.travelclick.com/109713?_gl=1*14x0yrq*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE2MjkwNzUwMjguQ2p3S0NBanc5dUtJQmhBOEVpd0FZUFVTM0c1dC1KMFpSdTAyRkc4aUxOODNGcG9QUkVzLVkzR05EdDhoRVlkWkEtVktROXhNQ0tTQzZCb0NZczBRQXZEX0J3RQ..&amp;_ga=2.120179723.2041006337.1629075028-1337680819.1629075028&amp;_gac=1.92006888.1629075028.CjwKCAjw9uKIBhA8EiwAYPUS3G5t-J0ZRu02FG8iLN83FpoPREs-Y3GNDt8hEYdZA-VKQ9xMCKSC6BoCYs0QAvD_BwE#/guestsandrooms" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click Here for Current Rates (Before 10% Discount)</a>

The Armstrong Hotel *Please Call and Mention Winkelman & Valdivia Wedding Room Block for 10% Off*

Old Town is Fort Collins' awesome downtown. Put the address in google maps and it will bring you to our downtown area. Lots of great local shops, restaurants, and bars!

Old Town Fort Collins

New Belgium brewery is an awesome brewery with great beers! It is also right next to our wedding venue! They have a free tour BUT be aware that it is 2 hours long.

New Belgium Brewing Company

Another awesome brewery in Fort Collins! Odell also has a winery attached to it’s Brewhouse now, The OBC Wine project. Odell also has delicious beer and wine plus a great outdoor seating area.

Odell Brewing Company

Brenna and Nick's FAVORITE food in Old Town Fort Collins! They have sandwiches and burgers and everything is delicious! They also have a wonderful brunch.

Choice City Butcher & Deli

Social is an underground, cocktail bar with a speakeasy vibe in Old Town Fort Collins and it is our favorite place to go to enjoy a fancy cocktail or glass of wine.

Social

If you are a chocolate lover this is the place to go! Located right in Old Town Fort Collins. They make their chocolate from scratch and it is truly a unique chocolate experience for any chocolate lover. Our favorite truffle is the Snakebite truffle.

Nuance Chocolate

City Park is a big park in Fort Collins. It has a lake and lots of green area for outdoor games and picnics. There are also playgrounds and a water park for kids.

City Park

Horsetooth Reservoir is a big area with lots of activities! You can rent boats, paddle boards, and kayaks to go out on the water. There are also TONS of hikes around the area! You will have to pay for parking.

Horsetooth Reservoir

A beautiful park just outside of Fort Collins with lots of hiking and trails! A classic Fort Collins hike is Arthur’s Rock. It about 3.5 miles in and out. The heavy breathing is worth it for the beautiful views of Fort Collins and Horse Tooth Reservoir. It is a state park so you have to pay to enter.

Lory State Park

If you want an easier Fort Collins hike, this is the one! This also happens to be where I proposed to Brenna! Bring lots of water because there isn't shade. There are also a lot of prairie dogs at the beginning and be wary of Rattle Snakes!

Coyote Ridge Natural Area

Any fishers will love this river! You can hike or take a float/tube/raft along the river. There are many parks along the river as well. It’s also just a beautiful drive along Colorado Highway 14.

Cache la Poudre River

Hit up our local fly fishing shop to get all the current information on the best fishing spots and what flies to use.

St. Peter's Fly Shop

About an hour from Fort Collins is beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park. Take Trail Ridge Roadwhich crests at over 12,000 feet including many overlooks to experience the subalpine and alpine worlds. Rocky Mountain National Park has over 300 miles of hiking trails filled with wildflowers and wildlife. There is an entrance fee. Stop in Estes Park along the way to experience a Colorado mountain town. Check out their website to see a list of fun activities to do their town: see https://www.visitestespark.com

Brenna & Nick

Brenna & Nick

B&N

Wedding Day