A Colorado Courtship

Real Colorado Wedding – Casey and Matt

by Season Hurd Posted on May 22, 2013

Colorado, Parker, Wedding, Rustic, Black Bear, Sara Lynn Photographic — All photos by Sara Lynn Photographic

Bride: Casey Hines, 25 – Occupational Therapist

Groom: Matthew Maurio, 26 – Project Manager

Date: September 8, 2012

Fun anecdote about this wedding: After corresponding with the bride, turns out we’re from the same small town in SE Colorado and went to the same college! Small world huh?

Casey and Matt first met at CSU where they both attended college. It took a few years before they really got together though and it wasn’t long before Casey had to go out of state for graduate school. Eager to spend some time together, the two decided to go to Mexico for Thanksgiving break. You probably think you know where this is going. That’s what Casey thought too:

It had crossed my mind he might propose during this trip. A few days before we were to leave, some girlfriends and I were planning to get together for happy hour. When my girlfriend and I arrived to 1515 Restaurant in downtown Denver, she told me to go inside to meet our other friend, who had been waiting for us to arrive, while she parked. I was greeted by a waitress who took me upstairs to a table. To my surprise, it was Matt at the table, not my friend waiting. He got down on one knee, told me he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, and brought out a beautiful ring to put on my finger! We had a romantic dinner with champagne and delicious dessert. Once we were finished, our waitress informed us another couple in the restaurant had purchased our entire meal, as someone had done the same the night for them when they got engaged. We plan to return the favor! We ended the night celebrating with our closest friends! – Casey

The couple married at Black Bear Golf Club in Parker. The location provided a beautiful backdrop to Casey’s dream of blending feminine chic and country charm. Being from a small, rural town she wanted to include rustic details and important family traditions. The couple did a ring blessing ceremony where their guests passed the rings and prayed for the couple and traditional unity candle ceremony as well. After the wedding, Casey moved back to Colorado and they began their lives together as a husband and wife. Congratulations to the happy couple!

Posted in Real Colorado Weddings | Tagged Black Bear Golf Club, Complete Music, Makeup by Heather B, Mermaid's Bakery, Real Colorado Wedding, Sara Lynn Photography, Scarlet Salon | Leave a comment

Photo Ops – Denver – Downtown in Winter

by Season Hurd Posted on May 20, 2013

Colorado, Denver, Downtown, Engagement, Photography, Stephanie Brauer Photography, Oxford Hotel — All images provided by Stephanie Brauer Photography

Often cute locations are all around us. For a couple who loves the city, downtown Denver is a perfect backdrop. Mishayla and Chris had their engagement session on the streets of Denver with the talented Stephanie Brauer. They canoodled for the camera in several locations (and it would seem had several wardrobe changes…I’m a little jealous of her style). The most notable locations you can find are:

The Oxford Hotel

(The cool storefront is part of the associated shops and changes periodically)

1600 17th St.

Denver, CO 80202

16th Street Pedestrian Mall

(16th St. between Wewatta and Broadway)

Southwest Ice Rink at Skyline Park

16th and Arapaho

(Open seasonally)

Larimer Square

(Larimer Street between 14th and 15th)

Thank you so much to Stephanie Brauer Photography for submitting this session and its locations. You can see more of this session on her page here and their stylish wedding in WA here.

Posted in Photo Ops | Tagged 16th Street Mall, Architectural or Modern, Denver, Larimer Square, Oxford Hotel, Photo Ops, Skyline Park Ice Rink, Stephanie Brauer Photography | Leave a comment

Floral Friday

by Season Hurd Posted on May 17, 2013

bare root flora, colorado, florist, wedding, bouquet, dahlia, astilbe, nerine lilies, lamb's ear, pink, yellow, white, green, textrured — Bare Root Flora is rapidly becoming one of my very favorite florists. This week I selected a soft and beautiful bouquet comprised of dahlia, astilbe, nerine lilies and lamb’s ear. Gotta love that texture! (Submitted by Bare Root Flora)

Posted in Flowers | Tagged Bare Root Flora, Floral Friday | Leave a comment

Tussie-Mussies

by Season Hurd Posted on May 17, 2013

tussie-mussie, tussy-mussy, nosegay, silver, wedding, bouquet, holder — Image Source

tus·sie-mus·sie (ts-ms) n.

1. A small bouquet of flowers; a nosegay.

2. A cone-shaped holder for such a bouquet.

You will see a lot of spellings of this fun little term. And, unfortunately, there are also two major meanings and lots of misnomers. I started off looking for “silver bouquet holder” and came up with all sorts of crazy information. Gotta love Google!

So the general consensus of sources I read explains the following:

Back in the day when bathing was rare and stank people were the rule and not the exception, ladies would carry nosegays. These little bundles of fragrant herbs and flowers helped to ward off the odoriferous emanations (Hulk would approve). They were often carried in sweet little cones with a pin to place through the bouquet to hold it in place and a ring to dangle it off the finger until it was needed near the nostrils. Often there were matching holders to place the tussie-mussie in upon returning home.

tussie-mussie, tussy mussy, bouquet holder, silver, antique — These stylish holders come in a great deal of shapes and levels of complexity from very simple to extremely ornate. Many have a horn-shaped handles. Prices range from under $20 to hundreds of dollars depending on materials, design, and age. If you buy one with a holder that keeps it upright, it can function as decor at the reception. It would also look amazing in a shadow box if you preserve your bouquet. – Image Source (See this page for a lot more examples!)

As time went on the tussie-mussies took on a little more character and meaning. In particular, the Victorian era saw a revolution in nosegays as symbolizing different sentiments. A suitor would give a meaningful nosegay to his lady and she had to figure out his intentions. Each flower or herb had a different meaning that could be interpreted by using a floral dictionary (which were rife with contradiction so some would send a note with meanings if they weren’t trying to be aloof). It all became very romantic (seriously, it’s like they had 14 extra hours in a day back then to court each other in the most roundabout ways).

tussie-mussie, tussy mussy, bouquet holder, victorian, lace, doily — The Victorians often wrapped their tussie-mussies in lace. Which unfortunately led to these atrocities in more recent times. - Image Source

Today asking for a tussie-mussie can be met with confusion for several reasons. But if you are working with a florist in the know, chances are the big question would be, “Are you looking to buy the bouquet holder itself or a nosegay?” I think I would do both! Not only am I in love with these spectacular flower holders, I really dig the idea of having a bouquet that has more meaning to the flowers than, “I think peonies are pretty.” If you explain the flowers in the wedding program, everyone can appreciate your thoughtfulness and be in on this beautiful tradition. Or, it can be a sentimental secret among your wedding party. And the joy of these sentimental arrangements doesn’t have to begin or end with the bridal party. Gift your mom or MIL a really meaningful nosegay with a note attached to explain your message. Or surprise your fiance with a special boutonniere. Everyone loves flowers but they become so much more when we attach additional meaning.

language of flowers, flower, meaning, symbolism, chart, victorian — Image Source

Posted in Flowers | Tagged Flowers, Nosegays, Tussie-Mussies | Leave a comment

Photo Ops – Denver – Little Man Ice Cream

by Season Hurd Posted on May 14, 2013

Denver, Colorado, Engagement, Wedding, Photography, HIghlands, LIttle Man Ice Cream, Ampersand Studios — All Images by Ampersand Studi os

This winter I photographed a favorite spot to share with you and then kinda forgot about it. Lucky for me, a photographer submitted really good pics for me to share with you shortly after! Little Man Ice Cream is located in the Highlands neighborhood (right by two wedding staples – Anna Be and Scarlet Salon). You can see its adorable, over-sized milk container building from I-25. I’m so happy to see that a couple utilized this sweet (literally) location and the nearby I-25 pedestrian bridge which I was also eyeballing! The weather chased them and really let loose but I think the snow made the ice cream shots that much more fun and quirky. Congratulations Sara and Brandon!

Thank you so much to Ampersand Studios for submitting this lovable engagement session!

Little Man Ice Cream

2620 16th St.

Denver, CO 80211

Posted in Photo Ops | Tagged Ampersand Studio, Denver, Highlands, Little Man Ice Cream, Photo Ops, Silly | 2 Comments

Married App

by Season Hurd Posted on May 12, 2013

If you and your wedding goers are app-happy and attached to their cell phones, here is an app that will rock your world. I’ve shared ones that function as photo booths, photo sharing, etc. But this one does everything! Information, photo booth, photo sharing, timeline, song requests, and so much more! Check it out.

Posted in Organization | Leave a comment

French Cafe Wedding Styled Shoot

by Season Hurd Posted on May 11, 2013

When this styled shoot came to me this evening I wanted to blog it right away. I am so perplexed that I have never realized this splendid little French cafe existed in Denver. The shoot took place at Bistro Vendome. In keeping with the venue, the details are delightfully French – celebrating classic pieces, form, and flowers. While still being modern, it is timelessly elegant. I’m struck by how the use of vintage pieces doesn’t feel “old” at all even though the repeated love letter details bring to mind a simpler time. Another element that I really enjoy is the play on light and dark between the ladies. The contrast is very visually interesting and almost creates a motion as it is laid out together on the page. Très belle!

P.S. I rarely display pictures of food so much but I felt I had to show them. I have to go there!

Posted in Real Colorado Weddings | Tagged Anthologie Press, Beet and Yarrow, Bistro Vendome, French, Rebel Salon, Red Shoes Photography, Styled Shoot, Vintage Rentals Denver, Weddings by Jamie Flower | 1 Comment

Floral Friday

by Season Hurd Posted on May 10, 2013

Wedding, bouquet, Colorado, Jennifer Lee Floral Design, Bart Young Photo, white peonies, coral peonies, peach garden roses, peach long stem roses, peach stock, coral godetia, dusty miller, pearls. — This bride’s bouquet is sumptuous. I really like the addition of pearls because it creates a subtle shimmer. It includes white and coral peonies, peach garden roses, peach long stem roses, peach stock, coral godetia, dusty miller, and pearls. (Submitted by Jennifer Lee Floral Design, Photo by Bart Young Photography)

Posted in Flowers | Tagged Bart Young Photography, Floral Friday, Jennifer Lee Floral Design | Leave a comment

Moody Blooms

by Season Hurd Posted on May 10, 2013

I know it’s spring time and everyone is thinking of bright blooms or soft pastels. But right now I’m stuck on dark and moody. You don’t have to be goth to appreciate a dramatic bouquet. And we’re not just talking “black” (no blooms are actually black), but dark purple, red, blue, and even green. Feast your eyes on these moody blooms:

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T |U |V | W | X

Posted in Flowers | Tagged Flowers | Leave a comment

Real Colorado Wedding – Jamie and Brad

by Season Hurd Posted on May 9, 2013

Colorado, Wedding, Estes Park, Mountain, Purple, Sage, Wildflowers, Jamie and Brad, Jenae Lopez Photography, A Colorado Courtship Blog, Bride and Groom — All Photos by Jenae Lopez Photography

Bride: Jamie Klinetob, 33 - Marketing and Events Manager

Groom: Brad Pletcher, 39 – Warehouse Manager

Date: August 18, 2012

This wedding makes me *squee*. It has such great details that it’s a treasure trove of inspiration. Those are my favorite weddings to publish for you guys! So please forgive me in advance for a TON of pictures on this post to capture all those little things.

Jamie and Brad met in Maryland where they worked together. However, their romantic relationship would be a full 6 years of friendship later. Shortly after they started dating, it was in the cards to move to Colorado. Today they live in Boulder and again work together! I think that being able (and willing) to work together repeatedly bodes very well for this charming couple.

Our birthdays are 1 day apart (Feb 18 & 19) and we decided to celebrate with a weekend in the mountains in 2011. On the last run of the day on top of Peak 8 in Breckenridge, Brad stopped me to “take a photo.” He then surprised my by getting down on both knees (since his feet were strapped in snowboard) and proposed. I was shocked and a little reluctant to remove my glove, but of course said YES! – Jamie

The couple wed in Estes Park at The Black Canyon Inn. The beautiful backdrop was perfect for a couple with a strong love of the outdoors and all that Colorado has to offer. Drawing that theme indoors to the reception, Colorado wildflowers played a fun decorative and functional role as part of the table design and the table numbers. Guests’ escort cards had an image that corresponded to photographs on the tables. The photos are produced by a local photographer and now grace their home. (You know I love it when couples re-use wedding elements.) Flowers covered every surface of Twin Owls Steakhouse, the reception venue, including the stairs and window ledges. Hand tied bundles of fresh rosemary and purple status were tucked into every napkin. And local goods were tucked into hand-stamped bags as favors.

The wedding was rich with meaningful details. The bride’s necklace was made of her grandmother’s engagement ring and other vintage jewelry pieces. Their wedding date was the bride’s grandparent’s wedding anniversary. The groom’s uncle and former NFL player, Jeff Seimon, helped them write their vows and performed the ceremony. Local band and close friends, Monocle, played acoustically during the ceremony.

One of my favorite things about this couple is how fun they and their guests are. Jamie describes a “sister on sister showdown” for the bouquet and a surprise compatibility game hosted by two of their guests (thus the holding up of shoes). But my favorite silly aspect was the cutting of the cake:

Our cake cutting was unique with an underlying devious plan in play. We wouldn’t want to disappoint our guests by politely taking a bite nor did we want cake all over us, so we asked our maid of honor and best man to join us at the cake cutting to be in the picture. Just as it seemed we were taking the polite approach, we shocked them with frosting to the face. I think everyone got a good laugh and I enjoyed the rest of my night without a sticky sugar residue. – Jamie

Congratulations to Jamie and Brad!