Sierra and Chris

An intentional celebration of effortless joy.

Opening

Intentional. Relaxed. Elegant. Community-focused.

These are just a few of the words Sierra and Chris wanted to define their wedding celebration. They didn't want to do the "typical wedding things" simply for the sake of tradition. Instead, they wanted to be fully present, savor every moment, and ensure their guests and community had an experience just as memorable as their own.

To bring that vision to life, they chose to work with friends who had expertise in nearly every area of the wedding rather than simply "hiring vendors." The cake, the music, the venue, the photographer, the décor—everything came through someone they had a personal connection with. Their selfless, community-centered approach was reflected in every detail.

The Couple

Sierra and Chris are one of those couples you can immediately tell are meant to be together. Their connection runs deep, and it simply makes sense. It was such a pleasure to be part of their wedding, knowing what a perfect match they are for one another.

I had the privilege of knowing Chris before he met Sierra, so when I had the opportunity to sit down and get to know his beautiful fiancée, I was delighted to see just how perfectly they complemented each other. That unity was evident not only in their relationship but throughout the entire planning process as well.

The Setting

As I mentioned before, Sierra and Chris chose to involve the people they knew and trusted in every aspect of their wedding, and the venue was no exception.

A stunning private residence in northern Colorado Springs became the backdrop for their celebration. The lawn, surrounded by towering pines and breathtaking mountain views, created the perfect ceremony setting. For the reception, we transformed the property's large car barn into a beautifully personalized event space.

This transformation was made possible by the incredible team we had in place. Pipe and drape, along with unique lighting provided by the events team they had a personal connection with, completely transformed the space and made it feel uniquely their own.

The Logistics

Choosing a private residence and working with friends and personal connections was a beautiful and meaningful decision, but it also required a tremendous amount of logistical coordination.

Through extensive planning meetings and careful preparation, the couple was still able to relax and truly enjoy their wedding day. Throughout the planning process, Sierra continually offered, "I can help with..." I always reassured her that this was exactly why she had me in her corner. My job was to take her vision, her design, and all of the logistics and ensure everything came together exactly as planned.

During the week leading up to the wedding, I made sure every volunteer, vendor, and rental company knew exactly where they needed to be and when they needed to be there. On the wedding day, everything flowed seamlessly. The venue was transformed, the décor was perfectly placed, every detail came together, and the couple was able to relax and enjoy the finished result of months of planning.

The Day Itself

The day began warm and sunny, providing perfect weather for setup. As the ceremony approached, the threat of a rainstorm loomed overhead, but not a single drop fell.

The ceremony itself was flawless and filled with meaningful personal touches, including a group prayer over the couple. This was one of my favorite moments of the entire day because it stepped outside the traditional ceremony format and created something deeply memorable for both the couple and their guests. What a beautiful way to begin a marriage.

While the couple captured some absolutely stunning portraits, guests enjoyed appetizers and activities before the newlyweds made their grand entrance into the transformed car barn reception.

The incredible taco buffet was more than enough for everyone, while the couple were able to spend meaningful time mingling with their guests and having the intentional conversations they had hoped for. Then it was finally time for the celebration both the bride and groom had been eagerly anticipating—the dance party.

Their DJ wasn't a traditional wedding DJ, but rather a friend who owns an international DJ company. The music was refreshing because it broke away from the typical wedding playlist. As a planner, it was honestly a welcome change not to hear the same songs I hear nearly every weekend. Once again, every decision reflected their vision of creating a celebration that was intentional and centered around their community.

As the evening came to a close, the couple departed through a tunnel of sparks without having to think about teardown. Aspen Gold oversaw and coordinated the entire cleanup process, ensuring the private property was left in even better condition than we found it and that every rental and vendor item was returned exactly where—and when—it needed to be.

A Personal Note

This wedding broadened my perspective on what a wedding can truly be.

I value all the vendors in this industry and the expertise they bring, but after planning well over 200 weddings at traditional venues, complete with wedding DJs and the usual vendor team, it was incredibly fun to be part of something that intentionally broke the mold. I always encourage my couples to make their wedding their own, but Sierra and Chris took that idea to the next level.

It was such an honor to bring their vision to life while allowing them to remain fully present without having to stress over the countless details.

I also had the privilege of working alongside my husband and best friend, Danny, which always makes my experience as a planner even more meaningful.

Closing

Having the opportunity to bring such a unique vision and story to life was truly a privilege. Watching a couple intentionally break the mold and create a celebration that so authentically reflected who they are was inspiring—not only as a planner, but as someone who believes every wedding should tell a story.

It's a day, and a couple, I know I'll carry with me for years to come. –– Faith 🤍

Vendor Credits

Planning & Coordination: Aspen Gold Events

Photography: @elitacoralee

Lighting and Drapes: @zebraproductionslive

Dessert Bar: @bakesbyky_

Music: @4th.music

Catering: @burritostito

Table and Chair Rentals: @marvinrentals