Venue: YMCA of the Rockies - Snow Mountain Ranch - Winter Park, CO
Florist: Margaret’s Garden
DJ: Adam Kremer
Photographer: Drake & CO Photography + Films, Drake + Ashley Busch
Bar Tender: Peak Beverage: main number, weekend emergency number: our sales rep:
Linens: Grand Events Rentals
Salon: The Salon at Winter Park
Cake: Nancy Hutchinson (MOG)
Brides dress and jewelry: Bridal Collection
How did you two meet?
We actually met at the wedding venue back in 2015! We were there as part of a summer work program with our on campus Christian ministry. Jackie remembers seeing me early on that summer and thinking to herself "Oh no, I'm his type..... I need to avoid him, or risk breaking his heart later!" The subsequent calls home and to friends as she realized in a panic that she was falling in love with me is one of her cherished memories. I, on the other hand, was completely oblivious to the fact that she was into me, or even that I was into her! It took several co-workers and close friends intervening to inform me that I needed to jump on this chance. I asked her out two days later (breaking the programs code of conduct) and the rest is history.
What was your favorite memory from the wedding day?
Jackie: Holding each other in the vestibule immediately after the recessional. It was just a dirty little room with frozen windows and blizzard outside, but I held his face and said "Ben, we did it."
Ben: The Send-Off. Knowing that we were running off to start our lives together, surrounded by people who loved us, was simply amazing.
What is some advice you would give to others planning their wedding?
If you don't have an awesome mom and sister to do so much of the work for you, HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER! Planning a wedding gets really stressful, even with all the help you can get.
Did you go on a honeymoon?
We stayed in a cabin at Devil's Thumb Ranch (DTR) just down the road in Tabernash. There was so much snow that the cabin felt like it was its own world. At this time of year, it's mud season, and we were often the only people in the restaurants at the Ranch. It was like heaven. The staff pampered us at every opportunity, giving free champagne to the happy newlyweds. When we weren't at DTR we spent time hitting up some of Jackie favorite Grand County spots. If not one of the peak seasons, DTR is a lovely, quite spot that we would highly recommend.