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This Couple Brought Burning Man to Their Colorado Backyard Wedding

January 8, 2024 | justine

Julie and Zane turned their log house in the mountain forest into a magical wonderland for their wedding. Embracing their love for Burning Man’s whimsical and enchanting atmosphere, they chose the fitting theme of “Funky Forest” for their special day right in their own backyard. The guests added to the charm with their whimsical attire, while the handmade animal sculptures and surprise llama visitors made the Colorado backyard wedding truly one-of-a-kind.

The couple turned the forest into a magical venue space with rainbow arches, a floating umbrella installation, and a serpentine tablescape adorned with shimmering iridescent confetti. As the sun set, the evening came alive with a spectacular light show illuminating the dance floor, where guests joined the pair, dancing the night away.

Curious to witness the magical transformation of Burning Man vibes into a wedding wonderland? Don’t miss out on how Julie and Zane turned their passion into a celebration. Thanks to From the Daisies, every funky detail has been beautifully captured for all of us to savor. Keep scrolling for a visual feast of whimsy and joy!

The Couple:

Julie and Zane

The Wedding:

Colorado, United States

Festival-Inspired Fashion and Makeup

My good friend from college made my dress and glitter cape. She studied fashion and is also a Burner. She has made countless costumes for me in the past (even matching a couple’s outfits for Zane and me) and really understood the assignment. Beauty-wise, I was decisive about needing glitter and rhinestones. Our wedding planner again found a burner-esque makeup artist who understood the assignment. Everyone had glitter and rhinestones, including all the dads, brothers, etc. It was magical.

How Burning Man Inspired Their Colorado Backyard Wedding

We live in a log house in a beautiful woodsy forest on the mountains. So we went with the theme “Funky Forest” and had the wedding at our home. We are longtime Burners (people who attend Burning Man) and wanted to bring that whimsical and magical feel to our event. From the guests’ whimsical formal attire to our crafted animal sculptures to our llama visitors, the wedding was everything we hoped for and more! We are also makers. I’m a designer, and my husband is a software engineer, and together, we brought the art pieces to life. 

A Funky Forest Wedding Extravaganza That Was Interactive For Their Guests

Every guest received a jackalope, bear, or fox badge specially programmed with their name. As they approached the corresponding animal sculpture, a unique and interactive experience awaited them. For example, when Guest 1 approached the giant bear, it playfully blew bubbles and bathed in a radiant purple glow. Guest 2 encountered the fox, setting off the fog machine and casting a warm yellow glow. Guest 3 discovered the jackalope nestled in the disco ball forest, treating them to a delightful serenade amid a soothing blue light. The brilliance of the LED lights on the animal sculptures responded to the colors on the guests’ badges. Amidst these enchanting interactions, the celebration featured a variety of activities, including decorating sparkly crocs in a dazzling dome with handmade charms, engaging in an audio guest book experience within a greenhouse adorned in rainbow reflecting film, trying their hand at ax throwing, participating in a giant moose color-by-numbers station, and exploring a family art gallery. The highlight was witnessing the joy brought by Bubble Bear, a gigantic 3D-printed sculpture of a bear that blew bubbles overhead.

Wedding Advice: Embrace the Uniqueness of Your Day

Do whatever you want. It’s your day. I often wanted to ask other people, “Is this normal?” or “Is this crazy?” to try and tone our ideas into a socially “acceptable'” shape. We aren’t normal. And we are crazy. So I’m glad at some point, we just let the wedding be super funky and creative regardless of worries of outside judgment. Our guests followed us down that path once we were confident, too. My dad walked me down the aisle with rhinestones on his face. It was everything.

The Artistic Afterlife of Their Colorado Backyard Wedding Creations

Our gigantic bubble bear and Foggy Fox sculptures now live in Spectra’s immersive gallery in Denver for everyone to enjoy! Making these more extensive interactive installations lit a spark for us. Now we spend much of our time thinking of new art pieces to build for various events. We had this fantastic fabrication/artist company called Dark Moon Designs (another impeccable find by our planner) build a multi-piece giant rainbow flower portal through the forest to walk to the ceremony spot. It now lives in our backyard forever. We see it out our bedroom window when we wake up, and nothing makes us happier. 

Cost-Effective Thrifted Treasures

Since our wedding was at our house, we were able to cut spending on furniture rentals. We bought all these cute vintage chairs and couches on Facebook Marketplace or from thrift stores on the cheap rather than renting. Furniture rentals get super pricey super fast. We have done a lot of remodeling to our home to make it unique, so it’s very special to us. We have a giant circle window, a geodome, and a greenhouse all in the forest. It also allowed us the time and space to set up the sculptures and other activities. You only have 24 hours in most venues, so you can’t decorate to the extent we did.

Glitter Crocs, Furry Geo Dome, and DIY Touches at Their Colorado Backyard Wedding

We gave everyone glitter Crocs. They have become a staple to us here in Colorado. And what’s fun about Crocs is you can decorate them to be your own. We had disco balls, pom poms, laser-cut bananas, happy faces, and various charms for people to have a little craft project while relaxing in the geodome. Did I mention we covered the inside of our geodome walls with fur? The invites, save the dates, thank you cards, and all the signage we designed and made. I’m a graphic designer, so we had a specific look I was trying to achieve.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – From the Daisies
Event Planning – Revel and Bloom
Catering – Catering by Design
Cake – Nummies
DJ – The Get Down
Invitation Design – Whimsy Makers
Makeup Artist – Katie Baker
Hair Styling – Alyssa Thomas
Wedding Dress – Watsonellis
Rings – Hannah Blount
Fabrication Artists – Rainbow flower portal built by Dark Moon Designs

 

Congratulations to Julie and Zane for pulling off a wildly creative and funky Colorado backyard wedding inspired by Burning Man. And a big thank you to From the Daisies for capturing every detail and moment this couple can relive over and over.

Your wedding is a canvas waiting for your personal touch, just like Julie and Zane did with their creative passions and interests. Unsure where to start on your own journey to a unique celebration? We’ve got you covered! Explore our comprehensive guide to planning a wedding that reflects your individuality, sparks your creativity, and turns your special day into an unforgettable masterpiece.

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The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Vendor Meals

January 7, 2024 | kailey

Image by Marisa Lyon Photography and catering by Sweet Brie Co.

You’ve hired your wedding vendors, signed contracts, and paid all the necessary deposits. It might seem like you’ve crossed off every vendor-related task on your checklist, doesn’t it? Well, not quite. Here’s some food for thought: taking care of your vendors on your wedding day is just as important as the pre-wedding preparations. This brings us to one of the most overlooked details: wedding vendor meals.

Do I need to feed my vendors? Which vendors am I required to provide a meal for? Do vendors eat the same food as guests? If you find yourself wondering all of these things, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got the answers to your FAQs to help ensure your vendors are happy and well-fed on your wedding day.

Am I Required to Provide Meals for My Vendors? 

When working with professional wedding vendors, there’s a certain etiquette you need to follow. And on your wedding day, providing meals for your wedding vendors is often a standard practice. Sure, it’s not a strict requirement. But, providing food for those hard-working pros who are putting in countless hours is a thoughtful gesture and an easy way to express your appreciation.

Which Vendors Will Require a Wedding Day Meal?

You aren’t obligated to provide meals for every individual or team that plays a role on your wedding day. A good rule of thumb is to provide meals to those working the majority of your wedding day—vendors who won’t have the chance to leave the venue and hunt down their own food. This typically includes key players such as wedding planners, photographers, videographers, and even DJs.

If you’re still not sure which of your vendors you should have meals prepped for, take a look at your contracts. Some contracts may specify whether or not meals are expected to be included. Not able to find the answer in your contract? There’s no harm in reaching out to your vendors directly. 

How Do I Coordinate Vendor Meals?

If you and your partner have decided to provide meals for your wedding vendors, you’ll work with your chosen caterers to coordinate vendor meals. They can answer all of your questions and provide any necessary guidance. Since this is standard practice, your caterers will be familiar with the process and can help guide you in the right direction. 

What Is Served for Vendor Meals?

The specific options will vary based on your chosen caterer. However, vendor meals are typically cheaper and more simplified versions of the meals served to your guests. 

Remember that some vendors may have dietary restrictions, so it’s considerate to ask about any specific requirements they may have before the big day. After you discuss this with your vendors, your catering team will work to create a meal plan that accommodates any necessary restrictions or preferences. 

When and Where are Vendor Meals Served?

There is one portion of your wedding day where everyone will be seated, chatting amongst themselves. This is when vendors (like your photographer, videographer, and planner) will also take a break and get the opportunity to eat. 

Vendors are usually given a designated area to enjoy their meals. This separate room is typical within the venue, giving them a comfortable space to eat without disrupting wedding guests.

Clear communication is crucial when working with wedding vendors, especially during the beginning stages. When you’re booking new vendors, you’ll be required to sign a contract. This will ensure both parties have access to the written agreement.  A contract typically includes everything from significant details like pricing to smaller ones like vendor meals.

To make sure you’re set up for success, we’re giving you the low down on wedding contracts. Before you sign on the dotted line, here are the things you should look for on your wedding contract. 

Image by Skyler & Vhan Photography. See more of this real wedding here.

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Florals Took This Little Nell Wedding To A Whole New Level

January 6, 2024 | justine

Linh and Chris decided to tie the knot on the slopes. This adventurous decision was inspired by their shared love for skiing during their early dating days. Aspen, where their first adventure unfolded, was the natural choice. With the help of their vendor team, the enchantment of their Little Nell wedding was taken to new heights with florals that transformed the celebration into something truly exceptional.

The couple instantly fell in love with the idea of a mountaintop ceremony at 11,212 feet, surrounded by the scenic beauty of trees, puffy clouds, snow-capped mountains, a gentle breeze, and the soothing sound of rustling leaves. Walking down the aisle on that mountain was a dream come true for the pair, with the path adorned with flowers leading to an arch that framed the mountains. They switched things up with the reception but kept the enchantment alive with hanging glass baubles, adding a special touch to the elegant tablescape of beautiful, low, lush blooms.

If you’re into elegant mountain celebrations and dreamy floral wonderlands, you definitely don’t want to miss this. Beautifully captured by Laura Murray, the whole story is waiting for you—just keep scrolling!

The Couple:

Linh and Christopher

The Wedding:

The Little Nell, Colorado, United States

Bringing Their Little Nell Wedding Vision to Life With the Help of Trusted Vendors

In terms of style, vibe, and design, I wanted something elegant, modern, and romantic. I was drawn to the color pale blue at that time. From there, I worked with our planner, photographer, and floral designer to develop the complete design. They proposed some inspirational designs, and I made the final decision. I put my trust in my team, and they were able to put together a final product that fit our personalities and vision as a couple.

A Majestic Moment: Saying “I Do” at 11,212 Feet

The day’s most memorable part was the wedding ceremony at the top of Aspen Mountain at 11,212 feet above sea level. The view from walking down the aisle on that mountaintop was just spectacular—the backdrop with the trees, the puffy clouds, the snow-capped mountain, the breeze, and the sound of the rustling leaves was so surreal and majestic. I remember my wedding planner reminding me to take in the moment I get down to the end of the aisle, which was super helpful!

Embracing Their Vision with Their Trusted Wedding Team

Our advice: After saying yes to the engagement ring, begin interviewing wedding planners and photographers. Work with the A team, mainly focusing on these top three teams: the planner, the photographer, and the floral designer. It’s crucial to establish chemistry with all of them because they are the ones who bring your vision to life and provide inspiration where needed. Don’t compromise on quality when it comes to people. Second, have a clear opinion on your vision, but be flexible and leverage the team’s expertise and style. The bonus of all collaboration is that they become your friends after your wedding because, in my case, they are such incredible women! Another tip I’d offer is to involve your future spouse in planning, even if they say you can pick everything! And lastly, it’s all about location, location, location.

Elevating Their Little Nell Wedding Through Floral Design and the Wedding Menu

The floral design and reception menu were most important to me. Flower design elevates any space because it provides visual and feeling effects. The quality of food is essential to me. I live to eat and not eat to live. I wanted my wedding guests to remember the dining experience and not just the ceremony.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Laura Murray
Event Planning – Mountain Occasions
Ceremony + Reception Venue + Catering – The Little Nell
Floral Design – Liz Griffith
Cake – Coppelia Cake Design
Officiant – Jill Pidcock
DJ – DJ Naka G
Invitation Design – Sweet Zion
Makeup Artist – Carrie Stockert
Hair Styling – Becca Ciaffone
Wedding Dress – Ivory Bridal Atelier
Groom’s Apparel – Suit Supply
Day of Paperie – Maya and Love

 

Congratulations to Linh and Chris on their Little Nell wedding. And a big thank you to Laura Murray for capturing all the stunning details—from the pastel ceremony florals to the gold reception accents—that made this celebration for the books. 

Florals work magic at weddings, enhancing every beautiful moment, just like in this Aspen celebration. And if you’re dreaming of a big day where florals steal the show, dive into our wedding flower checklist to make sure no detail is missed during your planning journey.

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