Congratulations, you’re engaged! When’s the wedding date? This is often one of the first questions asked when people find out you’re engaged. Some brides know exactly when they want to get married, but then there are some of us whose favorite season is every season (maybe just me). Setting a date really gets the planning process started, and can set the tone for your vision! We’ve broken down each season and the benefits each one has to offer, whether you’re dreaming of winter wonderlands, warm jewel tones, dining al fresco, garden parties and more!
Xo, Calluna
SPRING:
Following winter, spring is such a welcoming time – with fresh florals and warmer days. The greenery starts to peak out, and it’s no wonder why we associate this season with new life, and the symbolism is not lost on us!
However, unpredictable weather, especially in Colorado, can be a hesitation when picking this season. We could have gorgeous 70 degree days in March, and then snow in May. Not that this should deter you if you think carefully about having a back up plan if your wedding is outdoors.
Photography | Julie Harris Photography
Photography | Nate Shepard
SUMMER:
Summer is always a wonderful time to get married. The days are longer, and in most cases, it’s easier for friends and family who live out of town to travel with summer vacations underway. With longer days, you can wait out the heat of the day and start your celebration a little later. With the sun setting closer to 8 or 9pm, your summer soiree can continue under the warm starry nights.
The most obvious hesitation would be the heat, especially with outdoor weddings. Even in the mountains, the temperature can get uncomfortably hot. Summer is also right in the middle of peak season, so availability on venues and vendors can be an issue, and you may not always get your first choice.
Photography | Mary Meck Photography
Photography | Laura Murray
FALL:
Fall is a magical time. The changing of the leaves, the crisp, cool air, and deeper jewel tones are just a few of the reasons why we love a fall wedding. This is a great season to experiment with darker hues more associated with the cooler months of the year.
During fall, possible conflicts with the beginning of the school year and Thanksgiving holiday can come up, but can easily be worked around. September and October have increasingly become very popular months to get married and are booking up fast for both wedding venues and vendors. Starting inquiries in advance can help you secure the venue and vendors you’re looking for!
Photography by | Rachel Havel
Photography | Villani Photos
WINTER:
Winter is incredibly romantic and cozy. Candles and fireplaces juxtaposed with wintery snowy landscapes bring about a romance. It also can make for some stunning photos – glittery snow, monochromatic vibes, and if you add in deep colors, the contrast is unbelievable! With winter being “off-season,” venues and vendors are often more available and can sometimes have better deals.
That being said, snow can also be a problem, especially for mountain weddings. Travel plans become more complicated as there could be weather delays. The holiday season can also be a tricky time to plan a wedding.
Photography | James & Schulze
Photography | Cassie Rosch
We hope you were inspired by all of the beautiful photos of each season, and the benefits each one has to offer!
Featured Photo | Ashley Sawtelle
Rachael + Brendan’s love is something for the storybooks. These high school sweethearts have been together over a decade and their love is so solid, families so intertwined, community so supportive. Two of the kindest people we’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, this duo opted for a classic Colorado wedding at the gorgeous Sonnenalp hotel in the heart of Vail Village. Rachael – an event planning pro on her own – curated her clean design with thoughtful pops of personality and color (look at that fun cake!). With a perfect combination of florals from Rooted Floral Design, paper goods from Nib + Berry and romantic string lighting by Elite, the space was both welcoming and beautiful!
The two said their forever vows in a romantic ceremony accompanied by 140 of their closest friends and family and sweet pup Watson. As the daylight dimmed and celebrations ramped up, this party crowd flooded the floor and danced under the open sky to Diamond Empire Band and loved on this amazing couple all night long.
R + B –– we adore you and wish you all the love in the world!!
:: Vendor Love ::
Photographer | Alicia Lewin Photography
Venue + Catering | Sonnenalp
Musicians | Diamond Empire Band
Florals | Rooted Floral Design
Lighting | Elite Entertainment
Day of Signage | Nib + Berry
Hair Stylist | Lola Beauty Bar
Makeup Artist | Smash Beauty Bar
Wedding Dress Designer | Rebecca Schoneveld at A&Be Bridal Shop
When designing for Zoe and Pete, we imagined a glamour filled, mountain modern, black tie affair. The wedding was everything and more! This romantic fete was filled with personal touches – both chic and quirky – to make it a complete reflection of Zoe + Pete’s love story.
Highlights included the most stunning Ines Di Santo wedding gown, Zoe’s dad officiating their heartfelt ceremony, family joining ceremony musicians for a beautiful rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow mid-ceremony (very Love Actually-esque!), a dreamy champagne wall for an escort card display, pun-ny, cheeky signage everywhere you turned, a glam black and white dance floor with striking decor to complement, subtle nods to musical favorites (check the neon sign!), an elegant showstopper cake and so much more. Zoe + Pete’s guests were treated to a wild dance party and finished the exciting evening with a glitzy sparkler exit where the newlyweds rode off in Vail’s famous pedi-cabs. We love this couple and were honored to have helped this special day come to life – please enjoy reliving this day along with us!!
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:: Vendor Love :
Jordyn and Tyler came to us in June of 2019 with a love story for the ages. The pair grew up together after their parents met in college and tackled everything from post graduate early adulthood to raising families and creating decades of traditions. Only after Jordyn and Tyler ventured to college themselves did they realize the compatibility, the foundation and the love they’d been looking for was in their backyard all along.
When the time came to propose, Tyler and his family hatched a plan to host the wedding at their family country club – Roaring Fork Club in beautiful Basalt right outside of Aspen, Colorado. By the time Tyler popped the question to Jordyn in May, their September wedding weekend was already on the books.
Jordyn came to Calluna Events mid summer and we planned their autumn wedding in just four months – not for the faint of heart. Their goals were to capture the beauty of the Roaring Fork Valley – a spot where the two fell in love – with understated, impactful design, clean lines with overflowing greenery, a soft palate of neutrals and textures, and have a dance party for the storybooks. Above all, J + T wanted to create a space to celebrate the loved ones who had helped them come together and nurture their love throughout the years. The wedding was everything and more we could have imagined – we couldn’t have enjoyed helping it come life more. We wish this wonderful duo a lifetime of happiness!
:: Vendor Love ::
Hannah + Will’s wedding at the Lucky 8 Ranch in Steamboat Springs was one for the books! Their wedding was the second wedding held there – after the owner’s son, and we feel so grateful to have worked here! The ranch was a dream, and lent itself perfectly for the beautiful lounges that Eclectic Hive brought in. Guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the lawn until they were brought into the tent for the reception. A large organic floral installation hung above the head table, and made it feel as if Hannah and Will were dining in their own private garden as they overlooked the dance floor and the band.
Lale Florals provided the beautiful, delicate florals and brought enough to fill a vintage truck bed that acted as a photobooth backdrop for Hannah + Will’s guests. After dinner, the dancing began and the crowd was energized all night by the musicians of Midnight Social.
For a night cap the s’mores lounge area opened up for guests to enjoy their MYO s’mores before moving onto the after party! Hannah took the time to pull us aside during her reception to thank us, and said she was having a hard time finding words to describe the night – saying it was magical – and we couldn’t agree more. We absolutely loved working with Hannah and Will to make their wedding dreams come alive, and we had the absolute best friendor team to pull it off!
Xo,
Calluna
:: Vendor Love ::
Xo, Calluna
:: Vendor Love ::
:: Vendor Love ::
Jessie + Celso’s June wedding was full of style! Both coming from design backgrounds, their wedding was a true reflection of their creativity, and the day was packed with vibrant colors and different textures! Jessie helped design her wedding dress with Samantha Sleeper – which turned into a jumpsuit later during the reception! We loved how this creative couple collaborated with all of our wonderful vendors as we saw this incredible event come together!
Xo, Calluna
:: Vendor Love ::
Ceremony Venue | River Bend
Reception Venue | The St. Vrain
Catering| Sugar Pine Catering
Photography | Cassie Rosch
Decor + Florals | Dashwood Floral
Entertainment | Moses Jones Band
Hair + Makeup | Tiny Rendezvous
Wedding Dress Designer | Samantha Sleeper
Welcome Sign | Handsome Love Calligraphy
