I don’t know about you, but if you ask me, a wedding where the couple dresses their dog in a suit and tie is pretty hard to beat. At Hayley and Nathan’s wedding at The St. Vrain in Longmont, CO, their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Percy, walked the aisle in a black-tie getup. And while that was definitely a stand-out moment, this wedding day was bursting with memorable moments. So, let’s take a walk back through this incredible wedding day at one of my most frequented locations: the always stunning St. Vrain.

Hayley and Nathan’s love story started back in 2017 when Nathan caught the eye of the cute girl sitting across the company cafeteria. He came across her profile on Bumble later that day (definitely meant to be!), and the two matched! During some after-work drinks, they really hit it off. Hayley invited Nathan to a bar later that night where she and her friends were celebrating a friend’s birthday, and Nathan “showed up by himself and immediately fit into our group,” said Hayley. “That’s when I was sold because he was so easygoing, confident, and fun!”

After dating for a few years, Nathan’s proposal to Hayley at Red Rocks was equally memorable. “We went for a snowy hike in March with Percy, so the location and pictures were amazing!” said Hayley.

With Percy being present in the engagement, of course, the pup had to be there for the wedding, too!

The October wedding started with Hayley, her mom, and her sister getting ready together in the bridal suite. I photographed the detail shots while the ever-talented Divine Beauty Artists did Hayley’s hair and makeup. I particularly loved the invitation suite because it featured a dreamy watercolor of the Colorado mountains painted by Hayley’s grandmother. The colors of the watercolor—blue, green, and splashes of vibrant magenta—fit in with the palette of the whole day. It was a beautiful family-oriented touch.

Meanwhile, Nathan got ready with his groomsmen. After a long time of trying to figure out how to tie a bowtie (which included lots of YouTube videos and some help from Hayley’s uncle), he was looking dapper and ready for the first look with his bride.

Outside The St. Vrain, Hayley fought back tears while Nathan beamed at his beautiful wife-to-be. Hayley wore a ballgown from designer Oksana Mukha with long sheer sleeves, a v-neck, and a delicate lace overlay. Nathan’s traditional black suit from The Suit Shop paired excellently with Hayley’s more extravagant attire. And although Hayley’s dad couldn’t attend due to a health complication, she had an emotional Facetime with him after the first look.

Next, we joined up with the bridal party and took the town trolley to McIntosh Lake in Longmont to take group photos. The bridesmaids wore light turquoise dresses from designer Jenny Yoo that matched the groomsmens’ turquoise bow ties. Next, it was time for photos with the family pup Percy, who looked dashing in his suit and tie. Percy was more of a natural in front of the camera than some of the humans I work with! He was such a ham!

The ceremony inside The St. Vrain event space was emotional and beautiful. The exposed brick and wood inside the space played well with the turquoise and magenta splashes of color. They had a live Zoom stream running so their family members (including Hayley’s dad) who could not attend could watch. The readings during the ceremony steered away from being religious or overly mushy. “We avoided things that mentioned us being incomplete without the other since that's not true!” said Hayley. “We are something extra together, but we aren't shells waiting for another human to make them complete.” I loved this modern take on the ceremony.

The cocktail hour included two family tributes. “Jeff’s Michigan Blueberry Lemonade” was a tribute to Hayley’s father. The other was “Percy’s Palisade Beach Bourbon Splash” to honor their sweet pup. As guests explored the reception area, they saw how Hayley’s vision for a “romantic, ethereal, elegant vibe” came to life. Hundreds of votive candles were placed throughout the area, creating a romantic, warm light. The dark wooden tables were decorated with deep green leaves. The cake, by The Makery Cake Co., was a light green covered in dark green and pink leaves. The whole vibe was very Midsummer Night’s Dream!

After dinner and speeches, the dance floor lit up. Led by the fun, interactive band HoneyComb, the dance floor was packed the whole night. Hayley changed into sparkly Kate Spade sneakers and joined the fun, uninhibited by heels. “Our goal is for guests to be comfortable, have a good time, be well-fed, and be provided with all kinds of good drinks!” said Hayley before the reception. And with a vast alcohol selection, a fun band, and a crowded dance floor full of their loved ones, I’d say they achieved just that!

If you’re planning a wedding at the St. Vrain in Colorado or anywhere else, I’d love to chat. Visit my contact page to fill out some quick details on the party you’re planning, and I’ll be in touch soon!