Hi! Lisa, Owner of Sweetheart Weddings, here!
We were thrilled to host a destination mini wedding for Natalie and Raymond from
Grand Island, Nebraska!
Natalie had dreamt of a Colorado wedding, did a little online digging, and in the end – she found Sweetheart Weddings in Loveland, Colorado and the Benson Sculpture Garden. She and Raymond invited family to join them for their destination wedding adventure, and by the time all was said and done, Sweetheart Weddings was hosting a wedding with guests from six states! Not a soul was from Colorado - let alone Loveland - with guests representing Nebraska, Ohio, Florida, Texas, Minnesota, and California!
Our couple and their family rolled into town throughout the week prior to the wedding and found themselves enchanted by the beauty and charm of the Sweetheart City and the surrounding area.
They stayed at a variety of hotels in the area while the bride and groom found a quaint Airbnb with stunning views of the Devil’s Backbone rock formation on the west side of town. There are many sights and activities in the Northern Colorado area and our guests made the most of them! While hiking, pickleball, and disc golf were favorites, there were also trips up the Big Thompson Canyon to visit Estes Park. This enchanting mountain town is just 30 minutes from Loveland – with mountain vistas, quaint shops and restaurants, and many outdoor activities to choose from. Some in the group made reservations to visit Rocky Mountain National Park where wildlife is abundant as the elevation rises from the Montane, to the Subalpine, Timberline, and then to the Tundra. While the unique fauna of the tundra is not to be missed, the groom was especially excited to share his sightings of Tundra creatures such as marmots, pipits, and pikas.
We cannot, of course, miss talking about the wedding festivities! The couple chose Benson Sculpture Park for their nuptials and it is truly a favorite location for Sweetheart Weddings. The park is owned by the City of Loveland and is home to over 150 sculptures created by renowned artists from all over the world. We hosted a small rehearsal at the park the evening before the wedding and from there the weddin
g group enjoyed their rehearsal dinner at the clubhouse of TPC Colorado, the nearby PGA golf course, where they had a memorable dinner on the patio as they were able to watch the sunset over the Rocky Mountains – a treat not to be missed if you’re visiting our area.
The wedding itself couldn’t have been more beautiful. The weather was perfect and the bride was truly stunning in her pink, lace-covered gown. She carried a gorgeous, custom-made bouquet created by our floral designer, Brooke, boasting the sage, pink, and ivory colors she had selected. The couple chose our Rustic Theme for their décor which we embellished with fresh sage and pink roses from our Sweetheart Weddings garden.
While visually stunning, the ceremony itself was very intimate and special as it was officiated by Natalie’s Aunt Mary. The ceremony included speaking parts by Natalie’s brother and by
both mothers of the bride and groom. A unity sand ceremony was included – their sand colors being, of course, pink and sage.
After the ceremony, the wedding party took turns toasting the bride and groom as they cut their cake (a semi-naked cake with sage, pink, and ivory flowers – specially made for Natalie and Raymond by our baker, Carol, who puts her heart and soul into each cake she bakes). Everyone enjoyed champagne and Carol’s specially-decorated cupcakes. Our staff smiled at the laughter and joy that could be heard throughout the area as the guests continued on to enjoy the park, choosing their favorite sculptures, and enjoying many great photo opportunities with our Sweetheart Weddings photographers who always do a great job of catching the magical moments.
From there, we said our goodbyes to the group as they went on their way to Raff’s Tavern at Highland Meadows Golf Course for their dinner and dancing reception.
And so, what is a couple to do after enjoying their destination wedding in Loveland, Colorado? Well, go on to have a Colorado honeymoon, of course! Before leaving the Sweetheart City, Natalie and Raymond visited the Loveland Visitor’s Center to engrave the Love Lock we give to each of our couples and then found their way to the Big Red Heart at Loveland Lake where they locked in their love and their special wedding memories on the heart sculpture. Once that final touch was completed, they were heading to Steamboat Springs for a few days and keeping their options open on a road trip throughout the state. We have no doubt that they found many wonderful adventures along the way!
You might be asking yourself if it’s really possible to plan a Colorado destination wedding completely online and we think it’s safe to say that Natalie and Raymond would answer that question with a resounding YES! And if YOU decide to make Loveland, Colorado your destination wedding site, we at Sweetheart Weddings would be more than happy to host you and help in planning the wedding and activities that are right for you!
Reach out! Our team would love to help you plan your destination wedding ceremony!
♥Lisa
Coordination: Sweetheart Weddings
Photography: KDJones Photography