Frankie and Claire’s Epic Barcelona Elopement + Tips for Planning an Unforgettable Wedding in Spain
Wedding at Chatfield Botanic Gardens: THIS COUPLE INVITED THEIR PET PIG TO BE THEIR RING BEARER!!
Weddings have changed tremendously over the past few years, with more and more couples choosing to ditch tradition and get more creative. One thing we love in particular is brides and grooms choosing to include pets in their ceremonies, in a bid to make them more personal. We’ve featured couples that have created monograms of their cats on their wedding stationery, invited their dogs as guests and even a couple who dedicated their whole wedding day to their fur babies.
Our reader’s love to see pets in the spotlight, we know because you told us so in our recent survey, so today we are delighted to share another wedding with you featuring a well loved family pet and we know this one is really going make you ‘squeal’ with excitement!
“Jefferson is our little man! He’s a two year old (one year at the time) Juliana pig and he’s just the funniest little character. We’re obsessed with him and he has such a spunky personality.” Bride, Olivia explained.
“We wanted to share him with all of our friends so spent a lot of time training him to walk the aisle. He did awesome and it made us so happy to see him come trotting towards us. Apparently there were a couple of hawks overhead when he was running down the aisle. Thankfully our friends were quick to scoop him up and keep him safe. Our day wouldn’t have been complete without him.” She told us.
“The theme for our day was loosely based on Colorado, which worked out well since our initials are C & O. We used the Colorado flag, local wildflowers and we based the menu off of Colorado staples. We wanted the overall vibe to match our personalities and it was important that it reflect who we are as individuals and as a couple. It was crucial that it feel fun and relaxed and we didn’t want to do things just because it’s the traditional way. Every detail was some reflection of us and our guests picked up on that.”
“One of the main things we felt strongly about was the meal. We didn’t want a sit down dinner or a buffet so we went with small plates. We had several different options and each was it’s own little meal. We had picnic tables and high-tops and encouraged our guests to mingle and eat on their own schedules. It created a much more relaxed atmosphere and all of our guests got to meet each other rather than be segregated by side at assigned tables.”
“We wanted a venue that reflected the beauty of Colorado without being too structured. There were certain aspects of the wedding and ceremony that we felt strongly about so having the ability to customize the space to our liking was key. It was more work to source all of the vendors ourselves but it was totally worth the effort. We also wanted something near Denver so our guests wouldn’t have to rent hotel rooms or drive several hours to or from the venue.”
“I spent the first couple years after college doing event planning so had some past experience to fall back on when it came to planning. We spent a little less than a year organising everything and did most of the initial planning/= or vendor sourcing ourselves. We just took it day by day and never let the magnitude of the event get to us. The most crucial tool to our planning was Lindsey from Bello & Blue. She consulted with us throughout the process to make sure we were contacting the right people and getting everything inline. I bounced a lot of ideas off of her and she was always honest and insightful and offered great advice. About a month before the wedding Lindsey took over and became the main point of contact for all of our vendors. She managed every aspect of the rehearsal and wedding day and coordinated everything seamlessly. We were able to relax and enjoy the day from start to finish without having to worry about anything. She even made sure I didn’t forget to get some food in me during the reception.”
“We can honestly say our wedding day was perfect. Everything came together so seamlessly, we actually enjoyed ourselves all day and didn’t stress at all. Although, I do wish that we had more time to spend with all of our guests. The reception could have gone all night!!”
“Your wedding day is supposed to be the one of the most special days of your life and it shouldn’t be stressful, so relax! Create the event that you want and don’t worry about tradition or expectations that family or friends place on you and your day.”
Photographer: J. La Plante Photo | Venue: Chatfield Botanic Gardens | Dress store: Anna Be Bridal | Dress designer: Tara LaTour | Menswear: Hilburn | Event planning: Bello & Blue | Makeup artist: Carissa Beauty | Hair stylist: Carrie Bellus – Vida Salon | Catering: Catering by Design | Florist: Crystal in the Garden | Photo booth: Ear2Ear Photo Booth | DJ: Elite Entertainment | Transportation: Etuk Denver, GrayLine Tours, Sunset Luxury Limo | Lighting: Lighting and Design by Scott | Alcohol: Molly’s Spirits & Unity Selections Wine & Peak Beverage | Engagement ring: Wiliams Jewelers Cherry Creek | Wedding bands: Mark’s Diamonds | Jefferson’s tux: Snort Life on Etsy | Invitations: wordshop paperie | Favors (sunglasses/beer koozies): Various Etsy Shops | Tango dress: asos.com | Colorado flag guest sign: DavisCO80134-Wood Art by Tiffany |
Why a Wedding at Chatfield Botanic Gardens is a Great Idea
A wedding at Chatfield Botanic Gardens offers a picturesque and enchanting backdrop that is sure to make your special day truly memorable. Nestled amidst the natural beauty of the Colorado foothills, this stunning venue boasts acres of meticulously manicured gardens, lush meadows, and scenic vistas, providing a breathtaking setting for exchanging vows and celebrating love.
One of the key reasons why a wedding at Chatfield Botanic Gardens is a great idea is the unparalleled beauty of the surroundings. With its diverse array of flora and fauna, including colorful flowers, towering trees, and tranquil ponds, the gardens offer endless opportunities for stunning wedding photos that capture the essence of nature’s splendor. Whether you choose to exchange vows amidst a canopy of blooming roses or beneath the shade of a majestic oak tree, every corner of the gardens exudes romance and charm.
Furthermore, Chatfield Botanic Gardens provides a serene and tranquil atmosphere that is perfect for intimate ceremonies and joyful celebrations. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, couples and their guests can immerse themselves in the peaceful serenity of nature, creating a sense of relaxation and harmony that sets the tone for a magical wedding day. Whether you’re saying “I do” in the charming Chapel at Chatfield or hosting a reception in the rustic Barn or Garden Pavilion, the gardens offer a variety of venues to suit every couple’s style and vision.
Additionally, a wedding at Chatfield Botanic Gardens allows couples to support a worthy cause while celebrating their love. As part of Denver Botanic Gardens, Chatfield is dedicated to promoting conservation, education, and the appreciation of plants and ecosystems, making it a socially responsible choice for eco-conscious couples. By choosing Chatfield Botanic Gardens as your wedding venue, you can feel good knowing that your special day is contributing to the preservation of nature and the community.
In conclusion, a wedding at Chatfield Botanic Gardens offers couples a truly unforgettable experience surrounded by the beauty of nature. From its stunning scenery to its serene ambiance and commitment to conservation, Chatfield Botanic Gardens provides the perfect setting for a wedding that is as beautiful as it is meaningful.
Thanks so much for sharing, ladies! We had so much fun with Jefferson, Olivia & Colin!
So fun and so cute!
Brilliant! Have seen a few wedding dogs before, but not a wedding pig 😀 So much colour, looks like a great day was had!
So funny !!! hahaah!! Thank you for sharing. Regards from Spain
Wow!!! Invited a PIG !!! So lovely!!! and these will defnitely be the golden memeories trigger out in future. Involving your pet in marriage is really exciting as when recollecting those golden memories of my marriage the picture of our mischievous pet will comes in our mind. I too had carried my Pet ROO on my marriage from Aberdeen to Dubai and so sad that My roo died out of the infection that caused from Otitis during theese days. I feel so sorry that i didnt take time to care him during his last days.
I have to take My Roo (Autralian Silky Terrer breed)from Aberdeen to Dubai as our marraige was held at Dubai and it was seriously a tedious task for me…I conveyed my issues to my ex-husband Luckily he found a good solution as there was a International relocation team called SABAMOVERS (https://www.sabamovers.com/movers-packers-dubai). He have approached them to safe pack our relocation process including my boy Roo. They packed my Roo in pet carrier having seperate facilities for tioletry and food for these days. Also my roo was tiedd with microchip having GPS tracker so as not to loose him in any cost. Before all these stuffs they consulted my Roo a VET to ensure safety from abies and other infection throughout his travel Journey.
But Unluckily My roo was suffering from Otitis when he reached back to Aberdeen as i think climat ein Dubai may affect Roo’s health and sad to say that my Roois no more. Anyways involving your pet in your wedding celebration is infact a biggest wonder in our life. make sure to care them the most and consider these steps or else it will be a great loss.
Too cute!!! Have not seen a wedding with a pet pig before – I wish everyone had one on their big day ??????