A Mountaintop Wedding at Timber Ridge in Keystone, Colorado

College sweethearts Laura Hoch (26 and a project manager) and Patrick Berry (26 and a lawyer) met their freshmen year at the University of Colorado. After eight years of dating, they knew that when they got hitched, it would have to be someplace that was special for the both of them. “Patrick and I got married at Keystone Mountain, where I taught him how to ski,” Laura says. “When I took Patrick skiing for the first time, it took us three hours to get down the mountain. It was a fun but romantic time on the slopes. Keystone will always have a special meaning to us, and it was the perfect spot for us to say our vows.” The couple outfitted Keystone Resort’s Timber Ridge, in Keystone, Colorado, with natural elements to blend in with the lodge’s rustic-chic vibe. The large deck where the couple exchanged vows was adorned with lush garland and floral accents; inside, the dining room was decorated with romantic string lights and rustic grapevine light balls. “We wanted the day to be elegant but relaxed, and the theme matched our personalities perfectly,” Laura says. 

A berry theme was carried throughout, from the berry invitations to berry-infused cocktails. “Since my new last name was going to be Berry, I drew my inspiration from berry colors,” says Laura, who chose navy (blueberry) and raspberry as the palette. “We really wanted our ceremony to reflect who we are as a couple, and our promise to each other as man and wife,” she says of the personal touches that they included during their vow exchange. Readings included “Oh the Places You'll Go” by Dr. Suess and the “As You Wish” scenes from “The Princess Bride.” Laura and Patrick also included Irish blessings and the Oathing Stone tradition, where they clasp their hands together on a stone as they repeat their vows. “The tradition says an oath given near a stone is traditionally considered to be more binding, and serves to ‘set in stone’ the couple’s vows,” says Laura, who had a stone carved with their names and wedding date. Laura and Patrick created their own tradition that day too. Before the ceremony, they wrote each other love letters and sealed them in a vintage box to read on their first anniversary. “It was so great to read the letters we wrote to each other on our wedding day,” Laura says. During the reception, Laura’s Aunt Sara, a talented jazz singer, sang the newlyweds’ first-dance song, “The Nearness of You.” “It was so incredible to hear her sing our first-dance song,” Laura says. —Marissa Hermanson