1. Real Weddings

A Simple Winter Wedding at Briarhurst Manor in Manitou Springs, Colorado

Leslie Graul (24 and a middle school teacher) and Joshua Wangeman (24 and a middle school teacher) met through while swing dancing. When they graduate

Leslie Graul (24 and a middle school teacher) and Joshua Wangeman (24 and a middle school teacher) met through while swing dancing. When they graduated from college, they were going to move to different cities. They were sitting on the couch one night talking about their future when Josh said, “Well you want to get married?” He gave her a teddy bear ring that Leslie had won at an arcade on their third date. Leslie and Josh had an intimate wedding with only 50 guests. They focused on their families and did an interfaith ceremony with Jewish and Christmas traditions for their winter wedding. Wanting a wedding on a budget, they created DIY details such as snow globe centerpieces. They each picked a color for their color palette. Josh picked purple because he is a KSU fan. Leslie picked turquoise because it is her favorite color. They had their ceremony and reception in the same room and served cheese, hummus and hot chocolate during the flip. They also allowed guests to tour the Briarhurst Manor since it was such a cool, historical venue.

Leslie and Josh decided to get married at the Briarhurst Manor because it was all inclusive. “We wanted a location that did everything,” Leslie says. “We didn't want our parents to stress out and wanted to give them an opportunity to enjoy the day as well. They had great food, and did all of the set up and take down.”
Leslie wore purple suede heels to match her wedding colors.
Leslie wore a Maggie Sottero wedding dress with beautiful beading down the back. She bought it from a consignment store called Spring Bridal and Ballroom.
Leslie and Josh decorated their ceremony with garland, wreaths and purple accents for their wintery, Christmas wedding.
Leslie and Josh First Kiss
Leslie and Josh had their ceremony and reception in the same place, so they had to entertain guests while they flipped the room. Many of them took tours of the historical house. “They could stretch their legs and see more of the location,” Leslie says.
Leslie and Josh made their own centerpieces in their wedding colors, purple and turquoise. They were snow globes with plastic snow flakes for their winter wedding.
Creative Wedding Cakes created a three-tier white buttercream cake decorated with chocolate pine trees.
Leslie and Josh Jewish Hora Dance
In honor of having met while swing dancing, the couple boogied during their first dance.