1. Real Weddings

Brianna & Jonathan: A Spring Wedding in Cortez, CO

Brianna and Jonathan may have fallen in love in California -- but it was in Brianna's home state of Colorado that their wedding ride began and ended.

Brianna and Jonathan may have fallen in love in California -- but it was in Brianna's home state of Colorado that their wedding ride began and ended. THE BRIDE Brianna McCabe, 22, garden shop clerk THE GROOM Jonathan Van Dyke, 24, pet hospital technician THE DATE May 29 While on a winter break from college in Santa Barbara, the couple visited Brianna's parents in Cortez, Colorado. Strolling along her family's horse path to a circle of cottonwood trees where Brianna used to play, Jon abruptly knelt down in the snow. Clueless, Brianna says she kept trying to pull him up and telling him that his pants were getting soaked. Then Jon asked his former dorm neighbor to marry him. The result? An engaged couple with four wet knees.

Brianna and Jon followed the snowy engagement season with a late spring wedding at Blue Lake Ranch, surrounded again by cottonwoods. We wanted to have a charming, antique feel to the wedding, but maintain the simplicity of the mountains surrounding us, the bride says.
Pink peonies and dahlias wrapped in ivory lace hung along the outside opening of the white tent, situated next to the immense wooden lodge. It was almost as if you were entering an enchanted place, Brianna says. Rose topiaries surrounded by glass votives adorned the alternating round and rectangular tables.
Delicate rose petals were scattered on the cake table, which showcased a chocolate cake with cream-cheese filling and frosted in pale green buttercream. Chocolate-covered strawberries and assorted chocolate truffle wedding favors from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory rounded out the chocolate-lovers' spread.
Along with the sage-green hue, shades of pinks colored the outdoor celebration. The five bridesmaids wore cream and pale pink silk organza dresses accented with a sage-green ribbon around the waist, highlighting the airy color combination.
The Ceremony
The Ceremony
The Couple
The Bride
Adding a touch of elegance to the springtime simplicity, the groom and groomsmen sported Calvin Klein black tuxedos.