Two Lit-Lovers' Whimsical, Pink English-Garden Wedding (Featuring Calico Critters) in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Katie and Nick first met as students in New Orleans at Tulane University. Throughout their time in the Crescent City, they found other things in common, like literature, and more specifically, love stories. So it's no wonder that when the two turned the page in their own romance novel, they aimed for a wedding they'd lovingly describe as “unapologetic femininity.” No longer living in New Orleans, Nick and Katie needed the perfect venue in Colorado Springs, Colorado to evoke the same magic and whimsy of their college town. Enter: The Broadmoor, a luxury resort with sweeping views of the nearby mountains that was the perfect backdrop for their color palette of opulent gold and pastels.
From the very first event, thousands of bows adorned nearly every surface of the rehearsal dinner and welcome party, which immediately set the tone for a charming celebration. With ornate designs and custom china, it was like stepping into a storybook, one full of grandeur and a hint of fantasy, with blush tones taking center stage. The couple's planner, Megan Grose of Brindle + Oak, describes the beautiful affair as being a "English garden dream with a French twist."
As avid readers, the nearlyweds wove their love of literature throughout their decor and design. Working with a local planning team, Katie and Nick wanted their wedding "rooted in femininity and deeply personal detail," they say. That meant adding playful elements in a personalized way, like a ceremony arch that included classic love story books, ribbons and soft blooms. With its natural greenery and pastel accents, the arch was an ideal backdrop to the Cheyenne Lake and the surrounding mountains.
Flowers in shades of white and pink were everywhere, which the couple describes as “lush, textured and gloriously over the top." A mix of roses, dahlias, green leaves and other seasonal blooms elevated the ceremony and reception spaces, hanging from the ceilings, draping over bookshelves and lining painted pumpkin centerpieces in soft blues and oranges. Their wedding planner adds: "The flowers were layered and opulent, creating a sense of romantic excess that perfectly echoed their vision." In the ballroom for their reception, their team of vendors also created trees and hanging arrangements that were adorned with silk bows, "a playful nod to Marie Antoinette’s famously extravagant wigs," according to the couple. Though the aesthetic carried a regal undertone, whimsy was apparent in every detail, with unexpected elements like tiny Calico Critters in the floral installations. They also utilized trailing ribbons on tabletops and the backs of chairs and lamb-shaped planters to fit the bundles of flowers and leaves along the ceremony aisle. Another customized detail at the reception was the escort display. It doubled as a mini library, where each guest was greeted by a handpicked book wrapped in a bespoke wrapping paper.
The to-be-weds didn't just draw from vintage sources for their wedding design and personal style. Modern muses like Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan also played a part in their design. “The day was filled with personal touches that felt unmistakably us,” the couple shares. Guests could craft their own Taylor Swift-style friendship bracelets at the reception (a nod to the bride’s Swiftie status), and Chappell Roan’s hair and makeup inspired the bride's bridal look for a vibe "that felt both nostalgic and modern," she says.
Speaking of fashion, both Katie and Nick brought their personalities to the forefront through their outfit changes. For the rehearsal dinner, the groom opted for a blush suit delicately embroidered with ballerinas, while the bride’s rehearsal ensemble leaned into vintage romance with a ruffled, off-the-shoulder white gown. For the wedding day look, she chose a classic Victorian-inspired gown before changing into her reception outfit: A dress adorned with intricate floral embroidery, "a perfect balance of timeless and contemporary elegance," Katie notes.
When asked what they most anticipated, their answer was simple: “The ceremony and seeing the reception space.” The reveal as guests took their seats beneath the arch was something they'll never forget. Their wedding dreams to life during the reception with satin pink draping, gold candelabras, literary references and subtle nods to Halloween. Wondering what one of the most touching moments was during the wedding weekend? It came during the ceremony as a sentimental tribute. To show love and honor her late mother, Katie placed a replica of her mother’s wedding bouquet on a memorial chair beside her father.