Rachel & Rob
The Elizabeth Hotel
Horsetooth Reservoir & Aurum
Fort Collins | Steamboat, Colorado
October 7th, 2023 | July 20th, 2024
A modern wedding trend we’re seeing is having an ultra-intimate wedding ceremony in a meaningful location (ie. hiking to a mountaintop, in a coffee shop, or traveling to a destination), and then hosting a reception party at a later date for the larger group of friends + extended family. It’s been one of our favorite ways couples are choosing to get married, so take a look at Rachel + Rob’s micro wedding/reception party below to get inspired.
From hiking to a mountaintop with their immediate families, to having Rachel’s dad officiate the ceremony, then popping some celebratory Veuve Cliquot, signing their marriage license at their favorite college bar, to gallivanting around The Elizabeth as newlyweds, we couldn’t help but think… this is how weddings should be! Rachel + Rob’s nostalgic elopement in the town they met was everything they dreamed of + more.
The wedding festivities began in the fall of 2023 in Fort Collins, Colorado, at Rachel + Rob’s favorite downtown hotel, The Elizabeth.
They shared a special first look on the grand staircase + then headed to their favorite Fort Collins hike overlooking Horsetooth Reservoir for an epic ceremony with only immediate family present.
Road 34 was Rachel + Rob’s favorite college bar, so they headed there with their families in tow to take some pickle shots + sign their marriage license.
The night ended where it began–back at The Elizabeth Hotel–to freshen up for dinner at Rare Italian in Old Town. It was a special + intimate day filled with lasting memories.
Vendors–
VENUE: Horsetooth Reservoir
BRIDAL GOWN DESIGNER: Park & Fifth
MAKE-UP ARTIST: Alegria Beauty
HAIR ARTIST: Alegria Beauty
Rachel + Rob’s wedding reception took place almost one year after their mountaintop ceremony. This allowed their reception to be its own separate focus + event in itself, leaving behind all the stress + making room for even more party.
They chose Aurum Food + Wine in Steamboat to host all their friends + extended family for a celebration complete with toasts, special dances, and live music to close out the night.
Cocktail hour felt overflowing with connection, ease, merriment, and celebration—unusually unhurried in the best way.
As the sun set over the Yampa river, Sweet Pork, the live entertainment for the night, made sure the dance floor was a sensational affair guests were talking about for months to come.
