Photo: Studio JK Photography
One of the perks of living in Denver, Colorado, is the easy access to the mountains. Just ask Kyndal Hayes and Daniel Close, who spend almost every weekend at Beaver Creek, whether it’s biking in the summer or skiing in the winter. “It’s a special place where we’ve created a lot of memories,” says Kyndal. So it’s no surprise that, after getting engaged in May of 2014 on a boat off the coast of Florida, the pair chose Beaver Creek as the perfect destination for their August 1, 2015, wedding. “Neither of us grew up in Denver, so having the wedding somewhere we love was a great compromise,” the bride says.
They combined Kyndal’s Atlanta roots with their mountaintop venue for a party that blended southern comfort with mountain chic vibes. “Think: Guests in black tie, pops of pink, and antler, crystal, and wooden accents,” says Kyndal. They chose Beano’s Cabin, a luxe log cabin nestled in one of Beaver Creek’s bowls, as the venue, bringing 205 guests to the rustic property on a gorgeous summer afternoon. While the couple only lives two hours from Beaver Creek, the brides’ family resides in Florida, so they new a wedding planner would be key to getting the details in order. Enter Bella Design & Planning, who brought Kyndal’s ideas to life. The details, photographed by Studio JK Photography, will make you want to book a trip to the Rockies!
As her something blue, Kyndal wore made-to-order suede Manolo Blahnik pumps. “I found my wedding dress on my birthday while shopping in my hometown of Atlanta with my mom,” says the bride of finding her Monique Lhuillier gown. “We looked at each other when I put it on, and I totally got chills!”
Her four bridesmaids wore one-shoulder gowns in petal pink, a flattering choice that was perfect for the formal summer celebration. Each woman carried a bouquet of white and hot pink roses and hydrangeas, while Kyndal’s bouquet mixed blush and white garden roses with ranunculus and hydrangeas.
In keeping with the black tie dress code, Daniel wore a custom tuxedo, which was lined with pink and embroidered with the couple’s wedding date.
The ceremony, which took place at The Chapel at Beaver Creek, was decorated with candles and pink roses in rustic wooden lanterns, as well as tall vases with birch branches. “Choosing the date was the easiest part of planning,” Kyndal reveals. “We called the Chapel, and they only had two dates available in 2015, so we picked one!” Two singers from Elan Artists’ The Social sang “The Prayer” before Kyndal’s father walked her down the aisle to Canon in D.
After they said “I do,” Daniel, Kyndal, and their wedding party headed up onto Beaver Creek Mountain for portraits amongst the towering trees.
Inside Beano’s Cabin, long tables were set beneath antler chandeliers, while light streamed in from the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered breathtaking mountain views. Centerpieces combined arrangements of garden roses, ranunculus, and hydrangeas in shades of blush and white with votive candles in tall glass holders. Antlers were draped with magnolia leaves and fresh ferns, and the chandeliers were accented with garlands and hydrangeas.
Guests found their table assignments on a white-framed poster, then took a seat for a meal of grilled Skuna Bay salmon with brown butter, chicken breast with polenta and Swiss chard, and beef tenderloin with smoked potato gratin and lobster jus.
“When we first got to Beano’s, we were able to sneak into the venue and take in all the details we’d spent so much time perfecting before our guests came inside. It was a spectacular moment to enjoy all the little details we’d worked on before everyone entered!” says Kyndal.
Beneath a clear tent set up next to Beano’s Cabin, two lounge areas flanked the dance floor. White couches were paired with cowhide ottomans, mirror-topped coffee tables, and antler chandeliers draped in crystals.
The dance floor was decked out with Kyndal and Daniel’s monogram, which was designed by the bride’s aunt. Says Kyndal, “It was on the dance floor, cocktail napkins, and the ChapStick and water bottles in the welcome bags. Now we use the monogram on items in our home.” She and Daniel shared their first dance to “Everything” by Michael Bublé.
When The Social began to play “I Loved Her First” by Heartland, Kyndal and her father surprised guests with a choreographed waltz they’d been rehearsing together.
The pair’s monogram also made an appearance on the five-tiered wedding cake, which featured alternating layers of smooth and textured buttercream over vanilla cake with vanilla frosting — all accented with fresh garden roses and hydrangeas, of course!
Photo: Studio JK Photography
With such a great band on stage, you can be sure the couple had a raging dance party! When it was all over, Kyndal and Daniel escaped the mountains for a honeymoon in Maui and Kauai.
Says the bride, “Once you make a decision about your wedding, go with it and don’t look at other options. You’ll always see a new idea, but it’s best to go with your gut instead of going crazy over the maybe, should-have, could-haves.”
Ceremony Venue: The Chapel at Beaver Creek || Reception Venue & Catering: Beano’s Cabin || Wedding Planner: Bella Design & Planning || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier, purchased at Joan Pillow Bridal Salon || Shoes: Manolo Blahnik || Hair & Makeup: Divine Beauty Artists || Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: Becker’s Jewelers || Floral Design: Bloom Flower Shop || Invitations & Paper Goods: Richard’s Notebook || Music: The Social, Élan Artists || Cake: Sugar || Rentals: Pink Monkey Solutions; Alpine Party Rentals || Photographer: Studio JK Photography
Planning your own rustic-chic celebration? Then check out another couple’s gorgeous wedding in the video below.