Chic, Dude Ranch Destination Wedding in Granby, Colorado | Carly + Elliot

Where do we begin with people so honest, so fucking fun, so intentional, and so emotionally aware?

We could tell you about our mile-long text conversations filled with memes, selfies and videos with Carly; or our Facetime where Carly attacked Elliot with her squishes and kisses; or the tears of joy that came with something feeling so right; or the tears of pain that came with reschedules, wildfires and personal challenges.

Yes, we could share it all in detail, but we think you’re probably here for their wedding day. We’ll leave it at this— the time we share with our couples before the wedding means just as much to us as the time we share on the wedding day. It informs and sets the tone for their day. So, we treat it with great importance.

Carly and Elliot opened up to us with such vulnerability that we were able to infuse loads of creativity and unique aspects into their wedding design. Stevie (lead designer and creative director) collaborated with Carly and Elliot to style, blend all the design elements into a cohesive story, craft meaningful and fun stationery and signage, and support Bri, their florist, in implementing some major floral designs on their wedding day.

A Dude Ranch in the Rockies: C Lazy U

Their wedding was a destination for most of their guests, so Carly and Elliot made a weekend of it. They treated their guests to 2 nights of never-ending food, drinks and activities (like horseback riding, shooting, yoga and spa treatments).

A Cape & Crown fit for Carly.

We think Sarah Seven designed this cape, crown and dress specifically for Carly. She’s quite the muse.

Carly and Elliot had a moment to enjoy the finished reception space before all of their guests arrived. We always try to build a moment like this into the wedding timeline, and luckily, Stephanie of From the Daisies and Alaina of Root & Gather were able to make it happen!

We had the thrill of being present when they walked into the space for the first time. Witnessing their reactions and getting some major hugs is one of our favorite memories.

Their ceremony took place on a mountain with a view of the river and the snowy-peaked range in the background. What you can’t see from the photos is the torrential downpour and 20 mph winds that came through while we were setting up signage and Hazel Avenue was building the floral backdrop. Luckily, we had a strong vendor team who came together to support each other and recover the winded and wet materials before ceremony start.

Miraculously, the weather cleared for Carly and Elliot’s tear-filled ceremony.

For the welcome sign, we crafted a large installation that featured hanging panels with a welcome, ceremony instructions and Carly and Elliot’s new last name: Blitzerhoof. Instead of Carly taking Elliot’s last name (Dickerhoof) or Elliot taking Carly’s last name (Blitz), they blended them together!

We sourced antique boxes and baskets from a Denver flea market to hold all of the biodegradable confetti cones, which guests threw on the couple at the end of their ceremony.

It takes two.

Carly chose to walk down the aisle with both of her parents. We love this break of tradition!

Carly and Elliot had their mutual friend lead their ceremony. They chose right — he brought humor, a deep knowing and empathy to their ceremony. It was one of our favorite ceremonies filled with so much authentic emotion.

C Lazy U Ranch came very close to burning down in a wildfire a few months before Carly and Elliot’s wedding day. It was important to Carly and Elliot to take portraits on the scorched earth to honor the challenges they faced leading up to their day and the land that they were able to celebrate on.

Carly and Elliot opted for a sweetheart table at the head of the reception space to enjoy their dinner! We utilized two magnificent cowhide chairs from C Lazy U Ranch and centerpiece elements from The Floral Society.

For each table number, Stevie illustrated a world city that had special significance to Carly and Elliot. They wrote a a synopsis of the importance of that location which she placed on the opposite side of the illustration.

The tablescapes were designed for easy interaction — nothing obstructing a guests view across the table. With low centerpieces and minimal elements, guests were able to converse and grab breads, oils and toppings from the center of the table once the reception began.

For their seating chart, we created interactive escort cards. We sourced clay shot glasses from an artisan on Etsy and secured deckled edge cotton paper name cards to each. We lined all of the shot glasses in alphabetical order on shelves layered with vintage suitcases, bud vases, votives, and a neon ‘Let’s Dance” sign (nodding to their love of David Bowie).

For their dinner menu, Stevie illustrated an ingredient from each course to incorporate in the design. The menu was printed on deckled edge cotton paper and secured with leather cord to a wood board.

A dress change for a wild night of dancing.

Carly changed into a second dress for their reception. It made it easier for her to dance the night away without feeling any discomfort or constraint!

After dinner, we flipped the seating chart to a dessert station filled with mini pies. Carly and Elliot cut into a small angel food cake topped with a figurine of their dog.

The couple are such big fans of David Bowie that they named their sweet pup: Bowie. And Bowie, with a red lightning bolt on his face, made an appearance as the main tattoo in their temporary tattoo station. Of course, Carly ended up with a tattoo on her booty, and many other guests had them on their cheeks, necks and foreheads!

Carly and Elliot danced the night away with their guests. After the reception, Carly changed into her third dress (hell yes!) and they moved to the Saloon for an after party.

There truly are not enough words to describe Carly and Elliot’s wedding weekend— it was filled with so much depth, history and emotion. Being present for every moment, was to understand it. And isn’t that the beauty of being IN PERSON with your people? If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that these gatherings with the people we hold most dear are so incredibly important.

Carly and Elliot made our lives more vivid and more honest. We’ll keep those momentos with us forever.

Ready to make your day show-stopping? Send us a note HERE.

Photo: @fromthedaisies

Florals: @hazelavefloral

Styling + Creative Direction: @wildlycollective_

Planning: @rootandgatherevents

Stationery + Signage Design: @wildlycollective_

Venue: @clazyuranch

Rentals: @copartyrentals

HMU: @lianakathrynmakeup

Video: @paperbirdweddings

Gown: @sarahseven

DJ: @whoischrislewis