Wedding Photos for Pam

Pam, here are a few of the wedding photos that are readily available…i.e. it will be awhile before the professional photos are available. Many of the photos are iPhone photos, so the quality is a bit off. But, you should get a good idea of how things went off…without a hitch.

Rehearsal Dinner on Saturday

The rehearsal dinner was on Saturday, September 5th. Ellen and I were in charge of this event. Ellen spent weeks painting watercolor trout for the tables…on both sides, no less! Dale is a big fly fisherman, so the idea was to have fish, river rock and aquatic plants on each table. Ellen did a fabulous job. The event was in Salida, right on the Arkansas river. Fourteen tables were decorated like this, each with a different trout species.

Though we had planned to have all the tables inside the venue, Covid forced us to separate the tables, placing four tables on the patio…but it was a beautiful evening.

Four tables were placed on the patio overlooking the Arkansas River.

The rehearsal for the wedding was held in the auditorium of the venue. They had 9 attendants each!

Our great friend Debbie served as (what we call) the ‘Dragon Lady’…the one who coordinates this and that for the ceremony.

Bridal Party Luncheon on Sunday

My two daughters put on the bridal party luncheon at a pavilion in Buena Vista. They did a fabulous job. Nicole is on the left and Alyson is on the right.

The whole feminine crew at the Bridal Luncheon

Afternoon Picnic on Sunday in Buena Vista

As if we hadn’t entertained enough already, Ellen and I put on a picnic at a Buena Vista park. Each of the photos below has a grandchild in it. The first is the bride and granddaughter Ashlyn, who is going to the University of Central Florida as a freshman.

In the photo below are Ellen’s sister and brother-in-law with some of their kids. Leslie and Craig are frequent travel companions, and they too have stayed at Borgo Castello Banfi!!!

Wedding Day on Monday, September 7th

This photo is sunset on Sunday…beautiful. The wedding venue (The Barn at Sunset Ranch) is in the plains in the center of the photo just this side of the tree line. The outdoor wedding was to be framed by beautiful Mt Princeton and the other Collegiate Peaks. However…

…this is what we awoke to on Monday morning. Colorado wildfires brought in smoke that obscured the mountains 100%. However, things worked out fine.

The Barn at Sunset Ranch…with mountains obscured by smoke

The Girls Getting Ready

Mae’s mother is getting her all buttoned up.

Bride-to-be Mae looked absolutely beautiful and was her smiling self. What a great daughter-in-law we gained! Here she is wearing Ellen’s necklace…for ‘something borrowed ‘and ‘something blue’.

First Look

These days, rather than the groom getting a first view of his soon-to-be bride at the ceremony, they have a private ‘First Look’ well before the ceremony.

They also take this opportunity to share their personally-written vows (having the standard ‘I Do’ vows during the ceremony). And, like his father, Dale tears up easily.

Here they each read the vows prepared by the other

The Ceremony

Even though it was a bit smoky, there wedding was exemplary. Dale walked Ellen and me to our seats. It was such a great feeling!

Two of our granddaughters acted as flower girls…and they were darling.

Addie and Kylie are prepared to shower the path with rose petals

Our Beautiful Grandchildren

Kylie 4, Braeden 10, Ashlyn 18, Kiera 8, and Addie 7

The Reception

You will find this hard to believe, but my wife Ellen made the wedding cakes! She wanted to do a multi-tiered affair, but they insisted that they wanted sheet cakes (she made three) and a small cake just for them…so, that’s what they got.

It’s Time for Toasting!

There were numerous humorous and sincere toasts offered by the wedding party…and because of your generosity, there was plenty of Rosa Regale to go around!!!

Prior to the beginning of the toasting speeches, I took microphone in hand to explain to all gathered that you were most generous in your providing of the toasting wine. This was a show-stopper, and I’m happy to report to you that you got a standing ovation from the crowd…we felt that you were right there, celebrating with us!

I took the liberty of printing up hangers for each bottle of RR, explaining their provenance. For most (but not all!), this was their first experience with Rosa Regale. And, at three bottles per table, it was well received.

Mrs & Mr Dale Burkett with their favorite wine

Ellen, Mae, Dale and I offer up our thanks to you, Pam Mariani!!!

Pam, we had a great weekend. Lots of festivities. Lots of celebration. And lots of love directed right to you!!!