After an eight-year engagement, Eli and Jake finally tied the knot in the stunning Rocky Mountains at Grand Lake Lodge. For them, waiting wasn’t about laziness or indecision—it was about finding the right moment, with the right people, and for the right reasons. “I used to tell people we were just lazy”, Eli shared, “but after we had our wedding, I realised that we had just not been ready yet. I’m glad we waited. It led us to the most magical day of our lives.”
Their wedding was a deeply personal and intentional celebration inspired by their shared love of fantasy fiction, complemented by nature-inspired colours, textures, and lighting. “The main idea was medieval-fantasy-fairytale”. the bride continued. “From video games to books, it’s those magical worlds where we’re most excited together.”
Eli and Jake also stripped away traditions they didn’t connect with so that meant no first dance, the bride walking down the aisle by herself, no cake cutting and no dress code. The ceremony featured live music provided by a local band playing a blend of 60s and 70s rock and blues and the couple also made a ‘cross promise’ to their children before exchanging rings.
Even Eli’s dress was unconventional—a flowing beach festival piece that transformed into a long ivory cape for the reception from a designer she found on Etsy. “We were all about the fun of the day and didn’t want to be bogged down by archaic traditions,” she explained.
The reception florals and decor, created by their wedding planner and florist, transported guests into a woodland fairytale, with dripping wax candles and moss hanging from the ceiling. They wanted people to feel completely enveloped in a fairytale.
Although they initially planned a lot of the wedding themselves, they later brought in a planner, Jennifer, when the venue required it. “I wish I’d known earlier that you could pay someone to do this!” Eli said. “Jennifer saved our lives. She completely understood our vision and helped us build our own little world. There are so many avenues you can take, things to try, and ideas to consider. It’s really a beautiful world if you open yourself up to the creative possibilities.”
“Trust your gut when choosing vendors”, Eli concluded. “If you don’t vibe with who you’re working with, let them go. You want to build your wedding with people who understand and support you. And for the reception, break out the comfy shoes! You’ll stop caring about what you look like once the party starts poppin’.”
