fbpx vie magazine subscribe button

Mountain Magic

Saying “I Do” in Telluride, Colorado

By Jordan Staggs | Photography by Captivated Studios

When Jessica Proffitt and Levin Ford Bracken became engaged on Easter Sunday 2013 at Esperanza, an Auberge Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, they already knew they wanted to celebrate their nuptials in their favorite place in the world—beautiful Telluride, Colorado.

Located in San Miguel County in the southwestern corner of the state, Telluride is nestled into a box canyon in the San Juan Mountains. The area once served as a summer home to the nomadic Ute Indian tribe, who would hunt elk, deer, and bighorn sheep there before migrating to lower elevations during the winter season. Later, Spanish explorers traveled through the area along a route that became known as the Old Spanish Trail. The area became home to a mining camp around 1860, when gold was discovered in the region, and about two decades later the town was established. Between 1905 and 1911, over $16 million in gold and silver was extracted from the area’s mines. Telluride grew from a cluster of tents and cabins to a flourishing settlement with rows of elegant Victorian homes and stately brick structures, many of which are still standing.

Today, the area is known as a mecca for outdoor exploration, skiing, and summer events celebrating music, art, film, and culture. The Telluride Ski Resort is known for its world-class slopes and breathtaking mountain vistas.

Wedding at Gorrono Ranch in Telluride, Colorado

Jessica, a native of Destin, Florida, and Levin, a Destin transplant originally from Memphis, were together for six years before their marriage. During that time, they traveled all over the world together, but Telluride is undoubtedly where their hearts lie. They were married at the Gorrono Ranch at Telluride Ski Resort on June 28, 2014, surrounded by an intimate gathering of sixty-five of their closest friends and family from around the world.

“It truly feels like it was one of the most beautiful days Telluride has ever seen,” says Jessica of the bright blue skies and clear mountain views. “This was a total destination wedding. Gorrono Ranch was the first and only venue I toured; I knew the second I stepped foot there that it was the place.” She admits that most of the plans for the wedding were executed from Destin, thousands of miles from the San Juan Mountains. “It was risky but exciting!”

Bride and Bridesmaids Mountain Magic Wedding Telluride Colorado

The rehearsal dinner, held at Honga’s Lotus Petal in Telluride, was casually elegant, while the black-tie ceremony and reception at Gorrono Ranch were formal affairs highlighted with shimmering gold, royal blue hues, and rustic touches to reflect the surrounding mountains and forests.

“Impeccable food, incredible music, an oxygen bar, late-night grilled cheeses, a huge bonfire, champagne limbo, cigars for the gentlemen, and a sparkler send-off were some of the highlights of the evening,” Jessica recalls. “It was truly the best night and we owe it to our incredible friends and family who made the journey to join us for our big day. A special thanks goes to Lynn and Steve Dugas of South Walton, who opened their home at Ski Ranches in Telluride for my bridesmaids and me to stay in while the boys and our friends and family stayed at Mountain Lodge.”
 

The happy couple enjoyed a “backward honeymoon,” arriving in Telluride two weeks before their wedding to take advantage of the gorgeous hiking and summer activities, including the Forty-First Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival. “We even jammed to the King of Telluride, Sam Bush, who is a regular in South Walton, Florida. We had the time of our lives.”

In addition to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, the town puts on several other signature events during the year, such as the renowned Mountainfilm in Telluride, the Telluride Film Festival, the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival, the Imogene Pass Run, and many more. Log on to www.visittelluride.com to learn more about events, places to stay, outdoor adventures, and of course, weddings, and celebrations in this beautiful mountain escape.
Bride and groom on the dancefloor

— V —


Wedding Vendors

Venue and Catering: Gorrono Ranch at Telluride Ski Resort
Planning and Decor: Nicole Shortridge
Florist: New Leaf Design, Telluride
Ceremony Music: Telluride String Trio
Reception Music: The Great Funktier
Officiant: Mayor Stu Fraser of Telluride
Cake: Sweet Spot Cakes
Lodging: Mountain Lodge Telluride and Ski Ranches
Transportation: Telluride Express
Bridal Gown: Allure Bridals
Dress Boutique: Simply Elegant Bridal in Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Bridal Shoes: Jimmy Choo


Read Responsibly

December 2023, Holiday Issue, Christmas, VIE Magazine, Lisa Burwell, Cover, Gift Guide, Holidays
Marisol Gullo, Not Too Shabby, Home, Decor, Interior Design, Santa Rosa Beach, Churchill Oaks
VIE Magazine September 2023 Jay Mercado
VIE Magazine - The Art & Design Issue November 2021
VIE Magazine January 2021 Special Commemorative Edition
VIE Magazine September 2020 Wanderlust Issue, Fancy Camps, The Idea Boutique
VIE Magazine August 2020 Art & Culture Issue, Nathan Alan Yoakum Art
VIE Magazine - Architecture & Design Issue - July 2020
VIE Magazine - Decor and Home Issue - June 2020
VIE Magazine May 2020 Entertainment Issue, Leslie Odom Jr
VIE Magazine - April 2020 Culinary Issue
VIE Magazine March 2020 The Fashion Edit, VONDOM, Alys Beach Fl, Digital Graffiti, Tres Chic, isidro dunbar Modern Interiors, Digital Graffiti Festival
VIE Magazine February 2020 Health & Beauty Issue
VIE Magazine - Travel Issue - January 2020 - Tanzania Safari Cover
VIE Magazine - Women's Issue - December 2019 - Tina Brown Cover
VIE NOV19 Goodness Issue
VIE Magazine, September 2019 Art & Culture Issue, Paul Hanninen
VIE Magazine - August 2019 - The Architecture and Design Issue
VIE Magazine - July 2019 - The Artist Issue
VIE Magazine - June 2019 - Fashion Edit
VIE Magazine - May 2019 - Culinary Issue
VIE Magazine - April 2019 - The Health & Wellness Issue
VIE Magazine - Special Entertainment Edition - March 2019
VIE Magazine February 2019 Luxury Homes & Technology Issue with Robbie Antonio of Revolution Precrafted
VIE Magazine - January 2019 - Southern Sophisticate Issue Cover
VIE Magazine - Special Anniversary Travel Edition - December 2018
VIE Magazine - The Goodness Issue - November 2018
VIE Magazine - The Art & Culture Issue - October 2018
VIE Magazine - Home & Garden Issue - September 2018
VIE Magazine - August 2018 Animal Issue
VIE Magazine - July 2018 Architecture & Design Issue - Subscribe to the magazine!
VIE Magazine - June 2018 Travel & Tech Issue
VIE Magazine - May 2018 Couture Issue
VIE Magazine - The Culinary Issue - April 2018 Cover - Chef James Briscione and Brooke Parkhurst
VIE Magazine - The Entertainers Issue - March 2018
VIE Magazine - February 2018 Destination Travel Issue
VIE Magazine - January 2018 Health & Beauty Issue
VIE Magazine, The Sophisticate Issue, December 2017
VIE Magazine - November 2017 Art & Culture Issue
VIE Magazine - October 2017 Home & Garden Issue
VIE Magazine | September 2017 | The Stories and Storytellers Issue
VIE Magazine - The Adventure Issue - August 2017
VIE Magazine - July 2017 - Art & Artist Issue
VIE Magazine - The Voyager Issue - June 2017
VIE magazine 2017 March-April Cover South Walton Fashion Week
VIE Magazine - January/February 2017 - The Health & Beauty Issue
VIE Magazine - Nov/Dec 2016 The Sophisticate Issue
christian siriano vie magazine september october 2016 vie magazine
the modern minimalist issue
Summertime!
the culinary and couture issue march april 2016 vie magazine
the voyager issue alys beach vie magazine january february 2016
cultural issue vie magazine november december 2015
home and garden issue vie magazine september october 2015
the art and style issue vie magazine july august 2015
the wedding issue 2015 May June vie magazine
the food and fashion issue vie magazine march april 2015
the travel issue vie magazine january february 2015
the music issue vie magazine 2014 november december
The Animal Issue vie magazine september october 2014
the home and garden issue vie magazine july august 2014
the wedding issue vie magazine may june 2014
emeril lagasse food and fashion vie magazine
the men's issue january february 2014
the music issue november december 2013 vie magazine
the home and garden issue 2013 october september
the wedding issue vie magazine july august 2013
the artist issue may june 2013 vie magazine
the food and fashion issue march april 2013
the men's issue january february 2013 vie magazine
The Holiday Issue
the love issue july august 2012
the all american summer may june 2012
the entertainment issue march april 2012
the fashion issue vie magazine winter 2011
the home and garden issue vie magazine fall 2011
the anniversary edition vie magazine summer 2011
the wedding issue vie magazine spring 2011
vie magazine the holiday issue 2010 Dec
vintage swimsuits vie magazine 2010 Fall
judith march designer vie magazine summer 2010
wedding giveaway vie magazine spring 2010
holiday gift guide vie magazine winter 2009
emarketing explosion vie magazine fall 2009
tribute to mother's day vie magazine summer 2009
james and robert redford vie magazine spring 2009
zz top vie magazine fall winter 2008
project dreams vie magazine new york fashion week
Sign-up for VIEmail

Sign up for VIEmail


X

A LIFESTYLE