Melissa and David first met through their tight-knit CrossFit community, where game nights and group workouts sparked a friendship—and eventually, a romance. When David planned a surprise proposal during a scenic camping trip through Yellowstone, the Tetons, and Steamboat Springs, he saved the most meaningful moment for Melissa’s favorite place: Telluride. As country music played and their dog Sawyer lay nearby, he got down on one knee in the golden light of sunset. “We were dancing in the grass when he took a knee,” Melissa recalls. “It was perfect.”
The couple’s vision for their big day was simple: make it about us, forget tradition, and throw a party no one would forget. With most guests traveling in from out of town, Melissa and David wanted to host an entire experience—one filled with quality time, emotional moments, and a dance floor that didn’t quit. Steamboat Springs, with its mountain charm and crisp August air, offered the perfect backdrop.
When David found Sky Valley Chateau—a private estate nestled among the aspens with room for 25 of their guests to stay—it felt like fate. “His priority was celebrating for more than three days. Mine was getting married surrounded by aspens. The property checked every box,” Melissa said. Hosting the welcome party, ceremony, and late-night hangs all in one place created the easygoing, immersive vibe they hoped for. “The hot tub, the grill, the fire pit—it just made everything flow.”
Their wedding aesthetic embraced the beauty of the landscape: “We wanted it to feel like a high-end backyard wedding,” Melissa explains. The ceremony featured a towering floral arch and family-style dinner with simple but delicious food. “Our focus was on the things that made the experience feel special—great music, open bar, meaningful vows, and amazing florals.”
The couple chose not to have a traditional wedding party, which made the ceremony feel especially intimate. Melissa walked herself down the aisle to a moving violin instrumental, while their custom vows left guests (and vendors!) in tears. “I’ll never forget standing behind the wall before walking out,” Melissa says. “It hit me all at once.”
The party didn’t end at the Chateau. After a quick outfit change, the newlyweds and their crew took over Foxes for a high-energy after party complete with crowd props, disposable cameras, and a dance floor that went all night. “David sweat through his clothes. I couldn’t walk the next day because my knees were so swollen. It was worth every second.”
Looking back, Melissa and David agree they wouldn’t change a thing. “Our wedding was truly the best day of our lives,” Melissa says. “And we’ve been told by everyone that it was the best wedding they’ve ever been to.”
VENDOR CREDITS
Venue: Sky Valley Chateau
Photography: Clark Miller Photography
Planning: Morgan Ashley Cox
Florals: Erin Ashley Design
Beauty: Jessica Faye Beauty
Catering: Ski Town Gourmet
Entertainment: DJ RIMP
Rentals: CO Party Rentals
Transportation: Storm Mountain Express
After Party: Foxes Steamboat
