Susan and Derek’s love story began on Hinge, but it quickly became something deeper, rooted in joy, connection, and shared intention. Derek proposed during a family trip to Florida, completely surprising Susan with a heartfelt moment that set the tone for the next chapter of their lives together.
When it came time to plan their wedding, Susan and Derek dreamed of an intimate celebration filled with their nearest and dearest—without the distractions of small talk or rigid traditions. Instead, they wanted a weekend that allowed them to be fully present, surrounded by laughter, love, and the beauty of the Colorado mountains.
Sky Valley Chateau proved to be the perfect fit. With room for their closest friends to stay under one roof, the weekend was rich with connection—inside jokes carried through the days, foosball rivalries were born, and evenings stretched long with laughter. “It was so special being able to spend more time with our guests outside of the wedding day,” Susan recalls.
Their vision was “romantic, simplistic, golden light”—and it came to life in every detail. Candles and string lights set a warm glow, while the snowy valley offered a magical backdrop. One of the most moving moments of the weekend came when Susan’s twin sister, who had just welcomed a baby days before the wedding, joined via Zoom from the living room TV to deliver a surprise poem as her maid of honor speech. She was able to hear the toasts, witness the first dance, and, in a way, be right there in the heart of it all.
As snow fell around them, Susan and Derek exchanged vows in golden light, then danced the night away with their guests filling the living room with energy and joy. From ski tracks through the snowy valley to soaking in the hot tub, the weekend was filled with moments that felt wholly their own.
“Looking back, what we cherish most is that our wedding wasn’t a copy of anyone else’s. It was uniquely ours,” Susan shares. Guests agreed, calling it one of the best weddings they had ever attended—a celebration of love, connection, and intentional joy that will stay with them always.
VENDOR CREDITS
Venue: Sky Valley Chateau
Photography: Abby Rindels Photography
Catering: Ski Town Gourmet
