Unleashing Elegance: A Hauntingly Beautiful Friday the 13th Wedding at the Stanley Hotel Pavilion

In the heart of the majestic Rocky Mountains lies a unique wedding story that intertwines elegance with eerie enchantment. On Friday the 13th, of October 2023, Mel and Kyle celebrated their nuptials at the iconic Stanley Hotel Pavilion. Known for its stunning architecture and rich haunted history, this venue provided the perfect backdrop for a wedding that went beyond the ordinary.

This couple transformed their wedding day into a captivating celebration that blended romance with the macabre. Guests were treated to unforgettable experiences, from thrilling zombie burlesque dancers to a spectacular dinner from GB Culinary. We are beyond thrilled and proud to share the creative elements that we planned with Mel and Kyle to make this haunted wedding dream a beautiful reality.

Mel and Kyle in the Pavilion at the Stanley Hotel surrounded by fog and Estes Park's stunning natural backdrop

Setting the Scene: The Stanley Hotel Wedding Pavilion

Nestled in the picturesque town of Estes Park, Colorado, the Stanley Hotel is famous not only for its beauty but also for its ghostly tales. For couples dreaming of a haunted wedding, this historic venue offers limitless creative possibilities. The Pavilion, with its vintage charm and breathtaking mountain views, served as a phenomenal backdrop for a spooky celebration.

Mel and Kyle snuck away for a photo shoot inside the historic and haunted Stanley Hotel

Imagine entering a space illuminated by chandeliers dripping in flowers, tables adorned with dark, rich decor and flickering candles. Each element reflected the couple's vision, from their invitations, the live tattoo artists open to guests all evening, Miss Elena, the tarot card reader and the stunning cake by La Momo Mae's. This cake was a standout piece, showcasing their love of darkness and elegance.

Vintage Style Lambeth Wedding Cake by La Momo Maes

Custom Wedding Invitation Suite designed by the Groom

Pro Tip: When planning a themed wedding, ensure every detail reflects your personality and story. Incorporating personal elements, like your favorite places or symbols, will make everything more special. Don't just throw bunch of theme decor on a table. The ultimate theme of the wedding is you! Your journey and your life together. The rest is just frosting.

Melanie and her stunning bridesmaids in Estes Park

The Dress Code: Embracing the Unconventional

Melanie chose a stunning black gown and it was such an embodiment of her and Kyle.

Their unique styles fully encapsulated the spirit of a haunted love story as they exchanged vows surrounded by family and friends, and FOG!

First Kiss in the Mists of the Pavillion

Unforgettable Entertainment: Zombie Burlesque Dancers

A haunted wedding wouldn’t be complete without thrilling entertainment, and this couple truly delivered. The evening featured stunning performances by zombie burlesque dancers from Equinox Entertainment Colorado. The dancers greeted guests with champagne flutes and enchanted guests with their eerie elegance and storytelling through dance.

Aerial Dancer from Equinox Entertainment Colorado

Performing beneath the soft glow of chandeliers, these performers dressed in lace and creepy makeup. They brought the spirit of Friday the 13th to life. Each movement was a blend of grace and horror, captivating the audience and inviting them into a whimsical world.

The Equinox Entertainment Colorado Dance Group performing for guests during the reception

Guests were also welcomed into the Stanley Pavillion by a hearse adorned with the creepiest of decor and a flame thrower.

Denver Hearse Association's own Zachary provided this incredible and extremely rare bat-winged-flame-thrower Hearse. We added cans of Liquid Death Seltzer (get it) to the back for a nod to a classic wedding tradition.

Expert Insight: To choose the right entertainment, chose something no one has seen at a wedding before.

Get the wow-factor and create lasting memories and connections among attendees.

Delightful Bites: A Themed Culinary Experience

No wedding is complete without an exquisite culinary experience, and this haunted wedding was no exception. The couple collaborated with top Colorado wedding caterer GB Culinary, to create a menu filled with delightful surprises, all fitting Mel and Kyle's appetites.

Guest's place settings included, black stone plates, gold flatware and clear glass goblets from All Events in Longmont, Colorado. Each guest was given a small black coffin with treats. The bread course was a delicious house ash focaccia, salted butter with a roasted beet puree

Pro Tip: Work closely with your caterer to design a menu that not only tastes great but also resonates with your theme. Unique presentations and flavors can elevate the entire dining experience. GB Culinary Chef and Owner, Grant Buchanan, worked with Mel and Kyle to bring "elegant gastro pub" style food to their guests. They didn't want "wedding food" and they featured local produce and meat for their guests, who traveled from all over the country to Colorado.

Custom Wedding Menu designed by the Groom. This menu was a labor of love for Chef/Owner Grant Buchanan and his amazing team at GB Culinary

Crafting a Memorable Celebration

As the moon cast its glow over the Stanley Hotel, the Pavilion became a haven of laughter, love, and adventure. This couple masterfully blended charm and spookiness, creating a wedding that was a true reflection of their personalities.

For those considering a unique wedding experience, remember to cultivate an environment that resonates with your passions and journey as a couple. With engaging entertainment, captivating decor, and a distinctive dress code, this wedding showcased how to celebrate one's identity among a sea of cookie cutter weddings.

Ultimately, this gathering transcended a simple union; it was a joyous celebration of creativity and individuality. For couples eyeing venues like the Stanley Hotel, take a lesson from this couple—embracing the eerie can add an enchantingly beautiful twist to your love story.

Please Note: This wedding was featured in the New York Times! See More Here

Wedding Video from  Homefield Weddings

Photographer Shea McGrath Photography 

Thank you to all the outstanding vendors who contributed to this incredible day!

Wedding Planner | Shayna Papke, Cherry Bomb Events

Photographer | Shea McGrath Photography 

Venue | The Pavilion at The Stanley Hotel

Catering | GB Culinary

Videography | Homefield Weddings

Makeup and Hair | Kim J Beauty

Florist | Painted Primrose

Rentals | All Events

DJ/Lighting/Special Effects | DJ Queen C

Live Music | Kaleidoscope/House of Joy

Wedding Cake | La Momo Maes

Child Care | Cici's Child Care

Photo Booth | MiHi Entertainment

Hearse  | Denver Hearse Association

Tarot Card Reader | Ms.Elena | Uashtirjy@gmail.com

Dog Care | Plus the Pups

Entertainment | Equinox Entertainment Colorado

Tattoo Artists | Rising Tide Tattoo

Shuttles | Noco Party Bus

Welcome Dinner Venue | The Bull Pin

Rehearsal Dinner Catering | The Post

A Winter Wonderland Wedding: Fire and Ice on Flagstaff Mountain

Love, Snowstorms, Fires, and Wendy the Bulldog - Pawsitively Perfect Nuptials

As a seasoned planner, orchestrating weddings is my jam. However, when it came to curating my own sister Lisa's big day in February 2022, the experience turned into a heartwarming tale of love, a tiny bit of chaos, resilience, and a touch of canine charm that even the wildest snowstorm couldn't freeze. It wasn't just a career highlight it was a feat of planning excellence. We puled it off, in a blizzard, after having to re-plan the entire wedding; it was the most magical wedding of all time. I watched my sister say her "I dos" to the man of her dreams and gave the Maid of Honor toast I'd been dreaming of since 1990. It was a Wedding Planner/Sister's dream come true – a bride glowing with pure joy and love, unfazed by the cold of the blizzard surrounding their mountaintop venue, watching my team beam with pride for our very own Lisa, some in bridesmaids gowns --freezing their buns off-- and some bundled up to the nines executing the wedding-- also freezing their buns off. This was what we trained for.

Love Conquers All: The Journey to 'I Do'

James proposed to Lisa on Thanksgiving 2020 and they immediately started to plan, with my help, or course! Despite the pandemic curveballs during their 14-months of planning, they set out to plan a large Winter Wedding celebration at an art gallery in Boulder on 02.11.2022, the perfect date. Everything was planned as they headed into 2022. James even relented on his desire to have Pizza Hut cater the reception. Everything was perfect!

From the Ashes: Surviving the Marshall Fire

Just weeks before their wedding date on December 30th, 2021, Lisa and James, faced the devastating Marshall Fire. In a harrowing evacuation from their home in Louisville, Lisa fled with her wedding dress and their beloved Bull Dog, Wendy. They were displaced from their home for weeks and the fire reached just outside of their neighborhood. They now had the Omicron variant and the fire's impact on their community looming over their wedding. They decided to cancel their original wedding and downsize.

They had booked the Flagstaff Mountain Stone House for their ceremony and pre-wedding photos a year prior. So they sent a heartbreaking email and asked that the majority of their guests join virtually. They asked their immediate family, wedding party and closest friends to suit up in their wedding best and join them on Flagstaff Mountain for a micro wedding. We kept our rooms for the wedding party at the historic Hotel Boulderado, our shuttles from Green Ride, and our superb photographer and video teams, Brittany and Ben from Alchemy Creative. Amy Merritt and her team helped Lisa and the bridal party beautify in the morning as the snow fell.

A Snowstorm to Remember

Nature decided to sprinkle some extra magic on the day with an unexpected snowstorm, turning the mountain into a winter wonderland. Against the backdrop of gently falling snowflakes, Lisa and James exchanged vows, creating an ethereal and picturesque setting that was snow-stoppingly beautiful.

We'll just pretend there were no issues getting everyone up the mountain in the white-out conditions.

Wendy Steals the Show

Adding a paw-sitively whimsical touch to the ceremony was the couple's cherished bulldog, Wendy. Due to the fur-tastic laws of Colorado, Wendy was able to sign the marriage license, leaving an adorable mark on the couple's union. (As Maid of Honor, I was delighted to help Wendy in this endeavor. A chore I have walked my clients and their pups through many times as a wedding planner. Colorado couples love their puppy pals! #coloradoweddings #boulderlovesdogs)

Jewel Tones and Faux Fur Elegance

Undeterred by the winter chill, the wedding party embraced the season with jewel-tone gowns and faux fur wraps, making them the chicest snow bunnies in town. The rich, vibrant colors contrasted beautifully with the snowy surroundings, turning the celebration into a winter fashion dream.

Intimate Moments and Shared Laughter

Despite the chilly vibes, the day unfolded with cozy moments and shared laughter, proving that love has the power to melt even the iciest of hearts. Lisa and James' love radiated through the cold, creating a day filled with warmth, joy, and unforgettable memories, with laughter that echoed louder than a snowball fight. The Chuppah, was a team collaboration by some of our our favorite vendors (and friends), Have and Seat Colorado and Painted Primrose. This moody chuppah, dripping in florals, set the tone for, romance, elegance, and warmed the space.

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Envisioning Thrones: A Dream Reimagined

In the initial planning stages, Lisa envisioned a Game of Thrones vibe/feel for her decor, planning for a 150-person wedding in a gallery, essentially a blank canvas. Their dream wedding offered guests a fancy bread and butter station during cocktail hour, lavish pasta dinner and epic dance party. However, the Omicron variant threw a curveball, forcing them to scrap the elaborate plan. But fate had a grander, more Thrones-worthy scheme in store. The scene was set by the florals, the wood fireplace and stone work of the venue could not have been more GOT.

She was our, Khaleesi: Lisa Ariel of the House Faye and Dave. First of her Name, the Dairy Free, Queen of Cottonwood Sub Division, Queen of the Office Binge, Mother of Bull Dogs, Breaker of Wedding Rules and Mother of Bull Dogs.

Laughter in the Chill: Kelly MacLean, the Comedy Writer / Officiant

Adding a dose of laughter to the proceedings, the wedding officiant was none other than close family friend and Comedy Writer, Kelly MacLean. Sporting a fur ushanka hat, Kelly brought humor and warmth to the ceremony, making it an unforgettable blend of love and laughter.

More Thrones Than Planned

The final setting, with a winter storm on a mountainside, a fire raging, and candlelight flickering in the cold breeze, created an ambiance more Game of Thrones than anyone could have ever planned for. With all 30 guests wrapped up in winter gear, Lisa's initial vision of Thrones vibes transformed into a reality more magical than the Seven Kingdoms.

A Tale of Love, Laughter, and Resilience

Lisa and James' winter wedding on Flagstaff Mountain was more than a celebration of love; it was a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the ability to find joy in the unexpected. As snowflakes danced outside, it mirrored the emotions of a day that left everyone feeling snow-ver the moon.

This wedding taught me that sometimes the most beautiful moments are unplanned, and love truly has the power to conquer all – even epic snowstorms, fires, and global pandemics. Cheers to Lisa and James, and to the limitless adventures awaiting them in their journey of love – it's snow joke! ❄️🐾

And immediately following the ceremony a hand full of guests and the wedding party warmed up with tropical cocktails at a tiki bar in Boulder. There is no professional photo evidence of this tiki time, thank goodness.

Planning and Design: Cherry Bomb Events

(Lead Day of Planner: Allie Howes, Cherry Bomb Events)

Officiant: Kelly McLean

Photographer and Video: Alchemy Creative

Hair and Makeup: Amy Merritt Hair Company

Transportation: Green Ride Boulder

Florist: Painted Primrose

Specialty Rentals: Have A Seat (Chuppah)

Wedding Night Hotel Accommodations: The Boulderado

After Party: Jungle Boulder

Dress: Little White Dress

Alterations: Donna Beth Creations

Macabre Wedding Elegance at the Stanley Hotel

Jenni and Kris are a one-in-a-million couple and they envisioned a one-in-a-million wedding that would thrill and delight their favorite people.

Friday the 13th, October 2017 we descended on the Stanley Hotel armed with a team of vendors, boxes of decor and a dream. Best known as the inspiration for Stephen King's The Shinning, the hotel boasts spooks and ghoul encounters of all kinds. But Jennie and Kris brought in their own very specific spooks; pigs hearts in jars of formaldehyde, morgue toe tags as escorts cards, Flower Girls dressed as the notorious Twins from the hallway in the Shinning, a cake of peeling "skin," and grave terrariums with mutilated doll parts and animal bones. If you're a lover of the macabre this wedding would have delighted your senses.

We are so proud of our team and the vendors that brought this to life. And we are so proud that Jenni choose us to be the stewards of her wedding dreams, her beautiful nightmare-wedding dream.

See more fun and creepiness straight from this couple's brains at Cyanide and Happiness

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Full Service Planning, Design and Floral: Cherry Bomb Events

Photography: Ohio Snap Images

Videography: Sweet Lime Pictures

Venue: The Historic Stanley Hotel

Makeup: Makeup By Lark

Hair: Hair By Frances

Specialty Rentals: Plank and Pearl

DJ and Karaoke: Elite DJ

Cannabis Bar: Top Shelf Bud Tending

Signage and Calligraphy: Whimsy Design Studios

Dessert : Button Rock Bakery

Décor for Terrariums: PheasantRunAntiques , Forgotten Objects Rediscovered , Vintage StudioSupply, Leander Ornaments