When we were planning our mountain wedding, online blogs, Facebook groups, and real couples’ stories were our lifeline. Every time we felt overwhelmed, we turned to the internet for guidance, inspiration, and reassurance that what we were doing actually made sense.
So this blog is our way of paying it forward.
Want to shop everything we used for our wedding? We’ve linked it all here
This post includes affiliate links. When you buy through them, it helps support The Luttie Board—at no extra cost to you.
If you’re dreaming of a mountain wedding in Colorado (or anywhere, really), we hope our experience helps you plan with more clarity, confidence, and less stress.
Also, check out our other wedding posts:
Our Complete Mountain Wedding Cost Breakdown (Colorado, Aug 2025)
Planning a Wedding in Colorado? Here’s Our Vendor List + Reviews
Table of Contents:
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
We were already legally married in January 2024.
I’m originally from the Philippines, and I moved to the U.S. under a K-1 (fiancé) visa. One week after I arrived in Colorado, Tony and I got married — just the two of us — at the DMV. We hired a photographer to take nice photos of us as we first exchanged our vows in the mountains here in Colorado.
It wasn’t the wedding we had imagined growing up. Our family and friends weren’t there, and there was no celebration. But at the time, what mattered most was taking care of immigration requirements and paperwork as soon as possible, then planning a proper celebration later — when we had the time, space, and savings to do it right.
We didn’t want to rush something meaningful.
If we were going to invite our loved ones, we wanted it to reflect who we are, what we value, and what truly felt special to us.
One thing that worked in our favor? Colorado allows self-solemnization (self-marriage). That made our legal wedding simple and stress-free — and gave us the freedom to plan our actual wedding celebration later on our own terms.
WEDDING DAY
GUESTS: 30-35
In August 24, 2025, we finally had the wedding celebration we had been dreaming of.
Our wedding day with 30-35 guests felt perfect — not because everything went exactly as planned, but because it felt real, heartfelt, and very “us.”
Anthony’s family traveled from Wisconsin and Minnesota, and my aunt and cousin flew all the way from the Philippines, staying in Colorado for three weeks under a tourist visa.
It meant the world to us to finally have our families together in one place.
LOCATION
Choosing the right venue was one of the most important decisions for our wedding, and the Dillon Marina Park Pavilion checked all the boxes. Nestled against the stunning backdrop of Dillon Reservoir and the surrounding Rocky Mountains, it offered the perfect combination of scenic beauty, convenience, and intimacy.
We loved that it provided both indoor and outdoor spaces, which made planning flexible no matter the weather. Our guests could enjoy the breathtaking mountain views during the ceremony, then gather comfortably under the pavilion for the reception. The location also offered easy access for our family traveling from their nearby accommodations. It made it simple for everyone to stay close.
For us, the Dillon Marina Pavilion wasn’t just a venue — it was a place that felt personal, serene, and unforgettable, making our celebration exactly how we envisioned it.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Where Everyone Stayed
All of our accommodations in Dillon were booked through VRBO, which worked out really well for keeping everyone close and housing large groups in one place.
Our Stay
August 22–25, 2025
We stayed in this VRBO: 3 BR/3 BA; Walk to Lifts; Great View of the Slopes from 2 Balconies
We booked this place for just five people — me (Aby), Tony, our Best Man, Maid of Honor, and my aunt. It was the perfect spot to cook and continue our preparations comfortably before the big day. On the wedding day, we also did our Getting Ready session with photos, which made the morning feel relaxed, personal, and memorable.
Family Stay
Anthony’s family from Wisconsin and Minnesota booked this separate VRBO nearby: Stunning Views | Grand Vista Lodge
We visited them one night, and the place was massive — it slept 19 people! It was perfect for big family gatherings and late-night conversations where they were able to cook and play some fun games.
OUR WEDDING PROGRAM
Rehearsal Night – August 23, 2025
We held our rehearsal at the common area of our VRBO, which was spacious and relaxed.
Here’s how the night went:
- We ordered pizza and drinks for everyone
- Practiced the processional and recessional (very casually)
- Spent most of the time catching up, bonding, and welcoming everyone to Colorado
One of the most special parts of our wedding was inviting guests to perform — so rehearsal night doubled as a chance to practice:
- Anthony’s parents sang
- His nieces danced and played the violin
One of Anthony’s nieces, Kate, also had her birthday the next day (our wedding day!), so we surprised her with a birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday to close the night.
Honestly, the rehearsal alone already felt like a celebration.
A Very Special Surprise: Our Wedding Was Also a Music Video 🎶
One of the most memorable parts of our wedding day was that it also became the official music video for Tony’s song “My North (Unplugged)”.
Yes — he wrote a song just for our wedding. While we performed a different song during the reception, everyone loved the Cielo instrument in the music, which added so much emotion and depth to the song.
Seeing it all come together on video made the day feel even more special — a memory we’ll treasure forever.
Wedding Day – August 24, 2025
GETTING READY
We got ready at the VRBO where we were staying.
Our makeup artist, photographer, and videographer came to capture the getting-ready moments. We prepared drinks and did a small toast — calm, intimate, and joyful.
THE CEREMONY
Our ceremony took place at the Dillon Marina Park Pavilion.
We were nervous about the weather — it rained, so we had to move chairs and décor fully under the pavilion.
But right after the ceremony ended, the rain stopped.
The fog lifted, and the mountains slowly revealed themselves.
It felt magical — like nature timed it perfectly for us.
RECEPTION
Our reception was held at the same venue, which made the flow seamless.
For food, we had a Mexican-inspired taco buffet, which was included in our wedding planner’s package. It was delicious and a huge hit with our guests.
We spent the night:
- Listening to heartfelt speeches
- Watching performances by family members
- Playing video messages from my family in the Philippines
One of the most special moments:
- Tony and I performed his song “Hold On” — I sang, and he played the piano
For our final dance, we danced to “Die With a Smile” by Bruno Mars
PHOTO GALLERY
FINAL THOUGHTS
More than anything, we feel incredibly blessed that we were finally able to share this moment with our family and friends.
The fact that our loved ones took the time, effort, and expense to travel all the way to Colorado to celebrate with us means more than we can put into words. Having everyone together — from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Philippines — made our wedding feel complete in the most beautiful way.
We’re also deeply grateful to have worked with such talented, kind, and passionate vendors who helped bring our dream mountain wedding to life.
Thank you for being part of our journey and for celebrating love with us. 🤍
Want to shop everything we used for our wedding? We’ve linked it all here
This post includes affiliate links. When you buy through them, it helps support The Luttie Board—at no extra cost to you.
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