YMCA of the Rockies Wedding in Estes Park | Ann and Landis
With sweeping 360° views of the Rocky Mountains, the YMCA of the Rockies’ Estes Park Center was the perfect backdrop for Ann and Landis’s autumn wedding. Their celebration at Mountainside Lodge brought together 75 of their closest friends and family for a day full of heartfelt moments, mountain beauty, and plenty of personal touches.
Getting Ready at Mountainside Lodge
The couple made full use of the cozy lodge they rented for the weekend. Bridesmaids in olive green velvet dresses got ready downstairs while the groomsmen prepared upstairs, each group buzzing with anticipation. Ann and Landis exchanged letters that morning, and Ann admits she cried while reading Landis’s.
In one of the most meaningful details of the day, Ann wore her mom’s 1984 wedding dress, keeping it a complete surprise until she walked down the aisle. She paired the gown with red cowboy boots for a touch of her own personality. Landis gifted each groomsman a hatchet, a rugged keepsake that fit perfectly with their mountain wedding style.
An Outdoor Ceremony at John Timothy Stone Mountainside Chapel
The ceremony took place at the John Timothy Stone Mountainside Chapel at the YMCA of the Rockies, where guests stayed cozy under provided blankets in the crisp mountain air. A flutist and guitarist played live music, setting the scene against the breathtaking peaks and valleys surrounding the property.
Ann and Landis decided not to do a first look, a pre-ceremony moment when couples see each other before walking down the aisle, so that their first glimpse of one another would be during the ceremony. “My mom is doing the ceremony!” Ann shared, adding to the deeply personal nature of their vows. Her mom, an Episcopal priest, officiated a heartfelt Episcopal service. Every member of the wedding party took part by doing a reading, making the ceremony even more personal and meaningful.
After exchanging vows, the couple made their way back up the aisle in the most fitting way possible, “We are exiting to the YMCA song!!” they shared. Guests laughed, clapped, and danced along to the iconic tune, setting the tone for a joyful celebration ahead.
The bouquets from Idlewild Floral featured a striking mix of dried and fresh florals in goldenrod, grasses, palm fronds, and orange pincushion protea, perfectly complementing their autumn color palette. After the ceremony, their beloved dog Summit, brought by Alisha’s Pet Playcations, joined them for portraits and wedding party photos.
Reception at Mountainside Lodge
The celebration continued in the Mountainside Lodge reception space, warmly decorated with autumn tones and personal details. Photos of Ann’s parents on their own wedding day decorated the reception, tying generations together in a meaningful way. Guests enjoyed toasts, a first dance, and the fun of a 9 p.m. piñata break.
And because no wedding is without a little surprise, Colonel Teddy Roosevelt (in cardboard cutout form, wearing full military garb) made an appearance, delighting guests and sparking plenty of laughter.
A Celebration to Remember in Estes Park
From start to finish, Ann and Landis’s YMCA of the Rockies wedding at Mountainside Lodge was filled with love, laughter, and the kind of personalized details that made it uniquely theirs. The combination of the Rocky Mountain views, the sentimental touches, and the joyful celebration created a day their guests will never forget.
Planning your own wedding at the YMCA of the Rockies or Mountainside Lodge? I’d love to help you capture every stunning view and heartfelt detail. Get in touch today to learn more about wedding photography in Estes Park and the Rocky Mountains. Or check out some amazing other weddings that featured their dogs!
Venue : YMCA of the Rockies
Reception Venue : Mountainside Lodge
Dog Wrangler : Alisha’s Pet Playcations
Floral Design : Idlewild Floral
Groom Attire : J. Crew
Dessert : La Momo Mae’s Baker
xx,
Jennifer Lourie
