A Flower-Filled Mountaintop Wedding in Aspen

,For Christmas of 2017, Hudson Smythe gave Lindsay Patterson a gift that she was sure was a clue about their engagement. “He suggested getting away to Napa for Martin Luther King Weekend, and I was immediately suspicious,” she recalls. So when Hudson brought her a cup of coffee in bed the morning of their departure, she didn’t suspect a thing—and was completely caught off guard when, instead of coffee, her mug held a ring box! “We spent the weekend in Napa, celebrating with friends and then relaxing and wine tasting, just the two of us, at Calistoga Ranch,” the bride describes. “I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect proposal!”

The bride and groom didn’t waste any time planning their wedding, setting the date for just four months later on May 27, 2018. “We knew we wanted to get married in my hometown of Aspen, loved where my sister had gotten married their eight years earlier, and adored her wedding planner," Lindsay says. "It made getting started so easy!” So they booked the Sundeck on top of Aspen Mountain, hired Bluebird Productions to help them pull off a short engagement, and turned to Lindsay’s parents as their local representatives while the couple planned from California. “Thankfully, my family loves to be involved. We couldn’t have done it without their support and enthusiasm!” the bride says.

With a hometown as charming as Aspen, putting together an exciting itinerary and an inspiring mountain modern celebration came easily to Lindsay and Hudson. Keep reading to see more of this Colorado wedding, as photographed by Ashley Sawtelle.

Watercolor mountains in springtime shades of green and blue graced the couple’s invitation suite by Lana’s Shop. Hand-painted gondolas and adorable icons on the weekend itinerary tied it all together.

Lindsay and her bridesmaids donned matching floral pajamas as they got ready. The couple exchanged love letters before getting ready for their big day.

“I had no idea what I wanted my dress to look like, so I was lucky that Lihi Hod was having a trunk show in San Francisco the weekend I went dress shopping,” says the bride. “I got to work with the designer herself to customize my gown, combining the lace off-the-shoulder bodice of one gown and the tiered chiffon skirt of another. I’m so grateful that she was able to work with my short timeline!” Hudson embraced the mountain aesthetic with a navy suit from Suit Supply and a navy floral tie.

Lindsay completed her ensemble with a bouquet and hair pin by her florist, Flora by Nora. The pin featured three white ranunculus, while the bouquet combined peonies, garden roses, ranunculus, and poppies in white and yellow.

“I wanted my bridesmaids to have styles that coordinated well, and was drawn to Yumi Kim’s floral patterns, which were perfect for late May in Colorado,” says Lindsay. Each woman chose a style and pattern they loved, creating a perfectly mismatched selection.

The views from the Wedding Deck are second to none, so the altar was decorated simply. Two concrete urns overflowed with garden roses, peonies, and seasonal foliage.

The bride’s nephews served as ring bearers, donning tiny suspenders and bow ties for the occasion. Luke, the older of the two at four years old, held the rings on a pillow, while Will (only two!) held a sign that read, “They don’t trust me with the rings.” “They held hands down the aisle, and Luke helped Will with the stairs. They stole the show!” Lindsay says.

The couple exchanged a modernized version of traditional vows, inviting family members to share readings. Lindsay’s uncle and cousin performed an acoustic version of “Heaven” by Bryan Adams.

After the marriage license was signed, guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres like mini boursin mac & cheese and Hamachi sashimi on the deck of the Aspen Mountain Club, taking in the views before heading inside for dinner.

“The Sundeck was the perfect space for our 179 guests,” says Lindsay. “We loved that we could dress it up without taking away from the ski lodge feel.” Light gray velvet linens and taper candles brought elegance to the space, while organic centerpieces of peonies and roses kept things feeling soft and wild.

One of the perks of getting married at the Sundeck is that it is operated by The Little Nell—which means late-night snacks can always include the famous truffle fries from Ajax Tavern! “We also had a dessert table with a huge spread of sweets from my parents’ business, Paradise Bakery,” says Lindsay. “We had brownies, gluten-free carrot cake, mini chocolate chip cookies, and raspberry bars.”

“Hudson and I love to dance, so we chose Liquid Blue to make sure no one left the dance floor all night,” says Lindsay. That included the very last song. “A fuse blew right before they started the last song, but instead of sending everyone to the gondola early, the band invited us up on stage and we and our guests danced and sang ‘Don’t Stop Believing,’ totally acoustic!” says the bride. “There was so much joy and energy in the room, and it ended up being the perfect end to the night!”