October 16, 2020
Ceremony & Reception: Private home on Buttermilk Mountain
Photography by Tara Marolda Photography (taramarolda.com)
The couple pivoted beautifully with an elegant, tented reception at a residence on Buttermilk Mountain
THE COUPLE When Ryan Mitchell and Bella Sohr were paired as partners in a soil science class at Texas Christian University, Ryan was besotted with her beauty–even while she was donning a lab coat and goggles. They were so smitten with each other that the couple became engaged a year later: After a challenging day for both of them, they found themselves sitting in their apartment making each other laugh and brightening spirits all around. “We talked about how lucky we were to have one another,” says Bella. “Ryan had coincidentally picked up the ring from the jeweler the same day and proceeded to pull [it] out of his backpack. He asked if I wanted him to get on one knee and I yelled, ‘No!’ After opening some Champagne and celebrating, we went to the store to get ingredients for homemade pizzas and spent the rest of the night making pizza, just us two.”
The happy couple on their perfect day.
THE PARTY Pivoting from their original plan of a larger affair, the big day was restyled into a romantic, intimate backyard ceremony overlooking golden hills. The vows–written as a collaboration between the two–contained promises of goals they wanted to achieve as a married couple. This led to a joyous tossing of Aspen’s fall leaves as the newlyweds recessed back up the aisle, grinning at each other the entire time. For the reception, the autumnal colors were in full splendor, complemented, in the tented space, by cafe au lait dahlias, coral charm peonies, sunset ranunculus, white scabiosa, hydrangea and local foliage. Fur blankets hung from the Dior natural wood chairs for warmth as guests dined on marinated grilled beef tenderloin, duck confit tostada with mole and blue lump crab cakes. To tie into their fall aesthetic, the gorgeous two-tier golden velvet cake resembled a tree trunk, with the duo’s initials carved into the base.
The gorgeous place settings were complemented by florals from Aspen Branch Design
WHAT WE LEARNED
“Especially with the pandemic, it’s important to be flexible with your plans because, at the end of the day, your partner and guests will make it a memorable night,” says Ryan. “Make the night about your marriage.”
THE HONEYMOON
For these two, the sunny sands of Las Ventanas al Paraiso in San José del Cabo, Mexico, was the perfect place to continue the nuptials. –AD
The tablescape included cafe au lait dahlias, coral charm peonies, sunset ranunculus and white scabiosa.
Wedding Planner Gold Leaf Event Design & Production, goldleafevent.com
Bride’s Gown BHLDN, bhldn.com
Bride’s Shoes Prada, prada.com
Bride’s Jewelry Baguette diamond studs borrowed from sister and vintage ring from father
Bride’s Hair & Makeup GR Hair & Makeup, grhairandmakeup.com
Groom’s Tux Tom Ford, tomford.com
Rings Diamonds Direct, diamondsdirect.com
Florals Aspen Branch Design, aspenbranch.com
Catering European Caterers, eurocataspen.com
Cake d’Elissious Cake Studio, delissiouscakestudio.com
Programs Bundles Gift Co., bundlesgiftco.com
Linens La Tavola, latavolalinen.com
Entertainment Ceremony: Tom Paxton, paxtonmusic.com; reception: DJ Alex Golden, alexgoldenbeats.com
Videographer Red Mtn Productions, redmtnproductions.com
Photography by: Courtesy of Tara Marolda Photography
