Written by the Bride: Being the outdoorsy couple that we are, we both knew that we wanted an outdoor wedding with a mountain backdrop. After many days of searching, we came across the perfect venue: The YMCA of the Rockies’ Overlook Chapel. Picture this: A vast pine tree laden mountain expanse dotted with aspens spread panoramically behind an outdoor wooden stage, long wooden benches resting on the hill above, and a large wooden cross set majestically against the scene behind the stage. The moment we saw the overlook chapel, we knew that that was where we were to be wed.
Those summer months where a whirlwind of post-graduation adventures, saying ‘yes’ to my dress, sampling cupcakes, deciding on wedding decor, sending out invites, and day-dreaming about the big day over coffee with my maids-of-honor whom also happened to be my sisters. Thankfully, with my oldest sister taking on the lead role of wedding planner, every last detail was meticulously and perfectly thought out.
We were surrounded by friends and family from all over who came to celebrate our love and make the day one for the books. We were smothered with the love and joy that radiated off of the people we cherished the most in our lives and no flaw in the day could have ruined that.
The Rocky Mountains were vast around us, the aspens turning ever more golden as the days progressed, the views taking our breath away at every turn. The smile on my face might as well have been permanent for truly no matter what happened on that crisp September day, knowing I was getting the chance to spend the rest of my life with my best friend by my side was the happiest moment of my life to date.
You know that feeling you get when you’re so incredibly happy that your insides are warm and your smile is almost goofy from the bliss of the moment? That was me as I was driven up to the overlook chapel in my uncle’s rust-red Jeep Rubicon, making the entrance every outdoors woman dreams of for her wedding day. Stepping out of the Jeep with my dad by my side, I felt nothing less than a queen walking down the tool-laden, flower-lined dirt isle, flower crown atop my head, goofy grin plastered across my face, and eyes bright with excitement.
Although I knew all eyes were on me at that moment, I was focused only on the man of my dreams standing before me, tears in his eyes, and a warm, loving smile on his face. The rest of the ceremony felt as if it took a matter of minutes as our pastor read from the Bible, vows were shared, our unity cairn was built, and several laughs were shared with the crowd. Suddenly, seeming as if only a single tick of the clock had passed, I heard our pastor utter the words “You may kiss your bride,” and I was officially Mrs. Kailey Shupe.
-Kailey
Ryan and Kailey continue to fill their life with adventure, rock climbing and life in the Rocky Mountains. I can’t wait to see what adventures are ahead. Check out their Alaskan Adventures on the blog.
