Rev. Whitman takes us through the planning of a lovely Colorado wedding from the first meeting to the reception.
Many couples look at Panorama Point in Golden Gate State Park as a possible site. However, some reject it. They are over awed by the view of the whole front range of the Rocky Mountains. In fact, as they look at the diorama on the deck there, they can see six of the highest peaks in the background. Even on August 29th when Stephanie and Kim (his first name) decided to get married on that high point there was plenty of snow up on the peaks. But, how many couples would risk the chance of an afternoon rain? Some decide, view or not, they can't risk it. Kim and Stephanie are adventurous in everything they do so they decided to go for it.
Kim and Stephanie first met with Rev. Whitman at the Black Forest Restaurant in Nederland to decide if they were right for each other and this ceremony. Since Kim's family are Native Americans they wanted a certain feeling to make them comfortable. Stephanie's side are spiritual folks, but not at all involved in religion. We agreed that with a little work a ceremony could be devised to make all of the guests feel comfortable. When we met on the front porch of the old Court House in Central City we had two essentials in hand. First we had the wedding license provided by the smiling ladies in the Gilpin Clerk and Recorder's Office. Second we had Dr. Whitman's wedding template filled out and ready for discussion. It took less time than we'd thought and so we all went to lunch at a nearby casino restaurant. The City Grill was declared excellent.
We all made sure that Bill Lorenz and and Martin at the Black Forest in Nederland had entries ready for the wedding dinner everyone would love. It's a German restaurant and Kim and Stephanie are big fans. But, we had other options available. Some of the guests were more shrimp lovers than sauerbraten and red cabbage aficionados. Most important of all, we could easily move a few tables back from the waterfall in the plant room and hold the ceremony there if, as the weatherman predicted, “afternoon showers are likely in the mountains”. Rev. Whitman said he knew his special weather man Dr. Weatherbe Goode, and he's said it would be sunny. We all enjoyed that little joke,but worried a bit too.
Things turned out in a lovely way. The afternoon shower did indeed come, but whether Dr. Whitman was right or it was just luck, by 3:45 the clouds cleared in a dramatic way. The sun smiled on Colorado's high country from 4:00 p.m. till abut 6:30 that afternoon. Thor, the ring bearer, was a very good dog. Even though he noticed a nearby squirrel he focused right on his happy people and came down the informal aisle at just the right moment. Best man Dave donned traditional head covering as did, of course, Kim. Charlene, the best lady was great at crying. When Dr. Whitman asked the old Colorado question of the witnesses Charlene could barely get her line out. That caused a giggle or two.
The happy wedding feast at the Black Forest featured many a funny story and good wish from the guests as Kim and Staphanie rode off into the Colorado sunset.