As a touching tribute to her mother, Katherine wore a beautiful recreation of her mom’s original 1980s wedding gown during the rehearsal dinner and on into the welcome celebration at Vintage Brasserie. Katherine called on her favorite seamstress to create a cocktail dress utilizing the original gown, even fashioning a lace pocket square for Nick. At Vintage, the laid-back group of family and long-time friends dined alongside a dazzling bridal portrait of her mom in the dress. Later, Nick’s nieces twirled around in their pretty dresses and everyone enjoyed being together to toast this wonderful couple.

1. Pick a theme and choose a venue that compliments your theme: Our bride wore her mom’s vintage wedding gown, modernized and reimagined. That’s what made Vintage Brasserie an ideal location for a daytime party on the casual side. That and their incredible wine list and signature cocktail options. Hello, Matcha (hers) and Espresso (his) Martinis! Santé!

2. Add personal touches: Wear a vintage dress that belonged to someone you love. Have it altered or go retro and leave it as it is. If you choose to do like Katherine and wear your mom’s wedding dress, have a framed photo of your mom. Make sure to take a picture of you and her with the original and newly reimagined dress.

3. Have a mini portrait session with your photographer: Invite your photographer to capture images of you and your intended during this more relaxed time. Most weddings I shoot are weekend-long events, not just one day of coverage. This allows me to capture all the moments and small details of your destination mountain wedding in its truest form for you to relive again and again through priceless images.

4. Invite kids to this event! If you’re having an adults-only wedding, this is a more relaxed and kid-friendly atmosphere to include all ages. Catch up with as many guests as you can: Have the conversations and give the hugs you may not be able to on the actual wedding day.

5. Have wedding party speeches on this night instead of the wedding day: The welcome party is the perfect time for wedding speeches from the Maid of Honor and Best Man; it’s more intimate, less pressure on the day and your best friend, and gives you time back during your reception to actually party and have fun together!

Since their wedding was a destination for most of the guests, they wanted a venue that was truly one of a kind for Vail and also matched the bride’s aesthetic and taste. So they booked the best spot for a daytime dinner and party.

The couple invited all of their wedding guests to this event plus some. Since the wedding day was an adults-only event, the wedding welcome party was open for all their guests, kids included. Vintage Brasserie, located on the Vail Village side of town in the Gateway Plaza building next door to The Sebastian Hotel in picturesque Vail, Colorado.