In true Colorado fashion, couples skied down the mountain at Loveland to get to their marriage ceremony, only accessible by ski or board.
On Feb. 14, 12 couples got married and 63 renewed their vows at the 32nd annual Mountaintop Matrimony mass wedding ceremony at Loveland Ski Area, hosted in the Forest Meadow run area.
Couples attending the ceremony came dressed to the nines, in top hats, veils, wedding dresses and kilts, with bouquets in hand.
Barbie and Ken Leach spend winters in Dillion, CO and are celebrating their 50-year wedding anniversary in July. The couple came to renew their vows for what they said was the fourth or fifth time at Loveland.
Barbie and Ken have been skiing together for 55 years and show no signs of slowing down. They are season pass holders at Loveland.
“We think it's a really wonderful event,” Barbie said. “Everybody is so happy.”
Lena and John Benisch came to the ceremony to renew their vows as well. The couple has been married for 20 years, but this is their first time at the Loveland wedding.
“It's epic,” Lena said.
The couple met years ago in an exercise class, where they both immediately noticed each other and John asked Lena on a date. Skiing has always been a hallmark of their relationship.
“John taught me to telemark ski on our first date,” Lena said. (Telemark skiing is a technique that uses toe-only bindings and combines elements of Alpine and Nordic skiing.)
After staff at Loveland facilitated a dance party with all the couples in Forest Meadow, the short and sweet ceremony was carried out. Some couples brought rings, others brought candy rings, and some just exchanged promises and kisses with their partner.
After the 75 couples said “I do” and sealed their love with a kiss, they donned their skis and boards and took to the mountain. An aprés ski party was waiting at the base of the mountain for the newlyweds and re-newlyweds.
At the party, staff at Loveland made individual wedding cakes for all the couples and had treats and sparkling cider to snack on.
Daisy Warner works at the deli and bakery at Loveland. This is her first season working at Loveland, and her first time taking part in putting together the wedding.
Warner worked with a team to prepare the wedding cakes and treats for the special day.
“Each piece is like its own work of art, she has spent hours getting everything ready for today and a lot of love goes into it,” Warner said of her coworker who did the baking.
After enjoying some treats and music, the couples lined up and showed off their wedding day outfits, with applause deciding who was best dressed.
The best-dressed couple was Barbie and Ken Leach, a popular couple all day. Barbie had donned her original wedding dress from 50 years ago, made for her by her mother. Ken had on a blazer, and the duo had matching red flower lapels.
The Leach couple won a honeymoon getaway in Georgetown, with a stay at Rose Street Bed and Breakfast and dinner at Coopers on the Creek, and their surprise and elation at the win was enough to warm the chilliest air on the mountain.
