brides
a romantic, flower-filled barn wedding on an aspen ranch
may 15, 2018
"You've never seen a barn reception like this before."
The love story of Whitney Mufson and Alexander Shashou was a lesson in persistence. Though Whitney and Alex met (and kissed!) on a dark, cramped dance floor during new student orientation at University of Pennsylvania, they didn't become an official couple until their senior year. That's when, as Alex puts it, he finally got his girl! A few year's later, on August 26, 2016, Alex proposed at an arboretum - a spot where he'd taken Whitney on their first anniversary - by creating a photographic timeline of their relationship. And exactly one year later, on August 26, 2017, the couple said "I do."
For their wedding, the couple invited 210 guests to join them in the bride's hometown of Aspen, Colorado. "I consider it to be one of the most beautiful places on earth, and we wanted to share the magic of Aspen with all our loved ones," she explains. "It was important to both of us to be amongst nature - the mountains, fresh air, and Aspen trees - when we were married." Alex and Whitney found a venue, Chaparral Ranch, that met all of their requirements and worked with EKS Events to create the atmosphere they wanted there. "It was Ralph Lauren rustic and romantic, but also whimsical," she says of the "enchanted forest" they created.
Keep reading to see photos, as captured by Aaron Delesie, of the couple's stunning chuppah and floral-filled barn. And trust us: If pink is your favorite color, we're going to go ahead and say that this wedding is for you!
The bride's engagement ring was from Stephanie Gottlieb, while the gold wedding band was custom Alexa Leigh. It featured hidden orange enamel on the inside to honor Whitney's late father, whose favorite color was bright orange.
Vera Wang designed Whitney's custom dress with soft lace, beading, and "negative space" in the middle. She especially loved all the customizations, which included a high neck, short sleeves, and a more body-hugging fit. "The dress just felt like me: comfortable, romantic, chic, yet sexy," she says.
The bride's whimsical and romantic bouquet was made with Lily of the Valley, stephanotis, sweet williams, and white astilbe - all wrapped in Whitney's mom's handkerchief! She accessorized with Monique Lhuillier shoes, Kwiat diamond flower earrings, a custom Stephanie Gottlieb "something blue" bracelet made of sapphires, and a gold-and-orange bracelet, which Alex gave her as a gift to represent her late father. Whitney's bridesmaids also gave her an Edie Parker clutch that was personalized with her soon-to-be last name.
Whitney asked five sisters (both hers and her husband's!) and five best friends to be her bridesmaids. She sent them inspiration photos and a general color scheme so they could choose their own dresses. "I loved the idea of having everyone in different dresses - textures, materials, shades of pink - but somehow they all come together and look unique yet harmonious," she says.
Whitney and Alex, wearing custom Thom Sweeney, posed for portraits just before sunset.
It was important to Whitney that she get married outside in nature.
The open-air ceremony site was set up by the lake, where an aisle was constructed and lined with birch-wrapped boxes filled with Queen Anne's lace and wild grasses. Benches were covered in animal hides, and guests were offered parasols to protect themselves from the sun. The chuppah was built of Aspen branches (naturally!) and draped in florals.
The bridal party included "Petal Princes" since Whitney's older brothers only have boys. They went down the aisle in a Radio Flyer wagon that was painted and draped in a floral garland. Says the bride, "Julian threw petals out of the wagon and Rowan race the wagon down the aisle, while Cy looked around at guests in utter confusion, repeating, 'Mama? Mama?'"
Whitney's mom, Nina Salsove, and her stepfather, Joshua Saslove, walked her down the aisle as a musician performed "I Will Follow You" by Toulouse.
A rabbi, whom Whitney has known since childhood, married the couple on the eve of their 10th anniversary of meeting - as freshman college students! Whitney and Alex exchanged super-personal vows, including both silly and sweet sentiments with lots of meaning. They also personalized their ceremony by printing a poem written by Whitney's late father on the program.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the wedding party released orange Monarch butterflies to represent Whitney's late father's presence in the special day. A handful of them stayed close to the ceremony and circled the chuppah throughout the ceremony. When Alex broke the glass, they flex away in an explosion that Whitney recalls as "truly magical."
Guests stocked up on petals from the petal station - made of a vintage dresser filled with blush pink petal cones - before the ceremony so that they could throw them in the air when the newlyweds recessed down the aisle.
During the cocktail hour, the couple served creative cocktails like frozen rose Champagne pops. Guests also snacked on sushi by Nobu Matsuhisa and caviar from an elaborate station carved out of ice.
After cocktail hour on the lawn, a candlelit path led guests to dinner inside the barn. The space had the feel of an enchanted forest thanks to a screen print with silhouettes of Aspen and evergreen trees.
Tables were decorated with light and dark blush velvet runners, pink taper candles, mercury glass candleholders, and arrangement of blush garden roses, hydrangea, and burgundy chocolate scabiosa.The head table was 40-feet long - with a floral chandelier above covering the entire length!
Guests dine don a dinner of lamb and homemade gnocchi beneath hanging installations of pink flowers. The space was also decorated with a custom neon sign that features Alex's famous quote, "I got my Gehl," spelled as it sounds when spoken in his British accent!
The reception featured a plethora of speeches by family members - there wasn't a dry eye in the room - before the party really got started on the dance floor, where the couple passed around light-up cowboy hats and sparklers during the last dance.
"By Your Side," by Jonus Blue played for the couple's first dance, leading into another upbeat song to get guests on the dance floor.
The night ended with one final (pink!) touch: A hot pink "party dress" by Alex Perry for Whitney. She changed into the dress for dancing and partied until 2a.m. - but only after snacking on plenty of late-night snacks like french fries, hot dogs, chicken tacos, and (pink) cotton candy! [Full article here]
Wedding Planner: EKS Events || Bride's Dress: Vera Wang || Hair & Makeup: Malle Gambuti, J.NU Hair + Makeup || Floral Design: DesignWorks || Music: West Coast Music || Invitations & Paper Products: Wanda Wen Soolip, The Hello Co. || Rentals: Premier Party Rental || Catering: Todd Slossberg, Chefs Club || Photographt: Aaron Delesie || Videography: Christian David Films