Elegant LGBTQ+ Wedding at Bestow Events in Longmont
PJ and Aaron’s wedding day at Bestow events was anything but ordinary. Would you believe me if I told you their wedding day was completely planned and styled by their vendors?
That’s exactly what this amazing vendor team did for these two.
One of my favorite Colorado wedding planners, Jen from Hitched AF, and I felt there was a gap in representation in the industry. We felt there weren’t a lot of luxury styled shoots featuring couples from the queer community and we wanted to change that.
What started as a luxury styled shoot became something none of us expected: a real wedding.
Elegant Luxury Wedding at Bestow Events
When we started the planning process, we knew our goal: to create a luxury feel to this wedding, a beautiful queer wedding that isn’t “othered” or “themed”. We didn’t rewrite weddings here. Our goal was to lean into themes of moody drapery and asymmetrical design, with queer love as the focus.
We went to social media to put out a model call and Aaron and PJ responded shortly after posting. After our first initial call with the couple, Jen and I were planning together I looked over at Jen and said “what if our couples actually got married during the styled shoot?” Three months later, Aaron and PJ were gathering their families in Colorado to witness their wedding day designed by an epic team of vendors.
Colorado Styled Shoot Turned Luxury Wedding
We took the best things from both styled shoots and weddings and combined them to create a one of a kind experience for Aaron and PJ. From the get go, Aaron and PJ knew our vision and gave us full creative freedom for their day. From suit color options, to centerpieces every inch of their wedding day was designed by our team.
Once we decided to make the styled shoot their real wedding, we began to dig deeper into their story so we could incorporate personal details into their wedding day. This of course was a DREAM for us as wedding vendors, but PJ and Aaron loved the experience too!
They expressed repeatedly how much of a relief it was that all of the planning was out of their hands, and they fully trusted our vision for their day. After the styled shoot turned wedding, I sat back down with PJ, Aaron and Jen from Hitched AF to talk about their wedding day on the Emotionally Booked Out Podcast. We spoke about their amazing experience, and what was like for Pj and Aaron’s to have your wedding vendors plan your wedding.
Our Interview on the Emotionally Booked Out Podcast
What was it like for Aaron and PJ to have someone plan their wedding day?
The four of us (Aaron, PJ, Jen and I) sat down for a podcast interview where we asked them all about it.
“Was there anything that you two were nervous about just meeting these two strangers on the internet and putting full trust into us as wedding coordinators, designers, photographer, was there anything you were nervous about? Or were you at the place where you were like wow this is actually a steal, they’re just going to plan our wedding for us and we just have to show up and look cool”
“I have to admit, at first I was like, this is too good to be true. There’s a catch. Am I getting scammed? Are there wedding scammers? – This just felt like a fairy godmother descended upon us and said “you get a wedding”‘
Aaron and PJ loved that they didn’t have to make all of the decisions for their day leading up to their wedding. They could spend their time focussed on each other and spending time with their loved ones instead.
Aaron, PJ and their families were all blown away by the work our vendor team put into the space. Walking in blind, Aaron and PJ didn’t fully know what to expect, they knew the color palette, they had a mood board and video explanation of the vision. Arriving at Bestow Events on their wedding day though they were blown away by everything the vendors created.
We were also able to share the love with another couple who were married in the same space earlier that day! We documented their morning elopement and had so much fun helping them plan their intimate wedding morning at Bestow Events.
Tips for Planning a Wedding That Doesn’t Drain the Life Out of You
Looking for info on how to plan a wedding without draining the life out of you? I have a clear formula that will create the best experience for couples
- Hire Vendors who give a shit
- Be the clients who trust their vendors
Jen at Hitched AF describes the wedding handing off process as a filter. Couples create some rough expectations as a jumping off point for their vendors. Whether that be a color palette, a theme, or another piece of inspiration. They then trust their vendors to interpret their filter and make the most out of what is presented to them.
“Decision paralysis and fatigue are so real in wedding planning, it can feel really excited at the start and then you have sometimes like thousands, I don’t know maybe billions of decisions to make as you’re planning a wedding and it gets really tiring.”
“I do this with everyone, so we figure out what your theme is or what your filter is for us to filter decisions through.” Says Jen
You can hear more about Aaron and PJ’s wedding day and what it’s like to work with this amazing team of wedding vendors on the Emotionally Booked Out Podcast.
If you’re feeling weary about the planning process and looking for an insanely talented team to hand the planning off to, you’re in the right place!
When you book with me, you don’t have to wonder where I stand or where any of my vendor friends stand, either. Here’s to making space, holding space, and never backing down to homophobia and bigotry. nothing else matters.
YOU ARE LOVED HERE 🏳️🌈💍✨💖😍❤️
Thank you, Aaron and PJ, for trusting us with your wedding day. We will never shut up about your love ❤️
Planning + Design: Hitched AF
Venue: Events by Bestow
Photographer: Mckenzie Bigliazzi
Videographer: Rach Kobernik Photo
BTS Photography: Photographer Mary Beth
Beauty + Grooming: Cate Hair Makeup
Cake + Dessert: Alyce in Flourland
Catering: Sugar Pine Catering
Draping: Colorado Event Co Rentals
Entertainment: Electrifly Events Lis on the Drums
Floral + Decor: Growing Wild Bv
Officiant: Nearly Wed Coaching
Rental Company: Co Party Rentals
Stationary: Honey Bird Paper
Suits: Suit Shop Official
