An Elegant Aspen Wedding at The Little Nell

Aspen, Colorado | The Little Nell | Featured in Grace Ormonde Wedding Style

There are weddings that feel like a beautiful celebration—and then there are weddings that feel like an entire experience.

This Aspen wedding at The Little Nell was exactly that.

The day began below at The Little Nell, where the couple got ready surrounded by the elegance of the iconic Aspen property. From there, they and their guests boarded the gondola and made their way up the mountain for a ceremony framed by Aspen's famous mountain landscape.

And the celebration didn't end when the sun went down.

They danced, celebrated, and enjoyed the evening high above Aspen until the stars began to twinkle over the mountaintop lodge.

Photographed by Thisbe Grace and later featured in Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, this was a destination wedding filled with beautiful details, incredible scenery, and—most importantly—a lot of personality.

Set at the base of Aspen Mountain, The Little Nell provided an incredible backdrop for this destination celebration.

There is something particularly beautiful about photographing a wedding in Aspen. The landscape is dramatic enough to make an impression all on its own, yet the setting lends itself so naturally to an intimate, sophisticated celebration.

From the elegance of The Little Nell to the mountain air and sweeping Colorado landscape, every part of the day felt distinctly Aspen.

Getting Ready at The Little Nell

The day began at The Little Nell, with the couple getting ready just below the mountain that would soon become the backdrop for their ceremony.

The bride wore a beautiful Monique Lhuillier gown, paired with vintage jewelry, while Ceci NYC created the elegant vintage stationery for the celebration.

I love this part of a wedding day—the quiet before everything begins. The gown waiting in the room. Jewelry being fastened. Friends and family gathering. Those last few moments before the doors open and the day starts moving.

And at The Little Nell, even those quiet moments come with a little Aspen magic.

From The Little Nell to the Top of Aspen Mountain

Then it was time to head up the mountain.

The couple and their guests boarded the gondola at The Little Nell and began the journey toward their mountaintop ceremony.

I love when the location becomes part of the wedding story rather than simply the backdrop. Here, the journey itself was part of the celebration—the gondola ride, the changing views, the anticipation of what was waiting at the top.

As the gondola climbed, Aspen unfolded below them.

And at the top, the couple exchanged vows with one of Colorado's most spectacular landscapes stretching behind them.

A Ceremony With a Mountain Backdrop

There are some wedding backdrops you simply can't recreate.

The mountains surrounding Aspen provided a breathtaking setting for the ceremony, but what made these photographs special was the combination of that extraordinary landscape with a very real, very emotional moment between two people.

The ceremony was personal, beautiful, and completely surrounded by the Rocky Mountains—a quintessential Aspen wedding moment.

A Little Time for Mountain Portraits

After the ceremony, we took advantage of the mountain setting for portraits.

This is one of my favorite things about photographing destination weddings: giving a couple a little room to breathe after the ceremony and simply enjoy where they are.

The mountains don't need much direction.

A little movement. A little laughter. A quiet moment together.

And then, of course, back to the party.

An Evening Above Aspen

After the ceremony and portraits, guests gathered inside the mountaintop lodge for an evening that felt every bit as spectacular as the setting outside.

The room had been transformed into an elegant, softly layered space overlooking the snow-covered mountains. White draping softened the room, while sheer curtains framed the views beyond. Crystal chandeliers and floral-inspired lighting hung overhead, creating a warm glow against the soft white palette.

The tables were dressed with vintage tableware and beautifully etched glassware, with delicate details that echoed the refined, romantic style woven throughout the entire celebration.

Beyond the sheer curtains, the snow-covered mountains created a backdrop that needed no embellishment.

Inside, however, every detail felt considered.

First Dance, Dinner & Toasts

The celebration began with the couple's first dance before guests took their seats for dinner.

Then came the toasts—the laughter, the stories, the emotion, and all the little expressions that make this part of a wedding day so meaningful to photograph.

With everyone gathered together inside this extraordinary mountaintop setting, the evening felt elegant and intimate before the celebration shifted into something entirely different.

A Sweetly Personal Detail

The cakes were a perfect reflection of the couple's style.

The wedding cake was delicate and ornate, with intricate piping and a vintage-inspired design that echoed the elegant details found throughout the reception. A vintage porcelain cake topper completed the look, adding a beautifully personal finishing touch.

The groom's cake brought a little personality of its own—a tiered design adorned with shamrocks and clovers, charming and playful while still feeling perfectly at home within the elegant celebration.

Like everything else about the day, the details felt thoughtful and personal rather than simply decorative.

Pink Champagne & a Shift in the Evening

After the cake cutting came one of those moments that signaled the evening was about to change gears.

A tower of pink champagne.

Elegant, celebratory, and just a little bit glamorous, it was the perfect transition between the formal moments of dinner and what came next.

And then...

Then It Was Party Time

The elegant mountaintop reception came alive as guests filled the dance floor.

There was movement everywhere—laughter, music, hands in the air, friends and family dancing together, and the kind of joy that makes a wedding reception feel completely alive.

And the bride was having the time of her life.

Her joy was impossible to miss. With her beautiful red hair, vintage diamond clips, and an expression that seemed to change with every song, she brought an incredible energy to the dance floor.

Big laughter. Big reactions. Completely present.

Those are the photographs I love most.

Not simply photographs of a beautiful party, but photographs where you can actually feel what it was like to be there.

A Celebration to Remember

From getting ready at The Little Nell to riding the gondola up Aspen Mountain, exchanging vows surrounded by snow-covered peaks, and celebrating high above Aspen long into the evening, this wedding unfolded as an entire experience.

Elegant.

Personal.

Joyful.

And completely alive.

Exactly the way a celebration should feel.

One of the greatest gifts of this work is watching a family’s story unfold over time. This Aspen celebration was one of three weddings I had the privilege of photographing for this family—three celebrations, each completely their own, and a relationship I’ve treasured along the way.

Planning a Wedding in Aspen?

I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up. Tell me a little about your plans, and I’ll be in touch soon.

Wedding Details

Venue: The Little Nell, Aspen, Colorado
Wedding Planner & Design: Jane Floyd & Associates
Floral & Event Design: The Aspen Branch
Wedding Gown: Monique Lhuillier
Hair & Makeup: Sonia Trevino
Stationery: Ceci NYC
Cake: Icing on The Cake
Rentals: Bethel Party Rentals
Photography: Thisbe Grace Photography