Set against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, Donovan Pavilion is an unforgettable Colorado wedding venue known for its rustic charm and breathtaking views. Mary and Jake had dreamed of exchanging vows surrounded by nature's beauty, and Vail's Donovan Pavilion offered them the perfect setting. Little did they know that nature had a surprise in store for them.
As the big day approached, the weather forecast began to look ominous. Dark clouds loomed overhead, threatening to unleash a deluge of rain. Mary and Jake, undeterred by the weather forecast, remained optimistic. After all, they say rain on your wedding day is good luck, right?
On the morning of the wedding, the heavens opened, and rain poured relentlessly from the sky. While some couples might have panicked at the sight of the inclement weather, Mary and Jake embraced it with open arms. They knew that as long as they were together, surrounded by their loved ones, everything would be perfect, regardless of the weather.
Rain on your wedding day may be considered good luck, but what about a torrential downpour? For many couples, the thought of rain on their big day can induce panic and disappointment. However, for Mary and Jake, their rainy wedding day at Donovan Pavilion in Vail, Colorado, turned out to be nothing short of magical.
Tell us about your wedding venue. How did you decide to have your Colorado wedding at the Donovan Pavilion in Vail?
We moved to Denver together about two years before the wedding and absolutely fell in love with Vail. It’s the most magical place and we wanted to show off Colorado to all of our friends and family who live back in Chicago. We stumbled across the Donovan Pavilion as we were venue searching and loved the indoor / outdoor vibe with lots of privacy and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and creek.
How did the two of your meet?
We both attended university of Wisconsin for undergrad and became best friends. Mary referred Jake to a sales job in Chicago (when we were still just friends) and after working together for about a year, we fell for each other and started dating. From there we moved to Denver and moved in together and the rest is history!
Share your proposal story with us.
Mary’s family lives on Lake Michigan in Holland, MI. Michigan has always been a very special place for Mary and her family. We flew out to Michigan for Memorial Day weekend and Jake surprised me with a proposal at a cliff overlooking Lake Michigan at sunset. From there, Mary’s parents picked us up in the golf cart and drove back to Mary’s parents house. Jake then surprised me again with all our friends and family who had traveled into town for the engagement. I was shocked—it was the best weekend!
What was your favorite part of wedding planning?
Of course our photographer!!! We also loved picking out the flowers, food and music.
What are you most looking forward to in marriage?
A lifetime together and growing our family. We’re getting a dog this spring and plan for three kids!
What advice do you have for couples planning their wedding now?
Don't stress about things you can’t control! I worried about the rain so much. It ended up raining which made the ceremony and the photos so gorgeous and so unique.
Let's BEGIN OUR JOURNEY
Let's BEGIN OUR JOURNEY