A Classic Ballroom Wedding at the Four Seasons Hotel in Denver

It was pure coincidence that brought Caroline Maloney and Brad Segall, both 29, together when they first met in the fall of 2009. "We lived on the same floor in our apartment building," says Caroline, "and rode the elevator together every morning as we headed to work." Once they started dating, however, that coincidence seemed a lot more like fate.

In December of 2011, Brad brought Caroline to the Four Seasons Hotel Denver for a cocktail by the fireplace. "He told me we were waiting for his aunt and uncle," she remembers. As their drinks arrived, Brad gave Caroline a card, where he'd written out their love story. The back of the card read "December 30th, 2011 — Four Seasons Hotel — A night we will always remember." "When I looked up, he had a little box in his hand and had gotten down on one knee," says Caroline. "He asked me to spend our lives together, and of course I said yes!" Brad revealed that his aunt and uncle wasn't in town, but that he'd reserved a suite for them at the hotel and that their friends and family were on their way to help them celebrate. "It was an amazing night," Caroline says.

It's no surprise, then, that the couple chose the same hotel as the venue for their June 1st, 2013, wedding. Read on to see all the details of their modern, elegant celebration.

The couple's simple invitation set the mood for the event. "We wanted our wedding to feel timeless, but still intimate and modern," says Caroline.

The bride's accessories perfectly matched the vibe. Brad's mother, a jewelry designer, created a pair of gold drop earrings with clusters of pearls and a combination of white and yellow gold. Caroline carried a handkerchief embroidered with a "C", which she plans to pass down to her children, embroidered with their own initials, to carry on their wedding days. Classic, elegant petal-topped Badgley Mischka pumps peeked out from beneath her gown.

Caroline and her bridesmaids carried soft, romantic bouquets that reflected the beauty of the garden ceremony. Caroline's voluminous bouquet was made of cream-and-ivory peonies and heirloom roses in ivory and light blush. "The pearls on the handle matched my jewelry," she says. The bridesmaids bouquets included more pink, as well as anemones that complemented the groomsmen's tuxedos.

"I really wanted a dress that was romantic and elegant, and that could transition from our garden ceremony to the ballroom reception," says Caroline. Her Chantilly lace gown from Rivini featured a wrapped bodice, flowing skirt, and an oversized silk flower at the hip. "My favorite accessory was my veil," says Caroline. "My family has a lovely tradition that started with my mother and grandfather, where the father of the bride picks out the veil. It was so special to come out of the dressing room in the gown of my dreams, and to have my dad help me pick that detail that really turned me into a bride."

For the formal bash, Brad wore a custom Brooks Brothers tuxedo, cufflinks handmade by his mother, and a white sweetheart rose boutonniere.

"I've always loved the Denver Botanic Gardens," says Caroline of the ceremony venue. "We really wanted our guests to be able to enjoy the gorgeous Colorado weather."

Caroline's bridesmaids donned blush chiffon maxi dresses in a variety of styles. "I wanted them to look cohesive, but still feel gorgeous and comfortable," she says. As a gift, Caroline gave each bridesmaid a pair of earrings designed by Brad's mother, tailored to their personal styles. Brad's groomsmen all wore classic tuxedos with monogrammed cufflinks and blush pink boutonnieres.

Denver Botanic Garden's Romantic Garden was a beautiful backdrop for the couple's outdoor ceremony.

Caroline's father walked her down the aisle to The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun." "It's always been one of our favorites," she says.

The couple's non-religious ceremony was officiated by a Colorado judge. They incorporated spiritual readings, as well as a few elements of their Episcopalian and Jewish upbringings (including traditional vows and the breaking of the glass). Brad's uncle read the Traditional Cherokee Wedding Blessing, and Caroline's uncle read e.e. cummings' "I carry your heart."

After the ceremony, the bride and groom stuck to classic oldies and recessed to "Wouldn't It Be Nice" by the Beach Boys. "I always loved the line, 'We could be married, And then we'd be happy, Wouldn't it' be nice?' and now I can say the Beach Boys were right," says Caroline.

One of Caroline's favorite DIY projects for the reception was creating hand-printed flags for the cocktail straws. "In addition to phrases like 'Cheers!' and 'Sip and Repeat,' I made flags for each member of the wedding party, our family members, and of course Mr. and Mrs. Segall," she says. "It was a fun touch, as well as a way to show our wedding party and family that they were really our special guests."

The tables, dressed in striped ivory linens, were topped with low arrangements of blush, ivory, and cream flowers. Larger arrangements overflowed with peonies, hydrangeas, and roses. Small bud vases were filled with blush stock flowers and roses.

"My favorite menu item was the cake," reveals Caroline of the Swiss dot-and-gold ribbon-topped confection. "I loved that we alternated rich chocolate with Bailey's mousse with a more summery vanilla and lemon layer." Fresh white peonies were the perfect finishing touch.

Picking a first dance song proved to be a challenge for Brad and Caroline. "We wanted something classic and romantic," she says. They ended up choosing "The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank Sinatra. "We had a blast dancing to it at the wedding, and even more fun doing so in the middle of Chicago O'Hare airport when it came on in the terminal as we headed home from our Mexican honeymoon!"

Caroline's advice for brides is to embrace the things that don't go as planned. "Imagine my surprise when, after 18 months of planning, we left the hotel and saw dozens of Captain Americas walking the streets of Denver for a superhero parade!" And she'll always remember the little moments when she stopped to really cherish the day. "Those two seconds I spent with my dad before we walked down the aisle were so special," she says.

Ceremony Venue: Denver Botanic Gardens || Reception Venue: Four Seasons Hotel Denver || Wedding Coordinator: Kara Delay of Love This Day Events || Bride's Wedding Dress: Rivini, from Blue Bridal Boutique || Shoes: Badgley Mischka || Jewelry: Carole Flax Designs (Groom's mother) || Hair & Makeup: Brit Chambers & Ashley Salt of Fluff Bar || Bridesmaids' Dresses: Dessy || Groom's Tuxedo: Brooks Brothers || Groomsmen's Tuxedos: Black by Vera Wang || Wedding Bands: Family heirlooms || Florist: Cori Cook Floral Design || Invitations: Designers Fine Press, from Lee's Specialty || Music: Ceremony - Carolyn Kuban, Reception - Soul School || Catering & Cake: Four Seasons Hotel Denver || Linen Rentals: Love This Day Events || Photography: Brinton Studios