A Sonnenalp Wedding with Mountaintop Portraits in Vail

What I remember most about Rachel and John’s wedding is the way they looked at each other throughout the day. They chose Vail for a June celebration that brought together a ceremony at Vail Interfaith Chapel, a reception at The Sonnenalp, and mountaintop portraits reached by pedicab and gondola. Sara Lynn Photography and DaCosta Films captured both the warmth of the day and the beauty of Vail in early summer.

Planning Their Vail Wedding

Rachel and John lived on the East Coast but chose Colorado because John grew up here and his parents still lived nearby. With demanding careers and a move from the Mid-Atlantic to New England underway, Rachel had already established the overall direction, color palette, and several key vendors before bringing us into the planning process. Working closely with the couple and John’s mother, we completed the creative team, refined the design, and developed the logistical plan for a celebration spanning The Sonnenalp, Vail Interfaith Chapel, Lionshead, and Vail Mountain.

Getting Ready at The Sonnenalp

Rachel and John both prepared for the day at The Sonnenalp. Rachel used the wedding suite while John got ready in a friend’s room, keeping everyone close to the ceremony and reception locations. Rachel’s Atelier Pronovias gown, Manolo Blahnik Hangisi shoes, and refined accessories complemented the classic elegance she envisioned for the day. The couple exchanged love-knot gifts: a ring for Rachel and cufflinks for John. EVR Paper carried the Vail setting into the stationery through a watercolor monogram and illustration of Vail Village. Before their first look, Rachel and John exchanged private letters, creating a personal keepsake from the celebration.

The First Look at Vail Interfaith Chapel

Rachel and John chose a first look to create a private moment together and make full use of their photography time before the ceremony. The grounds surrounding Vail Interfaith Chapel, set beside Gore Creek, provided a beautiful location without adding another transition to the schedule. John’s reaction when he saw Rachel was immediate and joyful, and Sara Lynn captured the moment beautifully.

The Ceremony at Vail Interfaith Chapel

Rachel and John were married at Vail Interfaith Chapel, located just across the street from The Sonnenalp. Rachel’s grandparents’ Bible served as the ring pillow, while programs featuring EVR Paper’s watercolor illustration of the chapel carried the Vail setting into the ceremony details. Hydrangea clusters lined the aisle, and Vail Vintage Magnolia created two large altar arrangements filled with roses, peonies, and greenery. Rachel entered to Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus,” accompanied by the couple’s flower girls and ring bearer. After the ceremony, guests gathered on the chapel steps for a petal toss and group photograph before the couple departed for their mountaintop portrait session.

A Vail Pedicab Ride and Mountaintop Portraits

Mountaintop portraits were one of Rachel and John’s priorities. The Sonnenalp and Vail Interfaith Chapel are in Vail Village, while the gondola departs from Lionshead. Although the two areas are only about a mile apart, limited vehicle access and parking make the trip less straightforward within a wedding-day timeline.

To keep the cocktail hour from running long, we arranged three Vail Pedicabs for the couple, photography team, and filmmaker. The pedicabs waited outside the chapel and departed immediately after the group photograph. The ride reduced the travel time while giving Rachel and John a few private moments together immediately after the ceremony.

Pre-purchased lift tickets allowed the group to board the gondola without an additional wait. Rachel and John shared a private gondola ride before taking portraits overlooking the surrounding mountains. Rachel later described the pedicab ride as one of her favorite parts of the day, and the mountaintop photographs made the additional coordination worthwhile.

Cocktail Hour and Reception at The Sonnenalp

While Rachel and John traveled to the mountaintop, guests gathered for cocktail hour beside The Sonnenalp’s pool. The landscaped grounds and abundant flower baskets brought natural color to the setting, allowing the additional décor to remain restrained. Custom temporary tattoos featuring illustrations of the couple added a playful detail, alongside two signature cocktails: Rachel’s sparkling rosé interpretation of a French 75 and John’s bourbon-based Gold Rush.

The reception took place in Ludwig’s Restaurant, The Sonnenalp’s glass-enclosed dining room. Vail Vintage Magnolia added greenery to the chandeliers and repurposed the ceremony arrangements beside the sweetheart table. Classic linens from Event Rents and centerpieces filled with roses and hydrangea complemented the room’s old-world European character.

Guests left notes for the couple on Kate Spade “Confidentially Speaking” cards in place of a traditional guest book. The Sonnenalp created a timeless wedding cake with a Sacher torte tier honoring John’s family’s European roots, as well as a chocolate fondue station. When the weather allowed the glass roof to open, guests danced beneath the night sky. Decorated cookies and miniature bottles of bourbon provided a final treat at the end of the celebration.

Planning a Vail Wedding at The Sonnenalp

Rachel and John’s celebration brought together several distinct Vail locations while keeping the timing comfortable for their guests. The chapel’s proximity to The Sonnenalp made the ceremony-to-reception transition straightforward, while the pedicabs and advance gondola planning made their mountaintop portraits possible without significantly extending cocktail hour. It was a joy to work with them and create a celebration that felt classic, personal, and distinctly Vail.

Planning your own Vail celebration? Explore our Vail wedding planning services and our guide to Vail wedding venues.

The Creative Team

Planning and Design: The Styled Soirée
Reception Venue and Catering: The Sonnenalp
Ceremony Venue: Vail Interfaith Chapel
Photography: Sara Lynn Photography
Videography: Christian DaCosta
Floral Design: Vail Vintage Magnolia
Stationery: EVR Paper
Beauty: Chelsea Garcia Beauty, Beauty Mark by Kacie, Soul Spa Studio
Ceremony Music: Jeff LaQuatra
Reception Music: Garman Music
Transportation: Vail Pedicab
Rentals and Linens: Event Rents
Wedding Gown: Atelier Pronovias
Bridesmaid Dresses: Monique Lhuillier