{ Real Mountain Wedding } Jessica + David: Black Mountain Lodge // Arapahoe Basin, Colorado

I first met Joe back in the 90's and he was one of the main adaptive ski instructors at the B.O.E.C., or Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center.  He now heads up the Keystone branch of the adaptive ski program.  When Joe isn't helping folks hit the slopes, he's guiding rafts and is great behind the lens.  He shoots mountain weddings, but now has a new focus for his lens, his young daughter.  This collection of photos is courtesy of Joe Kusumoto Photography.

[ Joe Kusumoto Photography ]          Follow on    Facebook      Twitter

  { Real Mountain Wedding } Jessica + David: Black Mountain Lodge // Joe Kusumoto Photography, Joe Kusumoto, Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, A-Basin, The Basin, The Beach, Beachin' at the basin

{ Real Mountain Wedding } Jessica + David: Black Mountain Lodge // Joe Kusumoto Photography, Joe Kusumoto, Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, A-Basin, The Basin, The Beach, Beachin' at the basin

Located on the west side of Loveland Pass,  is the Black Mountain Lodge at Arapahoe Basin .  Inside the mid-mountain lodge, high vaulted ceilings supported by immense raw cut timbers rise above the spacious dining room where towering windows offer you and your guests incomparable views of the Continental Divide.

Outside, the lodge's spacious deck extends above the mountain terrain and is the perfect setting for you and your guests to enjoy light hors d'oeuvres, or for you to hold your entire wedding ceremony.  All at 11,550 feet above sea level.  Arapahoe Basin is known for a clientele of hardcore, yet relaxed folks that like simply to ski.  This special mountain is where Jessica and David choose to hold their wedding and reception. 

{ Real Mountain Wedding } Jessica + David: Black Mountain Lodge // Joe Kusumoto Photography, Joe Kusumoto, Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, A-Basin, The Basin, The Beach, Beachin' at the basin

{ Real Mountain Wedding } Jessica + David: Black Mountain Lodge // Joe Kusumoto Photography, Joe Kusumoto, Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, A-Basin, The Basin, The Beach, Beachin' at the basin

Jessica wanted a laid back, yet elegant style for her gathering.   She chose to have only white and green flowers, with hints of lavender and rosemary.  Jessica is a girl who knew what exactly what she wanted when it came to her flowers and decorations.  She said she loved white flowers because they are "clean, simple and rich looking."   She wanted a simple, no fuss, approach to her wedding. She just had to have Petal and Bean as her florist.  However, we were already booked for the day of her wedding.

Jessica and Dina, lead designer at Petal and Bean, hit it off so well that Jessica insisted that Dina do her flowers.  They struck a deal with the Basin so that the flowers could be delivered the day before.  Dina made sure the flowers were just what Jessica and David wanted, and the staff at Petal and Bean took care of the rest.  There aren't any other more perfect accessories for a bride than love in her eyes and a big, beautiful smile.  

  { Real Mountain Wedding } Jessica + David: Black Mountain Lodge // Joe Kusumoto Photography, Joe Kusumoto, Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, A-Basin, The Basin, The Beach, Beachin' at the basin

Jessica, the bride, having a blast on her wedding day!

  { Real Mountain Wedding } Jessica + David: Black Mountain Lodge // Joe Kusumoto Photography, Joe Kusumoto, Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, A-Basin, The Basin, The Beach, Beachin' at the basin

  { Real Mountain Wedding } Jessica + David: Black Mountain Lodge // Joe Kusumoto Photography, Joe Kusumoto, Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, A-Basin, The Basin, The Beach, Beachin' at the basin

Their yellow lab  seemed right at home in the middle of  everything wearing a flowery dog collar 

  { Real Mountain Wedding } Jessica + David: Black Mountain Lodge // Joe Kusumoto Photography, Joe Kusumoto, Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, A-Basin, The Basin, The Beach, Beachin' at the basin

Jessica's  bridal bouquet was created using  white flowers with touches of green berries and leaves. It was a natural garden style tied off with a sheer white ribbon. 

  { Real Mountain Wedding } Jessica + David: Black Mountain Lodge // Joe Kusumoto Photography, Joe Kusumoto, Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, A-Basin, The Basin, The Beach, Beachin' at the basin

Jessica + David 

  { Real Mountain Wedding } Jessica + David: Black Mountain Lodge // Joe Kusumoto Photography, Joe Kusumoto, Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, A-Basin, The Basin, The Beach, Beachin' at the basin

Clearly a couple after my own heart, they opted for Daylight Donuts instead of  a traditional wedding cake or  trendy cupcakes.  Mmmmm... Daylight donuts.  Warm, light and luscious.  Pillowly plump and satisfyingly sweet.  Who doesn't love a donut?   

  { Real Mountain Wedding } Jessica + David: Black Mountain Lodge // Joe Kusumoto Photography, Joe Kusumoto, Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, A-Basin, The Basin, The Beach, Beachin' at the basin

Jessica and David wanted fresh lavender sprigs for their champagne flutes.  We were able to obtain fresh organic lavender grown right in Colorado.  How sweet is that?  Simple and beautiful. 

  { Real Mountain Wedding } Jessica + David: Black Mountain Lodge // Joe Kusumoto Photography, Joe Kusumoto, Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, A-Basin, The Basin, The Beach, Beachin' at the basin

Joe Kusumoto was the photographer that Jessica and David chose and he really did an amazing job.  There were so many photos I wanted to include but I had to narrow it down to these. He and second shooter, Jeff  Shane, who also provided a photo booth and costumes for their guests to enjoy.  It was such a fun night for everyone! 

  { Real Mountain Wedding } Jessica + David: Black Mountain Lodge // Joe Kusumoto Photography, Joe Kusumoto, Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, A-Basin, The Basin, The Beach, Beachin' at the basin

Photo booth shenanigans!

  { Real Mountain Wedding } Jessica + David: Black Mountain Lodge // Joe Kusumoto Photography, Joe Kusumoto, Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, A-Basin, The Basin, The Beach, Beachin' at the basin

  { Real Mountain Wedding } Jessica + David: Black Mountain Lodge // Joe Kusumoto Photography, Joe Kusumoto, Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, A-Basin, The Basin, The Beach, Beachin' at the basin

Guests took the chairlift up to the Black Mountain Lodge.  There is no lodging here, so other arrangements need to be made for lodging, transportation, and all the other details that go into planning a wedding.  Let us know if you'd like help bringing it all together for your Arapahoe Basin wedding!  

// VENDORS

Venue / Catering: Black Mountain Lodge

Photography: Joe Kusumoto Photography

Florist: Petal and Bean

Donut Tower: Daylight Donuts