Lofoten, Norway is a beautiful place. We were traveling there on the back end of a business trip and exploring the Archipelago. Staying in an old iconic fishing hut we set our sights on a hike one day. The mountains jagged and green rise from the fjords and I wanted to get to the top. So we planned a hike, did a little research and it looked like a pretty easy 6 miles round trip. We packed foreign snacks and grabbed a couple bottles of water and set out. We made our way though dense shrubs and trees around a fjord and started up - pretty straight up. We made it to our summit - Munkebu hut, 3 miles and about 1,700 ft of elevation climbed. Beautiful, but it was not the view I was hoping for and there were taller peaks and bigger views. So we went up - now rationing snacks and water. We went up another 1,000 ft, again pretty strait up at points to reach the summit of Munken Peak. The views were amazing, peaks, fjords and the Norwegian Sea. After a few photos we decided to sit, rest and take in the views. Then Scot said "I wrote something for you". He often writes me sweet notes or poems so I didn't think much about it until he said I have something to go with it and got down on one knee, near a cliff mind you. I said "are you proposing?! , NO!" turning a shade of white and then red. He said "will you marry me?" I said "umm Maybe" ruining the most perfect proposal. I did however put the ring on and wear it the rest of the trip. Now, I'm planning a wedding so I guess I'm saying "yes". We often joke and say how typical this is of me.

Lofoten, Norway IS a beautiful place. Andi picked it as a vacation spot to tack on to the back end to a business trip. She is always picking the best and most adventurous travel spots. This is one reason why I love her. I decided this was the trip where I was going to propose to her - even though I knew my odds were 50/50 at best. As most of you know, commitment is not one of her strongest traits. But I valued the fact that she only commits if she is all in. And, what did I have to lose anyway? We started in London where I had to go for work. We got a private capsule on the London Eye where I thought maybe this would be the spot. The host and hostess were expecting a proposal so it was somewhat fun to watch them get prepared for that moment - to snapshot it and pour the champagne and so forth. I was so nervous but I knew this wasn't right. So we rode it around and had our champagne and got some great pics but left that wheel in the sky still just a couple dating. Once we got to Lofoten, I really started to feel the ring burning a hole in my pocket. I had carried it around the whole trip in a panic that I would lose it - or worse - lose my nerve. When we set out on the hike I knew the time was coming. I knew that if I proposed to Andi it should be on a mountain top somewhere. Somewhere almost as beautiful as her. So that is what I did. At the top of that mountain I got down on one knee and read the words I had written (no way I could remember all that) and got the much anticipated reply - MAYBE?! But her eyes told me the real answer - and I knew I was on the course that would change the rest of my life.

These words are the written words so they are probably the only accurate part of the story: "I've thought long and hard about this moment and what I want to say - well before our fish or bait cutting discussion. One thing Ive learned in life is that it is short and I decided I want to spend this brief stanza of time I've been given with you. All I can offer in return is my love and that cup of time. I can offer: Good times and bad Laughter and tears My hopes dreams and fears I can offer My loyalty My honesty But also my baggage I can offer opportunities and opportunities lost I can offer travel and adventure and home and family I can offer to have your back and to stand by your side And I offer you space to grow and be your own person If what they say is true when I lay dying and my whole life replays before me I want it filled with frames of you. Because in you I've found a beautiful, strong, intelligent, inquisitive, independent woman who makes me want to be the better part of myself."

Yay! You're traveling to Colorado, better yet to the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. We'd like to advise you on the elevation and some helpful tips to ensure an easier transition to Colorado's high alpine environment. The wedding venue sits at about 9,000ft and you can easily take a lift to the top of the mountain that will put you at over 11,000ft. HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE ! You should start drinking lots of water a week before arrival and while you are there consume twice as much as you normally would and add in some electrolytes. Its very easy to get dehydrated in the low humidity and high elevation. Proceed with caution at the open bar! It could also be helpful to arrive to Colorado a couple days prior and give your body a day to acclimate. Protect you skin with sunscreen! In high elevation the UV levels rise and its very easy to get sun burned.

Yay Open Bar, Booo they informed us that they will be carding! So LADIES and Gents please remember you ID.

Transportation to the Ranch is by Shuttle only. Shuttle Pick-up locations and times: 2:45m- Guests staying in Avon should meet at The Westin Riverfront Resort lobby to be shuttled to the venue 3:00pm- Guest staying in Beaver Creek, should meet at the Ritz Bachelor Gulch in the lobby to be shuttled to the venue. 3:30- Guest wanting to drive to the venue should park at St. Clare's Church and wait for the 3:30 Shuttle to pick them up from the parking lot to be transported to the venue. St. Clare's 31622 US Highway 6 Edwards, CO 81632 The shuttles back will start at 7pm and run to 11:30 pm