Annie Stookesberry, owner of Denver subscription-based dining membership service Feast Locally, met Ben Burke through her sister, Lucy, who was first friends with him when they went to the same college. After around eight years together, he proposed in Denali National Park during a summer trip to Alaska.
“We had just encountered an enormous caribou in the middle of the road where we were walking, so my adrenaline was already pumping and my mind was totally elsewhere, not realizing what was about to happen,” Annie says. After saying, “Yes,” the two took advantage of three days with no cell service to completely enjoy the moment for themselves.
Once engaged, they set the date for exactly 10 years after their first date, when they saw The Hangover in theaters—she kept her ticket stub. And since she had grown up going to the Denver Country Club, it was an easy decision to book it for their wedding. To help plan everything, they hired JA Special Events, and to create all their paper goods, they trusted The Paper Guppy.
When choosing her wedding dress, Annie actually flew to Chicago to find “the one.” She ended up choosing a Viktor&Rolf floral-detailed gown from Ultimate Bride. And on the morning-of, she got ready with Brina Milton and Heather Sauls, who gave the bride a polished bun and a natural makeup look. To complement her ensemble, bridesmaids chose dresses in pink, light blue, and bright orange hues.
On the bowling green of the club, Annie’s uncle officiated the sweet and heartfelt ceremony, and an a cappella group sang Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” Once announced as husband and wife, the two led everyone steps away to the cocktail hour, where Aperol Spritzes, champagne, and their custom beer, Burkeberry Blonde Ale, were waiting. “My dad is a partial owner of Great Divide Brewery in Denver, and their team helped us create a private label beer for our wedding that combined both of our last names with a nod to both of our blonde hair.”
For dinner, guests moved under a tent strung with bistro lighting and plenty of candles. At their tables, they found white floral centerpieces by Statice Floral, white tablecloths, dark greenery accents, and charcuterie boards. After a delicious dinner, which ended with a vanilla bean cake with raspberry compote filling by Biceps By Buttercream, the newlyweds had their first dance to “Your Song” by Elton John, played by The Radio.
Later on in the night, mini grilled cheese sandwiches and french fries fueled dancing family and friends. “At one point, a significant number of wedding guests gathered around one of the bars, and we all took a shot of tequila together,” Annie remembers. “I knew in that moment that everyone was having a great time, and it was time to let loose and party!”
After the reception closed, remaining revelers headed to Don’s Mixed Drinks—“a popular Denver dive bar known for its carpeted floors and stiff cocktails,” Annie explains. “It was quite the juxtaposition between the location and our wedding attire.”
