LOVE love love Cards and Pockets! We used them for our invitations (see bio) and were really pleased not only with the quality, but the prices and huge selection. They sent us numerous samples and all came very quickly. We designed and DIY all of our invitations (using metallic pocket folds) and got SO many compliments on them from our guests! I will be using them again in the future for baby and bridal shower invitations when I'm planning them for friends. . .

Love love LOVE Shane Company. Both locations in Colorado have fantastic service. My husband went there for our engagement ring after a friend of his recommended them; their warranty cannot be beat. Our friend lost their diamond - and Shane Co. replaced it for them no questions asked.

They spent a long time with my husband, walking him through the process of choosing a band and taught him all about diamonds. After the proposal, we bought both of our wedding bands there as well and have been incredibly impressed with their level of commitment and customer service to us. We spent a long time at two other stores trying to find a band that would work with my engagement ring, walked into Shane Company and the sales rep said 'oh, I have the PERFECT band for that. She was dead on - and didn't try to sell us on anything over our budget.

Every 6 months they do a cleaning and inspection of my rings, and re-plating and re-sizing are also included free of charge as part of the warranty.

Every time you go in, they plot your diamond, and allow you to look at it as well with the loupe to make sure that your diamond is the one in your ring - I completely trust them and won't take my rings for service anywhere else. They don't ship or outsource their repairs. . .everything is done in house and always within a few days (not a few weeks!).

I highly recommend checking them out if nothing else! ! !

*Feel free to click on my username for several photos done by Chris and Julie Sharber at our wedding*

Chris and Julie are an amazing husband and wife team - having that dynamic I feel makes all the difference in how they work together to create their images, especially at weddings where the event is all about a newly wed couple.

My husband and I were ready to book them after our first meeting, which had followed a series of meetings with other photographers we didn't really 'click' with. They invited us into their beautiful home studio, answered all of our questions, and allowed us to look at more photos, prints, and slideshows than we could possibly remember. We were drawn in by their ability to capture both romantic images, and what I call 'the bigger picture'. Chris really knows how to walk far away from a scene and still tell a story, and we loved the prospect of having photos like that of our day.

Needless to say, our meeting with Chris and Julie inspired us to double our budget for photography!

They are very fun to work with, and have a passion for what they do. Our engagement shoot resulted in several beautiful images. One thing that sets the Sharbers apart is that they do have a very special and unique perspective; they don't simply copy what every other wedding photographer in the industry is doing. Their images are stunning and special - which is a testament to their skills as photographers.

On our wedding day they were professional and unobtrusive, working hard in the face of a difficult situation regarding weather (rain) and time (we were running behind). From looking at the photos they captured in the bridal suite, you would never know how stressful that final hour before the ceremony was.

In addition to all of the other beautiful images from our day, they captured a shot that we could not have even asked for - us standing in the meadow underneath a large view of the stormy sky and beautiful July flowers and green trees. That image alone was worth hiring Chris and Julie Sharber for.

After the wedding they invited us back to their home to see a slideshow of the best images, and after reminiscing about the wedding day my new husband and I spent the rest of the evening going through 100's of other beautiful, candid shots they got for us of our day.

Julie patiently and helpfully walked us through designing our album, a gorgeous and professional flush-mount leather bound work of art that sums up everything about our wedding day: we could not have asked for a more gorgeous addition to our home.

We can't thank them enough for all that they have done: if you are looking for unique, gorgeous, artistic wedding photography from one of the most welcoming couples you will ever meet, then I highly recommend that you consider Chris and Julie Sharber.

As with most of my vendors, I cannot say ENOUGH amazing things about Marci and the Colorado Rose Cake Company!

(feel free to click on my username for photos of our cake)

Not only was the cake fresh and delicious (many guests said it was the best cake they ever had at a wedding, I have to agree) but they are experts at working with butter cream.

I have guests and other vendors still asking how they got the icing so smooth and perfect. Our cake was a true work of art! We chose a very simple, 3 tier cake with brown ribbons, to which they added their own unique touch. She really picked up on our personal style and wedding decor, and made the cake fit in seamlessly with our vision.

Not to mention, she did this on the most inexpensive cake we could get for our guest count: that is a testament to a passionate and dedicated vendor; even the budget brides get 100% attention to detail.

I do not recommend this bridal show, the $9.00 entry fee is grossly overestimating the value of this event. . .it was a complete waste of money.

Allow me to elaborate!

I myself am a recent bride, work in the wedding industry, and have a strong knowledge of wedding vendors in Colorado; I can honestly say that this show lacks both diversity and a representation of some of the best vendors we have.

RMBS feels like a cattle call.

At the RMBS, many of the vendors are large corporate outfits such as David's Bridal and MW Tux. Not to mention a large number of insurance and real-estate outfits, large bridal registries, and travel agencies lining the booths and overshadowing the very few by comparison local hard-working vendors (photographers, florists, cake bakers) who could afford space at this over-inflated show.

Little was offered in the way of trends and design.

Many of the vendors were extremely pushy, and you know they are selling your info when you sign up for that 'free cruise' or 'chance to win a china set'.

The room was crowded and difficult to navigate - a far cry from smaller shows where you have time to get personalized attention from potential vendors.

In the entire room only one caterer was represented; for such a large show I find this abhorrent. Any vendors offering food samples (the one caterer and the bakeries) were very crowded and difficult to get too.

The fashion show was mediocre at best; many of the gowns were similar in style and the announcer was difficult to hear and understand. Not to mention, coming from such a large and renowned bridal show we expected some of the couture designers and higher-end salons to represent on the runway.

The balloon drop was preceded by a very disorganized drawing for prizes that went on for much too long. The balloon drop itself is a primary draw to the event (we had all heard there are great prizes), but I can now say 'don't waste your time'. My bride-friends that we attended the event with got 10 balloons collectively, every single one was a prize from a vendor that basically involved a purchase from that vendor to redeem.

Sometimes the smaller bridal shows are more beneficial: despite being free, they usually offer vendors who are familiar with the venue where the show is being held. They also offer more design and style, as well as personalized attention and a diverse selection of vendors to choose from.

Don't waste your time or money on this show unless you want a reason to appreciate, even more, your local vendors and all their hard work :)

My previous review was before our wedding, I'm leaving this now post-wedding. Feel free to click on my username for more pro-photos of our beautiful day at the Wild Basin Lodge; it is such a stunning and unique venue. Our day was gorgeous and memorable, and we owe so much of that to Denise and her staff.

Let me start by saying that I was one panicked bride the day of - I'm not a bridezilla, but in addition to some sketchy weather (looked like rain!), no hair dresser as planned (long story), barely finished DIY bridesmaid gowns (yikes!), and my mother being several hours late and nowhere to be found I was, well, a little out of sorts. The staff and my coordinators Theresa and Allison were amazing at helping out and calming my nerves, I'm so grateful to them for that!

They brought us Mimosa's while we got ready, helped coordinate our first look, ironed my dress, worked behind the scenes in ways I can't otherwise imagine, and watched a weather Doppler as the clouds rolled over on what should have been a beautiful, sunny July day.

When it came time for the ceremony, they expertly moved our guests to the meadow site, and got the entire bridal party there and lined up without me even being aware. As the bride I was told to relax, enjoy the day, and let the staff handle what they do so well. Allison even ran back to get our rings and license, which I had left in the bridal suite.

We finished the ceremony just in time before the rain hit, and were it not for their careful eyes on that Doppler we may have had to move indoors as a precaution. I'm so grateful they were able to work everything so that we could have our ceremony in their beautiful meadow, even if it was a close call!

Theresa came and stole us away from our photographers just before the reception, leading us back to the bridal suite for champagne and appetizers among scattered rose petals and candles. Sitting with my newly minted husband, eating meatballs (we were both starving and relieved!), and just enjoying those first moments together before the reception is my favorite memory of our day. I'm tearing up just remembering how special those 10 minutes were. . .

Our reception was a hit - many guests told us it was the best food they ever had at a wedding, and I have to agree. It was delicious, fresh, and well presented. The champagne was perfect and every guest felt pampered.

Our time at WBL will not be forgotten - I cannot say enough good things about this venue and the beautiful memories they provided for us on such a special day in our lives.

Our other vendors told me that they had never seen a venue go above and beyond like the WBL does. Having entered the wedding industry myself, I have to agree. . .
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*My pre-wedding review*

I love Wild Basin Lodge (WBL)! The $85/head fee includes food (two appetizers and two entree selections. . .we chose mint rubbed trout and a beef dish), non-alcoholic beverages, use of a ceremony site, up to six hours in the reception room, waitstaff, bartender, cake cutting, and a champagne toast.

The staff is friendly, accommodating, and loves seeing creative brides come in and put their own personal touch on their beautiful and rustic venue that only hosts one wedding per day.

One of the owners, Denise, surprises us every time we visit WBL to plan our wedding; she remembers our wedding date and details off-hand and always greets us with a smile and a hug.

Both ceremony sites are beautiful and serene, and the reception rooms are rustic and elegant. I can't say enough good things about WBL! Our wedding will be there on July 12th, 2009 and every bride I meet has nothing but glowing things to say about their experience with this venue.