Aspen Meadows Resort Wedding

When we showed up for Andy and Mate’s Aspen Meadows Resort wedding last weekend, we had a secret. We’d been let in on a not-so-little surprise that Andy had arranged for Mate. Now, Jesse and I are no strangers to wedding surprises. From over-the-water bungalows to Big Buck Hunter to shark-themed first looks, I thought we had seen it all. But last weekend was a new one.

Two months ago, I set up a phone call with Andy and Mate to talk through their timeline and photo priorities. At the last minute, Mate was unable to make the call, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We could speak freely about the surprise Andy had in store.

Mate loves classical music. Especially George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Especially when played live by an orchestra. So, naturally, Andy had arranged for an orchestra to serenade Mate, post portrait session, while the two of them took a break from wedding-day chaos to share some milk punch and revel in the monumental journey they were about to embark upon.

I later learned that the orchestra was “payback” in the sweetest way for how Mate proposed to Andy, an experience that involved playing with otters. These two have probably the best kind of competition that a married couple could hope to have going on. One that requires thoughtfulness, generosity, and no small amount of stealth.

Andy and Mate, we are so honored to have been part of your Aspen Meadows Resort wedding celebration! The pure joy on your faces all day long was infectious; it’s no wonder complete strangers stopped you in the street to comment on how happy you two looked. We hope you enjoyed the rest of your stay in Aspen and that one day, the stars will align and we’ll all find ourselves in DC for some milk punch!

P.S. Andy, your otter fact for the day: baby sea otters are so fluffy that they’re too buoyant to dive below water.