A Keyless Entry

A Keyless Entry

Dani & Rick

Rick and I first connected in the fall of 2016 at the University of Utah, when he invited me to his fraternity’s fall formal in Aspen, Colorado. This simple invitation revealed an instant connection. By New Year’s Eve — after a season of growing closer — Rick asked me to be his girlfriend under a starry night sky on a friend’s rooftop. From that night on, our relationship has been filled with shared dreams, spontaneous road trips, and adventures around the world. We moved into our first apartment together, with our dog, Finn, in the summer of 2020 before deciding to move to Denver in October of 2021. 

Rick’s proposal, exactly one year later, began with what would turn out to be a series of unexpected challenges during an unforgettable trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Our journey started with an early morning flight, and in the midst of the usual travel chaos, Rick realized he had made a small but critical mistake — he’d accidentally left the wrong key under our doormat. This caused an issue for our friends, who were picking up our dog to watch him for the weekend. As always, our amazing friends stepped in to help, quickly coordinating a locksmith to rescue Finn while we were already en route to Mexico. Little did we know this was just the beginning of the stressful glitches for Rick.

After we landed in Cancun, another unexpected hitch popped up: Rick realized he forgot something even more important than the house key — the key to the lockbox holding the engagement ring. In an attempt to keep the ring safe, Rick bought a lockbox for the trip, but of course, the key was nowhere to be found (we still haven’t found it to this day). The next day, Rick and our friends enlisted the help of the hotel staff for an unconventional favor: breaking into the lockbox to retrieve the ring. Crisis averted, and finally, everything was back on track.

On Friday evening, October 28, we were relaxing at the beach cabanas with friends, enjoying a pre-dinner drink, when everyone suddenly needed to attend to “urgent tasks,” leaving Rick and me alone to take a walk along the beach. The sun was quickly setting when I noticed something set up in the sand; it was Finn’s favorite blanket adorned with roses and champagne. Rick then dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him. I was completely overwhelmed with happiness and, of course, I said, “Yes!”

Just when I thought the evening couldn’t get any better, a photographer captured our special moment, and our friends reappeared to celebrate with us, having helped orchestrate the surprise. The weekend was filled with laughter, a few twists, and the kind of memories we’ll cherish forever.

We got married on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at our dream location, Grand Targhee Resort. This venue perfectly embodied the special connection both Rick and I share with this beautiful area. Rick’s family owns a cabin in Driggs, and he grew up learning to ski at Grand Targhee. Teton Valley is equally as special to my family, too, as we make a trip every August to enjoy the outdoors and the Tetons together. When Rick and I started dating, we realized we both had an incredible bond with this place, making Grand Targhee an easy choice for our wedding venue.

On the Thursday before our wedding, we welcomed guests at Rick’s family cabin in Driggs. It was a true joy to share this special place with our friends and family. Then, on Friday before our rehearsal dinner, we took a group hike up Sacagawea to take in the breathtaking views and enjoy the wildflowers at their peak. That afternoon, we also hosted a pool party so everyone could relax and cool off before getting ready for the rehearsal dinner. 

I’ve always dreamt of having my wedding at a ski resort, and Grand Targhee’s stunning landscape made it ideal. The entire weekend felt like an immersive getaway, as all our guests were able to stay onsite, creating a close-knit, “summer camp” atmosphere. Our dog, Finn, even joined us as our ring bearer, adding a sweet touch of personality to the day.

We had an amazing time riding the Dreamcatcher lift with our families and 24-person wedding party, capturing breathtaking photos on the peak of Fred’s Mountain. Although thunderstorms were forecasted, we were lucky; the rain held off throughout our magical ceremony on the Teewinot lawn.

Our reception took place in the Aspen Pavilion, where everyone settled under the tent before the rain began. The weather added to the enchanting atmosphere, as we celebrated and danced through the evening, finally ending the night with a wild after party at the Trap Bar. The incredible Grand Targhee staff, delicious food, and beautiful setting truly made it a perfect day, and an unforgettable weekend for us and our loved ones. 

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Advice For Couples 

If you’re considering getting married at Grand Targhee, we highly recommend a mid-summer date, when the wildflowers are in full bloom, creating a stunning natural backdrop. One of the best decisions we made was having all our guests stay on site. It allowed everyone to fully relax and enjoy the weekend, and we didn’t have to worry about coordinating shuttles or guests driving. The resort is also dog-friendly, which was perfect for us!