Friday, June 23rd
23rds have held special significance to us throughout our relationship. Our first date was 12/23/19, Devøn proposed on 3/23/21, and we eloped on 5/23/21. Although it’s a little unconventional to have a wedding on a Friday morning, this date happens to also honor Devøn’s father, Chip: it’s his birthday.
During lockdown, after we moved in together much sooner than we otherwise would have, we made a game of celebrating each 23rd as its own anniversary, joking that each month was a “COVID year” we’d tackled. The tradition stuck, and now we mark most 23rds in some way, big or small. We’re thrilled to get to celebrate this one with you!
7:15 AM
Shuttles Leave
Our venue, Sunrise Amphitheater, is located near the top of Flagstaff Mountain, up an extremely windy mountain road that many locals (including Charlie) find stressful to drive. Additionally, parking at Sunrise Amphitheater requires a permit unless your car is registered in Boulder County. Local friends are of course welcome to drive themselves if they feel so inclined, but we’re happy to have you on board the shuttles as well.
Exact shuttle logistics will be determined closer to the date of the event. We will make an announcement to ensure everyone can catch a ride!
Green Ride is a sustainable local shuttle company. Four 25-person shuttles will meet you at a predetermined location to bring everyone up to Sunrise Amphitheater for the ceremony, back down to the reception afterward, and back to hotels if needed.
8:00 AM
Ceremony
Flagstaff Mountain’s peak is about 6,983 feet above sea level, and Sunrise Amphitheater is nestled right near the top, overlooking the entire city of Boulder (Boulder itself is at a little over 5,300 feet elevation, slightly above Denver’s mile high.) The venue is constructed entirely of local, natural materials, so the seating is stone, all the pathways are gravel, and there are no railings. There is also very limited shade, so while it shouldn’t be too hot this early in the morning, the sun will likely still feel direct.
Sunrise Amphitheater is a quintessentially Boulder spot, and in addition to being about ten minutes from Charlie’s parents’ house, Flagstaff Mountain holds special meaning to their family: it’s where their stepfather proposed to their mom. Before the city shut the trail down, it used to be tradition every year on Thanksgiving to hike to the exact spot of the proposal.
9:00 AM
Brunch Reception
We’ve been making “second wedding” Lord of the Rings jokes since deciding to elope, so it felt fitting to have a “second breakfast” (read: brunch) reception. There will be food, heartfelt speeches if you decide to give them, and as much dancing as you’ll humor us in the a.m. hours!
Charlie grew up coming to concerts and having picnics on the grounds of Chautauqua, and hiking the trails that branch out from the complex.
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Flunk Nap
Take a break: it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Early morning parties and high altitude are each recipes for exhaustion in their own right, but since we’ve combined them both, we strongly encourage a siesta. Go back to your lodgings and take a catnap. Drink a big glass of water. Take a moment to yourself. We’re so grateful you came to celebrate with us!
What’s a Flunk Nap?
Charlie’s alma mater, Knox College, celebrates a tradition called Flunk Day, where on a random spring weekday, every class is canceled in favor of a campus-wide party that begins at 6 a.m. Given that the festivities start so early, it is also tradition to take a Flunk Nap around midday, thus reinvigorating oneself to keep partying.
6:00 PM
(ish)
Afterparty
Charlie’s mom and stepdad have graciously offered to host an afterparty at their house, about five minutes’ drive or fifteen minutes’ walk from Chautauqua. We’ll have lots of options to accommodate dietary restrictions, and lots of instruments to bring out at the evening carries on. There’s no pressure at all to attend, but we would love the opportunity to spend more time connecting with everyone than we’ll have time to do during the reception.
University Hill
We recommend utilizing either public transit or a ridesharing service to get to the afterparty, both for safety and convenience: the only available parking is on the street in the University Hill neighborhood. We’ll distribute the address closer to the event to maintain privacy.
By bus, take the 225, 204, DASH, FF, GS, SKIP, or AB to Broadway & Euclid, or the HOP to 16th & Broadway.