Text courtesy of The Little Nell
Images by Rich Lander
With their mutual love of skiing and Aspen, Olivia and Joe Sutherland always wanted a winter wedding at The Nell. Wedding planner Aimee Monihan, founder of Mountain Occasions, first started planning the wedding in late 2019. The couple was living in New York City at the time, where Joe worked in finance and Olivia, a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, was a professional dancer, a Rockette, and a Broadway star.
The couple moved to Dallas, Texas, during the pandemic, and after Olivia got pregnant, they rebooked the wedding for 2021. When Olivia became pregnant with their second child, they chose to postpone again until April 2023. (Their two small children would go on to serve in the wedding party as a flower girl and a ring bearer.)
Along with their team of collaborators, the bride and groom created a thoughtful experience from start to finish. As guests arrived via gondola to the top of Aspen Mountain, they were greeted by a warming station with hot apple cider and hot cocoa, along with blankets and hand warmers to keep everyone warm during the outdoor ceremony.
A lavish spread of passed canapés and a raw bar was available at cocktail hour in the ASPENX Mountain Club. Dinner was served in the Sundeck, where guests enjoyed a delicious three-course meal paired with fine wines selected by The Nell’s sommeliers. Afterward, petite desserts made by The Nell’s pastry chef were offered. Next, espresso martini shots were passed around, energizing everyone, including the many professional dancers in attendance, to make the reception an incredible dance party.