REIGNMAG.COM 051REIGN • WINTER 2015050

I Dos

BY BETSY MARRPHOTOS BY CHAD CHISHOLM

AND KELLIE COUGHLIN

M O N I CA & J O H N{ FEBRUARY 28, 2015 }

Colorado Springs, Colorado

SOME LOVE STORIES are written in the stars. For Monica and John, theirs was a love written in the stars and stripes alike. Hailing from two of Colorado’s most beloved political families, Monica, the daughter of former Governor and First Lady Bill and Frances Owens and John, son of former Congressmen and Gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez and his wife, Claudia, seemed like a fit from moment one. And while yes, their respective GOP families had known each other for many years, Monica and John never crossed paths. Until, that is, they were “serendipitously” seated beside one another at a fundraising dinner in 2013. Unbeknownst to the pair, John’s mother Claudia had arranged their proximity, hoping that the two would connect. Much to her delight, connect they did. Fast-forward a year and a surprise proposal was in the works. Knowing that his beloved had a penchant for patriotism (along with

HOME FURNISHINGSART

LIGHTINGBEDDING & TEXTILES

WINDOW TREATMENTS

The Streets at Southglenncarlasacd.com303.683.0372

A FULL SERVICE DESIGN FIRM

THE DETAILS

Ceremony Venue

St. Mary’s Cathederal

Reception VenueSt. Mary’s Cathederal

Photography

Chad Chisholm & Kellie CoughlinCustom Creations Photography

Wedding Planners

CC Dick & Kellie BarthColorado Wedding Company

Florist

Mary PappasMary Martha’s Floral

Reception & Ballroom LightingFastlane Productions

Ceremony Musicians

Aubrie Hamrick & Hunter HallNoble Productions, Inc.

Katherine Johnson & Cynthia Robinson

Saint Mary’s Cathedral

Reception MusiciansGroove Nation

Noble Productions, Inc.DJ Banana Hammock

Invitations and Printed Materials

Maura GauthierThe Paper Guppy

Jeweler

The Klomp FamilyTrice Jewelers

Bride’s GownCasablanca

Mariel Boutique

Bridesmaid GownsJenny Yoo

BHLDN by Anthropologie

Groom’s AttireBlack by Vera Wang

Hair & MakeupLibby Antonson &

Heidi Collins RosenbluthThe Parlour

REIGN • WINTER 2015052

red, white and blue Lilly Pulitzer dresses), John began planning an Independence Day proposal, asking both Monica’s father and brother for her hand in marriage. By the time Fourth of July rolled around, everyone knew about the proposal. Monica’s family. John’s family. Even Bob’s campaign manager and Monica’s best friend. Everyone knew, but Monica. On the big day, Monica wanted to do what every political junkie feels the need to do on the fourth - participate in a parade. Monica and John met the Beauprez Team and walked in the Park Hill parade. Afterwards, they headed to the St. Julien Hotel in Boulder, one of their favorite places. From their gorgeous suite overlooking Folsom Field, John dropped to one knee during the fireworks display and asked Monica to be his wife.

The following February, Monica and John said their “I dos.” With the Beauprez family spanning six generations of natives and the couple’s fathers serving Colorado in elective office for a combined twenty-eight years, showcasing their Colorado roots was of the utmost importance. As such, Monica and John chose the legendary Broadmoor in Colorado Springs for their reception and St. Mary’s, a stunning Catholic cathedral, for their ceremony. More than 220 guests watched the gorgeous bride walk down the aisle with her father in a gown by Casablanca, which was complemented with a white fur cape handmade by her mother, Frances – just the right touch for the pair’s snowy nuptials. Monica’s five bridesmaids wore blush colored dresses that perfectly set the tone for the winter fairytale. As she made her way down the aisle, the bride held her bouquet closely, which was intertwined with her “something old” – the pink rosary she was given at her baptism. Following tradition, Monica also had her “something blue” near and dear. Tucked inside her wedding dress and tied with a blue ribbon was John’s mother’s pearl pin. Claudia inherited the pin from her grandmother, Caroline Johnson, and it has been worn by the family’s brides since 1890.

During the reception, guests dined on fare that was inspired by the couple’s families – Italian cuisine was served to honor Monica’s maternal heritage. In lieu of a traditional cake, Monica and John served iced Snickerdoodle cookies monogrammed with a "B" (for Beauprez and The Broadmoor). The recipe used was Frances Owens’ from Evans Junior High in Texas. Guests danced the evening away, after which the couple embarked on their honeymoon in Barbados before returning home to their beloved Colorado.

TO SEE MORE FROM MONICA AND JOHN’S WEDDING AND FOR FRANCES OWENS’ LEGENDARY SNICKERDOODLE RECIPE, VISIT REIGNMAG.COM.