Kara and Jeff said “I do” at The Old Thompson Barn – a wedding venue in Carbondale, Colorado that combines stunning mountain views with rustic charm. Read more about the venue or skip right to the wedding day below!
About the Old Thompson Barn Wedding Venue
Kara and Jeff’s Wedding Day
If you’re dreaming of a Colorado mountain wedding with a perfect blend of rustic charm, luxury details, and stunning scenery, the Old Thompson Barn in Carbondale might be the hidden gem you’ve been looking for. Tucked in the Roaring Fork Valley just 30 minutes from Aspen, this venue offers expansive mountain views, a peaceful setting on a golf course, and a vibe that’s both elevated and down-to-earth.
Why Choose Old Thompson Barn for Your Wedding
Old Thompson Barn is a restored historic barn located in the heart of the River Valley Ranch community. With its wood-beamed interior, wide-open lawn, and panoramic mountain backdrop, it’s ideal for couples wanting a rustic barn wedding without sacrificing elegance. Whether you envision a sunset ceremony outdoors or a cozy reception under twinkle lights, the venue offers a balance of natural beauty and thoughtful amenities.
Carbondale vs. Aspen for Weddings – What’s the Difference?
While Aspen is known for its high-end resorts and celebrity appeal, it also comes with a hefty price tag. Carbondale offers a quieter, more relaxed vibe—without compromising on luxury. Hosting your wedding at Old Thompson Barn means you can still soak in all the gorgeous mountain views and sophisticated style Aspen is known for, but at a more accessible price point. That means more of your budget can go toward florals, photography, or the epic dance party you’ve been planning.
How to Get to the Old Thompson Barn
The venue is about 30 miles from Aspen and just under an hour from Eagle County Regional Airport. If guests are flying in from out of state, they can land in Aspen and enjoy a scenic drive down Highway 82 to Carbondale. The town is small and easy to navigate, with plenty of parking and walkable areas near the venue.
Kara & Jeff’s Old Thompson Barn Wedding at River Valley Ranch
Vendors:
Photography: Leah Lach Photography | Venue: Old Thompson Barn | Planning and Design: Blissful Moment Events | Florals: Modern West Florals | Hair: Aspen Mobile Hair | Makeup: Vanessa Rose Beauty | Live Music: Soul School Band | Catering: Graze and Torreys | Cake: Sifted Measures | Ice Cream Cart: Sundae Ice Cream | Tent and Rentals: Premier Party Rentals | Dress: Anthropologie | Transportation: Student Transportation of America | Lodging: The Gant Aspen
Getting Ready – Slow, Relaxed, Quality Time
When planning their wedding, Kara and Jeff’s biggest wish was fun, chill, relaxing vibes all day, and it was exactly that. We started the morning off with the girls at an A Frame Airbnb in Carbondale. It boasted natural light and big windows with gorgeous views all around. Ana and Vanessa, our glam squad gals, had the whole bridal party absolutely glowing when we arrived for photos. Kara, the beautiful bride, chose a chic tight bun wedding hair style and simple yet elegant wedding makeup – the perfect complement to her natural beauty.
With 10 hours of wedding photography coverage, we were able to take our time and soak up each moment of the day. Kara shared a sweet moment with her mom while putting on her wedding dress and then was helped by her adorable ring bearer with her shoes and final details. Yes, putting on a dress may only “take 5 minutes,” but having a little extra time allows for spontaneous moments like these to naturally unfold. When you look back at your wedding day gallery, it’s these moments that often stand out the most.
Prioritizing Real Moments and Memories
After a few happy squeals from her bridesmaids, it was time to share a first look with her dad. As with everything on their wedding day, we wanted this to feel natural. Kara’s dad, Jeff, was waiting outside on the porch when Kara came to greet him with a big hug. There can be pressure with a first look to react a certain way because you know you are being photographed. With documentary style photography though, the goal isn’t to create the perfect photo. Rather, I aim to give you the space and time to simply share a genuine moment together.
While Kara enjoyed quality time with her dad, Jeff was also prepping for the big day with his family. Knowing how excited Jeff’s mom, Maureen, was about the wedding, we let her crash the guy’s getting ready scene to help with the final touches + pinning Jeff’s boutonniere. There’s nothing better than mom’s eye to make sure you’re looking your very best on wedding day!
A First Look with a View and Private Vows
Another huge priority for Kara and Jeff was quality time with both their loved ones and each other. Because of this, they opted to get to the venue early for a first look and private vows together.
There’s often a misconception that a first look can take away from that special moment seeing your partner walk down the aisle, but in reality, having a first look really just adds to those meaningful memories together. It’s a completely different scenario. During your wedding ceremony, there are so many other distractions going on around you – your guests, the music, the procession of your friends and family. With a first look, it’s just you and your partner. In that moment, it truly feels like you’re the only two people in the world.
Having a first look allows you to fully take each other in along with all the little details like your special jewelry, the fabric on her dress, how dapper he looks in his suit, the fun tie and matching socks. You can catch up on the morning and share that calming embrace that melts away all worries. A first look also allows you to share private vows or personal letters with each other and speak from the heart. It can be nerve-wrecking to share something so personal in front of a big crowd, especially if you’re more introverted. Private vows give you the time and space to be authentically you.
Pre-Ceremony Family Photos Means More Time at Cocktail Hour!
Another huge benefit of doing a first look is the ability to take formal photo groupings before the ceremony. This ensures you have all your loved ones photographed and then frees up time after your ceremony to attend cocktail hour and be present with them.
After family photos, everyone went inside the barn to celebrate Kara and Jeff’s union through a Ketubah signing ceremony. With our favorite ring bearer as the witness, Kara and Jeff sealed in their marriage promises to each other.
A Colorado Mountain View Ceremony at Old Thompson Barn
Surrounded by loved ones and gorgeous views of Mt. Sopris, Kara and Jeff exchanged their “I do’s.” As per Jewish tradition, they stood under a chuppah, but added their own twist. In true mountain style, they covered it in greenery, the perfect complement to Mother Nature’s stunning canvas behind.
The Newly-Weds! Colorado Wedding Portraits with Mountain Views
Before joining all of their guests for cocktail hour, we took a moment to soak in that “just married” feeling! Quality time with your partner can be rare on wedding day, so it’s nice to have a few minutes to simply be present with each other.
A Romantic, Candle-Lit Dinner in True Aspen Luxury Wedding Style
An end to the ceremony meant the start of party time! This is where the creative eye of their planner, Misty, really shined! Kara and Jeff opted for a clear outdoor tent to really capitalize on their venue’s views. Misty and her planning team ran with that to bring a dream reception vision to life. The reception was a perfect blending of rustic charm with elegant design details such as hurricane candles, full table-length greens, and bold charger plates.
An Outdoor Wedding Tent Filled with Roaring Laughter
When I asked Kara and Jeff what they loved most about each other, they said the following:
Kara: “He’s funny and so easy to get along with. He can talk to anyone and make them feel welcome. He also loves kids, our families and dogs!”
Jeff: “Her infectious laugh and how kind she is to others. She loves her family and friends and is incredibly supportive of loved ones.”
These character traits really came to life during Jeff’s reception speech, quite possibly the most memorable moment of the entire night. Jeff shared stories of their relationship that had the entire tent roaring with laughter. At the same time, he wove in sweet sentiments of the love and warmth that Kara provided in their relationship. Seeing them together at the head table was magnetic, and there was nothing but pure joy surrounding them. As the sun set, the tent became a sky full of stars and our party-goers made their way to the dance floor.
A Live Band and Party Time!
Soul School Band kicked off the dancing and the barn instantly became electrified with energy. Between the guitar solos, hora dance and chairs in the air, the limbo, late night pizza, and a saxophone player right in the center of it all, there truly wasn’t a dull moment all night. Kara and Jeff giggled over cake cutting and guest enjoyed small batch ice cream sundaes under the glowing stars.
Cold Sparks Grand Exit
To end the night with style, all the guests gathered outside for a truly grand exit – cold sparks! In Colorado, many venues have fire restrictions due to wildfire danger, so cold sparks are a safe alternative. They give you that fun, memorable last moment as a newly married couple together that guests won’t forget!
Old Thompson Barn Wedding Photographer
Considering planning a wedding at Old Thompson Barn or in need of an Aspen wedding photographer? Let’s chat!
