Hillary and Jeremy Speckhals

Hillary and Jeremy Speckhals are together today thanks to a mutual friend and a high school senior photo that sparked a serious and long-lasting interest.

Hillary grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She graduated from Doherty High School and attended the University of Colorado, Boulder, graduating in 2010 with a degree in psychology. Currently, she is in graduate school studying clinical psychology and hopes to continue to work with at-risk youth after graduation. She loves spending time in the outdoors, hiking, backpacking, snowboarding and running.

Jeremy grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He attended Palmer High School and the University of Colorado, Boulder, graduating in 2010 with a degree in political science. He is finishing his last semester of law school and graduates in May! Jeremy loves to spend his time home brewing beer, skiing, backpacking and running with their dog, Rissie.

“We had a mutual friend, Patrick, in high school,” Hillary shares. “Jeremy and Patrick were hanging out one day during our senior year of high school and Patrick showed Jeremy my senior picture. Jeremy asked him for my number and called me up and asked me out on a date. The unexpected and inevitable happened, and the rest is history!”

Jeremy’s proposal was scenic and very romantic. “We were on a reunion ski trip to Vail with our group of friends from college,” Hillary remembers. “Jeremy made our group trek out to Blue Sky Basin–my favorite place in Vail–toward the end of the day. While we were on our last run, he told our friends he needed to take a break and that we would meet him at the bottom. When our friends left, Jeremy pulled out a box of rose petals and sprinkled them on the snow, lit some tea light candles and produced some little bottles of champagne. Then he got down on one knee and proposed right on the ski run! Of course, I said ‘Yes!’”

The blissful couple tied the knot on August 24, 2014. Hillary was attended by Maids of Honor Laura Berry and Kali Morris; bridesmaids were Melissa Barnett, Vanessa Montano and Katy Ginn. Jeremy’s Best Man was Glen Scott, and accompanying him were groomsmen Josh Speckhals, Robby Grady, Patrick Berry and Wyatt Peterson.

“We said traditional vows during our ceremony,” Hillary reveals about their wedding day. “When we arrived at the reception site, we shared personal vows to each other with just our wedding party there. It was intimate and nice to share that moment with the people who are so important in our lives. We also had a lot of personal touches throughout the ceremony and reception. Since my family is Irish, during the ceremony we incorporated a few Irish traditions, such as our handfasting ceremony and ribbon wands with bells that people rang as we walked back down the aisle at the end of the ceremony. At the reception, we used some old family possessions in the décor, such as my grandmother’s old suitcase as our card box. It was very meaningful to our families to include these special touches.”

Hillary and Jeremy spent a week in Kauai for their honeymoon, hiking to and swimming in waterfalls, kayaking, and lounging on the beach.

Bridal Gown: Danelle’s Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaids’ Gowns: JCrew
Hair Styling: Stephanie and Whitney, Studio Eleven
Makeup: Pretty Bride Shop
Photography: KB Digital Designs
Florists: European Flower Shop
DJ: Aaron Ford, Springs Sounds Entertainment
Caterer: Three Leaf Catering
Cake: Nancy Best Cake Designs
Ceremony Venue: Varsity Pond, University of Colorado, Boulder
Reception Venue: Rembrandt Yard Art Gallery