Kendra + Nathan @ Purgatory SKi Resort

Real Weddings

Mar 19

Written By Amber Andrew

WHAT: A Rainy Wedding Day in the Mountains

WHEN: September 13, 2025

WHERE: Purgatory Ski Resort

COORDINATORS: Rose, Bryn, Mason, and Ben

VIBES: Relaxed, Reunion, Mountains

These are a few of my favorite things:

RAIN CAN’T STOP THIS PARTY

Durango had a very rainy fall this year. We’re used to quick afternoon showers—but days and days of steady rain? Not so much. Naturally, as Kendra and Nathan’s wedding week arrived, the forecast called for: rain, rain, and more rain. At the rehearsal, we all huddled under the sun shade on Purgy’s patio before finally giving up and moving the run-through into the lobby. The next morning didn’t offer much improvement, but the plan was still on. By 2pm, it wasn’t looking promising for the chairlift ride up to the Paradise Ceremony Site. Then—like a tiny miracle—the clouds parted just enough. Guests lined up, the lift started spinning, and everyone bundled up for a very chilly ride to the top. Kendra and Nathan made it to the summit, had their mountaintop “I do’s” just in time, and then another storm rolled in right on cue. We quickly shuttled back down the mountain and kicked off the reception. Rain, cold lifts, and a few last-minute pivots—but Kendra and Nathan never stopped smiling. They were just happy to be marrying the love of their lives

FIND YOUR MOUNTAIN

When I asked Kendra and Nathan why they picked Purgatory Ski Resort to host their wedding, they shared their love of skiing and mountain biking and their desire for their guests to experience a chairlift ride! But, to pay homage to all of their other favorite ski areas, Kendra and Nathan named their tables after their favorite places to hit the slopes. Guests were assigned to places like “Winter Park,” “Beaver Creek,” and “Breckenridge.” After finding their name on the seating chart, they searched for their mountain in the reception space.

EPIC FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE

When it came time for Kendra’s father-daughter dance, she had a surprise up her sleeve: Enter Sandman by Metallica. Her Metallica-loving dad lit up the second it started and happily joined her on the dance floor. As the DJ slowly faded the song to Sweet Child of Mine by Guns N’ Roses for the rest of their dance, Kendra and her dad shared a sweet moment of connection over their shared love of this heavy metal classic.