VOGUE
Pamela Tick's Understated Yet Elegant Wedding In Aspen
October 19th, 2017
DJ, model, and social media star Pamela Katz and Ryan Tick’s story is one of young love. “We grew up one town away from one another. I was 16 years old, and he was about 21,” remembers Pamela. “We couldn’t get enough of each other, but we knew it wasn’t the right time.”
Years went by. Ryan graduated from the University of Arizona in 2009, and Pamela from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2014. In 2013, Ryan’s sister Mikaela passed away, and their connection was reestablished through this tragedy. “Pamela helped me through the hardest time in my life,” explains Ryan. “As a result, we try to incorporate my sister’s memory into everything we do and have since created the MLTFoundation in her honor.”
Two years after they reconnected, Ryan planned a trip to Big Sur, California, for what Pamela thought was her 23rd birthday celebration. “We drove up the Cali coast—from Los Angeles to Big Sur—in a vintage Mustang,” remembers Ryan. “I had a ring in the trunk and sweaty palms on the wheel!”
Pamela said “Yes!” and the couple started planning their wedding in Aspen. “We knew we were going to get married there without even saying it. It has always been our happy place,” says the bride. “Both individually and together, we’ve felt really connected to Colorado.”
They started exploring venues and found the decision-making process pretty easy. At the Chaparral Ranch in Woody Creek, they were greeted by horses, donkeys, and a breathtaking view of the mountains. “It was the most magnificent ‘backdrop’ I had ever seen in my life,” says Pamela. “We wanted to keep everything raw and take advantage of the natural beauty that Aspen has to offer. We just added a touch of that clean and elegant look we like, our love for white, and as many trees as it took to fill up the room and ceiling.”
The weekend kicked off at Hickory House, Aspen’s most original barbecue joint. There, guests were warmly welcomed by a playful “growling bear” sculpture that sits on top of the cabin and a comfortable interior filled with lots of wood, vintage snowshoes, and old black-and-white photos. “It has a true Southwestern, bohemian feel,” says Pamela. “I got to rock my RRL vintage hat with an Alexander McQueen wool and lace gown.”
With her “cool” look out of the way, Pamela knew exactly what she was going for on her wedding day. “I wanted to be orglamic (a cross between organic and glamorous),” she explains with a laugh. “Clean, sexy, timeless, and unexpected were what I was going for.”
She ended up wearing the first gown she tried on during her search: A dress by J. Mendel. “I fell madly in love with the back of it and the little details of the side lace panels. I felt like my dress took me to a whole different era, which was really my favorite part about it,” says Pamela. She paired the dress with gorgeous sunburst pearl and diamond earrings by Stephanie Gottlieb, and accented it with sparkly white Jimmy Choo heels. A short veil completed the look. During cocktail hour, she accessorized with a white mink bolero to keep her warm outside the barn.
Meanwhile, Ryan was outfitted by Ralph Lauren all weekend. Friday night, he was in a brown suede RRL Western shirt with black trousers and black suede cowboy boots. Saturday, he wore a custom Purple Label velvet tuxedo. “Ralph knows how to nail the original combination of classic and cool,” Ryan notes. “And to make sure my sister Mikaela was with us during our wedding day, I embroidered I carry you with me on the inside of my tuxedo jacket, right over my heart.”
The couple said their “I dos” as the sun started to set on the ranch, with all of their closest family and friends, and some animals, looking on. “Our two English bulldogs were dressed up; Dex in a custom British tuxedo with tails and Giselle in a Vera Wang pink bow,” Pamela says, laughing. Ryan walked out with his parents to the instrumental version of “Bitter Sweet Symphony,” then Dex strutted down the aisle to “Hey Good Looking” by Hank Williams. The wedding party followed to “Jubel” by Klingande. Everyone then waited for Pamela to emerge.
“She was flawless,” remembers Ryan. “When she approached, I lifted her veil, and together we stepped onto the chuppah. We held hands and waited for the moment when they pronounced us husband and wife.”
Afterward everyone went into a riding arena on the ranch for the reception. “Seeing my plans come to life was exceptional,” says Pamela, who worked with EKS Events to realize her vision. “I made myself take two minutes to stand in the front and take it all in. I put a lot of effort and time into this wedding and really learned so much about myself and what I like. I really learned what it means to be detail oriented. But the feeling and energy I had living in me after the ceremony, when I married my best friend, was so contagious. It was my favorite part of the night. It felt like if my heart were any more full it would pop!”
A seasonal salad and a farm-to-table meal of steak, vegetables, and a twice-baked potato were served for dinner. The newlyweds took their first spin on the dance floor to Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe.” “The reception was dreamy,” Pamela says. “Our band was stellar. Each person in the group was so individually talented that it felt like a live concert.” After the last song was played, those still looking to hang out moved to what the groom dubbed a “Colorado recreational-style after-party.” “Instead of cigars, pre-rolled joints were passed out to celebrate love,” says Ryan. “We also brought in New York pizza to bring it all back to our roots.” [Full article here]
Author: Alexandra Macon
Photography: Sidney Bensimon || Wedding Dress: J. Mendel || Jewelry: Stephanie Gottlieb || Tuxedo: Ralph Lauren || Floral & Decor: Aspen Branch || Printed Material: Jill Price