Story
They met in 2015 while working for a soulless corporation, which shall remain nameless, but let’s just say the uniforms at the time consisted of red and khaki. She was on crutches, and he looked less like a worker bee and more like he had just strolled in off the moors and was looking to help out his neighbors. Many a long night, multiple Black Fridays, and even a torrential hail storm led to late-night happy hours amongst trauma-bound co-workers. She thought he was funny and endearing. He thought she was cool as hell because she had sold art at a comic con. And as Jeff Winger once said, when you meet “a redhead that drinks scotch and loves Die Hard, I suggest you all get her number.”
There was no love at first sight. No gentle, slow-motion breeze and soft light. Rather, a foundation was steadily and firmly placed; a strong affinity, built brick by brick over years.
When he became newly single for the first time in half a decade, she was his best wingman. She knew his worth and reminded him of it every time his heart broke. She also probably did a good job at accidentally scaring all those other girls away– who would want to compete with the strength of the bond they’d built?
He helped her to open up. Inch by inch, she dismantled the firm walls she’d built around herself. She learned to trust and be vulnerable in a way she hadn’t been able to do before. He was there for her in ways she never knew she could expect or ask for from another person, and he made her feel more like herself than she ever had before, all without a glance of judgment. Most importantly he liked her for all the parts that made her Casey. (“And those of you who know me well, know what a monumentally tiring task that can be.”)
And so they learned to love one another, before ever falling IN love with one another. They knew each other through and through before they ever so much as held hands. They knew every flaw and every strength. They can’t imagine a better way to start the most important relationship of their lives.
They started dating in 2018. They left their job at the soulless corporation and were rewarded with a level of poverty neither of them had ever experienced before or after. Luckily they also had adopted two red demon dog sisters to help them along in the tough times. They got their feet back under themselves, moved in together, and then were kicked in the face by a global pandemic. Like everyone else, they suffered and had to adapt, but they did so in strides because they did so together. And as a seemingly endless amount of couples took to social media to complain about having to spend so much time with their significant other, Patch and Casey rested easy, knowing they were spending their days with their absolute best friend, and couldn't be happier to do so.
Tidbits
How did you first meet?
At work! Casey was a team leader and Patch was on the sales team at [Soulless Corporation]. She would have to deal with re-arranging the schedule every time he called in "sick". It was annoying... until she was the one to convince him to call in sick so that he could take her to the Renaissance Festival.
What was your most memorable date?
The Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival, 2018. It was our first proper date, and also our first time eating haggis.
What's your favorite activity together?
On days off we'll take the puppies for a hike in the mountains, and once they're nice and tired, we head back to our favorite pub, sit on the back patio, and write our book together.
What's the best meal you have eaten together?
Bone Marrow from a halved beef rib served at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, with a dram of Oban 14.
What's the most memorable trip you have taken together?
Our first trip together was at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs (the venue for the wedding!) Casey made all the secret plans; told Patch to pack for two nights and to bring a bathing suit. We enjoyed a roaring fire and a bottle of Laphroig 10-year at night, and the hot springs in the crisp November air during the day. To top it off, Casey was only thrown off the back of a horse ONCE!
We’re on the same page about
Our priorities. Working a ton so we can afford puppies, booze, and travel.
How did you propose?
Funny story, that. Because Casey had already been married and was not the hugest fan of it, we decided early on that she would have to be the one to be ready because Patch was THERE pretty quick. Christmas 2020, Casey decided that time had come so she bought a ring and left it inside one of Patch's Christmas presents: a leather bag to carry sketchbooks and art supplies. That way he knew she was ready, but he still got to plan his proposal. However... weeks went by and he still hadn't opened the bag she'd left the ring inside. One morning we were getting ready to leave for work and he decided on a whim that he was going to bring that bag with him to work that day. He opened the bag and found the ring box, and his heart just about stopped. Casey saw what was happening from the other room and desperately didn't want to have that moment just as we were about to start our workdays so she fled out the front door muttering "Igottagogetcoffeebeforeorkbyeeee!", jumped in her own car, and peeled out.
Of course, at this time, we worked together at the Denver Zoo, so we still saw each other all day. We were like schoolkids with crushes on one another, turning scarlet red, stammering out every stupid sentence our brains were capable of forming, but refusing to address the elephant in the room. (Actually, it was giraffes in the room, but whatever.)
Patrick still wanted to do a proper proposal, so he rented a tiny one-room cabin in the woods, outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. We cooked perfectly marbled steaks, killed a bottle of Glenlivet 15 (can you tell we like scotch??), and watched movies about serial killers. He served dinner, and got on one knee. Nothing without a bit of fun though, he first presented a decoy ring, which was a replica of the One Ring from Lord of the Rings, (The song "Concerning Hobbits" started playing in the Spotify queue right on time!) Considering she knew the proposal was coming, he still managed to surprise her. It was perfectly us. He got out the real engagement ring and asked her to marry him. She responded, "Hell. Yes."
A life goal of ours
To own a meadery and old dog sanctuary. Or open a boozy breakfast restaurant. Or become world-famous authors/illustrators. Or to not be eaten by cannibals in a planet-sized desert during the heat death of the earth.
The dorkiest thing about us is
It would be faster to list what we AREN'T dorks about.
A social cause we care about
Pretty much anything the GOP would consider "socialist".
We are regulars at
Providence at 5280 and Clancy's Irish Pub!
We take pride in
How humble we are.
Wedding Party
Ryann Kehoe
Bridesmaid
Bo Culkeen
Bridesman
Maddie Staley
Bridesmaid
Kelly Taylor
Maid of Honor
Dan Kenneally
Best Man
Matt Schlegel
Groomsman
Brian Edward Cowie IV
Groomsman
Zachary Miller
Groomsman
Max Dalton
Groomsman
Gracie Miller
Bridesmaid
Paige Denkin
Photographer/Bridesmaid Combo Package
Corey Christain
Photographer
Lisa Taylor
Mother of the Bride
Diane Miller
Mother of the Groom
Jim Taylor
Father of the Bride
Pete Miller
Father of the Groom
Melissa Meinecke
Officiant
Emily M Meinecke
Head Junior Bridesmaid
Amye Rappe
Bridesmaid
Schedule
Travel
Getting In
We recommend flying into Denver Internation Airport.
However, there are flights available to Colorado Springs, Vail, Aspen, Buena Vista etc. But they will all likely require connections/cost more.
Denver International Airport, Denver, CO, USA
There are several car rental options, as well as a flat-rate shuttle service to and from the airport.
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, County Road 162, Nathrop, Colorado, USA
This is where we are having our room block, with a limited number of rooms available at discount. Cabins and large rooms are available so feel free to group up!
How to book a room on our block
Call the mainline of the hotel (719-395-2447) and book a room under the Taylor-Miller wedding block, Oct 21-23. Provide the group code: TAYMIL to ensure your discounted rate.
Or, book online and enter the group code as well.
We have access to large cabins (8-10 people) as well as suites and regular-sized rooms. If you want to share with other people just one person needs to book the room.
YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED AT BOOKING, ONLY AT CHECK-OUT. So if you want to share/split lodging just book now and figure that out at a later date. The payment method can be changed at check-out.
ROOMS MUST BE BOOKED BY JULY 21ST TO LOCK IN THE DISCOUNTED RATE. This is when the unclaimed rooms will be released back to the public.
Booking Assistant - Find Hotels Near Our Venue
Suggested Stay:
Fri, October 21 - Sun, October 23
Nathrop, CO, USA
Hot Springs Stables
Ride a horse through the Rocky Mountains!
Q & A
For all our friends and family who have lots of questions, please check out our Q & A first!
When is the RSVP deadline?
Please RSVP by March 17th, 2022 so that we may have an accurate headcount, and to give you all time to plan travel etc.
Are kids welcome?
As much as we love little ones this is an adult evening, unless your kiddo is participating in the ceremony please leave them at home! If you absolutely cannot accommodate this, reach out to Casey or Patrick directly.
What will the weather be like?
Welcome to Colorado! The weather here can be funny. During the day, the weather in the mountains should be beautiful (historically, anywhere between 18 - 75°F) HA, but really the daytime will be gorgeous, but brisk in the shade—likely with high of ~60°F and low ~40°F. It will get chilly at night, likely down in the 20-30s. Please bring some warm layers for the evening, especially if you want to enjoy the mountain air.
What should I wear?
Cocktail attire for the wedding, but feel free to see our Schedule for the full dress code.
Is the wedding indoors or outdoors?
Our wedding ceremony is outdoors, but our reception will be indoors.
What kind of shoes should/shouldn't I wear?
I recommend against pointed heels, there are a bunch of grassy/dirt areas that you might have to walk in so wear chunky heels or sandals... or combat boots for all I care.
Is it okay to take pictures with our phones and cameras during the wedding?
Not during the ceremony as we paid amazing professionals for that. Please check out their other breathtaking work on Instagram or their website .
BUT before and after and during the reception we would love for you to take photos and share them on our app Joy!
How will food and drinks be served?
There will be some small bites directly after the ceremony. During the reception, dinner will be served buffet-style with several options.
For the other times throughout the weekend, the resort does have a full steakhouse that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but it can get pricey. There is also a small convenience store with snack food and sandwiches etc. Most accommodations have small kitchen areas so you are welcome to bring food with you if you don't want to purchase.
Are pets allowed?
Yes! If you can safely get your doggo here the hotel is pet-friendly! Just verify your room is pet approved before booking, and travel safely!
Whom should I call with questions?
We are planning this ourselves so please call us, and by call I mean text or e-mail because phone calls give Casey anxiety.
Registry
We would very much like cash, please! :)
But for those of you who are stubborn, we've put together a wish list to help you out, feel free to shop off the registry if you wish.
Get the app
Download Joy and join our app using our event handle casey-and-patrick. View and share photos and stay up-to-date with details on the go.