The unconventional but «super fun» wedding ceremony of Chase McNary from The Bachelorette
Fans of Bachelor Nation may recall that Chase McNary made appearances on seasons 6 of Bachelor in Paradise and JoJo Fletcher’s The Bachelorette in an attempt to find love. However, The One didn’t show up until after he stepped away from the small screen and discovered Ellie White on the internet.
The pair wed on Saturday, July 6, in the mid-mountain lodge of the Arapahoe Basin in Dillon, Colorado, and they are exclusively sharing with PEOPLE details of the «super fun,» yet elegant ceremony.
«The peak was kind of the most essential thing for us since we wanted to get married there. We’re kind of basing everything around love reaching new heights because we’re going to be at 11,500 feet,» McNary says.
It sort of serves as our wedding motif. Thus, our motto for everything is «love reaching new heights, 11,500 feet,» he says. «And then, not being a stiff formal wedding, because that’s just not us.» We’re spending a carefree, enjoyable, and relaxed weekend with the folks we cherish.»
McNary claims that the event «feels like we’re on top of the world» because of their positioning.
A «pretty cool little spot,» he continues. «The vistas are really crazy. We waited for it since we found it to be so stunning.»
With their dogs, Dan and Dewey, serving as witnesses on their marriage certificate, the pair, who got engaged on July 2, 2022, chose «a less traditional route» because they had «more of an artistic» vision for their wedding day.
«Alex put us in contact with MARKED, a florist in Denver. Her style is noted for its artistic and distinctive floral arrangements rather of the standard white ones. She’s making our flowers, and I couldn’t be happier,» says White.
«She’s doing the [florals] beside the altar, all the tables, all that kind of thing.»
They «got engaged on Loveland Pass, and this is the closest ski resort to Loveland Pass,» according to McNary, which is «the reason why we waited two years to get married».
Thus, it’s all located in Colorado on the same mountain range.Thankfully, everything seems to have been worth the wait, particularly as they enhanced the intimacy of the occasion by «renting an estate for our wedding party to stay in together.»
«We can just spend time with our closest friends and family before the wedding and just ease into it.» Therefore, we are having a chuck wagon meal on Wednesday, July 4. We’re going to do something red, white, and blue with an American motif, White says.
«We board horse-drawn wagons and are led to a primitive picnic in the midst of the woods. In addition, there’s cornhole, a Western performance, and everything else.
The following day, we have a rehearsal dinner.»
McNary donned a fully tailored suit from Nick’s Menswear in Scottsdale, Arizona, for the special day. The look, he remarks, is «pretty flashy.»
«The entire wedding is centered around mountain cocktail attire. We intended for [his outfit] to have playful colors and textures,» says White. «We didn’t want it to be merely formal and dull.
I’ve always thought of myself as an artist. Therefore, it’s great when textures and colors pop. His outfit is really entertaining. It features floral undertones and is patterned.»
White claims that «ever since I was a little girl,» obtaining her Galia Lahav wedding dress has been a «dream» of hers.
«I was raised in a somewhat less wealthy but yet incredibly pleasant country upbringing. Thus, I would have never in a million years imagined that I would be able to purchase a designer dress.
However, the one that I had kind of idealized, in terms of style,» says White, whose hair and extensions were done by Scottsdale hairstylist Julia Ward, owner of Muse Extension Lounge, and whose makeup was done by Denver artist Face It by Ariel.
A handcrafted bridal hat from White’s designer hat line, Mill & Habs, completed the ensemble.»My profession is millinery. I therefore make these hats by hand. They arrive to me as flat animal pelts, which I then personally dye.
I preheat them, shape them, then block them into head-size pieces. I then mold them. I then stitch them by hand. «I actually design on the back end,» McNary says, adding that she «got a cool studio in Old Town Scottsdale.»
White chose a Man of Honor, and McNary chose a Best Woman, both in keeping with their unconventional approach.
The groomsmen for the former reality star include some well-known figures as well: Big Brother alum Corey Brooks and fellow Bachelor Nation star Luke Pell completed the ensemble, and they were all dressed in outfits from The Modern Groom.
To the acoustic rendition of «Can You Feel the Love Tonight» by Elton John, McNary and the bridal party made their way down the aisle. «I Won’t Give Up» by Jason Mraz played acoustically as White made her dramatic entrance in her Galia Lahav gown.
The couple’s close friend Brendan Hans presided over the ceremony, which began at 3 p.m. local time and ended at 8 p.m., a length of time that McNary describes as «intentional.»
It’s known as Glow and Alp. «It’s like golden hour in the mountains,» he says, adding that they will «be able to get photos and all that stuff throughout the evening» during that time.
They think this will contribute to the unique vibe they want to create, which is different from traditional weddings, where the sun sets and everyone kind of gets wasted and goes to sleep. Thus, it’s a little easier to remember. Not exactly a nighttime party, not quite a daytime celebration.»
Ben Higgins directed them to the Jordan Kahn Orchestra, whose three-piece band played during the post-ceremony cocktail hour and a 12-piece orchestra band took over for the reception.
Additionally, the couple danced to Jason Aldean’s «You Make It Easy» when they took the floor for their first dance.
Guests dined on meals provided by the wedding location, which featured a tomahawk steak. A dessert table and an abundance of late-night munchies, such as empanadas, were also available. They did not order cake, but they did receive fine wine and liquor.
Beyond the ceremony and celebration, McNary and White are considering traveling to Fiji and New Zealand for their honeymoon as a way to mark this significant occasion. Ultimately, though, the two of them are most eager to develop further as a team.
That seems like it would work for a number of things. I believe that our love and our household’s progress, as well as our financial and family members’ growth,» states White. «We’re both really motivated people with a lot of ambitions we’d like to accomplish. Thus, I believe that this chapter will be one of growth.
«I just want to continue to do better and better so that Ellie has a better and better life,» McNary continues.
