NY Giants Player Jack Stoll Marries College Sweetheart Carolyn Thayer in Rocky Mountain Wedding (Exclusive)

NFL star Jack Stoll said yes with a look!

The New York Giants tight end, 26, married Carolyn Thayer on Saturday, June 29, at the luxury Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with 200 guests in attendance.

The couple chose the picturesque place, located in Stenjak, because of its special meaning for both of them.

“Jack was born and raised in Colorado, and my mother’s family grew up spending summers in Broadmoor,” Thayer tells PEOPLE. “Also, we spend our off-seasons in beautiful Colorado, and we wanted a place where we could come back and spend our anniversaries in the future.”

Carolyn Thayer, Jack Stoll.

Photo by Ashley Taylor

She says the historic resort, which first opened in 1918, is especially beautiful in the summer months, creating an ideal, nature-filled backdrop for their special event. “It’s full of vibrant colors and blooming flowers, surrounded by the stunning Colorado mountains,” Thayer explains, describing the site as a quaint European village setting.

“Our aim was to enhance the beauty of The Broadmoor but add our own modern and timeless feel,” she adds.

They also wanted their guests to be able to take advantage of unique natural amenities and opportunities for hiking, golfing, swimming, fly-fishing and rafting. “Many of our guests made our wedding weekend a mountain vacation,” notes Thayer.

Carolyn Thayer, Jack Stoll.

Photo by Ashley Taylor

To bring their wedding vision to life, the couple collaborated with planner Erika Sandoval. At the time, Stoll had signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, and he and Thayer faced the logistically daunting challenge of planning a major event from afar while living in Pennsylvania.

“That’s one of the reasons we knew we needed a wedding planner to help us find the best local vendors and make the experience more enjoyable and less chaotic,” explains Thayer, noting that they felt “in good hands” with Sandoval.

The wedding festivities began with a welcome party on Friday night at the Golden Bee, an old pub on the resort property that features live piano singing and English pub food.

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Carolyn Thayer, Jack Stoll.

Photo by Ashley Taylor

On the big day, Stoll and Thayer exchanged handwritten vows during a private first look before tying the knot surrounded by their loved ones in a ceremony officiated by Pastor Russ Stutzman of their home church, Journey Church in Castle Pines, Colorado.

The bride, accompanied by her father, walked to the altar to the performance of Elvis Presley’s string quartet “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. She wore a Monique Lhuillier dress, which she says she was instantly drawn to because of its “classic and timeless” look. “I knew I would be able to look back 40-plus years and still marvel at the simple beauty of the dress,” Thayer told PEOPLE.

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She later swapped the dress for an Elliott dress ahead of the wedding after party, held at a private bowling alley at The Broadmoor.

As the reception began, the newlyweds hosted a cocktail hour, with signature drinks including the “Stoll Her Heart” spiced margarita and the “Louie” Old Fashioned, inspired by their goldendoodle.

Their guests then enjoyed a multi-course dinner that began with Broadmoor Farmhouse Lettuce topped with poached pears. Entrees included grilled beef tenderloin with sweet potato gnocchi, white wine marinated seared Atlantic salmon with herbed spaghetti and Parmesan and a vegetarian option of wild mushroom tortellini.

Later in the evening, guests refueled with wagyu sliders and other small bites, followed by breakfast burritos and espresso martinis at the after party.

Carolyn Thayer, Jack Stoll.

Photo by Ashley Taylor

“We wanted to emphasize the importance of plenty of food for everyone because Jack and I are foodies ourselves,” Thayer says.

The newlyweds decided on two cakes – the first, a five-layer cake with white vanilla bean cake, vanilla whipped cream, fresh strawberries and American buttercream frosting. The second was a dark chocolate mousse cake. Both cakes were decorated with white fondant and live orchid flowers provided by the couple’s florist.

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Stoll and Thayer shared their first dance as husband and wife to — once again — “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” “It’s a classic song that will never get old,” says the bride.

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Carolyn Thayer, Jack Stoll.

Photo by Ashley Taylor

Stoll and Thayer — who first met at a party at the University of Nebraska in 2019 and told PEOPLE they were “inseparable” after their first date at a frozen yogurt shop — got engaged on April 3, 2023.

“Jack rented a private rooftop in downtown Denver at the Jacquard Hotel. It was covered in rose petals and dreamy candles with a view of the Rockies at sunset,” Thayer recalls, adding, “We wanted just the two of us to really enjoy the moment.”

Reflecting on their wedding, Thayer describes it as a “dream come true.”

“Growing up, you always envision a beautiful wedding with a big white ball gown and all the most important people around you celebrating your love. That’s exactly what we have to do,” she says.

Stoll and Thayer are now looking forward to starting a family — and embracing life’s new adventures as they come. “With Jack’s career in the NFL, the future is never certain and instead of fearing it, we truly embrace it together. We think of life as an adventure and seize every moment,” Thayer says, calling Stoll his “best friend.” ”

“We love being together and being able to embrace life side by side,” she adds. “It wasn’t always easy, but with positive attitudes and views, it was a challenge we decided to accept.”

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Source: HIS Education