Loved this wedding. This was one of the most fun weddings we did this year. The details were extraordinary, the colors photographed so well, there was great dancing, and they had fun and creative ideas like the heart shaped group shot and hand sign. The wedding was at Ralston’s Crossing in Arvada – a great venue with so many photo opportunities. Flowers by Bright Weddings; Catering by Hearts Desire Catering; music by MTS Productions
Elizabeth and Cameron were married on the CU campus at the Koenig Alumni Center. The photo opportunities there are endless. It was nice having enough time to play around campus with them on the stairs at Old Main and by Varsity Lake. A Spice of Life did the fabulous catering and the flowers were by Niwot Florist. A beautiful wedding venue and a wonderful couple and family to work with.
I’ve known Avi and Halle since they were in preschool and now they are at Boulder High School! We did our session in the studio first and then in the mountains above Boulder and finished just as it started to rain. Izzie, their little white dog, was a hoot and added some fun images. I think the images and their bright faces speak louder than any words I might use to describe them.
High School Senior in the Rockies
When Corbin called me to describe their destination wedding in Tincup, CO I knew it would be a fun trip and I was so curious about a town called Tincup which is between Buena Vista and Gunnison just at the bottom of Cottonwood Pass. I absolutely love the scenery and light of the western slope which makes for such unique and outstanding images. I stayed in Salida, a cute artsy town nearby. The ceremony was on the banks of Taylor Reservoir and the remaining photos we did in Tincup where Kaili’s family has a cabin. The last portraits of the couple were actually done just outside the Tincup cemetery, overlooking some beautiful beaver ponds. We finished just as it started to rain and the ceremony was at noon which can be pretty hard light to work with.
Loan and David’s Denver wedding was exquisite. The day started at the Four Season’s in downtown Denver, followed by a ceremony at the Denver Cathedral and finished in Sedalia at The Sanctuary, with it’s majestic views of the front range. During the ceremony it was admirable to hear they were making a donation to charity. They arrived at the reception by helicopter, landing on the golf course! I never imagined using a helicopter as a big prop. It’s not easy. They are awkward shaped things. The flowers were magnificent, and the cake topper was actually miniature models of both of them.
It’s hard not to take a good photo of Allison and Nick. At only 22 years old, they are impressively mature and as loving and committed a couple as I have ever seen. She and Nick put a lot of thought and energy into planning the details of their Denver wedding and it showed everywhere. The views of downtown and the mountains from Brittany Hill Event Center were awesome. A fun group to work with and photograph, it was hard to choose just a few images for the blog.
Katie and Shane’s wedding at the Hotel Boulderado was as unique as they are. There was a dancer among us in the wedding party who gave a wonderful surprise performance at the wedding reception. Continuing with a tradition from their California days, they also had karaoke at the wedding reception! Don’t miss this fun video.
Wow, this was such a fun wedding! Dawn and Kasey and about 50 of their friends and their dogs Roo and Parish came from St. Petersburg Florida for their wedding. They wanted a clear, sunny, Colorado day with snow on the ground and that is just what they got! The ceremony and portraits were at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Instead of a first look they did a first touch, which was really beautiful and moving. After the ceremony they first had drinks and hors d’oeuvres at the Ship Rock Grill at Red Rocks and then dinner and dancing at the JW Marriott Cherry Creek Denver, a beautiful boutique hotel in the heart of Cherry Creek. In an e-mail after the wedding, they had this to say, “We just wanted to say that we thoroughly enjoyed working with you! You were amazing and by far the one that we enjoyed working with the most.” I thoroughly enjoyed working with them too.
I really enjoy photographing college seniors for their announcements – it’s an exciting time in their lives filled with change and fun. I was looking forward to this photo shoot and then Sara added, “Oh, I’me a runner, can we do some shots of me running too?” Then I did my happy dance. She wanted a softness to the portraits but still outside in the mountains and I think we nailed it. Her boy friend Thomas came along for a few of them together too. At 6 feet 4 inches it was a little challenging. It was a gorgeous Colorado spring afternoon. In just a few more weeks the grass will all turn green and then I expect to see a Leprechaun or two to jump out from behind these trees.
Boulder and Colorado in general is a place that loves it’s dogs and I often see them at wedding ceremonies. Here are a few tips for including your furry family member.
A dog howls during the wedding ceremony at Flagstaff Amphitheater in Boulder, CO
Designate a friend to be in charge of your dog that day or hire a dog walker. A long walk before the wedding will make for a more relaxed dog during the ceremony.
If the dog isn’t part of the ceremony then have the dog walker bring the dog just for the family photos after the ceremony.
If your dog is part of the ceremony be sure to include him in the rehearsal for his sake as well as the dog handler. If something unexpected does happen on the wedding day it’s easier to recover if everyone knows the plan.
Be sure the person in charge of the dog is strong. Like Von Miller strong. It’s entertaining when a dog bolts away after a squirrel as it comes down the isle but not so much 15 minutes later when it’s still missing.
If a venue has a no pets policy ask if they will make an exception. Some venues will give you an exemption for photos with your dog or waive this policy entirely just for the wedding day.
Does your dog have the type of personality that will benefit from being there? A dog that enjoys being around people and getting a lot of attention might do great. If your dog is shy like one of mine, it’s probably better to leave her at home.
Let your wedding party know that you are including your dog in case they have allergies so they can prepare.
Have a cool place other than the car where your dog can hang out before and after.
Be sure to bring water for your pooch.
If you’re prepared for some possible anarchy and chaos that will create stories for a lifetime, including your dog can add a lot of fun and great photos to your day.
