I found out yesterday that I got 7th place for my ring shot in the 2nd quarter WPJA contest. I was really excited to place in such a competitive worldwide competition. Thanks to Ally & Chris for having such fun name card holders, they made for great props!
Katie and Aaron got hitched at the Hillside Gardens in Colorado Springs on a drizzly August day. The happy couple didn’t let a few rain drops ruin their day and it was great getting to wander around the grounds making fun photos near all the interesting antique memorabilia that decorate the gardens. Katie had to take on the bulk of the wedding planning because through most of their engagement Aaron was overseas fighting for our country with the U.S. Army. The day was a total success and the sun even made a brief appearance revealing a sunning view of Pikes Peak on the horizon.
CU alumni Annie & Adam currently live in North Carolina but wanted to have their wedding back where they first met and fell in love. They were wed at North Boulder Park and had their reception at the historic Boulder Theater, their names prominently displayed on the marquee. Both of them were choking back tears the entire ceremony and couldn’t help but joke around a little, both blessed with great sense of humors, to lighten the mood. After literally “tying the knot” they spent the night celebrating with their guests under twinkling lights hanging from the ceiling of the beautiful theater.
Rhea & Johnny were married in Evergreen’s Genesee Park on a bluff overlooking the mountains. The bridesmaids were dressed in a magnificent coral color and the bride wore a giant smile, a mirror image of her mother’s. Johnny got down on one knee as he slipped Rhea’s ring on her finger and needed a little help remembering his vows. Their reception was held just down the dirt road at the Chief Hosa Lodge decorated with origami cranes and flowers with bamboo plates serving up their delicious BBQ buffet.
From my very first meeting with Ally & Chris I knew they were going to be a pleasure to work with. The way they were so at ease with each other (and me) made us click instantly. At our engagement session last January they were naturals in front of the camera and I had been looking forward to their Denver wedding for months.
The Westin hotel hooked Ally up with a suite suited for a queen and she got ready surrounded by her army of beautiful bridesmaids dressed in classic black. Somehow Ally said she managed to meditate away all her nervous energy through numerous yoga classes and the calm, collected bride was emitting a glow of pure and utter happiness.
Ally & Chris were wed at Denver’s Trinity United Methodist Church where Chris couldn’t take his kind, blue, Irish eyes off of his stunning bride. The giant bridal party loaded into a white, stretch Navigator and we took photos in City Park and along the 16th Street Pedestrian mall. Deseri at the Westin did an amazing job with the reception hall creating a very romantic room with deep reds to compliment their wine themed wedding. Corks were used as name cards and each table had a wine bottle centerpiece. Photos of the happy couple were printed on these wine bottle centerpieces along with a story sharing special moments from their relationship with their guests.
Weddings can be very hectic events and it’s always so nice to work with people like Ally & Chris who had so much trust and faith in me. The love and positive energy surrounding this couple was contagious and I thank them for sharing some of it with me.
“We are cryers.” Lauren warned as her sisters and mother helped her apply makeup and slip into her dress. Ready for the altar, she waited patiently at the bottom of the stairs for her father. He took a deep breath and puffed up his chest but then his face crumpled and he couldn’t hold back his emotions at seeing his beautiful daughter for the first time. We were all dabbing at our damp faces before leaving the house.
Lauren & James were wed at the Donovan Pavilion on a perfect late June summer day. Vail icon, Helmut Ficker played the alpenhorn, his kind blue eyes twinkling, as their guests arrived and took their seats. James grinned the entire ceremony from ear to ear and Lauren’s deep blue eyes looked stunning even through the tears that kept welling up in them.
We took portraits on the Vail Golf Course with the Gore Range as a backdrop and wandered around the village as Lauren & James reflected on the day giving each other looks of love so intense and moving I couldn’t help but feel their happiness myself. The reception was a full on dance party with Lauren & James providing a dynamic playlist of music from all different decades. After 3 hours of non-stop dancing the newlyweds departed under the warm glow of sparklers held by their loving friends and family.
