Charles & Lori - Vail, CO

December 25th, 2021 looked a little different for us this year, in the best way! As we celebrated the birth of our Lord and Savior, we also had a little something else to celebrate this year. My boyfriend’s dad wed the loveliest woman, whom we absolutely adore, on Christmas day. It was the dreamiest winter wedding set in the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains.

When they first got engaged, they had talked about several options for the intimate elopement that they had in mind. Eloping in Africa, celebrating in Mexico, maybe even a quiet backyard ceremony at home. With Covid presenting consistent roadblocks and with the particular chapter of life they are in, they knew they wanted their wedding ceremony to be low-key, intimate and special, just them. So, Ryan and I were absolutely THRILLED when they asked us to join them for a week of wedding celebration in Vail, Colorado over the holidays!

A Christmas day wedding in a winter wonderland. It was magical.

God certainly works in mysterious and wonderful ways. Lori and Charles’ story has funny, ironic little pieces, such as Lori buying Ryan’s childhood home and living in it before Charles and Lori even knew each other, but it’s also a story of unexpected blessings, unexplainable peace, and pure joy.

We believe it was somewhat of a divine intervention that brought Lori into Charles’ life, but I also must say from a personal perspective, that God has answered many of my own prayers, not only by bringing Ryan into my life, but also by blessing me with this wonderful bonus family. What a dream!

Their ceremony was in the most beautiful chapel, in a grove of Balsam trees located at the base of the world class Beaver Creek Ski Mountain. While there was talk of skiing all day and then skiing right down into the chapel (officiant included!) and saying their vows in ski gear, we opted to get a little dressed up instead ;)

Their ceremony was sweet and intimate, just as they hoped, complete with tears and smiles and a beautiful Apache wedding blessing they asked me to read, which I think fits them perfectly:

“Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.”

Charles and Lori, it is with heartfelt gratitude that Ryan and I thank you for including us in the beginning of your incredibly special journey. We are are so excited to witness the beauty and joy that is bound to come in the many years ahead.

We love you so much!

Miles & Angie - Grand Lake, CO

A Santa Barbara Wedding turned Colorado Elopement

“PRO TIP for those getting married: Wake up the morning after your wedding, throw your wedding dress back on, pop champagne and frolick around a National Park with your new hubby. What better way to start your marriage? You’re welcome.”

— Me

“To sum up all of my love I have for you in one paragraph is impossible.” -Miles

I could say the same for this wedding day.

To sum up all of the joy I witnessed, all of the love I felt, and all of the intimate moments of this day feels merely impossible, but I’ll do my best.

Angie and Miles were set to be wed amongst 100+ of their friends and family in Santa Barbara, CA, Angie’s home state. Along with every engaged couple in 2020, they experienced so many ups and downs and rescheduling and canceling and rescheduling their big day. I spoke to Angie on the phone several times throughout this process, and it was depleting to hear the sadness in her voice every time, especially when they ultimately decided to throw in the towel. A few weeks later, I was happy to hear a glimpse of hope in her voice when she called and said, “Scratch that! We’re doing it! A completely different way, but we’re doing it. We’re getting married!”

I believe their wedding day was totally orchestrated by God and happened exactly the way it was supposed to. Grand Lake, Colorado could not have been a more special place to make this happen.

Arriving into the quaint and cute little town mid September, the air was brisk and you could just smell FALL. The hills were blanketed with yellow and orange glow and the leaves were just beginning to fall. We had a lovely and intimate evening, the night before the wedding, on the deck of the one of the cabins. I loved getting to be a part of such a special night, and thank you to Miles and Angie’s families for making ME feel like family. Waking up the next morning, it’s as if Fall was like “Okay , it’s time to step it up and show off for the big day!” I swear the yellow and orange leaves turned even brighter on the day of their wedding!!! The entire little town of Grand Lake was STUNNING.

Miles and his boys began the day by golfing while Angie had breakfast with her parents and then went on a hike with her best friend, Chelsea. The children all played and picked leaves in preparation to throw down at the ceremony prelude. Angie’s family has a cabin in Grand Lake that has been in the family for years. I loved learning about their history of this special place. It seemed only fitting that she got ready for her wedding day in a place with so many childhood memories. (Side-note: Miles also proposed to Angie in Grand Lake - can this place get any more sentimental, seriously?!) Angie spent the morning listening to worship music as she wrote her vows, reading sweet notes from her friends that couldn’t be there, and dancing to 90s jams with her dog as she got ready. I hope my wedding day someday starts off just like Angie’s.

Nothing could take away her beaming smile or the peace in her heart all morning. Angie, you exude so much joy in general and you are just such a special human. While always in awe of your beauty, I also discovered so much of your inner beauty on your wedding day :) You are full of love and laughter, you are a goofball, full of grace, and you are armed with strength. You are a light.

Miles is one of those men that when he speaks, you listen. He is so gentle, kind, and full of wisdom. And he LOVES Angie. Probably one of my favorite groom reactions was when he watched Angie walk down the aisle of Aspens towards him at their intimate ceremony. He had the sweetest vows prepared for Angie (see video for a little preview!) and it’s just so plain and simple how much these two really cherish each other.

Included in the wedding weekend was just their immediate family members, and it was easy to see why Angie and Miles are such wonderful human beings after getting to know the tribes in which they come from!

It was such a beautiful day and joyous weekend.

Alright, obviously their wedding day was so perfect, and I could go on and on, but let’s be honest - you came here to drool over how beautiful these two are, not to read through my “paragraph” turned novel.

One of my personal favorite memories from the whole weekend in Grand Lake was being the first person to get to hang out with Angie and Miles the day after their wedding, and we even saw a moose! Please don’t miss my personal favorite photos of Angie and Miles and SCROLL ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM TO SEE HOW MUCH FUN WE HAD IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK AT 8AM.
And yes… Angie woke up like that.

Angie and Miles, I love you guys. Thank you for including me in all of the intimacy that encompassed your entire wedding weekend. Thank you for opening your hearts, sharing your families, and letting me in one of the greatest love stories ever! Judging by 2020, you guys are clearly unstoppable, and I can’t wait to see where this crazy ride of life takes the rest of your love story. xoxo.

Rana & Adam - Colorado Engagement

After learning that we lived so close together, Rana and Adam wanted a quick photo of them at the lake by both of our houses, to use for their wedding website. I said fat chance! I just moved to Denver so have been wanting to get out and explore all of the awesome places and epic views that Colorado has to offer. And THIS was the perfect opportunity to do so! So I whisked these two (they actually whisked me) up and away to Lookout Mountain in Genesee, Colorado.

While we definitely got to see some majestic views, the real view was these two! Rana and Adam are so much fun and they are truly perfect for each other. They are constantly laughing together and while Rana is quirky and hilarious, Adam balances them out with his gentleness and subtle wit.

Thank you guys for allowing me the privilege of capturing a bit of your love. Can’t wait for the wedding!