Jill, Ross and the rest of their family arrived at Overlook Ranch a few days before the wedding. This beautiful venue is also a retreat where nature lovers go on hikes and take a break from their busy lives. The little cabins surround the main house, little dirt paths speckled with pine cones connect each of them .
On that day, inside one of the cottages, Jill, her sister, her mom and her closest friends were getting ready. The mood was quiet, meditational even. There was wholesome food on the table,wild flowers ready to be placed in the bridesmaid’s hair. There was sunshine sipping through the windows and Jill was doing her make up. I grabbed Jill’s dress and headed outside, looking for the perfect place for the first shot of the day.
I have known Jill and her family for a few years and it was with my heart full that I witnessed my lovely bride get into her dress. I saw her hug her dad, her mom, and finally meet Ross in the woods outside the cabin. Everyone cried at that wedding, except for Jill. She laughed the joyous laughter of a child on a Christmas day. She danced and hugged and ate and danced some more. She was life itself, celebrating the beauty this very special day.
Jill and Ross’s wedding was a great big embrace of all the family and friends present. It was also in communion with the breathtaking views of the mountains surrounding them. It was a mix of traditions and shamanic rituals, of Jill and Ross walking in with their entire family, and leaving, dancing up the aisle as husband and wife.
I am grateful to have be present. I am grateful for this family.
I met Jill through Art as Action. She is a gorgeous dancer, and a beautiful woman. I love the way she laughs, how her presence brightens any room. I was ecstatic when she asked me to photograph her wedding, and we started with her engagement session in Boulder.
The sky was see sawing between sunshine and impending rain. The clouds were moving fast, faster than the heavy I 25 traffic that day. Inside the limousine, the bride and her bridesmaids were embracing the moments of being together, the moments before things got serious at the Spruce Mountain Ranch. The decor was set, the rings ready in their boxes and Melissa and Alex were ready for their first look. As Melissa walked toward Alex you could feel the excitement in her step. Alex couldn’t see her and was fighting the emotions that were bubbling up inside him. It wad a relief for both, to be together again, to be each other’s rocks as they have been for the many years they have known each other.
It was an honor for us to witness their first look and the sound of the running water and the wind rustling the leaves, as those two saw each other again, brand new, for the first time again, will be engraved in our collective memory.
The rest as we say is history. The ceremony was beautiful, overlooking the hills, Melissa and Alex had a sand ceremony, broke the glass and kissed in front of their family and friends.
I loved the grandeur of their wedding venue . I loved how Harvey the Dog pulled the little ring bearer who screamed all the way down the aisle “slow down Harvey!!!”. I loved how Melissa’s dad would not let her go. How Melissa and Alex had bundt cake and horses head. How they let us be a part of everything. How now I hug her parents before I left.
They say wedding is an industry, a huge machine where vendors lurk upon brides to make as much money as possible. My weddings are my babies. I love each one of my brides. I see them through the wedding preparation, I see the look in their eyes when they put on their dress. It is a privilege. Capturing Melissa and Alex’s wedding was a privilege.
Brittany and Jacob god married on a late summer day at the Curtis Ballroom. This very sweet couple crafted a colorful and warm atmosphere for their family and friends. I have known Brittany for a little while and love her laugh, sweet personality and artistry. Grateful for this beautiful wedding day <3
Special thanks to Hunter Odenthal who assisted Brian and I on this wedding.
Abby and Brett got married on a beautiful summer day on a golf course. This young and happy couple arranged a really gorgeous wedding of pink, gold and cream.
Amber and Jon got married on a rainy day in May 2015. This beautiful, hand crafted, vintage wedding welcomed the guest in the tiny town of Lyons, Colorado.
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