Cecilia and Tom : a Mountain Wedding in the land of Fall and Winter

Cecilia and Tom got married in Camp Hale, a 30 minutes drive from Vail. In order to get to this beautifully secluded valley you must drive through twisty roads lined with massive clusters of Aspen trees. The mountains looked painted from green to dark yellow, It was the most beautiful mountain road I have seen in this state.

Our couple wanted a wedding that mixed the rustic feel of the cabins, the mountains and trees with the delicate touch of dark blue and light pink and the result was glorious in spite of everything that happened that day!

Soon after we arrived it started raining and then snowing. The temperature dropped, the clouds lingered and everything was cold and wet. Cecilia’s flowers had frozen overnight and the bouquets were rearranged with what could be salvaged and aspen leaves.  The ceremony site was outside and the venue wasn’t sure about celebrating the wedding there because the path to it was slippery and the benches wet with snow. Finally the speaker stopped working so Cecilia didn’t get her song to walk down the aisle.

Any one of those event would have rattled a groom and a bride who wanted their  perfect day, but not Cecilia and Tom!  Those two were excited about the snow, they marveled over the newly made bouquets, let go of the speaker situation and stood outside, in the middle of a frozen land, surrounded by very cold and happy guests, and professed their love to one another with the kind of intensity that warmed everyone.

The guest cheered on and everyone amazed by the beauty of the place, wrapped in clouds with the yellow aspens poking their ways through the fog.

And so here are the three things I learned from that day :

  • Let go of the details and enjoy the unexpected
  • Remember why you are there and focus on all the love that surrounds you
  • No matter what happens, I will stand by you and help make this wedding the most kick ass wedding you will ever have!

Many congratulations to this fantastic, resilient and loving couple. You guys rock!

Venue :  Camp Hale, Redcliff CO

http://www.novaguides.com/camp-hale-lodge/weddings/


Wedding dress in the yellow Aspen trees
The bride is getting readythe bride at her cabinwedding rings and fishing baitBride and bridesmaids in matching robesfamily picture in cabinThe groom getting readyMaid of honor helps with bridal shoesfirst look in the rainfirst look in the rainromantic couple in rainBride looking back in the rainwedding ceremony on a lakewedding ceremony on a lakewedding ceremony on a lakeflower girls in pink and blueBride walks with her motherGrooms see bride walk down aisleWedding vowsWedding vowsWedding kissgroom and bride in the yellow aspensGroom and Bride dip with mountain backgroundGroom and Bride drinking champagneGroom and Bride in AspensBride in yellow AspensCamp Hale Venuewedding table decorations light pink goldwedding first dancewedding toastwedding dancingwedding sparklers

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Jill’s maternity session

Jill touches every person who crosses her path with her incredible presence and her down to earth attitude.  The reason that she is such a positive influence in people’s lives is that she is fearless and she helps people see that in themselves too. It least that is what happens to me every time I see her!

Her and I have known each others for many years and I was able to photograph her as a dancers, her engagement and wedding.

Not surprisingly, Jill had something very specific in mind for her maternity session, she wanted memories of her body, not wrapped in fabric, not hidden behind little pictures or boots or her husband’s hug. She wanted the raw beauty and epic feel of what it is to be pregnant while claiming her beauty and power as a woman.

This session was my chance to tell her story, not only of her carrying a little miracle, but also of her as a goddess, a fearless and graceful leader.

This session is to me the start of a new era for Jill and I :

Her baby was born last week and now Jill is embracing life as a mother. I have no doubt that she will raise and amazing and fearless little human being.

As for me…after her session I pledged to photograph women in a way that not only tells their story but also helps them see how powerful they can be!

Thank you Jill for this amazing session and congratulations to you and Ross on your new baby!

 

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