Every once in a while, I get the hankering to photograph a wedding in a faraway destination. Think Colorado wedding. Typically, I’m completely content photographing weddings in downtown Pensacola, Mobile, and along the gorgeous Gulf Coast – the crystal clear water never gets old, and downtown is intimate, historic, and cozy. I love being familiar with the locations, and knowing our city’s secret nooks and crannies for incredible backdrops. The Florida weather is comfortable all winter long, and I know which parks will still offer lush backdrops for winter brides. The sunset times are second nature, and I’m never stressed about knowing when to start a session, or which direction the sun will set, or where we should go if it rains…But every year or two (usually in the dog days of summer, when my lenses are constantly fogging up due to 1000% humidity and the inside of my car is caked in a thin layer of sand), I find myself desperately wanting to experience a wedding somewhere far, far away. A few years back, I went to Greece for an incredibly lovely and intimate elopement on the Aegean; several years before THAT, I spent an amazing week in Turks and Caicos for a Caribbean bash. And last week, I had the distinct honor to photograph Bridget and Ben’s mountain Colorado wedding!
Bridget and Ben are originally from the Denver area and it was a no-brainer for them to plan their wedding in their home state. They chose The Sanctuary as their venue, and it was absolutely perfect. Nestled at the base of the Rockies, The Sanctuary Golf Club winds up and down the foothills, with wildflowers and waterfalls around every bend. The clubhouse is an impressive stone building, with stunning arched windows, rustic chandeliers, and a huge fireplace. The entire club looks west, allowing the guests to watch the sun set over the mountain range. It was the perfect setting for the marriage of Bridget and Ben, a couple that I absolutely adore. Their outdoor ceremony took place under the Pavilion, with Pike’s Peak framing them as they exchanged their vows. As the sun set, it was easy to understand how the state got the nickname of “Colorful Colorado” – the sky was pink and red and purple, the mountains were all the shades of blue, and the ground was a riot of healthy green, peppered with more flowers than you can imagine. There was a waterfall on the property, and I have never loved a bride more than I loved Bridget when she hiked up her incredible Amsale gown and started hiking through brambles. This Colorado wedding was a dream to photograph, and I am so thrilled to have been a part of it. Congratulations!
Principal Photographer: Aislinn
