Shelley and James were married on the Lone Ranch in Estes Park Colorado. A weekend destination wedding, we actually were lucky enough to travel with the couple and their family to this wedding destination paradise! A stark difference from what you see in Florida, the Colorado rolling hills and aspen birch trees were a breath taking sight.
The family rented a hundred acre ranch which housed numerous buildings for bunking up in comfort. The day before the wedding, during the wedding rehearsal, the family gathered for a large formal barbeque by a lake. With archery boards and large pines in the distance, this would be the same fairytale backdrop they would have their wedding.
The day of the wedding, the bride & her maid of honor rushed around getting their hair done & securing flowers while the groom & the best man player golf. The wedding started mid afternoon in front of the lake. Shelley, shaking with nerves, emerged from underneath the nearest family cabin. She walked with her proud father to the minister & was passed courteously to her soon to be husband. Hidden under a large, wooden gazebo, the couple said their vows to each other. Together, their rings were passed through the hands of each guest, allowing for a blessing from each friend and family member. Once returned to the alter, the rings were placed on each others hands. They kissed excitedly & were introduced to the crowd as a single entity.
Portraits soon followed the wedding ceremony while the guests enjoyed an outdoor wedding cocktail hour. The wedding portraits were done amongst the mountains, on the dock of the lake, and in the tall grass around the white barked trees. A picture perfect setting for any wedding photographs or formals.
The nelywed couple joined their guests in a far away cabin on the back side of the property. A very large cabin it was with eating inside and dancing outside. Very sweet speeches were given during dinner by the maid of honor and the bestman. Then, the guests enjoyed the pretty ivory wedding cake with delicate yellow flowers. Wishing the bride and groom good luck with every bite.
The wedding reception ran on late into the night, with guests trickling back to their cabins the later it got. The happy bride and groom were one of the last two in the reception hall when the night finally ended. They escorted each other quiety back to their private cabin to celebrate the new ties.
The entire weekend, the air was fresh and the picture perfect nature was abundant. A destination wedding trip in which I will always be honored to have been the wedding photographer.
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