It has taken me a LONG time to get this blog ready.  I am so sorry Rebecca and Shawn for the delay!!!  Hopefully it will be worth the wait (kind of like the wait it took to finally find each other).

Sometimes wedding blogs are really hard for me to do.  I think it is because I take SO many pictures (in this case it was over 1000 photos) and I love them all that it is really hard to narrow it down.  Also, there is the fact that I always love being a part of weddings and I want to make sure I am able to tell each wedding story with the love it deserves.

So here goes nothing!

The number one thing I have to say about this wedding was that it was so full of laughter, fun and most of all inclusion.  That might seem like a funny word, but everyone at the wedding (including me and my second shooter) felt like family.  I have never felt so loved and genuinely cared for at a wedding!  It felt like one big family reunion where everyone was so happy to be there and loved each other deeply.  People flew in from Denmark and Hungary to come to the wedding…now that just shows you how much these guys are loved.

When Rebecca and Shawn and I first met to talk about their wedding, I was so excited as it was right up my alley!  Not only did we hit it off right away (I told you….they make even strangers feel like family) but they were planning and rustic Colorado wedding at The Barn at Evergreen Memorial Park.  A rustic barn wedding in the mountains of Colorado?  Yes please!!

Their flowers were beautiful Colorado wildflowers that looked so natural up in Evergreen at the Memorial Barn.  So many pretty details.

Look at this gorgeous vintage ring!!

Rebecca was absolutely radiant.

There are only a few pictures of the entire day where they aren’t hysterically laughing or smiling from ear to ear.  But these photos are full of deep emotion and love and they pull my heartstrings every time.  Their first look was one of those times.  Laughter and joy but also deep love and emotion.

Becca…girl….you are gorgeous!

Don’t they just make the cutest couple!

Prepare yourself for a ton of pictures of happy, laughing pictures.  It was one of the highlights of shooting this wedding.  We were constantly laughing, joking and just having a helluva good time.  Sometimes weddings can be stressful, but this wedding ran like a well oiled machine that was running on laughing gas.  Truly, it was a joy to be a part of.

The handsome groom.  He had a hard time keeping a straight face and I’m not even mad about it.

Any day I can do bridal pictures up against a barn, I will take it!!

Even though it is their day and their wedding, don’t you feel the inclusion?

Shawn’s one request for photos was that he wanted pictures in the cemetery.  Grooms don’t usually make too many picture requests so I made sure we got some pictures in the cemetery.  I had no idea that the Barn at Evergreen Memorial Park is a cemetery.  The name should have tipped me off, but I am a little slow like that. How cool is this picture with the cross and the barn in the background?

We did some family pictures next to the barn where there were grave stones in the ground.  It was absolutely beautiful there and at one point I looked down and right next to where I was standing was a stone marker with a name I recognized.  Gavin Knox Lodge III was a war hero and the father of one of our best friends (Gavin Knox Lodge IV which is why it threw me off so much to see the exact name of a good friend).  He died as a result of Agent Orange after the Vietnam war.  I had no idea Gavin’s dad was buried at the Memorial Park and it was hard for me to keep it together after that.  Later during a down moment I came back out and took a few photos and sent them to Gavin.  Ugh sorry for that heaviness.  I realize it is a cemetery within a wedding venue and that may seem morbid, but I love to think that people are laid to rest in this beautiful location filled with love.

Thanks for indulging me some personal introspection.  Now…..back to the fun.

Becca’s bridesmaids were legit.  I have met a lot of amazing bridesmaids but these ladies took the cake!  They were the most helpful, kind women who genuinely wanted to make sure that Becca had the most amazing day possible and were willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.  These ladies hustled and bustled and got drinks and made this wedding run like a well oiled machine.

When you have the cutest nieces, they must be flower girls, right?!

As for the groomsmen…..what a fun group of guys.  They were all fraternity brothers in college and have remained good friends and have stood up at each other’s weddings together over the years.  The camaraderie among these men was a blessing to witness and they welcomed Rebecca with open arms.

Tears were flowing during the heartfelt ceremony because of all of the special elements.  Music is a HUGE part of Rebecca’s life as she is a choir teacher (and an amazing singer herself…..wait until later).  Rebecca’s brother sang as she walked down the isle to her true love.   The sun even gave us a bit of a break and the cloud cover and light breeze made for a comfortable ceremony!

Then the tears really started flowing as Rebecca’s students (past and present) sang a special song during the ceremony.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the house!!

The first few pictures as a couple walks down the isle after the ceremony are my favorite.  They are full of joy, relief and they are ready to party!  Rebecca and Shawn were no different although I am not sure I have ever seen better expressions than these two!

Making it official.

The Barn at Evergreen Memorial Park is such a beautiful location.  I have seen pictures of it and always wanted to shoot there and I was so glad to be able to get that chance.  A buffalo herd grazing a few feet away from cocktail hour…ummm YES!

The Flatt Five bluegrass band played during cocktail hour and they were AMAZING.  People were tapping their feet and dancing around having a heck of a time.  I wanted them to play all night instead of just for cocktail hour, but alas all good things must come to an end.

After their cocktail hour it was time to party.  But first, Shawn’s buddy suggested that while everyone was getting seated for dinner that they steal a moment away alone.  Such a good idea to take a few minutes to reflect on the day.

Then it came time for toasts, well wishes, dancing and fun.  You know with a crew like theirs that the toasts were hilarious but also completely heartfelt.

And then it came time for Rebecca’s surprise.  She planned to surprise Shawn by singing him a song at the reception.  It almost didn’t happen as she lost her voice the night before….but she is a pro and made it happen and it was beautiful.  Shawn you are one lucky guy.

Can you feel the love?  I love these shots from their first dance.

Want to see how wonderful this woman is??  During the middle of the reception she noticed a friend was having a tough time and she sneaked away to spend some time with her.  Who does that in the middle of their wedding?  Becca does.  I told you they were amazing people.

At the end of the evening the groomsmen did a serenade of the bride with “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling” which they have done at ALL of each other’s weddings.  Amazing!!

What a wonderful night.

Congratulations Rebecca and Shawn.  I left your wedding with a smile and a full heart and I am sure that everyone else did as well.  I wish you many blessings in your marriage and in the years to come!

And a big shout out to all of the AMAZING Vendors who made this wedding beautiful, relaxing and fun!

Venue – Barn at Evergreen Memorial Park

Caterer – Biscuits and Berries

Band: Flatt Five

DJ: Ignight

Cake:  Cake Designs by Ty

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Downtown

Hair: Terri Daniels, owner of Noggins

Florist: Ruffly Rose 

Wedding Dress is from David’s Bridal

Tux Rentals from Men’s warehouse

Event Coordinator: Melanie Donahue

Beverages provided by Argonauts

Lounge Chairs provided by Max Livie

Chairs provided by Event Rents

Becca’s Ring – Victoriana Antique Jewelry

Shawn’s Ring – Trice Jewelers

 

If you made it all the way to the end of this blog, you are a rockstar!  Click here if you want to see another amazing Colorado mountain wedding with a campground forest theme!