A simple, stunning and emotional wedding that encompassed family, love and the mountains!

Shanna and Blaine got married this September at the gorgeous Sapphire Point, which is is at Lake Dillon in Colorado. It was a beautiful day and the sun shone all day long!

Getting ready

Shanna got ready at a gorgeous house in Keystone True Beauty by Denise, and the atmosphere was so relaxed. She then jumped into my car – packed with a cooler and her and Blaine’s favorite beer to get to the ceremony. We actually did a first look before the ceremony. I am so glad my couple opted to do this, and not just for the extra photos. But because they were able to have a genuine, emotional moment together in private that they would not have been able to share, had they not. Blaine got ready at a separate house only a few miles down the road. Shanna wore a gorgeous lace dress from the brand Allure Coutour from Posh Bridal and Blaine wore a fitted grey tux and they looked so classic together! Shanna’s shoes were amazing because they had so much bling, but in such a sophisticated way, and Blaine’s suit was simple and looked so good on him.

The ceremony

The ceremony was an intimate affair on top of a mountain. The sky was blue, the lake was shining below us, and the mountains were glorious as ever. During the ceremony, which was short but sweet, so many tears were shed. First, Shanna’s goddaughter spoke the sweetest and most innocent words about what she believed love was. It made everyone emotional immediately. Then, Shanna’s daughter wrote a speech to her official stepfather, Blaine, about how he was the father she needed all along. When Blaine read his back, there was not a dry eye at the ceremony, myself included. I come from a family where my stepfather, or Ahpa, as we called him (it meant dad in Korean) raised me from when I was 2. So I have such a special connection to this couple that I wouldn’t trade for anything! It was so emotional and so raw – it will be a hard moment to top!

After the ceremony

The reception was at the house Shanna got ready at. They chose the house where Shanna got ready, because they could have the place for the whole weekend and this meant they could spend more time decorating it. It was a Rose Gold and Copper themed wedding, which melted my heart! If you know me, you know I adore Rose Gold and shiny stuff, so it was gorgeous all day and night! I love shooting intimate weddings because they’re always just incredible. Since the house was so close to Sapphire Point, I incorporated time in the couple’s timeline for sunset photos back on the mountain, and I am SO glad I did. They gave us a completely different look from the harsh sunlit first look photos, and were an amazing addition to their couples portraits. We had a great mixture of emotional portraits showing love and connection, and some that showcased their silliness together.

Shared Laughter

If you haven’t noticed, I attract some fun loving brides because I LOVE TO HAVE FUN and take the stress away from the day. Well, Shanna once again proved to me that she was totally my kind of bride when she told me the story of how her gorgeous shoes came to be. She had ordered a pair that she loved and was trying to keep them preserved in her shoe box for the big day. Well, Blaine was trying to be helpful and clean up around the hosue and THREW THE BOX WITH THE SHOES AWAY UNKNOWINGLY. So she ended up having to buy another pair. Although it obviously worked out just fine, when she told me that – I just imagined the conversation they must have had when she realized what he had done, and I’m honestly still laughing about it as I write this!

The funniest part of the day was when the cake arrived, because it made everyone laugh. when we realized the cake maker had accidentally written the wrong thing on there! So Shanna, who was one of the best brides to date, simply swiped it off and insisted I took a photo. It was still so yummy and a great memory! They also had a funny moment during the first dance – it was hilarious! Their son decided to grab all the cups while his parents were dancing and STACK THEM on the middle of the dance floor! You know you have the best couple ever when they simply laugh it off and share an emotional kiss after!

Shanna and Blaine’s wedding was so much fun and so laid back. Here’s to the bride and grooms that can laugh at the unplanned and love through the heartfelt moments!

If you’re planning an intimate, emotional, or mountain wedding, get in touch!

Vendors

Hair and Makeup: https://www.facebook.com/DeniseArelyOrozco/

Dress: https://www.poshmn.com/

Suit: https://www.indochino.com/

Shoes: https://www.jessicasimpson.com/