The 10th of June was the kind of day I have hoped and prayed for since my career started. Where everything fell into place perfectly.
Jes had approached me to shoot at Spring Creeks Ranch in Carbondale for a Styled Wedding shoot to show off the gorgeous venue in December. A little “over” winter (in Colorado, it had been winter since September!) I had asked when the renovations on the new barn would be complete. She told me June 1st. So I took the next Monday I was allowed to shoot there after it had been completed, with the promise of alpacas and a gorgeous couple. It was a long wait, but I hope you’ll think it was worth it! Here’s a sneak peek.
I contacted Annabel, who is a talented new wedding planner out of Denver to help me tie up some loose ends. I told her the color scheme I was feeling and the overall vibe, and she brought so many pieces that brought it all together. Including the gorgeous teardrop necklace and raw diamond ring by Sarah O. Jewelry.
Next, I lined up an invitation suite by the uber talented Alyssa, with her business Sweet Sentimentality. I asked her to let her imagination run wild and told her the color scheme of Teal + Orange and what she was able to put together blew my mind! It was gorgeous and unique. Her connections then led me to Art by Alixzandrah, who sent a matching canvas, which we used under flowers for some pop and under the invitations to show how well the two collaborate together!
The florist I knew would be amazing for this vibe was Indigenous Designs based out of Carbondale. We are tethered souls and I was so excited to work with this incredible woman. The bohemian, desert vibe was definitely accomplished by her, while still keeping it lush. Plus, just look how happy she was to be there! When a vendor puts love into their craft, it is so evident in their work!
Annabel picked up this insanely intricate (but surprisingly easy to put together – literally no tools required) arbor from Ingrained Memories on her way up from Denver and I couldn’t even be more thrilled with how it looked for our shoot. I then contacted the Sopris Alpaca Farm, ran by my good friends Kim and Cory who were amazing and willing to help! They were the perfect touch!
The final person I reached out to was Camberly with Cakes by Camberly in Grand Junction. I knew this woman’s talent from working with her a few years ago, but this cake was so creative and incorporated our color scheme so beautifully, I had to hold back tears when I saw it. I didn’t tell her much of what I wanted because I knew her artistic ability, and all I told her were the colors and the moodiness of the shoot we were trying to convey, and she NAILED IT (pun from the baking show on Netflix I love to binge watch is ABSOLUTELY intended!)
That’s the thing – I love styled shoots because we can break all the traditional rules and show our potential brides how good things can be when you lay off Pinterest a bit (don’t get me wrong, it’s a great inspo tool, but not great for recreating), and you just TRUST YOUR VENDORS. I loved seeing what everyone came up with as I gave them a little direction, but not so much it was overwhelming. Look what we were able to pull off! Plus, they trusted me and let me just show up and guide the day and pick the spot for the best light for the ceremony, and just went with my vision the entire time. Grateful for that!
And HUGE SHOUTOUT to Sheanne + Landon who have been together since I knew them in high school. They drove out from Las Vegas for this and I’m honored with how much work and time they put into this. The love between them is just as evident as it was when I knew them back in the day, and my soul is happy to see it reflected so well on camera! We did a real first look where Landon didn’t get to see Sheanne until she was fully dressed and the moments I captured were so worth the anticipation!
These photos speak for themselves, so I’m going to shut up now and just let you all enjoy them.
Vendors:
Bohemian Dress: Reclamation Design Company – available for use in my personal client closet!
Teardrop necklace and ring: Sarah O. Jewelry
Arbor: Ingrained Memory
Cake: Simply Cakes by Camberly
Planner: Antler and Orchid Events
Venue: Spring Creeks Ranch
Florals: Indigenous Design
Invitation Suite, Acrylic signs: Sweet Sentimentality
Agate Canvas: Art by Alixzandrah
Models: Sheanne Wong + Landon Greene
Videography: Jeremiah Hutchens
Photography: Breelle Hilsenrath Photography