Charles & Lori - Vail, CO

December 25th, 2021 looked a little different for us this year, in the best way! As we celebrated the birth of our Lord and Savior, we also had a little something else to celebrate this year. My boyfriend’s dad wed the loveliest woman, whom we absolutely adore, on Christmas day. It was the dreamiest winter wedding set in the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains.

When they first got engaged, they had talked about several options for the intimate elopement that they had in mind. Eloping in Africa, celebrating in Mexico, maybe even a quiet backyard ceremony at home. With Covid presenting consistent roadblocks and with the particular chapter of life they are in, they knew they wanted their wedding ceremony to be low-key, intimate and special, just them. So, Ryan and I were absolutely THRILLED when they asked us to join them for a week of wedding celebration in Vail, Colorado over the holidays!

A Christmas day wedding in a winter wonderland. It was magical.

God certainly works in mysterious and wonderful ways. Lori and Charles’ story has funny, ironic little pieces, such as Lori buying Ryan’s childhood home and living in it before Charles and Lori even knew each other, but it’s also a story of unexpected blessings, unexplainable peace, and pure joy.

We believe it was somewhat of a divine intervention that brought Lori into Charles’ life, but I also must say from a personal perspective, that God has answered many of my own prayers, not only by bringing Ryan into my life, but also by blessing me with this wonderful bonus family. What a dream!

Their ceremony was in the most beautiful chapel, in a grove of Balsam trees located at the base of the world class Beaver Creek Ski Mountain. While there was talk of skiing all day and then skiing right down into the chapel (officiant included!) and saying their vows in ski gear, we opted to get a little dressed up instead ;)

Their ceremony was sweet and intimate, just as they hoped, complete with tears and smiles and a beautiful Apache wedding blessing they asked me to read, which I think fits them perfectly:

“Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.”

Charles and Lori, it is with heartfelt gratitude that Ryan and I thank you for including us in the beginning of your incredibly special journey. We are are so excited to witness the beauty and joy that is bound to come in the many years ahead.

We love you so much!

Paul & Maggie - Cannon Beach, OR

Paul and Maggie hosted a beautiful wedding weekend in Cannon Beach, OR in October with their close friends and family. These two have been together for so many years, have traveled several countries together, and have already done so much life together, that this formality of a marriage ceremony was wildly overdue and finally happening! And no batter place than the Oregon Coast to make that happen.

While we rehearsed the ceremony on the beach, the evening before, in the wind and rain, the clouds opened up the next day and it was a beautiful, blue sky, Oregon Coast day for their wedding! The boys started off by spending the morning down on the beach, playing games, grilling, and drinking beer, while the ladies were up in the cabin sipping mimosas. It was a very relaxing morning.

Jaws were in the sand as Maggie walked through the beach grass towards Paul at the ceremony. They had a simply beautiful setup for their ceremony, and they said beautiful vows to each other as onlookers walked by on the beach. Afterwards, we danced, toasted, and celebrated Paul and Maggie at the McMenamins Gearhart hotel. It was such a lovely evening!

Paul and Maggie, thank you for including me in such a special weekend. All of the events of the entire weekend were so memorable, and I was honored to be a part of it all. The amount of joy that you two exude as a couple is contagious, and you love each other and others so well. I admire your love and am grateful that I had the opportunity to capture this chapter of your story. xox

Kevin & Caitlin - Dundee, OR

It’s difficult for me to put into words how special this wedding was. As Kevin’s stepfather said, plans were made and unmade, changed, canceled, and made again for this wedding. However, as Caitlin’s grandmother so eloquently stated, “God is looking down on this, Caitlin’s mom is looking down on this, and it is the right time and the right place.” Truly, I have never witnessed the extent of intimacy at a wedding that encompassed this whole day.

As many 2020 engaged couples experienced, the ability to safely hold a wedding at a regular venue became impossible. So, Caitlin and Kevin were able to rent out an airbnb (graciously by the hosts!), in the middle of a vineyard in the Dundee Hills, and they wed amongst their close family. Literally just parents, siblings, and grandma :)

I have so much admiration for these two. Caitlin is this fierce warrior disguised in this “tiny little package”, and she embodies so much strength, resistance, grace, and humility. Kevin is this gentle giant who is incredibly kind, sincere, well spoken, intentional, and hardworking. Together, these two are unstoppable.

I think their story is beautiful. Kevin came into Caitlin’s life shortly after the loss of her mother, who was her best friend. You’ll have to watch the video to hear more of their story, because honestly (it’s so beautiful!! but) it’s not my story to tell. I did try to “tell their story” in this film by highlighting several of the moments to tribute Caitlin’s mom, Deb. Never have I ever felt such a presence by somebody I didn’t even know, but Deb was there that day in so many ways. Steve, Stevie, and Caitlin, I’m so sorry for your loss. Deb truly left a beautiful legacy that so vividly lives on, and as Kevin’s mom said… Caitlin, “her love lives on through YOU.”

Imagine instead of standing up in front of a 100+ people at a wedding reception in a barn, giving a toast, you are instead: at a beautiful candlelit table, up in the hills, overlooking the twinkling lights of the city, drinking fine wine with just a special group of 10 or so people, and then giving that toast, saying the words you wrote, but looking that person dead in the eye as you say it. I don't know how else to describe it, I think you had to be there, but it gives me chills thinking about it. There’s something about speaking words from the heart, with an intimate group, that is so special. Honestly, if I ever get married, I’m doing it Caitlin & Kevin style, pandemic or not!

I could go on and on about this special day but at this point, I’ll let the film speak for itself.

Caitlin and Kevin, I see and capture a lot of weddings, but your wedding moved me in a way like no other. I know it wasn’t the day you originally imagined, but I honestly think it was better. Thank you for including me in (and choosing me to capture!) such a special, special day. I adore you guys!

Baylee and Tyler

 I met Baylee in 2009 when our moms set us up for a senior session, me being a new photographer and Baylee being a senior in high school. Our moms both worked together at the time... so, thanks moms! Fast forward a couple years later and Baylee is starting a photography business of her own and we get to collaborate on a few things and learn from each other, which it's always good to have friends in the industry. Collaboration, not competition! Fast forward another couple years later, and I am transitioning into wedding videography as Baylee is really starting to kill the wedding photography game. We've gotten to capture a few weddings together now, and it is so fun! Her as the photographer, me as the videographer. Brides.... we work really well together, FYI ;)

When she first told me that she met this Canadian guy on Tinder, he came down to meet her, and they really hit it off, I thought "that's sweet, but it'll never work." Living in two different countries right off the bat and trying to start a long distance relationship? No way. When they got engaged, I was happy for them, but still hesitant. It's not until I finally got to meet Tyler that it all finally made sense. They are truly the perfect combination of similarities and contrasts. They are so alike in that they are genuine, driven, intentional, energetic, hard working, and love to be around their friends. Yet, they are different in smaller ways that balance each other out perfectly. Baylee is whimsical minded while Tyler is a little more logical, haha. I actually love this about them! I feel like Tyler brings Baylee back to Earth sometimes but Baylee gets Tyler thinking more spontaneously. Besides all of this, how hot of a couple are they?! I mean, come on. They make THEE most beautiful couple.

Their wedding day was absolutely perfect. Baylee got ready at her mom's house with some of her closest friends, and then we drove out to the gorge where her and Tyler shared their first look. They wanted their wedding day to be intimate and magical. Well, they certainly got that. On a March afternoon in Oregon, they were absolutely blessed with a beautiful, sunny day. That, in itself, is magic. The said their vows on the most stunning cliffside with their immediate family and closest friends. It was very intimate.
Baylee and Tyler, your wedding day was perfect. Laid back, intimate, fun, romantic, spontaneous, filled with so much laughter and love... I already know your wedding day is just a hint of what the rest of your guys' lives together will be like. I'm excited to see what the future holds for you two.

Thank you for having me capture your day, it was truly an honor. I love you guys!

Also, it's always a treat to get to work with the fabulous Jessica Heron, who photographed the day. Check out her photos from their wedding day, below: