Our Wedding Day
June 5th 2020 was a normal day in the COVID life for most people. But for Sam and I - it was the most special day in our lives - it was our wedding day!
Just over two years ago, tucked up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, I married the love of my life and best friend, Sam. Here is our wedding story, my favorite moments, and photos. Along with some things I learned as a wedding photographer in the shoes of bride with a COVID wedding.
The setting of our big day couldn’t have been more picturesque. We rented a gorgeous Airbnb as our wedding venue, as well as the weekend stay for both of our families. Bar-DM Ranch had two large, stunning cabins, that were built and treasured by their families - sitting on seven acres of pine trees, a private lake, the Colorado river, and not to mention the backdrop of Rocky Mountain National Park. Although as an Airbnb, Bar-DM Ranch was a non-traditional venue, they had the perfect setup which included handmade wooden benches as ceremony seating, and a large indoor space as a plan B incase of rain (or snow).
Unfortunately, Bar-DM Ranch was one of the many properties lost in the Grand Lake area during the Troublesome fire, fall of 2020. Our wedding was one of the last held there. Our heart breaks for the family who built these cabins by hand, and treasured this ranch for generations. They do plan to rebuild in due time, as the land heals.
Our wedding morning began like most - joyful music playing in the background while everyone was hustling around to get the food, ceremony, decor, flowers, and not to mention themselves ready. I had too many nerves to eat breakfast (although my Dad made me some amazing avocado toast) but just enough to drink a mimosa or two! Meanwhile Sam was busy downstairs writing his vows… yes ladies, every man does it, cut him some slack!
My dress is one of the many miracles that God provided to make our dream wedding day a reality! I will write a blog dedicated to my wild dress story someday soon!
Sam and I would both agree that our favorite moment from our wedding day was the first look. We decided to have a private first look to begin the wedding day. Although I can’t put them to words, the feelings in those seconds will be with me forever!
P.S our perfect first look was interpreted by ants crawling up my legs and in all 10,000 layers of my dress because I conveniently stood on an anthill while that big special moment was happening! (last photo in the carousel) We were able to laugh about it and it truly added joy to the moment!
Bridal Details
Because I am a sucker for details… all of my bridal accessories are linked at the bottom of the blog!
Our wedding party was comprised by mostly family, and my best friend! My bridesmaids chose their own dresses based off of my color palette and I love how their dresses came together beautifully! Sam and his groomsmen wore simple khaki pants, linen shirts, suspenders, and a floral bowtie - nice and simple!
I had an additional extra special member of my party, Izzy. My sweet dog who i’ve had since I was 12 - and she just had to be part of our wedding day! These photos are so special to me - especially since she lives in Colorado with my family so my time with her is limited to family visits. She was clearly excited to be part of the wedding!
Ceremony details
I handmade & hand lettered all the canvas signs, my dad made the beautiful arbor, and my grandmother did the florals, my aunt was in charge of decorating and making my vision of a whimsical mountain wedding come to life. I wish I could relive this day and individually take in each and every detail - it was truly so perfect! Our wedding was certainly a labor of love, and I am so blessed & thankful to have such talented family with willing hearts!
We had my good friend Jackie play a song as we had our unity ceremony, communion, and exchanged our vows privately together. These were my favorite ceremony moments.
To end the ceremony, our parents came up and prayed over us. We feel so thankful to have begun our marriage in this way - and to have such strong, Godly examples of marriage from our parents.
Reception Details
Since we had an intimate morning wedding - for reception we had brunch. My mom, with the help of so many others made all of the food, and it was out of this world! We also had a charcuterie board, spritzer bar, and of course, coffee!
Our tables were simple, picnic tables from the venue, eucalyptus, and candles. With a backdrop of the Rocky Mountains - God did most of the decorating!
One of my musts was a group picture of all of your guests! I am SO thankful for everyone who braved the mystery of COVID and still chose to come and celebrate Sam and I. The fact that we even had a wedding in June of 2020 was a miracle, the controversy that we didn't have people wear masks AND took a group photo. And one of the biggest blessing and miracles of them all, not a single guest got sick from our wedding day!
We missed lots of friends and family who were unfortunately not able to make it due to the current times. Or the travel from Pennsylvania. And we are so thankful for them too!
Our delicious & beautiful cake was done by Alanna from LaLa’s Bakery in Wray, CO
Then we escaped for more portraits, of course!
And that was the end of our wedding day...
Just like most girls - I dreamt of my wedding day, and began planning it and dreaming of my future husband as soon as I grasped the meaning of love. This day didn’t make all my wedding dreams come - it absolutely exceeded them in every way possible!
Never in a million years would I have dreamed that I would get married up in the Rocky Mountains, staying the weekend in an airbnb filled with not only my treasured friends and family, but also Sams, who I treasure equally! With a ceremony on the shore of an alpine lake, with a sermon centered around Jesus, only interrupted by the birds singing their songs. And a reception filled with laughter, food, and games.
As a girl you paint the picture in your head of what your future husband looks like, you fantasize his personality, you make a checklist of “essentials” for your future life partner. Well at least I did! Then Sam came into my life and created a whole new list of essentials only God knew existed and checked off every single one. Our personalities melted together in a way I didn’t know existed. And not to mention he is the most handsome man I’ve ever met! Still to this day, two wild years of marriage later, I have moments when I still need to stop and say, wow, this is real life, this man is my husband, my other half! And thank God for him!
As I write this blog and reflect, my overpowering thought is thankfulness. I feel so thankful for our parents who this couldn't have happened without (especially you Mom!!) For our friends and family who were so willing to help. Thankful for all of our guests who braved the pandemic to be part of our day. And above all thankful for God and all the miracles He pulled off to make this day possible! There are so many I will probably write a whole new blog about it someday!
Thank you for reading all about Sam and my wedding day!
Vendors
Photographer - Carissa Marie Photo - A HUGE shout out to our amazing wedding photographer Carissa! She captured our wedding day so beautifully! This is why you prioritize your wedding photographer folks!!
Florals - Roberta Schaffner - My talented grandmother who was in the florist industry for years! Thank you to Leigh Floral in Wray for the flowers used for the arrangements.
Venue - Bar-DM Ranch in Grand Lake, Colorado
Bride & Groom Hair - By Emilys Wedding Wonders
Food & Cake - Food was made by my Mom and it was delicious! Cake by Alanna at Lala’s Bakery
Links
Bridal Accessory Links
Necklace - BlairNadeauBridal
Flower crown - Handmade myself
Boots - Thursday Boots
Bouquet & florals - By my talented grandmother
Ribbons - Native Ribbon Co.
Dress - Like I said, that is a story we are saving for later!
Ring - 1920-30s Antique Engagement Ring - Treasure Trove, Perkasie PA