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Rainy Summer Wedding at Blackstone Rivers Ranch // Idaho Springs, CO


The bride and groom kiss as their wedding party cheers

Shannon and John's August wedding at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs. There's so much I'm excited to share about this wedding, I'm not sure where to start!


When Shannon found me through Instagram she wrote me a message that grabbed my attention for several reasons. She used descriptors that resonate with me (candid and authentic photographs, mountain modern, casual elegance) and mentioned that she had met John in college and started dating over 10 years ago (very similar to my relationship). They got engaged on a hike (one of my favorite things to do) and mentioned that they have family "on both coasts and everywhere in between" and were hoping to bring as many of them together as they could. Well, count me in.


The first time we met in person, Shannon and John suggested one outside location and one inside location with a "swanky cocktail lounge type of vibe." I threw out several of my favorite Boulder options because I am all about a great ambiance. So this was also a no brainer for me and a fun change-up from shooting in the mountains. We made some *magic* at the bar while Shannon sipped her favorite cocktail (which made a reappearance as their signature drink on their wedding day). John tried a new whiskey, neat. At the outdoor location I got to meet their wild fur baby Hank and I swear you'll melt if you check out my blog post about their engagement session.


When their wedding day rolled around the weekend forecast called for quite a bit of rain - and while it did rain, we had many pockets of sunshine that were even more special because they felt rare. Emotions were running high as Shannon's mom helped her into her dress. A flower arrangement with a hand written note from the groom and a glass of champagne sat on a nearby table and all of the bridespeople were gathered round. When she was ready, we loaded into two separate cars to drive to a nearby overlook for Shannon and John's first look. After waiting out a short rain shower the videographer, my second photographer and I hid among the aspen trees to document the moments Shannon and John shared after seeing each other for the first time.


As we arrived back at the venue, the guests were already there and huddled underneath the awning of the patio as a new rain storm rolled in. We opted to delay their ceremony, but when our weather window came their 100+ guests wasted NO TIME getting into their seats so that we could take advantage and start the ceremony! Everyone was engaged with the officiant's ceremony script and there was laughter and tears. After their pronouncement everything went exactly as Shannon and John had hoped. We took family photos while guests grabbed cold drinks and hot appetizers, exploring the cozy fire pit by the river and the candlelit reception tent. The tent was decorated with flowers grown in Shannon's garden and planter boxes that she and John made themselves.


The rest of the night saw rain showers coming in and out. The newlyweds had chosen all of their favorite 90s and 00s rock songs to dance to and they were all about their ice cream sundae bar (which they preferred to cake, hell yeah). By the time our photography coverage was done I was sad to leave.


So tell me:

- Would you grow your own flowers for your wedding?

- Would you have an ice cream sundae bar instead of a cake?

- Would you get married in the rain?


Because in my opinion, the best way to have a wedding is the way that feels best to you. And this was how that came together for Shannon and John.


VENDORS

Invitations | Minted

Shannon’s Attire | Brilliant Bridal

Hair & Make-Up | Rollers & Rouge

John’s Attire | Men’s Warehouse

Officiant | Keith Horstman

Videographer | Michael Ring


Bouquet, bridal heels, perfume & cologne, watch, earrings, wedding invitation, and groom's shoes

Close up view of the bride's heels, perfume, earrings, bracelet, ring and wedding invitation

A handwritten note from the groom placed in a bouquet of wildflowers

The bride peeks out to see her wedding dress hanging up

The bride inspects her hanging wedding dress while getting ready

The bride and her mother inspect the hanging wedding dress

The bride and her mother embrace in front of the hanging wedding dress

The mother of the bride helps zip up her wedding dress

The mother of the bride helps button her into the wedding dress

The bride smiles as her mother buttons up her wedding dress

The bride smiles as she puts her earrings in while getting ready

The groom buttons his sleeves as he gets ready

The groom puts on his watch while getting ready


The groom buttons his shirt while getting ready

The groom smiles in his suit

Mountain view from Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The bride smiles holding her bouquet of wildflowers

The groom waits on a mountain overlook at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The bride exits a black car holding her wildflower bouquet

The bride walks along a mountain trail toward the groom

The bride approaches the groom from behind for their first look

The bride touches the groom from behind during their first look

The groom begins to turn around to see the bride for the first time outside Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The bride and groom smile as they see each other for the first time during their first look

The bride and groom embrace on a mountain overlook at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO


The groom smiles at the bride during their first look

View of the bride and groom smiling at each other from between two aspen trees

The bride and groom smile at each other on a mountain overlook at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The bride and groom overlook the mountains from Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The bride and groom embrace

The bride and groom pose in front of a large rock formation

Drone shot of the bride and groom standing on a large mountain overlook at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The bride and groom smile at each other on a mountain overlook


The bride and groom walk down the trail together

The groom leads the bride down the trail

Wedding guests mingle at the Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The groom and the groomsmen walk down the aisle at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The father and mother of the groom walk down the aisle together

The ring bearers and flower girl walk down the aisle together at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The bride and her parents walk down the aisle together at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The bride and her parents walk down the aisle together at Blackstone Rivers Ranch

The groom watches the bride walk down the aisle toward him


The bride smiles as she reaches the groom the the altar

View of the wooded ceremony area at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The bride and groom hold hands and smile at each other at the altar

The bride and groom face toward the guests as the officiant speaks

The bride and groom share their first kiss at the altar

The bride and groom kiss at the altar

The bride and groom walk down the aisle together

The groom dips the bride and kisses her at the end of the aisle

The bride and groom smile excitedly as they walk down the aisle together


The bride and groom pose with their families

The bride and groom pose with their wedding party

The reception area under a white tent at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The reception area decorated with twinkle lights and white table cloths

Wildflowers and colored candles decorate the reception tables at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

Table set up at the reception

Wildflowers and candles decorate the reception tables

Wildflowers and candles decorate the reception tables

The bride and groom excitedly enter the reception area

The bride and groom enter the reception to their cheering guests


The bride and groom raise their glasses in a toast to their wedding guests

The bride and groom pose with a cardboard cutout of their dog in a bowtie


The bride and groom smile along the road at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The bride smiles at the groom outside Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The groom smiles at the bride as she laughs

The bride and groom sit and pose in front of a wooden bridge at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

Bride and groom sit in front of a fire pit at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The bride and groom kiss while sitting in front of a fire pit at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO


The bride smiles as the groom kisses her on the forehead

The bride and groom pose in front of twinkle lights and a mossy wooded hill

The bride and groom kiss outside Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO


The bride and groom kiss outside of Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The bride smiles at the groom as they embrace


The bride and groom smile at the camera while posing outside of Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The bride and groom hold hands as they walk back toward the reception together

The bride laughs as the groom pushes her on a large wooden swing at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The bride and groom smile as he pushes her on a large wooden swing

The groom pushes the bride over the creek on a large wooden swing

The bride and groom smile at each other while sitting on a wooden swing at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The bride and groom kiss at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The bride and groom look lovingly at each other as they hold hands

The bride and groom share their first dance together under a white tent at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

The bride and groom smile at each other during their first dance

The groom dips the bride and kisses her during their first dance at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, CO

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