vibrant family-focused wedding photography | Travel Wedding Photographer
Pulling up at The Surf Hotel in Buena Vista, Colorado, was like landing in a Hallmark movie. There was snow on the ground, sounds of the rushing river, and beautiful mountains in the distance. Grace and Henry invited me for their whole wedding weekend, and I was so excited to stay in this luxury-meets-adventure hotel in the Colorado Mountains.
This West Coast Jewish-American wedding was a colorful and modern celebration of marriage, focused on bringing their families and friends together in the beautiful Colorado Mountains.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Hello! I’m Emily - a multicultural wedding photographer based in Chicago, Illinois, and beyond. Bright colors, family meeting, schmorgsborg of traditions, big emotions, and good times are what I’m all about.
Getting married? Check out my work and reach out to learn more.
colorful, fun, multicultural wedding
Location: Buena Vista, Colorado
Season: Fall, November
Guest Count: 140+
Photography Style: Fun, vibrant, candid digital photography
Getting ready at the Airbnb
Grace + Henry planned an intentional weekend where family and friends could meet and spend time together over good food and drinks. On the morning of their wedding, I wandered the grounds surrounding the Surf Hotel to find some sun-kissed spots between snowy rocks and shaded grass. Grace had collected the details of their wedding into a shoe box, and I got to work right away. As always, I searched for a surface with even light and a fun textured surface. Right outside the door of their Airbnb, I saw a perfectly untouched lawn of snow, and thus began my first adventure of the day: unboxing their amazing DIY newspaper that was waiting for every guest in their hotel rooms, their stunning rings, her delicate jewelry, and classic style shoes.
From the details to Henry and Grace’s first look, it was a flurry of chaos, getting dressed up, and finishing touches. For their first look, Henry gifted Grace a bracelet that all the women in his family have; He also carried on their own tradition of “ICING” each other, which prompted a chorus of laughter from the airbnb full of their closest friends. We then wandered the small paths around the Surf Hotel. By the time of the ceremony, the sun was dropping, and shawls and jackets were put on, and blankets were passed out along the benches. One of their oldest friends, Bradley, waited at the Arch for the couple. There really was not a dry eye in the courtyard after tender stories and handwritten vows were shared. Henry took Grace’s hand and broke the glass between them; friends and family erupted into cheers. It was so beautiful seeing the touches of Jewish tradition they planned to infuse into their wedding day.
genuine, candid wedding portraits
emotional Wedding Ceremony photography
fun, candid, flash dancing photos
That night was full and vibrant. Henry’s brother played and sang their first dance song, cakes were passed out to each table, and they started off the dance floor with a lively hora dance. It was such a fantastic celebration of Grace and Henry’s love story.
