This blog is one of many that I’ve been sitting on forever. I’m making my way back through my archives because I have probably literally a million photos I could share, but before I share them, I’ve been editing them to be more in line with my current style. Here is wedding number one in so many to come–my lovely pals AJ + Austin.

September sunshine. Laid-back vibes. A weekend full of festivities in gorgeous Colorado.
I saw deer and bears in the neighborhood we stayed, enjoyed the friendliness and relaxed nature of Buena Vista,
and saw some of the best skies ever on this trip. 

Before the ceremony, they spent time in separate cabins with their best buds getting ready before a (very cute and precious) first look near a cabin in the park where all their closest family and friends traveled from Oklahoma to stay.
We all went on a small mountain drive, hiked through some trees through a small path, and their vows were said at the edge of a lake surrounded by mountains and trees. AJ + I grew up together, and so it was truly a family/friend affair, with my own mother being the pastor of the ceremony and yours truly also doing the flowers for the day. Guests standing or in camping chairs. Dress code=comfy or casual or whatever you want.

AJ + Austin were worried that many people would opt not to go to their wedding, but if I remember correctly, AJ said that every single person invited RSVP’d “yes.” There couldn’t possibly be a better place to be. Colorado. With all your closest people. Lake-side. Sharing your love with each other quite literally from mountaintops. Count me in for all Colorado Elopements and Weddings, please and thank you. They are so special. 

After a gorgeous ceremony near the water, guests traveled back down into town for a beautiful evening of food and drinks and toasts and mingling and merriment at the Surf Hotel. Laughter flowed, wine did too, and sometimes there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. This weekend was PURE joy. What a gift it is to be alive to witness it all (and be a small part of it too).

Thanks, AJ + Austin, for your trust in me. I love y’all. 
(AJ is also a kickass local photographer too–he specializes in portraiture and commercial stuff and his work is wonderful).

Also don’t sleep on the last two frames of this post, because not to be that person, but they’re pretty cool.