salida colorado wedding photographer
Being originally from the south myself (Alabama woo!), I know it’s common practice for parents, especially the mother of the bride, to be involved in the wedding planning process. Since moving to Colorado, I’ve noticed that it’s not very common here, since many of the brides & grooms I meet with are transplants whose families live back in their home state.
It was a refreshing surprise when I got to chat with Leslie, Kyndall’s mom, first about their wedding. It turns out their lovely family originates from Memphis, Tennessee, though Leslie now lives here in the Denver area and Kyndall in Arizona. Leslie & I laughed as we related over experiences you just don’t often have here in Colorado – sitting in a house without power watching transformers blow in the neighborhood as a storm blows through. Storms in the south are generally pretty intense & frequent.
Leslie went on to tell me about Kyndall & Ryan. They met through a mutual friend at a party as Kyndall was about to start at the University of Arizona. They hit it off & have pretty much been together since. Ryan proposed in Hawaii in the summer of last year. They didn’t care much for a lot of the typical wedding traditions, but wanted to get married in a beautiful place in Colorado with their close family & friends looking on. Hence the choice of Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park!
Ceremony Venue – Black Canyon Inn
Couples Photos – Rocky Mountain National Park
Reception Venue – O’Connor Pavilion
Shoes – Christian Louboutin
Caterer – Jubilations
Photography – Haley Allen Photography
The week before the wedding, it occurred to me that without a wedding party to wrangle we could head into Rocky Mountain National Park for some of their couples’ portraits. I let them know it would be hot & bright midday sun, but much to my delight that didn’t phase them at all – they were completely game! In fact when we arrived, they were ready to go so we could head into the park and have plenty of time for mountain photos. We headed to Moraine Park where the mountains & wildflowers were to die for!
I love when you get a serendipitous bird in flight like this photo below!
Ryan & Kyndall were so great – they crossed ditches for us (her in her Louboutin heels!) and climbed whatever rock we pointed to. I could have photographed this beautiful bride & groom in Rocky Mountain National Park all day but we needed to get back for the wedding ceremony at Black Canyon Inn.
These two look like they are straight out of a classic movie. Kyndall is shades of a young Elizabeth Taylor. So gorgeous!
Finally, we headed to their reception at O’Connor Pavilion off Fall River Road.
Loved their sparkler exit with her brother stealing the spotlight for a moment… followed by a victory lap by the bride & groom!
Congrats again Ryan & Kyndall! Thank you so much for having me!
And thanks again to the Tina to my Amy and the “MCA” to my “Mike D” – Savannah C – for shooting with me!