The festivities began on Friday evening at the St Julien Hotel, where guests gathered for a warm and welcoming dinner. Set against the backdrop of Boulder’s Flatirons, the St Julien provided an elegant yet relaxed setting for friends and family to connect before the big day. Laughter, wine, and heartfelt toasts filled the air, setting the tone for the weekend ahead.

Saturday greeted us with the kind of weather every couple dreams about—clear blue skies and crisp Colorado sunshine. Guests made their way to the couple’s private residence just outside of Boulder, a stunning property with sweeping views that felt both intimate and grand. The ceremony space was beautifully decorated, blending natural textures and romantic florals in a way that complemented the mountain setting. As the couple exchanged vows, it was impossible not to feel the sense of love, joy, and anticipation in the air.

From there, the wedding day became an immersive journey designed to take guests through different “worlds.” The reception began with themes of land, with earthy details and grounded elegance. As the evening unfolded, guests were swept into elements of the sea, where the décor and ambiance shifted into something fluid, vibrant, and full of life. Finally, as night fell, the celebration reached its dazzling conclusion under the stars at a hidden speakeasy bar. Guests danced, toasted, and reveled in an atmosphere that felt as limitless as the universe itself.

What made this wedding so unforgettable was not only the stunning setting or the seamless flow of events, but the thought and creativity woven into every detail. The couple created an experience that was more than a wedding—it was a journey, one that their guests will be talking about for years to come.

We feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of such an extraordinary weekend in Boulder, capturing the joy, laughter, and beauty at every turn. None of it would have been possible without the talented touch of Erika Sandoval Events, whose vision and planning brought this dream wedding to life.

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Day One: Floating the Russian River

The weekend began in true California summer style—floating down the Russian River on innertubes. Friends and family drifted under the warm sun, laughter echoing off the water. It was the perfect, relaxed start to the weekend, setting the tone for a celebration filled with connection and fun.

Day Two: Montage Rehearsal & Robert Young Winery Dinner

The following day, we joined everyone at the Montage for rehearsal. This beautiful resort set the stage for the wedding ahead, but before that, the evening took us deeper into wine country, specifically to the Robert Young Winery. A vineyard perched above the valley hosted the rehearsal dinner, offering panoramic views, perfect golden light, and a sense of peaceful anticipation. We even got a surprise visit from a rattle snake who eventually made his way into the vineyard fields.

Day Three: The Wedding Day

On the wedding day, the Montage served as the hub for every moment. Molley and Zach got ready in separate suites, surrounded by their closest people. Their first look was tucked away in a private grove of oak trees, providing a shady escape from the near-100-degree heat.

Their ceremony was held in the Grand Lawn, surrounded by the Montage vineyard. Rows of black and white chairs framing an aisle bursting with vibrant florals. Guests sipped on signature cocktails, keeping cool while celebrating under the California sun.

Cocktail hour brought live saxophone music and a playful surprise: a station where guests could create their own Lego character.

Dinner was served outdoors under flawless skies. Every table was adorned with elegant, one-of-a-kind floral arrangements and decor, creating a scene that felt both elevated and warmly inviting. As night fell, everyone moved inside for an unforgettable dance party. One particularly hilarious highlight? Custom syringe shots of alcohol—a tongue-in-cheek nod to Zach’s diabetes—that had the whole crowd laughing.

When we thought the night had reached its peak, it got even better. In the early hours, Zach, Molley, and some of their family decided to jump into the pool—fully dressed and fully in love. We, of course, jumped in, without our cameras, but with huge smiles.

Three days, countless memories, and two incredible people surrounded by their favorite humans—this was the kind of wedding that reminds us why we do what we do. Zach & Molley, thank you for trusting us to document every moment. We came to California as your photographers and left as your friends. It was a pleasure being able to work this wedding with Cole Drake Events, one of Sonoma’s best when it comes to wedding planning.

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Some weddings are filled with elegance and tradition, while others are an all-out adventure from start to finish. Ben & Alyssa’s winter wedding in Steamboat Springs was exactly that—a weekend packed with powder, unexpected weather, and an unforgettable celebration.

A Ski Lap to Kick Things Off

The weekend began on Friday with the perfect warm-up: a ski lap with all of the couple’s friends and family. With bluebird skies and soft slushy snow, the energy was high, and the excitement for the wedding ahead was palpable. From seasoned skiers to first-timers, everyone embraced the mountain spirit, making for the perfect afternoon for these two before the big day.

A Stormy Wedding Day

As the wedding day arrived, so did the storm. Originally, the plan was to exchange vows at Thunderhead Lodge Wedding Venue, high above Steamboat at 9,000 feet. But with strong winds and heavy snowfall rolling in, Mother Nature had other plans. The couple made the call to pivot—relocating their ceremony to the base of the mountain.

Before that, they shared their first look at a rustic barn in town. Snow swirled around them as they embraced in the quiet of the storm. It was a moment of stillness in an otherwise wild day, and it was nothing short of magical. The unexpected change of plans led to an intimate and emotional first look, proving that sometimes the best moments are the ones you never planned for.

With guests bundled up in layers and the mountains standing tall behind them, the couple exchanged vows at the base of Steamboat Resort. Despite the weather shift, the moment felt perfect—proof that love isn’t about a location, but about the people who stand beside you.

An Epic Dance Party to Remember

After a day filled with adventure and unexpected twists, the night ended in the best way possible—an insane dance party. With warm drinks in hand and music that kept everyone on their feet, guests celebrated well into the night. The storm outside only made the party inside feel even cozier and more electric.

What a weekend for Ben & Alyssa, reminding us that the best weddings aren’t about perfection—they’re about embracing the moment, whatever it may bring. Also, a huge shoutout to Alex with Soul Spark Events for helping navigate this tough winter wedding day.

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Wedding prep was at The Little Nell. Micaela got ready with her bridesmaids in a suite facing Aspen Mountain and Joey indulged in some bourbon with his groomsmen in the speakeasy below. After Micaela slipped into her wedding dress, we shuttled over to the John Denver Sanctuary for a first look and family photos.

Not long after, we made our way to the T Lazy 7 Ranch for their wedding ceremony in the Mountain Meadow. While a bit breezy, the weather held off just long enough for them to make it through their Jewish wedding ceremony. Their day finished with even more energy than it started with. Their dance party was epic. Their love for each other and their loved ones is so evident. It was felt all throughout the day and we cannot thank them enough for the opportunity to document it all. Thanks for treating us like family. Cheers!

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We started off our 13 hour day at The ART Hotel for some wedding prep, just a short walk from the museum. Once Alex was in her dress, we made our way to the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center to meet up with Adam for their first look. Immediately after seeing each other for the first time, the tears began to flow. This wasn’t the first or the last tear Alex would shed on her wedding day.

After dodging a short drizzle of rain on the way back to the Denver Art Museum, the clouds disappeared just intime for their outdoor ceremony in the Kemper Courtyard. Once the formalities were over, the real fun began. A delightful dinner was followed by heartfelt toasts from Adam & Alex’s family, which led us into an epic dance party.

The day could not have gone more smooth, as DonnahLynne‘s planning and execution had everything on time and beautifully carried out. Congrats Adam & Alex on your Denver Art Museum Wedding.

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Aerie on Copper Mountain is a breathtaking venue. Nestled in the heart of the Rockies, it offers stunning views that make for the perfect backdrop to any wedding. On Tyler and Emily’s big day, we were blessed with incredible weather—clear skies, gentle breezes, and warm sunshine that made the mountain landscape even more majestic.

The way Tyler looked at Emily as she walked down the aisle, the tears they both shared during their vows, and the pure happiness on their faces as they were pronounced husband and wife. These are the memories that make wedding photography so rewarding.

After the ceremony, the celebration moved indoors, where the charm of Aerie’s reception hall provided the perfect setting for a night of unforgettable fun.
Tyler and Emily’s guests knew how to have a good time, with the help of their favorite local band, El Paso Lasso, and the dance floor was packed from the first song to the last. There were dance-offs, jump roping, and some truly epic moshing that had everyone cheering and laughing.

Congrats you two on your beautiful Summer Wedding at Copper Mountain. We were blown away by all the emotion, love and moments these two shared. The new Aerie Wedding Venue is an amazing space and we hope to be back soon to document another wedding.

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It was our first time at Viewline Resort, but we’ve been to Snowmass many of times. We took these two to a private location for their first look, overlooking the valley and a few iconic peaks in the background. After a few more portraits, we headed back to the resort for their ceremony and reception. Everything went as planned and we even got a quick bonus sunset to cap off the day. Being from Florida, Dave, Juliana and their guests knew exactly how to throw it down at elevation.

Congrats you two on your Summer Snowmass Wedding.

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Zach & Maggie’s traditional Jewish wedding holds the record for the most tears in one day. These two value their faith, family and tradition, which is why their wedding day was so packed with emotion. Everyone surrounding them contributed every bit of love they had to offer.

Zach and Maggie were a perfect example of vulnerable love and we were lost in the moment with them. Having seen us work at a previous wedding, they knew we would beautifully document every moment of their big day.

Thank you both for inviting us to document such a memorable day. We appreciate you not wiping those tears and for your trust.

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In our pre-wedding consult calls with Taylor & Scott, they mentioned performers, beach days and extravagant floral displays. Over the years, we’ve learned take client expectations with a grain of salt as everyone dreams of just how magical everything is going to be. And we love that and support it and cannot wait to document it.

This wedding was from another universe and something we’ll never see again.

We met Taylor & Scott at Taylors sister’s wedding in Aspen it quickly became clear how fun and wild the three sister’s were. We’d be lying if we said they weren’t just a little crazy… but the good kind, not the bad. Fun, energetic, thoughtful and kind. Taylor latched onto our documentary wedding photography approach and has been keeping in touch with us over the years as her and Scott’s relationship grew.

With all that said, there is no reason for us to ramble on with words on how this four day, 40,000 photos taken, weekend went. This blog could be 3 or 4 times longer and it would still be just as riveting. Before you start scrolling a quick mention to Mary Cueter for her amazing wedding planning execution in bringing this wedding at the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Hotel day all together. Also a huge shout out to Christian Cardona and his photo assistance on this wedding.

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We met Damian at a Camp Hale Wedding several years ago when we were documenting Robbie & Bria’s big day. When he and his fiance decided to get married on her family’s property in northern Florida, they began looking for local photographers, but just couldn’t find someone that checked all the boxes. Damian, having seen our editorial approach, reached out and we were all about this destination wedding.

We didn’t know quite what to expect heading to the Tallahassee area, but we were absolutely blown away by the beauty of this area. The Southern Live Oak trees with the Spanish Moss added such a different dynamic. There were endless pockets of light and layers on layers of trees, which is such a contrast from our wide open views and unforgiving harsh light the Rocky Mountains force upon you.

With that said, it was such a pleasure connected with Damian & McCrea and their families for this beautiful Tallahassee Plantation Wedding. Here are a collection of our favorite photos.

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