Fort Collins Wedding of Samantha & Talon: In the Lap of the Colorado Rocky Mountains

They say, “Great things are done when men and mountains meet; This is not done by jostling in the street.” and we couldn’t agree more!

Getting hitched during a pandemic is quite an achievement. The coronavirus may have put a pause on gyms, sports, concerts, schools, and happy hours, but it definitely hasn’t stopped couples from getting hitched. Social distancing, hand sanitizing, and face coverings have trained us to keep our chin up and navigate and enjoy life’s biggest moments. All you need to do to bring your dream of saying “I do” to the love of your life to fruition is - find some creative ways to incorporate these elements into your wedding plans, just like Samantha and Talon did! They went the whole hog to make their late fall COVID wedding a major hit! Their wedding venue was armed with all the necessities to keep the evil at bay like masks, hand sanitizers, and social distancing guidelines.

Somehow, difficulties are easier to endure when you know your dream is waiting for you at the end. That’s what we witnessed at this rustic, bohemian Fort Collins wedding! And as we got to know that the couple is having a mountain wedding we just jumped out of joy, cut a caper on the steps and along the roads of the city, and danced in the streets! Maybe the rustic castle-like wedding venue, maybe the ethereal vibes all around, or maybe our nature-loving couple who was thrilled to bits in the comfort of each other’s arms, but we can’t wait to share Samantha and Talon’s unmatched loves story that was beautifully documented in an unparalleled setting by our professional wedding photographers in Fort Collins.

Since they got engaged, Samantha and Talon had been in seventh heaven until the evil virus snared their dreams and hopes in its web, just like millions of other couples hoping to get married. But just like the brilliant ‘God rays’ of the sun fall on earth piercing through everything that comes in between from clouds to mountains to trees, November 20th (of 2020), their big day dawned bright and sunny on them, and they were thrilled to bits. Finally, it was time to live their dream day that they had been planning for years and been reworking for 1 year or so (because of brutal coronavirus, not to mention)! And they handpicked us for the photographic depiction of their love story. Lucky us!

The heavenly wedding venue+the wedding color palette!

They chose the unparalleled natural atmosphere of Fort Collins’ luxury boutique inn and mountain wedding venue- Della Terra as a backdrop to their love story. Quaintly sitting above Estes Park at the Fall River entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, Della Terra wedding venue features a majestic Château that sits atop fourteen secluded acres embraced by the serene views of the Rocky Mountains is nothing less than a fairytale in real-world. Boasting two exquisite ceremony location options, on-site getting-ready areas, luxury honeymoon accommodations, and awe-inspiring 360-degree views, the Fort Collins wedding venue was a treat for the senses offering the wedding experience of a lifetime. Della Terra facilitates a non-discriminating, inclusive venue that welcomes all celebrations of love and life. Not only for the couple but also for their chipper loved ones, this wedding was nothing but a sweet and romantic Colorado Mountain Getaway. The natural beauty and romantic design of the venue came together to create the dreamy mountain setting for their ceremony and reception, offering breathtaking photo ops for our Fort Collins wedding photographers to capture swoon-worthy wedding photographs in unreal-looking frames.

Burgundy and fall-winter weddings are MMIH! The burgundy+ivory wedding color palette that the couple chose gracefully nodded to the season of late fall and early winter they tied the knot in! From the color palette to the choice of florals and greens to the wedding menu, winter holiday cocktails and the festive confections to the wedding attire, cozy cover-ups, and undone hairdos to wedding stationery, centerpieces, and table decorations, every single element they picked for the day-of made their wedding sophisticated and soft with a boho touch. 

Fun getting-ready moments

The bride and her bridal party made the most of Della Terra’s stunning on-site wedding salon, dressing room, and lounge. They pampered themselves amidst state-of-the-art amenities and went all out to support our wedding photographers in creating photo ops for some magical wedding photographs, whether it was time to shoot the wedding dress, bridal accessories, or wedding preps. After capturing the detailed shots of the white sparkly bridal sneakers arranged thoughtfully with the pendant on the wooden floor and the dazzling crisp white gown hanging on a hanger, it was time to document the wedding prep of our bride and the crew headed to the Signature Bridal Salon to get ready for the big day. And our wedding photographer took a spectacular candid shot of the bride sitting on the chair from behind while the hairstylist was curling up her hair. We adore the bokeh effect in the picture, highlighting the baby’s breath adorning her brown hair! As soon as the hairstylist finished her artwork, Samantha bounced to the balcony for a moment or two with her lovelies before slipping into her magnificent gown, full of the joys of spring! The gorgeous ladies all killed it before our camera in their lovely floral posy getting-ready robes made of silk. Holding one another by the waist, they all were looking fresh as a daisy in coordinating robes, which made thoughtful gifts that, we are pretty much sure, they will love to wear over and over after the wedding!

The seraphic bride and daring groom, as pretty as paint!

In her full-bell-sleeved whimsical wintry bridal gown featuring a dramatic train, Samantha was looking like a winter goddess! Featuring mixed floral details creating one-of-a-kind lacework, forming a wide V-neckline with organic finishing and floating laces to create a traditional look with a completely modern update. And both the plunging neckline and striking back framed by floating lace elements added the perfect finishing touch to her all-natural bridal glamor. The minimal jewelry, burgundy lips, and barely-there makeup highlighted her cute face, and her half-up, half-down boho hairstyle that was blooming with baby’s breath checked all the boxes! A two-tier knee-length lacy veil added to the allure! And a bouquet flourishing with wintry elements like burgundy, white, and blush roses; baby’s breath; and eucalyptus greens tied the look together. The chic bridal party rocked stunning burgundy velvet bridesmaids' gowns with or without the cozy brown shawls, matching the vibe of their bestie’s winter-inspired mountain wedding in Fort Collins. We love how well they pair with those gorgeous wintry bouquets in every group photo!

On the other hand, looking as game as Ned Kelly, Talon was really chuffed with his appearance. He was wearing a three-piece black suit with a matching black tie over a crisp white button-down. His groomsmen adopted the same look as their compadre with a slight difference to look like peas in a pod. While white pocket squares gave dimension to their overall look. A bold winter-inspired red rose boutonniere and burgundy groomsmen ties helped them coordinate their look with the ladies in the spotlight. We must say that Talon’s hair is rendy, indeed! We fell in love with his spiffy hairstyle, the iconic topknot style with a fun twist added by braiding the back of his hair into a tiny ponytail. The well-groomed beard plus mustache added to his boho chic and hippie-like look, which was trendy! 

From ‘I do’ moment to ‘goodbye’ moment

The venue’s outdoor ceremony site is nestled among the mountain pines with a breathtaking backdrop of MacGregor Mountain to delight the guests. The ceremony site boasts an elevated brick stage, natural cedar vineyard trellis, and a terraced seating area for guests. The time that day was flying by with the speed of light, not to mention, and soon the wait time of that ravishing gown and our groom came to a beautiful end. Flooded with euphoria, the blushing bride floated down the aisle with her best man- her dearest dad, who was looking dapper in his full Highland Dress, and the kilt (in his clan tartan), all made in Scotland. He was looking no less than a king walking her princess daughter to the prince charming! And our Fort Collins wedding photographer captured the precious moment in frame-worthy shots! The duo hand in hand exchanged vows and wedding rings at the venue’s Devotion Place in presence of their nearest and dearest! As the officiant declared them man and wife, our dashing groom kissed his bride and all we could see and hear was love! The pictures say it all! The ceremony exit shot where the newlyweds are sharing a kiss amidst the beautiful bubbles is one of our favorite shots!

When it was time to make whoopee!

Floating on air, the newlyweds entered the reception hall, exhibited their chemistry through a romantic first dance! All the loved ones gazed at the lovely couple in mute admiration. Our professional and affordable wedding photographers in Fort Collins seized their romantic moves and spins in classy frames. They also saved the emotional father-daughter wedding dance and mother-son wedding dance too in spectacular photo squares to cherish forever and a day! Soon was the time to cut the wedding cake - which was a cute pumpkin-spice single-tiered frosted bundt cake drizzled with a cream cheese glaze and topped with Mr & Mrs topper that proves that simple and sweet can be a total treat! We love all the cake-cutting shots capturing the excitement and joy of the happy couple, particularly the kissing shot of the couple with the cake! And how can we not talk about the soul-stirring shot of Samantha with welled-up eyes hiding her face with her beautifully manicured hand is sure a must-have, ‘tis the picture to die for! What a cute way to capture the wedding bling naturally! This testifies that not a single worth-capturing shot was missed by our pro wedding photographers in Fort Collins, posed or candid ones!

Photo-worthy elements & moments

From behind-the-scenes activities to the main event, the photographers bent over backward to capture it all! Not only the couple but our professional wedding photographers in and around Fort Collins also captured their loved ones, horsing around! The team of photographers did a fantastic job of capturing the couple and their wedding party! From detailed shots of wedding decor featuring winter-inspired wedding stationery, lucite card box, burgundy napkins beautifully placed on the round tables covered with white linens, tablescape adorned with winter woodland and battery-operated LED tealights adding to the festive vibe, the wedding activity books and crayons lying on a table, to the wedding ring shots taken on the succulent and the snapshots of the baby’s breath centerpieces placed on a rustic log piece to the magic woven by Jubilations Catering. We love the captures capturing all the big details too like the massive wooden heart-shaped seat signboard reading “Pick a seat, not a side, you’re loved by both, THE GROOM AND BRIDE” placed on a black wrought iron stand against the fireplace at the ceremony space entrance, and the floral welcome signboard installed on a wrought iron stand. From all the bridal party shots to couple portraits surrounded by the untouched nature of the Rocky Mountains can make one skip a beat in no time! The photo of the bride signing the marriage certificate, the photo of the blushing groom walking with his dotting mother, the candid couple shots where they are doing sweet nothings, the staged yet thoughtful groom photographs, the elegant family photos, no wedding photoshoot is complete without these sweet shots.

How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains! The bright couple portrait shot captured on the big rock against the rocky pines where Samantha is holding her soulmate by his arm looks straight out of a fairytale storybook, the sweeping train of her dress sure gilded the lily! The bridal shots taken on the brick steps can easily make it to bridal fashion magazine! The photographers sure deserve a pat on their back for the million-dollar picture where Samantha is flaunting her gorgeous gown and veil arranged in a bell shape from head to toe! The photo can easily earn a seal of approval for stock photos! And lastly, the night shot of the lovey-dovey couple where Talon is dip kissing his sweetheart outside with the gleaming venue in the backdrop under the starry skies is giving us IRL heart eyes! She indeed is looking like a golden fairy in the picture, reminding me of a story where the fairy lights strung in the garden of a prince tempted a fairy to land on earth, and then you can see what happened next!

The Fort Collins couple was a sight for sore eyes! They were fun to capture, and their love story is something that can effortlessly induce endorphins just in a heartbeat, and make one root for them! As they head to their future hand in hand, we wish them all of the love and happiness!

After hearing those soul-crushing words like, ‘postpone’ and ‘cancel’ for one long year or so, the terms like ‘we are getting married soon’ felt like music to our ears, and we are happy as a sandboy. And now that the situation all over the world is on the up and up, we can’t wait to capture more and more happy stories like this one with our baby bear- our camera!