Ceremony Location: Julia's Deck Overlook | White River National Forest | Colorado
Hotel: Club Wyndham Resort, Avon, Colorado
Dress: David's Bridal
Flowers: DIY
Photography: Wild North Weddings
When Amanda first contacted me through Instagram, she explained to me that their original plan was to get married in Hawaii, but like many weddings in 2020 things change! So instead they decided on a Rocky Mountain elopement near Avon, Colorado in the White River National Forest. They found the perfect spot for their ceremony with a recommendation from the National Forest's office too! (Side note: always call in ahead of time to be sure you have the proper permits for weddings & photography - plus they obviously have some helpful advice as well!)
Amanda & Eric prepared for the day at their hotel room with coffee, mimosas, and Whiteclaws, where their family later joined them before their first look together. I love first looks because they're a sweet moment together to get your emotions out and ease your anxiousness. After the first look, everyone did a little off-roading to Julia's Deck, which had a beautiful overview of the snow-covered Holy Cross (mountain). Amanda & Eric had a beautiful ceremony on the deck, officiated by Eric's best friend and surrounded by their closest family & friends. Notice below the dog who showed up halfway through the ceremony - Amanda, like myself, loves meeting dogs so imagine her excitement when this one shows up out of nowhere! Its owners eventually made it as well and apologized profusely for the interruptions, but really it was no problem at all.
After they sealed it with a kiss, the new Mr. & Mrs. Cano bid their guests farewell until dinner time. But before the evening's events, we spent time on the mountain taking pictures and popping champagne. It was a little cold outside, but the snow didn't stop them from getting some amazing photos of the sunset on the mountains! As long as you have the right footwear and gear you're set! Plus a best friend with a warm truck nearby. They also spread Eric's grandmother's ashes as a way of making this location even more special for them when they revisit in the future. Later everyone met for dinner at a lovely Mexican restaurant, Maya, back near their hotel for an amazing dinner, margaritas, and cake!
I think it's safe to say that even though their plans changed a bit, it was still the best day ever and absolutely beautiful. And I'm so happy they chose me to document the occasion for them! Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Cano!
Start planning your wedding adventure! Visit the Adventure Weddings page at WildNorthWeddings.com to find out more about all-inclusive intimate wedding day packages across the US and fill out the contact form to inquire about your date!
Hey there! I'm Carly D'Angelo-Hall - a photographer specializing in documenting elopements and weddings across the U.S. If you love adventure, experiencing new things, and if you like to live "outside of the box", let's talk about how I can help you create and capture the wedding day of your dreams! Visit wildnorthweddings.com to view all-inclusive wedding day and adventure session packages.
