Alissa & Sam
Tapestry House
Laporte, CO
This October wedding was the perfect blend of cozy fall vibes and fun celebration. Tapestry House is such a charming venue – my favorites of the Wedgewood Wedding Venues. Alissa and Sam arrived early in the afternoon with their wedding parties to finish getting ready and settle into the space. One of the things I love about Tapestry House is how big the space is and guests aren’t usually sure if they are allowed inside, so the wedding party can have a private space to themselves. The girls had the entire upstairs, while the guys had the downstairs as well as their own private room to get dressed and hang out. I spent most of the getting-ready portion of the day with the girls, photographing details, candid moments, and the venue itself, while my second shooter covered the guys with candids and some lightly guided portraits. Having a second photographer for the first half of the day is huge for a wedding like this because there is so much going on in different places, it’s hard not to miss moments while shooting solo.
Alissa and Sam chose not to see each other until the ceremony. While I always recommend doing as many photos as possible before the ceremony, this day was a great example of why flexibility matters — rain was looming, and the light was changing quickly. We photographed the bridesmaids and groomsmen separately ahead of time, planning to bring everyone together afterward.
Because it was overcast and unusually dark for the time of day, I intentionally chose locations with fall color to add warmth and life to the photos. I always make sure to capture a mix of full wedding party shots, smaller groupings, and individual portraits with the bride and groom. We saved most family photos for after the ceremony, which is usually the most efficient time. Everyone is already present, attentive, and less likely to wander off — because once people start drifting, it can feel like herding cats.
The ceremony was officiated by a close friend, making it incredibly personal and heartfelt. Though most people dream of sunshine on their wedding day, the overcast sky created soft, even lighting in every direction — much preferred by photographers over harsh sun. I stood at the front to capture the processional and focus on the bride as well as guest reactions and emotional moments, while my second shooter stayed toward the back, capturing Sam’s reactions and alternate angles. Wedding ceremonies move fast, and having two photographers ensures no moment is missed without being intrusive.
After the ceremony, the venue coordinators helped organize everyone on the lawn for a full group photo — something I always love to capture when possible. The whole team at Tapestry House was fantastic to work with and incredibly supportive throughout the day. Afterward, guests headed to cocktail hour and I sent my second shooter with them to capture candid moments, reception details, and any photo requests.
I gave Alissa and Sam a few quiet moments together before grabbing them for portraits. The rain started falling, and we were losing daylight quickly, limiting our time — a big reason I almost always recommend a first look for couples with a full schedule. Wedding days can be unpredictable, so it’s great to have multiple places in the timeline that work for photos in case there are any issues. Without seeing each other before the ceremony, that time becomes more limited. Even so, I’m always on top of it and will make sure to get beautiful portraits no matter what the circumstances.
Before joining the end of cocktail hour Alissa and Sam added their custom brick — engraved with their names and wedding date – to the venue’s brick path, a special Tapestry House tradition. The reception kicked off with their entrance alongside the wedding party, followed immediately by heartfelt speeches. There were plenty of tears, lots of laughter, and so much love shared by family and friends. After a quiet cake cutting and their special dances, the dance floor officially opened — and it stayed packed. This group wasted no time celebrating. I loved the contrast between the high-energy dance floor inside and the relaxed atmosphere outside by the fireplace with cigars. This day was an absolute joy to photograph, and I wish Alissa and Sam a lifetime filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments!
