Olivia & Caleb
RiverBend
Lyons, CO
I was so excited when these two were a vibe match on our initial consult. I’ve been wanting to photograph at this venue for years! It is absolutely stunning and we got lucky on this day with warmth, sunshine, and yellow leaves that held on long enough for a November wedding. I arrived early to scout out specific locations for photos and I was very pleased that Riverbend lived up to my expectations. It was beautiful in all directions with a blend of rustic, cottage charm and modern elegance. After scouting out some locations, I did detail shots and captured candid photos of the bride, groom, and their wedding parties.
We did first look by the river where there is a little privacy (and beautiful views) then gathered family and friends in the yard for group photos. For large groups and particularly family, I look for easily accessible spots in shade/even lighting. I also like to shoot different parts of the day against different backdrops to highlight the venue and give the final gallery more of sense of setting. Since we did all the group photos and couples portraits before the ceremony, Olivia and Caleb were free from posed photos for the rest of the day and able to be present with their loved ones. I highly recommend going this route.
All of the wedding party was tucked away before ceremony as guests arrived. The sun was low in the November sky and cast beautiful light across the scene as the ceremony got started. Their officiant/family friend did a beautiful job with the ceremony, perfecting blending humor, sincerity, and story. A great officiant makes for a memorable ceremony. He was so good I actually assumed he was a professional and asked his info. I was really hoping to recommend him! Anyway, a unique feature I love about this venue from a photographer’s perspective is that I was able to photograph from ALL angles, including behind the couple to get all of their guests faces in the photos. The more angles that are accessible, the better the storytelling.
At cocktail hour, everyone kept mentioning what a beautiful day it was, and it really was worth mentioning. There were signature fall drinks, lawn games, delicious hors d’oeuvres and laughter in the air. Olivia and Caleb signed their marriage license then took some time to be alone with each other before joining cocktail hour (also highly recommend). They got to enjoy some time together and be at most of cocktail hour because we got all of there must-have photos taken earlier in the day. This is why I always recommend a first look! It allows you so much more time together and with your guests, which is what the day is mostly about.
Everyone gathered at the patio to watch Olivia and Caleb’s first dance by the river before transitioning indoors for dinner, speeches, and dancing. The setup and decor was stunning, the food was delicious, and the speeches were hilarious and heartfelt. Olivia and Caleb hired a lot of great vendors and everything was going wonderfully. Once the DJ started up, the dance floor was alive.
I really love seeing and capturing reception moments – the couple’s parents chatting with their kid’s friends, cousins reuniting, best friends getting down on the dance floor, and finally seeing the bride and groom really let loose when there is nothing left to think about. I also know that these are the photos that will be most surprising to the bride and groom since it’s when they are paying the least attention. That’s one of the coolest parts of hiring a photographer for your wedding – getting to see all these moments and perspectives you didn’t witness first hand, painting a stronger memory of day you never want to forget!