INTIMATE TELLURIDE, COLORADO MOUNTAIN WEDDING | ALTA LAKES OBSERVATORY
TELLURIDE & MOUNTAIN VILLAGE
Lauren + Todd’s intimate Telluride, Colorado mountain wedding took place in at the cutest and most quaint venue- Alta Lakes Observatory. If you’ve been there, you know how stunning of a location it is and how dreamy it may be to have a wedding here. If you’re unfamiliar with Telluride, the main town is a little ski village is nestled in a canyon surrounded by jagged peaks, some as high as 14,000 feet. In the summer, the canyons are covered in luscious trees and greenery and look like something out of a storybook. There is historical architecture with Victorian-era homes, boutiques, exceptional restaurants, and a small-town lifestyle. You can go between Telluride and Mountain Village by a free gondola, and you also have easy access to the Telluride Ski Resort and Uncompahgre National Forest.
A LOVELY DAY TO SAY “I DO”
Lauren and Todd wanted to cherish their special day celebrating their love in the mountains with their closest friends so they invited 10 or so of their closest friends to stay in the cabin that is Alta Lakes Observatory. Later that summer they would have their wine-country celebration with family. Their intimate Telluride, Colorado mountain wedding day began slow- making coffee and breakfast, and then eventually getting in to their wedding attire in the quaint mountain cabin at the base of the San Juan Mountain range. While the bride and groom were finishing getting ready, I walked the area and found a beautiful spot to conduct their ceremony overlooking the cabin’s private alpine lake. The ceremony was with just the bride and groom, and Lauren’s best friend as the officiant. It was the most intentional and sweet ceremony I have ever been a part of for that reason (the vows were also of course, nothing but precious.) Afterward, we rejoined their friends, who warmly welcomed them into their beautiful reception hosted by the amazing Forage Sisters who put together the tastiest 4 course meal. As a special touch, one of their guests (another close friend) who bakes as a hobby made their cake- talk about the perfect way to include the special people in your life on our wedding day. The entire day was so laid back, full of love, intimate conversation, and immaculate 360-degree views.
COLORADO ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER | WHITNEY RAE PHOTOGRAPHY
Want to plan your very own intimate Colorado mountain wedding? Let’s work together! Please inquire about your special day by filling out my contact form. I can’t wait to meet you and help tell your story!
VENDORS
Venue | Alta Lakes Observatory
Hair and makeup | Racquel Elena
Floral | Nested Telluride
Catering | Forage Sisters
Coordination | Knotted Events Co.
Mountain town | Visit Telluride
Call it authentic, candid or genuine. Whatever the adjective, I want to create a wedding celebration that resembles you, from the big celebrations and the in-between moments to the images I deliver that help you relive the day for years to come. When it comes to your wedding day, the moments you want to remember aren't always perfect, staged or scripted, they are uncut, raw and true to you.
AN HONEST WEDDING EXPERIENCE
I believe in
“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still”
Words I Live by
Let's Connect
I'm WHITNEY.
*Virtual Wave*
Hello! I feel beyond honored that you've made your way here! In order to give you the best representation of who you'll be spending your wedding day (one of the best days you'll live) with, here's a brief run down!
First and foremost, I'm a mountain gal through and through. I was born and raised in Vail, Colorado and unless it's another mountain town, my husband and I will always call this home. It's the tightly knit community, the fresh air (but really, it hits different here), the scenery and most importantly for us, the recreation + lifestyle. This is something that will always come through in my work, and what I believe sets me just a little bit apart - I am, and will forever be, inspired by the poetry of love in landscapes.
I have a deep desire to be on the move, to see everything before I don't have the opportunity to, and are therefore happiest when traveling and exploring new places (which I feel so lucky is a part of my work!)
Spending quality time hiking/biking/skiing/camping with my husband and our two border collies, clocking in some R&R at home or catching up with a friend over a glass of wine/craft beer are things that always sit at the top of the priority list.
If you're in to it- I'm a Libra, A Manifesting Generator (6-2) and an Enneagram 7 Wing 6/8. In short, I'm a people person, an optimist, and for lack of better terms- like to get shit done and make things happen. I'm a feeler, with a strong sense of empathy and sense of what people are experiencing, both when it comes to myself and others. I'm a bit of a goof, a tiny little thing packed with some sass, and ultimately just want to live a fun and adventurous life that's packed with new experiences and people.
..I guess that's why I do what I do. I feel so grateful to be on this journey of having my own business where I have freedom to curate the life I want to live, where I get to connect with truly so many amazing humans, travel to some really beautiful places, and document that as a whole, as creatively and beautifully as I can for you.
"she made the day feel so easy and seamless"
