I can’t contain my excitement as I get to share all about Dani and Kendall’s incredible Crested Butte wedding at Ten Peaks. Let me tell you, their special day was an absolute masterpiece. From every corner, it was a seamless combination of beauty, authenticity, and pure joy. It was no ordinary wedding but a vibrant celebration of love and happiness. These remarkable ladies and their crew knew how to let loose and have a great time. You won’t want to miss a detail of this romantic mountain wedding!
The story of Dani and Kendall is like something straight out of a romantic novel. It all started with a twist of fate when both happened to tear their ACLs while skiing in completely different states. Little did they know that they would find themselves at the same physical therapy clinic in the vibrant city of San Francisco, California, following their surgeries. Now, this is where it gets even more exciting: while chatting on a dating app in September 2019, Kendall had a hunch that she recognized Dani from the clinic. But let’s be real, in a city as huge as San Francisco, it seemed too good to be true.
Fast forward to their second date, when they made things official. Their love story took another leap forward a year and a half later when they embarked on a girls’ weekend with some of Kendall’s childhood friends. Toward the end of the trip, Dani popped the question on the beach. Without hesitation, Kendall said, “Yes!” If you want to take a trip down memory lane and check out their Colorado Fly Fishing Engagement Session, it’s a must-read!
The day kicked off with excitement as we gathered in their rooms at The Mountaineer Lodge, situated at the base of Crested Butte resort. It was a full-house affair with their closest family members and all-star bridal parties by their side. As we geared up for the mountain top ceremony at Ten Peaks (Umbrella Bar), we made a pit stop at a private meadow near Snodgrass Mountain—a popular spot for hikers and bikers just off Gothic Rd. This was where the magic happened. The ladies shared their intimate first look, followed by a heartfelt exchange of vows. The words they spoke to each other were incredibly touching and had everyone feeling the love.
The evening unfolded like your typical wedding day—snapping photos with friends and family, a beautiful ceremony, and the reception. Man, this reception. The Ten Peaks Wedding Venue took my breath away with its jaw-dropping 360-degree views of Mt. Crested Butte, Gothic Mountain, and all of Crested Butte Valley. As a photographer, I felt like I was in heaven. But I think my favorite part was how everyone was just bursting with joy and ready to have a blast. Dani and Kendall were beaming with happiness, surrounded by their loved ones, reveling in the celebration of their love. It was an out-of-this-world experience, at the least!
Are you ready to plan your Crested Butte wedding in Colorado? Or is an intimate elopement calling your name? If you believe I could be the perfect Colorado photographer to capture your unique story, take a moment to discover more about me! Ready to turn your vision into a reality? Let’s connect and let the adventure begin!
Photography | Whitney Rae Photography
Venue, Catering and Bar | Ski Crested Butte & Vail Resorts Weddings
Cinema | Glasshouse Wedding Films
Dessert | Cake Me Away Colorado
Entertainment | Shavano Soundz
Florals | Finally Floral
Hair | Top Knot Wedding Hair
Makeup | Natalie Vierling Makeup
Planning, Design, and Rentals | Lucky Penny Events
Transportation | @alpineexpress
TL;DR: My approach to documenting your day will result in timeless wedding images that accurately resemble you. From the big celebrations to the not so small in-between moments you aren't even aware are happening, the images I deliver will 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
*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"