Buena Vista Wedding at the Surf Hotel and Chateau
You know those days that make you grateful to be alive? That was this perfect spring Colorado day. Not too warm, with a gentle breeze and the ideal amount of cloud cover. Staci and Aaron’s Buena Vista wedding flowed smoothly and stress-free as we moved from the Surf Hotel and Chateau to the meadow ceremony to the church reception. You could feel the love radiating from everyone for the happy couple. And let me tell you, this crew knew how to party!
One hilarious highlight was the sing-along circles that kept breaking out. The DJ was spinning more typical wedding jams, but this group was all about belting out classic rock anthems by bands like Nickelback and Creed at the top of their lungs. From the DJ booth, you could see the confusion on his face like, “Uh, I don’t think they’re digging my music…” But who cares? They were having a blast singing their hearts out together. Maybe not a booty-shaking crowd, but just as fun in their own way!
Staci and Aaron’s Background
Staci and Aaron are a couple of energy industry professionals from Texas who found their perfect match! Both went to Colorado School of Mines but didn’t actually meet until matching on Hinge in Midland a couple of years ago. Aaron is a drilling engineer, and Staci is a geophysicist – a very fitting pairing for this adventurous duo.
What Staci loves most about Aaron is his kind heart. He loves his family, friends, and her with everything he’s got, constantly telling her that life is so much more fun with her in it. Aaron makes Staci feel like a queen and is always game for whatever travel plans she dreams up next. And for Aaron, it’s Staci’s caring nature that really won him over. He loves how devoted she is to her family, their relationship, her career, and their awesome friend group. Seeing Staci’s smile and getting greeted by her pup’s kisses when she comes home makes his heart swell. They’re best friends, and everything feels right when they’re together.
Reconnecting with an Adventurous Couple for Their Mountain Wedding
I first met Staci and Aaron last fall for their engagement photos in Breckenridge, and let me tell you, we had an absolute blast in the snow together! A few months later, once they had their wedding venue officially booked, they reached back out to ask if I’d photograph their big day too. Was I excited? Heck yes!
Not only do I love their venue, the Surf Hotel and Chateau, but this couple is just the sweetest, most fun pair. They told me they loved how I capture couples against those epic Colorado mountain backdrops, and that my documentary-style shooting and natural color tones really resonated with the vibe they wanted for their photos. The way they put it was that they were drawn to how my “images feel” – and I have to agree, I definitely put a lot of heart and emotion into my work. I was so pumped they wanted that same magic for their wedding gallery!
This Buena Vista Wedding Day at the Surf Hotel and Chateau
Staci and Aaron’s families traveled from Texas for their big Colorado celebration. They couldn’t have picked a more perfect location! After all, they met and fell in love in this state, so holding their wedding in the mountains was a must. I loved how they blended their adoration for the Rockies with their traditional Catholic upbringing.
With the awesome Surf Hotel as home base for getting ready and the reception, the towering Collegiate Peaks providing a jaw-dropping backdrop, and their ceremony at the local Catholic church, every element came together flawlessly. The hotel’s ballroom is an incredible space – I always get giddy seeing how it transforms once the planner and florist work their magic with the decorations. And those hotel rooms?! They’re so bright and stylish, making them the ideal setting for capturing those getting-ready moments.
See this other Surf Hotel wedding!
Buena Vista Wedding Photographer | Whitney Rae Photography
“Are you kidding meee, Whitney!? You’re a genius!!! 🥹❤️ we’re both speechless right now. We love them all! Thank you soooo much. The meadow for pictures is STUNNING. And you guys killed it in the church 🥹 Gahhh, I’m obsessed. Top vendor award- we love you and Brady, you killed it.”
Vendors
Venue | The Surf Hotel & Chateau
DJ | Elite Entertainment
Florist | Growing Wild
HMUA | Face of Makeup Salida
Dress | Emma & Grace Bridal Studio (Denver) | Designer – Willowby by Watters
Groom Suit | Custom
Planner | Emily Aughenbaugh at Leigh & Co. Events
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"
