Erica and Steven’s wedding at Gold Mountain Ranch in Ouray, Colorado, was the perfect blend of casual elegance and heartfelt celebration. Their day was intimate, with only their closest friends and family gathered in the stunning Colorado mountains—a special nod to Steven’s roots, even though they now call California home. They were recommended to me by their wedding planner, and in the most flattering twist, they booked me without even a phone call! It was such a sweet moment when one of Erica’s friends approached me during dinner, saying, “Erica was OBSESSED with your work and has been counting down the days because of you!” Talk about pressure! But in the best way possible. The whole vibe of their day was the kind of wedding I live for: easygoing and filled with love.
Gold Mountain Ranch is everything you could dream of for an intimate Colorado mountain wedding—rustic charm, sweeping views, and a touch of that old mining history. Sitting on 1,200 acres high above Ouray, the ranch feels like it’s in a little town near the Swiss Alps. The ceremony lawn alone is worth the trip. Jaw-dropping mountain views practically steal the show (though Erica and Steven might’ve given those peaks a run for their money). It’s easy to see why they chose this place—what better way to celebrate their love than being surrounded by natural beauty, a bit of Colorado nostalgia, and the people who mean the most?
Erica and Steven’s ceremony was nothing short of true Colorado fashion. We had a little bit of everything: rain in the morning, clouds, and then, on cue, the skies cleared just in time for their first look and private vows. Fresh snow dusted the high peaks, creating a picture-perfect backdrop. There were a few moments when we weren’t sure if the weather would cooperate. But in typical Colorado style, it all came together beautifully. Their family and the vendor team pitched in to ensure the ceremony could stay outside, drying chairs and moving flowers in a mad dash just before the “I dos.”
The whole day felt like one big celebration of love and teamwork. It was impressive how Erica and Steven stayed so calm and flexible through it all. After the ceremony, the skies stayed clear, and the evening unfolded with dancing, heartfelt toasts, and a whole lot of joy. It’s true what they say—sometimes everything just works out perfectly!
Want to see more like this? Check out this intimate wedding in Telluride!
Venue | Gold Mountain Ranch
Planning & Consulting | Knotted Events CO & Gathered Events CO
Photography | Whitney Rae Photography
Florist | Hosanna Floral
Catering | High Country Catering
Bartending | DeSalvo Events Bartending
Some moments take your breath away, especially when photographing a surprise Vail Mountain proposal at 10,000 feet. When Jon first reached out, his words immediately stood out: “Paige is the most incredible human being I have laid my eyes on.” They had been dating for just over a year, and he was planning a trip […]
There’s a certain magic to wedding photography—not just in the moments it captures, but in how it captures them. In an age where couples are curating intentional, artful wedding experiences, one question pops up more than ever: Should we choose film or digital photography? Or better yet, can we have both? As a wedding photographer […]
If you’re dreaming of a wedding day surrounded by alpine views, crisp mountain air, and the kind of magic that only happens at 8,000 feet—Vail, Colorado might just be your perfect place to say I do. As a wedding photographer based right here in Colorado, I’ve photographed everything from luxury hotel weddings to intimate mountaintop […]
An intimate celebration at The Westin Riverfront with elevated western style, heartfelt moments, and stunning mountain scenery. A Winter Wedding in Beaver Creek, Colorado Full of Emotion and Elegance Sarah and Kelly’s romantic winter wedding in Beaver Creek, Colorado was the kind of day that feels like it came straight from a dream. Set against […]
Hey, hi — welcome! If you’re dreaming up your Colorado engagement session, you’re in the right place. Truly, the scenery here doesn’t mess around. You’ve got snow-capped mountains, meadows that feel like a scene from Sound of Music, reflective alpine lakes, golden aspens, wildflowers that go off in the summer, and yes, actual sand dunes. […]
There’s something undeniably magical about winter in the Colorado Rockies—and Vail is the crown jewel of it all. It’s the perfect setting for a romantic, cinematic engagement session with snow-dusted evergreens and aspen trees, cozy alpine lodges, and golden light reflecting off the mountains. Whether you’re newly engaged or planning a destination session in the […]
Creating artful & honest wedding imagery for couples in Colorado and worldwide— rooted in presence, emotion, and refined storytelling.