Gold Mountain Ranch Wedding in Ouray, Colorado
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.
Rustic Charm & Epic Views at Gold Mountain Ranch
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?
A True Colorado Mountain Wedding
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!
Vendors
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
TL;DR: As a Colorado wedding photographer, 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
“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"
