Wedding Film Photography at Mountain Wedding Garden

Kyle and Abby’s celebration at The Mountain Wedding Garden in Crested Butte was a dream from start to finish—and for me, it became a love letter to wedding film photography. The groom is a big film enthusiast, so much so that he handed my husband (who is also my assistant) his Pentax 645 medium format film camera and said, “Can you shoot a good amount on this bad boy today?” No pressure, right? Until that point, we’d mainly been playing with 35mm, so this was definitely a leap. But wow—what a leap worth taking.

Shooting on the Pentax 645 was a turning point. Those dreamy, nostalgic frames had a depth and texture that felt different from anything else we’d captured digitally. It left us completely inspired. Now we’re seriously considering investing in our own medium format system to add to our collection. Honestly, the images turned out so lovely that it lit a spark in me: I want to bring even more film into wedding days, whether couples specifically ask for it or not. Because here’s the thing—film never lies. It’s raw, romantic, and it has this perfectly imperfect magic that always delivers.

The Magic of Hybrid Wedding Photography

When I say “hybrid wedding photography,” I mean the best of both worlds: the reliability and flexibility of digital paired with the timeless charm of film. Digital gives me the freedom to move quickly and cover every angle. Film, though—it’s dreamy, nostalgic, and just a little unpredictable in the best way possible. The grain, the tones, the way it renders light—it all combines to create images that feel alive, like little time capsules. And when you mix that with the crispness and efficiency of digital, you get a gallery that tells the story both beautifully and completely.

For Kyle and Abby, this mix was everything. The film captured the depth and emotion of their day. The digital made sure nothing was missed, from the big moments down to the smallest, most fleeting details. Together, it created a collection that feels both modern and timeless, candid and elevated. This is the kind of wedding gallery that makes me want to keep sneaking more film into every wedding I shoot, even when no one’s asking for it—because who wouldn’t want photos that look this good?

A Mountain Wedding Garden Wedding With Film Photography

If I had to sum up Kyle and Abby’s reception in one word, it would be effortless. Their vision was a laid-back, family-style pizza dinner, and they pulled it off flawlessly. Long tables filled with mismatched but thoughtful details, candles glowing, and wood-fired pizzas making their rounds. Guests wandered from table to table, balancing slices of pizza in one hand and beers in the other.

At one point, I glanced toward the head table and caught Kyle and Abby sharing this unspoken “we did it” look. You know the one—where everything you hoped your day would feel like is suddenly right in front of you. Those little moments are my favorite to photograph, because they tell the story just as much as the first kiss or the dance floor chaos.

For me, weddings are about documenting the real stuff—the messy, delicious, joy-filled in-between moments. The grease-stained napkins, the champagne toasts, the genuine belly laughs. Those details carry just as much weight as the grand, cinematic shots, because together they capture what it actually felt like to be there.

Crested Butte Wedding Photographer

One of the things that made this wedding feel so special was the journey leading up to it. I had the joy of documenting Kyle and Abby’s surprise proposal in April 2024. Since then, I’ve run into them at other weddings in their friend group—always as part of the celebration, always radiating that same warmth and joy. By the time their own wedding day rolled around, it felt more like celebrating with friends I’d known for years.

Over the past three years, I’ve photographed four weddings within this same circle of friends. Each time, the trust has grown deeper. There’s something meaningful about being welcomed back again and again to capture these milestones, and I don’t take that kind of trust lightly. It’s what makes this work feel so personal.

I’m endlessly grateful to Kyle and Abby—and to this whole fun crew—for letting me be part of these memories. And if you’re dreaming up a Crested Butte wedding and want the magic of both digital and film woven into your gallery, I’d love to connect. Whether your vision is pizza-and-beer casual or black-tie grand, I’m here to capture it all—authentically, joyfully, and with just the right mix of artistry and fun.

Vendors

Month-of Coordination | Timeless Traditions

MUA | Natalie Duke Beauty

Hair | Top Knot Wedding

Florals | Ellen’s Flowers

Catering & Bartending | Doughp Pizza Co.

DJ | Wendy Fisher

Cocktail Hour Entertainment | Al Maul

Venue | Mountain Wedding Garden

Cake | Cake Me Away

Rentals | Alpenglow Events & Rentals + Lucky Penny