Ashley and Robert had their hearts set on a romantic and intimate day surrounded by the mountains, alongside their nearest and dearest, so a mountain wedding in Colorado is exactly what they did! With the North Star Gatherings in Idaho Springs as their beautiful Colorado wedding venue, they found the perfect spot to create lifelong memories. Trust me, you will want to take advantage of every moment as we dive into the details of their incredible spring mountain wedding celebration.
North Star Gatherings is an absolute gem of a wedding venue! Located on a stunning 35-acre property in Idaho Springs, Colorado, this place is pure magic. And here’s the cool part: it runs entirely on solar power! How awesome is that? As I stepped foot into this venue, I was instantly captivated by the meticulous details, charming architecture, and incredible setup the couple put together.
Nestled in the Arapaho National Forest mountains, North Star Gatherings offers a 360-degree panorama of awe-inspiring views. It’s like being given a big hug from nature, and who could complain about that? The name itself is a nod to its rich history, sitting on the grounds of the old North Star mining claim.
Imagine exchanging your vows on a ceremony deck that overlooks the breathtaking landscape. And when it’s time to kick off the celebration, you’ll be whisked away to the Great Hall with an abundance of natural light flooding through the expansive windows, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. North Star Gatherings truly has it all – the charm, the elegance, and the natural luxury. It’s the kind of place that steals your heart and leaves you breathless. Trust me, once you lay your eyes on this place, you’ll be head over heels in love, just like I am.
Summer in Colorado has had a slower start, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of Ashley and Robert on their wedding day. Despite the rainy weather, their family and friends came together to celebrate their love and have a great time. These love birds truly nailed it with their spring-inspired florals and decor, bringing a burst of brightness to the slightly gloomy atmosphere. And hey, the rain gave us the perfect opportunity to capture those umbrella shots that everyone adores. Against a stunning backdrop, Ashley looked radiant in her lace-detailed wedding dress during their intimate first look. After a romantic ceremony on the deck, we all headed down to the Great Hall for cocktail hour and continued the festivities well into the evening.
“Whitney, I’m speechless! They’re all so breathtaking. It’s bringing us both right back to the moment. Thank you so so much for everything. It was absolutely wonderful getting to work with you. I was going to say that you’ve made our day but Rob says you’ve made our week! They’re all beautiful 🙂”
If this mountain wedding in Colorado has left you dreaming of planning your own unforgettable celebration, then I’d love to be the photographer to capture every precious moment. To get a better sense of my style and experience, feel free to explore more about me. If you think we’d make a great team, reach out, and let’s start turning your wedding dreams into a reality.
Venue | North Star Gatherings
Photography | Whitney Rae Photography
Planning | Leigh & Co. Events
Florals | Calla Lane Florals
Hair + Makeup | Makeup by Taylor Olson
Dress | Luv Bridal
Suit | Indochino
Catering | Serendipity Denver
Entertainment | Stage One Events
Transportation | Eddie Limo
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.
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"