Alexandria and Ben | FREIGHT Leadville Train Wedding
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Savannah Chandler Photography | Leadville Wedding Photographer
A few years ago, fall of 2021 to be exact, I photographed an intimate wedding for a couple that I’ve known for many years through my husband. I met Ben and Alexandria at that wedding, where they both we in attendance as good friends of the bride. Fast forward to 2024, and after three years of traveling abroad, Ben and Alexandria asked if I wanted to photograph their Leadville wedding at FREIGHT. The answer was an immediate YESSSSS. When we were going over the details of their intimate wedding day, Ben let me know that their ceremony was going to be at a small overlook – that we were going to TAKE A TRAIN TO. Needless to say, I spent a few months pretty stoked and ready to board the train.
One thing that both Ben and Alexandria knew was that they didn’t want the traditional American wedding. A few things were important to them – the experience for their guests, having their close family and friends in attendance, and being able to spend time on their wedding day with their guests and not “doing things” just to do them.
Knowing that we’d have limited light and a short amount of time for portraits at the Train site, our first stop was to get some mountain photos at Mayflower Gulch trailhead. Though the views up at the top of the hike are STUNNING, we opted to stay low and head to an offshoot of the main trail. This area boasts dramatic mountain views and I’ve always been a fan of the spire look out towards Pacific and Atlantic peaks.
Once we arrived back at FREIGHT, the bride and groom were greeted by their family and friends for a cocktail hour with live music and a Beverage Burro. I’ve been to a few weddings now that have a Beverage Burro, and to say that they’re a hit would be an understatement. Us photographers also LOVE spending time with the sweet burros 🙂
Though their family and friends knew there was a suprise to be had, no one knew that we’d be taking the train to their ceremony site. Ben and Alexandria had kept this a secret from EVERYONE (except the maid of honor who helped plan the entire event). When it was time to head out to the overlook, Ben got on the microphone and told everyone to follow the DJ to their next destination. Antonio with Dancin’ Shoes DJ had the music bumping, and led us all to board the train.
Over the next hour we all enjoyed appetizers, passing mountain views, and sweet 90’s music on our train ride. Of all the experiences I’ve had at weddings over the past 15 years, taking a train is certainly in the top 3. If you look closely, you’ll see the photo my second photographer got of me using my foot as a prop while leaning over the edge to snap some shots. I still have that *bit* of adrenaline junkie in me, even as I near my 4th decade of life.
As the sun was starting to set, we all followed Ben and Alexandria out to the overlook for their intimate ceremony. Before heading back on the train we spent a few minutes getting some super fun couple’s portraits with the train. Just as a sidenote, the images on the train tracks were okay’d by the conductor and are in accordance with the laws about train tracks ;). Never walk out onto train tracks for photos (unless the conductor of the actual train on the tracks lets you know it’s okay lol).
Congratulations again, Ben and Alexandria! I hope that we all get to spend some time together in Scotland this upcoming summer and jam out to Oasis together!!
Cheers –
