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Mt Princeton Hot Springs Wedding Photographer | Lindsay and Dominic | Buena Vista Wedding

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Lindsay and Dominic | Mt Princeton Hot Springs Wedding
Savannah Chandler Photography | Buena Vista Wedding Photographer

 

 

My first job when I was the old age of 15 was at a little Italian mom-and-pop restaurant off 92nd and Wadsworth called Amici’s.  All of us that worked there were like family.  We hung out at the restaurant as well as in our personal lives.  I worked at Amici’s from for over 6 years, as did many of the people I was employed with.  The owner called us his “Amici’s Angels”.

One person that worked with me all throughout my high school and late teenage years was Lindsay.  We were both waitresses at the restaurant and attended Legacy High School.  We used to drive around in her blue Nissan listening to Good Charlotte (and attending Good Charlotte concerts and getting INCREDIBLY lost), hang out at parties on the weekends, and your general teenage shenanigans.  I got to know Lindsay’s family quite well during that time as well.

Over the past decade, Lindsay has since moved out to San Diego with her beau, Dominic.  When she wrote me saying that they were tying the knot, I was ecstatic for the two of them.  They love the Buena Vista area, and Mt Princeton Hot Springs happened to have one Saturday left available in all of 2017 – two months away from the day that they booked the venue.  😳  They planned a destination wedding in Colorado in less than two months, with some absolutely stunning details and had many of their loved ones able to attend.

I love Buena Vista, I visit quite often to hike in the summer and fall.  I’ve actually attempted to climb Mt Princeton three times but the weather or sickness has made each attempted date not work out (I’m coming for you in 2018 Princeton).  Even though I’ve lived in Colorado my whole life, I’ve never visited this mountain town in the winter!  Colorado winters can be quite touch and go with weather, so I watched the forecast for 10 days leading up to December 16.  The day of the wedding came, and it was GORGEOUS outside.  Over 50* out (AT 9,000 FEET!) and sunny.  We couldn’t have asked for a better day.

When Lindsay and Dominic were planning their wedding, they asked for the best time to hold their ceremony (which in winter, I’m always more than happy to help plan for light).  Just as they began to say their vows, the sun crested over Mt Antero and gave off the most majestic, beautiful light.  It felt quite magical witnessing.

After their vows and intimate ceremony, we headed a little up the road to an open field that Lindsay and Dominic had found the night before and wanted to photograph in.  It was great to gain some altitude, as we were able to catch more light as it was falling behind the mountains.

One of the things that I really loved about their reception was that instead of having a dedicated first dance as husband and wife, they snuck in a dance after open dancing had started.  She let me know what the song was ahead of time so I could be prepared, and once I heard Into The Mystic by Van Morrison being played by the band I knew it was their dance.  All of their family and friends surrounded them and danced along with them.  By the way, if you want to make me shed some tears – play Into the Mystic.  I think it’s one of the most romantic and beautiful songs ever written.

Thank you for inviting me to celebrate your wedding with the two of you and your families, Lindsay and Dominic.  It was truly an honor.  And it was great to see all of the Nordholm family again as well. 😊 I wish the two of you all the happiness in the world.

Venue:  Mt Princeton Hot Springs

Band:  Wash Park Band

Florals:

Dress Designer:

Shoes:  Christian Louboutin 

Second Shooter:  Melissa Minkner

Savannah Chandler Photography | Colorado Mountain Wedding Photographer

Based in Denver, CO | Available for travel worldwide