La luce che tu hai (I pray you'll be my light) Nel cuore resterà (And watch us where we go) A ricordarci che (And help us to be wise) Eterna stella sei Nella mia preghiera (Let this be our prayer) Quanta fede c'è (When we lose our way)
There wasn't a dry eye in the house as bridesmaid Kayla and Alyssa's uncle Randy sang duet on "The Prayer" during the wedding ceremony. And as Alyssa and her groom Evan shared their first kiss and walked down the aisle together as husband and wife, the joy and excitement in the air was tangible.
I am honored to have been able to photograph and document Alyssa and Evan's beautiful Brookside Gardens wedding recently in Berthoud. These two Nebraskans (although Alyssa is from Colorado) planned a personal event to share their nuptials and celebrate the evening away under summer rain drops.
I met Alyssa and Evan for the first time at Horsestooth Reservoir for their engagement photos. We have a fun time exploring around the area, talking and getting to know each other. They are truly bright souls.
Alyssa and Evan met through a mutual friend who set them up on a blind first date. After a few weeks of texting, Evan asked her out for sushi in downtown Omaha. Evan was easy to talk to and made Alyssa feel so comfortable; after sushi they went to a local Irish pub for live music and from the very first moments together, it seemed like they had known each other forever.
Shortly after, Alyssa had moved back home to Colorado while sharing a long distance relationship with Evan. He made the drive out west to visit and see some of Alyssa's favorite places. They went horseback riding in Estes Park for her birthday and shared many special moments that would change their lives forever.
When it came time to propose, Evan planned the most perfect event. These two love birds love visiting the Omaha Zoo, so Evan "purchased a backstage pass from Groupon where we could learn more about the aquarium with a private tour by a zookeeper". Little did she know, it was all part of his plan to propose! When they arrived, the tour guide explained to them that there would be a photographer there taking pictures to market the backstage pass experience (wink wink). As Alyssa was absorbed watching the zookeeper feed a sea turtle, Evan dropped down to one knee and asked her to marry him.
Brookside Gardens is one of my favorite wedding venues in Colorado. With its stunning hanging flower baskets, aspen grove, and clean crisp indoor space for receptions, there really isn't a more beautiful place to get married along the Front Range. The staff is incredibly helpful and with the salon & spa on site, it's a win-win location for all!
Alyssa and Evan chose fuchsia and ivory for their colors with the bridesmaids beautifully dressed in long gowns and the men looking sharp in black suits. Best Day Florals outdid themselves again with jaw-droppingly beautiful flowers and their cake was one of my favorites to date by the crazy talented Nancy Best Cake Design.
We were graced with an afternoon of rain showers but it didn't even phase these two! We whipped out a couple of umbrellas and embraced what Mother Nature threw at us. And if I'm being totally honest, I sorta love doing romantic portraits under an umbrella.
When asked about her favorite wedding memory, Alyssa said "I will forever remember standing in front of our closest family and friends at our ceremony with Evan at my side... I remember looking at Evan knowing that without any hesitation I was so proud to become his wife and spend my entire life with him. I remember looking at our parents with tears of happiness in their eyes. Just knowing that all of the family who had supported us through the years were there to witness this special event meant so much to me. It was the perfect day and during the ceremony I felt time stood still and there was only unconditional happiness and love between Evan and I."
Congratulations, you two! Your love is a forever kind of love and I pray for a blessed life together.
Venue: Brookside Gardens, Berthoud CO Catering: Origins Catering Florist: Best Day Floral Design Cake: Nancy Best Cake Design DJ: Top Hat Entertainment Hair Stylist/Salon: Aveda at Brookside Gardens
Are you planning a wedding? I'd love to hear more! Contact me today for availability.