Brooke & Max's Summer Wedding at Spruce Mountain Ranch - Colorado Wedding Photographer

As is so common in this modern era, Brooke and Max met online. Max likes to joke that it was on FarmersOnly.com (ha!). Their first date included pizza and beer, and learning that they both shared a love for live music. They walked over to a local jazz club and quickly became inseparable. They spent the next couple years exploring, traveling together, and binge watching crime shows.

Their wedding day arrived warm and summery. Spruce Mountain Ranch is a stunning backdrop in the hearts of the Colorado foothills. With sweeping views and beautiful architecture elements, it embodies the rustic elegance of Colorado. As they got ready, Brooke was all smiles especially when she opened her gift from Max (hello custom Air Jordans). And as he read a letter from Brooke, Max's eyes filled with tears.

An afternoon storm came up, so the couple decided to have their ceremony inside the Spruce Room, which is a great backup option with it's high ceilings and large fireplace. The weather didn't stop these two from living their best day ever! They stepped outside for the first time as Mr and Mrs into warm sunshine with the biggest grins ever.

When I asked them what their favorite wedding memory was, they replied: "We have 3: seeing each other for the first time at the altar (we didn't do a first look) and crying non-stop, the audible gasp as Brooke pulled her vows out of the pocket in her wedding dress, and catching Max's parents dancing outside on their own under the stars."

The couple's biggest wedding planning advice: "Do a destination wedding, if you can! If not, prioritize what's most important to you early and focus on that with the understanding that you'll have to compromise on certain things at some point. Lastly, once you get close enough to the wedding day, you have to accept that things might happen and you won't be able to do anything about it, so just make the best of the day. Don't forget to eat and drink!"

A huge thank you to associate photographer Sean Lara and 2nd shooter Christina for stepping in to celebrate and capture Brooke and Max's amazing day while Brian and I spent a last day with our sweet cat Luna. We said goodbye to her the next day after a 3-month battle with aggressive intestinal lymphoma. Those last hours and memories with her will truly be with us forever.

Congratulations, Brooke and Max! Your wedding was absolutely beautiful. And thank you for your graciousness during a difficult time in our lives.

Vendor Dream Team:

Venue: Spruce Mountain Events

Planning / Coordination: Cloud 9 Weddings & Papers

Dress: Amanda's Bridal and Tux

Groom's Attire: Ted's Clothiers

Flowers: Mainstreet Flower Market

Catering: Occasions Catering Denver

Cake: Cherry On Top Bakery Inc

DJ: Sound Master Entertainment (Tony Cummins)

HMUA: CRŪ Studio & Lisa Eaton

Videography: Sun Prairie Films