Pinecrest Wedding
After 17 years of photographing weddings, it’s rare that we experience a “first” on a wedding day. But during Nassia and Jeff’s Pinecrest wedding reception in Colorado Springs, we experienced a very cool first.
But let’s back up a moment. When Nassia and Jeff first reached out to us in November of last year, Jeff mentioned that he was a photographer himself. It’s always an honor to photograph the wedding of a fellow photographer, but it comes with a bit of added pressure as well. Other photographers have a keen insight into what you’re doing, so you really have to on top of your game. Not that you’re not on top of your game other times; you’re just a bit more conscious of what you’re doing when working with others who understand the finer points of your profession. So, we knew we had to knock this one out of the park.
As soon as we arrived at Holy Theophany Orthodox Church to begin the day, that feeling of pressure immediately lifted. Some churches leave a little something to be desired aesthetically, but this place was beautiful. We had only photographed one Orthodox wedding before, nearly 15 years earlier, so getting the opportunity to work in a location like this was a real treat for us.
And after taking portraits with the couple at two of of favorite spots in Colorado Springs (Garden of the Gods and Monument Rock), the real treat was discovering that Nassia and Jeff had seated us at their head table for dinner. A first for us.
Now, don’t get me wrong. We love eating on our own. During a chaotic wedding day, being able to step away to take a moment to ourselves to breathe and regroup is invaluable. But in seeing our names on the head table place card, we couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional. It’s one thing to be asked to photograph another photographer’s wedding. Then being asked to join them at their table for dinner is the cherry on top.
Nassia and Jeff, thank you both so much for this “first” and we hope to share another meal with you again somewhere down the road!
VENUE SPOTLIGHT
Pinecrest Weddings and Event Center is tucked away in a residential neighborhood in Monument, Colorado (just north of Colorado Springs) at the base of the Rocky Mountains. It’s a cavernous, log cabin-style building with plenty of space and parking for weddings of all sizes. They also have a second building that acts as a chapel, if you want to have your ceremony and reception in the same location. And the best part is that Pinecrest is very budget friendly compared to other similar venues in Colorado.
Interested in getting some cool photos of your own?
Reach out and we’ll brainstorm ideas together.
![place cards for head table at Pinecrest wedding in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/pinecrest-wedding-place-cards-1024x682.jpg)
![bride getting ready for Pinecrest wedding in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-01-1024x683.jpg)
![priest at orthodox wedding ceremony in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-02-1024x682.jpg)
![groom at orthodox wedding ceremony in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-03-1024x681.jpg)
![wedding kids at orthodox wedding ceremony in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-04-1024x682.jpg)
![orthodox wedding ceremony in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-05-1024x681.jpg)
![bride and groom orthodox wedding ceremony in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-06-1024x681.jpg)
![groom hugging guests after orthodox wedding ceremony in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-07-1024x683.jpg)
![bride hugging guests after orthodox wedding ceremony in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-08-1024x683.jpg)
![portrait of bride and groom at Pikes Peak](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-09-1024x681.jpg)
![portrait of bride and groom at Pikes Peak](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-10-1024x681.jpg)
![portrait of bride and groom at Pikes Peak](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-11-1024x682.jpg)
![bride and groom hiking in the woods](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-12-1024x682.jpg)
![silhouette photo of bride and groom in front of mountains](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-13-1024x682.jpg)
![bride and groom walking in the Colorado mountains](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-14-1024x681.jpg)
![bride and groom kissing in the woods](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-15-1024x681.jpg)
![bride and groom kissing in the woods](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-16-1024x681.jpg)
![bride and groom grand entrance at Pinecrest wedding in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-17-1024x683.jpg)
![mother of the groom toast at Pinecrest wedding in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-18-1024x682.jpg)
![bride crying during toast at Pinecrest wedding in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-19-1024x681.jpg)
![bride and groom first dance at Pinecrest wedding in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-20-1024x683.jpg)
![father daughter dance at Pinecrest wedding in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-21-1024x681.jpg)
![bouquet toss at Pinecrest wedding in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-22-1024x682.jpg)
![flower girl at Pinecrest wedding in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-23-1024x682.jpg)
![sunset portrait of bride and groom at Pinecrest wedding in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-24-1024x681.jpg)
![sunset portrait of bride and groom at Pinecrest wedding in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-25-1024x681.jpg)
![bride and groom bubble send off at Pinecrest wedding in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-26-1024x682.jpg)
![bride and groom bubble send off at Pinecrest wedding in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-wedding-photographer-j-la-plante-photo-27-1024x682.jpg)
And now for some behind-the-scenes photos!
![wedding photographer hugging the groom at Pinecrest Wedding in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-behind-the-scenes-01-1024x681.jpg)
![wedding photographer fixing bride's veil at Pinecrest Wedding in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-behind-the-scenes-02-1024x681.jpg)
![wedding photographer posing for test photos during Pinecrest Wedding in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-behind-the-scenes-03-1024x681.jpg)
![wedding photographer taking photos of the first dance during Pinecrest Wedding in Colorado Springs](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-behind-the-scenes-04-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding photographer posing the bride and groom outside of church](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-behind-the-scenes-05-1024x681.jpg)
![wedding photographer catching bride as she almost falls](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-behind-the-scenes-06-1024x681.jpg)
![wedding photographer holding strobe light during bride and groom bubble send off](https://jlaplante.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/pinecrest-wedding-colorado-springs-behind-the-scenes-07-1024x682.jpg)
Ceremony: Holy Theophany Orthodox Church
Reception: Pinecrest Weddings and Event Center
Portraits: Garden of the Gods
Dress: Something White Bridal
Veil: Blair Nadeau Bridal
Suit: Suit Supply Denver