Going into Courtney and Derek’s Della Terra wedding on Sunday, Jesse and I already knew that we’d have the opportunity to take some really great photos. After all, this was the couple who let us get them drunk on whiskey (the day before they were moving to Tennessee), followed us into an abandoned business park in the middle of the night, and then threw copious amounts of Holi powder at each other, all with no guarantee that the photos would turn out. Spoiler alert: the photos were amazing.
Knowing their penchant for adventure, Jesse and I started the day out by having them climb rocks for the perfect photo in front of McGregor Mountain; not an easy feat in dress shoes! Shortly after they had scrambled back down, the rain moved in and soon we were in a torrential downpour. Courtney and Derek smiled through the whole ordeal, not worried that her dress might get a little dirty or his shoes might get scuffed. After all, if you end the day with a pure white dress, you probably didn’t enjoy your wedding!
But Jesse and I weren’t done with the photo challenges for this couple. Months before, we had gone on a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park and found a spot where we absolutely had to photograph a couple. These two were the obvious choice. Since there wouldn’t be enough time on the day of the wedding, we arranged for a post-wedding photo shoot at sunset the next day. Courtney got to do the one thing “they” always say you won’t: she wore her wedding dress more than once. This time, though, she had hiking shoes for our trek up to Dream Lake.
We saw plenty of wildlife, got our steps in for the day, and took photos in one of the most beautiful spots on Earth. (Shout out to Suzanne and Tegan for being so gracious when we roped them into carrying photo equipment!) Then we hiked back down the mountain so Courtney and Derek wouldn’t miss their flight to Grenada. After all, photos are important, but so is relaxing!
With all said and done, this Della Terra wedding was one for the books.
Courtney and Derek, we hope that you two are sitting on a beach reading this, drinking rum, and reliving your wedding day. We had so much fun with you at every one of our crazy photo shoots; we’ll have to do another one soon!
Venue: Della Terra Mountain Chateau
Coordination: Blue Linden Weddings & Events
Caterer: Catering By Design
Videographer: Films About Love
Officiant: Matt Morgan
Florist: Fairytale Floral
Bakery: Colorado Rose Cake Company
DJ: Standing Room Only
Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas
Dress: David Tutera from Ann Matthews Bridal
Hair & MU: Charmed Beauty
Men’s Suits: Mens Warehouse
Portrait Session: Dream Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park