Boulder, Colorado Wedding – Rustic Vintage Peter Rabbit Wedding

If I could plan my own wedding again, what would it look like?  What gives me tingles and butterflies as a wedding photographer?  These were the questions that I contemplated this summer and as a way to take what was in my heart and mind, I put together a stylized photo shoot that reflected the things I love about wedding photos.

I feel all warm and gitty inside when I photograph couples that are simply, comfortably and deeply in love with each other.   I love thoughtful weddings that surround the guests with sights, smells, and sounds that reflect the couple as individuals and as a couple.  I love creative weddings that puts a personalized twist on tradition.   I believe it’s hard to create anything as beautiful as nature, so I love using nature in my images as a way to capture the love of that couple.   So, when I put all of this together, I ended up getting excited about a rustic wedding on a real working farm, with a hint of classical elegance.   The idea of a wedding ceremony against a simple and organic farm backdrop and a reception in the garden where the food had been freshly harvested and prepared made me excited.  Especially in Colorado, beautiful, natural locations are easily accessible within 30 minutes of the Denver metro area.  So, I wanted to create a wedding that felt as though it were completely in a world of its own, but in reality, could be logistically convenient for guests and wedding plans.  I used the children’s book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, by Beatrix Potter, as a theme for my rustic garden wedding.  I was inspired by the muted pastel yellow and blue colors and the rustic garden setting in the book.

The couple, Emily and John, had been married earlier this year, but due to some unfortunate circumstances with their photographer, had only a few images from their wedding day.  It was a perfect fit – I needed a loving couple who didn’t mind being photographed and they needed images of them looking great in their wedding attire.  They had a comfortable and deep connection with each other.  Emily felt a little shy in the beginning, and she looked to John to reassure her that she was okay.  And just with a look, they could find comfort in each other.  John was a free-spirit and his own man who had a great talent at guitar and music and Emily was such a sweet and down to earth girl who felt more comfortable with the sand beneath her feet rather than in her high heels.  Emily was able to wear her original wedding dress and I asked John to wear something that was not as “stuffy” as a suit, but still exuded simple, clean elegance.  John’s simple black and white outfit with black suspenders was something I thought a real farmer would wear to their wedding…a somewhat stylish farmer.  The air was fresh and crisp, the breeze was perfectly warm and Emily and John enjoying each other’s company against the setting sun in the garden was beautifully peaceful. Emily and John – you are both so incredibly sweet and I feel so fortunate to have photographed you and your relationship..thank you!

The images were taken at the Cure Organic Farm in Boulder, Colorado, which is an active family farm that grows a variety of organic vegetables, herbs and flowers and is home to honey bee hives, hens, ducks, pigs and sheep.  When we did this photo shoot, the lettuce was  just about ready to be harvested, so provided endless rows that made for great images.  Fruits and vegetables were used to make make the table decor, as well as rustic items such as shovels, crates, old tins and antique tea cups for flower vases; most of which were found at a local antique shop.

The oh-so-cute Peter Rabbit gift bags were created by Jardin de Papier on Etsy.

I feel fortunate to have been part of a beautiful moment I will never forget when John sang to Emily with his guitar.  Everything was silent except John’s voice and guitar as he sang to Emily in the garden.All of the vendors were local vendors to keep with the organic theme.  The hair and makeup was done by Nicole Herrera of The Retro Room.   Nicole did a great job of striking that perfect balance of being made-up and a simple, natural beauty.  The bride’s bouquet was created by The European Flower Shop in Boulder, Colorado.  The bouquet felt as though the bride had just gathered some flowers from a meadow.  The European Flower shop also provided the Rabbit Ears plants and blue flower pieces for the tablescape.  The bride’s hair piece was provided by Starz Selection on Etsy.

VENDORS:

Venue: Cure Organic Farm in Boulder, Colorado

Hair and makeup: Nicole Herrera of The Retro Room, Denver, Colorado.

Flowers: The European Flower Shop, Boulder, Colorado.

Bride’s hair piece: Starz Selection on Etsy.

Peter Rabbit gift bags: Jardin de Papier on Etsy

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