Colorado Mountain Wedding with a ViewWedding Day Details:

Much of the day was non traditional by nature of focusing on the people over the stuff.  Melissa (Mel) was in a cabin with the girls getting some finishing touches.  Christian (Lewis, Chris, Jeff, or Jeffery) was up in the rooms further up the hillside. We list the alternative names to give you an idea of all the different names we heard him called.  We took him down to a field with a mountain view then went back to grab Melissa.  Overall it saves some walking in the thin mountain air.

The look of love when they first saw each other was precious.  Tears first showed up at this point.  We got some photos in the field and hello sun!  We were expecting rain and snow but we got patchy clouds covering a blue sky and sun with no complaint.  We focused in a little more on some wide angle and even stepped back out to get a few even wider shots.  We certainly are all for it as we know it allows a couple to print larger and have them in a beautiful landscape.  After some mixed family photos we moved on to the ceremony time.

The ceremony was indoors so that guests wouldn’t freeze as it was late fall mountain weather.  The tears continued at this point.  Melissa couldn’t even read her vows she was that moved by them.  Their friend officiating needed to step in and read them.  This in no way lessened the meaning of what was written as you could tell her eyes said it all.  They met as Firefighters and recounted how it wasn’t this love at first sight but a friendship that turned into the depth you saw in those moments and in the laughter you saw as they enjoyed the day together.

While getting up for a reading their daughter tripped perhaps on the dress.  It was a mix of sadness as both daughters cried together as some laughed at the thing that it was both crying.  Someday they may look back and see the humor but I am sure the glazed looking concrete floor hurt.  The show went on followed by drinks, laughter, and dinner.  As the sun set we went back out because we just wanted to step on more cacti . . . get a few more photos.

They chose this location not because they are a Salida or Buena Vista (BV) native but because it was the first 14er they hiked together when they started dating.  It seems like it was in the adventurous times as these that the relationship really grew into what you saw at the wedding.  Continuing the adventure they drove out to Utah and toured some national parks before flying back to Minnesota through Vegas.

Mt Princeton Hot Springs Review:

Some Mountain Wedding venue locations in Colorado lack a view.  In the case of Mount Princeton Hot Springs you not only get exposed rock of a Colorado 14er directly behind you but you can get the view while soaking in natural 102 degree water.  Hopefully you won’t jump in while wearing your wedding dress but you could comfortably.  The grounds are nestled on a hillside with a number of private cabins in some trees.

The wedding was in a Pavilion and while it can accommodate up to 300 guests they had more around 30.  There are smaller wedding spots on site but unless there are multiple weddings going on I don’t see the point of using them as the Pavilion has the best view, has a warm indoor feel, and glass doors all around the outside.  The only thing we didn’t like about the location is extremely minor and only relevant for a photographer.

There are some private property locations that are between the venue and mountains.  While we were able to tuck them behind some trees they aren’t the most beautiful things.  You likely wouldn’t even notice them.  One thing to note is cell service is spotty up against the mountains but they have WIFI.  Password for it is on a map they can give you at the front desk.  If you have the time and want an amazing view you can also drive a few miles down the road closer to 24 and get a view of the Swatch range.  Time didn’t allow for it but we would have loved it!

If you are interested in seeing more of our work here are our weddings at Mount Princeton Hot Springs.