Elyse & Zach are Colorado natives who’s wedding at Cielo at Castle Pines was a day full of emotion and love like no other wedding I’ve photographed. Cielo at Castle Pines is south of Denver near Castle Rock and it is such a beautiful venue! Elegant and classic, with a waterfall in the back yard, next to where the ceremony was held and a curved staircase rising up on both sides from the large reception hall. The room that the bride and her party got ready in was flooded with window light and ample enough to allow all the ladies space to get gorgeous.
While Elyse got ready upstairs, she sent us downstairs to deliver gifts to her parents, Zach, and Zach’s 7 year old son, Jackson, everyone cried when they opened their presents (except for Jackson he just wanted to play a video game). Back upstairs, Elyse had some tears and lot’s of laughter when she read the note that Zach had written for her. After she had gotten her dress on with her Mom, Elyse did two reveals, first to her bridesmaids (one of whom could not make it last minute and was watching on a phone), and second to Jackson and her Dad. She looked absolutely stunning and everyone celebrated the beginning of their wedding day.
The day was not all fairytales however, their pastor was unable to attend last minute, along with one of Elyse’s bridesmaids, and most importantly Zach’s Mom had been hospitalized and his Dad was by her side at the hospital, so neither could attend his wedding. The ceremony was officiated beautifully however and when Jackson came to say his vows to Elyse, his new stepmom, Zach’s emotions erupted.
The toasts were very poignant and the friendships that the couple has with the toasters brought everybody to tears. What made me cry the most, was when Elyse and Jackson did a first dance and Zach was crying watching them. The photos of that dance are some of my personal favorites from the day (I’m a stepmom too).
After the toasts and dinner we all went to the backyard and played around with some smoke bombs. When it started to really rain, rather than run inside, Elyse said she just wanted to get soaking wet in the rain with her husband. We had an absolute blast! I joined them for the final shots at the bar with the whole crew and was sad to see their wedding come to an end.
