Garden of the Gods Resort – An Intimate Colorado Springs Wedding
Planning a Destination Wedding…
The Garden of the Gods Resort makes planning a beautiful wedding day and keeping everything in one place a breeze. With the backdrop of Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods – you can’t find a prettier overlook to say “I do”. What makes this spot even better is the spa on site for getting ready. I suggest using the amazing Kim Clay Artistry as your makeup artist. She works with the spa to help Bride’s look their very best.
Michael and Nicole met in high school through a mutual friend. It was love at first sight for the Groom, and he said, “Every time we looked at each other it was electric”. However, their love story started years later when they found each other again, and the rest was history. They reached out to us via The Knot interested in a highlight video and a few hours of photography for their wedding day.
My normal three hour package includes 1 photographer and 1 videographer, but with how large this venue is I suggest that couples add on a second photographer. Michael and Nicole did and we got to our prep work for their March wedding.
Engagement Session for a Destination Wedding?
I love photographing weddings because they are such a big part of love stories. At my heart, I’m a story teller and I want to capture authentic images of moments that tell a story. As a wedding photographer, I am someone who looks for the moments within the wedding that make it unique… special. Every wedding has the main story – the couple – and dozens of little stories that twenty years from now that couple will cherish.
The best way for me to get to know a couple before “I Do” is to work with them! We often set up engagement pictures the week of their arrival to laugh and so that I can watch how they walk… There is something so intimate about how you take your love’s hand and a million other things. While my process includes questionnaires, Zoom calls and texting before your big day – nothing replaces this engagement session. Michael and Nicole’s package included a mini and so we spent 20 minutes together two days before the big day.
This is how we capture a love story in a way that is authentic! So, even if you are planning a destination Colorado Springs wedding – we should still hang out for a bit!
The Big Day
When preparing for a wedding, I want know all about the bride, the groom, their visions, their family and everything else they are putting into their day. Three hours goes by so quickly especially with family being involved. A little lower, I’ll share a sample three hour timeline.
When I arrived we met with both the bride and groom and I hung back with Nicole. We captured her wedding day details (which my MAJECK Wedding Guide helps you prepare for ease) while she sipped champagne with her loved ones in the Bridal room. The groom, Michael got ready and headed out for some portraits with “The Guy” while Nicole’s girl squad helped her into her gown and jewelry. I encouraged them to soak these moments in – they are so special.
The couple made it very clear that family was the most important thing to them. Their wedding party was very small and intimate. It consisted of the Bride, the Groom, the Flower Girl (her daughter), and the Ring Bearer (her son). The bride requested that Bridal pictures include her daughter, mother, mother-in-law, step sister and her friend. The Groom requested that his photos include, their son, father, father-in-law and his friend. We had to play a bit of hide and seek to avoid the Bride being spotted before her portraits.
Then, Nicole chose to have a first look with her father. It was so sweet to watch hold back tears as his daughter prepared for her happily ever after. As a bit of a “Daddy’s Girl” myself, I love these moments.
The Bride’s Aunt was going to officiate and since her sister had passed away they took a moment to remember her during the ceremony.
You could feel the emotion of the moment.
After the ceremony Hors d’oeuvres were passed out by staff at the resort as we began to get ready for family portraits. Family from out of town was even included via Facetime on their iphone! Often, we use the same space as the ceremony site for the extended family portraits. When it was time for the Bend’s to get their first official family portrait we headed off to get better views of the park behind us.
Towards the end of the family portraits the kids got to scamper back and play with their loved ones while the newlyweds walked a bit further away. The reflection pool is always a fun spot to capture, but really – our focus is the dynamic between a couple on their wedding day.
When photography isn’t enough – we offer video. Our team has a theater trained videographer working to create a highlight video for you to love for years to come! Nicole specifically wanted a film vibe and a focus on the romance for their wedding video.
About the Garden of the Gods Resort
The Bend’s wedding took place at the Garden of the Gods Resort & Club in beautiful Colorado Springs. It has a spa, hotel rooms, event space and beautiful outdoor area with views Garden of the Gods National Landmark, Pikes Peak and the Rocky Mountains. Food at the Resort is always delicious and enjoyable and they offer a fully stocked bar. It is the perfect place for a small group to celebrate a love story while being pampered.
Timeline
- 3:30pm Arrive – capture Details/Getting Ready
- 4pm – Bride Getting Dressed
- 4pm Groom Portraits – with group (photographer 2)
- 4:35pm First Look with Dad
- 4:45pm Bride Portraits – bride with the girls
- 5:30pm Ceremony
- 5:50pm License Signing
- 5:53pm – Family Portraits
- 6:05pm – Romantics
- 6:30pm – Photography Ends
No matter how many hours you book for your wedding, each photo and memory is precious. Our team loved working with the Bends and celebrating their day with them.
If you are looking for a photographer or videographer – please reach out to MAJECK and we will provide a quote for your Colorado Springs Wedding.
So let’s #createMAJECK and discuss any questions you may have by contacting me Here.
Mary Elizabeth and James Fabian are the owners of MAJECK Photography and Elope Colorado Springs. Best friends since high school and storytellers with a bit of wanderlust – they spend their free time exploring with their three kids and two dogs or hanging out in the backyard with their family and chickens.