Dancing in the Rain: Mr. & Mrs. Peterson’s Wedding at Della Terra Mountain Chateau

There’s something truly special about couples who embrace whatever the day brings, and Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are a shining example of just that. Their wedding at Della Terra Mountain Chateau in Estes Park was filled with anticipation, love, and a bit of the unexpected—just the way a Colorado mountain wedding should be. With the breathtaking Rocky Mountains as a backdrop and the lush greenery of Della Terra surrounding them, they celebrated a day full of spontaneity, laughter, and heartwarming moments.

The day began with Bailey and her bridesmaids getting ready in the bright and spacious bridal suite at Della Terra. The suite, designed to let in plenty of natural light, was the perfect place for Bailey and her best friends to spend the morning together. Laughter filled the room as her maid of honor helped with the final touches on her hair and makeup, while her bridesmaids bustled around, offering words of encouragement and joy. Bailey’s excitement was contagious as she slipped into her gown—elegant and timeless, with intricate lace details that looked stunning against the mountainous backdrop.

Meanwhile, in the groom’s suite, her soon-to-be husband and his groomsmen were sharing jokes and enjoying a laid-back morning. The atmosphere was lighthearted as they helped each other with ties, polished their boots, and talked about how excited they were for the ceremony. The suites at Della Terra are designed to cater to the couple’s needs, ensuring both the bride and groom have a stress-free morning filled with good company and great memories.

As the bride and groom prepared for their first look, a sudden summer storm began to roll over the mountains. Instead of letting the unexpected weather disrupt the day, Bailey and her groom took it in stride. They dashed to a secluded gazebo on the property, where they shared a private first look, the rain softly tapping on the roof above them. With the misty mountains in the background, this setting made for one of the most intimate first looks I’ve ever photographed. It was as if the entire world faded away, leaving just the two of them in that magical moment.

In the covered gazebo, away from the hustle and bustle of the day, the couple exchanged private vows. Their words were filled with love and laughter, and even a few happy tears. Bailey’s groom couldn’t hold back his emotions as she shared her heart, and it was easy to see how deeply these two were in love. The rain added an ethereal touch, making the moment feel like a scene from a romance novel. Capturing these private, unscripted moments is one of my favorite parts of being a wedding photographer, and it’s what makes each wedding so unique and personal.

With the rain still softly falling, the bridal party braved the weather for some of the most fun and lively group photos I’ve ever taken! The entire group was laughing and cheering each other on as they twirled umbrellas, splashed in puddles, and truly embraced the adventure of the day. One of my favorite prompts for groomsmen is a friendly race to see who can grab a beer on the ground in front of them—whoever gets it first has to chug it as fast as they can. It’s always a hit, and the Peterson wedding party didn’t disappoint! The excitement and laughter made for some truly dynamic, candid photos that captured the joy of the moment.

After the bridal party photos, we headed back to the venue to dry off and prepare for the ceremony. As they walked back, Bailey kicked off her shoes and went barefoot through the wet grass, smiling the whole way. It was such a sweet moment that really highlighted her adventurous spirit and love for the unexpected. When we got back to the bridal suite, she took a moment to touch up her curls and then welcomed her furry best friend to join her for some pre-ceremony photos. Seeing her face light up when her dog arrived was a moment I’ll never forget!

As the rain finally let up, we gathered for a stunning outdoor ceremony with the misty mountains framing the couple perfectly. Just as they began their vows, a few curious deer wandered out of the woods to watch, adding a bit of extra magic to the moment. Bailey and her groom shared their heartfelt promises and then performed a unity ceremony that was as unique as their relationship. Using soil gathered from their childhood homes, they planted a small tree together, symbolizing the roots they were growing as a family.

Once the ceremony concluded and they shared their first kiss as husband and wife, we took a few more family photos before heading inside for the reception. As the sun began to set, I whisked the couple away for some newlywed portraits around the property. The rain had left everything looking fresh and vibrant, and the mountains glowed with a soft, golden light. Wandering through the woods and fields, they held hands, laughed, and soaked in their first sunset as a married couple.

Bailey and her groom took every opportunity to steal a quiet moment together amidst the hustle and bustle of the day. We made our way to a clearing overlooking the venue, with the sun dipping behind the peaks, casting a stunning array of colors across the sky. These sunset photos ended up being one of the most beautiful parts of the day and are some of my favorites from their wedding!

Back at the venue, the couple shared their first dance under the twinkling fairy lights as the stars came out above them. They were surrounded by friends and family, everyone cheering and celebrating their love. After the dance floor opened up, they all danced the night away under the clear mountain sky.

Tips from a Colorado Wedding Photographer for Embracing Weather on Your Big Day:

1. Pack for the Unexpected: Always have clear umbrellas, shawls, or even cute rain boots on hand. Not only will they keep you dry, but they can also add a fun and unique element to your photos!

2. Create a Flexible Timeline: Plan for a little extra time between events to accommodate any sudden weather changes or to sneak in extra photo ops if the sun decides to surprise you.

3. Use Your Venue to Its Fullest Potential: Della Terra, for example, has gorgeous indoor and covered spots for stunning portraits even if it’s raining.

4. Trust Your Photographer: I’ve worked through all kinds of weather in Colorado, so trust me to capture your day beautifully, no matter what!

5. Embrace the Adventure! The weather is part of what makes a Colorado wedding so unique. So dance in the rain, play in the snow, or twirl in the sunshine—your joy and spontaneity will shine through in your photos.