Terrence Huie 2/14/19 Terrence Huie 2/14/19

Why We Love Mountain Weddings: A Return to Our Roots

Mountain Weddings | A Return To Our Roots | Adventure Couples | Rocky Mountains | Colorado Elopement Photographers | Apollo Fields Weddings

Adventures in the mountains are tiring, dirty, and dangerous. One slip can devastate even the most experienced hiker. Yet us adventurers continue to voluntarily thrust our bodies and minds into the wilderness at the mercy of unpredictable winds and crumbling rock faces. Some people think we’re crazy – but fellow adventurers know that there is no peace like the solitude of the woods. We at Apollo Fields say bring on the perilous terrain because there’s nothing we love more than a photo session in the wild or a rustic mountain wedding!

That’s because mountain weddings celebrate people and nature alike, intertwining the roots of our lives with the organic networks that thrive beneath the soil. We walk between the trees on trodden paths, sometimes blazing trails of our own. The smoke from our campfires pierce the dark mountain sky, signaling to those in the area that warmth and laughter is but a few paces away. Darkness falls upon the screens of our devices. Far removed from cities forged in steel and concrete, the stars in the open sky ignite our imaginations. There is no need for anything or anyone other than what is here.

That is really what nature provides us. A home. A place for our minds to rest and dream with sights and smells rather than artificial mental stimuli. Dopamine kicks and oxytocin spikes are the results of biochemical technological deception. Immersing ourselves in nature resets our minds, syncing our systems with the gentle trickle of a mountain creek. Why else do you think listening to the sounds of nature on our iPods puts us to sleep?

Us adventurers risk our bodies for the sake of our minds. We realize that we are part of our natural world, not separate from it. Yes, we’ve broken free from the food chain but our minds still live in the woods. They still long for the unknown despite our 21st century tendency to cling to mindless chatter rather than embrace the infinitude of silence. The darkness that engulfs the night is terrifying, but the brightness of our screens blinds us into stagnation. Thus we must venture into the mountains to find that which technology cannot provide.

The mountains present the perfect landscape to celebrate a wedding. Safely tucked into a mountainside, loved ones find comfort in the company of friends and family. With nowhere to turn for entertainment than stories around a campfire, memories whirl about the floating embers like little flakes of nostalgia. All of life’s troubles melt from the end of a stick holding a smoldering marshmallow. But back in the banquet halls and beneath the vaulted church ceilings, we remain confined in the artifice of our human existence. We say break the walls down and run for the hills. That’s where love really learns to take root.

Adventures are risky but they present opportunities for growth. By staying safely in our homes and living rooms we forget that we were once at home in the mountains. When considering where to get married think not for where is most lavish, but where you feel the most connection. You might be surprised that you feel most comfortable in the darkness of the woods.

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Heather Huie 8/18/18 Heather Huie 8/18/18

Western Riviera Wedding at Lake Grandby, Colorado

Carline & Scott’s Wedding | Western Riviera Wedding Venue | Lake Grandby, Colorado | Grand Lake CO | Apollo Fields Wedding Photography

This was one of those weddings where we were driving home and I had a pinch-me-is-this-real-life moment in the car. I just felt so lucky to have the job that I do! My second shooter, Sarah, and I drove up to Grand Lake early to grab a little brunch in town before the day kicked off. We were all geared up, dressed, and ready to hit the ground running, and it felt good to be able to chill at a little coffee shop in the cute downtown area of Grandby before everything got rolling.

Then we split up, I went to the gals and Sarah went off to the guys, and we got to hang with this sweet family while they prepped and primped. Carline and her step-daughter were getting their hair done at a quaint little salon in town and we were able to snap away some details and getting-ready shots while the day began to pick up.

Then I headed over to the venue to say hi to Shelby (their day-of coordinator who I have worked with on a past wedding) and get some detail shots. Carline and Scott were having an intimate wedding with about 25 guests which made the space feel really open and welcoming. One of the benefits of having a smaller guest count is that they could put more of an emphasis on details and food and everything. I loved their wedding favors, too— yankee candles for each guest to take home! Such a great idea.

Their friends and family began arriving and before long, the ceremony was beginning. Scott and Carline decided that instead of having a big wedding party, they would have Scott’s two kids stand up at the altar with them. They had a beautiful ceremony with the awesome mountains and lake in the background. Cocktail hour was sweet and upbeat and we were able to do family formals totally stress-free out on the patio.

When the sun began setting we got a great golden hour so I snagged Carline and Scott and went down to the water to do some romantics. Much like their engagement session, they had such a great chemistry between the two of them that made photos so much fun! One of my favorite parts of the whole day was when they were out on one of the docks and a boat drove by and began to sound their horn and everyone started clapping.

Okay maybe I lied, I think that was my second favorite part of the day. The best part was when the adorable mom-and-pop ice cream shop next door, Miyauchi’s Snack Bar gave us FREE ice cream to celebrate and do some pics! They offered Sarah and I our own scoops, too, so OF COURSE we said yes! We were literally eating ice cream cones on the docks taking pictures against the sunset and I kept thinking to myself how cool my job is that I can literally do this for a living!!