~Colorado couple says "I do" on Ft. Collins Farm surrounded by gorgeous Foothills!~
WARNING: Bit of a Personal Story rant...as well as a TON of photos on this post! Start reading with large cup of coffee!
You sometimes just get a feeling. A feeling about meeting somebody...or how a day is going to go...or that something magical is going to happen. Intuition. I have always been one of those people that had an almost annoyingly strong intuition (just ask some of my friends!)...and as I've grown in my business, I've learned to trust that feeling and run with it more than ever.
Now, rewind to about a year ago. We were living up in Windsor while looking for a house in Fort Collins area (we grew up in Norco and wanted to get back up there...and how we ended up in Evergreen is a long story for another day...)...well, if you know that area, you know there is an awesome Brewery and hangout spot (and Garden center!) right off the highway there in Windsor called High Hops. Well, we have always frequented this spot...as it is just a place I always have a "good feeling" about.. and so full of good energy, and lawn games, music, and BEER. And they have a cute Cat or two that roam around...and sometimes baby goats...and it's just swell. Anywho...we went in there early one afternoon (probably earlier than we should've) to just relax a bit and decompress about all the crappy house hunting and junk. Kati was running the Bar/tasting area that day...and I actually started asking her if she was part of the family (It is a family-owned and operated place), because I wanted to build my Commercial portfolio for local businesses and see about doing some photos of the Brewery. Well, she mentioned that she would "soon" be part of the family.....and so of course I had to mention that I shot Weddings and would be happy to chat with she and Zach if they still needed a photographer! She said sure- and I think I wrote my website on a Coaster or napkin for her.
Boom. A story. See, I had a feeling that day. I'm usually not a real self-promoter, as it usual doesn't go very far in casual conversation like that. But I just knew...that these two would have a cool wedding (just based on what she had said..and the kinda cool peeps they are!)...and something I would love to be a part of and document. I LOVE when weddings are something unique, something fun and ordinary- and hold so much personal detail to that couple...and you just sorta lose all the BS that can make Brides so stressed and make you lose sight of what the whole day is about. (although...that tends to happen close to a wedding day no matter what...it's totally normal! lol!)
Over the next few months we chatted back and forth and I felt like I got to know them a bit better (more than just seeing them at the brewery working!), and then Kati actually ended up going to South America to work for a couple months....but as Spring and early summer rolled around..we firmed things up and I was so so excited to be a part of their day! As I heard more about their vision of their wedding...and every part of the day was either a friend helping, or had a story to it...I fell in love with it...and it seemed to just hit at the perfect time. I was feeling pretty down about a lot of things in general and kinda stressed about life and moving so much and feeling a bit lost in parts of my business (it's a curse of being a creative business owner....). Then, BAM. This wedding/people happen and totally resonate with me and what I believe in...and why I do what I do. Timing is such a crazy part of life.
So, what is the point to all this? I guess it's just to show that sometimes you meet people for a reason...and sometimes you have to follow your gut instinct and be persistent. And also it's a Thank you to Kati and Zach for being awesome genuine people....because even though they didn't know it...their wedding became something important to me and my business as well.
So...here's some pics! ;) To give a bit of info about the whole day, here we go! The actual Wedding took place on their Farm in Bellvue (just outside of Fort Collins proper)- which is one of my favorite places in Colorado. I love it. Anyway, they could actually run a Wedding Venue business on this property- they did such an amazing job getting it all ready for the Wedding, and just having so many cool little details throughout (and of course....the turkeys, llamas, chickens, goats, bees, gardens, pasture, mini retro-house, barn for dancing, etc.....)- it was gorgeous! I think I snorted about 15 times that day laughing at the perfect timing of the Turkey gobbles!!
Ok, then there were the tables and florals. Um....I was pretty much speechless with these flowers people. Kati used a local lady and her farm and picked out all the types of flowers that she wanted at the farm (so many dahlias of different colors!)- and then weaved in country style napkins and linens, with little succulents, and mason jars for drinking! (the bouquets were absolutely stunning as well!!) The long gorgeous wood tables were actually made by her friend/Hair dresser, who made them for her wedding. The desserts/cake were made by another friend/baker (who I believed also lived on the property!). Of course, the beer all came from High Hops and had multiple Taps going all night! The food was amazing...and served Family Style-- it just added to the decor even more once all the colorful salads were placed on the tables! Then, they had a HUGE roast PIG! It was amaze-balls.
The Band was a friend (who also frequents High Hops once and a while!), and killed it in the Barn that night- with the Maid of honor chiming in as guest vocalist on a few songs as well! As the sun started to set, I took Kati and Zach just down the road to the top of Bingham Hill...were we got a few portraits and had an EPIC sunset. Sigh.
Pair all of this with a random chicken running through during Toasts, a full moon, Huge Bonfire, KILLER sunset, perfect weather, and just the most FUN and happy people you ever met--- it was a PERFECT wedding. I especially love that Kati (with Rollers in her hair!) and Zach were putting finishing touches on everything themselves...it had such a personal feel to it!
Thank you Kati & Zach, so much, for including me on this ridiculously awesome day....I can't wait to see what your next adventures are...and I'll see you soon for a beer!! ;)
(please message me if interested in knowing vendors!)
