Happy Anniversary Sarah and Lane
Sarah and Lane were married one year ago this April in a Colorado destination wedding at Saint Malo Retreat Center Chapel on the Rock. The popular landmark is locate near Allenspark, Colorado about 20 minutes from Estes Park Colorado. It is this tiny little catholic church that sits at the base of Longs Peak, Mount Meeker is nearby and the chapel is situated just outside Rocky Mountain National Park. The church is best suited for small intimate weddings. I’m not sure 100 people will fit inside the chapel.
The weather was a little bit of everything on this particular day from beautiful blues skies to snow. The wind during the ceremony was howling outside. I’m glad the church is made from stones because it felt solid against the gale force winds rolling off the Rocky Mountains that day. I did say a silent little prayer for the roof hoping it would not end up in Kansas before the end of the wedding ceremony.
I had all these great ideas for outside wedding photographs after the ceremony with the bride and groom which were immediately changed. Weather is one element is photography you can not change. I usually incorporate the weather conditions into my pictures creating and unexpected element which can be fun. If is snows, Great!, put on snow boots. If it rains No Problem, umbrellas are great props. Wind, however, is the most difficult weather element to incorporate. It can be helpful when it catches the veil and dress just right. I can also use it as a high fashion look when it blows the hair. Here is the catch, it has to be blowing from the right direction and not too forceful. Generally wind causes more trouble than it is worth. It makes your eyes water and if that isn’t bad enough everyone is squinting. Not a great look.