Colorado weddings never go out of style. If you’re a native, it’s an obvious choice. But there’s a reason our state is consistently among the top wedding destinations in the United States, too. The mountain ranges are stunning, the food and activities are second to none, and did I mention we get an average 300 days of sunshine each year? 

It’s true, Colorado weddings are tough to beat. But once you’ve chosen the “Centennial State” for your big day, the vibes are totally up to you! Are you leaning more toward tradition or trend? As a Colorado wedding photographer for more than a decade, I can tell you with confidence that there’s something to be said for both! Traditions are shaped through history and culture, passed down through generations to create a classic “wedding” feel. Trends evolve with the times, driven by new technology, styles and ideas. 

Need to break it down even farther? Let’s take a look at all the trends and traditions for Colorado weddings. 

Style & Decor

Tradition: The mountain theme. With all of Colorado’s gorgeous scenery, a common theme for many weddings is nature-based ceremonies, which influences everything from attire to decor. A traditional Colorado wedding in the winter can focus on the state’s world famous snow-capped mountains, accented by a warm atmosphere inspired by Colorado’s cozy ski lodges and mountain retreats. A traditional Colorado wedding in the summer would let the picturesque landscape serve as the focal point, with rustic details like Rocky Mountain wild flowers that tie the whole event together.

2025-26 Trend: Modern western glam. Colorado is home to plenty of ranches, and this year’s brides are embracing the country-chic vibe. Bold, western-inspired elements pay homage to the state’s cowboy cultural roots, with mixed textures like leather and wood setting the stage for unforgettable Colorado weddings. Think elevated barns, hammered metals, bridal squads in boots and fringe, with bold turquoise and coral accents. 

Ceremony & Rituals

Tradition: Tried and true rituals. The procession, giving away the bride, parent dances, toasts, cake cutting, and speeches. Unity is a common theme, with candle lighting, sand pouring, handfasting and rose exchanges serving as symbolic elements within the ceremony. With a nature-focused backdrop, these traditions allow couples to blend their own unique styles into one union through timeless Colorado wedding details. 

2025-26 Trend: Intimate and personal experiences. Colorado weddings have so much to offer. Single extravagant celebrations are fading in favor of extended experiences for fewer people. Intimate gatherings allow for a higher per-guest spend, creating immersive activities and memorable moments for family and guests alike. 

Colorado Weddings: Blending Trend & Tradition

Maybe the best part of Colorado weddings? You can blend tradition and trend beautifully. Give a nod to the times your love story is part of as you honor the rites of passage that make marriage a sacred union. Wear an elegant white gown as you stand outside beneath a wooden ranch arbor. Hire an officiant for the public pomp and flair, but self-solemnize first for a quiet celebration you’ll cherish forever. The bottom line? Colorado weddings can be whatever you want them to be! Create your own unforgettable experience—one that culminates in stunning, timeless photos that will make your heart swell.

Ready to unpack your vision? I’d love to help you capture it! Let’s talk dates and details soon to create the Colorado wedding of your dreams.

Delivering a wedding gallery is one of my favorite moments as a photographer. I love to imagine the joy each newlywed feels now that the stress of the big day is over and there’s nothing left to do but enjoy looking back at a beautiful day full of love! But a lot happens between “I do” and a finished gallery—and I don’t just mean your honeymoon! In the 8 weeks between the nuptials and my promised delivery time (an expedited 4 weeks if you choose my deluxe collection!), your photographer is hard at work cleaning up your images to make sure they look their absolute best. And with close to 1,000 images to deliver, depending on the collection of services you choose, that’s no quick or easy task!

Why do we do it? Let me show you. Here’s a look at some “before and after” images… a.k.a. why your photographer edits your wedding gallery.

When it comes to the “why” of editing a wedding gallery, I like to think of it in three categories. The first (and most obvious) one?

Visual enhancement and technical corrections

No matter how hard we try to capture perfect, flawless images, weddings move quickly, and so do the magical moments. I also average 100-150 photos per hour of coverage, so batting 1,000 is a tall order! Even the most skilled, professional wedding photographers are at the mercy of unavoidable glares or shadows from decor, reflections, and stray clouds. Editing allows those inconveniences to be our responsibility, not yours! Correcting issues like white balance and exposure, or fixing technical aspects like a crooked horizon or cropping out unwanted visuals on the periphery of a perfect moment can make the images in your wedding gallery more vibrant and appealing, with better composition, before you even see otherwise.

Adding Value to Your Wedding Gallery

Next up: The value. For me, delivering a wedding gallery of carefully edited photos shows the time, effort, and attention I give to ensure my clients get the vision they want. It adds value to the overall product, and creates consistent, visually stunning images that can appeal to future brides/grooms. For you? Well, you get what you pay for! When you hire a professional wedding photographer, you get a professional wedding gallery. Wedding photos preserve memories, and hiring a professional preserves them well. You want perfect images. Let us create them for you!

Last but not least…

Artistic Expression & Storytelling

There’s a reason you chose your wedding photographer. Maybe it’s a connection through family or friends, but even so, it’s almost always because you like their vibe. Warm and sunny images won’t work for a modern/industrial wedding feel. Just like dramatic angles and unique composition won’t suit a more traditional or outdoor/farmhouse-style wedding. When choosing your wedding photographer, I always encourage people to look at the galleries.

Wedding photographers honor your wedding’s design and bring your vision to life, but it’s also important for us keep our branding and editing style consistent. That way clients know exactly what they’re getting and what they can expect in their wedding gallery! Post-event editing allows your photographer to shift focus within an image to draw the viewer’s eye to different details, creating emotional connections through cohesive, recognizable style.

While you’re here, check out some of my wedding galleries and pricing collections here. If you like what you see, let’s talk! All three options include artistic editing and a print release.