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Hearth House Venue is a stunning place to say “I do.” More than that, it’s an all-inclusive, family-owned and operated space. They’re committed to giving back to the community, and providing a warm and caring experience through exceptional service. As they put it, they’re “reviving tradition, and embracing hospitality in a modern setting.”
That setting sits on the historic site of the original Monument Hotel on the North side of Colorado Springs. Which just so happens to make it one of the most photo-friendly wedding venues in the city! As a Colorado wedding photographer, I can say with confidence that Hearth House Venue truly captures the rustic elegance of the Rocky Mountains brilliantly. The exquisite design compliments the natural beauty of the Colorado mountains, so there really isn’t a bad place to take your wedding photos. But if you need a place to start, here are my three favorite photo-friendly spaces, and how to use each one on your wedding day.
1: The Cottage
The Cottage at Hearth House Venue was designed primarily for use by the bride/bridal party. This space is as comfortable as it is stylish! The classic design, combined with the modern touches, makes it a perfect backdrop for traditional “getting ready” photos. It’s even earned the reputation as a “perfect place for the four M’s: Makeup, Munchies, Mimosas, and Memories.” Yes please! And did I mention the clean color palette and natural light? This space will elevate your photos without competing for attention. Every color and detail is sure to shine! In fact, it’s a great spot for bridal portraits, or “first look” photos with your parents and bridesmaids.
At the end of the day, getting ready photos are a perfect way to capture the emotions and anticipation at your wedding, and The Cottage is the perfect place to capture them. Curious why these moments are important to your wedding gallery? And how to make sure each shot looks amazing? Check out my Bride’s Guide to Getting Ready Photos here.
Bonus: There’s an equally perfect space for the groom to prepare! The Lounge boasts a “pub-like” vibe, complete with 55″ flat screen TV and a BBQ grill on the patio.
2: The Colorado Courtyard
Hearth House Venue’s Colorado Courtyard is the obvious choice for an outdoor wedding ceremony. It’s beautifully landscaped, and the Rocky Mountains set the stage perfectly. And the stone waterfall is the cherry on top!
How I love to photograph this space? Once your wedding gallery has plenty of gorgeous ceremony shots, have your guests move to The Mountain View Terrace for cocktails. Then clear the chairs and break out the lawn games! Wedding portraits can end up feeling stiff or stuffy. Fun spaces and joy-filled candid photos can be just the thing to capture the feelings of the day rather than the poses. You can read through my tips for stress-free family wedding portraits here. Then take my word for it: A fun space can immediately shift the vibe from “obligatory photo op” to relaxed and fun moments we’ll happen to capture, even when you’re all posing together.
Oh, and that Mountain View Terrace? It sits right between the Courtyard and the reception-ready Grand Hearth Room. It has mountain views (hence the name) and a 25-foot stone fireplace. A photo-friendly space all on its own!
3. Monument Lake
I know. Technically this spot isn’t on the property, but just a short walk across Mitchell Avenue sits a 30-acre reservoir, and gorgeous mountain views. Let your guests enjoy a ballroom-style reception in the Grand Hearth Room and sneak away for 30 minutes or so. You can capture some amazing bride and groom portraits at the lake… Especially at golden hour, or when the water is still and clear!
I’ve been a Colorado wedding photographer for more than a decade now, and I know how rare it is to get water AND mountains in the same image. Let alone at a wedding venue! Trust me. This little walk is worth it.
Are you ready to lock in your dream Hearth House Venue wedding? I’d love to hear your vision! These gorgeous, joy-filled moments will only happen once. Let’s make sure we capture them together.
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Wedding photographers are tasked with an incredible job. Sure, there’s the business end: The shot list, the schedule keeping, editing, albums, and a million other tiny details you can leave to us. But there’s also magic. We get to capture the day—including all of the moments you miss in the swirls of celebration.
Wedding photographers get to see each wedding as a carefully crafted story. We look for the best light, the intentional details, and the emotional connections, rather than the planned schedule of events. Wedding photographers can focus on fleeting interactions, composition, and technical, artistic, and logistical elements. We remove distractions, and identify the quiet spots worth remembering, even when you’re wrapped up in the noise.
Let’s face it. You’re a little busy, well, getting married! So leave the vision to us. What is it that wedding photographers actually see? Here’s a list of my favorite moments to capture, including the ones you’ll likely miss during the big day.
The Looks
We’ve all heard the phrase, right? “Find someone who looks at you the way ____ looks at ____.” The way we look at each other is a unique, innate, and immediate emotional response. It doesn’t require staging or intervention. It’s raw and human. It’s an outward expression of an internal feeling—a visual manifestation of a heart swell. That’s why “first look” photos are on almost every bride’s shot list! But whether you’re planning a separate “first look” before you walk down the aisle, or you’re leaving the reaction for the moment itself, there are plenty of “first looks” wedding photographers are looking out for.
Here’s a few looks you can add to your shot list:
- First look: Bride and groom
- First look: Bride and bridesmaids
- First look: Groom and Groomsmen
- First look: Bride with mom/dad/siblings
- First look: Groom with mom/dad/siblings
And here’s a few that I’ll capture just for you:
- The groomsmen’s reactions when you walk down the aisle
- The family’s reactions to your bride/groom “first look”
- The bridesmaid’s reactions to your first dance
- The flower girl/ring bearer’s reaction to your first kiss
Bonus tip: Are there any special details tucked into your wedding day? Think of the moments you won’t want to miss, like the first time your grandma sees you in your mother’s wedding gown or the first time two guests reunite before the ceremony. Be sure you communicate those details to your wedding photographer as you think of them! You might forget when the festivities take over, but we won’t, and we’ll make sure you don’t miss it.
The Emotions
Your wedding day is FULL of emotions. From overwhelming joy to deep love and excitement, anxiousness, and even bittersweet nostalgia. Wedding photographers strive to capture these emotions so you don’t just remember how everything looked. You remember how everyone felt—even if you didn’t notice it at the time! There are a few key moments guaranteed to pack an emotional punch, but there are a few others that might not be on your radar. Don’t worry. Wedding photographers will make sure you don’t miss a moment!
Here’s a few emotional moments to add to your shot list:
- Walking down the aisle
- Reading the vows
- The speeches and toasts
- Bride and groom’s exit (more about that here!)
And here’s a few that I’ll capture just for you:
- The bride and her father waiting to walk down the aisle
- Your guests during the vows
- The bride and groom’s reactions to speeches and toasts
- The parents of the bride and groom after they depart
With every detail you plan, you’re preparing to embark on a lifetime of wedded bliss, building a life full of unimaginable joy. And you get to do it in a gorgeous gown at a stunning ceremony as unique as your union! Telling stories—the whole story, beyond the shot list— is one of my favorite parts of being a photographer. And I’m so excited for the couples about to write this chapter of their very own love story!
