Real Wedding - Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado - J. La Plante Photo

Real Wedding Description

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado is one of the coolest wedding venues in the country. The historic building, which is perched atop the foothills overlooking town, served as inspiration for Stephen Kings's 1977 novel, The Shining. In addition to being a popular destination for tourists, it's also become a mainstay on the short list for couples looking for a beautiful mountain wedding venue. 

But in 12 years working as Colorado wedding photographers, we had never had the pleasure of shooting a wedding at the Stanley. Until this spring, that is...

When Eden and Cade reached out to us looking for a photographer for their Stanley Hotel wedding, we jumped at the opportunity. We started the day early in the morning, shooting the bride and groom getting ready in their respective rooms and, once it was time, brought them together on one of the Stanley Hotel's beautiful balconies for their first look. Then it was off to Rocky Mountain National Park for some pre-ceremony portraits with the park's epic mountain vistas.

We delivered the bride and groom back to the Stanley Hotel just in time for their ceremony, which was officiated by one of the couple's close friends. Highlights included some highly emotional vows and jaw-dropping views of the snow-capped Rocky Mountains.

After the ceremony, it was off to the reception, where the newlyweds entered through a line of light sabers wielded by some of the evening's younger guests (May the 4th be with you!). Cocktail hour lead into dinner and then it was time to cut a rug. Eden and Cade danced the night away with friends and family.

Before we departed, we whisked the couple away for a few quick nighttime portraits incorporating the classic architecture of the hotel. It was the perfect bookend to the perfect day. This wasn't our first Estes Park Wedding, but it was undoubtedly one of the most memorable.