Riane & Michael | Colorado Backyard Wedding

If no one had introduced themselves to me as “Riane’s cousin” and “Riane’s aunt” and “the couple’s close friend”, I would have assumed the team surrounding Riane and Michael on their wedding day were professionals that had been hired. And that’s not because they were treated like hired help! (In fact, I was not treated as hired help and I didn’t know the couple except through emails and one Facetime conversation.) It’s just that Riane and Michael’s family and friends really came together to bring their wedding day vision and planning to life! Aunts baked delicious desserts, cousins organized and set up decor, a close friend performed the ceremony and emceed, parents were present and supportive, and guests attended and enjoyed the day celebrating with Riane and Michael.

From an outsider’s perspective looking in, it really says something significant about who Riane and Michael are (and who their friends and family are) that so many people willingly offered their time and talents to put together such a beautiful and special event!

It’s not easy to put together and pull off a backyard wedding where you are literally in charge of every detail from decor to sound to music to set up and tear down, but it was clear that Riane and Michael had communicated and delegated their plan well. While the usual humming energy of a wedding day was evident, it was a positive energy. Everyone who was helping knew what they were doing but weren’t stressed or upset. With the exception of a tiny Bluetooth mishap, the details were in place and things ran smoothly all day thanks to such a great team effort. Most importantly, when it came time to stop and enjoy the ceremony, dinner, and dancing, those same people who had been helping to set up and to direct the day joined right in the moment. As a result of all the support, Riane and Michael were really able to be fully present in their wedding day and enjoy the significance of celebrating their marriage with those they care about most!

Riane and Michael, thanks for inviting and trusting me to capture the memories of your wedding day. Congratulations on your marriage and on your little one expected in a few short months! I teared up through your vows and captured many of those ceremony photos through blurred vision. Your love for one another is inspiring and beautiful! I wish you a long, happy life together!!