Summer Wedding at the Black Mountain Lodge of Arapahoe Basin | Clare and Kevin — Colorado Wedding and Elopement Photographer

It’s hard to picture a more perfect location for Clare and Kevin’s wedding than the Black Mountain Lodge of Arapahoe Basin, and that’s saying something as there’s NO shortage of fantastic wedding venues in Colorado! It’s the truth though, as Arapahoe Basin happens to be their favorite place in Colorado to snowboard at!! This gave their wedding a personal touch that I am all for. Being able to celebrate this moment with their friends and family, in a location as remarkably beautiful as this, on a perfect summer day in Colorado, what more could you ask for?!

Before we get into the highlights of Clare and Kevin’s day, I first wanted to give them a shoutout for the wonderful review they left!

“Katie was an absolutely amazing wedding photographer! Her vibes are on point and kept us at ease throughout the entire day. We also had a complimentary engagement shoot with our package, which worked out great because it allowed us to get out any pre-wedding jitters when it came to having our photos taken. Katie is extremely prompt with getting out sneak peeks, so we were able to quickly see how wonderful the wedding photos were going to turn out. We had an excellent experience with Katie and would highly recommend her to anyone looking to book their wedding photographer!”

Starting Their Wedding Day Off Right

Clare and Kevin’s wedding day began with a simple, relaxed energy to it. In the company of her loved ones, Clare got ready in her wonderful floral wedding dress while in the comfort of the Black Mountain Lodge. After a few laughs and some final touches we headed outside into the epic mountains that surrounded us. Colorado is known for its breathtaking mountainous landscapes, yet somehow every time I get the chance to document a wedding in a gorgeous setting like Arapahoe Basin I’m STILL struck with a sense of awe! It was soon time to enjoy one of the MANY highlights of the day, the chairlift ride up to their ceremony space!!

At the top was Kevin, excitedly awaiting the moment when he’d get to see Clare in her dress for the first time! In a vibrant green field, overlooked by the epic mountains, Clare and Kevin shared their first look and WOW what a moment it was!! It’s impossible to see the way Kevin’s face lights up once he sees Clare and not instantly know that these two are meant for one another. After some time together, and a chance to wipe away some happy tears, we took a moment to document some portraits before their ceremony! First were couples portraits, then as Clare and Kevin’s wedding party and family arrived via chairlift we were able to knock out those group portraits as well!

An Outdoor Wedding Ceremony at the Black Mountain Lodge in Arapahoe Basin

Before Clare and Kevin’s wedding ceremony got underway there was one more matter to attend to, a traditional tea ceremony! I absolutely adore when my couples include details and moments into their wedding day that resonate with them. Whether it’s a tradition like this that ties back to Kevin’s family and heritage, or just a small detail from the day, these moments a part of what make weddings such personal experiences, and I just love that! After this traditional ceremony with their loved ones, we began to notice Clare and Kevin’s guests riding up the chairlift. It was time for their ceremony!

Nearly every guest from Clare and Kevin’s wedding was from out of state, so they really got to experience Colorado to the fullest! From the pre wedding chairlift ride, to sitting at a ceremony space surrounded by the mountains of Arapahoe Basin, this was a “Colorado mountain wedding” to the T! With their closest friends and family around them, and the epic mountainous landscape as their setting, Clare and Kevin shared a sweet and emotional ceremony and officially became newlyweds!

Their Wedding Reception at the Black Mountain Lodge in Arapahoe Basin

Clare and Kevin’s first point of celebration after the ceremony was another quick bout of portrait photos, and these are honestly some of the most fun I’ve ever documented! The two rode the chairlift as their ‘getaway vehicle’ after their ceremony, and it was just such a sweet and fun twist to photograph! Following a lovely cocktail hour that Clare and Kevin were also able to take part in, we made our way inside of the Black Mountain Lodge for their reception! The string lit space was tastefully decorated with colorful flowers to match Clare’s wedding dress. A special note about these flowers, Clare and Kevin actually grew them all themselves in their garden which the sustainable side of me ADORES!

The reception felt like a never ending string of memorable moments between the epic toasts, amazing first dances, and the memories created between Clare, Kevin, and their loved ones. The moment that selfishly stuck out to me though was when Clare, Kevin, and I were able to sneak off for some sunset portraits! With the alpenglow lighting the mountains of Arapahoe Basin, Clare and Kevin got to celebrate their wedding day with a moment for just the two of them! It was beautiful and breathtaking, and afterwards we made our way back inside for a night of endless dancing!!

There’s SO much that I love about Clare and Kevin’s wedding at the Black Mountain Lodge of Arapahoe Basin, and I'm so glad I got the chance to relive their wedding day here! Check out some of my other favorite wedding venues in Colorado, and head over to my contact page if you’d like me to document your wedding day!!