Courtney + Nick || Wild Horse Inn, Colorado

It just doesn't get much sweeter than a beautiful Colorado wedding in the mountains, and it doesn't get much sweeter than Courtney and Nick. They call themselves a "Tinderella" story, since they met on the dating app Tinder, and they went on a hike for their first date. Does it get any more Colorado than that? I highly doubt it. They dated for two and a half years and got engaged on Christmas Eve of last year. 

Courtney is friends with one of our brides from last summer, and we just love that they contacted us to do their wedding and engagement photos! We met up at the Cheese Importers in Longmont (yes, that's a real place- if you haven't been there before, run, do not walk, to this place and try it out) because these are my kind of people - laid back couples who love CHEESE! But I digress... We met up and felt like we'd been friends forever (maybe it was the magic of the cheese?) and I was so excited to photograph the two of them! They have an easy way of being with each other, making each other laugh, and blanketing anyone around the two of them with a welcoming warmth. Their love is strong, and true, and honest. We did a laid-back engagement photo session in Rocky Mountain National Park earlier this year, which you can see here, and their wedding day was just as perfect! 

Everything for their wedding day took place at the Wild Horse Inn up in Fraser, Colorado, near Devil's Thumb Ranch and Winter Park. The weather was absolutely gorgeous! All the ladies got pampered in the main house that feels like a fancy cabin in the woods, dressed in their cute floral robes, and the guys got ready in one of the adorable cottages on-site (no cute robes for them, but they managed).

Courtney and Nick had a sweet and intimate first look in the front gardens of the property, complete with the handkerchief from Courtney's grandmother and honeybees buzzing around the flowering trees interwoven between the aspens. Their ceremony included sealing a wine box with letters to each other, to be opened A) on the night of their first big fight, or B) on their 5th anniversary. I have a feeling they'll be making it to that 5-year mark before busting into that wine. The love these two have is contagious, and brought 150 people together in the mountains of Colorado to celebrate, eat, dance and be merry. It was such a fun night, and again, we feel like we have a whole set of new friends after this wedding! 

When asked to describe each other in one word, the newlyweds said:

  • Courtney: 

    Funny. Nick can make me laugh no matter what mood I am in.

  • Nick: 

    Rock, because you are my rock

We are so lucky to get to photograph such awesome, and fun, laid-back couples. We loved their outdoor ceremony, and the vows that brought tears to our eyes. We loved the crazy dancing and the heartfelt toasts at the reception, and wish Courtney and Nick all the love and joy they can handle for the rest of their married lives!! Cheers!

The sign at Wild Horse Inn near Winter Park Colorado. Wedding photography by Max Salzburg of Sonja K Photography. 
A bride and groom get ready for their wedding at Wild Horse Inn outside of Winter Park, Colorado. Wedding photography by Sonja and Max Salzburg of Sonja K Photography. 
The wedding dress and the wedding rings at a wedding at Wild Horse Inn outside of Winter Park, Colorado. Wedding photography by Sonja Salzburg of Sonja K Photography. 
A bride and groom get ready for their wedding day at Wild Horse Inn outside of Winter Park, Colorado. Wedding photography by Sonja Salzburg of Sonja K Photography. 
Bride and bridesmaids clinking champagne in the mountains of Colorado before a beautiful outdoor wedding. Photography by Sonja Salzburg of Sonja K Photography
A bride and groom at their first look at a wedding at Wild Horse Inn outside of Winter Park, Colorado. Wedding photography by Sonja Salzburg of Sonja K Photography. 
A wedding at Wild Horse Inn in the Colorado mountains near Winter Park and Fraser. Wedding photography by Sonja Salzburg. 
A bride a groom kiss as they are married at Wild Horse Inn in the Colorado Rockies near Winter Park and Fraser. Wedding photography by Max Salzburg of Sonja K Photography. 
A bride and groom are married at Wild Horse Inn outside of Winter Park, Colorado. Wedding photography by Sonja Salzburg of Sonja K Photography. 
A bride and groom on their wedding day in the mountains of Colorado at Wild Horse Ranch near Winter Park. Wedding photography by Sonja Salzburg of Sonja K Photography. 
Head shots of the bridal party at a wedding at Wild Horse Inn outside of Winter Park, Colorado. Wedding photography by Sonja Salzburg of Sonja K Photography.  
The flower girl and the ring bearer at a wedding at Wild Horse Inn outside of Winter Park, Colorado. Wedding photography by Sonja Salzburg of Sonja K Photography. 
A bride and groom on their wedding day at Wild Horse Inn outside of Winter Park Colorado. Wedding photography by Sonja Salzburg of Sonja K Photography. 
A bride and groom on their wedding day at Wild Horse Inn outside of Winter Park, Colorado. Wedding photography by Sonja Salzburg of Sonja K Photography. 
Family head shots at a wedding at Wild Horse Inn outside of Winter Park, Colorado. Wedding photography by Sonja Salzburg of Sonja K Photography. 
A bride and groom on their wedding day in the Colorado mountains at Wild Horse Inn near Winter Park. Wedding photography by Sonja Salzburg of Sonja K Photography. 
A bride and groom kiss at their wedding at Wild Horse Inn outside of Winter Park, Colorado. Wedding photography by Sonja Salzburg of Sonja K Photography.  
A bride and groom on their warm sunny wedding day in the Colorado Rocky Mountains at Wild Horse Inn near Winter Park. Wedding photography by Sonja Salzburg of Sonja K Photography. 
A bride and groom and their rings at a Wild Horse Inn wedding in the Colorado mountains near Winter Park. Wedding photography by Sonja Salzburg of Sonja K Photography. 
A bride and groom walk around the grounds of Wild Horse Inn in the Colorado mountains near Winter Park. Wedding photography by Sonja Salzburg of Sonja K Photography. 
A bride and groom married in the Colorado mountains at Wild Horse Inn near Winter Park, Colorado. Wedding photography by Sonja Salzburg of Sonja K Photography.  

If you are getting married or would like to have your family photographed in the beautiful mountains of Colorado, contact us. We would love to work with you. 

Venue: Wild Horse Inn

Hair and Makeup: Ilizabeth's Beauty Movement & Fraser Hair Co. 

Dress: Pronovias

Suit: Helen's Bridal

Flowers: WoodStem Floral and Decor 

Bride's Rings: Scott Kay 

Groom's Ring: Shane Company

DJ: Jaz McDonald from Party On Entertainment

Catering and Wedding Planning: Wild Horse Catering

Invitations: Nobius Press

To see all of the images from this beautiful outdoor Colorado wedding click HERE