Christine and Jesse traveled all the way from Florida to have a quintessential Colorado wedding in the Rocky Mountains. They chose Black Mountain Lodge at Arapahoe Basin for their wedding venue, and wanted to include photos from the surrounding mountain summits at Keystone and Loveland Pass to really make the most out of their mountain destination wedding adventures.
Of course, something you learn after working a few weddings in the mountains of Colorado is that the weather can be unpredictable sometimes. When your wedding venue is at the top of a mountain ski lift (and both photo locations you want are over 12-14,000 feet) you’re really at the mercy of the seasonal thunderstorms. The forecast for Christine and Jesse’s wedding day looked dicey, and we knew at some point during the afternoon we’d be dealing with storms. But this is why it is key to stay flexible and take advantage of the windows in weather you’re given. We ended up shifting the day’s schedule around a bit to accommodate for the weather and everything turned out perfectly. Keep scrolling to see how beautiful was this rainy wedding day at Black Mountain Lodge Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, and Loveland Pass.
Getting Ready at Cabin in Keystone
We started the day with some simple photos of everyone getting ready at the large cabin Christine and Jesse rented in Keystone. With everyone—wedding party and family—all gathered together that morning it felt very lowkey. Christine looked stunning. Her fitted mermaid-style dress had a beautiful lace back with buttons all the way down.
She and Jesse had their first look there in the backyard as soon as they were both dressed.
Photos of the Bride and Groom at Keystone Summit
From the cabin, Christine and Jesse and I headed out to the chair lifts at Keystone Resort. The summit at Keystone is a perfect place for wedding portraits, with incredible views of the mountains all around. Plus, there’s nothing like taking some iconic ski lift wedding portraits when you’re planning a destination wedding in Colorado, right?
We got lucky with beautiful sunny weather. It was hard to believe we had a big storm coming later in the day.
Wedding Portraits at Loveland Pass
Next up, we were headed to meet the rest of the wedding party and immediate family at Loveland Pass for more portraits. While Keystone and Loveland are incredibly close to one another they boast very different views of some of the same mountain ranges.
The weather was starting to turn, so we knew we had a limited time to get these photos done at Loveland Pass before running the risk of getting caught in a lightning storm. We decided to skip bringing flowers with us so that they wouldn’t get tattered by the incoming wind, so it was just our bride and groom, their people, and their joy. I love the resulting photos with a moodier mountain backdrop.
Wedding Ceremony at Black Mountain Lodge
After we finished all those portraits, everyone left to meet back up for the wedding ceremony at Black Mountain Lodge Arapahoe Basin. As we made it to the parking at the base of the mountain, the skies had finally opened up and we had ourselves a downpour. Because the Black Mountain Lodge is at the top of open ski lifts at Arapahoe Basin, we and all the incoming guests had to wait there at the bottom until the rain stopped and officials ruled out further risk of lightning.
With some more luck, the storm did pass and we even got another round of beautiful sunshine for Christine and Jesse’s wedding ceremony at Black Mountain Lodge. Christine’s big vision for their mountain destination wedding ceremony was to have the wedding party make their entrance from the chair lifts. So their entire procession started from the bottom of the mountain, continued up the lifts, and finished with them walking up the aisle on the deck overlooking A-Basin. That’s a lot to pull off with dicey weather and a big wedding party, but it was so unique and fun. I was so happy to see that vision come to life!
And of course, you just can’t beat those mountain views at the ceremony site at Black Mountain Lodge.
Alpenglow Sunset Photos at Arapahoe Basin
Following the ceremony, while guests went inside to enjoy cocktails and get seated for dinner, I stayed outside with the couple to take more portraits as sunset approached. We were able to take more portraits of the wedding party and their beautiful flowers by A Florae against yet another stunning and different mountain backdrop. The bridesmaids’ baby blue dresses contrasted against their bright pink bouquets and the black and white tuxes of the groomsmen in such a classic look. And, we caught those few minutes of what mountain-folk call alpenglow—the last glimmer of golden sunlight over the mountain peaks.
Black Mountain Lodge Wedding Reception
Christine and Jesse kept their wedding reception details simple and elegant. The tables were lined with greenery dotted with bright pink flowers, and places were set with soft pink napkins and carved cursive name cards. They had wooden table numbers and signage with the same cursive font. Their wedding cake bore more pink flowers and was frosted with blue mountain designs. The windows that surround the Black Mountain Lodge give guests 270-degree views of the mountains outside, so you never miss the opportunity to enjoy the location.
The energy of Christine and Jesse’s wedding guests was so fun. Everyone there was ready for a good time, constantly posing for photos and cheering each other on throughout toasts and on the dance floor. We all had a blast.
Thanks to the incredible vendor team for this Black Mountain Lodge wedding:
Venue | Black Mountain Lodge Arapahoe Basin
Photography | DBK Photography
Planning | Tied and True Events
Florals | A Florae
Hair and Makeup | Breckenridge Hair
Wedding Dress | Kinsley James / Rivini
Tuxes | Ludlow
Bridesmaid Dresses | Azazie
Cake | Cak the Bakery
Rentals | Denver Wedding Rental Company
DJ | Michael Lancaster
Oxygen Bar | Peak Oxygen
Hey friend! I’m Delia–a wedding photographer who loves adventure just as much as snuggling on the couch with her dog. My photography is fun and colorful and embraces the real you. I’m based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but I photograph weddings all throughout New Mexico, Colorado, and the southwest. I love to connect with and help my clients as much as possible. Check out the wedding planning tips section of my blog for more helpful advice.
And if you’re into Colorado mountain weddings like this one, check out some others I’ve photographed:
Pastures of Plenty Wedding in Boulder
Ski Tip Lodge Wedding in Keystone
Winter Park Wedding at Headwaters Center
Telluride Wedding at a Private Cabin
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Christine and Jesse traveled all the way from Florida to have a quintessential Colorado wedding in the Rocky Mountains. They chose Black Mountain Lodge at Arapahoe Basin for their wedding venue, and wanted to include photos from the surrounding mountain summits at Keystone and Loveland Pass to really make the most out of their mountain destination wedding adventures.
Of course, something you learn after working a few weddings in the mountains of Colorado is that the weather can be unpredictable sometimes. When your wedding venue is at the top of a mountain ski lift (and both photo locations you want are over 12-14,000 feet) you’re really at the mercy of the seasonal thunderstorms. The forecast for Christine and Jesse’s wedding day looked dicey, and we knew at some point during the afternoon we’d be dealing with storms. But this is why it is key to stay flexible and take advantage of the windows in weather you’re given. We ended up shifting the day’s schedule around a bit to accommodate for the weather and everything turned out perfectly. Keep scrolling to see how beautiful was this rainy wedding day at Black Mountain Lodge Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, and Loveland Pass.
Getting Ready at Cabin in Keystone
We started the day with some simple photos of everyone getting ready at the large cabin Christine and Jesse rented in Keystone. With everyone—wedding party and family—all gathered together that morning it felt very lowkey. Christine looked stunning. Her fitted mermaid-style dress had a beautiful lace back with buttons all the way down.
She and Jesse had their first look there in the backyard as soon as they were both dressed.
Photos of the Bride and Groom at Keystone Summit
From the cabin, Christine and Jesse and I headed out to the chair lifts at Keystone Resort. The summit at Keystone is a perfect place for wedding portraits, with incredible views of the mountains all around. Plus, there’s nothing like taking some iconic ski lift wedding portraits when you’re planning a destination wedding in Colorado, right?
We got lucky with beautiful sunny weather. It was hard to believe we had a big storm coming later in the day.
Wedding Portraits at Loveland Pass
Next up, we were headed to meet the rest of the wedding party and immediate family at Loveland Pass for more portraits. While Keystone and Loveland are incredibly close to one another they boast very different views of some of the same mountain ranges.
The weather was starting to turn, so we knew we had a limited time to get these photos done at Loveland Pass before running the risk of getting caught in a lightning storm. We decided to skip bringing flowers with us so that they wouldn’t get tattered by the incoming wind, so it was just our bride and groom, their people, and their joy. I love the resulting photos with a moodier mountain backdrop.
Wedding Ceremony at Black Mountain Lodge
After we finished all those portraits, everyone left to meet back up for the wedding ceremony at Black Mountain Lodge Arapahoe Basin. As we made it to the parking at the base of the mountain, the skies had finally opened up and we had ourselves a downpour. Because the Black Mountain Lodge is at the top of open ski lifts at Arapahoe Basin, we and all the incoming guests had to wait there at the bottom until the rain stopped and officials ruled out further risk of lightning.
With some more luck, the storm did pass and we even got another round of beautiful sunshine for Christine and Jesse’s wedding ceremony at Black Mountain Lodge. Christine’s big vision for their mountain destination wedding ceremony was to have the wedding party make their entrance from the chair lifts. So their entire procession started from the bottom of the mountain, continued up the lifts, and finished with them walking up the aisle on the deck overlooking A-Basin. That’s a lot to pull off with dicey weather and a big wedding party, but it was so unique and fun. I was so happy to see that vision come to life!
And of course, you just can’t beat those mountain views at the ceremony site at Black Mountain Lodge.
Alpenglow Sunset Photos at Arapahoe Basin
Following the ceremony, while guests went inside to enjoy cocktails and get seated for dinner, I stayed outside with the couple to take more portraits as sunset approached. We were able to take more portraits of the wedding party and their beautiful flowers by A Florae against yet another stunning and different mountain backdrop. The bridesmaids’ baby blue dresses contrasted against their bright pink bouquets and the black and white tuxes of the groomsmen in such a classic look. And, we caught those few minutes of what mountain-folk call alpenglow—the last glimmer of golden sunlight over the mountain peaks.
Black Mountain Lodge Wedding Reception
Christine and Jesse kept their wedding reception details simple and elegant. The tables were lined with greenery dotted with bright pink flowers, and places were set with soft pink napkins and carved cursive name cards. They had wooden table numbers and signage with the same cursive font. Their wedding cake bore more pink flowers and was frosted with blue mountain designs. The windows that surround the Black Mountain Lodge give guests 270-degree views of the mountains outside, so you never miss the opportunity to enjoy the location.
The energy of Christine and Jesse’s wedding guests was so fun. Everyone there was ready for a good time, constantly posing for photos and cheering each other on throughout toasts and on the dance floor. We all had a blast.
Thanks to the incredible vendor team for this Black Mountain Lodge wedding:
Venue | Black Mountain Lodge Arapahoe Basin
Photography | DBK Photography
Planning | Tied and True Events
Florals | A Florae
Hair and Makeup | Breckenridge Hair
Wedding Dress | Kinsley James / Rivini
Tuxes | Ludlow
Bridesmaid Dresses | Azazie
Cake | Cak the Bakery
Rentals | Denver Wedding Rental Company
DJ | Michael Lancaster
Oxygen Bar | Peak Oxygen
Hey friend! I’m Delia–a wedding photographer who loves adventure just as much as snuggling on the couch with her dog. My photography is fun and colorful and embraces the real you. I’m based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but I photograph weddings all throughout New Mexico, Colorado, and the southwest. I love to connect with and help my clients as much as possible. Check out the wedding planning tips section of my blog for more helpful advice.
And if you’re into Colorado mountain weddings like this one, check out some others I’ve photographed:
Pastures of Plenty Wedding in Boulder
Ski Tip Lodge Wedding in Keystone
Winter Park Wedding at Headwaters Center
Telluride Wedding at a Private Cabin