The FREIGHT Wedding Venue in Leadville, Colorado
Photographers often participate in something called Styled Shoots. These are when wedding vendors get together to put on a fake wedding. Many talented artists such as florists, dress and suit designers, photographers, setting suppliers, wedding planners, hair and make-up artists, and venues love getting to work with one another and network. There’s a wonderful tight knit community here in the Rocky Mountains where we believe in lifting each other up and supporting our women owned, small businesses.
This year, I was invited to shoot the Ebony and Ivory Winter Styled Shoot hosted by the Heart of the Rockies Wedding Association. It was located at the FREIGHT in Leadville, CO. In total we had six photographers there, nine models. One of which designed the up-and-coming stage in the courtyard. The vision of this styled shoot was "diversity". We wanted to express that love is love and that we respect and can be a safe space for LGBTQ+ weddings.
You may have put together a Pinterest board to theme your wedding or look for the perfect dress. In doing so, you may have noticed that most images only represent able-bodied, young, thin, Caucasian, and hetero-normative couples. Our goal was to represent all people. All love. All races. All ages. You deserve to be represented as a beautiful couple who is in love, and you too deserve to take up space in this world. This space was particularly perfect in representing these couples because of its glorious history. The FREIGHT with only two previous owners, the railroad, and a lumber company, is rustic and renovated to exist as a vessel for the community. Their mission is to spark culture and encourage creativity. The space hosts weddings, meetings, pumpkin patches, craft fairs, corporate retreats, film festivals, photoshoots, prom, quinceañeras, lectures, concerts, and theatre performances. “We want to be part of the tide that raises all ships. Water sings because it is moving. Together we create an inclusive space,” states new owners Nan and Dave Anderson.
This women-led business honors the history behind the O.G. FREIGHT so, it’s only fitting that each cabin is named after a historical Leadville prostitute.
“Chosen for the entrepreneurial grit they demonstrated during the boom and bust of an early mining settlement, these women pushed the social fabric and helped shape Leadville. Your stay is guaranteed to leave you feeling connected to Leadville’s early days with a new sense of appreciation for the pioneers who played a role in developing this charming town.” -Carrie Mallozzi a long-time resident of Leadville and event planner for Stellar and Sage.
If you are feeling passionate to break the glass ceiling and stand up proud to announce and celebrate your love, I highly recommend having your wedding or celebration at the FREIGHT. Great people who not only know how to party, but respect and hold space for those who want to make the world a safer, and loving place for all.
