It started like all true love stories- with a self deprecating joke on a dating app. Kailey’s profile mentioned her ability to sing, but not dance, to which Tim replied that he couldn’t do either… “We love telling this story because it was what started everything, but also because we hope it will explain whatever you witness for our first dance.”

For their first date, they went axe throwing weeks before the COVID lockdown started. “Among all the chaos, we needed to decide if we wanted to be in each others bubbles, and thankfully, we both made the cut. It wasn’t long before we caught Covid, which was the real trial by fire. After quarantining together for a month and not seeing another human (no exaggeration), we pretty much knew this was it.” They spent the rest of the year camping and adventuring, and eventually he knew it was time for a proposal. Tim planned a weekend with close friends camping near Carbondale, Colorado, and popped the question on Mt. Sorpris at Thomas Lakes. “Since then, we’ve had the daunting task of planning a wedding as spectacular as our love. While we realize this may be impossible, we know it will be one to remember!”

Kailey and Tim decided that The Barn at Sunset Ranch, in Buena Vista, Colorado, was a good place to start their wedding journey. As you can see, it’s like a picture out of the love story that they mentioned earlier. When I met them via zoom a couple of years ago, they told me how much they enjoy being outdoors together and that they love snowshoeing, snuggling by the fire, and camping out of the back of Tims four-runner. If you want to see their dreamy perfect date vibes of an engagement session CLICK THIS LINK HERE to see the flames of their love.

Talking about how much detail they put into their wedding planning to make it special, unique and a representation of their love… I’d say the nailed it. The amount of thought and intention that Kailey and Tim put into their wedding is impeccable, mmm, chefs kiss. We also want to thank all of the amazing vendors that they had on their team.

Photographer: Ivy Bencheck Portraits

Venue: The Barn at Sunset Ranch

Wedding Planner: Emerald and Ivy

Officiant: Luminous Ceremonies - Heather Barron

H&MU: Face of Make-Up - Rachel

Florals: Growing Wild BV

Band: Diamond Empire

Settings: Ann Marie Vintage Dishware

Catering: Buffalo Gals Grilling Co.

Coffee Bar: Veya Coffee

Travel Bar: The Pour Trailer

How lucky did we get that it was October 13th, in a small mountain town in Colorado, and we had weather in the 70’s… It was such a spectacular day and here are some of my favorite moments that I captured during their wedding. If I can recommend one thing for future wedding planning honey’s… give bubble guns to your ring bearers and flower kiddos. It. Makes. Magic!!! I’ve had a couple of weddings this year that incorrperated bubbles and it makes really cool effects during the day and at night when using flash! Also, it keeps them occupied and happy while being in the spotlight. Also, please get a fish tie, this guy really grabbed all of my attention while telling other guests about it… or something like that.

It’s with great sadness in my heart to tell you that Kailey’s father passed away shortly after her wedding. It was a pleasure meeting him, being there while they shared one last dance, knowing that he got to shake the hand of her new husband. I’ve got chills looking back at them on the dance floor. The room was still. It’s a moment I will never forget, but am honored that I captured this moment for Kailey and her family to look back on and smile.

I realized this year that couples have been drawn to my story. If you don’t know, I lost my mother in 2017, three months before my wedding. I write about how that changed my life (obviously), but what I’ve learned is that couples who are going through a similar experience feel connected to my work. Tim reached out to me shortly after their wedding and asked me if I would be able to send Kailey some images of her and her father so she could hold on to them. I was currently still in the editing process but this went to the top of the editing que. In response, Kailey sent me this…

“You are the absolute sweetest human ever. I am not sure how you even knew! (I assume my now husband) but I am so grateful you sent these my way. I am over here ugly crying because this was so thoughtful of you. You are so right its still so soon but for sure feel the constant wave of emotions and randomly crying. I can not thank you enough for working on these for me to see and now we can have them for his celebration of life lunch. I am so sorry you have gone through loosing a parent yourself. It sucks as you know but these are so amazing and I’m so lucky we worked with the most amazing and badass photographer ever that would take the time to work on these ahead of schedule. I can not thank you enough. This day and the dance with my dad were so special and you captured it so beautifully.

You are absolutely amazing!!”
-Kailey

Being able to connect with grieving people is something that now feels like a gift. I feel like I have this weird ability to know what to say to someone who is grieving. Don’t get me wrong, it’s heavy, it’s heartbreaking, but it feels less lonely. It feels like you can express all of the pain and suffering from your heart to someone who get’s it. Someone who won’t apologize for your situation, but hold onto it for a little while. Pull it out of the pit in your stomach.

Once I realized that I have this gift, and that people are choosing to work with me because of my story, I feel very blessed. It brings me much joy to be able to be there for my couples in a way that we telepathically understand.

With that said, I’ve been writing a blog about wedding planning while grieving. With the help from my couples who have suffered from the loss of a parent, they’ve been sharing their stories with me and we’re all excited to put it all together and create something to help others. Somewhat of a guide if you want to go there. I know that was the one thing missing from my experience, I searched everywhere and never could I find the, “How to have the best day of your life while going through the worst- For Dummies”. Nothing. Zilch. So, please keep your eyes out for that and I look forward to being able to share these women’s stories and open up to hopefully relieve some suffering for those who need it.

But, this team is very strong. I can tell the amount of love Kailey and Tim have for eachother, I know that he’s going to be a rock for her when she needs him most, and she’s going to know exactly how to be there for him when the roller-coaster called life does it’s thing. I want to express my greatest gratitude to know this couple and to have been apart of their celebration of love. Congratulations Kailey and Tim. Stay strong but always remember sometimes being strong means being vulnerable and soft. Love you both. Take care of eachother.