When people think of Colorado in the winter they typically think of snow. Snow and mountains and maybe skiing or snowboarding. But leading up to Mary Catherine and Sean’s New Years Eve wedding day, we had gotten next to no snow. Snow was one of the things the couple wanted most on their wedding day, but the chances of it actually snowing on their day? Not very high. Yet somehow the weather heard them and not only did we get snow, it actively snowed the entire wedding day ending with accumulation over a foot.

The couple had planned the most beautiful holiday wedding. Colors of red, white, and black were woven into their day. There were poinsettias in the flower arrangements and an epic dessert table. Everything looked magical in the falling snow. After getting ready separately with their wedding party, the couple met at Silverthorne Pavilion for their first look. There’s a beautiful bridge over the Blue River right behind the venue that couple had chosen for their first look. It looked entirely out of a fairy tale in the snow.

It would be super easy to complain about the cold while standing outside in a wedding dress or suit, but Mary Catherine and Sean didn’t complain once. We did family photos, wedding party photos, and all of their couple photos before the ceremony. The snow continued, the wind even picked up, but they both totally embraced it.

After the ceremony, the couple was sent off to the reception with a sparkler exit outside the church. As we all drove to the reception, in the fading light all around us, lights began to turn on. One of my favorite things about mountain tows is that they go all out for the holidays. There were lights everywhere! The snow continued to fall and it felt like a real life snow globe. Or maybe a Hallmark movie. There was one specific shot that Mary Catherine had sent me for inspiration before their wedding- a couple standing in the dark with snow falling all around them. It involved using several flashes and I practiced for months so that I could make that shot happen for them. All three of us squealed and jumped up and down when we got it- it looked amazing.

Dinner (a pasta bar, who couldn’t love that?) was followed by first dances, which were super emotional. Everyone was crying. Then it was time to cut the cake and finally the couple danced the night away with their friends and family. It was the perfect way to ring in the New Year.