This wedding was epic. Everything about it I had been so excited about and the day was everything I imagined. Lauren and Jeff are just the best. They are not the only ones though, the whole Stafford family (whom we have had the pleasure of photographing before) and the Hamilton family are some of the nicest, most sincere people I have ever met. I want to keep them forever and I am sure all of their friends feel the same. These families and people set a tone for this wedding that was incredible. The moment we walked in the door we felt the energy and excitement of the day. It flooded the rooms, the barn, the church and lets be honest it was so heavy that it probably creeped its way all the way from Castle Rock up the foothills and around Denver.
I fell in love with Lauren and Jeff’s personalities and relationship within 5 minutes of meeting them. They were so happy they never stop smiling. ( They honestly have to have the strongest cheek muscles west of the Mississippi). They talked about each other and their relationship and how ready they were to get married. Lauren met Jeff at her sister’s wedding. Jeff was one of her new brother in law’s groomsmen and they hit it off immediately. Apparently they were going to the same college at the time and once Lauren met him she started volunteering more and more to see him more often. A friendship formed and then the inevitable, an incredible love.
Like I said as soon as we walked into the house for getting ready Lauren was BEAMING. Here girls were all around her doing hair and makeup and everyone was busy with excitement. Here adorable niece Riley was at her side helping out with makeup (she is 3 but that didn’t stop her). Here girls were just as happy (and beautiful) as her. As I moved around the room meeting each one and capturing the commotion they were each as lovely as the last.
The boys I might not describe as lovely but they are so fun and great. I felt comfortable with them right away. They were joking and having fun and allowed me to be one of the guys. they even included in (or made me the butt of) the jokes and gave me ridiculous names to call them. During their photo time, we. had. fun.
Between the getting ready and the ceremony some of the sweetest moments happened. All Lauren’s girls were in awe of her beauty as was her mom. Her mom went out to prep her dad to see Lauren for the first time and he said to her, wow Jeannie you look incredible. He said to me “I can’t believe I married such a beautiful woman.” When he saw his daughter he had the same enthusiasm. He was giggling and spinning her (and I think I saw a tear or 10). They have such a sweet relationship. If that wasn’t enough I got to witness Lauren and Jeff praying around a corner from each other for their day, their marriage, their friends and family and their future. Yes, I probably cried all day.
There were honestly so many sweet moments I can’t tell you them all. I love that about weddings. All the secrets special moments that only the friends and family will know about and can celebrate together. Things like how their wedding was on the 61st anniversary of Lauren’s grandparents wedding and her grandpa was the honorary bishop who married them in a beautiful ceremony at St. Francis of Assisi. I had a blast with the wedding party trapsing around Wiens Ranch and frolicking (yes, a groomsmen did frolick) in the grasses. I have been waiting to photograph here for such a long time. It is such a beautiful spot out on the foothills with the most unique barn I have ever seen. Plus, if you know anything about the Wiens family, man, they are GOOD people. And seeing the joy on Lauren and Jeff’s face as he told her once again in that field why he married her. Things I will never know because it is between them. Oh, it makes it all so much better.
Thank you Lauren and Jeff for letting me be a part of your family for the day and celebrating with you. It was a blessing and an honor and I know your marriage is going to be as impactful as your wedding!
-Katie
