Leigh and Carlos Christmas Winter Wedding

Leigh and Carlos had a beautiful Christmas winter wedding this December at the Lodge at Breckenridge.

I love when my clients refer me to their friends! Lara and Tim had hired me for their maternity pictures, and recommended me to their friends, Leigh and Carlos who were planning on getting married. We first met at their wedding venue, the Lodge at Breckenridge for happy hour. We hit it off instantly! Leigh is an artist, and Carlos is a political candidate and is currently running for Colorado State Legislature. You can’t be in the room without feeling their infectious love. Carlos adores her!

Scroll down to read the sweetest reviews from both Carlos and Leigh – and to see their dreamy winter wedding gallery!!

From the groom: We had an exceptional experience with Andrea Stark. She was thoughtful and professional. We had several conversations before the wedding, and we were always allowed flexibility. The day of the wedding was stress-free and wonderful. Mrs. Stark and her co-photographer were well-coordinated in their efforts. Lastly… the photos are amazing! We even got a sneak preview sent to us during our reception. We live four hours away, and we will always call Andrea first for our professional photography needs.

From the bride: Andrea was Amazing!!! She braved a 24-inch snow storm to take the most wonderful pictures of our wedding. All our photos were wonderful, and everyone asks to see them. She really helped make our day special.

They also included Christmas colors throughout their florals and wedding decor since they were having a December wedding. December weddings compliment more of a Christmasy color palette in this space. The large stone fireplaces just scream Colorado comfort and make me just want to take a seat on the hearth and stay there a while with a hot boozy cocktail or glass of pinot.

Benefits of a Breckenridge-Based Photographer

Leigh told me she wanted snow on her wedding day, and oh boy, did she get it! The night before their wedding, it started snowing, A LOT! 24 inches later, it stopped dumping right before I was scheduled to start shooting their wedding details. We still got beautiful, slow-falling snow during their portraits which I know it was exactly what they wanted on their wedding day.

Thank the Lord, I live in Breckenridge, because otherwise, it would have been really hard to get to their wedding. Interstate 70 was backed up, and places on the byway were even closed completely. I would never want that stress on my wedding day, so brides, please hear this tip: Hire a photographer that is based in the mountains – not one that lives in Denver or on the front range and will have to gamble with the weather and I70 traffic to get up here!

A Perfect Colorado Winter Wedding Venue at The Lodge at Breckenridge

The Lodge at Breckenridge was the perfect venue for their wedding. It’s rustic and had plenty of room available to accommodate their family and wedding guests since most were coming from out of town. We took getting-ready pictures in their two private cabins, and once it was time for the first look, I stomped out a path in the trees for them to meet. Their first look was so precious! They were both blindfolded, so their amazing wedding party had to be their guide to help them both get down the path to the spot.

The ceremony was on the deck of the Lodge with an aisle of their own Sante Fe woven rugs, lanterns, and a triangle arch for them to perform their hand-fasting ceremony.

For Leigh and Carlos newlywed portraits we jumped in the car, just the three of us, and drove up to Boreas Pass Road. Just look at all that snow!

They planned in their timeline to finish all the group pictures before the ceremony. This was great because as soon as their ceremony was over, we got to go up Boreas Pass road and take some beautiful newlywed portraits while their guests had cocktail hour with a mariachi band as entertainment. I mean, Why not have a cocktail hour with a mariachi band serenading your guests?!

I was so excited for their newly wed photos! After the ceremony, we snuck away for some wintery portraits in the woods. One of the only things that Leigh requested as far as pictures is to have a soft light bridal portrait that she can paint. Leigh is an incredible fine art oil painter. She wanted to paint her own bridal portrait from one of the photos I took on their wedding day. I can’t wait to see the work of art she creates!

One of the things I found out about Leigh at our initial meeting is that she is a childhood cancer survivor. I admire her strength so much to overcome all the challenges she faced and still see so much beauty in the world. I’m very thankful that I got to be there to capture their wedding day!