Quality Hill Bridal Show – Sunday, January 29, 2012

Grant Humphrey’s Mansion in Denver, CO
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
No RSVP necessary • Onsite registration
Free admission for everyone!

Grant Humphrey Mansion wedding

Located in the historic Quality Hill District, Grant-Humphreys Mansion’s wedding showcase is Denver’s finest, boutique bridal event of the year. This is a necessary for any couple – newly engaged to finalizing your ceremony – featuring Colorado’s best wedding experts in the relaxing and magnificent environment of a historic landmark. Best of all, this event is FREE! But, it only comes around once a year so be sure to bring your fiance, mom, maid-of-honor and friends!

I would recommend this show to all brides looking for a little guidance with their wedding planning, as well as an enjoyable personable experience. And make sure to stop by my booth upstairs in the bridesmaid room, I’ll be doing a drawing to give away a Bridal Boudoir photo shoot as well as an Engagement Session! Scroll down for more info. and play the slideshow below to see more pictures from weddings I have photographed at this beautiful Denver venue.

- Taste incredible food from seven of Colorado’s top caterers & bakers
-Talk one-on-one with experts: photographers, DJs, bridal salons, planners
- Obtain ideas by viewing work samples from linen companies, invitation designers, florists, and hair & make-up artists
- Observe live models boasting the latest wedding fashions
- Take with you an incredible canvas re-usable goodie bag which includes a keepsake 40-page wedding planning guide and lots of goodies!
- Listen to live pianist and take notes for your own wedding music!
- Register to win door prizes, including a $200 gift certificate towards any 2012 participating Q.H. Bridal Show vendor!
- Click here to view the 2011 exhibiting vendors-

- Some of my personal favorite wedding vendors that will also be there include:
Bliss Elevated /Events Unwrapped / The Wedding Connectors / Tussie Mussie Floral

Kristy & Travis’ Wedding Picture Preview: The Omni Hotel, The Bourbon Orleans Hotel,  The Riverview Room, and Pat O’Brian’s in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana by destination wedding photographer Nicole Nichols Photography

Bride & Groom celebrating at the after-party at Pat O'Brians in the New Orleans French Quarter

The bride Kristy currently lives in Denver, CO but spent her college years at LSU (Gueax Tigers!) as well as much time in the New Orleans area, so she was delighted to be able to go back to New Orleans for her wedding.   After all, New Orleans is considered one of the most romantic cities, and it is the #2 wedding destination location after Las Vegas.   I can’t tell you how many people I meet that have left part of their heart in New Orleans (me included), or got engaged in NOLA (see last blog post), so it only makes sense for them to come back to New Orleans to share the city they love, and their love of each other with the people that they love (wait, I think I said that last part in my own wedding toast, haha).

I got to document this couple’s rehearsal dinner the previous night at Tujague’s (click for that blog post) and spent the whole next day documenting their wedding celebration from the getting ready at the Omni Hotel to the after-party at Pat O’Brian’s.

The Omni is a beautiful majestic hotel right in the heart of the French Quarter.  It was a perfect spot for everyone to get ready and for the bridal portraits.   I absolutely loved Kristy’s dress, which she found in Mandeville at Southern Bridal.  We then all headed to the elegant ballroom of the Bourbon Orleans Hotel for their wedding ceremony.  New Orleans Finest Musicians and singer Carrie Helm provided the live music.  Their was a lot of emotion and tears of joy flowing in the ballroom that day.  And in traditional New Orleans style the ceremony was followed by a second line parade.  The Storyville Stompers brass band met us outside the Bourbon Orleans Hotel and led a 2nd line parade through the French Quarter.  The bride and groom had custom white handkerchiefs made for all the guest with their name & date on it (see picture below), and Kristy & Travis had beautiful parasols made decorated with fleur de lis and flair.  Once we got to the Jax Brewery the band played their last song and everyone headed up to Riverview Room at the top of the building.  At the Riverview Room the DJ kept the crowd dancing all night and there was so much food I don’t know how anyone could have even tried it all!  Also, The Royal Cakery made a beautiful and delicious white wedding cake.   Travis’ artist sister, Brooke,  who is also a caricature artist in Denver (see LOL Caricature Company), created a handmade caricature cake topper….along with a caricature drawing that all the guests signed around in place of a traditional guest book.
After the last song was played and the last drink was served, Kristy & Travis left in style with elaborate carnival masks and a horse and buggy ride.  Everyone then grabbed their custom to-go cups (filled of course, this is New Orleans after-all) and headed to the famous Pat Brian’s Patio Bar for a casual after-party.  My 2nd photographer, Ashley, and I had a wonderful time photographing this amazing wedding and were so glad to be a part of it!  Thanks again Kristy & Travis for having us there….plenty more pictures to come, but for now enjoy your “picture preview” below:

Cold weather in Colorado means time to travel South for weddings!  I’m currently in New Orleans working & waiting for a French Quarter wedding I am photographing this weekend and just came back from sunny Florida for another wedding.  Running around today, but realized I”m getting a little behind in my blogging, so just wanted to quickly post a few of my favorite pictures from Joey & Tiffany’s beautiful beach wedding in Destin, Florida held on 11-12-11.  I just love these shots below of their son, Aiden, first tugging on mommy during the ceremony to try to get her attention and then throwing his hands up in praise during the prayer as he holds on tight to his starfish.  The sky was dramatic that day and it couldn’t have been a better day for a beach ceremony….hoping it won’t be too long before I’m back on the Florida beach for another wedding.

Destin, Florida destination wedding

Florida Beach Wedding Pictures

Destin, FL Wedding Pictures

Talia & Kristopher’s Wedding Picture Preview: Civic Center Park, Riots, & Italy

I first photographed Talia & Kristopher’s wedding over Labor Day weekend in Venice, Italy, to see some of those pictures check out this blog post about their Italian destination wedding.
Their wedding in Italy was a small affair for just a few immediate family members so they also held a traditional Catholic ceremony and reception in Denver, Colorado so that their friends & family could celebrate the marriage with them too.  Talia upheld her family wedding tradition by getting married at the same church that her parents, sister, and just about everyone in her family married at – Our Lady of Mt.Carmel Church in Denver.
After the ceremony we met the wedding party in Civic Center Park for pictures.  Occupy Denver protests were going on just around the corner from us at the State Capitol so we had to maneuver around protestors, police, and blocked streets…which almost made me call off the plans to stop at this park.  But I crossed my fingers and took a chance because I knew Civic Center Park was the best option to get the most variety of  historic  & artistic photos that I knew the couple would love, so we trekked on. Luckily we didn’t have any problems, but I found out later that right after we left the cops tried to shut down the protests which resulted in a nasty riot.  So either the cops waited for us to finish our pictures before starting trouble with the protestors, or I just had really good luck on my side.  I like to think that the cops are true romantics deep down and enjoyed watching a couple in love before getting the fight started, haha…..hmm…can you imagine the pictures I could have gotten and the story!—“Bride & Groom Caught Between the Occupy Denver Riot” crazy, but not pretty! I ended up getting some amazing pictures of the wedding party in Civic Center Park, like the one below, so I think it was totally worth it!

Wedding Pictures in Civic Center Park...just minutes before the riot

So thankfully all was safe and we then headed to Maggiano’s Little Italy Restaurant in downtown Denver on 16th St. Mall. The fabulous Italian food & decor at Maggiano’s Restaurant made it a perfect choice for their wedding reception.   The family style dinner meant no waiting in long buffet lines, as well as unlimited servings. ..molto buono!  After dinner the bride & groom handed out mini Italian espresso makers to all the guests as favors, quite a unique choice!

Talia had a custom wedding cake created to match her wedding dress, it had lace details and even the same jeweled belt decoration.   After the cake was cut the bride changed into her short party dress with pockets and extra high heels to compliment it.   Complete Music did a great job DJ’ing the reception and played all kinds of unique Italian music, traditional wedding music,  as well as modern dance beats that got the kids, even the babies, excited & dancing!

Before the night ended I took the couple outside onto 16th St. for one last wedding day portrait.  I also found out that the protestors that were chased out of Civic Center Park earlier that day took their “army” to 16th St. Mall which resulted in the mall shuttle being shut down for a few hours as crowds of protestors marched down.  Apparently that whole scenario ended about 10pm, not too long before we went outside for pictures…another draw of the luck for us that day!  To view some of my favorite pictures from their Colorado wedding day, play the slideshow below.

Hey Brides – Still looking for the perfect wedding venue in Colorado? Then please check out this free bridal soiree being held at the Canongate Blackstone Country Club in Aurora, CO on Sunday Nov.6th. I will be taking quick pics of any newly engaged couples and if you tell me that you read my blog I will have a special gift (nothing cheesy I promise) for you! And if you can’t get your fiancee away from football, then bring your mom or a friend…I’m sure lots of woman out there are looking for an excuse not to watch football this weekend!

Blackstone Country Club WeddingBbridal Soiree in Aurora, CO

Trying to find the perfect wedding venue is extremely difficult, trust me I’ve been there! Outside, or inside? Formal or Casual? Denver or Destination? There are so many options out there it can be overwhelming….or darn right maddening! As a wedding photographer it amazes me to see all the different places available in CO. Every wedding season brings a brand new venue or a place so hidden and off the map I had no idea it even existed. I’ve also been able to see all the good…and the bad, first hand, from a vendors’ (and former bride’s) perspective. Blackstone Country Club is one of those venues that is a little off the map, and also still a little in the “new” category. This beautiful venue is just a few years young, has an elegant outdoor & indoor area, and an amazing staff on hand. Anyway, pictures speak much louder then words, so check out this “mini-music video” below from Tatiana & Joaquin’s wedding I photographed there. And also check out Megan & Darcey’s Wedding Story from their recent wedding there back in July.   I hope to see you there on Nov.6th!

Canongate Blackstone Country Club Wedding

Canongate Blackstone Country Club Wedding Pictures

Wedding Picture Preview: Melissa & Lionel at Little Zion Baptist Church & Jerusalem Shrine Center in Louisiana

Rolls Royce Wedding in Lousiana

Melissa & Lionel pronounced their love at Little Zion Baptist Church in Kenner, La and celebrated their marriage at the Jerusalem Shrine Center in Destrehan.  I first witnessed the love in this couple’s eyes when I photographed their engagement session at the Spillway about six months ago.  They were obviously in love and really excited about their upcoming wedding. When the wedding day finally arrived everyone was excited and ready to go.  They had a short but sweet ceremony at the Baptist church with a crowded house full of friends & family.  Night quickly fell which instantly brought a sense of time to party!  The bride & groom were escorted to the reception at the Jerusalem Shrine Center in a beautiful white Rolls Royce.  A few wedding party pictures then it was time to be announced in and to start the celebration.  Lionel, a long-time Saints fan, had a Saints grooms cake (check out slideshow to see it), which of course I loved too!  After everyone filled up on a traditional Southern buffet of gumbo, jambalaya, and much more, it was time for some dancing!  Everyone was in high spirits and the dance floor stayed full, which was a constant entertainment for all….not quite sure if some of my dance & grind pictures are appropriate for this blog, but I’m sure the bride & groom will appreciate them!  Thanks Melissa & Lionel for having me be a part of your wedding day, it was truly a wedding to remember.

Play the slideshow below to see just a few of my favorite pictures below:

Destination wedding photography in Venice, Italy

I recently had the honor of traveling to Venice, Italy to photograph Talia & Kris’ destination wedding.  When I first met with this couple they were only considering hiring me for their Denver wedding, but after lots of meeting, talking, and negotiating they realized the importance of having the same photographer cover both events, as well as having an English speaking photographer that they could easily communicate with and trust to not only document their day, but provide them with quality images & albums after the wedding day.  I fell in love with Italy and the Italian culture after my first trip backpacking through the country many years ago.  So when I booked this job it truly was a dream come true for me to not only have the opportunity to go back, but to photograph a wedding there as well.  It was a spectacular wedding day, and I was so glad my husband was also able come along to assist.  I promised to wait till their Colorado wedding last night to post any pictures online, so that she could keep her dress a surprise to all of her Denver wedding guests.  However, with the extra time I was able to put together this spectacular mini-music video/slideshow below.  We displayed it for the very first time at their wedding reception last night at Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant, which was really neat to see the family’s reaction…full of lots of hugs, awes, and even tears.  For a glimpse into their amazing Italian destination wedding watch the video below and please leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Bride and Groom at Denver Art Museum

Wedding Picture Preview: Lisa & Mark at Holy Ghost Catholic Church & Grand Hyatt Denver

Lisa &Mark recently married at the beautiful Holy Ghost Church in downtown Denver.  As a photographer I’m always looking for visual contrast, and the old antique Holy Ghost Church set aside a tall towering modern glass sky-rise is about as architectural contrasting as you can get, which I love (play slideshow below to see what I mean)!  I also loved the top hats and canes that Mark had for all the men in the wedding party, it really went well with the pictures we took after the ceremony at Civic Center Park.  As we walked back to the car I couldn’t resist grabbing this quick shot on the left of Lisa & Mark on the side of the Denver Art Museum.  A reception at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Denver followed.  Every time I have worked at the Hyatt I have encountered nothing but superior service, and the food was awesome as well!  I was also impressed by the wide range of music Lisa & Mark selected, they were dancing to Latin one minute and African Ethiopian music the next!

After I photographed Lisa & Mark’s engagement session at Red Rocks (check out those pictures here), I knew documenting their wedding day would be a blast!  Other then the nervous butterflies, they were just as laid-back and fun to be around on their wedding day as they were at Red Rocks.  The dancing was intense, the toast were hilarious, and everyone enjoyed themselves for their wedding celebration. Play the slideshow below to view some of my favorite pictures from the day.

Wedding pictures from The Lodge & Spa at Breckenridge

We encountered every type of fall Colorado weather imaginable on Alexis & Kevin wedding day at The Lodge & Spa at Breckenridge. The weather jumped around all day from sunny & warm to rainy…mostly rainy, and even some hail & light snowfall. It was surreal, it was dramatic, it was nature’s way of entertaining us. Even though we had to do a lot of rain dodging during pictures, luckily the sun stayed out long enough for a quick ceremony on the outdoor patio & the views were still spectacular.  Alexis & Kevin actually got married at a private ceremony the day before, so for this day they decided to see each other in advance and they even walked up the aisle together.  Kevin brewed a batch of home-brewed beer for the wedding, which I thought was a great unique idea.

Fleur de Liz created the beautiful bouquets, Blue Moon Bakery created their fabulous cake, Erin with Elegant Productions documented the day on video, & DJ Paula with Center Stage Entertainment kept the crowd pumped up & dancing all night long!  Play the slideshow below to see a glimpse of how wild the dance floor got, as well as to see their unique mountain vista cake design.

Della Terra wedding in Estes Park

I’m back from Italy (those pictures to follow) & glad to be able to catch back up with my blogging.  Jennell & Rick had an amazing wedding at Della Terra in Estes Park, Colorado. Della Terra is according to their website, “a place where natural beauty and romantic design are brought together to create the perfect secluded mountain venue for your wedding”, and I couldn’t agree more.  Even the modern marble designed bathrooms at Della Terra are impressive enough to make you almost want to sleep in the bathtub. If anything they certainly make for a great place for some interesting dress & detail shots.

A gorgeous wedding dress hangs in the beautiful rooms of Della Terra

Everyone got a little nervous when it started to pour just 45 minutes or so before the ceremony. But luckily the rain subsided just in time for the guests to get seated and the wedding to go on as planned under the trees and against a magical mountain backdrop.  Jennell & Rick even planted 2 of their own Aspen trees as part of the ceremony, which was certainly a unique touch (see the picture below).

Wedding Ceremony at Della Terra

Jennell & Rick wrote their own wedding vows, which I know from experience is not easy to do, especially when you have to recite them in front of everyone you know. But when you speak from your heart, even when your vows are full of inside jokes and un-perfect grammar, it truly makes for such a more honest and romantic declaration of your love for each other.

wedding party at Della Terra mountain resort

Della Terra is also a great venue for a wedding reception with its high celings, balcony views, and modern lighting & decor.  The couple’s pick of wedding colors played perfectly with the the venue and looked great on the wedding party and in all the details.  Jennell & Rick had a gorgeous cake created by Shamane’s Bake Shop along with a fancy candy buffet designed by Lemon Sprinkles Events

Dancing, Cake, & Desserts

The wedding celebration continued on without a glitch. DJ Paula with Centerstage Entertainment kept the dance floor shaking all night, Jubilations Catering kept the palettes salivating, Stalls Video documented the event, and the fabulous and extremely organized coordinator, Julie, with Bliss Elevated kept everything running smoothly all night long.

Great tunes by Centerstage Entertainment kept everyone dancing

For the first time I introduced my “Fun & Funky Photo Station” After dinner I had my assistants set up a backdrop and take pictures of guests with props. It was a hit and I’m excited to now be able to offer this to my brides for some fun & unique pictures of their guests.

Our new Fun, Funky Photo Station!