When Cate and Scott called me from their home in Brooklyn, NY to ask about wedding photography, I just knew that they were going to be a cool couple to work with. Hiring a photographer without benefit of meeting her in person requires a leap of faith, but we hit it off so well over the phone that we knew right away it was going to be a great fit! I didn’t actually get to meet Scott and Cate until the day before their wedding and yet it felt just like old friends. What a nice couple, and what wonderful, interesting families they both have! Their wedding and reception last month was a relaxed affair at the Craftwood Inn in Manitou Springs. The ceremony was unique in that they solemnized it themselves (no officiant, just their siblings standing up for them). Many of their friends and family traveled all the way from the east coast and points beyond, so I’m happy that we had such a sunny Colorado day to celebrate this happy union.

Many warm congratulations Cate and Scott!

Gown: Marisa, from Kleinfeld Bridal
Wedding ceremony & reception venue: The Craftwood Inn, Manitou Springs
Flowers: Jean Marie Designs
Wedding cake: Boonzaaijer’s Dutch Bakery

When I took Cate outside for a few pre-ceremony portraits, her beloved 94 year-old Grandma Gigi arrived. This was Cate’s emotional reaction upon spying her.

The flowergirls, Courtney and Ashley, do a little last-minute recon before heading down the aisle.

Married 30 seconds!

I couldn’t imagine Cate and Scott striking some uberdramatic high fashion poses for their portraits, so I kept it simple and classic.

Cute couple alert!

I absolutely loved Cate’s gown. It reminded me of something John Singer Sargent might have painted. Gorgeous!

Their simple, elegant cake was from Boonzaaijer’s Dutch Bakery.

I always love these sorts of displays because I wonder if someday a photo I’ve taken will end up on a table just like this, at some wedding far in the future.

Cate’s dad Garritt delivered a toast that had everyone in stitches.

Their first dance

This lady was cracking up because she had just discovered that the outfit she’d bought to wear at the wedding still had the security tag attached!