Today’s journal entry features one of the most interesting weddings I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. It was a Colorado Surprise wedding which took place at the Bistro at Marshdale in Evergreen. But first, I have a little lead up story to tell about how I know this awesome couple.
The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association’s Championship tournament, held here in Colorado this year, is finally over and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I thought this would be a good time to reflect on my team’s crazy Cinderella story and say how thankful I am for many things.
In the past week or so leading up to this final flat track tournament of the year I had the wonderful opportunity to be on the Fox 31 Everyday Show, the 9News morning show with Susie Wargin, Channel 2 KDVR News, and Mile High Sports Radio (who sprung a suprise Tebow question on me and the only thing I could think to say was that he’s cute!)
There is always one question that I get repeatedly asked: “Why did you decide to join roller derby?” I always start off by saying WHY I started (cute outfits, weird alter egos,
something different to do, another way to keep my mind off a recent break up
etc…) but then I tell them why I stayed.
Some might think it has a lot to do with the excitement of being on the news, with winning a national championships title, or getting to wear full-on Zombie face make up during a bout but that’s not the reason. Sure, all of those things are exciting and fun and are certainly the kind of things that I never dreamed I’d get to do, but they are definitely not why I keep skating with the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls. I keep skating because I meet the most amazing people and create the kind of close friendships that I thought didn’t happen once high school and college is over. That is the #1 reason why I skate.
We didn’t make it all the way to #1 this year, but it’s hard to stay sad about that when I realize that my whole league is made up of the kindest, most generous, and funny ladies (and gents!) in all of Colorado. Case in point is the bride featured on today’s blog post. Heather has worked tirelessly as one of our league’s bout production leaders and we know her
better as Brae K. Legg. She confided in me earlier this summer that she was planning to wed her fiance, Rick, in a Colorado surprise wedding ceremony at the Bistro at Marshdale in Evergreen (http://www.thebistroatmarshdale.com), CO. She told me that only a handful of people knew that her “Engagement party” was actually going to turn into a wedding. When she asked me if I would photograph it, of course I said “Hell Yes!” Who wouldn’t want to be in on such a devious plan to turn the tables on a room full of unsuspecting family and friends?! Maybe this will inspire someone else out there to host their own Colorado surprise wedding!
Heather and Rick,
I don’t think I can truly find the words to describe what a fantastic night you gave to all of your family and friends. The only thing that comes to mind for me is “BRAVO!” I hope you love the looks on all of their faces in these pictures as much as I do:) And thank you both so much for all of your support this past weekend. It meant so much to me that you were
both in the crowd and cheering!
Enjoy!
Nonie
aka
April
We’ll start off with just a few scene-setters:)
Heather’s mom did the most wonderful job creating all of the details for Heather and Rick’s party including this cute invitation.
It snow/rained pretty hard right before it started
The food at The Bistro at Marshdale is delish!
Spent a little time getting some portraits of Heather and Rick before the guests arrived.
Had to show off Heather’s cute shoes:)
Love Heather’s expression here:)
The autumn apple theme was extremely well done thanks to Heather’s mom Vicki
That table card is sitting on my desk now;)
Not only did Vicki do such an amazing job with the details, but she made me a lovely gift basket with all sorts of homemade goodies in it that both Geoff and I promptly devoured:)
The guests spent some time chatting and catching up with each other before the dinner
Have I emphasized enough how well planned this day was? Everything on down to the kid’s entertainment was just so well organized!
Eventually everyone sat down to order from this appetizing menu. I quite enjoyed the Pork Chop:)
After everyone sat down, Heather and Rick started to thank them for coming and started to tell them to save the date for their wedding in December of 2012. But Rick “interrupted” to say that maybe they should just do it now since they had all of their friends and relatives already there:) Heather conveniently found a bouquet on the mantle behind her;)
It starts to dawn on the guests what is really going on here!
All of Heather’s old family friends had the best expressions:)
Heather’s poor sister (and maid of honor) was completely taken aback!
Rick’s best man was invited up to get the ceremony rolling as well:)
Getting the suprise wedding started
This was a sweet touch; After the ceremony the guests opened up the envelopes that had been sitting and waiting to be opened when they arrived. Inside were the lyrics to “Kiss the Girl” from the Little Mermaid which everyone sang together.
There were many impromptu speeches throughout the evening
One of my favorites for last:)
Are you thinking about hosting your own Colorado Surprise Wedding? I’d love to photograph it! Head over to the WEDDINGS area of my site to find out more information!
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This is so beautiful!! Congrats, Rick and Brae! 🙂 <3
Ahhhh what a beautiful day, and the couple are so cute!!! Congratulations to the happy couple and once again beautiful pictures!!!
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get a little vehklempt!! What a great story! ‘Nona you are so talented!! Congrats Rick and Brae!
Congrats! I am so happy for the both of you! What a fun way to have your wedding. You know what is crazy? My house is RIGHT behind the Bistro. What an amazing place to have your wedding. Congrats again.
Nothing like a good cry to start one’s day! Fabulous! Thanks for sharing the photos! XO
So lovely! Beautiful ceremony and amazing pictures too! Congrats to Rick & Heather!!!
Oh My Gosh! These are so beautiful, Winona! I love them all 🙂
Thank you so much for being there and capturing all of the surprised faces that I want to remember forever! Rick and I will be cheering you and Fight Club on this weekend! Go get’em on the bank track!
I love this!!! So beautiful! I’m sitting here at work with tears in my eyes showing the ladies I work with your pictures! Congratulations!!
These photos are just georgous Winona! Congratulations Rick and Brae, I wish you many wonderful happy years together.
Simply amazing! I love the reaction shots you were able to get of the guests and family!
Congratulations Brae!!! WHat a beautiful and fun wedding. Nona, as always, fantastic photos!!
I think this is the best idea for a wedding ever. The pictures are amazing as always, and the day looked perfect!
What a beautiful idea…a surprise wedding! The photos are stunning! Congratulations!
Brae! I love this! What a memorable event for EVERYONE! You are beautiful, inside and out! The photos are awesome Winona!
Brae – So beautiful! Thank you and Nona for sharing these special pictures. Congratulations!
Well if your intent was to make everyone cry, then mission accomplished! Best (surprise) wedding EVER!
What an awesome idea. So special and memorable, I love this. They are going to treasure this day and these images forever. You did a beautiful job!
Wow- how awesome. Love the images, I felt like I was there!!
Nonie- What a very special evening it was for all of us! And, you captured it so beautifully. The looks of surprise and the love in that room were caught by you so we can always remeber, remember…
A coworker of mine sent me this link. I don’t know the bride or the photographer, but I loved the photos and the story they told. It was a tear jerker! Congrats to all involved!
Love these! What a gorgeous setting, and I just love her red dress with the beautiful fall colors. Fantastic work!
The details of the day are amazing! You captured a beautiful memory!
What stunning photos. You managed to capture so many amazing natural facial expression just at the right minute. Well done. I love your candid captures they are so important on occasions like this. What a lucky couple to have you shooting for them.
I love it! Brae you look so beautiful! Love the surprise wedding. Congratulations to both of you.