When it comes to Colorado weddings, not everyone’s dreaming of a ballroom, plated dinner, or a minute-by-minute timeline. Some couples like Cayce and Josh just want to get married in a way that feels meaningful, relaxed, and true to who they are. No performance. No pressure. Just the good stuff. And that’s exactly what they created.

Their day had the perfect mix: heartfelt vows, a champagne toast, time with their favorite people, and plenty of space to breathe. No DJ announcements or staged moments. Just connection, sunshine, and a celebration that felt calm and real from start to finish.

That’s what I love most about Colorado weddings. There’s room to blend the traditions you love with the freedom to skip the rest. You get to choose what feels right, what feels personal, and what makes the day yours. Because honoring tradition doesn’t mean following a script. It just means leading with intention, and that’s where the magic happens.

The Myth About Tradition in Colorado Weddings

There’s this unspoken rule floating around that once you decide to skip the big wedding, you have to toss every tradition out with it. But that’s not how this works, and honestly, it’s not how most people actually feel.

You can love the idea of saying vows in nature and want your dad to walk you down the aisle. You can elope on a mountaintop and toast with your people afterward. It doesn’t have to be a full production, but it also doesn’t have to be stripped down if that’s not your vision.

Cayce and Josh are the perfect example of this. They didn’t ditch tradition entirely; they just reimagined it. No huge guest list, no dance floor pressure, or awkward bouquet toss. But they still exchanged rings, toasted their marriage, and shared real, emotional moments with the people who mattered most. It felt intentional, not performative. And that’s the sweet spot.

So if you’re caught between loving a few classic moments and craving something quieter, that’s not a conflict. That’s your compass.

How Cayce and Josh Blended Tradition with Their Own Style

Cayce and Josh’s celebration was actually more traditional than most elopements I photograph, and that’s exactly what made it so personal.

They kicked things off with a casual cocktail hour before the ceremony (because, why not?), giving everyone a chance to connect and settle in. Then, surrounded by mountain views and a string quartet, they had a full Jewish ceremony, complete with ketubah signing, a rabbi officiant, and the kind of heartfelt vows that make you forget you’re technically on a hiking trail.

After the ceremony, we wandered a bit for portraits, giving them a breather and some quiet before the next round of celebration. They hosted a sit-down dinner that felt more like an intimate dinner party than a formal reception, and yes, even the hora made an appearance. (Which, let me tell you, hits different when you’re surrounded by pine trees.)

Oh, and just when the night felt complete, Josh’s mom surprised them with a live bagpiper. Unexpected? Absolutely! Completely unforgettable? Of course, I’m still talking about it!

That’s what I love about Colorado weddings: you can have the rituals, the music, the dance floor, even a bagpiper, and still keep the day completely rooted in you. There’s no template here. Just the freedom to choose what matters, and that’s what makes a wedding unique to you, and not some highlight reel from Instagram!

The Traditions That Actually Matter

Here’s the thing about traditions: the best ones aren’t about performance, they’re about connection. The ones that stick are the ones that feel like a reflection of your values, your people, and your story.

Vows That Feel Like You Meant Them

Whether you write your own or stick with the classics, vows hit differently when you’re not on a stage. No distractions. No pressure to deliver a perfect line. Just you, your partner, and that quiet moment of, oh yeah, we’re really doing this. That’s the good stuff.

A Toast, a Dance, a Bagpiper (If That’s Your Thing)

You don’t need a ballroom for a toast to land. You don’t need a DJ to have a dance floor moment. Cayce and Josh had a string quartet, a spontaneous hora, and a surprise bagpiper, all of which felt totally natural because none of it was forced. If it means something to you, it belongs. If it feels like a checkbox? Skip it.

Family Rituals and Cultural Traditions

For some couples, a wedding isn’t just about two people; it’s about honoring the history and heritage that brought them here. A ketubah signing. A traditional blessing. A particular song, a favorite dish, or a quiet pre-ceremony moment with family. These aren’t “extras”, they’re anchors. They’re what connect your relationship to your Colorado wedding in a way that feels grounded and meaningful.

At the end of the day, the most meaningful traditions are the ones that make you pause and feel something. Everything else is optional.

How to Decide What’s Worth Keeping

There’s no rulebook for what traditions you should keep, and that’s kind of the point. The best Colorado weddings aren’t built from obligation. They’re built from intention. So how do you figure out what’s actually worth including?

Here’s where I usually start with couples:

Ask “Who is this really for?”

If the answer is “me” or “us,” it’s probably worth keeping. If it’s “my aunt who loves traditions,” maybe not. There’s no shame in honoring people you care about, but the day should still feel like yours.

Notice what lights you up

Do you get excited thinking about signing a ketubah? Doing a first look? Hearing your partner’s vows in the mountains? Those little sparks are clues. Pay attention to what actually gives you that yes, this feels right energy.

Ditch anything that feels like a performance

This one’s big. If you’re imagining a moment and already feeling awkward or worried about “doing it right,” you’re allowed to opt out. There are no gold stars for sticking to a script that doesn’t fit; this is about you!

Blend the meaningful with the modern

Some of the best moments I’ve seen come from mixing the two, like a traditional ceremony followed by trail champagne. Or a grandparent’s blessing before dinner under the stars. When it’s done with intention, it just works.

At the end of the day, your wedding isn’t a show. It’s a story. And you get to decide how it’s told.

Tips for Balancing Tradition + Personal Style in Colorado Weddings

Colorado weddings naturally invite a mix of the classic and the unconventional. Whether you’re planning something small, semi-traditional, or completely offbeat, there’s a way to blend what matters to you with what actually feels good. Here’s how to keep the balance:

Start with the vibe, not the checklist

Don’t build your day around what “should” happen. Start with how you want it to feel. Peaceful? Joyful? Intimate? Once you know the vibe, it’s easier to decide what traditions support that, and which ones don’t.

Pick a location that does some of the heavy lifting

Say your vows in front of the Flatirons or share a toast in golden-hour light, and you’ll see that those views do a lot of the heavy lifting. Whether it’s a mountain overlook, a quiet backyard, or a cozy cabin, the right setting sets the tone and makes everything else simpler.

Include people, not pressure

Bringing in loved ones can make things feel extra special if it’s done with intention. Invite the people who make you feel safe, seen, and celebrated. Leave out the pressure to create a guest list that checks boxes.

Let moments unfold instead of forcing them

Sure, you can plan a champagne toast or a dance with your dad. But the real good stuff happens in the in-between: a laugh you didn’t plan, a glance across the dinner table, a quiet breath before the ceremony. Give those moments space, and they’ll show up.

Why This Approach Actually Makes Better Photos

No one looks natural when they’re thinking about what’s next on the timeline. The best photos don’t come from stiff poses or perfect planning; they come from presence. And presence happens when you feel relaxed, comfortable, and unrushed.

When you plan a Colorado wedding that actually feels like you, your photos reflect that. You’re not forcing moments, you’re living them. Your smile isn’t the result of someone yelling “Say cheese!” It’s the quiet laugh you share when the bagpiper shows up unexpectedly or the moment you exhale after your vows, realizing you’re officially married.

The beautiful light, the mountain views, the emotion in your partner’s face, it all shows up so much more clearly when you’re not wrapped up in stress.

That’s why I guide my couples through timelines that breathe, locations that work with the light (not against it), and a photo process that never feels like a performance. You just show up as yourselves, and I’ll take care of the rest.

Book Me As Your Colorado Wedding Photographer

You don’t have to choose between meaning and freedom. Between tradition and personality. Between a wedding that’s “legit” and one that feels like you. Colorado weddings give you space to do both, to keep what matters, skip what doesn’t, and let the day take shape around who you are, not what someone else expects.

Cayce and Josh’s day had rituals, laughter, music, tradition, a bagpiper (still not over it), and so many quiet, unforced moments in between. It wasn’t minimal. It wasn’t over-the-top. It was just… right.

So if you’re planning a Colorado wedding that doesn’t quite fit the moldbut still means everything to you, I’m here for it. Whether you’re thinking full ceremony with all the traditions or something quiet and offbeat, I’ll help you pull it together in a way that feels natural, calm, and completely yours.

When you’re ready, I’m here. We’ll make something beautiful, nothing forced, nothing stiff. Just a day that feels like you.

At the beginning of planning your Colorado wedding and looking for more tips? Keep scrolling!

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