After meeting on Hinge, Zach and Lauren knew it was “forever” from the very first date. They began traveling together, which only made them fall more in love with each other and the life they were building together. After Zach convinced Lauren to give skiing a second chance during a Colorado wedding she was photographing, it became one of their shared favorite pastimes (from bunnies to blues!). Because she is a wedding photographer, Lauren knew she didn’t want their wedding to be like anything she had shot before. Captured by Fontana Lane, this wedding at Angel Fire Resort is a must-see for any bride wanting to break the mold.
Hosting a wedding experience
After considering the costs for a larger wedding, the couple’s vision was to pay for an experience and not an event. They spent a long time searching for the perfect place to host their family and closest friends, and Angel Fire Resort in New Mexico proved to be the most beautiful ski-in/ski-out option. Zach and Lauren booked it blindly and planned a trip just to see it (and ski, of course!). They were well on their way to hosting a wedding experience that felt more like a ski trip that they got married on rather than a wedding where people skied.
Wedding party skiwear
Lauren and Zach asked their friends to be a part of their wedding party using cute little ski candles. When the day arrived, bridesmaids exchanged dresses for ski suits in a neutral color palette, and the group opted for group photos on the slopes.
Color palette: White and light blue
Zach and Lauren stood out in front of the neutral color palette in white and light blue.
The deer were not paid actors
During the day of the wedding, the couple and their friends skied until the lifts closed, got ready for the ceremony, completed their gift exchange, and even were greeted by the cutest group of deer!
Romantic candlelit ceremony
The ceremony took place in the evening so that Lauren could get full use out of the romantic candlelit atmosphere. There was a minimal processional, and the couple stood alone at the altar, surrounded by white hydrangeas courtesy of Havilah Floral.
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Nighttime ski shoot
After the ceremony, Lauren and Zach cut their cake from Cake Fetish, poured the champagne tower, and put their boots on to go skiing in their wedding attire. The couple’s favorite photos from the day were these photos. Their friends and family watched from the deck while couple had an absolute blast in the snow.
After-the-fact advice from the bride
“We spent a lot of time being intentional with our details. For example, we made a date night out of crafting our welcome sign, and our guestbook was a custom vinyl with all of the songs that were sentimental to our relationship. With a degree in journalism, it was only right to participate in the newspaper trend also! It ended up being one of my favorite parts of the weekend and included our story, our community, and postcards from trips that we had been on together. My ultimate advice for brides is to do what you want. The people who really love you will show up for you – don’t give up your happiness on your day!”
