Here in Fort Collins, there’s a thriving community of self-employed small business owners who meet at coffee shops around town for networking. My reason for going isn’t so much that I expect to book clients, but more as an excuse to get out away from the computer and go meet people in real life. Here’s another thing about Fort Collins — it’s not a high-fashion kinda town. Walking downtown you’ll mostly see people wearing cargo pants and hiking boots. “Dressing up” means wearing a shirt with buttons… I joke that Fort Collins is a town of white people who shop at REI and the Gap… you get my drift.
One day about a year ago, I went to a networking shin dig one morning and saw a fantastically fashionable Asian chic. Being from NYC, I naturally gravitated toward this girl, and overheard her showing off her engagement ring. So of course, I introduced myself with something like “Hi, I couldn’t help but notice… that’s fantastic jacket… {chat about jacket} I’m Christina and I photograph weddings and I heard that you’re engaged.” (I’m pretty smooth, aren’t I?)
So Jen and I struck up not only a wedding photography plan, but a whole friendship! I also met her fiancé, Steve, though he doesn’t come out to chat over wine and treats as often as Jen does.
Jen and Steve are both from Upstate New York, both health professionals—Jen’s an acupuncturist, and Steve is a chiropractor— and both have a bit of a dry, sarcastic, goofy sense of humor. Easy to get along with. Jen’s going to look at this photo above and think “oh yeah, I’m Asian.” Jen’s explained more than once that being surrounded by white people all the time, she forgets. Yes Jen, you’re Asian, and gorgeous.
So Jen and Steve held their wedding in Upstate New York, and so I met up with them there the night before. They had a very sweet church ceremony at Trinity Church in Seneca Falls, surrounded by friends and family from all over.
What had started out as a rainy morning, cleared up to a perfect fall day for these two happy newlyweds.
Since it had been raining so much, I went and got some umbrellas to match their wedding colors. Even though it cleared up, I really wanted to use the umbrellas… Jen and Steve allowed a good chunk of time for photos between the ceremony and the reception, so we had time to play.
The wedding party was a big fun group! I had a blast arranging them in the gazebo.
The Ventosa Vineyard is actually a working vineyard! Complete with grapes! I guess that might have been obvious, but I was so excited at how beautiful the scenery was.
Inside, Ventosa did not disappoint either. The place was lovely, and Jen planned perfect details for a fall vineyard wedding. Jen’s father was adorably proud and happy, obviously loves her like crazy. As does Steve. Jen and Steve are just the kind of schmoopy couple that makes me fall in love with wedding photography all over again.
Randy & Deb: Loveland, Colorado Wedding Photography