Kaitlin had been following along on Instagram long before there was a ring on her finger, which will forever make me smile. After Shai proposed, they reached out and booked a mini session to celebrate. A little while later, they officially booked their fall Surf Hotel wedding, and I may or may not have done a tiny happy dance.
Kaitlin is a graphic designer, so naturally… the details were impeccable. She designed so much of the wedding decor herself. And her dress. Oh my goodness. She had a custom-made pearl cape and overskirt that added the dreamiest movement for the ceremony. It’s always such a gift to photograph a wedding where the couple’s personalities shine through the design.
If you’ve ever experienced fall in Colorado, you know it’s cool, crisp mountain air, golden light, and aspens absolutely showing off. Buena Vista was in peak leaf season for Kaitlin and Shai’s day, and the entire town looked like it had been dipped in gold. The stone walls and river views at Surf Hotel, paired with those glowing trees, are unreal. And of course, Dilbert had to be part of it all. Their sweet pup was in attendance and even joined their first look.
Why Surf Hotel is a Dream Colorado Wedding Venue
1. Ceremony Site Options
One of my favorite things about Surf Hotel is that you’re not stuck with just one “standard” ceremony backdrop. The courtyard is such a classic choice. Those textured stone walls, the European-inspired architecture, and the café vibes are so good. Then there’s the riverfront option along the Arkansas River. If you want more of that open Colorado feel with mountains, water, and fresh air, this is it. And for winter weddings, the indoor ballroom space creates such a warm, candlelit atmosphere. It’s proof that a mountain wedding can still feel elegant and tucked in when needed.
2. A Built-In Wedding Weekend Experience
Surf Hotel is also a boutique hotel, which honestly changes the whole energy of a wedding weekend. Your guests can stay right on-site, walk from their rooms to the ceremony, grab coffee overlooking the river in the morning, and not worry about shuttles or complicated logistics. Welcome drinks in the courtyard, late-night hangs after the reception, or a slow morning-after brunch? Easy.
3. Endless Portrait Backdrops
From a creative standpoint, this place is gold. Between the stone exteriors, ivy-covered walls, cute doorways, golden aspen-lined paths in the fall, and the river views just steps away, we never have to go far to create variety. Surf Hotel gives you both European charm and Colorado wilderness vibes in one location, which is such a rare combo. The environment elevates everything without stealing the spotlight from you.
A Buena Vista Wedding Weekend (No Matter the Season!)
Buena Vista is an experience for guests traveling in.
Fall (like Kaitlin & Shai’s day):
Peak aspen season, crisp air, golden mountains, and cozy evenings. Perfect for riverside walks, scenic drives over Cottonwood Pass, and soaking in nearby hot springs.
Summer:
Whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River, hiking fourteeners, paddleboarding, and long patio dinners under string lights. The courtyard ceremony space feels especially lively this time of year.
Winter:
A quieter, snow-dusted mountain town vibe. Guests can ski at nearby Monarch Mountain, explore snowy trails, and gather for an intimate indoor ceremony with candlelight warmth.
No matter the season, the energy here is fun, and Kaitlin and Shai’s reception captured that perfectly. After vows and golden-hour portraits, the night shifted into a high-energy dance party. It was a fall Colorado day done exactly right.
See more: Colorado Mountain Wedding in Telluride
The Sweetest Feedback
“Let me tell you about Sam!! I discovered her on Instagram a few years back – before I was even engaged – and just loved her creative eye and overall vibe. Instant follow! So when I did get engaged last September, I was lucky enough to snag one of her mini sessions, and we used the beautiful photos she took for our save-the-dates/wedding website. From that day on, I just knew I had to book her for our wedding as well! Fortunately, she had our date available, and the rest is history. Sam delivered on all fronts – communication, photo delivery (she had over 100 photos edited for our sneak peek within just a few days of our wedding, what?!?), professionalism, and overall being the best at what she does = 10/10!! I am so glad I invested in going with Sam for our wedding photographer, as these will be photos my husband and I will cherish for decades to come. Oh, and the Super8 video she made for us was such an incredible cherry on top! If you’re debating choosing Sam as your photographer, just do it – I promise you won’t regret it. Aside from your venue, I believe your photographer is one of – if not the most – important investments you make for your wedding day. And to us, she was definitely worth it and money well spent! Thank you so much, Sam!!”
Vendors
Photographer | Samantha Ruscher Photo
Videographer | Tia Lorae Video
Venue | Surf Hotel & Chateau
Florals | Pixies & Posies
Dress | Viero Bridal from Perla Bridal & Woná Concept
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