A Romantic Summer Steamboat Springs Wedding

Annika and Charlie’s Steamboat Springs wedding was one big reminder that a wedding can be beautiful and intentional without feeling like everyone is following a script all day. These two wanted to celebrate, be with their people, and enjoy the day they’d spent so much time planning. And that is exactly what happened. There were happy tears, mountain views, an outdoor dinner, a very good outfit change, and plenty of moments where everyone was just having FUN. Summer in Steamboat did a lot of the heavy lifting when it came to the backdrop. Golden grass, green mountains, huge Colorado skies… You really don’t have to add much.

Bride and groom pet horses at La Joya Dulce in Colorado

A Joy-Filled Summer Steamboat Springs Wedding

I love how relaxed this day felt. Their ceremony took place outside with the mountains stretching out behind them, surrounded by their favorite people and an absolutely gorgeous floral-covered arch.

The rest of the afternoon had the same energy. Instead of disappearing for hours to take wedding photos, we wandered into the fields and let Steamboat be Steamboat. Their portraits feel romantic, but they still feel like them. And all the little in-between photos I love just as much. Those tiny moments are such a huge part of what makes a wedding day yours.

After receiving their gallery, Annika sent me the sweetest message about how, as they get older and their memories begin to fade, these photos will still be there to help them remember the best day of their lives. BRB CRYING.

She also told me that having my “calm & chill energy” around helped during all the wedding chaos, which might be one of my favorite compliments ever. Because yes, I want to make beautiful photographs for you. But I also want you to feel like you have someone in your corner who can keep things moving, help when something inevitably gets a little chaotic, and remind you that we are here to have a GOOD TIME.

She did also say, “Like, put this shit in the Louvre, are you kidding me!!!” which really brought us all back down to earth. The duality. I love it.

Bride and groom portraits in the Aspens in Steamboat Springs

Bride takes a playful group photo with her bridesmaids in their green dresses

A romantic Steamboat Springs summer wedding ceremony

Outdoor Dinner, Mountain Views + One Very Good Dress Change

One of the best decisions Annika and Charlie made was keeping so much of their celebration outside. Cocktail hour flowed into an outdoor dinner with the mountains right there in the background. The tables were simple and romantic with soft pink linens, woven chargers, white and blush florals, and tall taper candles. It all felt really pretty without competing with what was already around them.

When you’re getting married somewhere like Steamboat Springs, I am firmly on team let the mountains be part of it. That’s one of the reasons I love outdoor receptions for Colorado summer weddings. Your guests traveled all the way here, and instead of looking at those views through a window, they get to sit outside with a drink, eat dinner, talk to the people they love, and watch the light change over the mountains.

Eventually, though, it was time to trade romantic mountain dinner for PARTY. Annika swapped her wedding gown for a short, sparkly reception dress and immediately looked ready for a completely different portion of the evening. The flash came out, the dance floor filled up, and shoes became increasingly optional. You know the drill.

I love when a gallery gets to have both sides of a wedding day. There are the soft, romantic portraits where everything feels almost cinematic. And then a few hours later, there are direct-flash photos of you dancing with your friends, hair slightly less perfect than it was six hours ago, having the absolute time of your life. Both matter.

Your wedding doesn’t need to feel serious all day just because it’s an important day. In fact, I think some of the best photos happen once everyone forgets there’s a camera around and just starts living it.

An emotional Steamboat Springs summer wedding ceremony

Editorial style bride and groom portraits in Steamboat Springs during the summer

Why You Should Consider a Summer Wedding Weekend in Steamboat Springs

Okay, now I need to make my case for Steamboat Springs because I feel like it gets overlooked sometimes when people start searching for Colorado mountain wedding locations.

Steamboat in the summer is SO much fun. You still get the mountain views and outdoorsy Colorado experience, but you also get an actual town where your guests can spend a few days. That makes it such a good option if you want your wedding to feel more like a weekend away together rather than everyone flying in, attending your wedding, and immediately heading home.

And there is plenty to do. You could kick things off with the Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo, which runs on Friday and Saturday nights during much of the summer. Tell me a rodeo welcome party wouldn’t be fun?! Guests can also spend their free time hiking or mountain biking, floating the Yampa River, riding the gondola, exploring downtown, checking out the farmers market, listening to live music, or heading to the hot springs. It gives everyone the option to make their own little vacation out of your wedding weekend.

Imagine people arriving Friday, wandering around downtown or meeting up at the rodeo that night. Saturday is wedding day. Then on Sunday, everyone sleeps in, grabs breakfast, and spends the afternoon soaking in the hot springs before heading home. That sounds like a pretty dang good wedding weekend to me.

Someday, the timeline and table settings probably won’t be the things you remember most. It’ll be how it all felt. And if you’re dreaming about your own Steamboat Springs wedding, I would be VERY happy to spend another summer weekend in the mountains with you!