As a Colorado wedding photographer, getting to photograph a couple you genuinely care about makes an already special job feel even more meaningful. On September 12th, 2026, I had the absolute joy of photographing my friend Dawnetta as she married Taylor at the beautiful Edgewood Inn in Woodland Park, Colorado. I couldn’t be happier that Dawnetta found someone as kind, caring, and loving as Taylor. Together, they make such a beautiful couple, and their wedding day was filled with the same warmth and genuine love that they share with everyone around them.

A Destination Wedding With a Colorado Connection

Dawnetta and Taylor currently call Iowa home, making their wedding day a destination wedding here in Colorado. But Colorado wasn’t a random choice—it holds a special place in Dawnetta’s heart because she used to live here. Bringing Taylor, their families, and so many of their closest friends back to Colorado to celebrate their marriage made the day feel even more meaningful.

Guests traveled from Iowa and other states to be part of their celebration, creating a true destination wedding weekend surrounded by the people they love most. With a large guest list and an equally large wedding party, there was no shortage of excitement, laughter, and familiar faces throughout the day.

A Love Story That Started With Friends

Dawnetta and Taylor first met through a mutual friend. What started as a friendship and shared adventures eventually grew into the kind of love that brought a huge group of family and friends together to celebrate them.

Before the ceremony, Dawnetta and Taylor shared a first touch in the piano room. They were able to hold hands and spend a few quiet moments together without seeing each other before walking down the aisle. But Dawnetta had a surprise waiting for Taylor. As part of their first touch, she gave him a collection of photographs from the boudoir session we had done together. It was such a fun and personal surprise—and a pretty memorable way to add a little romance and excitement to their wedding day.

As both a wedding and boudoir photographer, I absolutely love when couples incorporate boudoir into their wedding experience. It can become something incredibly personal between the two of you.

One of my favorite moments of the day was Dawnetta’s first look with her bridesmaids. As they walked in to see her in her dress for the first time, their reactions were absolutely priceless.

A Ceremony Surrounded by Mountains

When it was finally time for the ceremony, Dawnetta and Taylor stood together beneath the covered patio with the Colorado mountains behind them. With so many friends and family members traveling from near and far to witness the moment, there was an incredible sense of anticipation.

Looking out at the crowd, it was easy to see just how loved these two are. Their wedding wasn’t simply a celebration of their relationship—it was a gathering of all the people who have supported them and helped shape their lives.

The Edgewood Inn in Woodland Park provided the perfect setting for their Colorado destination wedding. The venue has a wonderfully homey, intimate feeling that makes you feel like you’re celebrating at a beautiful mountain home rather than a traditional wedding venue. Surrounded by Colorado’s mountain landscape, the property offered gorgeous views and plenty of cozy spaces for photos.

Remembering the People Who Couldn’t Be There

One of the most touching details of the wedding was their spirit tree. Tucked back among the trees and decorated with beautiful fairy lights, the display honored loved ones who had passed away and couldn’t physically be there to celebrate.

It was a quiet and beautiful place for guests to remember the people who were still very much a part of the day. Even though they couldn’t be there in person, creating a dedicated space for them made sure their presence and memory were included in the celebration.

Dawnetta and Taylor also made sure their youngest guests had plenty of fun. They created a Troll-themed scavenger hunt for the kids, giving them an adventure of their own to enjoy throughout the wedding. It’s little details like this that can make such a difference at a large wedding.

When the Dance Floor Took Over

Once the reception got started, there was no shortage of energy. Guests filled the dance floor and kept the party going, celebrating Dawnetta and Taylor with plenty of dancing, laughter, and fun.

With such a large group of family and friends in attendance, the reception felt like one giant celebration. Everyone seemed genuinely excited to be there, and the dance floor quickly became one of the busiest places in the room. Dawnetta and Taylor’s wedding was incredibly special to photograph—not only because of the beautiful mountain setting and all the thoughtful details, but because of the people at the center of it all.

A New Chapter

Congratulations, Dawnetta and Taylor! I am so incredibly happy for you both and honored that I got to capture this chapter of your story. Your Iowa-to-Colorado destination wedding at Edgewood Inn was filled with beautiful mountain views, happy tears, surprises, dancing, childhood memories, and reminders of the people who will always be part of your lives.

It felt especially meaningful to see Dawnetta return to a place that once felt like home and create a brand-new memory here with the person she loves. I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful way to celebrate two genuinely kind and loving people.