Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting — and sometimes overwhelming — journeys you’ll embark on. From selecting the perfect venue to coordinating vendors and capturing every precious moment, there are countless decisions to make along the way. At From the Hip Photo, we’ve worked with hundreds of Colorado couples to bring their wedding visions to life, and we want to share our insights to help ease your planning stress. Whether you’re just starting to dream about your big day or you’re deep in the planning process, this guide covers the essential considerations that will help you create a celebration that’s authentically yours.
Setting Your Wedding Vision
Before you start booking vendors and scouting locations, take time to define your wedding vision. What does your perfect day look like? Are you imagining an intimate gathering with close family and friends, or a grand celebration with hundreds of guests? Do you envision an elegant ballroom affair, a rustic outdoor adventure, or something entirely unique to your personalities?
Sit down together as a couple and discuss your priorities. Is photography your top investment? Are you passionate about a specific cuisine or venue aesthetic? What traditions or personal touches matter most to both of you? Creating a shared vision helps you make aligned decisions throughout the planning process and ensures every detail reflects who you are as a couple.
Consider creating a Pinterest board or mood board together. Collect images, color palettes, and inspiration that resonate with you. This visual reference becomes invaluable when communicating with vendors about your style and expectations.
Choosing the Perfect Venue
Your venue sets the tone for your entire wedding day. Colorado offers an incredible array of options — from breathtaking mountain settings and historic estates to urban lofts and rustic barns. When evaluating venues, consider these key factors:
Capacity and Space: Choose a venue that comfortably accommodates your guest count while feeling appropriately full and intimate. A massive space with 50 guests can feel empty, while an intimate setting packed with people creates wonderful energy.
Lighting and Photography: Ask about natural light conditions at different times of day. Morning light differs from golden hour, and understanding your venue’s lighting will help your photographer capture stunning images. If you’re considering an indoor venue, ask about the lighting quality and whether the space allows for creative photography angles.
Weather Contingencies: Colorado weather can be unpredictable, especially in spring and fall. Understand the venue’s backup plan for outdoor or semi-outdoor spaces. Do they have tent rentals? Indoor alternatives? How experienced are they with weather challenges?
Amenities and Logistics: Does the venue provide tables, chairs, and basic décor? What are the parking options? Is there room for a cocktail hour? Are there restrictions on music volume or timing? Understanding what’s included and what’s restricted helps you plan more effectively.
Building Your Vendor Team
Your vendors are your partners in bringing your vision to life. Beyond just booking them, invest time in selecting people you trust and whose work excites you. Here are the essential vendor roles to fill:
Photography and Videography: Your wedding photos and video are permanent records of one of life’s most important days. This deserves serious attention and investment. Ask photographers about their style, experience with venues you’re considering, whether they offer engagement sessions, and what packages include.
Catering: Food and beverage set the mood and create lasting memories. Schedule tastings with multiple caterers. Don’t just evaluate the food quality — also assess their professionalism, flexibility with dietary needs, and how they handle your vision for the reception flow.
Florals and Décor: Your florist transforms your vision into beautiful reality. Share your Pinterest board and be clear about color palettes, seasonal availability, and your budget. Discuss whether they work with your venue or if you need to coordinate logistics.
Music and Entertainment: Whether you’re hiring a DJ, live band, or creating playlists, music shapes your celebration’s energy. A great DJ reads the room and keeps your guests engaged. A live band creates intimate, memorable moments.
The most successful vendor partnerships happen when you’re clear about expectations, responsive to communication, and respect their professional expertise.
Creating Your Wedding Timeline
A well-structured timeline ensures your wedding day flows smoothly and you hit all the important moments. Start by working backward from your ceremony time. Here’s a general framework:
Engagement to 12 months out: Secure your venue, finalize your guest count, and start booking key vendors like photography, catering, and florals. These book up quickly, especially for summer weddings and popular Colorado venues.
12 to 6 months out: Book remaining vendors, send save-the-dates, and begin design planning. This is when you finalize décor details, select your color palette, and start thinking about special touches that make your day uniquely yours.
6 to 3 months out: Send formal invitations, finalize your guest count, confirm vendor details, and begin wedding attire shopping. Start coordinating logistics with your venue and vendors.
3 months to wedding day: Finalize all vendor timelines, confirm guest RSVPs, arrange accommodations for out-of-town guests, and start thinking about the rehearsal dinner. Plan your day-of timeline with your photographer and coordinator.
Final weeks: Confirm all vendor arrival times, create a detailed timeline to share with your wedding party and coordinator, arrange hair and makeup appointments, and handle final payments and tips.
Photography: Capturing Every Moment
Photography is often where couples invest most heavily — and rightfully so. Your photos are the memories you’ll cherish for decades. Beyond just choosing a photographer based on portfolio, consider these important factors:
Your Photography Style: Do you prefer posed portraits or photojournalistic candids? Environmental portraits or close-ups? A mix of both? The best photographers combine technical skills with an artistic vision that matches your preferences. Your photographer should understand not just what you want to photograph, but how you want to feel in those images.
Experience with Your Venue: Ask if your photographer has shot at your venue before. They’ll understand lighting conditions, know the best locations for photos, and anticipate logistical challenges. A photographer familiar with your space captures better images and flows more smoothly throughout your day.
Engagement Sessions: A pre-wedding engagement photo session serves multiple purposes. You get beautiful photos to use on save-the-dates or in your reception venue. More importantly, you build comfort and rapport with your photographer, resulting in more relaxed and authentic wedding day photos. Many of our couples say their engagement session transformed how they felt in front of the camera by the wedding day.
Unique Additions: Consider special photography enhancements that add dimension to your coverage. A photo booth gives guests an interactive experience and creates fun keepsake photos. Second photographers capture moments the main photographer misses — simultaneous bride and groom prep, reactions from different angles, and reception details. These additions enrich your overall wedding narrative.
Personal Touches That Make It Yours
While the big-picture elements — venue, vendors, timeline — create the structure of your day, it’s the personal touches that make it truly memorable and authentically yours.
Pre-Wedding Celebrations: Consider adding special moments beyond the main event. An engagement photo session captures your love story before the big day. Some couples host intimate rehearsal dinners with just the wedding party. Others plan surprise engagements or elaborate proposal recreations as part of their reception.
Boudoir Sessions: A boudoir photography session is a beautiful, empowering gift for your partner. Our boudoir shoots celebrate confidence, sensuality, and elegance in a comfortable, professional environment. Many couples use these intimate, classy photos as a meaningful pre-wedding gift. These sessions also help build comfort in front of the camera for the big day.
Custom Bridal Gifts: While custom gifts don’t need to be limited to brides, they’re a meaningful way to celebrate your partner and create lasting mementos. Personalized items — from custom artwork featuring your names to engraved keepsakes to custom photo products — transform your wedding memories into beautiful home décor. From the Hip Photo helps bring these visions to life, whether you’re photographing custom gifts or creating photo-based gift products.
Interactive Elements: A photo booth isn’t just fun — it’s an interactive experience that lets guests participate in creating memories. Guests love having a keepsake to take home, and you get a visual record of who attended and was celebrating with you. Include props that reflect your personalities and sense of humor.
Meaningful Décor and Moments: Beyond flowers and table settings, think about elements that tell your story. Display a timeline of your relationship. Create a signature cocktail named after an inside joke. Include readings or music that’s meaningful to you. Incorporate cultural traditions that matter to your families. These details show your guests who you are as a couple.
Two Photographers Capture Twice the Moments
One of the most impactful enhancements to wedding photography coverage is adding a second photographer. Even the most talented photographer cannot simultaneously capture the groom’s reaction as his bride walks down the aisle while photographing the bride’s expression. A second photographer ensures you don’t miss these precious moments.
Second photographers excel at capturing behind-the-scenes moments, reaction shots, and details that the main photographer is focused elsewhere. During prep, while the main photographer shoots the bride’s final details, the second photographer documents the groom and groomsmen. During the ceremony, they capture reactions from different angles. During the reception, they photograph candid moments with guests while the main photographer handles formal photos and key moments.
The result is a comprehensive visual narrative of your day with richer diversity of perspectives and moments captured. Learn more about the benefits of second photographer coverage and how it enhances your overall wedding album.
Colorado Wedding Venue Inspiration
Colorado offers stunning venues that provide natural beauty and unique character. From mountain estates to urban spaces, each venue brings its own visual story. Understanding your venue’s personality helps you plan photography that leverages its best features. For example, Dunafon Castle in Lakewood offers dramatic stone architecture and manicured grounds perfect for romantic portraiture and grand moments. When evaluating Colorado venues, visit during the same season and time of day as your planned wedding to truly understand the light and energy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Planning
How far in advance should I book my wedding photographer?
Top wedding photographers often book 12-18 months in advance, particularly for popular seasons (May-October) and weekend dates. We recommend booking photography at the same time or soon after you secure your venue. This ensures you get your preferred photographer and have adequate time to plan your timeline and discuss your vision.
What’s included in typical wedding photography packages?
Most packages include coverage hours, digital images, prints or albums, and possibly engagement sessions or albums. Some photographers offer add-ons like second photographers, videography, drone photography, or custom gifts. Always clarify what’s included, how images are delivered, how long you’ll have access to them, and whether you can order additional prints. The most important thing is that the package aligns with your vision and budget.
Should we do engagement photos before the wedding?
Absolutely. Engagement sessions provide multiple benefits: you’ll have beautiful photos for your save-the-dates and reception venue, you’ll build comfort with your photographer, and you’ll understand your photographer’s style and approach. By the wedding day, you’ll feel confident and relaxed in front of the camera, resulting in more authentic photos. Learn what to expect in a professional engagement session.
How do I create truly authentic wedding photos?
Authenticity comes from choosing a photographer who captures your natural style, allowing time for candid moments between posed photos, and being present rather than overly focused on logistics. Work with your photographer to understand their approach to directing natural, authentic poses and interactions. The best wedding photos feel genuine because they document real emotions and connections, not stiff formal portraits.
Final Thoughts: Your Wedding, Your Way
Wedding planning should feel exciting, not stressful. Remember that your day is about celebrating the love you share with your partner and surrounded by people who matter to you. Every decision — from your venue to your flowers to your photography — is an opportunity to reflect your personalities and priorities.
Take time to pause and enjoy the planning process. Don’t get so caught up in details that you lose sight of why you’re planning in the first place. The most memorable weddings aren’t necessarily the most elaborate — they’re the ones where couples made intentional choices that felt true to them.
At From the Hip Photo, we’re honored to be part of so many Colorado couples’ journeys to the altar. Our team is passionate about capturing your unique love story and creating lasting memories you’ll treasure forever. We’re here to answer any questions or discuss how we can make your vision a reality.
Contact From the Hip Photo today to discuss your wedding photography, engagement session, boudoir shoot, or any other way we can help make your celebration truly special.
Explore more wedding resources:
- Second Wedding Photographer Benefits — Discover how a second photographer enhances your coverage and captures moments you won’t want to miss
- Surprise Engagement Proposal Tips — Learn what to expect during a professional engagement session
- Natural Photo Prompts — Discover techniques for creating authentic, genuine wedding photos
- Dunafon Castle Wedding — Explore a stunning Colorado castle venue perfect for memorable wedding celebrations
