Breckenridge Colorado Backyard Wedding
- Hayden Eastburn
- Mar 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 11
October 6, 2024 - An intimate backyard wedding in Blue River followed by golden fall portraits around Breckenridge and Boreas Pass.
Kevin and Vanessa! Two people who, probably never would have met without the power of community. A place, a moment in time where everything aligns and love emerges. Not to get too retrospective, this is about their wedding day after all. Still, it makes me believe that we all have one person, and that all the choices we make somehow lead us to them.
Breckenridge, Colorado, is truly the perfect place to have a wedding, big or small. This shoot was the definition of an intimate Fall wedding in Breckenridge Colorado. At the end of the fall season, we went for a colorful and vibrant style that mirrored Kevin and Vanessa’s relationship — beautiful and ever-changing. They rented a house in Blue River to host their ceremony and reception. Both families helped with the decorations, food, and everything in between. Vanessa’s father even made a traditional wedding soup to commemorate this amazing day!
We started the day with some photos of the location, then moved into getting-ready shots. From there, I focused on those detail moments — Vanessa’s shoes, bouquet, rings, and the small mementos they both shared. I took the dress and wanted to photograph it on its own before Vanessa needed to put it on. This ended up being one of the most challenging dress shots I’ve experienced. I couldn’t find the right place to display it at first. After walking around the entire house, I finally decided to try photographing it underneath the porch. After some trial and error, I was able to get the exact look I was hoping for.
Once the wedding guests and the rest of their family had arrived, it was time. Kevin greeted everyone as they walked in while Vanessa finalized her finishing touches. A pleasant surprise came when the officiant turned out to be someone Vanessa, Kevin, and I all knew! It felt incredibly special to share that moment together. As the ceremony began, I made sure I didn’t miss anything. I had both my Canon RP with the RF 15–35mm f/2.8 and my Canon R6 Mark II with the 50mm f/1.8 ready to go — my tried and true setup. They shared their vows, an enthusiastic “I do,” and just like that, they were married.
After the ceremony, before everyone moved inside for the reception, I took these beautiful newlyweds aside for a quieter moment together. Just the two of them, taking their first photos as husband and wife. We found a spot on the top-floor deck of the house, captured a few portraits, and then moved down a stairway to create some more interesting compositions filled with laughter and movement. The evening continued with dancing, incredible food, cake, and speeches that would make any romantic tear up (including myself).
However, our time taking photos didn’t end on their wedding day. The house they rented didn’t quite provide the fall colors they had hoped for, so we decided to meet again later that weekend for another session. This time with Kevin and Vanessa back in their wedding attire.
We spent the afternoon walking through Breckenridge, starting at the place where they had their first date, the Blue Stag. From there we made our way to a stunning pond near Ollie’s Pub & Grub, where the fall colors were exactly what they had been dreaming of. The day ended with some fun silhouettes of the two of them backlit by Peak 10 on top of Boreas Pass Road — one of my favorite places to take couples for photos. I was so happy they were willing to get dressed up all over again to make these images happen, and let me tell you — when you see them, you’ll absolutely agree it was worth it.
Spending the day with Kevin and Vanessa was a reminder of how meaningful these intimate weddings can be. Surrounded by family, laughter, and the quiet beauty of the mountains, their celebration felt personal in the best possible way. Being trusted to document moments like these is something I never take lightly, and I’m grateful to have been there to witness the beginning of their next chapter together.
Planning your own Breckenridge or Blue River Colorado wedding? As a Colorado-based wedding photographer, I love documenting intimate mountain celebrations like this one. Let's curate your Fall wedding in Breckenridge Colorado.
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