April started their wedding day by getting her hair and makeup done at the Evergreen Lodge at Vail. They both made their way up the Piney River Rd to put on their attire and see each other for the first time.

We had beautiful weather in early August for their Summer Wedding near Vail and everything went off without a hitch. Guests even got a glimpse of one of the resident moose and their dogs even co-signed the marriage license. With the help of Sylwia of Glitter & Bliss, we timed the alpenglow just right for some beautiful portraits right before the reception began.

Thanks you two for having us along for your Piney River Ranch Wedding. It was a treat being able to document your love, your pups and your closest friends and family. Congrats!

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We started their wedding day in Beaver Creek, looking over the ski slopes littered with golden aspen leaves. The road to Piney has never been smooth, but by September of every year, it is especially bad from the hundreds of cars traversing it everyday. After a bumpy ride in the bus, Lauren and her bridesmaids, Andrew and his groomsmen all made it safe and sound.

For their first look, we made our way into the forest for something a bit more intimate than the usual spot on the dock. These two couldn’t hold back their emotions and shared a few tears of excitement with each other before joining up with the wedding party.

The weather was stunning and the fall colors were breathtaking. The moose even made an appearance near the dock, bringing everyone out of their seats for a distant cellphone pic. After dinner, Andrew insisted that we take a canoe ride. Having rowed in college, the race was on between the photo boat and the newlywed vessel.

These two ended their day with a smore by the fire, making for that perfect photo finish. We loved hanging with Andrew & Lauren for their Piney River Ranch Wedding. It is such a beautiful venue, but absolutely riveting near the end of September. Congrats you two!

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Moriah and her closest friends got ready in Vail, with the Divine Beauty Artists helping out with hair & makeup. Shortly after the ladies were ready, Epic Mountain Express shuttled everyone up the bumpy road to one of the most breathtaking venues in our lovely state.

As usual, Stacy headed off to photograph the groomsmen and found herself doing push-ups on push-ups after engaging in a game of “mine”. You’ll have to ask Taylor for the rules.

After a first-look on the dock, these two said their vows and made a promise on the Piney River Ranch deck. Vintage Magnolia came through with a beautiful floral display to bring that extra bit of flare to the already amazing scene.

Shortly after dinner, Ignite Weddings kicked off the night with some of our favorite jams. The dance floor was popping all night and kept us both on our toes with some soon-to-be award winning photos. As always, a big shout out to Christine and her team from The Soiree Studio for all of her hard work in pulling off this stunning fall wedding at Piney River Ranch.

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Both Whitney & Krystal began their wedding day with prep at the Sonnenalp Hotel, which also happens to be a Vail Wedding Venue. Smash Beauty Bar was on the makeup as Bliss Studio worked all the hair. Whitney and his closest friends spend the morning getting dressed before the drive up to Piney to check out the conditions. Upon arrival, there were several inches of snow on the ground, but it didn’t phase these two one bit.

We decided for a first look on the dock as it was the cleanest stretch of ground around. The cold temperatures and occasional flurries weren’t all that annoying, but the red clay mud was on a whole new level. After seeing Krystal in her dress for the first time, Whitney couldn’t hold back his emotions. We love when a groom is on-board with everything about a wedding like Whitney was.

After the guests had arrived, it was time to get the ceremony rolling. Sylwia of Glitter and Bliss Weddings helped shuffle everyone into place so we could get the show on the road. Fortunately, the weather broke and we even got a slight glimpse of Mount Powell in the background. Piney River Ranch is one of the most beautiful locations in Colorado, but the clouds had been shielding its grandeur until this moment.

After the ceremony, we headed out for a few portraits as the sun began to peak below the clouds. These two could not wait to get the party started, so we headed into the lodge for some speeches & dancing. Their Piney River Ranch Wedding could not have been more perfect, weather and all.

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Both Russell & Caroline prepped for the big day at the Hotel Talisa in Vail before trucking up Piney River Road. Upon arrival, Russell helped both fathers assemble the last bits of market lights that these two would shared their first dance under. For the ceremony, Caroline surprised her Scottish family with a bagpipe processional, bringing some of them to tears. Their ceremony couldn’t have been more personal & intimate, filled with family traditions that will live on.

Shortly after their ceremony was a wrap, we pulled these two for some last bits of sun against the Gore Range. The light was especially warm due to the wildfires. It was such a blast navigating the nearby trails with these two. Caroline with her one-liners had us constantly laughing.

After the light had falen, we headed back into the lodge for some donuts and a night of dance floor shenanigans. Overall, what a day. These two have been together for eight years, and their comfort and love for each other and their new family could not have been more inviting. Thanks for the opportunity in documenting your Summer Wedding at Piney River Ranch, which is always one of our favorite Vail Wedding Venues to photograph. As always, a huge shout out to the Piney River Ranch staff and the lovely Sarah Viera for all of your hard work to make it all possible.

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Fortunately, there was just enough time to squeeze the ceremony in before it really started going and the guests had to make their way inside for some warm beverages. After dinner, they opened up the mic and countless people began explaining how special Chris & Myrna were to them. There weren’t many dry eyes after it was all said and done.

All in all, Chris & Myrna’s Piney River Ranch Wedding was a blast, rain and all. We were able to sneak out for a few portraits of these two, with Mt Powell in the background, making for some breathtaking Vail Wedding Photos. Congrats you two and thank you for letting us document your wedding.

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Upon arriving at the lake, we hopped and grabbed as much of the warm light as we could before it disappeared and the mosquitoes arrived in full force. If you are heading to Piney in the summer, bring the bug spray. They still bite at 9,350 feet above sea level.

All in all, we had a great time with these two, creating some beautiful engagement portraits in preparation for their Beaver Creek Wedding this February. Enjoy these photos from their Summer Engagement at Piney River Ranch.

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The Piney valley is covered in aspen trees, wildlife and colorful wildflowers. You really can’t go wrong with a spring, summer or fall wedding here. Out of all the Piney River Ranch Weddings we’ve photographed, we’d venture to guess that moose has made an appearance at least half the times.

The ceremony and reception spaces are blocked off for private events, even though the area is open to the public. Piney has plenty of benches for ceremony seating and all the amenities needed for your reception. One of the biggest reason’s why Piney makes our shortlist of favorite Vail Wedding Venues is the kind and easy going staff. Some of the Vail Resort venues can be limiting in what you can do or have access to. Piney even allows their couples to take a canoe ride post ceremony once the dock has closed.

The experience of Piney River Ranch Wedding can’t be replicated anywhere else. It’s classy, but feels like an authentic mountain camp with the tents, cabins and boat dock.

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Piney River Road is a bit of a haul and it is suggested that you have a SUV with moderate to high clearance. While we wouldn’t classify it as a 4×4 road, your average two wheel drive sedan might struggle.

Also worth mentioning, being a western facing, you’ll often get great Alpenglow right before sunset. With permission, a canoe ride during this time can be one of the most beautiful experiences of your Piney River Ranch Wedding or Engagement.

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The drive up for their Piney River Ranch Engagement wasn’t necessarily easy, but the views were worth it. The fall colors and the Gore Range in the background makes a bumpy road less of an annoyance and more of an adventure. We trucked along the surrounding trails with their two dogs and Rob even managed to spot two moose all the way across Piney Lake.

As always, enjoy the photos from Rob & Julie’s Piney River Ranch Engagement session. We won’t be back to these parts until next year.

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